Questions About WRX's

[sleepydsm]

A lot of you guys here have WRXs or know a thing or two about them. I am thinking of possibly getting a WRX Wagon to replace my daily driver Civic hatchback. I do not plan on modding this, I just want 4 doors, AWD, and room to haul shit around like an air compressor or an engine once and awhile. And because it's a WRX I won't feel like a tree hugging lesbian.

What are some issues I should look for with WRX's?

I have heard the manual trannys, when abused, are about as crappy as a DSMs.

How corrosion resistant are they? I haven't ever seen a rusty one lol.

Is there any better or worse model years?

Thanks for your time.

[Kracka]

3rd gear is the weak-point in the MT's but unless you're heavily modded or drive like an assclown you won't have an issue. They are a pain to work on compared to DSM's but since you're leaving it stock that won't be much of a concern.

[goodhart]

Can't really think of much off hand, but mine has been super reliable, and also the Auto's are a bit more stout than the 5MT's.

[C3L1CA]

I wouldn't mind having one for a daily either. People always bitch about working on them, but honestly once you tear a couple apart they aren't THAT bad.

[goodhart]

I wouldn't mind having one for a daily either. People always bitch about working on them, but honestly once you tear a couple apart they aren't THAT bad.

x2 there is more room under the hoods than you would think. Spark plugs are a time consuming job though, sure not like a 4g63 where it takes 30 seconds.

[niterydr]

Spark plugs are nothing on a wrx compared to a few cars out there, and thankfully shouldn't need to be changed that much unless you are mucking with it.

If I ever got one, I'd put in a walbro, modify the injectors, and play with the Open ECU. I would pick up solid hp over stock and leave it right there, maybe put on a few sti bits if I can get them cheap enough. Great cars, love the exhaust note, and are pretty reliable as long as you keep them "tame" (like most cars).

[mike55112]

I liked mine when I had one. Working on them isnt to bad. I heard something about the 02-03's having some trans problems but that was when they were modded.

[adidasdudegst]

3rd gear is the weak-point in the MT's but unless you're heavily modded or drive like an assclown you won't have an issue.

hahaha true. had a buddy that had one, and he fd up his 3rd gear up trying to be mr cool, and didnt clutch in, and ground up a bit of 3rd gear, while trying to drift in snow. I've heard they are pretty solid as far as a stock/somewhat stock dd goes.

[At-Least-It's-An-Evo]

My sister had one, and obviously didn't mod it. The tranny still went to shit. It was an 02... I wouldn't buy one unless you can handle a shitty tranny, or buy an auto.

[scheides]

I think the older hatchbacks are total lesbian magnets (no offense ylime!) but other than that, if you planned on keeping it super simple there's no reason why it wouldn't be a good car for ya.

Ultimately, you gotta be honest with yourself. You know you will mod it in some way or another. Exhaust, intake, tune, maybe up pipe, and a tune and you're golden...until you get an STi TMIC and STi turbo... :P