Buying the Right 2002 WRX Side Skirts for Your own Bugeye
Finding a decent set of 2002 wrx side skirts is fundamentally a rite of passage for any kind of Bugeye owner looking to sharpen up that side profile. Let's be real, the stock appearance on the early GD chassis is definitely iconic, but right after twenty-plus years on the road, these original plastic rockers usually look a bit tired. Maybe they're faded from the sun, scratched up from gravel, or you're just exhausted of the vehicle looking like it's sitting way too higher off the ground even though you're on coilovers. Whatever the cause, upgrading or replacing your side skirts any of those "bang for your buck" mods that completely changes how the car sits.
The particular Bugeye WRX has a very particular silhouette. It's got those bubbly headlights and flared fenders that make it look a bit has a muscle physique but also a little goofy in the best way possible. Nevertheless, the side of the car may look a little "thin" if you don't have the right aero bits in order to tie the front side and rear together. If you've already thrown a front lip in your fender, you probably noticed that the car looks unbalanced. The front side is low plus aggressive, but the center of the vehicle appears to bridge upward. That's where the good group of side skirts comes in to save the day time.
Why Side Skirts Matter More Than You Think
Most people think of side skirts because just a cosmetic touch, and whilst that's 90% associated with the reason we buy them, these people really do a great deal for the "flow" of the vehicle. When you're looking at a 2002 wrx side skirts setup, you're looking for something which aligns with the particular height of your own front lip plus your rear spats (if you have got them). Without that will alignment, the car looks disconnected.
But there's a more useful, and slightly frustrating, reason many WRX owners go looking for skirts: hiding the dreaded Subaru corrosion. If you live anywhere where these people salt the streets in the winter, you know the struggle. The particular rocker panels on the GD framework love to hold onto moisture. Often, people buy wider or more intense side skirts to cover up some minimal surface bubbling or just to shield the metal from more rock chips. It's a bit associated with a "band-aid" repair if you don't treat the corrosion first, but it definitely makes the car look 10 times better within the driveway.
Choosing Between OE, JDM, and Aftermarket replacement
This will be where the bunny hole starts. You've got some various paths you can create whenever picking out 2002 wrx side skirts .
First, you have the standard USDM OEM skirts. These are the particular ones that came on the car from the factory. They're fine, they fit perfectly, and they're made of durable plastic material. If you're doing a factory-plus restoration, these are your best wager. But honestly? Most people find them a tad too subtle.
Then you have the particular JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) options, specifically the STI-style skirts. These are usually a bit chunkier and frequently come with "strakes"—those little top to bottom fins that sit down just ahead of the back wheel. The V7 and V8 STI side skirts are usually highly desired because they give the Bugeye a very much wider, more grown look. They bolt right up, that is a huge plus, yet finding an authentic set in good condition can be a bit of a hunt these days.
Finally, you have the enormous world of automotive aftermarket skirts. You've probably seen the Chargespeed style or maybe the numerous "bottom line" packages. These usually involve a flat splitter-style piece that hooks up to the underside of the existing dress. It's an excellent way to obtain that lowered look without actually getting to deal with the headaches of a slammed vehicle.
Material Choice: ABS vs. Fiberglass
I am unable to pressure this enough: take notice of the material. When you're searching for 2002 wrx side skirts , you'll see a large price gap in between different listings. Usually, the cheap ones are made associated with fiberglass (FRP).
Fiberglass is excellent for complex forms, and it's simple for manufacturers to pump motor out. But for a part associated with the vehicle that sits three inches away the ground? It's a nightmare. Fiberglass doesn't bend; it shatters. If you clip a rate bump or a stray bit of car tire on the road, a fiberglass skirt will crack instantly.
ABS plastic or Polyurethane material is what you really want. It's flexible. You can actually twist a polyurethane material skirt and it'll pop back into shape. This really is important for a daily driver. Plus, the particular fitment on plastic material parts is usually far more consistent compared to fiberglass, which frequently requires a wide range of sanding and "massaging" to get it in order to sit flush contrary to the body.
The particular Struggle of Installation
Installing a set of 2002 wrx side skirts ought to be easy in theory, but those plastic material clips are the particular bane of each Subaru owner's existence. In case you're taking off your old skirts, expect at least half the clips to snap. They've been heat-cycled for two decades; they're brittle plus they hate a person.
Prior to you even start the job, continue Amazon or hit up a store and buy a bag of substitute rocker panel clips. They're cheap, plus getting on hands will save you from the mid-install crisis.
When it comes to aftermarket skirts that will don't use the factory clip areas, you're likely to be using a mixture of self-tapping screws and 3M double-sided record. Don't cheap from the tape. Obtain the heavy-duty automotive quality 3M stuff (the one with the red backing). Clear both surfaces along with rubbing alcohol first, or it will peel from the lime within the first rainstorm.
Paint Matching and Looks
Unless you're lucky enough in order to find a group of 2002 wrx side skirts within your precise color (World Move Blue owners usually have the best luck here), you're likely to be searching at a color job.
A lot associated with guys choose a matte black or a "textured" black look for their particular side skirts. It's a classic look that mimics the appearance of modern aero kits and it's way easier to maintain. If you scratch a dark plastic skirt, you can just hit it with some trim restorer or a quick smoke of spray color and it appears new. If you have color-matched Globe Rally Blue skirts and you obtain a rock chip, it sticks out such as a sore browse.
If you do decide to paint them yourself, create sure you make use of a plastic 1er. Without it, the paint will simply flake from the initial time the dress flexes. If you're going the expert route, most shops won't charge a lot to spray a pair of skirts since they're relatively small plus don't require much prep work when compared with a hood or a bumper.
Don't Forget the Side Splitters
If you want that extra "wow" element, look into side splitters or "side lip" extensions that go underneath your 2002 wrx side skirts . These are usually usually flat parts of ABS plastic or carbon fiber that extend out there an inch or even two from the car.
They don't just look cool; they protect the actual side skirt from getting scraped up. It's much cheaper to change a flat piece of plastic splitter than you should change and repaint an entire STI side skirt. Plus, it provides the car that will "time attack" feel that fits the Bugeye aesthetic so well.
Last Thoughts
At the end associated with the day, your choice in 2002 wrx side skirts depends upon how you use the particular car. If it's a fervent track build, you probably want something cheap and replaceable. If it's a show car or even a clean road build, hunting down some genuine JDM pieces is well worth the extra cash.
Whatever you pick, just make sure you take your time with the fit. There's nothing that will ruins the appearance of a clear WRX faster than the usual sagging side skirt or a massive gap between the particular plastic as well as the metal. Buy the extra clips, get the good tape, and treat the vehicle right. The Bugeye is a classic, and it justifies to appear the component. It's a simple mod, but once you see your car with the fresh group of skirts, you'll wonder precisely why you waited so long to do it.