sorry if its answered somewhere else, but this is more convenient. what are the main differences between the 03 and 04-05?
major differences are cosmetic = a facelift and then the 05's have a difference interior transmission improvements with each year
Actually a good number of the 03 have the same tranny as the 04-05. They upgraded gears mid way through 03. I actually really like the looks of the bugeye (02-03) and own a 2003. When I had my tranny out for some work, we cracked the case to look at the gears and they all still looked brand new!! Many people have measured the gears and found them to be the same width as the RA gears. Until you get into the m-factory and PPG gears or a Sti 6 speed, there is really no guarantee though. I think part of it has to do with how the tranny is driven and taken care of...Liquidforce had over 400hp to a stock 5 speed. Coolrex had around 350 I think with many drag launches. His did go eventually, but he did put it through some abuse on the strip!
so aside from opinions on appearance, is the 04-05 generally a better idea or more desirable for modifying?
no real difference from the 02-03, both have the 2.0L engine. You'll more than likely find an 04-05 with fewer miles.
The 04's have a better center console. The bugeye has this retarded spring loaded cup holder that suspends your drink right above your stereo. I like the interior of the bugeyes better IMHO. All in all, nothing too major. The big differences are between the WRX and the STi. The STi is just a hands down better platform from engine/chasis/braking/suspension point of view. If you can afford one that is. 05 STi >> 04 STi
of course STi is better, im not THAT new to subarus :rofl: im in the market for a wrx (can be had for around 10k now) and ive been looking for a 2003 but theyre pretty hard to find with low miles in my area, so im starting to consider an 04-05 and wanted to know if there were any differences aside from appearance.
04's have that same stupid cupholder above the radio. It wasn't until the 05's that you got both cupholders next to the e-brake. weak...you gotta be more clever than that.
of the four years, i've heard from a few subaru master tech dudes that 05 was the best/least troubled.