Hi folks. I just joined wrxatlanta, and it seems like there's an overwhelming amount of information/enthusiasm here. I can contribute to the enthusiasm, anyway. I was raised in subies, and when a drunk crunched up my 96 legacy a few years ago I picked up a 93 impreza for $500. It's given me nothing but love from day one (when fourth gear - previously mia - suddenly returned.) It's got 102K now. It's the absolute base sedan and everything is stock - I mean EVERYTHING. No A/C, still riding on teeny-tiny 13-inch wheels, etc. The only mod that I can claim, and this gives you a good sense of where my technical abilities begin and end, is a fat blue rally stripe that I painted from stem to stern. It added a good 20 hp at least, though. So in addition to introducing myself, here're my questions: 1) I've got almost no disposable income and a family that demands fiscal responsibility, but I love my car and would like to help it express its true subaru self. Specifically, I'm most interested in handling rather than power (appearance, of course, is already taken care of with the stripe). So what are inexpensive first steps that I can take to improve it? ideally in the course of routine maintenance (ie - if suspension is going, time to upgrade? when tires are worn and need replacement anyway, take a plunge and move up to bigger wheels?) With great respect for the amazing cars I see here, I don't have the resources or driving chops to justify a complete makeover - I just want to keep it healthy and maybe make it better, little by little. So that's my first question, and I'll appreciate any thoughts or recommendations. Here's my second: 2) If this is really a site for more serious wrx-racing, engine-guts-modding folks, then my apologies - but if so, could you direct me to a more appropriate site? Thanks a lot, everyone. Denis
Welcome Denis! You're in the right place, for sure. We're just a bunch of people who are exactly the same way you are about our cars. You don't need a brand new STi, just share a love for subies with us and you're in. No worries. If you're interested in the handling aspect of your baby, my advice would be to pick up some rims from a 2002 or 2003 wrx with some decent tires on them and then upgrade your springs. That would be a good and somewhat inexpensive way to start. I guarantee you'll see a huge difference. Got any pictures of your subie?
thanks for the welcome, you all! I'll get pictures of my striped friend up soon. In the meantime, inspired by dontcallitarex, I found wheels and tires for $240 on craigslist (16x6.5, but not sure what they came from - but I understand as long as they're pre-2005 they should fit my 93, yes?) and a set of 2002 wrx springs with 10K on them for $50. For the wheels, is there a big difference between wrx and non-wrx wheels for my purposes? and for the 2002 springs, can they be swapped over to a 93? what do you think? thanks folks!