Pontiac Formula owner looking at a WRX. Questions

johnnyp · 09-07-2009, 07:50 AM

Hello,

My wife and I recently had our first child so am thinking about selling my 1998 Firebird Formula because I need a vehicle that I can put a car seat into that is relaible and safe and still be fun to drive. Plus I no longer have time to go to the track and race. I am looking at a 2002 WRX sedan (70k on the clock) on my friends car lot. I know Subaru's reputaion for reliability. I have not driven the car yet but my friend assured me the car runs great. He hasn't steered me wrong yet. He is a Subaru guru and has driven 3 WRX's and owned a STI and stated that this car runs as good as all of them and has zero issues. He was telling me that the major issue with most WRX's is the tranny but said the tranny in WRX has had no grinding issues and shifted perfect. He has a lot more cars on the lot (Audi, Beemers etc) but steered me toward this car because of it's AWD feature (I live in NY where snow comes often) fun factor and reliability. The only issue is that he told me the car has been modified. He said it has a cobb exhaust and intake (Possible from what I read Cobb stage 2) and it appears the car's ecu has been reprogrammed or the turbo has been upgraded. He told me that I should not worry about buying a modded WRX because they are very reliable (atleast his has) even when modded, however, I am hesitant even though my Formula is heavily modded (NOS/Cam etc.) has has given me zero issues in the 4 years I have owned it. Should I be?

He was also telling me the car was very fast. I guess "fast" is a relative term since I own a Formula that runs mid 10's at the track in the 1/4 mile and I think that is slow. How fast are Cobb stage 2's? I am assuming the are close to or equal to a stock STI from what I have read but I could be wrong. Again, I am looking for a car that is reliable, safe in the snow and fun to drive. If the car runs and drives well should I get it or wait for him to buy a stock WRX at the auction?

Thanks in advance.

nagyhead · 09-07-2009, 08:30 AM

a stage 2 wrx is nowhere near a 10 second car, you will be lucky if you get it under 12, you shouldnt be driving that fast with a newborn in the car anyway.
take the car to have and inspection before you buy it, if the compression is good i would buy it, most people will tell you not to buy a modded car but i say go for it.(if it checks out ok)

johnnyp · 09-07-2009, 08:51 AM

Where did I say I would race the car with my child in it??? Come on!!! I am not an idiot. Hence the reason I am thinking about selling the Formula. I only race at the track. Like I said, I just want a car that is reliable, safe and fun to drive and it appears that the WRX meets the criteria.

I was just curous about the stage 2 since it appears to be installed in the car.

PS: I enforce the law not break it.

man show · 09-07-2009, 10:25 AM

You can browse Cobb's website: CobbTuning.com - Home Page and find information (claimed hp/tq numbers, graphs, descriptions, etc.) on the maps that could be loaded on the car's ecu. Does the AccessPORT unit come with the car too?

Something else to think about is the mileage on the car. Generally, every 30,000 miles, certain maintenance issues should be addressed. Unless you're mechanically inclined and prefer to do the work yourself and learn about the car first-hand and you have the time to do it, you might want to consider bargaining with the dealership to have the work done before you buy the car if the mileage is nearing any of those milestones. Check out this recommended maintenance link for more info: Subaru maintenance schedules and new car break-in period

Deli_B · 09-07-2009, 10:32 AM

This car is excellent. You know its AWD so you know it will be safe in inclimate weather. It feels real solid and safe when you drive it.

My wife and I just purchase my dream ride, an 05 sedan, I have never owned a turbo engine and coming from a 110 hp corolla this car moves. I would say its defiantly safe for a new family and yet it wont sacrifice any of the fun for you.

I dont have any personal experience with cobb, I have been looking into it myself and you will find here and other clubs that they are a solid great company. A friend of mine said he knew a guy who installed the AP (i dont know if he had anything else) and that with it in your car totally stock it gives you a 15% hp and 20% torque boost.

I am biased like I said this has been my dream car, but you would not be making a mistake by getting this car.

newtothegame · 09-07-2009, 11:40 AM

I agree with Nagyhead, get the car checked out, if its all good, grab it up. Stage 2 is generally as fast as a stock STI, especially the 06+ WRXs with the 2.5L. I run the Cobb TBE and SRI (intake), great pieces, well designed, great sound from the car. I also run the Cobb AP V2 with great success. I have ran it from stage 1 up to my current setup with a 20G turbo. Can you get any pics to post up, especially of the engine bay?