Need advice on 2.5rs, Difference between years Options

[razor7]

Hey Guys,
So I've finally decided to sell my celica in order to buy a Subaru Impreza 2.5rs. My reasoning is that I need something that's Awd so I can get in and around on the snow. I don't plan to be doing this till over summer, so I can ride my bike while I'm car-less.

So for the thread, I want to know the difference between the different years of the 2.5rs. I believe it was 1998-2001. I'm basically curious about all of the small, subtle changes they made, much like the differences between pre-facelift, facelift, and 20th anni. I know that the '98 had DOHC, while, '99(+?) had SOHC, but what else was changed? Also, other than timing belt, water pump, tensioner rods, and standards like plugs and oil, what else could/will go bad and when?

Thanks,
-TC

This post has been edited by razor7: Jan 24, 2010 - 4:28 AM

[pez222]

I have owned a 98 and a 99 2.5RS. In fact, I sold my '98 this past September to pick up the 6GC I got now.

The 98's are different from the '99-01. The headgasket issue on the '98 DOHC cars were not that big a deal if the owners took their cars in for the recall to fix the (machining) defect in the block. My transmission on the '98 was stock w/an ACT clutch and since the car won 2 STS championships and those trannies are not weak.

Here are some more differences (from Nasioc):
1998 RS
Body Style: Coupe Only
Colors: Arcadia Green Metallic, Rally Blue Pearl, Brilliant Red, Black Diamond Pearl

Interior, Black/Grey Woven Paterns.
No Grab Handles. (oh **** handles)
rubber 'accordian' shift boot
cruise control optional

Performance
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8.4 sec
Road Holding Index: .8 g
DOHC 2.5L MAF Based (very strong mass airflow sensor)
Horsepower: 165 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 162 ft-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Compression Ratio 9.7:1

Exterior features unique to 98
Small Fog Lights
Came stock with 5 spoke Gold wheels
______________________________________________
1999
Body Style: Coupe Only

Colors
Rally Blue Pearl, Black Diamond Pearl, Silverthorn Metallic, Aspen White

Interior
Black w/checker pattern
change red stitched shift knob and steering wheel
change leather shift boot.
change grab handles
change cruise control optional
change white faced instrument cluster

Performance
change Acceleration 0-60mph 7.9 sec
change Road Holding Index: .87g
change SOHC 2.5L MAF Based (very weak mass airflow sensor prone to failures w/cold air intakes)
165hp @ 5600rpm
change166ft/lbs @ 4000rpm
Compretion Ratio 10.0:1
change rear caliper brackets changed (WRX)
Exterior Featurs
change v5 front bumper w/big fogs
change Silver 5 spoke wheels
__________________________________________________ ___
2000
Same as 99
w the following exceptions.

Coupe or Sedan available

Colors
Blue Ridge Pearl (new), Sedona Red Pearl (new), Aspen White, Silverthorn Metallic.

changes new to 2000 model year
LSD Rear Differntial Standard
Cruise Control Standard
V6 front bumper (same as v5 but has holes for v6 front lip)
Engine Switched to MAP based system, MAF Sensor eliminated.
Silver 6 spoke wheels
__________________________________________________ ____
2001
Same as 99 w/added 2000 features

W/the following exceptions

Colors
Blue Ridge Pearl, Sedona Red Pearl, Black Diamond Pearl (re-introduced) Silverthorn Metallic, Sedona Red Pearl

Added
CD player standard
Fake carbon fiber trim standard
___________________________________
All 98-01 RS wheels are 16x7 +53 offset and clear 4pots



--
I have owned 4 MR2s as well and my RS's are clearly the most reliable car's I've owned. That '98 had 200K miles when I sold it and now is getting prepped to participate in SCCA stage rally w/the motor in it. 2.5RS GCs look great and are torquey NAs. I see myself picking up one again soon.

This post has been edited by pez222: Jan 25, 2010 - 4:38 PM