That curb just had to be there...

[MDLarson]

So I was exiting the church parking lot a few weeks ago, and there was snow on the road. I took the corner and foolishly thought it would be fun to spin out a bit. (Note to self: in order to maintain control of WRX, give power to the wheels... WRX acts like any other car if no gas is applied in an oversteer.)

So... I hit the curb. Hard. Take a look at the damage done to the right rear wheel. The right front wheel also has some curb rash, probably from the same incident.

The wheel is also tilted to the outside a little bit.

I talked to the nice guys at Morrie's Subaru in Brooklyn Park and they say that I need to at least replace the wheel / rim and the strut. They want to charge $320.28 for the rim, which I am sure is outrageous, and $130.21 for the strut. Labor would cost $200 for that, plus an $89 re-alignment.

A worst-case scenario is to replace all sorts of other stuff like a bearing ($75), three seals (~$18), the axle ($390), a knuckle ($155), *something I can't read on the estimate* ($81), a hub ($120), and an axle nut ($8). Doing all of the above would cost $600 in labor, plus an $89 re-alignment.

I hate stupid accidents!

So, I'm wondering what the seasoned WRX enthusiasts think of all of this. I found a set of rims on eBay that I like and will supposedly fit on my 2003 WRX, so I'm thinking of just getting all new wheels for $450 instead of just one for $320.

It's been driving just fine as far as I can tell, but just today I noticed that when I take a left turn, I can hear a faint thumping noise. It doesn't seem to happen on right turns.

[MDLarson]

Eh... those eBay wheels are 18" wheels. That means I'd have to get new tires too, right? I think I'll keep looking.

[freakray]

I've drifted my Impreza in snow plenty of times, wouldn't say it handles like any other car in oversteer, you just need to know how to handle it.

Unfortunately you're new to the car, but you'll find it's possible to hold a perfectly controlled slide once you're used to it, it's all a case of regulating the gas to control the slide and steering the car to guide the car where you want it. A combination of gas and steering input is where it's at, practice a little and you'll be set.


The wheels will fit your car without a problem, the offset is about where it needs to be.
To check, pull a wheel off your Impreze, the offset is on the backside of the hub, I just can't remember what it is off hand.

[freakray]

Yes, new tires too.
Stock wheel size is 16"

[SabreKhan]

Ebay has TONS of stock WRX wheels for cheap cheap. I got a set of four wheels with slightly used Hoosier tires on them for $150. Check the NASIOC classifieds, too. Plus, 18" wheels are a little too big for the WRX. Lots of people use them, but they significantly increase NVH and unsprung weight. The purists would tell you to stick with the 16s, but I like the looks of the slightly bigger 17s, and the performance drawbacks are outweighed by the looks (for my street wheels). My track wheels are still 16". Actually, my street wheels are still 16", too, until I can afford a third set of wheels (and talk my wife into it).

[MDLarson]

Originally Posted by SabreKhan

Plus, 18" wheels are a little too big for the WRX. Lots of people use them, but they significantly increase NVH...

What does NVH mean?

Yeah, I think my plan is definitely to monitor eBay for stuff.

And freakray, I hear what you're saying about controlling the car in a slide... I am feeling a lot more comfortable in the WRX now, and driving my old Toyota Tercel tonight felt weird. But, I'm gonna take it easy until I get stuff fixed up right. I'm a little worried about blowing my tire due to the sharp edges on that rim, but I'll monitor it so nothing happens.

I checked out the curb where I slammed the wheel yesterday and I found the busted piece of aluminum wheel! It's all twisted too. I will post a picture of it soon; it would make a good metallurgical study I think, lol.

[Right_LiRrr]

NVH = noise, vibration, harshness i.e. what makes your already crappy stock sound system sound like a rattling tin can with stones in it.

and yeah, if that concerns you, don't get 18s. 17s are ok though, mine came with stock 17s. They all do down here nowadays, dunno about USDM though.

[SabreKhan]

Dang you Aussies and your stock 17" wheels!

[MDLarson]

Well, the budget in me won out and I decided to just go for a stock WRX wheel. It will cost me about $117, shipping included. I plan on puting my existing tire on the eBay wheel and the eBay tire on my busted wheel, hopefully keeping that as a spare in the trunk.

[SabreKhan]

You just got one wheel for $117?!?
For future reference, here's what a two-minute NASIOC search pulled up:
$250 for all four (the other three re-sellable for a profit): http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ighlight=wheel

$75/wheel - http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ighlight=wheel

[MDLarson]

Originally Posted by SabreKhan

You just got one wheel for $117?!?
For future reference, here's what a two-minute NASIOC search pulled up:
$250 for all four (the other three re-sellable for a profit): http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ighlight=wheel

$75/wheel - http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ighlight=wheel

Originally Posted by Robbie from the Wedding Singer

Jeeze, you know, that information might have been a little more usefull to me yesterday.

Dude, I didn't even know NASIOC existed!

Oh well, I'm happy to get a wheel. It's certainly a deal compared to what the Subaru dealership wanted to charge me. It shipped out today.

[freakray]

Originally Posted by MDLarson

Dude, I didn't even know NASIOC existed!

Sabre mentioned it in his first post in this thread

You live, you learn, tomorrow is another day my friend

[MDLarson]

Originally Posted by freakray

Sabre mentioned it in his first post in this thread

You live, you learn, tomorrow is another day my friend

GAH!!!! It's TRUE!!! Sorry Sabre! Me = I guess I was just used to finding anything and everything on eBay.

[Right_LiRrr]

Originally Posted by SabreKhan

Dang you Aussies and your stock 17" wheels!

[SabreKhan]

You got your wheel, and admittedly got a good deal on it. Not as good a deal as you *could* have gotten, but a good deal nonetheless. It's like buying a DVD you've wanted forever for $5 and then seeing it in the $0.99 bin. You kick yourself, but you still got it for cheaper than you expected.