Hello all,

I am new to the group so hopefully I don't break any rules in this post and I have it in the right area. I would also like to say I am very excited about discussing Subies and learning everything I can from the site. It looks like an awesome place to hang out. With that said...

I am currently interested in purchasing another Subaru Impreza. I am superbly happy with my current Subie, even though I believe I made a mistake in purchasing an automatic. The question on my mind is, would I be better off buying a WRX with the 2.0L motor running a turbo, or could I better invest my money into an RS with the bigger 2.5L engine?

Last time I looked, I believe the WRX was about $7k more than the RS. I am wondering if I could buy the RS and sink $7k into it and have the potential of obtaining more HP out of the RS.

I know there are more differences between the two cars than the size of the engine, and one being a turbo and one naturally aspirated (that last word was a feeble attempt to impress you with technological jargon... too much Grand Turismo I guess.) I know that the WRX is alot more popular than the RS, and I can't argue that they are awesome cars, I just can't help but wonder if I wouldn't be able to squeeze more power out of the RS.

Any help, suggestions, tips and constructive critisism would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
John

With Money anything is possible. If you want to ge the RS up to the specs of a WRX just get the WRX and keep the warrenty. If you got a 2.5 and dumped 7k into it you can kiss your warrenty good bye. a 2.5 RS in NH is selling for around $19K with a WRX sitting around $23K. People are going to tell you a hundred different things. I like my WRX but hate the premium gas, slightly higher payments, risk of theft and slight increase in insurance. Part of me wishes I just got the RS for the above reasons, but another part of me wishes I just spent the extra cash and got the STI. Too each is there own and in the end its still a Subaru...good luck

Well I have owned the WRX and STI and now have the RS.
If you are a performance oriented person, and from your post you sound like you are, then the WRX is probably a better choice. The RS , with it's 2.5 liter engine, has good power but lacks the acceleration possible with the WRX.
I think of it more as a car for the practical minded. It uses regular gas and gets better mileage.

Both the RS and WRX are nice cars. Like others have said, if you want a turbo car, it's easier to start off with a turbo car. You'll still have a warranty. If you don't want/need turbo performance, get the RS. IMO, a non-turbo car like the RS will last longer than a turbo car.