Subaru Buying Guide/Advice ?

nismo95tt · 07-07-2005, 01:57 AM

Hi All,
I'm in the market for a low cost subaru wrx (most likely 02), and was wondering if there is some sort of tell-all comprehensive guide as to what to look for when buying a used WRX. I've searched around w/ no luck, other than finding specific advice threads. The general consensus seems to be:

1. Buy a WRX w/ little or no mods.
2. Buy one w/ as low miles as possible.
3. The transmission is the weakest point on the car (espically 02?).

I've been interested in Subaru's for a long time, but have only been looking into buying for a few weeks. Please link me up to the info if there is any.

Thanks

IBAUCLAPlaya · 07-07-2005, 11:34 AM

Don't buy one with mods. Try to get one that you know hasn't been raced. Mileage isn't that big of an issue at least IMO. Yes if people abuse the tranny, it will break, so try to find a WRX from an older owner who seems halfway decent. Just my .02

03wrxwgn · 07-07-2005, 11:54 AM

Yeah...there's nothing better than buying a used wrx stock!!! I bought my 03 wrx wagon from a 50 year-old doctor for $16,000 w/10,000 miles.

Vew · 07-07-2005, 12:37 PM

Missing heatshield is a big red flag whether or not the car's been modded. It's just such a PITA to put back on. Oh ya, I'd read this article from one of my favorite websites

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-buying.htm

trek98xc · 07-07-2005, 11:28 PM

try to find one that has one prior owner. and get a carfax report. the dealer will pay for it, just tell them youre not goint to buy the car without seeing it. what are they going to do? say no? pshh. and if youre lucky enough try to find one like i did with the baby seat belt in the back going across. evidently a mom had it before me. and wagons are ###### less beat on than the sedans. i would say that a blue sedan is the most likely to have been beaten on.

panasyncp17 · 07-08-2005, 06:32 AM

And ask if they know who traded it in (if they did) and for what. The previous owner of my car was an older lady, who traded it in for a Forester.

WRXtreme · 07-08-2005, 07:52 AM

This is exactly why I bought a new WRX. I didn't want to go through all this hassle later to find out that my car had the shit beat out of it.

nismo95tt · 07-08-2005, 09:04 AM

Thanks for the good advice. Since there are no links to anything, does this mean there is no "what to look for guide" or something of the sort floating around here, or on another subaru board? Thanks.

WRXtreme · 07-08-2005, 06:03 PM

Not that I have seen. Basically try to stay away from a modded WRX. Look for signs of CAIs and boost controllers mainly. Just look for signs of things that have been uninstalled and reinstalled. With a decent amount of automotive experience you should be able to tell what has been worked on.