Please teach me WRXs, please...

As some may remember, DD#1's 2002 base Impreza wagon was hit a week or two ago. We're assuming it will be totaled, and DD is already saying that she wants to make the switch from automatic to manual. She really really likes the wagon/5 door format, but she might also want to move up to a WRX. The car is a daily commuter but she also will autocross it locally 6-10 times a year in Street or ST.

I'm somewhat familiar with the platform's positive side, but other than the even mix of horror stories and testimonials, I know very little about the WRX's drawbacks and dangers. Additionally, I know nothing at all about the current and previous generations; just the 2002-2007 cars.

I don't honestly know what her budget will be. At a WAG, I assume she will get anywhere from $3000-$4000 from her existing car. How much extra she wants to budget is up to her, but we've trained her to avoid excessive debt so I don't think a $30,000 car is in order. For argument's sake, let's assume approximately $10,000-$12,000 as a round number.

What would you look for and what would you avoid? Got one or know of one for sale? Will also entertain suggestions for alternate cars, but she does like the AWD. Thanks!

Well you know most of the issues with the body style of your previous subaru wagon. All the same stuff applies. The 2.0 turbo wrx's are pretty solid, but rust is the issue to worry about. Control are recall applies, fuel line recall also. When they moved to the 2.5 turbo, there fans and non-fans of that engine. Ringland failure is a concern, but if you are looking used, it would have likely reared it's head before you end up with it. 2008 was the year of the revamped body, you might find wrx's on the cheap for that model year, as 2009 saw a different turbo and tune, allowing more power from stock. So side by side the 2009 is a better car than the 2008. As a result you can get a 2008 for cheaper. It's still a good car, just not as "fast".

My basic understanding of the 2008-2013 cars is that even stock, a Cobb (or similar) plug-in tune is pretty much required for safety's sake. Is that overstating things?

I have also heard that you really want to avoid cars that have had aftermarket wastegates / BOVs added. Is that true, and if so, why?

With a $10-12k budget I think you're probably limited to the '02-'07 models. Most of the '02-'05s I've seen are around $10k or less, with the '06 and '07s (with the better brakes) being in the low teens. The '08+ models seem to start around the mid-teens, as do the early STi models.

A tune does wonders for drivability and power, but I don't know that it's mandatory (though I'm not quite as familiar with the '08+ models). And aftermarket BOVs are easy enough to remove and replace with a stock bypass valve. It's not necessarily healthy for the motor but it shouldn't do any long-term damage. It has to do with the BOV expelling air after the MAF sensor instead of it being recirculated.

My '05 STi was the only car I've had that my wife really loved to drive.

protégé 5

The blow off valve thing is, you don't want it dumping boost pressure into the atmosphere, as it will cause the fuel mix to go lean. You want a diverter valve style setup. An aftermarket tune is not required, but some believe it is a good idea for better drivability. I also think you end up with an 07 or older with your budget. Keep an eye out for Saab 9-2x aero's. As they are wrx's in Saab clothing, and regionally will come in at a lower price.

I'd also note that 06/07 had different brakes. I'm not in the camp that they are better. They resist heat better, but I believe they have less clamping force/pad area. I use the stock 02 brake calipers in my hillclimb car, even though I have access to the newer style calipers for cheap to free. The difference is worth noting, the newer calipers also cause you to run 17 inch wheels, or find a few rare sets of 16 inch rims that work(and some 15's too).

sachilles wrote: The blow off valve thing is, you don't want it dumping boost pressure into the atmosphere, as it will cause the fuel mix to go lean

Rich, not lean. Try coasting to a stop and the car stalls.

The real reason to avoid a car with one is because the PO was more concerned with making weird noises instead of good performance and drivability. What other things did they bastardize? Vented BOVs are the double blade wiper blades of the turbo world.

In reply to Knurled: Yup....rich, my error....

The WRX uses a MAF before the turbo and recirculating bypass valve. When someone installs a BOV, the pre-metered air that's usually recirculated back into the system is vented into the atmosphere, causing a momentary rich situation on shifts. This honestly isn't a huge deal, people make it into a bigger issue than it really is. But there's a bigger, lurking problem, and that's the fact that anyone who installs a BOV in the first place values the neat sound over proper function... and I don't trust those people to set it up properly. The BOV could be leaking, causing the engine to constantly run rich to some level, and that's bad because the cylinder walls will be get washed with fuel, the oil will have more fuel dilution, spark plugs and o2 sensors will foul sooner, everything will get covered with carbon, and that sucks. On the other hand, the owner could adjust the BOV too tight causing compressor surge because the bov diaphragm resists opening, and when it does open, you still hit the rich condition. It's not the BOV I'm afraid of, it's the people who put them on the car.

toconn wrote: It's not the BOV I'm afraid of, it's the people who put them on the car.

That's more or less what I had gathered. Thanks for the thorough explanation.

stretch the budget just a bit ...

http://delaware.craigslist.org/cto/4743272511.html

and get snow tires and a second set of wheels

An OpenSource tune by a reputable tuner will make more power and will be safer on the engine than the OEM tune.

Oil pickups can crack, get one of these (whichever applies): www.killerbmotorsport.com/index_files/EJ20UltimatePickup.htm www.killerbmotorsport.com/index_files/UltimateOiPickup.htm

2002-2003 WRX 5-speeds don't take abuse as well as later ones... I want to say the difference is the early cases were split longitudinally instead of circumferentially, but I have an STi so I never looked into it that closely

I think if I remember correctly, a rear sway bar will wake it up in the handling dept.

I have a big fat adjustable bar on her current car. Even in the middle position, it's a lot more lively.

If you go with an 02-07 you should be able to re-use it.... That is if I'm correct in thinking she had the TS wagon that go rear ended.

I'd keep my eyes open for an 06-07 (2.5L) WRX, great vehicles with the larger EJ25, and a smaller turbo, so they make great daily drivers (wide powerband) and your parts from your existing car (sways etc) would bolt on.

I'm betting the rear of that S52 can be quite lively

Thanks for asking the same wrx wagon questions I had planned on posting to the grm gods.
For the 06-07 cars in your price range I've been considering the Saabaru wagons as they seem to run 2k less for the same car. I'm curious to hear people's comments as the only downside I see versus the wrx is the e36y two tone interior... Thoughts?

The problem is locating them. Only the Aero trim is equivalent to the WRX (turbo) and the WRX outsold it about 15 to 1. Prices seem reasonable for those cars, but there just aren't that many around.

In reply to Duke:

Agreed but it's gotta add to the cool factor

Where are you? Considering selling my 2005 9-2X Aero (WRX wagon). 55k miles, bone stock, clean title, south FL.

We're in Delaware. I'd definitely consider a fly-and-drive for a southern car. Might even sneak in a little family vacation. Please PM me the details when it's convenient for you!

As a former bugeye owner, here is my take:

• Get the cleanest one you can find. Go south (you seem to be thinking that already). They like to rust.
• Undercoat it and do it every year.
• Get a 2.0L. The 2.5's anecdotally seem to have more issues.
• Try to find a mature owner.
• Get a Cobb AP.
• Get it tuned using the AP. Go for modest power AND improved fuel economy. A WRX has enough power to get you into trouble on the street. Subaru's have a bad reputation for awful factory tunes.
• Have fun!!! They are great cars IMHO, despite the rep they have on here.

So, any reason not to fly to Dallas and buy this?

Except, of course, that my claim hasn't gone through yet.