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Old 02-27-2007, 02:46 PM   #1
Caroline54
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 142042
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Somerville, MA
Vehicle:
2007 WRX Limited
Black

Default Looking to buy a WRX, what to know and watch out for?

I am looking to buy a wrx, 2004 or newer. I have never owned a subaru before and have some questions.
  • Is it better to spend the extra money to buy it new and be the first owner?
  • In terms of performance, is there much of a difference between 2004 and 2007?
  • What things should I look out for when buying it used?
I am concerned about getting something that has been aggressively driven without being properly broken in. I would appreciate any advice! Thanks!
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Old 02-27-2007, 02:53 PM   #2
BNastyer
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 116897
Join Date: Jun 2006
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston, Medford, MA
Vehicle:
'07 328xi
Jet Black

Default

i was in a similar position about 1 year ago, i was looking into buying used but decided i would much rather buy new because:
06+ WRX have the 2.5l engine in them compared to the 2.0l from 04-05 (lots more torque!)
The 06 Ltd. package really interested me
You won't have to worry about anything being abused if you just buy new
These cars last forever, the 06+ have slightly stronger transmissions in them
I would try to find a 06 WRX because they are still around and dealers want to get rid of them. If not, the 07's only difference are steel control arms, usual tweaks on the ecu, chrome surrounds on the tail lights, and an MP3 player compatible sound system (it now has an aux-in)
Good luck!
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Old 02-27-2007, 03:04 PM   #3
Six Stars
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 98214
Join Date: Oct 2005
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: King Of Prussia, Pa
Vehicle:
2004 WRX, Stage 2
Silver

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BNastyer View Post
i was in a similar position about 1 year ago, i was looking into buying used but decided i would much rather buy new because:
06+ WRX have the 2.5l engine in them compared to the 2.0l from 04-05 (lots more torque!)
The 06 Ltd. package really interested me
You won't have to worry about anything being abused if you just buy new
These cars last forever, the 06+ have slightly stronger transmissions in them
I would try to find a 06 WRX because they are still around and dealers want to get rid of them. If not, the 07's only difference are steel control arms, usual tweaks on the ecu, chrome surrounds on the tail lights, and an MP3 player compatible sound system (it now has an aux-in)
Good luck!
Well said. Its a better platform.
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Old 02-27-2007, 03:09 PM   #4
manz79
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Member#: 111505
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: tampa, FL
Vehicle:
07 STi
Black GT3076

Default

if you have to buy used try to find one that HAS NOT been modified. A modified one has probably been raced/abused and may have something wrong with it.
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Old 02-27-2007, 04:19 PM   #5
dibblejr
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Member#: 94070
Join Date: Aug 2005
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Dirty South
Vehicle:
05 LGT
PSM

Default

The best advice you will ever get;

No matter who you are buying it from (dealer or Individual) take $100-200 of your own money and ask to take it to an independent inspector. If the dealer/ individual does not let you do this simple walk away.
The dealer 1000 point inspection is no good and usually bogus. The small things that they claim to inspect is only done to try and convince you to take the car "as is".
You also want to get a compression test done, this may be done at the same place you get it inspected.
Do not act like you need the car (desperate) they've got you then. Test drive the hech out of the car without the radio on. This is another dealer stunt. Turn the radio on so you cannot hear the engine/ tranny. It is cheaper to replace the stereo then to replace a motor/ tranny.
If you take your time, find the car you like best and do what I mentioned above you will turn out ok.
I almost forgot, do not trust CARFAX, it is only as good as the seller/ insurance company. Many accidents get oaid out with cash therefore no CARFAX was ever submitted.

Good luck
Jay-R
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Old 02-27-2007, 04:57 PM   #6
Caroline54
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Member#: 142042
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Somerville, MA
Vehicle:
2007 WRX Limited
Black

Default

Great advice, thanks!
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Old 02-27-2007, 04:59 PM   #7
jumpman1887
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Member#: 135139
Join Date: Dec 2006
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: va
Vehicle:
04 sti
blue stg 2

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jay-r always got good advice
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Old 02-27-2007, 05:34 PM   #8
RichEd223
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Member#: 142062
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Maine
Vehicle:
1998 Honda Accord LX
White

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It is a crap shoot with these cars, but I would recommend a 2006 because of the .5 liter increase in displacement = less lag
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Old 02-27-2007, 05:40 PM   #9
dibblejr
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 94070
Join Date: Aug 2005
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Dirty South
Vehicle:
05 LGT
PSM

Default

^^ Following the correct advice takes away most of the "crap shoot" but you have to follow it to protect your $.
Since 1983 after buying a lemon myself I have given 100's of soldiers the advice I give here and for the most part it covers everything from the ground up and has helped everyone that takes it and applies it.

Jay-R
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Old 02-27-2007, 06:35 PM   #10
MikeBuzzsaw
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 66443
Join Date: Jul 2004
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle:
2011 Toy-OTAAAA
four-runner!

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dibblejr View Post
The best advice you will ever get;

No matter who you are buying it from (dealer or Individual) take $100-200 of your own money and ask to take it to an independent inspector. If the dealer/ individual does not let you do this simple walk away.
The dealer 1000 point inspection is no good and usually bogus. The small things that they claim to inspect is only done to try and convince you to take the car "as is".
You also want to get a compression test done, this may be done at the same place you get it inspected.
Do not act like you need the car (desperate) they've got you then. Test drive the hech out of the car without the radio on. This is another dealer stunt. Turn the radio on so you cannot hear the engine/ tranny. It is cheaper to replace the stereo then to replace a motor/ tranny.
If you take your time, find the car you like best and do what I mentioned above you will turn out ok.
I almost forgot, do not trust CARFAX, it is only as good as the seller/ insurance company. Many accidents get oaid out with cash therefore no CARFAX was ever submitted.

Good luck
Jay-R
Listen to this man!
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Old 02-27-2007, 08:30 PM   #11
MasterKwan
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 98961
Join Date: Oct 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: NOVA
Vehicle:
2003 WRX
Black

Default

I just bought in. Wanted something cheap so, if I hit a wall at the track I'm not out so much. Picked up a 03 WRX with 72K miles for $14K from a dealer. Has some dings but, mechanically it's clean and looked good when I inspected it. Interior's perfect.

I was surprised at the difference in rust on the cars even when looking at the same years. One 03 I looked at, the undercarriage was fairly rusty even though it was a local VA car. The one I ended up with from Washington state, had no rust on the undercarriage.

I wouldn't touch one with mods.

As for Carfax, it's a good reference but, I agree, it's not perfect. I sold off 2 wrecked cars that had clean titles. A clever person could have assembled a working car out of two wrecked chassis and Carfax would report it as a clean title.
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