Thinking about trading in my auto WRX for a stick

Strangleholder · 01-11-2005, 11:14 AM

Guess I'm a newbie since this is my first post and I'm new to the WTX. First off, I love my WRX (2004). And yes, it is an automatic. I guess I bought it because I thought I got a great deal on it, $23000 in WR Blue Pearl. I'm now sorta having regrets in not getting a manual. I haven't driven a stick in years but I know it would all come back to me. The auto is still great though, it just seems like it could be quicker from a stop. A stick would solve this problem as well as handling turns better.

Right now the car has 2200 miles on it and I paid around $23000 for it. How much do you think I could get out of this car if I either traded it back to the dealer for a manual or just put it in the classifieds? Which would be a better thing to do? I absolutely love this car even if it is an automatic and I'd hate to part with it. But....I would probably appreciate the car even more if it were a manual. What do you all experienced folks think of my situation? It seems like all the 2005 manuals at the dealership are at least $26000 though and I hate to spend any more money than I have to. I always thought the dealer has to match the Subaru MSRP. If I could get most of the sticker price back then it wouldn't be too bad.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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fireball_jones · 01-11-2005, 11:33 AM

You will get screwed royally trading a new car back in. If you were getting an STi, it might be worth it, but it's not like the WRX 5-speed is magical.

There are plenty of guys on here who run autos with mods almost as fast as sticks.

darksands · 01-11-2005, 12:07 PM

Your gonna lose if you trade it in for a stick. Even if the stick is 500 bucks cheaper. Your auto can be just as fast, maybe not as fun, but just as fast.

mcowger · 01-11-2005, 12:36 PM

The dealers can set what ever price they want, even above MSRP. But, thats pretty silly. I cant imagine walking out with a 2005 WRX for more than 23500 (incl. T+l).

jmanny · 01-11-2005, 01:27 PM

i got my 05 wrx wrb sedan 5spd with moon roof spoiler comfort package and ss shifter, security package for 23,800 out the door

Malik · 01-11-2005, 02:45 PM

I would suggest you look at mods to make your car quicker rather than taking a bath on returning a brand new car. Please do a search on google for depreciation as it will help you understand exactly how your car devalues. Once you have the information, decide if you are willing to part with around $5000 for 2200 miles of use.

silver04rs · 01-11-2005, 03:04 PM

trade it in.

if your having regrets after 2000 miles its just going to get worse. get rid of it before you put a ton of miles on it.

tekfoc · 01-11-2005, 03:10 PM

just trade it in.

KeenerRS · 01-11-2005, 03:43 PM

i have an rs and i am thinking of just (well that's an understatement, but whatever) swapping auto tranny for a manual

mcowger · 01-11-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmanny

i got my 05 wrx wrb sedan 5spd with moon roof spoiler comfort package and ss shifter, security package for 23,800 out the door

Good price, esp. considering the prem. package!

Strangleholder · 01-11-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeenerRS

i have an rs and i am thinking of just (well that's an understatement, but whatever) swapping auto tranny for a manual

Yeah, if my transmission ever happens to go bad I may just have a 5 speed thrown in there to replace it. I have no clue how hard this would be to do, the AT is coming out of it regardless. I may just keep the auto, it still is really fast, especially once it hits 3k and gets outta 1st. My next car may just have to be an STi a couple years down the road, if it still exists.

Strangleholder · 01-11-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmanny

i got my 05 wrx wrb sedan 5spd with moon roof spoiler comfort package and ss shifter, security package for 23,800 out the door

Did you know the dealer or something? That is a really good deal and I'm even a newb. Those premium packages are around $1500 I thought. Congrats.....

jmanny · 01-11-2005, 04:10 PM

well i had an 04 but i totaled it. went back and told them i wanted another. got it for what they payed. not a bad deal

zinc99 · 01-11-2005, 06:20 PM

do an uppipe, downpipe, ECU, and TC. Then comeback if you want a manual.

I dont think you will care anymore....

V6TurboTA · 01-11-2005, 06:25 PM

Yeah... until your tranny explodes and you got no warranty.

If you want performance, you want a standard.

A stock auto WRX will run mid 15's. A stock stick will run mid 14's.

And dont pay anything near msrp. I paid... almost $3k under msrp for my STi, I'm sure you can get at least a few $k under the sticker price.

~v6

Brad Pittiful · 01-11-2005, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangleholder

Thinking about trading in my auto WRX for a stick

this is a nice a stick as youll ever see...PM me with details on the trade...i think we both are getting a good deal

b4437 · 01-11-2005, 07:31 PM

from what i've heard, an auto can take a lot more power than a 5spd wrx. am i wrong?

Lachlan · 01-11-2005, 07:54 PM

Sell yours and buy mine a lot cheaper

BENSREX · 01-11-2005, 07:59 PM

I HIGHLY doubt the "mid 15s mid 14s" story is anywhere near true. I have an auto WRX 2004 - and it's really not that bad. If you know how to launch it, you'll be fine. The only thing I don't like is having to reset the ECU every ~600 miles to get that nice feeling back. The ECU learns my "slow driving" (university driving) - so it tends to slow up at about 500-600 miles. I have an AccessPort on the way though, so no more resetting.

Anyways, back to the topic... just keep the auto. It's still faster than those civics, cavaliers, preludes, etc. that most teens 'rice up'. Enjoy what you got and get an STi in a few years.

V6TurboTA · 01-11-2005, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENSREX

I HIGHLY doubt the "mid 15s mid 14s" story is anywhere near true. I have an auto WRX 2004 - and it's really not that bad. If you know how to launch it, you'll be fine. The only thing I don't like is having to reset the ECU every ~600 miles to get that nice feeling back. The ECU learns my "slow driving" (university driving) - so it tends to slow up at about 500-600 miles. I have an AccessPort on the way though, so no more resetting.

Anyways, back to the topic... just keep the auto. It's still faster than those civics, cavaliers, preludes, etc. that most teens 'rice up'. Enjoy what you got and get an STi in a few years.

Would you like to place a wager on this? Does it hurt so much you refuse to believe it?

You can trust me... a manual WRX will KILL a auto wrx in a drag race. No question about it.

It was 3+ years ago, but I was at the track with a friend in a similar modded WRX (Mine was a stick his was an auto)

I ran 13.5@97 to his 15.2@88 (in his modded auto wrx with 17psi)

Mind you he was stuck in the 16's at first.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103736

Reality bites aye?

~v6

whtlegacy · 01-11-2005, 08:08 PM

sell it used privately, then buy a used manual car privately

jsh · 01-11-2005, 08:14 PM

I have an 04 with a 4EAT, and every now and then, I wish I would have bought a manual, but I really don't care. Mostly because I don't race, launch, or really care about going any faster than my car already goes. Also, I live in Chicago and I usually don't go much faster than 40mph and I'm always sitting in traffic.
However, I do believe I will buy a manual on my next purchase.

express_wagon · 01-11-2005, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENSREX

I HIGHLY doubt the "mid 15s mid 14s" story is anywhere near true. I have an auto WRX 2004 - and it's really not that bad. If you know how to launch it, you'll be fine. The only thing I don't like is having to reset the ECU every ~600 miles to get that nice feeling back. The ECU learns my "slow driving" (university driving) - so it tends to slow up at about 500-600 miles. I have an AccessPort on the way though, so no more resetting.

Anyways, back to the topic... just keep the auto. It's still faster than those civics, cavaliers, preludes, etc. that most teens 'rice up'. Enjoy what you got and get an STi in a few years.

are you the guy who dynoed 130whp at ktr?

XRayHipp · 01-11-2005, 10:16 PM

Jsh said it the best... in terms of just dealing with it. You are a goofball for buying a car without figuring out what transmission type you wanted in the first place. A tranny swap is not worth the cost so just trade it in or sell it. I love my 4Eat cause I have to so deal with it or buy a Honda.

KeenerRS · 01-12-2005, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRayHipp

Jsh said it the best... in terms of just dealing with it. You are a goofball for buying a car without figuring out what transmission type you wanted in the first place. A tranny swap is not worth the cost so just trade it in or sell it. I love my 4Eat cause I have to so deal with it or buy a Honda.

there are times when i am happy with the 4eat and sometimes not, when i bought the car needs were much different than know. If i bought it now i would buy stick.

01-11-2005, 11:14 AM	#1
Strangleholder Scooby Newbie Member#: 79276 Join Date: Jan 2005 Vehicle: 2004 WRX Sedan WR Blue Pearl	Thinking about trading in my auto WRX for a stick Guess I'm a newbie since this is my first post and I'm new to the WTX. First off, I love my WRX (2004). And yes, it is an automatic. I guess I bought it because I thought I got a great deal on it, $23000 in WR Blue Pearl. I'm now sorta having regrets in not getting a manual. I haven't driven a stick in years but I know it would all come back to me. The auto is still great though, it just seems like it could be quicker from a stop. A stick would solve this problem as well as handling turns better. Right now the car has 2200 miles on it and I paid around $23000 for it. How much do you think I could get out of this car if I either traded it back to the dealer for a manual or just put it in the classifieds? Which would be a better thing to do? I absolutely love this car even if it is an automatic and I'd hate to part with it. But....I would probably appreciate the car even more if it were a manual. What do you all experienced folks think of my situation? It seems like all the 2005 manuals at the dealership are at least $26000 though and I hate to spend any more money than I have to. I always thought the dealer has to match the Subaru MSRP. If I could get most of the sticker price back then it wouldn't be too bad. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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01-11-2005, 11:33 AM	#2
fireball_jones Scooby Specialist Member#: 67536 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Side of the road, Somerville Vehicle: 00 AW GM6 And a bunch of parts	You will get screwed royally trading a new car back in. If you were getting an STi, it might be worth it, but it's not like the WRX 5-speed is magical. There are plenty of guys on here who run autos with mods almost as fast as sticks.

01-11-2005, 12:07 PM	#3
darksands Scooby Specialist Member#: 75122 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Im in a glass case of emotion Vehicle: 2005 Impreza WRX Crystal Gray	Your gonna lose if you trade it in for a stick. Even if the stick is 500 bucks cheaper. Your auto can be just as fast, maybe not as fun, but just as fast.

01-11-2005, 12:36 PM	#4
mcowger Scooby Specialist Member#: 77483 Join Date: Dec 2004 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle, WA Vehicle: 2009 Audi A3 2.0T q Lava Grey	The dealers can set what ever price they want, even above MSRP. But, thats pretty silly. I cant imagine walking out with a 2005 WRX for more than 23500 (incl. T+l).

01-11-2005, 01:27 PM	#5
jmanny * Banned * Member#: 77442 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SoCal Vehicle: 2005 Impreza WRX WRB 2004 Dodge Ram Hemi w/20s	i got my 05 wrx wrb sedan 5spd with moon roof spoiler comfort package and ss shifter, security package for 23,800 out the door

01-11-2005, 02:45 PM	#6
Malik Scooby Newbie Member#: 29272 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Blue	I would suggest you look at mods to make your car quicker rather than taking a bath on returning a brand new car. Please do a search on google for depreciation as it will help you understand exactly how your car devalues. Once you have the information, decide if you are willing to part with around $5000 for 2200 miles of use.

01-11-2005, 03:04 PM	#7
silver04rs Scooby Specialist Member#: 38825 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Temecula, CA	trade it in. if your having regrets after 2000 miles its just going to get worse. get rid of it before you put a ton of miles on it.

01-11-2005, 03:10 PM	#8
tekfoc Scooby Specialist Member#: 21392 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NEW YORK CITY Vehicle: 2007 IMPREZA WRX STI urban gray	just trade it in.

01-11-2005, 03:43 PM	#9
KeenerRS * Banned * Member#: 71415 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: wrx=civic Vehicle: 2004 2.5 RS	i have an rs and i am thinking of just (well that's an understatement, but whatever) swapping auto tranny for a manual

01-11-2005, 04:10 PM	#13
jmanny * Banned * Member#: 77442 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SoCal Vehicle: 2005 Impreza WRX WRB 2004 Dodge Ram Hemi w/20s	well i had an 04 but i totaled it. went back and told them i wanted another. got it for what they payed. not a bad deal

01-11-2005, 06:20 PM	#14
zinc99 Banned Member#: 56030 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Long Beach, CA Vehicle: 02 stage 2 wagon Silver	do an uppipe, downpipe, ECU, and TC. Then comeback if you want a manual. I dont think you will care anymore....

01-11-2005, 06:25 PM	#15
V6TurboTA Scooby Guru Member#: 9090 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: < of Boston Vehicle: 09 Forester Gump 02WRX->04STi->09Gump	Yeah... until your tranny explodes and you got no warranty. If you want performance, you want a standard. A stock auto WRX will run mid 15's. A stock stick will run mid 14's. And dont pay anything near msrp. I paid... almost $3k under msrp for my STi, I'm sure you can get at least a few $k under the sticker price. ~v6

01-11-2005, 07:31 PM	#17
b4437 Scooby Specialist Member#: 23162 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: sandiego,ca/columbus,ohio Vehicle: 2006 300c,forester x silver steel	from what i've heard, an auto can take a lot more power than a 5spd wrx. am i wrong?

01-11-2005, 07:54 PM	#18
Lachlan Scooby Specialist Member#: 19470 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: albuquerque, NM Vehicle: 1981 Brat GL Blue	Sell yours and buy mine a lot cheaper

01-11-2005, 07:59 PM	#19
BENSREX Scooby Specialist Member#: 39718 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NOVA Vehicle: 2007 WRX	I HIGHLY doubt the "mid 15s mid 14s" story is anywhere near true. I have an auto WRX 2004 - and it's really not that bad. If you know how to launch it, you'll be fine. The only thing I don't like is having to reset the ECU every ~600 miles to get that nice feeling back. The ECU learns my "slow driving" (university driving) - so it tends to slow up at about 500-600 miles. I have an AccessPort on the way though, so no more resetting. Anyways, back to the topic... just keep the auto. It's still faster than those civics, cavaliers, preludes, etc. that most teens 'rice up'. Enjoy what you got and get an STi in a few years.

01-11-2005, 08:08 PM	#21
whtlegacy Scooby Specialist Member#: 38400 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Cleveland Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon DRZ400SM	sell it used privately, then buy a used manual car privately

01-11-2005, 08:14 PM	#22
jsh Scooby Newbie Member#: 73143 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chicago Vehicle: 2004 WRX RED	I have an 04 with a 4EAT, and every now and then, I wish I would have bought a manual, but I really don't care. Mostly because I don't race, launch, or really care about going any faster than my car already goes. Also, I live in Chicago and I usually don't go much faster than 40mph and I'm always sitting in traffic. However, I do believe I will buy a manual on my next purchase.

01-11-2005, 10:16 PM	#24
XRayHipp Scooby Newbie Member#: 50070 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Melbourne, Fla Vehicle: 2002 Black Slushbox 2.5 Ounces to Freedom	Jsh said it the best... in terms of just dealing with it. You are a goofball for buying a car without figuring out what transmission type you wanted in the first place. A tranny swap is not worth the cost so just trade it in or sell it. I love my 4Eat cause I have to so deal with it or buy a Honda.