The GT has got sofer suspension but it by no means a boat. Simple upgrade is some STi pink springs (common as cow crap). If you want a manual GT you'll have to look out for an 05 onwards, 04 is auto/sports shift only.

I have not heard of any issues with the 06 wrx's.
Even though they are the first wrx with the 2.5, foz's had the 2.5 for a few years before then, and they have had no issues.

Thanks for the advice guys, muchly appreciated

hawks123;172790 wrote:

You might have to be less specific if your going for a used car, espeicially a rare car like a B4.

I've never even been in a GT, but i have read they are softer but nicer inside. The WRX has been canned a lot since they came out so i would think more than twice before getting one.

Yeah, I know I'm a pickie barst*$d, love how sorted the B4's have been on the road, but drove a '05 WRX (last of the 2.0T) and it really impressed me.

XXB4XX wrote:

Just buy my B4 = Win

The GT is more the styler than the power house.

The WRX as stated is like marrying a  sl*t, everyone has had their fun in it, and your gonna be stuck with it.

Thanks XXB4XX, had a good look at your's, but leasing companies frown on mod's and really need to sort this this wknd (a cbf heading up to Syd). Only looking at one owner WRX's from '03-'05 me thinks (decided the '06 shape is a bit naf), and if I'm not happy I'm going to find a B4 and stuff the farkn leasing.

WannaB4;172732 wrote:

I know this is a liberty forum, and I know my username is "wannaB4" but hear me out.

2006 2.5T WRX is the first generation of the new 2.5lt engines
QUESTION - are these crap, have any known major or minor issues??? I make a rule not buying the first gen of anything (iPhone anyone?) anyone had experience with them?

2004 GT lib - driven a number of B4's and they fell very tight (I put it down to my driving skills, and maybe a little to the Bill-stein suspension:neo:)
QUESTION - are the GT's softer b/c of lack of Bill's-stein (haven't test-drove one yet, but have heard this)???

For reasons beyond my control I need a car - there aren't any B4's in Vic that fit what I want  (manual, 03, blue or silver, full service history w/ major done, less than 100K km's - Mick your's in Syd looks awesome but diff color and isn't in VIC). And also going to get through work lease - maybe. So this is where I'm at.

Cheers,

Having owned a B4 and GT, I will share my experiences primarily around these two vehicles.

'99 RSK JDM (B4) manual - Great handling car, very nimble and predictable. Chassis rigidity is excellent and motor actually feels like it has 206kW (JDM spec), despite the power gap between 3000-4000rpms. However, like it has been discussed, this can be improved with a good tune.

'04 GT automatic - more geared towards comfort, rather than outright handling. Chassis rigidity is an improvement over the B4. The automatic 180kW (manual gets 190kW, only available in 2005 onwards) doesn't feel quite feel like 180kW, but is probably deceptive because of the improved NVH and refinement of the motor. The vehicle I had, had a JDM/STi tune, but still didn't feel like 200kW. However, there are many modification options due to its similarities to the WRX motor. Suspension can feel very floaty, especially on rebound, but can be fixed with a set of Bilstein, which I had for a few weeks on the car.

WRX '06 2.5L - from my limited understanding, the motor is definitely not first generation - has been in Forester XT. Won engine of the year awards, so in standard form is reliable and no sloutch. Modification options are plentiful, but need to be careful as the EJ25 block is weak, due to its open deck design and thinner bore walls. WRX suspension is great for track work, but the geometry design is similar to the Gen1 Liberty's and IMO is outdated.

Well I've recently bought an '04 GT and even though it's got the get up and go it's definately more of a cruiser. Grips well and stays pretty flat through corners but it's not a performance car like a wrx. But really nice inside.
I looked at a B4 breifly but couldn't deal with the blue interior. But that's just me.