I'm looking at a 2000 2.5RS (auto unfortunately). The car has about 70k on it and when I talked to the owner he said he's done an engine swap. I'm assuming it's because he's pushed his original engine too hard (yes I know I shouldn't buy a modded car if I can avoid it). I'm going to be inspecting the car this weekend and hopefully I can let my mechanic look at it as well.

What should I be looking for as far as problematic signs since it's a swapped engine?
What problems does an RS typically come across around 70K?
Is there anything I should look at specifically?

It's a really good deal so I'm partially inclined to go for it simply because it's better than my current car (93 Protege). But I don't want to jump from a POS that I know to a newer car if I'm going to get it in the butt in the long run.

1. check any nosie from engine
2. any leak on raditor
3. the suspension any leak of oil
4. the engine light
5. does he do the 60000 mile tune up yet?
if not do a major one
1. change all the oil and filter gear oil......
2. spark plug
3.timing belti

Doesn't sound like it's worth it to me.

I'd wait for a manual, thats obviously what you want anyway, and there doesn't semm to be anything particularly striking about this car otherwise.

If you must get this car look out for oil seepage off the oil pump, and cracked exhaust manifolds.

unless your a mechanic then dont bother trying to look for certain important things because you wont know what your lookin at

also a motor swap does not mean he pushed the stock engine to hard there could be a number of different reasons

usually autos are hard to push but if the person wants to mess em up its possible, so careful with th e tranny to

is the engine stock or what?

He tells me that the swapped engine is stock. Maybe I should just post the information, although I'm hesitant because someone here might see it and jump the gun on me.

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2469172022&category=31868) is the auction. The car is about an hour from my house and I like the older body style more than the newer WRX styles. I mean $6k for what he's offering seems pretty good right?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2469172022&category=31868

Something tells me had the turbo on his old engine, messed it up, and ended up with the engine swap.

yeup and sounds like the tranny is dieing due to in city driving it hesitates or somethign

Well, if the tranny is dying anyways it could be worthwhile to do a 4EAT->5MT swap... depending on the price you get it at of course...

Can someone clue me into what I am seeing in the engine pic? I'm guessing that's a pic he took BEFORE he swapped the new engine in?

correct

Interesting, if you check his feedback he has bought a WRX engine, tranny, and diff in the past few months.

Personally, I would stay away unless I could get a great deal on it and I had the time to work/play with it instead of relying on it for transportation.

Thanks for all the input gang. It sold before I made my decision so I've now aquired an OBS (97/auto:( ) and I'm researching possible projects. There really isn't a lot out there for a 2.2L engine...:( :(

oh yes there is you just dont realize it

i think most parts for the 2.5 fit on the 2.2

Wagons are cooler:) Especially a GF with the bumper conversion

Pretty much everything will work. There seems to be some dissent on cams and headers but it might be worth looking into.