What to look for when buying a WRX?

[Guest]

Hi

im interested in buying a WRX in the next couple of years. I want a facelift model, ie the 1997 to 1999 model.

Plan on buying a stock standard one at this stage. What should i look for and watch out for? What traps are there? What common faults are there?

also some general feedback on the cars would be appreciated

cheers,

Cameron

[Guest DMSREX]

They're getting on in years now, finding one that hasn't been tampered with might be hard. Basically because of their age you'd need to look at everything closely. If you find something that looks in reasonable condition have it looked at by someone who specialises in Subaru's otherwise it could be a costly exercise.

[G-unit]

in the next couple of year you will most probly want summin totally different or the ver7 wrx will be cheap enough

[Guest]

well im fixed on a fast awd small car, i dont like the evos so wont be going near one of them. Are there any serious issues which are widespread over the particular model of WRX that i spoke of in #1?

[pl0x]

engine issues, Big end bearing. all subarus, normally ones with higher kms or not looked after well.

Look for a rebuilt one

[Guest]

erm, try and find one under 100 kms, with no modifications, and some sort of service history preferably with one owner ex japan.

[G-unit]

hes wanting 1 in the next 2 years, hard enough finding a decent wrx now like that

[Guest boostin]

And aren't GC8s too old to import now??

[Guest]

 G-unit said:

hes wanting 1 in the next 2 years, hard enough finding a decent wrx now like that

person that bought mine off me did. Well not unmodded. But still

[Guest Dazza]

Yea has to be GDB or newer. I was lucky with my rex, stock standard V3 sti hatch with 76000ks on the clock when I bought it

[Guest]

Whats wrong with the GC8 platform apart from the fact they have probably covered more miles and have been around longer? Are there elements of the Newer ones that make them significantly better?

My budget would be around 7k

[Old Skool Subbie]

Well im guessing most would have been thrashed.

So engine and gearbox maybe on way out..

[Guest]

personally my advice is to keep saving a little longer and spend around 10-11k.

You can get a well looked after GC8 for that where the ones for 7k tend to have been well....rooted.

Aim for a 1998/99 STI with around 100-120kms, unmodified.

something like http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Subaru/auction-243541401.htm

Insist on one with as much service history as possible, particularly oil changes. Check they have been around every 5k. Someone who changes oil religiously at 5k looks after his(or her) car well generally.

[Guest]

what are the advantages of an sti version? Im not going to be taking it on the track at all

[sooby]

faster, and upgraded brakes etc

[pl0x]

 morrisman1 said:

what are the advantages of an sti version? Im not going to be taking it on the track at all

Better engine internals. better ecu/tune. better heads. bigger injectors. bigger brakes*. better gbox & diff*. better seats/interior. better shocks. light weight parts*

* means on some of the sti models. possibly all - i dont know.

edit: which means it basically goes faster, handles & brakes better

[THUNDA]

yeah, i always go for the un modded ones, once modded it drastically shortens the life of the engine in most cases

[Guest]

thanks for the help guys. Im going to keep my eyes peeled for a nice unmolested 1997 or 1998 model. Anyone want to buy a 1992 Peugeot 405 grd turbo, capable of achieving 57mpg or 22L/km. Probably not the right place to sell such a car lol

[WRXER]

The sti is alot better package overral on bang for buck value. I bought myself a v2 non-sti wrx as my first car and after a ride in an sti I regretted it.

Also it is a much better platfrom, for well anything from if u do decide lets say years down the road to give the track a crack for once, or maybe modify it. Bang for buck, get an STI and like rossmnz said save 10-11k if possible u will thank yourself later for it.

[Guest]

 morrisman1 said:

thanks for the help guys. Im going to keep my eyes peeled for a nice unmolested 1997 or 1998 model. Anyone want to buy a 1992 Peugeot 405 grd turbo, capable of achieving 57mpg or 22L/km. Probably not the right place to sell such a car lol

i'll take it for $1?

unless you have more info, in which case post it in the For Sale section, you might get lucky!

[Jammasta]

 morrisman1 said:

thanks for the help guys. Im going to keep my eyes peeled for a nice unmolested 1997 or 1998 model. Anyone want to buy a 1992 Peugeot 405 grd turbo, capable of achieving 57mpg or 22L/km. Probably not the right place to sell such a car lol

Sup, i alsohave a puegeot 405, bloody comfortable cars.