Im at a crossroads here; I've found two perfectly good WRX's at roughly the same price with just about the same amount of miles on them (around 20K). They are both blue the only decision I need to make is which one to buy, the 2003 (bubble/turtle eye lights) or the 2004? I plan on making the same modifications on my WRX wether it be a 2003 or 2004, I just need help on deciding which one to get...and I realize that the differences between '03's and '04's is a touchy subject between rex owners. They both perform the same, just look different. What suggestions do you guys have? I need some help with my decision.

 

Like you said it's about preference. I have an 05 and I love it. I personally think the bug eye lights make the car look like a dodge neon... but that's just my opinion. My friend had a bug eye and he liked it. He said the newer lights made the car look less aggressive. Is the interior any different? That would be my only question. I believe that the new interiors are nicer than the older ones but I don't know if the 03's or even 04's for that matter have the same one as the 05's. Shrugs. Good luck.

 

I have an 03......and if you ask me the bugeyes are the sexyest scoobs...I love my bugeyes! There is no resemblance to a crappy neon.....In 04, subaru did make the interior much nicer than the 02-03s, and even better in the 05s.....but I still would not trade my bugeye for a few bits of nicer interior trim.

my 2¢

-Ted

good luck with your decision, and either way you decide, you will LOVE the car, guranteed!

 

i have a 03. when the bugeye wrx came out, it was love in first sight

 

I have an 03 and I like them both, personally I like the dash on the 03 better but the location of the tach on the 04 is better, the 04 has better looking seat imo. I'd wait for 06 if your concern is performance.

 

Mechanically they are just the same. Minor upgrades all around, but both are great platforms to start modifying with. I really don't think one is better then the other, in terms of mods.

 

I have an 04 and, imho, it is the nicest year. I love the seats(racing-bucket style) however the 05 seats look the same but the fabric on the 05 is better. I like the dash better than the 05. I like the steering wheel better than 02-03 as the MOMO is red instead of yellow and the 05 is a 3-spoke. I like both the bug-eye as well as the 04-05 so that wasn't a deciding factor for me.

 

i have an 03 yellow wrx... but i dont think the interior is the same as the rest of them...my seats have the blue stitching, almost checkered pattern, it also has the momo steering wheel with the big yellow emblem in the middle, i think the dash is the same...it came with the medal racing pedals also...the black, blue, and silver cars don't seem to have the same look to them (interior specs)...i would love to sell my wrx when the yellow sti comes out, till then modify like crazy to catch up...

 

of course, the '04 will be in warranty longer and will likely have a better resale value. boring stuff, but something to think about.

Personally, i think the older-style seats from the 2002-2003 WRXs are way more comfortable and supportive than the later versions. But other than that, you can't go wrong either way.

 

they're both good cars. the question i'm wondering is - why is the 03 costing the same as an 04? are there any mods coming with it? and WERE there any mods on it that were taken off?

again, they're both good, so for the price i'd go for the newer one.

 

get an 02! its how the car should be before they started molisting it and cheaping it up to save $$.

 

i have a 02 and I love it, bug eyes are the shiet!!!

 

between those, i would go for the '04. unless you WANT a bugeye, get something that is more "current" for the sake of resale value. the bugeye look is also a little more controversial whereas the '04+ look is...safer, for lack of a better word, when it comes to public appeal.

02/03 + EDM projectors = one sweet looking suby.

sorry for the conflicting advice...i have a soft spot for bugeyes.

 

i like the bugeyes thats why i got one...but id still go for the 04 just cause its newer if its the same price.

 

There are some differences with the factory engine management in the 04/05's that can cause issues with modding, the 02/03's actually respond more favorably to certain mods. You may want to look through the tech forums here and at NASIOC and read up on these issues.