03 Impreza WRX

[cool555]

Hi guys,

I'm gettin closer to buying an 03 WRX, but I need some advice for you fellow WRX-a-holics from this forum...
Is the 3 gauge-pack (628$) really worth it? Or will the single turbo gauge suffice?
How is the paint quality, esp on the WR Blue ?
Did anyone have major transmission problems (I saw on other forums- tranny problems:but could be because of rough driving)
Also, hows the mpg-highway?
Hows the insurance rates for the WRX (Im 22 with one minor accident)
Thanks in advance guys!!

[cool555]

wow, thanx for all the info guys...

[Tsui]

Your welcome :o

Ok, I don't own a WRX but I'll give info anyhow, but I could be wrong.

The FULL gauge pack IMHO is not worth it. Also I think you can get it for around the $450 @ some website I dont recall as of now ($628!?!?). Better yet just take the housing or any other aftermarket one, which can go to the $150ish and then buy your own gauges. The full pack only shows boost, oil temp, and voltage IIRC. You should have the boost and EGT gauges and then the third can be of your choice.

I dont think you'll really need the gauges unless you are thinking of putt some decent moderate mod on the car or you just want it for looks or just for the heck of it.

Paint quality is not the best but not bad either, know to be kinda thin.

Transmission problems would be most likely of abuse, maybe a few lucky owners got the bad trannies, but aside from that, as long as you shift smoothly (slip, no dump) you should be fine.

MPG can go anywhere to 20/27 approx, depending on how you drive. This is referring to the manual trannies. Lower on the autos.

Insurance would vary depending on where you live. Most insurance companies consider the WRX as a sports car, therefore, BOOOM! It goes high. Here in WA big rates should go down by the time your 25. I was quoted around $4.5K for a WRX wagon (just for laughs).

Any REAL owner may correct me if they see fit.

-paK

[2fast4uwrx]

check out these sites

www.impreza.net
www.clubwrx.net
www.i-club.com

Do some searches on the first one and you should get a lot of info from there.

[mugenrsx]

you can get a wrx with no options for like 22,000 from the dealer. to me the options are over priced and will only make your monthly payment higher. if your gonna mod it save money and buy it later. i'm saving to buy a car and the wrx might be it. My theory is lower monthly payment more money for mods a month. Or anything else for that matter. I'm planning on putting 3k down on a base wrx sedan. I'll wheel and deal with them and i won't pay anymore than 410 a month. purchasing that is. take into account taxes too. .08% here in NY.:licker: :cry:

[cool555]

Hi guys, I just went to a Subaru dealer yesterday and ordered my 03 WRX sedan(WR Blue)!! I got it for 24,061 It has:
rear spoiler
premium sound pkg
upgraded alarm
armrest
dimming/compass
filtration
I cant wait to get it!!

[2fast4uwrx]

Congrats

[Gonthrax]

Congrats aswell. Now here are a few words of warning.

Watch out for 3rd gear. The glass it is made out of is slightly more breakable then the glass the rest are made out of j/k

But seriously, the consensous of most rex owners is that the tranny is the weak point. Most of them go out in 3rd gear. Now a friend of mine has a MY02 and his dropped 2nd... Go figure.

Also, remember that from the factory they run rich so plan to change your sparkplugs accordingly as your mods lean it out.

Uhh what else. It's easier to wire the backlight wires of your gauges to your running lights

If your considering a piggyback computer, don't get the TurboXs, it blows, trust me I've installed one. They didn't send me half the parts needed, and it has a horrid hesitation problem.

Oh, and don't waste your money on those grounding kits, you can make one for about 10 bucks, and they do help

And the stock tires are trash IMHO.

Oh, and the car is nimble, quick, and alot of fun to drive... But if this is your first performace car, please don't fall into the big headed "my car is the shit" trap. People who really like cars will recognize it for what it is and give you props. Oh, and once you get I/H/E have fun at the strip with the Mustangs, they never see it commin

[cool555]

Thanx for all the info guys (this time I mean it!)
Is the upgraded sound pkg worth it...Im not a 3000 w bass maniac, but I do appreciate some kinda bass..
I can't wait 2 weeks!:flash:

[MaximusGTR]

A 2002 kicked my ass on my way to San Diego! I wonder now, that I'm running Forced Induction myself

[f1ce]

was it a white one on I-15? hehe

[Gonthrax]

Originally posted by cool555
Thanx for all the info guys (this time I mean it!)
Is the upgraded sound pkg worth it...Im not a 3000 w bass maniac, but I do appreciate some kinda bass..
I can't wait 2 weeks!:flash:

No problem.

Btw, the sound system is not to shabby, tho if you like bass, it could benifit from a couple of 10s, or a 12.

[cool555]

yah I heard that the sub underneath the seat doesnt exactly cut it, so depending on whether I really need trunk space or not =), Ill choose my system accordingly
one minor setback w/ order of the WRX: I have to wait 6 weeks to get my WRX!!
probably start buyin out mods and parts I want in my WRX..hehe..

[MaximusGTR]

Hey f1ce, you bloody bastard, how the hell did you know that?????
Was that you? At the time, I was in my Turquois Chevy beretta and yes it was on the I-15. That thing kicks ass dog, what kind of exaust was that??? This was many months ago though, are you always on the I-15 trying to race everybody, how the hell would you know that????

[f1ce]

hehe actually its my friend who goes to school at ucsd :P he's allways going back and forth to vegas and san diego. I'll ask him what he's done to it