Car Decisions BRZ Sti? or keep putting money in old WRX for Track?
 

So I have a buddy that currently has a 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX. The only mods he has is what came with the car used.

Which was:
-Pro Drive Exhaust
-Pro Drive Tune up
-HKS Ground Kit
-K&N Intake
-Pro Drive Wheels
-Track Brake Pads
-Everything else is OEM

He uses it as a daily commuter but recently took his WRX to an open track in Thunderhill for the first time. Had a freaking blast out there but his car crapped out after 3 sessions due to misfiring on one of the cylinder. The car has over 130K miles - I believe it's starting to fall apart.

All my buddies seem to have fast cars (C6, 370z-me, Mini Cooper S, G35, 350z, S2K, etc) He really wants to spend some money in either, 1) fixing up his WRX for track or 2) buy a new car (Perhaps a BRZ STi) that he can enjoy in both everyday driving and on track as well.

What do you guys think?
Should he just get an everyday practical ride (Honda Civic) and throw money into turning my 2003 WRX into a track beast? As I am calculating in the cost of buying new suspension, bigger brakes, a new turbo Turbo, this is adding up fast!
Or should he just get a BRZ STi (newer, more reliable with a better platform & less things I need to fix/upgrade).

He's so lost and I guess I just wanted some insights in what's the best way to spend his money.

hey scruffy long time no post!

just tell him to send the money to me. that's all. :tup:

If he is still trying to keep it as a DD... I would say BRZ.. :twocents:

Brrrrrrrzz

i voted brz as well. :tup:

LOL - Will do! =P

I love the WRX hatch. He should get that, much bigger, more power.

yah, that would be my choice too over the brz. :tup:


are the 2012 hatches still the STI body kit ones? its like subaru has a impreza-hatch that looks like the Highlander from the back, then the wrx is the old STI hatch? :confused:

2012 hatches are still the STi body kit ones. :tup:

If it was a new WRX, I wouldn't make the switch, since the new ones are much faster than the older ones, plus they have the same body as the STI's now.

A BRZ STI would probably have a nicer interior though, and I'm guessing it would handle better too. All the BRZ needs in my eyes is more power and STI would definitely take care of that :]

2003 seems really old to me now!

:tup:

Yea, I think he knows and that's partially why he wants a newer car. He went tracking in my 370z and he loved how much my car gripped on the road, handling, speed and how good it looks. I suggested that he should get a used 370z. Although they're a little expensive. I think the lowest is $30k. But I also know if he did buy a brand new BRZ STi which isn't exactly official and even if did come out, it'll be easily $30-$35k out the door. And I still think if its a little under power. But I think it'll at least have the essential, a well distributed weight, sports car suspension, big brakes (not confirmed). Which kind of makes me think a Nismo 370z or a used base sports 370z would be a great choice. But the Z is somewhat impractical for his DD. which is why I suggest him to save up for a BRZ STi. He actually don't necessary need AWD because he'd be open to learn the techniques and skills to drive a RWD car. Personally I think a true sports car should be RWD as AWD is somewhat of a cheat. Anyway he'll miss having a turbo car. I dunno. He's still torn. A lot of the subi forum members are telling him to get a newer regular WRX or soup up his 2003 WRX with new brakes, suspension, etc. I'd just hate to see him throwing so much money in an old car if he can make better use of his money.

From what I understand... The BRZ STi won't be coming out for a couple of model years. They are debuting the BRZ, BRZ premium and BRZ limited first.

Exactly my thought. The BRZ STI isn't coming for quite some time so really the question he has to ask himself is does he want to spend money on his WRX to enjoy for the next couple years or does it want to be out of driving/racing while he waits for a BRZ STI? It's an easy choice, fix the WRX

Take it slow. Put some new brakes, tires and reliable parts on the car, run it until you can't go any faster in it. Save your money, you will need it if you turn into a track junkie....

He might also want to consider something used for a lot less. Maybe he'd enjoy a 350z or s2000 for $12-16k? He could keep the subie.

Thank you for the suggestion, that's exactly what I suggested to him since a used 370z is still pretty expensive. There was a lot of s2k out there at the track dominating faster cars that day. He used to have mix feelings about convertible pocket cars esp a Miata even though he knows it's a great track car. I heard him mentioning a C/R but it cost quite a bit still. I told him all it really is the same thing with a body kit. He also made a comment about how much he didn't like the 350z when he saw my 370z but he said how much of a better job Nissan did with our 370z. He saw a Nismo 350z at the track that day and also fell in love with it.

In all seriousness he has every intention to keep his 2003 WRX because it's all paid off and it's not worth much to sell. I think he just wants a nicer car to drive that can also be an upgrade to his current set up. He was very impressed how well my car did at the track both handling and has speed. His car on the other hand aside from misfiring which I helped him fix - I think just need proper maintenance, he doesn't think it holds the road as well as a car that was designed as a sports car to begin with. He's seriously thinking about brakes, suspension, all these upgrade but I told him if he goes down that path, make sure you already 100% love that car and won't regret anything and also the and also the same amount you put in you can't get something else with a better value.

i agree, maybe get a boosted s2k... or maybe a 135i if he wants a turbo and a newer car.