Thread: Which car- wrx/trans am

So i sold my gtp and am looking for an upgrade.

I am not loyal to muscle or imports nor any brand.. that's why this is tough.

The wrx is a 2002 with a few flow mods, 91k miles, and an almost new 5 speed trans. Its also 04-05 rear converted with Sti seats and full audio.


As you can probably tell, the owner is young.

Price - $7500 for now













The trans am is a 1993 (lt1) with 70k miles, owned by a 40 year old master tech. It is procharged running 5 psi of boost with roller rockers.

Paint is not great..6 speed, green, chrome zr1 wheels. Done right.

Obviously faster than the wrx, but i think the wrx would be more reliable, even though the ta is done right and low mileage.

Price - $6,000

Pontiac : Trans Am - eBay (item 320666390129 end time Mar-11-11 09:31:21 PST)


Thanks

WRX for sure.

it's just too bad it is an ugly bugeye and the dude that owned it is a trendster.

wrx. so i can buy the ta.

That boosted Lt1 will be a hell of a fun car but a pain in the ass to work on. Honestly it'd be a toss up for me. I'd probably go with the WRX just because of the age of the TA. Plus the 93 is a speed density car and therefore requires different tuning

Id probably go for the WRX also, if the TA was an LS1, it would be a different story.

This is tough for me.

The trans am's owner doesn't even drive it like what it is, and the wrx owner probably beat on it.

Im also not sure which one would be more fun to drive.

The ta obviously has more power, but may not handle as well and kind of looks dated. However the car is an absolute beast.

Im also not sure the wrx is worth $1500 more. Sure its newer and japanese...

Tough tough tough


Also the most snow we got this winter was 2 inches. So im not too worried about that.

Justification of your choices would be helpful.

honest opinion: neither cars are worth buying.

Well i was all for the WRX until you posted that last post...Now im kinda torn between the two. I honestly would say the TA for the simple fact that you are right about the WRX possibly being beaten on so that would probably be a deal breaker for me. And on top of that the TA's owner is a 40 year old master tech...id definently take it then b/c i know it was meticulously cared for.

Originally Posted by Bio248

honest opinion: neither cars are worth buying.

And why's that?

I am assuming because of the hipster wrx owner (who's owned it 30k miles/3 years) and the boosting and age of the trans am?



Thanks for the responses guys

Def that TA, its badass. Just remember those WRX's have a glass tranny, so there's your first upgrade if you want it to go faster. And bug eye, gross.

My answer would depend on if this is going to be a daily driver, or a weekend warrior/track car. If you plan to DD it, I'd go with the wrx. Less DD'n and more racing, TA.

if it were a 98+ i'd take the bird for sure, but i don't blame you for getting the wrx in this case.

No racing. It would be daily driven, but not far. (60 mi per week)

I don't see why the ta wouldn't be reliable. It's just a chevy 350 with a pretty stout trans. Sure the rear is a little weak, but it hasn't been abused, and im not going to abuse it.

Maybe this isn't the best wrx. But it does have all the flow mods I would do.

Is it better to buy a wrx around 100k miles with a replaced transmission or not?

Maybe the trans was replaced due to hard running?

Thanks

why the WRX isnt worth it: it is an 02 (means it has the ugly front end, automatically). football mentioned the glass tranny. as many transmissions that have been broken, the tranmissions really arent an issue until you start doing hard launches (clutch dumping and no lift shifting [without the tune to make it work correctly], etc.). they can take abuse, but all you hear are horror stories because that is all that is said about them. the mileage is high, but if it has been taken care of then it should run like a top. however, i would HEAVILY comb over the car before you even debate having money for it. is the car tuned? what mods are done? (if he did intake and exhaust and did no tune, the motor is junk)

why i wouldnt buy the t/a: it has an lt1. 'nuff said about that. it's a 93 so it's ugly. honestly i dont have much else to say about it. im not a fan of fbodies though so you cant really take my opinion as valid. it's also going to be useless in the winter if you dont put a nice set of winter tires on it.

I'd say T/A...but as Bio mentioned, my opinion isn't valid since i don't really like subarus and im a huge fbody fan.
But IMO the T/A looks like it was taken care of well.Sure it's old but 4,000 miles a year aint bad either. The guy seems like he knows what he was doing with it. I wouldnt hesitate to buy it but as I said im an fbody fan.

Any more pix of the subi? Only one pic makes it hard to judge a car...unless they just arent showing up on my comp. Also what the hell is up with the stickers? and the fart can? and the bumper? is that a factory bumper? Subi has like 10k a year but that doesnt mean anything if it was maintaned properly...also...is a tranny going out before 100K normal with "normal driving".....or is that a pure sign it was beat on?

I've pretty much ruled out that wrx.. thanks bio.

Just curious, why do you say if it has i/e and no tune the engine is junk?

And from what i've seen, it is not uncommon for wrx's to have replaced trans' before 100k. (risky?)


Im leaning trans am, because the car is beast and seems like a good deal and opportunity. Also the sound of a procharger is quite splendid.

Because then its not running the correct air/fuel ratios and stuff, thats not specific to a subi. Any motor untunned with mods isn't good and you risk damaging stuff.

If you dont need a new car, dont settle. they are both nice cars but I would wait to find a car you really want in your price range if you arent pressed for time.

I say subi if its DD'd TA if your not DDing. I'm not a huge fan of the LT1 or that body style in general but a ProCharged LT1 is no slouch i'm sure. Plus if a GM Mechanic owned it you know its been installed and tuned correctly.