WRX know'it'alls chime in, daddy needs a second car..

[erics75218]

I'm in need of a 2nd car. I need something that can get me to and from snowboarding, can carry some stuff and will be fun enough to drive that I wont mind owning it. SOooooo I think I'm in the market for a WRX!!!!

Thing is, I don't know anything about these cars and my budget is gonna mean I need to be looking at ones with a lot of miles on them. Like I said, it's a 2nd car...

So is there anything I need to look out for like " do NOT get a used one with more than 62K miles, because in 04' the WIZBANG Rotator wears out!"

Is 60k+ miles bad on these....if it was a Toyota truck I wouldn't care but these are slightly more HIGH TECH.

It looks like I can get something from 04' in my price range with roughly 60K miles. I like the LOOKS of the 06' the best...but they are to expensive.

Maybe I don't need a wrx...and can get the RS?

[PhlypSide]

^^^^ A lot of WRX'es are beaten on because they are a natural upgrade for the Honda "tuner" kids. Get one stock, and checked out by a dealer.

The transmissions are a weak point -- especially if launched all the time by aforementioned former "Honda tuner" kids.

You may also want to look into Forester XT's (2.5L turbo motor)

If you care at all for fuel economy perhaps skip the turbocharged versions of either the Impreza (WRX) or Forester (XT)... AWD drag + turbo = crappy gas mileage.

If you can find one in good shape, I love the older ("GC8") style Impreza 2.5RS...

[luxige]

WRX is a great choice for your needs.

+243 for looking at un-modded WRX's.
+10 for Forester. Not cool, but super-practical.

+0 for 'original' Impreza. Much less functional than a WRX or Forester.

(I have owned all three cars.)

[Miata_mx5]

Legacy GT Turbo.

All the speed and pep of a WRX with a Manual option.

None of the boy racer crap.

[WildCJ5]

Originally Posted by erics75218

I'm in need of a 2nd car. I need something that can get me to and from snowboarding, can carry some stuff and will be fun enough to drive that I wont mind owning it. SOooooo I think I'm in the market for a WRX!!!!

Thing is, I don't know anything about these cars and my budget is gonna mean I need to be looking at ones with a lot of miles on them. Like I said, it's a 2nd car...

So is there anything I need to look out for like " do NOT get a used one with more than 62K miles, because in 04' the WIZBANG Rotator wears out!"

Is 60k+ miles bad on these....if it was a Toyota truck I wouldn't care but these are slightly more HIGH TECH.

It looks like I can get something from 04' in my price range with roughly 60K miles. I like the LOOKS of the 06' the best...but they are to expensive.

Maybe I don't need a wrx...and can get the RS?

I bought my 02 WRX in 06 with 65,000 from a friend for 8,500. He used the car as a daily driver and weekend track car.

I now have 130,000 on it with no problems other then normal maintenance on a 130,000 mile turbo charged awd Subi that has been driven like a stolen car for last eight years. I have replace front rotors, timing belt, all motor mounts, clutch, most engine seals, coil packs, radiator and a bunch of other stuff. In the 65,000 miles I have owned the car I have put about $3,500 into keeping it running, not counting tires, and I really should do the turbo.

I also would consider a Forester. I had a friend with a 05 Forester. He replaced the turbo, inter-cooler, injectors, and had it tuned. That car in a straight line would pull my 05 STi, fun sleeper.

The big plus with the Forester is chances are it has not been modded or beat on plus they are invisible on the road to every one but hardcore Subi fans.

[MadMan Markiss]

IMO, this is too much of a 'fun car' to buy used. Most owners are of the younger persuasion, which means it wont even come close to the gently used category. Unless you happen to know the person selling or get a good background on it and the previous owner.
If you're really sold on it, just take your time and do your homework and check them out thoroughly.......even the ones at the dealers. There's a good chance some kid bought it, modded the piss out of it, then returned it back to its original state, to be then traded in for something else at the dealer.
They are a wicked car to have and drive though. Very reliable, good handling, good traction, etc.
As for 60K+ miles?...........thats not much on those, depending who had it last.

[JediMindGamez]

I've been lookin on and off for a WRX for the exact same purpose (to go snowboarding). Unless you wanna get a rack, then you have to go with a wagon. The rear seats in the sedan do not fold down.

As many have said the tranny is the weak point unless you get an sti. The sti has a different tranny that won't die the second more hp is added. If a non sti is modded at all the tranny is usually the first thing to go. If you do get a sti thou, all sti are sedans before 08 and the only rack you want is the JDM one. All other ones clamp onto the sides of roof and scratch up the paint. Not to mention just looks tacky and ugly.

Make sure the timing belt was replaced at 90k and a PPI is a must. If possible have a subaru specialty shop, not a dealer do it.

Also stay away from non sti 08s. They're generally considered the Vista of wrx with the 09+ the windows 7.

Oh and just fyi, i test drove an 09 wrx. HORRIBLE clutch. Once the pedal is past half way it just drops to the floor with no feedback. I couldn't help but get the idea that its set up this way so that boy racers can drive it with the seat reclined as far back as possible. That annoyed me. I then drove a 09 sti, clutch much better, good car however couldn't see myself dropping 50k for something that I was just planning on using for snowboarding and grocery runs. I test drove a used 05 imminently after the 09 sti. Even thou you could tell the 09 sti was more refined, the 05 it felt more analog. Felt closer to an elise, where as the 09 sti feels like every other modern car with a computer deciding if it wants to let you do what you just told it to do.

[mopho]

Transmission was only an issue on the 02 and some 03 WRX's and even still it was a bit random and often depend on whether they were abused or not. I have 65k on my mildly modded 02 and have had no problems, and there are plenty of heavily modded ones that have had no problems too.
By 04 the issue had been addressed.

I have only had to put tires, brake pads and change the accessory belt on my car

[dvl boy]

I have a one owner WRB wrx wagon with stage 3 upgrades....to keep the tranny within it's limits. It now has 63k on it and I only use it for the winter and the mountain. It has been a great car. I had an STi before my Exige S. I took the turbo and uppipe off the STI for the WRX for extra top end pull. I have done only oil changes and a tranny fluid change...all synthetic and done on my lift. The car if flawless! I would never buy a different car for the winter and the mountain!!!! Unless I upgrade to a 2010 STI. I would be willing to talk you through the potential issues with these cars...I used to work for a local dealer!!! PM me

[chaz704]

Great topic. I had an 02' Wagon that was identical to that pic. I love sleepers and made it my point to beat up on domestics that laughed at my little wagon. Lightly modded I ran 13.5's in the 1/4. I am now living back in NY and have been looking for a WRX wagon, Forester, Legacy, Saab 92x Aero, yet I can't decide because I always wanted a Wrangler. Right now I drive a 97' Suzuki Sidekick with 4wd that I bought from a friend for $500 while my Elise sits in the shop getting modded. Hey, it keeps me humble. I have to say the WRX was a beast in the snow, handling was great, quick enough, but I always worried about that tranny in the back of my head. I have owned other Subies and I truly love the sleepers just as much as I love exotics. I haven't had much luck finding exactly what I am looking for.

[erics75218]

Wow, great response...the car is so popular I knew there would be good data out there. Good tips on the tranny....i've already noticed that finding one unmolested is a chore.

[aschen]

I just bought my 3rd wrx today! I had an 03 which I bought late in 02 and an 04 sti that I bought right when they came out. I just bought an 06 wagon as a daily today. The trick to these cars is finding one that hasent been beeten to hell. They are out there you just need to look around. Adult owned would be the #1 priority for buying. I was in the same boat as you and really didnt want to spend more that about 12k. However 06 is the best year for wrxs in my opion because of the bigger brakes, aluminum control arms, and most significantly the 2.5 l motor. However the 02-05 cars are reliable as well. Just find one driven by an adult and not ghetto modded and you will be fine.

[aschen]

also if you want to know if a car has been previously modded just look at the heatshielding around the downpipe. If this is fully intact chances are the car was never modded. You can use your finger to feel the backside to see if it was ever cut for a larger downpipe. At least if they took the trouble to put a stock uncut heatshield back on, it is a good sign........

[Jbone]

Originally Posted by JediMindGamez

...I then drove a 09 sti, clutch much better, good car however couldn't see myself dropping 50k for something that ...

got mine for $35k out the door with 0% fincancing for 4 years. No BBS wheels or Nav system though - I'd rather have TE37's for that $.

It's a fun car and is faster than most. But doesn't come close to matching the fun factor of the Elise. But I did fold the seats down and put my mountain bike in there to go riding the other day - that was pretty awesome. I haven't had a 'practical' car in a loooong time. It is thirsty though and takes 93 - so for a daily driver, it's a lot of gas money. But I do get to and from work pretty darn fast .

[erics75218]

great tip on the shielding on the down-pipe. I think next saturday I'll take a drive around and look at some of the ones I see at some dealers.

I wish I didn't mind having a car payment, if I didn't mind I could get a much newer version. I love the idea of a hatchback...but I really don't like the look of them before the 08' body style...BUT since I need it for a reason other than looks I could deal with it!!

Have any of you guys taken your WRX "off road".....that would seem like a nice bonus to this car, potential "rally" action??

[Sideoiler]

I just picked up my 3rd wrx, 2nd STi. I've got probably 200,000 km in a Subie since 02 and have yet to have a problem, never been stranded.

[jasper]

as others have said - i think that an unmodded specimen would be important, more important than the mileage

I had a 2002 wrx that was trouble free until it got hit and totaled last year, and I still have a 2004 sti that i abused on the track and the problems I had were related to hard driving on sticky tires, I now have converted it back to daily beater and it continues to go strong

a few general issues is that they generally get relatively poor gas mileage and consume some oil, other than that great car

and they are really fun on hard pack dirt roads, I wouldn't try any real off road, but on fire roads you can slide it around and unleash your inner rally star

[erics75218]

Originally Posted by jasper

but on fire roads you can slide it around and unleash your inner rally star

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking, sounds like some fun could be had. How do you find appropriate roads I wonder...?

I just went down to get coffee and there was an 05' red wrx wagon downstairs....not bad.....not bad!!

The thing for me, is once the price gets up there, there are some other auto options I would consider. Ass odd as it may sound my choices are between the WRX and an FX35 4wd ( love those things, my ex had one and I really enjoyed driving it, being in it...luxury is nice since my other car is the Exige)

Thanks for all the info guys! I've taken an Sti for a quick spin a while back....perhaps it was just a WRX....and I remember it being surprisingly fun and "serious" feeling to drive..


All you wrx owners, lets see some PICS!!!

[PhlypSide]

Originally Posted by Jbone

....It is thirsty though and takes 93 - so for a daily driver, it's a lot of gas money. But I do get to and from work pretty darn fast .

^^^^^^^^^^^ Exact-a-mundo. Unless of course you telecommute, take public transportation, or have an insanely short commute -- you may want to consider the turbo + AWD gas guzzler effect.

[WildCJ5]

Originally Posted by erics75218

All you wrx owners, lets see some PICS!!!