What to look out for in a 2004...

[The Wreck]

Okay first of all, thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer. Here's the situation...

I totaled my 2006 Nissan Sentra two weeks ago on black ice and I'm in need of a replacement car. I happened to look into a 2004 WRX (not STi) wagon with 29,000 miles on it today. The motor is strong as is the transmission. No handling issues either. It does need a set of tires and the front speakers are blown but I'll have that taken care of before I sign anything.

I've always dug the WRX and I could really use a wagon (we've got a five year old daughter with another on the way soon) so the car seems to be a good fit for me. I took it for a test flog and it's solid. My question is: Are there any things to watch out for that might not be immediately apparent on a test drive? I was allowed to take it home for the night and I'm going to bring it into the hangar tomorrow and give it a good going over while at work but again, there are sometimes things that can't be seen or felt and any help or clues as to what to look for would be helpful. Thanks again!

Jamie

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[RP31]

Check for signs of tampering with the exhaust, intake, and bypass valve. Unfortunately it seems like a lot of people like to mod these areas very poorly, and it may have been returned to stock at the time of sale.

[dibblejr]

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

[r0bman]

+1 for inspection, specifically the compression test. Also, look around the radiator bolts, fender bolts, turbo heatshield, basically any bolt that might have scratches on it from being ratcheted / broken from mods or damage repairs. The Turbo Heat shield bolts are a great way to tell if the exhaust was modified.

The bypass valve is a biggy. Do your research on where it is on the car, what a stock one looks like, and how to tell if it's been tampered w/.

Good luck, and I hope it works out... you'll love the car if you get it

[SoCalTxn]

Originally Posted by dibblejr

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

Excellent advice.