Purchasing a WRX

[JeremyD]

Hello,

I am looking at getting a new car and one of the cars that interests me is the impreza line of cars. So far i have test driven a 2002 WRX, a 2004 WRX and an 2006 RS. I like turbos and hate the nose on the 06 model so the RS is out. I am not that familiar with the WRX and the 02 and the 04 I drove were different. I remember reading that the transmission was changed on the 04 but were there any other significant changes to them.

The 02 was a nice ride it didn't seem that special. I was concerned that the engine light was on the entire time and I didn't really feel the turbo kick in (not like I can on my DSM). I later read that the WRX (and STI) does have the problem with the engine light coming on and staying on for no reason...

Now the 04 was a little different. The engine was smooth and quiet at idle but once it got going I could hear what I can only descibe as lifter tick (a DSM quirck). THe 02 didn't have this sound. I could also notice the turbo and BOV on the 04 and I didn't on the 02 at all. The 04 sounded more like VW or a quieted dodge ram turbo diesel.

Based on this was the 02 a healthy vehicle to use as a comparison vs the 04? There were no signs of mods done to the 04 but does this sound normal for it? Although there is warrenty left on it so if the engine has issues it isn't a huge deal but I don't want to purchase a car that I have to take right back to the shop to get looked at. (I can keep my DSM for that)

Thanks
Jeremy

[That.Guy.S30]

hop onto nasioc.com and search. i beleive there is something up with the 02 trannies, compared to the rest.

i dont have a rex so i dont know. gl

[mac_82]

maybe the gas cap wasn't tight on the 02 :rofl:

one of the little quirks you learn about after owning a wrx.

what was the mileage / price on both the wrx's?

The BPV on the 04 isn't that noticable, it is slightly, did the car have the intake "snorkel" taken out? That can make a noticable difference in noise.

[l8braker]

I'm in the market for a Subie as well, so this thread should be interesting. nasioc.com is an amazing resource.

[mac_82]

I just bought my 04 wrx in August 05. It was the best decision I ever made. The only reason why I was hesitant was because of what I had heard about dealing with Calgary dealerships, but I haven't had a bad experience yet, and the car is addictive to drive, and so much fun, you won't regret owning a wrx.

[CRXguy]

My '03 WRX wagon is for sale. ;) :thumbsup:

[JeremyD]

I didn't look for the snorkel but it might have been removed, I will check when I go back. I will likely take a second look. I remember reading about the 02 trannies as well. The replaced parts with the 04 sti's and that corrected it.

the 02 was 23K with 82K on it.
the 04 is 26K with 62K on it.
I saw another 03 for 26K with 82K on it. Which doesn't make sense...the salesman was a little confused on that too. Though at first he quoted me 19K but he was looking at the wrong line.

both are high but all the subbies I see are closer to 30K a year than 20. Hell I put 10-15K on my cars so it seems like a huge amount.

[mac_82]

http://www.projectwrx.com/tr/wrx/images/mods/silencerbig.jpg

http://wrxatlanta.com/DIY/silencer/2screws.jpg

This is the intake silencer that can be removed from the car to add with the sound "effects".

Havent done this mod yet but it is on my list for sure.

[pitwipe]

Defo check what mods have been done to a WRX before buying it. Modding a WRX the "wrong" way can give you a lot of problems. Like sticking a BOV on is generally regarded as a no-no, as is using an aftermarket turbo back exhaust without some ECU mods... NASIOC is your friend. :thumbsup:

BTW, owning a WRX is THE best decision I ever made :D

[pinoyhero]

Does the 04 still have warranty left? If so, see if you can confirm with the deal that all the issues can be fixed prior to striking a deal, then you won't have to worry about all that.

[JeremyD]

I will look for that when I go back. Thanks for the pictures!

The 04 has some drivetrain warrenty left but that is it.

I have been going thorugh NASIOC faqs that Unabomber wrote. Those are incredible. Tons of info. I am still trying to digest it all.

[Fuji]

just remember not everything you read on the internet is true. Some of it might be but some of it may not.

[tapout]

i love the wrx:drool:

[heavyD]

They are good cars, just make sure you buy one bone stock or all betts are off.

[Pee_Sack]

and check if the clutch has been replaced....if not you will most likely be doing it.

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by Fuji
just remember not everything you read on the internet is true. Some of it might be but some of it may not.

Veru true. if it were I would surrounded by hot teens and suffering from erectile dysfunction.


and check if the clutch has been replaced....if not you will most likely be doing it.

the clutch felt solid when I drove but I will look at that. Is that not covered under drivetrain warrenty? I have never actually owned a new car before so the whole concept of a warrenty and what is and isn't covered is new to me.


They are good cars, just make sure you buy one bone stock or all betts are off.

from what I have read they seem more sensitive to modding than the DSMs were. Not as forgiving...

[heavyD]

Originally posted by JeremyD
from what I have read they seem more sensitive to modding than the DSMs were. Not as forgiving...

That's not too big a deal as there are few cars that ever took as well to modding as DSM's which are IMO the greatest import performance/value car to grace the earth.

[joegrang]

I just bought a 2005 wrx and I don't think the clutch is covered under any warranty... since warranty is covering only manufacturing defects and does not cover wear and tear which the clutch would certainly fall under. Is it true that the 2.0l engine actually puts out 250 hp? the dealer told me that and he had said that over here they put someting on called a muffler or exhaust cap for emissions obviously and that it brings the hp down to 227 hp. Removing it I hear also voids your warranty.. oh well guess I'll have to wait till mine is up

[benyl]

don't believe anything a salesman tells you.

[mac_82]

Since the WRX is a LEV (low emissions vehicle), it has 3 catalytic converters, compared to 2 in the STI. The WRX is a environmentaly friendly car, you can take off the cats for more power, but sacrifice emissions.

I am not sure of the exact horsepower rating of going catless, I am sure it would be around the 250hp mark.

[benyl]

The STi is a LEV as well.

[mac_82]

Originally posted by benyl
The STi is a LEV as well.

Yes STI is a LEV as well, but doesn't have a cat in the uppipe.

[Pee_Sack]

Originally posted by benyl
don't believe anything a salesman tells you.

word on that one my dealer tried to sell me a set of rotas for 3500$ w/o tyres saying they were the best racing wheel out there....I told him no thanks.


the clutch felt solid when I drove but I will look at that. Is that not covered under drivetrain warrenty? I have never actually owned a new car before so the whole concept of a warrenty and what is and isn't covered is new to me.

the clutch is not covered under drivetrain warranty, it was something I was sure to check into when I bought my car. Subarus are very prone to breaking clutches, unless you are one of the lucky ones who for some reason can get a solid clutch. There was a thread on nasioc.com abouyt clutches and apparently a guy with a stage 2 WRX with 30k miles on it, is still on his original clutch and there is no signs of it wearing. As far as I know (because there is no record of it, but I bought my car used) I am still on my original clutch, but the old owner could have done it himself. I am at about 52k and its not slipping at all.

also check out www.nasioc.com you can get LOTS of great information there.

[JAYMEZ]

Originally posted by Pee_Sack


the clutch is not covered under drivetrain warranty, all.




Not always true , I got my clutch replaced under warranty
:D ... First they said no , then i said a bunch of words to them , then said im going to call BBB and SOC , and they replaced her.

[Pee_Sack]

^^ bahah thats awesome

well when I got my extended warranty they were sure to tell me the clutch was not covered

[02bump'nWRX]

My wrx was the worst car i ever owned. Yah the 02 trannies are junk, the synchros in 1st and 2nd are a bad design and downshifting can be a problem. Grinds at low speeds. Other then having a tranny rebuilt twice i had to replace every o2 sensor in the car and it was always a fight with the dealer to get the car repaired. Always blamed me (being young male) for the problems then once they actually looked at it it was pretty hard to place blame on me. Anyway i had my car since new and put 70000kms on it. Worst experience of my life, so i sold it bought a GMC truck and have never had a problem with it.