I own an 04 an they're a ***** to upgrade due to the Mazda ECU coding. It's fine in stock form, but once you add in the intake/downpipe/catback/more boost, you'll notice the poor coding for the fuel/timing maps at 4500-4900 rpm, where there is hesitation until the car goes from open to close loop mode.

$15k or less, daily driver, I'd opt for a Maxima 3.5L with a 6 speed.

 

MazdaSpeed 3

 

I bought my Evo VIII for $14,000, but it needed a little TLC, like bumper, brakes, tires, etc. Still if you look hard enough I'm sure you can find one with good miles. Mine had, 39,000 on the clock, bought it last march.

John

Other than that, I would go with an IS 300. just straight badass, and the 2jz is a straight swap!

 

Where can I find one for that price?

 

Search online and see if you can find a use one for that price.

 

+1 on the mazdaspeed 3

 

Weren't the early Mazdaspeed 3's having motor mounting problems where the engines were just falling out the bottom of the car??? I think I read something about that on a thread right after they came out. It may just be heresay (and Kurt knows better than me... he's got one), but it's something to wtach out for.

 

turbo'd out beetle!

 

2JZ civic





lulz

 

I take a Legacy or even a Forester before I get a 2.0 WRX. If you get the 2.0l then get yourself a separate savings account for the upcoming transmisiion rebuild on the 5 speed.

Carlos

 

I have looked and have not found one under $18k...
Is the tranny on the 04-05 WRX that weak?

 

No, the tranny isn't that bad, it's just earned a bad rap from people who bump up the power by 100 whp and expect to be able to do clutch drops at every stop light.

 

Eh... I know a guy with an sti swapped bugeye making just over 300 whp and hes afraid to get on it at all because of the tranny, he thinks their horrible.

Edit: just noticed the question was about an 04-05, my bad.

 

Buy a 96 civic and swap a k24 in it. It’s not exactly what you wanted but it’s fast. It’s reliable and it gets good gas mileage.

 

And I know a guy pushing 300 whp through the "crappy" 06-07 box yet he's fine. No matter what car, there will be someone who breaks a part on it. There are people who break the transmission on the evo but it's a pretty stout box.