IS300 or WRX

[NISSANSPDR]

WRX in Car & Driver's Ten Best 2 years in a row...I dont think I see the IS300 in the ranks...

[Chris]

Well, no one ever said bolt-ons were cheap (the ECU), but its still a bolt on. And yes, you need one in order to give the engine more gas to go along with more air. Also, you want to modify the blow-off valve. This will make it so the turbo produces more peak boost. This will make the power curve more erratic, but you do get more power, and dont lose any.

And yes, some types of exhaust and cold air intakes will not greatly increase power, in some cases, they lower it. But in conjunction with other modifications, they give a large performance increase. And yes, removing some of the cats will yield a healthy performance increase. I would especially recommend removing the cat that comes before the turbo, as this will decrease turbo lag significantly.

[flylwsi]

i'm a big is300 fan...

it wouldn't be hard to but a 2jz into it... or turbo what it's got.

since when was rwd horrible ?

just b/c it's rwd doesn't mean it isn't going to get traction.

it would be so nice too, b/c no one expects it, b/c it's all the richy people in em... sleeper

peter farrell makes a turbo for it, there's a nice aftermarket for it both in japan and here...



and on the "it's cheaper" note... just b/c the wrx costs less... doesn't mean you have more money left over...

unless you have 60k in your pocket to buy a car.

most of us don't and we'll have to finance a car. so the "extra" cash doesn't exist...

please don't use that argument...

people use that with a civic... in the vette vs. civic debate...
civic costs less so you can spend the extra to mod it and beat the vette...

but the whole reason you didn't get the vette was b/c you couldn't afford it... the extra money doesn't exist...

at least in most cases... i know it can happen, but it's so unlikely and a lame defense.

and if you wanna talk about service, lexus has some of the best service in the auto industry today...
if your sube breaks down, will they come get you in a new one and loan it to you until your car is done? will they bring your car back to you and take the other one back? doubt it

[BLU CIVIC]

lexus is300...that is the nicest car.....i would take the rumored is400 over the m3 i have always wanted.... the wrx but as an all around car i'd take the is just b/c you have speed and style that will cater to everyone and people will always see the wrx as a nice looking rally car

[fatninja19]

Originally posted by Chris
Well, no one ever said bolt-ons were cheap (the ECU), but its still a bolt on. And yes, you need one in order to give the engine more gas to go along with more air. Also, you want to modify the blow-off valve. This will make it so the turbo produces more peak boost. This will make the power curve more erratic, but you do get more power, and dont lose any.

And yes, some types of exhaust and cold air intakes will not greatly increase power, in some cases, they lower it. But in conjunction with other modifications, they give a large performance increase. And yes, removing some of the cats will yield a healthy performance increase. I would especially recommend removing the cat that comes before the turbo, as this will decrease turbo lag significantly.

One reason for me to explain that the WRX is still quite pricey to mod is that other folks were using price as an argument.... But whooooo... once you get that ECU mod, that engine is finally somewhat responsive to mods.

You say that "some" intakes and exahusts don't result in a gain.... I agree with you when referring to cars in general, but my friend had and AEM CAI along with a Borla catback.. both big name companies.. So thats just to say that the engine isn't so responsive to bolt ons with out the ecu mod.. unlike most turbo cars. Just the replacement of the cat before the turbo will cost a few hundred bucks... unless you custom fabricate piping yourself.


And I also do believe that the Warrantee on the Subi sucks. My friend brought the WRX to the dealer with an AEM CAI, and they threatened to void the warrantee. Then he brought it again, but this time he also had a turbo timer... A turbo timer!!! One that intrigues longer engine life! And he had to beg to not void the warrantee... In my current state of mind, buying a brand new car and having no warrantee because of a few light bolt ons isn't worth it.

[Chris]

Well, the warranty is a big issue for almost all new cars. The dealer is just looking for a way to get out of work. The sad part is, most of the time, they are able to get away with it. But the turbo timer is absolutely ridiculous.
And I never claimed that bolt-ons were cheap. Whenever buying a performance car, i feel that money should be set aside for performance mods. But, i you were to remove one or two of the cats. with a borla exhaust, high flow cold air intake, new ECU, essentially completely changed getting the air in and out, you would realize some real performance increases. I also consider an intercooler bolt-on, and a big front mount intercooler gives excellent performance increases.

[fatninja19]

It'd be awesome to have 20g's left over after purchasing the WRX. First mod: DOGBOX...... Redline clutch dumps all day... worry free


Butt if not.. IS300 it is.. hahaha

[flylwsi]

that's my point...

you won't have the 20gs in reality...

sube's warranty states that if you have any aftermarket parts on the car, it's pretty much voided.

even their parts, like they're exh and what not will void it...

[crayzayjay]

If you wanna drive a car with a cheap interior and lousy stereo go for the WRX. Nothing wrong with the build quality, but the design is atrocious. It'll go faster than the IS, but its twice as ugly inside and out. Dont get me wrong, looks arent all that matter. But if youre willing to sacrifice some performance for a better looking and luxurious car, go for the IS. Otherwise, umm... don't

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

Twice as ugly inside and out? I don't think so at all. The LEx is a bit nice, on the outside at least, never sat in one, and the WRX is nice outside and the interior isn't bad. Going by performance, the WRX is better than the Lexus by a lot. But when it comes down to buying a car, you look at price, warrenty, etc., and you gotta take it for a test drive.

[crayzayjay]

Hey man, its just my opinion, i think the WRX looks tacky. Allowed an opinion arent i? Im not even a huge fan of the IS series, but i'd be more likely to go for that type of car than a WRX... unless a mint Integrale was in the mix!