mwnovak

I recently purchased an '02 OBS: love the car, but I'm not loving the seats (almost no thigh bolster).

It's my understanding that my OBS has the same seatback as the RS, but with a different (less bolstered) bottom cushion. Is that correct?

Regardless...

I began looking at 02-05 WRX seats, assuming that their bolster would be more aligned with what I want. However, I'm a little put-off by the side airbag situation: getting the parts/sensors to wire them in seems expensive and generally something I don't want to mess with. But, I'm also not keen on leaving unwired airbags in WRX seats: something about that seems like a bad idea (airbags = explosive devices).

So, here's my question: how are the 02-05 RS seats? I read somewhere that the 02-05 RS seats are actually identical to the 02-03 WRX seats, but without the side airbags. Can someone here verify that information?

Also, is there a link outlining the fabric colors used for 02-05 RS seats? I know the 05 RS models have a black/grey combo, which would work well for the OBS interior ... but I'd rather stay away from anything like the black/blue of the 02-03 WRX seats.

Any input here is appreciated.

--MW

mwnovak

True enough, that.

But, for my purposes, I'd like to find an OEM Subaru option: I don't really need "racing" bolster, I don't want to deal with seat/rail compatibility, and I don't want to give up the height adjustment of the factory driver's seat. Also, at less than $450 a pair, even used WRX seats are a bargain in comparison to (even the cheaper) 3rd party seats. There's also the question of build quality/longevity (I've heard horror stories about "bargain" aftermarket seats falling apart within 25k miles).

All of which points me towards Subaru seats ... I'd be sold on the WRX models, if not for the airbags. So, again, I'm left wondering if the 02-05 RS seats are the same as the 02-03 WRX seats, minus the airbags???

--MW