Facts and Myths about Legacy GT's, WRX's, STI's

[marshallpre1]

Alright, it looks like it may be time for a new DD. I'm open to all options, but the Subaru family is near the top of my list for AWD, 4-door practicality, and fun. I was looking at 240sx's and integras, but they are not practical. at all. So instead of posting at nasioc, I figured my newbie questions won't be burned here. note that I am keeping this car STOCK and of course it will be manual. Oh yeah, and the Evo is also in the list. I have the Supra in the garage if I really want to go nuts. I've heard a lot of rumors regarding the cars. Help me confirm or dispel them

WRX:
1. What is the truth about the glass tranny?
2. Expensive fixes? Clutch, turbo, etc.
3. Real world pricing. Is my $12K ceiling too low?

STI:
1. Pro's/Con's
2. Price ceiling of $16K for a 04 too low?

Legacy GT:
1. Same drivetrain as WRX?

As with these cars, how to find signs of abuse?
Any maintenance difficulties?

Anything else I missed?

[RayArroyo]

WRX:
1. What is the truth about the glass tranny? Few Launches and kaboom
2. Expensive fixes? Clutch, about the same as any other car
3. Real world pricing. Is my $12K ceiling too low? for an 02-03 is realistic

STI:
1. Pro's/Con's really non unless you plan on running more than 430 whp which then you have to watch out for ringlands, nothing drop in pistons cant fix though.
2. Price ceiling of $16K for a 04 too low? maybe

Legacy GT:
1. Same drivetrain as WRX? similar but stronger gears

As with these cars, how to find signs of abuse?
Any maintenance difficulties? i would do a compression test before purchasing, look for execive oil or blow by like in the intake filter. check the turbo to make sure all the oem lines are there.

[marshallpre1]

Thanks!

So it looks like I gotta be more careful if I pick up a WRX. hmmm... this is tough

[ndubz]

04 Sti 4th and 5th syncro go on you, its more of a annoyance than anything though, it just grinds in some when u go into gear but it hasnt been that bad for me .... yet.

but ya, if ur not gonna mod it much, go for the STi. the wrx will blow its tranny stock. the LGT is better. If i were u id go LGT or Sti. or just get something mundane but nice since you have a supra to go balls out with. Lexus? Acura?? Dacia Sandero???

[B00ST]

If you are interested my brother in-law has a higher mileage (117K) 04 STI for sale priced at $14,000 obo. Most of the miles are highway and the car is in nice shape for the miles. Here is the ad on craigslist if you are interested

http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/1247175104.html

[marshallpre1]

Originally Posted by ndubz

04 Sti 4th and 5th syncro go on you, its more of a annoyance than anything though, it just grinds in some when u go into gear but it hasnt been that bad for me .... yet.

but ya, if ur not gonna mod it much, go for the STi. the wrx will blow its tranny stock. the LGT is better. If i were u id go LGT or Sti. or just get something mundane but nice since you have a supra to go balls out with. Lexus? Acura?? Dacia Sandero???

thanks. I don't want anything boring because I'll end up just driving the Supra everywhere. I need something fun that I WANT to take on trips. I'll be keeping the car stock and I'm basically done with serious modding... for a little while.

Originally Posted by B00ST

If you are interested my brother in-law has a higher mileage (117K) 04 STI for sale priced at $14,000 obo. Most of the miles are highway and the car is in nice shape for the miles. Here is the ad on craigslist if you are interested

http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/1247175104.html

Thanks, I'll check it out!

[JET02WRX]

Obviously i'm biased here...but going off of these statements... " I need something fun that I WANT to take on trips. I'll be keeping the car stock and I'm basically done with serious modding ", and "AWD, 4-door practicality, and fun." I would go with a WRX Wagon. You'll be able to find one that is likely unmodded, well taken care of, and still fun to drive, best of all... its useful because of the hatch. If you don't beat on the clutch, it will be fine. Plenty of people with modded WRX's running stock clutches. Just leave the launching duties to your supra and you'll be good. Give the car a good once over thats all.

[Subie_sleeper]

Don't rule out a Forester XT either.

[Jeffros Spec V]

Let it be known I blew my STI ringlands on like 250 HP. It's all about the tune.

[marshallpre1]

....I'm looking at an SRT-4 this weekend.....

[WRX_JB]

Originally Posted by marshallpre1

....I'm looking at an SRT-4 this weekend.....

ewwww

[sisforsurfing]

Originally Posted by ray@turbotek

WRX:
1. What is the truth about the glass tranny? Few Launches and kaboom

I know you do this stuff professionally but isn't that a little overstated? There are plenty of people running around on stock transmissions with a bit more than a few launches and no kaboom.
I used to be super scared of my transmission but stopped worrying so much about 30k miles ago. I'm now at 80k miles, probably over 100 launches, and it was my first stick shift car! I had driven manual for maybe two hours total before owning this car. I'm still on the stock clutch. It's also a wagon, though, and wagons have super powers.

I agree to try and find a wagon, more of them were previously driven my old ladies, and they're hugely practical. If you can handle the SRT-4's, um, idiosyncrasies more power to you.

[marshallpre1]

Originally Posted by WRX_JB

ewwww

Originally Posted by sisforsurfing

I know you do this stuff professionally but isn't that a little overstated? There are plenty of people running around on stock transmissions with a bit more than a few launches and no kaboom.
I used to be super scared of my transmission but stopped worrying so much about 30k miles ago. I'm now at 80k miles, probably over 100 launches, and it was my first stick shift car! I had driven manual for maybe two hours total before owning this car. I'm still on the stock clutch. It's also a wagon, though, and wagons have super powers.

I agree to try and find a wagon, more of them were previously driven my old ladies, and they're hugely practical. If you can handle the SRT-4's, um, idiosyncrasies more power to you.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm already hearing it from my buddies here. But if the car I'm looking at is really as good as it looks in pics, and given the price he's selling it, it'll be hard for me to say no. WRX's, STIs, and Evos WERE doable, but I also just bought a house last week. My budget is 1/3 lower than before.

It's gonna be my dd. My previous dd is a corolla, so this is huge leaps and bounds. Plus, I'll still have my Supra in the garage :D

SRT-4s are quick!

[sisforsurfing]

As long as you know what you're up against you're set. They're really fun cars, I just meant the things like crank rear windows, haha

Congrats if you bought it!

[marshallpre1]

Originally Posted by sisforsurfing

As long as you know what you're up against you're set. They're really fun cars, I just meant the things like crank rear windows, haha

Congrats if you bought it!

yea I know about the windows, but I'll be driving, so I should be fine lol. I haven't bought it yet, but I am looknig

[RayArroyo]

Originally Posted by sisforsurfing

I know you do this stuff professionally but isn't that a little overstated? There are plenty of people running around on stock transmissions with a bit more than a few launches and no kaboom.
I used to be super scared of my transmission but stopped worrying so much about 30k miles ago. I'm now at 80k miles, probably over 100 launches, and it was my first stick shift car! I had driven manual for maybe two hours total before owning this car. I'm still on the stock clutch. It's also a wagon, though, and wagons have super powers.

I agree to try and find a wagon, more of them were previously driven my old ladies, and they're hugely practical. If you can handle the SRT-4's, um, idiosyncrasies more power to you.

yeah it was probbably overstated

[cr8zyjap07]

worried about trannies but your looking at a srt4? :D good luck!

[rocco]

+1 for a forester xt. i would buy one if i owned a supra. first off forester xt is turbo so its fun and useful plus theyre cool. dont waste your time with the impreza or legacy you have a supra. and srt4 you must be crazy skip that headache and just buy yourself a dsm theyre cheaper and just like the srt4 they dont hold up. SUPRA !
get a forester xt

[DaveSTi]

SRT4ewwwww

jk

buy what you like the best, but be sure to drive each.

I did learn a long time ago on my tricycle about how much FWD sucks though.

[Flavoredrubbaz]

When looking for modded Subarus look at the lower heat sheilds for the turbo, no one ever puts them back on.

Melo