Finding a decent set of 2002 wrx side skirts is basically a rite of passage for any Bugeye owner looking to sharpen up that side profile. Let's be real, the stock look on the early GD chassis is iconic, but after twenty-plus years on the road, those original plastic rockers usually look a bit tired. Maybe they're faded from the sun, scratched up from gravel, or you're just tired of the car looking like it's sitting way too high off the ground even though you're on coilovers. Whatever the reason, upgrading or replacing your side skirts is one of those "bang for your buck" mods that completely changes how the car sits.
The Bugeye WRX has a very specific silhouette. It's got those bubbly headlights and flared fenders that make it look a bit muscular but also a little goofy in the best way possible. However, the side of the car can look a bit "thin" if you don't have the right aero bits to tie the front and rear together. If you've already thrown a front lip on your bumper, you probably noticed that the car looks unbalanced. The front is low and aggressive, but the middle of the car seems to bridge upward. That's where a good set of side skirts comes in to save the day.
Why Side Skirts Matter More Than You Think
Most people think of side skirts as just a cosmetic touch, and while that's 90% of the reason we buy them, they actually do a lot for the "flow" of the car. When you're looking at a 2002 wrx side skirts setup, you're looking for something that aligns with the height of your front lip and your rear spats (if you have them). Without that alignment, the car looks disconnected.
But there's a more practical, and slightly annoying, reason many WRX owners go hunting for skirts: hiding the dreaded Subaru rust. If you live anywhere where they salt the roads in the winter, you know the struggle. The rocker panels on the GD chassis love to hold onto moisture. Often, people buy wider or more aggressive side skirts to cover up some minor surface bubbling or just to protect the metal from further rock chips. It's a bit of a "band-aid" fix if you don't treat the rust first, but it definitely makes the car look ten times better in the driveway.
Choosing Between OEM, JDM, and Aftermarket
This is where the rabbit hole starts. You've got a few different paths you can take when picking out 2002 wrx side skirts.
First, you have the standard USDM OEM skirts. These are the ones that came on the car from the factory. They're fine, they fit perfectly, and they're made of durable plastic. If you're doing a factory-plus restoration, these are your best bet. But honestly? Most people find them a little too subtle.
Then you have the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) options, specifically the STI-style skirts. These are usually a bit chunkier and often come with "strakes"—those little vertical fins that sit just in front of the rear wheel. The V7 and V8 STI side skirts are highly sought after because they give the Bugeye a much wider, more planted look. They bolt right up, which is a huge plus, but finding a genuine set in good condition can be a bit of a hunt these days.
Finally, you have the massive world of aftermarket skirts. You've probably seen the Chargespeed style or the various "bottom line" kits. These usually involve a flat splitter-style piece that attaches to the bottom of your existing skirt. It's a great way to get that lowered look without actually having to deal with the headaches of a slammed car.
Material Choice: ABS vs. Fiberglass
I cannot stress this enough: pay attention to the material. When you're browsing for 2002 wrx side skirts, you'll see a huge price gap between different listings. Usually, the cheap ones are made of fiberglass (FRP).
Fiberglass is great for complex shapes, and it's easy for manufacturers to pump out. But for a part of the car that sits three inches off the ground? It's a nightmare. Fiberglass doesn't bend; it shatters. If you clip a speed bump or a stray piece of tire on the highway, a fiberglass skirt is going to crack instantly.
ABS plastic or Polyurethane is what you really want. It's flexible. You can literally twist a polyurethane skirt and it'll pop back into shape. This is crucial for a daily driver. Plus, the fitment on plastic parts is usually way more consistent than fiberglass, which often requires a lot of sanding and "massaging" to get it to sit flush against the body.
The Struggle of Installation
Installing a set of 2002 wrx side skirts should be easy in theory, but those plastic clips are the bane of every Subaru owner's existence. If you're taking off your old skirts, expect at least half of the clips to snap. They've been heat-cycled for two decades; they're brittle and they hate you.
Before you even start the job, go on Amazon or hit up a dealership and buy a bag of replacement rocker panel clips. They're cheap, and having them on hand will save you from a mid-install meltdown.
When it comes to aftermarket skirts that don't use the factory clip locations, you're probably going to be using a combination of self-tapping screws and 3M double-sided tape. Don't cheap out on the tape. Get the heavy-duty automotive grade 3M stuff (the one with the red backing). Clean both surfaces with rubbing alcohol first, or it will peel off in the first rainstorm.
Paint Matching and Aesthetics
Unless you're lucky enough to find a set of 2002 wrx side skirts in your exact color (World Rally Blue owners usually have the best luck here), you're going to be looking at a paint job.
A lot of guys go with a matte black or a "textured" black look for their side skirts. It's a classic look that mimics the look of modern aero kits and it's way easier to maintain. If you scratch a black plastic skirt, you can just hit it with some trim restorer or a quick puff of spray paint and it looks new. If you have color-matched World Rally Blue skirts and you get a rock chip, it sticks out like a sore thumb.
If you do decide to paint them yourself, make sure you use a plastic primer. Without it, the paint will just flake off the first time the skirt flexes. If you're going the professional route, most shops won't charge a ton to spray a pair of skirts since they're relatively small and don't require much prep work compared to a hood or a bumper.
Don't Forget the Side Splitters
If you want that extra "wow" factor, look into side splitters or "side lip" extensions that go underneath your 2002 wrx side skirts. These are usually flat pieces of ABS plastic or carbon fiber that extend out an inch or 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 replace a flat piece of plastic splitter than it is to replace and repaint an entire STI side skirt. Plus, it gives the car that "time attack" vibe that fits the Bugeye aesthetic so well.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your choice in 2002 wrx side skirts comes down to how you use the car. If it's a dedicated track build, you probably want something cheap and replaceable. If it's a show car or a clean street build, hunting down some genuine JDM pieces is worth the extra cash.
Whatever you pick, just make sure you take your time with the fitment. There's nothing that ruins the look of a clean WRX faster than a sagging side skirt or a huge gap between the plastic and the metal. Buy the extra clips, get the good tape, and treat the car right. The Bugeye is a classic, and it deserves to look the part. It's a simple mod, but once you see your car with a fresh set of skirts, you'll wonder why you waited so long to do it.