Tips on buying a WRX - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Woody182 · 03-01-2004, 09:07 PM

I am graduating school and want to buy a Subaru WRX. I would like it to be 2002-2004 with less than 22,000 miles on it. I've been looking around but am very skeptical about buying a car from a dealer. I have been keeping and eye on autotrader and have looked at ebay (doubting this option).
Any suggestions on the best way to about getting my hands on one of these.
Thanks in advance

Pragma · 03-01-2004, 09:18 PM

From what I've heard (and you'll probably hear it from a few other people while you get more replies here): the tranmissions on WRXs are pretty much paper thin. Make sure you get one that hasn't been abused too much.

punx1325 · 03-01-2004, 11:51 PM

Something about Subaru's is, they don't get rid of them unless they have a problem. Subaru was known for making great cars. But yea I have heard about the transmission being a problem in the 02-03 models.

madsenj37 · 03-02-2004, 08:46 PM

If you were in CA, I would send you to my friend. He works for a dealer, but he is the real deal.

A good piece of advice is to never buy a used performance car. You never know what stuff people have tried to do with it. They played with it and you will have tyo pay for it.

Woody182 · 03-03-2004, 10:08 AM

I definitely only want to buy a stock model, nothing w/ addons. I think it's too risky of a buy b/c like you've said, they are probably only selling it when it has problems.
Is it a terrible idea to go through a dealer??

castex · 03-03-2004, 10:08 AM

Never buy a used performance car? Are you serious? That's kind of constrictive, don't you think madsen?
I'd say that you should definitely buy a used performance car - and why not a WRX - but you should go for one that hasn't been abused. On this particular model I'd check the sump guard first of all. It's a protective, metal panel just between the two front wheels that is designed to take the brunt of any heavy landings. If it's bashed or scratched then that would suggest that the previous owner(s) have been using the car as intended - jumping it off humpback bridges and other such tomfoolery.
You'll be wanting a WRX that's been previously owned by someone's granny, who likes to overtake in security and needs the 4wd when it snows. Her car has not been modified in any way, and sports a pristine underbody for you yourself to bash-in at the earliest opportunity

madsenj37 · 03-03-2004, 12:24 PM

It was just my personal advice, take it how you want it. But if you are going to buy a used one, it is a good idea to buy one with only factory options, like you said. Its not a bad idea to go through a dealer, but for newer cars, dealers will want more money, but they also have rigourous inspections vs. when you buy from a private owner, you will have to get it inspected yourself.

taylorspl · 03-03-2004, 10:14 PM

As long as the compression is good and the tranny shifts fine you're in the clear on a car that new.

bad30th · 03-04-2004, 09:58 AM

The WRX trans doesnt have problems at near stock power levels.....the problems come when people start turning up the boost and adding a lot more power.

As far as buying from a performance car enthusiast or not, theres trade-offs.

Buy from an performance enthusiast....
-Pros: car is proably better maintained at the recommended service intervals
-Cons: car has probably been driven hard, but if its a true performance car, that shouldnt really matter

Buy from an old lady type....
-Pros: Has probably been driven, well, like a granny.
-Cons: Chances are, it hasnt been properly maintained, since many non-car-enthusiasts could give a shit about maintainance until something breaks....

:shrug:

good luck

theblackmax455 · 03-06-2004, 06:39 AM

I would most definitely but it private party, because used cars from dealers are bullshit anyway......they overcharge you by an assload. My advice is keep looking and wait to find the one you are looking for private party instead. Its worth the time to save $1000, but awesome choice on the car by the way. I have driven one before and its an absolute fucking blast. Good luck, wish I could afford one.

03-01-2004, 09:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Woody182 Crazy Location: Near Chicago, IL	Tips on buying a WRX I am graduating school and want to buy a Subaru WRX. I would like it to be 2002-2004 with less than 22,000 miles on it. I've been looking around but am very skeptical about buying a car from a dealer. I have been keeping and eye on autotrader and have looked at ebay (doubting this option). Any suggestions on the best way to about getting my hands on one of these. Thanks in advance __________________ If I fall in love, will you forgive me? If I lose my way, will you choose me? If I change my mind, will you change me? -Smashing Pumpkins

03-01-2004, 09:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	From what I've heard (and you'll probably hear it from a few other people while you get more replies here): the tranmissions on WRXs are pretty much paper thin. Make sure you get one that hasn't been abused too much. __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

03-01-2004, 11:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
punx1325 Junkie Location: San Diego	Something about Subaru's is, they don't get rid of them unless they have a problem. Subaru was known for making great cars. But yea I have heard about the transmission being a problem in the 02-03 models. __________________ If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is....

03-02-2004, 08:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
madsenj37 Still searching... Location: NorCal For Life	If you were in CA, I would send you to my friend. He works for a dealer, but he is the real deal. A good piece of advice is to never buy a used performance car. You never know what stuff people have tried to do with it. They played with it and you will have tyo pay for it. __________________ "Only two things are certain: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe." -- Albert Einstein

03-03-2004, 10:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Woody182 Crazy Location: Near Chicago, IL	I definitely only want to buy a stock model, nothing w/ addons. I think it's too risky of a buy b/c like you've said, they are probably only selling it when it has problems. Is it a terrible idea to go through a dealer?? __________________ If I fall in love, will you forgive me? If I lose my way, will you choose me? If I change my mind, will you change me? -Smashing Pumpkins

03-03-2004, 10:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
castex Psycho Location: france	Never buy a used performance car? Are you serious? That's kind of constrictive, don't you think madsen? I'd say that you should definitely buy a used performance car - and why not a WRX - but you should go for one that hasn't been abused. On this particular model I'd check the sump guard first of all. It's a protective, metal panel just between the two front wheels that is designed to take the brunt of any heavy landings. If it's bashed or scratched then that would suggest that the previous owner(s) have been using the car as intended - jumping it off humpback bridges and other such tomfoolery. You'll be wanting a WRX that's been previously owned by someone's granny, who likes to overtake in security and needs the 4wd when it snows. Her car has not been modified in any way, and sports a pristine underbody for you yourself to bash-in at the earliest opportunity

03-03-2004, 12:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
madsenj37 Still searching... Location: NorCal For Life	It was just my personal advice, take it how you want it. But if you are going to buy a used one, it is a good idea to buy one with only factory options, like you said. Its not a bad idea to go through a dealer, but for newer cars, dealers will want more money, but they also have rigourous inspections vs. when you buy from a private owner, you will have to get it inspected yourself. __________________ "Only two things are certain: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe." -- Albert Einstein

03-03-2004, 10:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
taylorspl Insane Location: Tucson, AZ	As long as the compression is good and the tranny shifts fine you're in the clear on a car that new.

03-04-2004, 09:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
bad30th Insane Location: [insert witty play on location field here]	The WRX trans doesnt have problems at near stock power levels.....the problems come when people start turning up the boost and adding a lot more power. As far as buying from a performance car enthusiast or not, theres trade-offs. Buy from an performance enthusiast.... -Pros: car is proably better maintained at the recommended service intervals -Cons: car has probably been driven hard, but if its a true performance car, that shouldnt really matter Buy from an old lady type.... -Pros: Has probably been driven, well, like a granny. -Cons: Chances are, it hasnt been properly maintained, since many non-car-enthusiasts could give a shit about maintainance until something breaks.... :shrug: good luck

03-06-2004, 06:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
theblackmax455 Tilted Location: Columbus, Ohio	I would most definitely but it private party, because used cars from dealers are bullshit anyway......they overcharge you by an assload. My advice is keep looking and wait to find the one you are looking for private party instead. Its worth the time to save $1000, but awesome choice on the car by the way. I have driven one before and its an absolute fucking blast. Good luck, wish I could afford one. __________________ "Whaddaya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy? Whack off a guy? Cuz I'm married." -Peter Griffin, Family Guy