so im looking to get out of 240's and getting into something "newer" and AWD. ive always wanted a wrx but they were never in my price range. today i came across this and i am considering it. Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com
ill probably be doing just some bolt-ons like FMIC, bov, exhaust, coilovers, wheels, turbo timer, boost controller etc.
what do you think? is it worth it? to high of mileage? will maintance be a pain with the high mileage and the mods? lmk!

 

Have you studied up on WRXs? There's a lot of great newbie information available on North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club. Basically, on the stock turbo, the FMIC, BOV, and the boost controller are a bad idea. The WRX 5 spd. is weak, so if you treat it like a 240, it's going to take a crap. Have the car inspected by a Subaru mechanic, then, if you get it, look into turboback exhaust, up pipe, intake (some don't mess with their intake), and a tune. That will bring you to stage II, which is decently quick on the TD04 WRX turbo. After that, look into a modified WRX transmission with PPG gears or an STi 6 spd (make sure to go with a good clutch), and go for a turbo like the VF39 or 18g. Then you can look into a FMIC (more for the latter turbo). BOVs typically require tuning unless you want your car to lose performance, turbo timer is a good idea, and coilovers and wheels are a must.

High mileage isn't that big of a deal so long as it checks out; my car is about to hit 70 and she looks and acts 20!

 

damn, it sounds like alot of work for a couple of mods to get the car pretty quick. and you said the transmission is weak, i baby my 240 alot more than i beat on it. still recommend on getting a wrx sti 6-speed? will it bolt straight up to this car? and why dont you recommend get a front mount and a boost controller?

 

honestly if you plan on modding just get the sti... save yourself the headache

 

I agree on the transmission. You can do a simple STI 6spd swap for around 3k.... Just gotta be on nasioc every min on the drivetrain sale fourm.

I got my hands on a 6spd, shifter linkage, and driveshaft for $2,700

 

a lot of work.. you have to un bolt the current exhaust... bolt on a good exhaust, tune, BAM 30 awhp...

fmic with a stock wrx turbo will be laggy and not much more cooling than either stock tmic or upgraded tmic....

boost controllers are bad if you dont tune, subies dont like to just have the boost upped without a real tune.

if you stay modest with your parts you wont have to worry about your tranny (assuming good driving) but once you get 275-300 awhp/tq then anything could happen (tends to be the older the wrx the weaker the tranny and you picked the oldest possible)

 

02 and 03 early model wrx's have glass trannys. Buy my brother's 05 wrx if you want a little stronger tranny. Pm me if you are interested. It hasn't been modded...just an exhaust.