Want to 2002+ WRX. got questions. Help Please

six · 11-18-2009, 10:13 PM

Hi guys. After thinking about what car I'm going to get for myself, I've made a decision of getting a used WRX wagon. I've always loved how the wagon looks. I have read about wrx owners are very happy with their cars. Excelling in both performance and in reliability. Although I have heard a couple of complaints about the car that worries me abit. I joined here in hoping that I would be able to get these things cleared.

I have read somewhere that wrx engines have a head gasket design flaw where there's a leak that eventually causes engine failure. I want to know if its true or not and if it is, are there ways to inspect for it or if theres an aftermarket product that will resolver this issue.

Next one is that I would like some help in picking a used one. Unfortunately, I am only able to afford a used car at this time of hardship. So the ones I have seen that I can afford almost always reaches 100k+ miles on them. At this mileage, Should i be worried about the car not having enough miles on them before it starts breaking down major parts? I know that wrx's are generably reliable and it totally depends on how well the car has been taken car of. But every car has its limits. If i do happen to buy one that has more than 100k miles on it, what should i look out for that should have been done by the previous owner?

Thanks for the help in advance guys. I really do look forward to be a WRX owner. I feel so damn excited.

Chase · 11-18-2009, 11:41 PM

Hello, nice to meet you. Great decision

Things to watch out for are much the same as any other car. Be wary of buying from younger guys, especially if they are modified. You can bet they've been abused and with 100k on the clock, you can't afford to buy one that's been rodded often. My rule of thumb was only exhaust mods on a used one. Ram air intakes are ok, but not cold air intakes. No after market blow off valves (for the most part), NO upgraded clutches.

I've not heard much or seen much head gasket failure from WRX owners as a rule. Transmissions on the other hand can be problematic. Generally this is when they start getting abused though, either through launching or handling higher than stock levels of power or an upgraded clutch. I wouldn't plan on the turbo lasting much more than 150k, and they can be expensive.

I recently used a local mobile mechanic called e-lemon-ators to inspect my wife's Corvette before we bought it. They test compression, and pressurize the coolant system to check for a head gasket leak. It was $160 well spent. These kinds of places can be found on Craigslist anywhere, I'd recommend it. Good luck!

02WRXbugeye · 11-18-2009, 11:48 PM

hey man, your making the right decision in getting a wrx

My first WRX was a 2002 and it was pretty modded out and was at about 310 hp and It had 138,000 on it when i sold it. The person before me had raced it a little at the track and when I sold it 4th gear was kind of grinding. But for a car with the mods it had and a racing history making it to 138000 without anything major wrong with it made me very happy. had utec em, turbo back exhaust, huge tmic, lightweight pully, intake, bov, headers, 13.9lb flywheel, stage 2 clutch, 18lbs of boost, eibach lowering springs. and more!!!

it was a clean title with 115000 when I bought it for 8,000. got a smoking deal in my opinion.

I knew the guy that had modded it out so I wasnt worried about it but most people would say to stay away from modded out cars. if you can find a stock one I would go with that! its fun to slowly mod out your wrx anyway. I wouldnt be worried about it having 100,000 though.

another thing I wouldnt shy away from instantly is getting a salvage titled car. If you get it checked out by a mechanic and a body shop and everything checked out you honestly get a great car for cheap!!!!

My current car is a 2007 salvaged title wrx with 31,000 on it for 9,000!!!!!!!!. I havent had any problems with it and am very happy that I got it.

The almost failsafe way to make sure your getting a good car is just paying to get it checked out. Its worth it in the long run.

02WRXbugeye · 11-18-2009, 11:51 PM

trannys are definately what me and other people that I know have had problems with. Thats the main problem with them that I know of. just depends on how the person drives it.

Driftmonkey · 11-19-2009, 02:20 AM

Good decision to get a wrx. I just recently got my wrx and from all the research i did before I bought mine they'll run for years if well maintained. Like everyone else says just stay away from ones from younger folks. One thing is you can usually tell when a cars been loved or abused and if you're buying it from a dealer don't be afraid to ask for a carfax report or even have it checked out before you sign anything.

six · 11-19-2009, 09:26 PM

Thank you very much for you answers. Really appreciate it. Just some follow up questions. Would any of you know how much a tranny is in case it does break?

Great suggestion of the for the salvage title. Unforunately, It seems like I'm rather having a hard time finding one. I live in the bay area in California. However it seems like the ones that I am seeing being sold on craigslist are rather pretty expensive. How I envy the deals you guys have found! Maybe I should just wait until I find a good deal.

02WRXbugeye · 11-19-2009, 09:51 PM

It took me about a month and half of looking before I found the right WRX for me. So I would just keep looking all over craigslist. The salvaged title ones usually arent hard to find

six · 11-19-2009, 09:59 PM

I shall keep looking!

I will post again when I have found my wrx!

02WRXbugeye · 11-19-2009, 10:19 PM

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON 5 SPEED MANUAL CLEAN TITLE

that one looks pretty clean!!!

2002 subaru wrx wagon

theres another!!!

Chase · 11-19-2009, 11:08 PM

I looked for 4 months. If it's not a necessity right now, definitely look for as long as it takes. I would suggest the same. Look every day until that deal that is a no-brainer comes along. The other thing I did was keep phone numbers of people who were asking a bit north of what I wanted to spend. Once a month or every 6 weeks, call them. Desperation can force price drops

.

six · 11-20-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02WRXbugeye

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON 5 SPEED MANUAL CLEAN TITLE

that one looks pretty clean!!!

2002 subaru wrx wagon

theres another!!!

I would definitely get that white one if only it was blue or black :|. I like blue the best. Also whats up with the hoodscoop on that one? are there really vertical strips inside?

I wonder if its a better option for a salvages low miles one instead... hmmm

Chase · 11-20-2009, 07:22 PM

That white one is beautiful. Looks well taken care of.

turmic · 11-22-2009, 12:30 PM

The vertical lines are the scoop splitter. Its supposed to be there.

six · 11-23-2009, 08:32 PM

ahh thanks for the info turmic. It's just that I have no noticed it in color black and blue wrx's. probably because they are dark colors.

Would you guys suggest skipping 2002 wrx's and go for +2003's instead. I read somewhere that +2003's have this system that prevents hard launching of the car to prevent tranny damage. I cannot remember exactly what its called.

Also I'm thinking about getting a salvage title instead of a high mileage one as the weak transmission issue is scaring me a bit.

turmic · 11-23-2009, 08:55 PM

I think the white has them color matched while the other models have them painted black most of the time. (This seems to apply to the bugeye MYs)

The only thing the 2003s have is stronger 1st and 2nd gears. Well, stronger than the 02s. The evo is the car that doesn't let you clutch dump at a high rpm from a stand still.