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Old 12-20-2010, 11:54 PM   #1
colin140991
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I'm gonna turn 16 soon, and I'm planning on getting some sort of impreza. I can't decide between an Rs or a wrx because a wrx would kill me on insurance, but would be easier to build up and an Rs would be cheaper for insurance but maybe more expensive to build up. Also, I've heard it's hard/ expensive to install unequal length headers on an Rs. Is there anyone that has asked the same question? No matter what i want that nice boxer rumble Thank you, Colin140991

Something I forgot to add.
I actually will be driving a beater car for a while and I'm planning way ahead. So this won't exactly be my first car.
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Last edited by colin140991; 12-21-2010 at 10:45 AM.
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Old 12-21-2010, 12:09 AM   #2
XanRules
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Not a turbo.
RS, 2.5i, whatever.
And no, headers are stupid easy on the non-turbo motors.
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Old 12-21-2010, 12:19 AM   #3
cabikejumper
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Get a regular impreza. Insurance will you on a Wrx.


At 16 you don't need a sports/sporty car. Just get the 2.5i and learn how to drive

When you have a fee year exp/better job say at 18, you'll be able to afford INS on a Wrx more comfortably.

Also,
UEL headers in my Wrx were very simple to put
On.
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Old 12-21-2010, 12:21 AM   #4
xVern
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you're young, get a 88 ford tempo. drive that around for a year. Then you wont take your subaru for granted.
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Old 12-21-2010, 12:37 AM   #5
colin140991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xVern
you're young, get a 88 ford tempo. drive that around for a year. Then you wont take your subaru for granted.
I would not take my Subaru for granted. honestly if someone gave me any other car I would sell it and get a Subaru.
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Old 12-21-2010, 12:40 AM   #6
colin140991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XanRules
Not a turbo.
RS, 2.5i, whatever.
And no, headers are stupid easy on the non-turbo motors.
What exhaust setup would you suggest for it? I know there's so many different combinations you can make I kinda like the sound of borla hush for a catback but I dont know much about downpipes or uppipes and headers. What would you suggest?
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Old 12-21-2010, 12:41 AM   #7
colin140991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cabikejumper
Get a regular impreza. Insurance will you on a Wrx.

At 16 you don't need a sports/sporty car. Just get the 2.5i and learn how to drive

When you have a fee year exp/better job say at 18, you'll be able to afford INS on a Wrx more comfortably.

Also,
UEL headers in my Wrx were very simple to put
On.
How much did they cost you?
and what kind of catback and downpipes/uppipes do you suggest?
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Old 12-21-2010, 01:00 AM   #8
subaru_steve
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Here is what I would do, if you can afford it get a 2.5rs. Pick your style, weather you like the buyeye or the blobeye, whatever extras you want, and buy it.

Insurance on a 2.5rs will be fairly cheap and it will have enough power to have some fun, you still get the AWD, the boxer engine, the similar interior...basically the same car without some minor power/suspension extras. But for being 16 and still learning the ropes, it will be perfect for you. It will give you the chance to learn to take care of a car, it wont require as much maintenance/repairs since its not pushing all the extra power.

You will learn how to install an exhaust, install other extras, and by the time your ready for a rex you will have a lot of experience under your belt.
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Old 12-21-2010, 01:01 AM   #9
Rokan211
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Well, I started off with an NA Supra, but my first new car was an RS. I'd recommend starting with an RS for now, and upgrade in a few years. Lets face it, you're young so you will do some pretty stupid stuff from time to time, and probably don't have a lot of $$$ laying around.

For me, Started with an RS, cheaper insurance, better gas milage, cheaper octane gas, fewer oil changes, ect. I was able to mod the Scooby as I had extra income, and learned a bit about pros/cons with modding cars. You'll learn to appreciate handling more than just going really fast. On top of that, when you're being stupid, any speeding tickets would probably be lower, since the cars a little slower . I'd assume any repairs from beating the car would also be cheaper. Also, I didn't feel as bad when I got dings, dents, and scratches on it over the years.


Little advice. No matter what you think, you're going to drive like an idiot from time to time. AWD doesn't = godmode. Take it easy in bad weather, and don't drive all boozed up. Watch the curbs while doing donuts in the snow
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Old 12-21-2010, 01:28 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colin140991

What exhaust setup would you suggest for it? I know there's so many different combinations you can make I kinda like the sound of borla hush for a catback but I dont know much about downpipes or uppipes and headers. What would you suggest?
Non-turbo cars don't have uppipes or downpipes.
I'd suggest a set of Borla headers and whatever catback you like best. Maybe a catless track pipe or high-flow cat pipe.
I'm running a parts cluster****: Helix UpPipe, HKS DownPipe, Bosal Midpipe, STi Axelback.
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Old 12-21-2010, 01:46 AM   #11
colin140991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rokan211
Well, I started off with an NA Supra, but my first new car was an RS. I'd recommend starting with an RS for now, and upgrade in a few years. Lets face it, you're young so you will do some pretty stupid stuff from time to time, and probably don't have a lot of $$$ laying around.

For me, Started with an RS, cheaper insurance, better gas milage, cheaper octane gas, fewer oil changes, ect. I was able to mod the Scooby as I had extra income, and learned a bit about pros/cons with modding cars. You'll learn to appreciate handling more than just going really fast. On top of that, when you're being stupid, any speeding tickets would probably be lower, since the cars a little slower . I'd assume any repairs from beating the car would also be cheaper. Also, I didn't feel as bad when I got dings, dents, and scratches on it over the years.

Little advice. No matter what you think, you're going to drive like an idiot from time to time. AWD doesn't = godmode. Take it easy in bad weather, and don't drive all boozed up. Watch the curbs while doing donuts in the snow
Thank you that's a good idea I think I'll do that
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Old 12-21-2010, 01:48 AM   #12
sc00by4life
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you need to learn how to drive, not how to modify your car.

that being said, buy an older RS, beat the hell out of it, and have fun.
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Old 12-21-2010, 02:13 AM   #13
DLWRX
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Before you go all crazy plotting your mods for your car, consider doing things to your car to maintain it first. I can only assume you are getting a used car, in which case I would change the oil, spark plugs, air filter, ect. because there is no telling what the previous owner did (or didnt do) to the car to maintain it.
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Old 12-21-2010, 02:14 AM   #14
Valance
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
you need to learn how to drive, not how to modify your car.

that being said, buy an older RS, beat the hell out of it, and have fun.
^ That.

Buy the 2.5i and hold off on modifying it. At 16, I had The same delusions of grandeur, building up my 98 LGT. 6 months later the motor blew, and so did my savings Save your money for when the car breaks, or needs maintenance. I think you will find out very soon that cars are more expensive than first drivers realize.
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Old 12-21-2010, 02:54 AM   #15
vinxH
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buy a beater car to get some experience first.... and then buy a newer better car when you are ready.

most 16 year olds, including myself back in the days, can not drive for ****, but they THINK otherwise. if i had the car i wanted at age 16, i definitely would of crashed it. by looking at other 16 year olds nowadays, looks like the same can happen.


i wouldn't even buy a 2.5i if i were you.... get something older and even cheaper.

i don't mean to bash on you for being 16, but trust me... you aren't ready for a WRX.... and IMO a 2.5i is overkill as a practice car.
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Old 12-21-2010, 03:09 AM   #16
ibernking
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vinxH View Post
buy a beater car to get some experience first.... and then buy a newer better car when you are ready.

most 16 year olds, including myself back in the days, can not drive for ****, but they THINK otherwise. if i had the car i wanted at age 16, i definitely would of crashed it. by looking at other 16 year olds nowadays, looks like the same can happen.


i wouldn't even buy a 2.5i if i were you.... get something older and even cheaper.

i don't mean to bash on you for being 16, but trust me... you aren't ready for a WRX.... and IMO a 2.5i is overkill as a practice car.
im with him on that one. i had a 91 talon TSi AWD and it was a bit too much for me at 16... besides when your younger all you worry about is sound and style and how many stickers you can fit on your gull wing doors. once you deal with cars for a few years you realize that things do break and its a lot easier to fix when you can afford them... go with the beater for now IMO.
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Old 12-21-2010, 09:20 AM   #17
Cooper76
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Get a GC. Fun to drive. Lightweight. Perfect car for a heart transplant later.
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Old 12-21-2010, 10:41 AM   #18
colin140991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cooper76
Get a GC. Fun to drive. Lightweight. Perfect car for a heart transplant later.
What's a gc?
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Old 12-21-2010, 10:48 AM   #19
subiboi624
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Go buy a older (GC8) like a 2000 RS 5sp for a decent price and who knows maybe later down thr road when you have more money you might want to do a WRX or STi swap.
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Old 12-21-2010, 10:49 AM   #20
dowroa
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GC = Body code. I am assuming he means a GM6, but I won't get into that, as I am not an authority.

If I was looking back at my younger-self, I would just get something that gets close to 30 mpg, and I didn't mind getting beat up -- like a 2.2L NA Impreza or a 2.5RS from 99-01 (if I was thinking Subaru). They won't be that nice, but they will have great low end torque, and are easy to drive.

Personally, I would NOT get a WRX as they are going to be beat up at this point, for what you can afford, and they are just going to kill any money that you have. Maybe you get lucky, but I would not assume that.

From there, just put a nice sounding exhaust on it, decent tires and alignment, and drive it. If you want to learn about racing, take it to a RallyX, as that is the dominant car (by a lot). I would NOT put unequal length headers on the car (Borlas), as they are easy to do, but WILL cause you to have Check Engine Light P420 codes. Do you want to DRIVE the car, or cause it to have more problems? If it was me, I would want to drive, and enjoy (I have been through 2 GM6s... not a good idea and 10 Subarus).

Otherwise, just make it nicer than when you got it, and when you are ready to get something better, trade-in/sell it to someone on the community, if you made it nicer (stocker) than when you got it.

- brian, who has never seen a "young kid" mod a car that ever made it nicer (unless they had $texas and lived in CA)
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Old 12-21-2010, 10:50 AM   #21
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Get the 2.5i or Rs

get some years of driving under the belt, sign up for local autocross events any chance you get, and hone your skills/ get experience. I know when I was younger and I had something with a little zip to it I tended to drive it with a more recklessly . At that age, no matter how mature you think you are, you're a lot more likely to do something dumb via peer pressure....that mixed with anything higher than 200hp is a recipe for disaster. Not hating here, but we were all that age, and we all know we did things then that we wouldn't do now (or not as much )

You've got a plan, which is a hell of a lot more than some of us had at 16. I know it sucks man, I know I just wanted to jump into a wrx around that age, but would have to wait 7 more years ( parents were not going to help) until I graduated from college, got a yob and saved up.

Last edited by krauser2; 12-21-2010 at 11:08 AM.
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Old 12-21-2010, 10:57 AM   #22
sactown7
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even at 19 years old my 03 wrx with exhaust was a little too much power, too many close calls with the cops, i would say the rs for keeping your liscense sake not to mention that it can get you in a bad situation if you come across another fast car, its really hard to resist
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Old 12-21-2010, 10:58 AM   #23
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Get a GC 2.5RS. You won't regret it.

My first car was a n/a 99 eclipse when I was 16. Just turned 20 and 19 cars later( never wrecked any, just got bored) I own my WRX and love it
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Old 12-21-2010, 11:09 AM   #24
Jack
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I'll be even more specific. Get an 01 2.5RS. Get into local autocrosses to learn car control. Take an instructor with you for every run possible. When you're ready, start doing HPDEs (high performance driving education) at a local track. When I ran my 01 RS, I had lightened the car reasonably (nothing needed for safety or comfort was permanantly removed), did a track suspension (tein medium springs and bridgestone/tokiko struts) and built a diy real ram air intake. Rear brakes were H-6 and fronts were 4 pots. My track times at NHIS matched stock WRXs. Both on track tires driven by instructors. The advantage of the GC8 were lighter weight, torque lower in rpm and between the lighter weight and brakes, way deeper braking before the corners.
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Old 12-21-2010, 11:17 AM   #25
Jessekrs123
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If I were you, I would go with a first generation legacy or impreza 2.2 L. For many reasons:
-They are indestructable, 2.2L non-interference motor so no possibility of valve damage.
-Not picky with oil like the newer Subarus are.
-You can fix it all up yourself, you can learn how to work on these things with your eyes closed. They are EASY AS PIE.
-First gen legacys come with UEL headers, so if your looking for good sound, go with the legacy.
-You can find these things cheeeeaaaaapppp. Insurance is cheap too. My first 1993 Legacy Wagon I got for $180, ran like a champ. My Legacy I have now I got for $800, it needed a clutch, so I pulled the motor and did that, it runs like a champ.
-You can always dress up an older GC to look like an RS.

That's what I did. Learn how to turn a wrench before you start modding. Learning on a first gen legacy or impreza with the 2.2 is a good starter car to learn the ropes. Going from an N/A to turbo takes a lot more than bolt on parts.
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