The WRX is an EXCELENT car, but it's aftermarket isn't nearly as huge as it is for the GT. That is understandable for a new car. My point is that where the Mustang has been around for 40 years there is way more experience, knowledge and tips - which are just as (if not more) important than just parts alone. Depending on your long term plan or what you want with the car, the WRX may be a better buy. It has a nice interior, racing seats, AWD etc.

HOWEVER, you are not correct by saying that it can go way faster when modified......I don't think that's what you meant to say there. I don't know the prices of WRX modifications. I know that you don't have a choice of 10 crate engines or thousands of combinations for a motor build on a WRX. For $6000 you can drop a racing engine into a GT which will produce 430 - 530 NA HP depending on which one you get. (Mind you, the rear end needs to be strengthened as well) A WRX will not match that kind of power and speed for that investment. This stems to my point about the big aftermarket, the stock car racing world has helped develop a lot of good modifications for engines. Entry level short track motors are inexpensive race engines that can take a lot of abuse and are the best buy for aftermarket money. They are used for short track stock car racing and are very, very robust. There's like 40 years of R&D there!! And if you were to look hard, you can purchase used racing heads or parts for even less money if you are seriously into racing and cars or cost aware. There are so many race teams coming up with better designs that the Ford aftermarket has thousands of "engineers" trying different combinations for speed and power from its various blocks. Some of which make it into production such as the Ford/Robert Yates Sportsman head. These are all things that people who aren't into Ford products don't understand. People think NASCAR...yay but don't realize that they run NA engines with parts and blocks that you can buy and put in a street car. (machining and combinations differ of course) There is a lot of depth to the aftermarket. And stock car racing is one of the toughest forms of racing for a motor simply because you run in one gear - you need power down low to pull out of the corner, and high rpm power to pass or "nose in" at the end of a straight. These are things that are desireable for street cars and hot rods. There is a reason that cars like the Mustang have a reputation and it isn't from stock Mustang motors or simple bolt-ons......it's from the serious aftermarket items you can produce to make it faster than anything on the road if you put enough money into it. A serious hot-rod isn't built overnight.....you plan your end result and upgrades over several years. Maybe in the first few years and small changes, the WRX will be just as fast. But over the long term with major overhauls, the GT will be the winner of the speed contest hands down. The WRX simply can not compete on that aftermarket playing field. Another thing to consider with aftermarket is this: kit cars. What are they normally powered with? Usually a 350 Chevy or 351 Ford........not a turbo Subaru engine.

From the factory, cars like the WRX have a better package. As I just said, the WRX has nice seats and a real racing look. The GT doesn't even have racing looking guages or anything.....the only thing mine had for an option inside was the racing pedals. However, for the money you pay for a Mustang you do get a strong engine, transmission and rear end, great sound, and base for big modifications.

This thread is not about the Mustang VS the WRX or anything like that. Hell, what good is the aftermarket if you don't even like the car?? It is about aftermarket support. I just wanted to add a few notes/education on the aftermarket support for Ford products from the manufacturer. You may not even like Fords. I'm just saying that if aftermarket is what you look for more than the factory package, then you have to seriously consider Ford products for your hot rod car.