New to this forum with a question, pleas help! Long post!

Hi all,

First I am new to this forum, I have been hanging out on the modelers forum for a while now.

I live in Switzerland, close to the German border........... Autobahn!


Last Friday I ordered a 2002 model WRX STi Impreza, black with gold rims and black window tint. The 2002 model in Switzerland is the bug eye version; just to clear up any problems with different model years in different countries, I think this is the '03 model in the states.... but not sure. I am supposed to pick it up later this week, after I have sorted out the insurance and some winter tires etc......

I was just going through the info again this weekend and I saw that the 2003 model is the same price, the only difference is that I would have to wait for a black one, they have a blue in the show room, and silver and red arriving in 2 weeks.

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the '02 and the '03 and if it would be better to get the '03.

If anyone has any links to websites or any info I would be very happy to know.

Sorry about the long post, I just want to make the right decision; it is a lot of money to spend!


Oh, and one last thing........ How long ( Km's) is the run in time?

Here in the US, both '02 and '03 are the same. If the '03 for you is still the bug eyes, it's no different than what you've got. I don't remember correctly, but I think the new body style ('04 for the US) might be '03 for overseas. Talk to your dealer.

If both are bug-eye models, than all that is different is option packages. At least here, '03 come standard with the Momo steering wheel, '02 it was an option. Nothing major, but stuff like that.

Pricing is probably the same because resale is always great on these things. Before I got mine, I was looking used and found that I could get an '02 with 20,000 miles on it for about $22kUSD. Well, an '03 with ZERO miles starts at $25kUSD... so you see what I mean.

Again, talk to your dealer.

in japan, the '03 is the new body style, '04 for america. i'm not sure which one it is for you. is your '01 the bugeye or the classic one?

Just a quick note to update you all,

I have decided to stay with the 2002 model, as the 2003 model will not arive untill April and I have been unable to find any useful info as to the modifications recieved by the new model.

I was due to take delivery today, friday the 21st, but with the insurance muck up it has been delaied untill Tuesday the 25th.

I am keen to hear of any modification that have been carried out by people in this forum with a view to having it lowered.

I have seen some info on a track day at the Hockenheim ring in summer, it sounds like a good time to find out if the max speed is realy 244 km!