EliteCM.net

So I came across a beautiful 2004 wrx for sale the other day, one of my favorite cars.  57k mi, 1 owner, all stock etc. drives like a dream.  I'm a little frustrated at the lack of performance options available for accords, especially autos, and I'm really considering picking up the subie.  Only thing is that I only owe 5k on the accord and the wrx would bump it up to almost 10k.  If I keep the Accord I'm going to do full bolts and lower it and then...I don't really know because that seems to be it really except for crazy expensive custom turbos and such.  I'm kind of thinking out loud here, and I know the two cars are apples and oranges, but anyone have any thoughts, opinions that might be helpful?

Sell and get the subie!!

Thanks!  I honestly think that's the way I'm leaning.  They're just such sexy cars lol.

I have thought about selling my Accord many times....but the reason I have kept it is one of the reasons you mention of selling: Lack of Mods.  Sounds counter-intuitive right?  While WRX's and STI's are sexy and amazing cars, I cannot tell you how many 16 year old DB's have tried to race me in their stock WRX. 

I have kept my Accord because of one thing: Originality.  Since it became my summer car, not joking EVERY time I take it out, someone will scream at me at a red light "What kind of car is that?! It looks amazing!"  WRX's seem to be a dime a dozen anymore.  Yes there are more parts available, and some of them are cheaper...but some are also just as expensive as a custom kit for an Accord would be. 

So it really depends on what you want.  If you want a street cruiser than looks good and is very rarely modded beyond rims and a drop, stick with Accord and go wild with it.  If you are looking for a track/autocross car, then grab the WRX...otherwise I would stay put.  Plus, Honda > Subaru when it comes to resale value.

Just my $.02

fully agree with the last post, ive been in the same boat as far as wanting to sell so i would have more options. but it isnt as rewarding or uninque, and thats the point of modding in the first place, right?

I agree with the last 2 posts. WRXs are common. When you see a nice sexy accord, its a beautiful view isnt it? It is rare to find on the streets unless youre in it. That is why I love mine, after I fix my front end and mod the looks up, itll be sex.

Wrxs are sexy and all but plenty out there, which takes away originality.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I would sell and get the subie if I could.  The only thing is I'm tired of car payments.  I'm a Christmas bonus away from owning my car outright.  I just want to be free like a peacock!

Also consider the increased maintenance and repair cost associated with a Turbo AWD vehicle. If your not going to get an STI its really not worth it. I'm not sure if your car is a V6 or 4 Cyl but, there are plenty of performance options that you could consider that would be similar to the 5k you would be adding to what you owe. If you car is a V6 you could look into having a J33 built and installed. If you’re a 4 cyl you could look into some of the supercharger kits designed for the Civics, RSX's, and TSX's of the world. At the end of the day your car will be a one off as opposed to buying the same turbo upgrade and exhaust that everyone else has on their WRX. If it’s a manual transmission your after depending on your engine you could swap in the 6 speed from the TL or TSX for again that same 5k your adding to your note by getting the WRX. At the end of the day it comes down to what you want to do. But, personally I would stick to the dependability and lower cost of ownership achieved with owning the Accord.

Subaru's are dependable.

Yeah but, the cost of repair is greater than Honda. For Example Brakes all around on a Honda using regular parts = $195 same job on a Subaru = $215.

It's your call man.  Get whatever you want.  I'm sure I could get a car that's more powerful or something.  For some, they like the easy route.  Scooby's have tons of parts and it's fairly easy to make more power.  The problem is that built WRX's and STI's are a dime a dozen.  There are really only a handful of built Accords out there.  If you were really concerned about performance when you got your car, you probably would have gotten a MT in the first place.  At least you can do a AT to MT conversion.  If you have a J series, it can be built, and aftermarket support is slowly growing.  If you have a K series, there's a ton of aftermarket support.  What it all comes down to is what you want to do.  Are you up for a challenge to build something original, or do you just want to take it easy?

Whoa, thanks for all the thoughts!  The originality concern is part of what's making it so hard believe me.  Yup my car is a 4cyl. AT, so just about the worst performance choice lol.  Thing was when I bought the car I needed a new vehicle immediately.  I wanted a 5spd. but the situation didn't allow waiting until one popped up.  Anyways thanks again, I'll have to mull it over some more.

With the $5k difference you're considering, you can do a MT swap and get a good start on building your motor.  I'm not sure why, but people still think the K doesn't have much potential.  I've driven an Accord with a completely stock k24 with a well built turbo kit and it made 350 hp/400 tq.  Another friend of mine with a built k20 in his DC5 makes 640 hp/400 tq.  While in stock form with an AT it's weak, but when you put some work into it, you can make good power.

Who cares if WRXs are common these days?  We drive Honda Accords for Christ's sake lol.  It doesn't get more common than that. 

If you think you'll have more fun in a WRX and enjoy driving it more than your Accord and have the money to switch, then the answer is pretty obvious. 

Thanks ike.

x2 with what Ike said.
i dunno bout where you guys live but theres nothing like rolling up to red light here in Eugene and see 2 or 3 7th gens with, excuse me but " senor citizens." thinking wtf...
the thing with the mods. the way i look at it if you drop 1-3k in accord and you get t-boned will it have been worth it? assuming insurance companies still dont pay for like a CAI or Performance shock or what have you.

I'd rather have a well exterior modded Accord with a built motor on sleeper status rather than expected mods with a Rex. 
Our opinions don't matter though, yours do.

Its your choice but me personally, if you need to pay something off, you can't afford it in the first place. I'm not saying that in a wrong way because I know how people get by reading words thinking I'm saying it in an offending way. 10k is a pretty hefty debt to get into. Just think about it. If you feel you're in the position to do it and it's worth it for you, go for it.

Maintenance costs may be higher, but modification costs will be lower.

I disagree... Mods for the K are pretty plentiful and pretty cheap. Also in response to the insurance comment. They pay for mods if the accident is not your fault. In that case your vehicle has to be put back to the way it was before the accident. The comment is irrelevant any way because they wouldn't pay for mods on a WRX either. Not to mention insurance will be more on that car to begin with. 

Well first off, thanks to everyone who replied!  That was a way bigger showing than I expected.  I am convinced to stick with the Accord...with a caveat lol.  I'm now obsessed with finding a v6 6spd.  I figure this would be a nice compromise between the two cars.  Having said that there is a 04 v6/6spd coupe right near me that the guy only wants 9k for (could realistically get it for 8.5 I think).  The only thing "wrong" with it is it has a touch over 100k, or about 30k more than my current car.  Even so I feel like it would be a steal for that price.

Being over 100k in miles is not bad. Our engines last for 250k+. Lol a car is meant to be driven ^_^

Agreed, that's why the wrong went in quotes :) .  Test driving today hopefully, wish me luck!

good luck! hope you dont turn into a jeremy about cars :laugh:

 :laugh:

Lol I think I missed a reference.

grumpy old man dude car whore

OOoooohh Jeremy Clarkson I presume.

No, he means slipkord.  He's a member here and is a car whore.

More like he can't figure out what the hell he wants.

Hah, I really did miss the reference then.