hi, i am new to subaru and will be purchasing one shortly...can someone please tell me the differences between these two models? what are the major advantages and disadvantages with both? (i heard the 2002 has a weaker tranny)....etc...

thank you

 

- The 02 tranny is only slightly weaker
- The 04/05 models have a potential ECU issue with the open loop/closed loop switching (do a search on "OL/CL problem")
- I understand the 02/03 seats are more comfortable (just a roomer?)

Aside from obvious visual differences, those are the only things I know that really set them apart. If there are any more differences worth mentioning someone here will chime in on them as well.

 

new interior design on the 05, red accents instead of yellow.

 

2002






2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- Turbo compressor
- 1,993 cc 2 liters 4 horizontal front engine with 92 mm bore, 75 mm stroke, 8 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder
- Unleaded fuel
- Fuel economy EPA highway (l/100km): 9
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- Main 60 liter unleaded fuel tank
- Power: SAE and 169 kW , 227 HP @ 6,000 rpm; 217 ft lb , 294 Nm @ 4,000 rpm


2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features
- ABS
- Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
- Limited slip differential
- Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
- Strut front and rear suspension with stabilizer bar independent with coil springs


2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features
- Front and rear body color bumpers
- Coefficient of drag: 0.33
- Day time running lights
- Driver and passenger power body color door mirrors
- External dimensions: overall length (mm): 4,404, overall width (mm): 1,730, overall height (mm): 1,440, wheelbase (mm): 2,525, front track (mm): 1,486, rear track (mm): 1,481 and curb to curb turning circle (mm): 10,790
- Front fog lights
- Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
- Luxury trim leather on gearknob
- Metallic paint , black paint , gloss paint , pearl paint
- Rear window
- Tinted glass on cabin
- Weights: curb weight (kg) 1,424
- Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe


2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan Interior Standard Features
- 12v power outlet: front
- Air conditioning
- A pillar antenna
- Front ashtray
- Clarion audio system with AM/FM
- Automatic drive indicator on dashboard
- Cargo area light
- Cargo capacity: all seats in place (liters): 311
- Clock
- Dashboard full console , floor full console with covered storage box
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Cruise control
- Front seats cup holders
- Door ajar warning
- Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
- Floor covering: carpet in load area
- Floor mats
- Driver and passenger front airbag
- Bucket seat , bucket seat
- 3-point reel height adjustable front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
- Front seat center armrest
- Lockable glove compartment
- Height adjustable two head restraints on front seats , three head restraints on rear seats
- Headlight control
- Illuminated entry system
- Internal dimensions: front headroom (mm): 980, rear headroom (mm): 932, front hip room (mm): 1,354, rear hip room (mm): 1,321, front leg room (mm): 1,090, rear leg room (mm): 838, front shoulder room (mm): 1,339, rear shoulder room (mm): 1,346 and interior volume (liters): 2,481
- Low fuel level warning
- Remote power locks includes trunk/hatch
- Power steering
- Front power windows with one one-touch , rear power windows
- Front reading lights
- 3-point reel height adjustable rear seat belts on driver side , 3-point reel height adjustable rear seat belts on passenger side , 3-point reel rear seat belts on center side
- Rear seat center armrest with trunk access
- Bench fixed three rear seats
- Rear view mirror
- Remote fuel filler door release
- Mechanical remote trunk/hatch release
- Upgraded cloth/velour seat upholstery with additional upgraded cloth/velour
- Seating: five seats
- Front side airbag
- Six speakers
- Leather covered steering wheel
- Tachometer
- Driver and passenger vanity mirror
- Ventilation system with recirculation setting



2005





2005 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- Turbo compressor
- 1,994 cc 2 liters horizontal 4 front engine with 92 mm bore, 75 mm stroke, 8 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder
- Premium unleaded fuel 91
- Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 27 and EPA city (mpg): 20
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 15.9 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank
- Power: 169 kW , 227 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 217 ft lb , 294 Nm @ 4,000 rpm


2005 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features
- Four-wheel ABS
- Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
- Electronic brake distribution
- Rear limited slip differential
- Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
- Strut front and rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs


2005 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features
- Body color front and rear bumpers
- Coefficient of drag: 0.33
- Day time running lights
- Driver and passenger power heated partial-painted door mirrors
- External dimensions: overall length (inches): 173.8, overall width (inches): 68.5, overall height (inches): 56.7, wheelbase (inches): 99.4, front track (inches): 58.5, rear track (inches): 58.3 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 35.4
- Front fog lights
- Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
- Luxury trim leather on gearknob and alloy look on dashboard
- Pearl paint
- Fixed rear window with defogger
- Trunk/hatch spoiler
- Glass electric front sunroof
- Tinted glass on cabin
- Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,084
- Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe


2005 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan Interior Standard Features
- 12v power outlet: front and 1
- Air conditioning with climate control
- Element antenna
- Front ashtray
- Audio system with AM/FM, cassette, Disc Autochanger and six-disc remote changer
- Cargo area light
- Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 11
- Clock
- Full dashboard console , full floor console with covered storage box
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Cruise control
- Front seats cup holders fixed , rear seats cup holders pop out
- Door ajar warning
- Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
- Floor covering: carpet in load area
- Floor mats
- Driver and passenger front airbag
- Sports heated driver seat with height adjustment , sports heated passenger seat
- Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
- Front seat center armrest
- Lockable glove compartment
- Two head restraints on front seats
- Headlight control
- Illuminated entry system
- Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 38.6, rear headroom (inches): 36.7, front hip room (inches): 53.3, rear hip room (inches): 51.9, front leg room (inches): 42.9, rear leg room (inches): 33, front shoulder room (inches): 52.7, rear shoulder room (inches): 52.9 and interior volume (cu ft): 87.6
- Low fuel level warning
- Remote power locks
- Power steering
- Front power windows with one one-touch , rear power windows
- Front reading lights
- Height adjustable 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side , height adjustable 3-point reel rear seat belts on passenger side , 3-point reel rear seat belts on center side
- Rear seat center armrest with trunk access
- Three fixed bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
- Rear view mirror
- Remote fuel filler door release
- Mechanical remote trunk/hatch release
- Upgraded cloth/velour seat upholstery with additional upgraded cloth/velour
- Seating: five seats
- Front side airbag
- Six speaker(s)
- Leather covered steering wheel with tilt adjustment
- Tachometer
- Driver and passenger vanity mirror
- Ventilation system with recirculation setting and micro filter


--------
When you crunch the data, the differances are almost all cosmetic, for me (an 02 owner) the cup holder and relocated antenna are better in the 05, but I like my headlights.

 

Seat wise...the 02-03 seast hold you in tighter on the sides, where the 04-05 seats let you have more movement (which means you move more in turns)

Granted the 04-05 seats look nicer.

 

The transmissions in the 2002 WRX's are alot weaker.
I helped one of my friends replace his five speed transmission
in his 2002 WRX after only 50K miles on the clock and it
was ruined.If you can I would get a 06 or 07 WRX if you can
afford it.The 2.5L powerplant is excellent and has slightly
more displacement.

 

thanks everyone....

i cant afford a 06/07...besides the 04/05 looks the nicest to me (front end mainly)...there is a 05 selling here in toronto for $19,000 canadian with only 34k on it...something fishy about that...

 

you guys got cardax up there?
I'd make sure you look it over for any signs of accidents.

 

ummm i have never heard of "cardax" but we do have carfax lol

i will do one...

 

damn...I am really trying not to look at the keys anymore....
you figure after 14 years at a job infront of a computer......

 

IMO the 05 OEM wheels look better......

 

05 Ftw!!!

 

well from what i can tell so far this is what i like/dislike

i like the seats and steering wheel better on the 02
i like the rear bumper better on the 02 (comes down lower on the sides)
i think the gauges are also nicer on the 02

i like the interior color (seats mainly) on the 05
i like the front end better on the 05 (not a huge fan of the bugeye lights)
05 stock rims are nicer imo

however i have not actually sat in a 05 yet...i will on wednesday and let u guys know what i think...

one thing i really wanted a WRB color but the one im gonna see on wednesday is silver