Alright R3V school me on this car.

[Mercury[BKM]]

nah I don't own one (DSM), but for AWD on a budget, they're pretty snazzy and can still be found in stock unmolested forms (autotragic)

Ive been considering an older jetta TDI myself recently, decent power, great fuel eco, great reliability, huge aftermarket in all forms, and the car pays for itself after a short while if you get a good deal.

they're really simple to work on too if you have a basic understanding of how the engine works. Can even do a veggy conversion and set up a WVO gas station in your garage.

eurotrash jetta TDi ... may end up talkin myself into pulling that trigger eventually, subarus are gas hogs that are over hyped unless you're rolling an STi or super modded wrx even then there are better options unless youre just a fan (nothing wrong with that)

[CabbE30]

^^ Just went and looked at the new jetta tdi's. Really, really cool esp. for 24k.

[CabbE30]

And they come with a 6-speed mt!

EDIT: off-topic, sorry op!

[Wishno87]

Ya TDIs are really awesome but I'm not interested in a car payment.
Anyone here on RS 2.5?
Also what's up with the bolt patterns? I noticed most are 5x100 but some are 5x114.

[Bimmerman325i]

Ya TDIs are really awesome but I'm not interested in a car payment.
Anyone here on RS 2.5?
Also what's up with the bolt patterns? I noticed most are 5x100 but some are 5x114.

ALL subarus are 5x100 except MY05+ STi. No exceptions. If it has 5x114.3, and isn't an 05+ STi, it's been swapped to STi suspension/hubs/brakes. Or the seller is a retard.

[rloewy]

I own a 2001 RS that I bought after someone ran into the back of my E30 and killed it.

It is a great car - but different from an E30 (naturally).

Bad - gearchange is not the best, under-steers in the dry.
Good - torque, grip, reliability, durability.
Great - wet/snow/ice handling, dirt racing, rallycross magic. In loose conditions can be steered with the gas and the brakes (left foot braking, baby)

Headgasket issues were real - but once replaced they are not an issue anymore. Many people choose to do them when doing a timing belt (not a must, but common in the "while in there") - and since these cars are at least 10 years old by now - there is a good chance the headgasket issue has already been fixed and done with.

Here is the bottom line - while I miss my E30 - I would not sell my RS to buy another E30. Both cars are great - just different kinds of magic.

As for an ix vs a Subie RS - the ix is great for it's time - but if you are actually going to drive the car hard in rally-like conditions - there is no context, the Subie will walk all over the ix. I actually went and looked at several when I was looking for a car - and came away with the RS. The ix will give you more communicative steering on asphalt and better gearchange - but everything else pretty much goes the Subaru's way.

For off-road/bad weather use - it's hard to find something better. (*) - For those that want to know - I actually rallycrossed my late E30 - http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...postcount=1174

Bolt pattern - 5x100 is right as the answer above mentioned. As for the comment - are they priced more than they are worth - it's up to the buyer, I guess. But I would go for a 1999-2001 RS before a WRX - the light weight and feel of the car and the lack of turbo-lag are worth it - even if the WRX is a faster car. Where it matters to me (rallycross) - the RS is usually a faster car.

[Wishno87]

^ can I check your car out sometime? Kind of want to poke around one and get the feel of It.

[Bimmerman325i]

Honestly what I'd do if you're set on an RS:

Buy RS with blown motor, install SVX 3.3L H6 on megasquirt and cam the bejeesus out of it (280awhp/8500rpm is possible NA without too much work), full 3" or larger exhaust with proper real headers, install high quality coilover dampers (or more rally spec ones depending on what you want to do), install STi 6spd + brakes + hubs/diffs to get LSD and the magic center diff and the better 5x114.3 wheel selection.

I've been slowly doing that with my Manwagon. Then again, I'm a giant Subaru nut.

[Wishno87]

Is an h6 swap better than wrx/sti? Also what is the difference in GC 2.5rs years? The only things I notice are front bumper and wheels.

[Bimmerman325i]

Is an h6 swap better than wrx/sti? Also what is the difference in GC 2.5rs years? The only things I notice are front bumper and wheels.

There's no "better," it's really just different strokes for different folks. One sounds like a Porsche, the other like a flatulent Harley. The H6 swap is far less idiot-proof at this point, there are very few well documented builds that haven't been total budget ghetto builds. The Turbo4 swaps are much simpler to get help for and are better understood, have better max hp potential, but have turbo lag and a sound I personally despise. Different strokes for different folks.

Dunno on RS differences by year, ask RS25 folks.

[rloewy]

Is an h6 swap better than wrx/sti? Also what is the difference in GC 2.5rs years? The only things I notice are front bumper and wheels.

1998 was the old DOHC engine which was a lot more problematic - so I would rule this year out, despite the fact that it is the only one you are ensured to get the cool gold rims.

1999-2001 have the SOHC engine - same specs - but to me it feels much better with more torque - also less problematic.

2000-2001 got the rear LSD - so these are better than 1999. 2001 got the silly faux carbon fiber interior.

Remember that there are coupes and sedans out as well. I have a coupe - but wish I had a sedan - because I have kids.

[Bimmerman325i]

As good as Subaru AWD is, I have wanted an LSD in my car for years. I'd put that as a priority. They don't, strictly speaking, NEED an LSD, but it sure is nice and will help tame understeer.

[Wishno87]

Thanks for the great info! Are there different packages that came on them? I noticed some have little flat wings and others have smaller versions of the sti wings.

[rloewy]

See here for all the options -

http://www.cars101.com/impreza_archive99_01.html