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Old 12-27-2002, 10:15 PM   #1
Eternal_Reign
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Default Things to look for during my pre-owned WRX test drive tommorow?

I'm possibly buying a pre-owned WRX tommorow. Anyone have any tips or suggestions for me? Anything I should look out for or ask about?

Appreciate it, thanks.
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Old 12-27-2002, 10:32 PM   #2
wes
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Join Date: Feb 2002
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2002 MBP WRX sedan
now 04 silver WRX wagon

Default get a carfax report

give me the VIN # and I will run it for you.
I bought an unlimited months use a couple of weeks ago.

As far as what to check for, I would think all the basics such as:

Tire wear
check the condition of the rims
check all the gaps in the bodywork
unusual paint overspray
how clean it is overall
pull the dipstick check oil color
modifications or evidence of mods

test drive it, check for alignment, make sure it doesnt pull one way or the other, no vibrations, no unusual noises. look underneath the car and check for scrapes on the differential or diff gaurd

good luck
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Old 12-27-2002, 10:40 PM   #3
aussiebrydon
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any engine noise that sounds bad. Make sure you get the car out on the freeway. Drive at the speed limit (of course) and check for any vibration in the steering wheel, any noise from the tranny etc.

Does the car shift easily 1-2-3-4-5? Does it get back into 1st like butter at a stop? Does the clutch shudder when you slip it for a normal, safe take-off in 1st? Can you handle a WRX being a pain getting into reverse? (they all are) Is there any nasty rattles over bumps? Are any of the speakers blown? Look carefully at the paint, is there any place you can see where the color doesn't match quite right? Your car could have been in an accident. Run a Carfax report. Run a Carfax report. Run a Carfax report. Seriously, you do not want to get stuck with a car that has a salvage title.

Lastly, the WRX is a car that is SUPER easy to fall in love with. It's fun, fast, and playful. Do not get suckered into paying too much because you fall in love with it. do your research and make sure you're getting a good price on the car before you buy it. Do a search, you'll see plenty of WRX's for sale here in I-Club.

That's all I can think of most of that is non-WRX specific, but general used-car advice. The most important thing is the tranny/clutch. Make sure you pay careful attention to how it drives. Offer to pay for gas so you can take it on a long test drive, and slow down/speed up so you can go through the gears to make sure it hasn't been abused.
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Old 12-27-2002, 10:41 PM   #4
Eternal_Reign
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Default

I don't have the VIN handy, but I'll PM you when I get it if thats alright.

Thanks for your help, guys.
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Old 12-28-2002, 12:12 AM   #5
interiot
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Yup, car dealers have a saying, "the feel of the wheel will seal the deal". Don't get the first WRX you test drive until you've looked around some.

As far as shifting into first, my new WRX is somewhat hard to shift into first sometimes (especially when pushing it some), and very hard to shift into first or second when it's 15 degrees F outside and the car hasn't warmed up yet.

But yeah, when I was test driving cars, the thing that finally sealed it for me was the feeling I got when the WRX hit 3000 rpm and the turbo really started to kick in. Friends and family squeal the first time they drive it and the turbo comes on.
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Old 12-28-2002, 12:49 AM   #6
GuidoThePenguin
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First thing to check:



Do the wheels go round and round?
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Old 12-28-2002, 01:11 AM   #7
rogue
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In terms of whether it has been in an accidet:

open all the doors, the hood, and the trunk.. Chek all the seams and the bolts. Are they painted on? Do they look like they've ever been removed? That's a good way to tell... the paint should be seemless and constant across all body panels.
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Old 12-28-2002, 01:37 AM   #8
armand1
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If you decide you want to buy it, and have settled on a price, make it "subject to mechanic's inspection". Take it to a local mechanic you can trust for "used car inspection" It will run you about $100 including compression test -- could be the best $100 you spend if it shows up something serious.
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Old 12-28-2002, 04:15 PM   #9
il96
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Default

Quote:
Originally posted by rogue
In terms of whether it has been in an accidet:

open all the doors, the hood, and the trunk.. Chek all the seams and the bolts. Are they painted on? Do they look like they've ever been removed? That's a good way to tell... the paint should be seemless and constant across all body panels.
Look for paint on black rubber strips that go around windows and doors - there should NOT be any.
Also check all the lines and seams. They should be straight and symmetrical on both sides. If they are not, the car was probably in an accident and had some body work done. Probably nothing scary, but this will help you knock off a few couple hundred.

Drive it on a straight road, let off the stearing wheel for a few seconds and see if the car pulls to a side.

Last edited by il96; 12-28-2002 at 04:33 PM.
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Old 12-28-2002, 04:24 PM   #10
Stefx
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I strongly second armand1

A good mechanic's inspection (especially the compression test) will tell a lot. It'll be the best 100$ you've ever invested to protect a purchase
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Old 12-28-2002, 09:40 PM   #11
obyone
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Also, make sure its still under warranty.
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Old 12-29-2002, 01:23 PM   #12
aussiebrydon
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Quote:
Originally posted by obyone
Also, make sure its still under warranty.
that's a huge one - I second that
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Old 12-29-2002, 01:30 PM   #13
2002whitewrx
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check the transmission, check the transmission oh and I think I forgot to mention check the transmission. I would demand them to put it up on the rack empty the tranny fluid and see if any metal comes out little chunks of synchro or gear and what color it is I would demand this the tranny is the most fragile part on the wrx and by doing this you'll be able to see how the car was treated if it is the original fluid and they have romped on it just a little bit trust me there will be chunks of metal, I guarantee this. It only takes a little bit to break a piece of glass out of the glass tranny.
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