mx597turbo

iTrader: (1)

I am considering trading my '03 Z touring. My car has 46K miles, stillen supercharger, AP BBK, nismo exhaust, Eclipse DVD/Navi, amp and sub.

The car I'm considering is an import '97 WRX RHD (it is legal). It has a built '06 STI driveline, allegedly putting out about 420 hp at the wheels (I haven't seen the dyno yet). It also has '06 STI brembos and a full titanium exhaust. Other than that, it's stock, just power windows and locks. It also has a body kit, which I'm not very fond of. The car has about 50k miles and the donor car had about 40k miles (allegedly).

It's a long drive to look at this car, and I still love the Z. I'm really on the fence with this one. I would say my car is nicer overall, but the Subaru is putting out about 500hp at the crank if the owner is being honest.

What do you guys think?

dfresh713

iTrader: (2)

nope

CG350z

Dont do it.

dhays

iTrader: (10)

First of all, you assume that the car is legal. I doubt it. Unless Subaru did all the certification for the US market on their RHD cars and got approval by the US DOT, it is not legal. There are a very few ways around that, but most have to do with cutting the car in half, importing it, and then welding it back together. Now, that doesn't mean that you might not be able to get it registered if you are fortunate, but I wouldn't take the chance.

It sounds to me as if you are simply hung up on HP numbers. You are considering a car that you don't like the looks of, that isn't as nice as yours (by your own admission), yet you are considering it simply because of a HP number? I would suggest taking a serious look at your car priorities so you can make an intelligent choice.

FWIW, I think Subaru's are great cars and for many folks would be a much better option for performance minded car enthusiasts (4 doors, AWD, etc...).

Dave

SV1098

iTrader: (19)

If the WRX was newer I would say do it in a second! Being that I've had a built WRX(03) and now an 07 350Z, I can be biasis in my opinion. I'm not fond of the body style on the 97 WRX, but the car is a beast. Turbo AWD cars==nothing better

*Boose*

iTrader: (3)

I love driving older sti's but I wouldn't do it. The headgaskets are weak on the older ones. Also I strongly urge you to not drive it as boost is addicting.

SLeRoux92

its a cool car but the 350 is probably a lot more reliable

superchargedg

iTrader: (4)

Id keep the z

F34RL355

i wouldnt do it just because of some hp numbers i like the look of my car aswell as opposed to some ugly riced out body kit that u mentioned

Swimminggerman

Uhhhh NO. Might be fun and a nice scoobie however 6 years older than yours. Plus you know the ins outs good and bads about yours not his. Maybe sell yours for X amount, and buy his for G amount. G amount being lower than your sold X where as you get the scoobie and cash and are not out horribly with a trade deal.

mx597turbo

iTrader: (1)

I'm agreeing with you guys. I actually don't want the RHD. Both the body kit (especially the skirts) and RHD are negatives.

To be fair, I know the 'ru is much than my Z. I know it's not 100% accurate, but I used both cars in Gran Turismo 4, both built to their corresponding specs. The 'ru was both faster and easier to drive (using a G25 wheel) than the Z. I would attribute this to the really light weight (probably 2800+/-lbs) and the AWD. But then again, I'm using the car on the streets, not the track...

To be honest, if it were a US bugeye, I would have jumped on the deal. I really like the look of those (they are one of my favourite cars, appearance-wise). I know the RHD will constantly get me pulled over, even if I'm not speeding.

ImWeeZzel

iTrader: (27)

do you actually know the history of the car you wanna trade your Z for? think about it before you hop in your car took look at this thing. if you really LOVE your Z it wouldnt post this thread or even think about trading it in. if power is an issue, why dont you upgrade your tune/set up/ parts?

trading in a 03 for a 97, say wwwhhhuuuuttttt????

mx597turbo

iTrader: (1)

I'm not in love with any car. They are just a means of transportation. If that transportation can be enjoyable, then all the better.

So I guess you wouldn't trade your car for a Supra??? The year of a car has little to do with how good it is. Older cars tend to be lighter than new cars, and pre OBDII cars are much easier to mods and stay legal. There are plenty of 15-20 year old cars that would destroy newer cars. They are cheaper too.

I guess I could be the first to go AWD on a Z..., but I'm sure it would be cheaper to buy a GTR. But If I could afford that, I wouldn't worry about trading my car, I would just get another one.

JCat

iTrader: (4)

It has been done already.

ms350z

A car like that could easily turn into a money pit... why is this guy wanting to get rid of it to begin with? You don't know for sure that it is even legal or that it is making the horsepower that he claims. If you are itching for AWD, the wise course of action would be to sell your 350z and use that money to buy an AWD car of less questionable origin. You could even buy a late 90s model Eclipse GSX and have enough money left over to modify it yourself and know it was done right.

ImWeeZzel

iTrader: (27)

you know as stupid as it sounds i would not trade my car for a supra, because i couldnt afford to do the mods ive already done, or any car for that matter. you are right, older cars offer what some new cars dont. i would love to own a 69 chevelle, but would not trade my Z for one. you know your car better than anyone, do what ever makes u happy. me personally i wouldnt do it.

function tuned has already made a awd btw...

ni$mo350

iTrader: (4)

it sounds like the 2 main things that would attract someone to this car are also the 2 things you don't like about it. You can pick up a nice R-STI for a decent amount (around $10k) and sell your Z for maybe $16k..That's another $6k you can put into a nicer interior, suspension, more power..

BTW also owned a built bugeye and a Z and my best friend has a mild R-STI..

brandon3434

iTrader: (9)

Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ImWeeZzel

iTrader: (27)

i wanna see the pics of his car now (the Z) in comparison to the car (97 WRX RHD)

mx597turbo

iTrader: (1)

Very true. I learned a long time ago that it's best to buy a car that's at least 90% the way you want it. ie. if you want a built Supra, pay $30k and get a built Supra. You will save a lot of time and money that way.