Buying an '04 WRX, what to look for?

[Scho]

Hi all,

pooped in to look at this car today:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/SUBA...

It's only round the corner at a traders,i've arranged to go back and have a propper look and a drive this weekend, anything sepcific i should look out for? problem areas?

cheers,

rick.

Edited by Scho on Tuesday 3rd March 18:30

[19890]

The things to look out for are really just the ususal stuff. Look for gunk in the coolant and or oil to make sure the head gasket hasnt gone. Make sure the clutch isn't slipping. Check for smoke from the exhaust with the turbo spinning. Look for uneven wear on the tyres and make sure the suspensions ok. listen out for anything odd from the gear box. Finaly if the tickover/idle revs are a bit lumpy it might indicate the MAF is going. It's not an expensive thing for the garage to sort out but if you miss the problem the engine will run lean which isn't a good thing. I've had my 05 STI for over a year now and I've not had any real issues with it as yet. Scoobies are generaly fairly bullet proof as long as you don't take the P with power upgrades or shonky grey imports with no service history

[chrisk]

Service history, service history and service history.

Buy on condition and the amount of paperwork present. Mine has nearly done £60k and the interior is still immaculate, it's hard wearing, seatbelts snap back into place and dash is solid with no creeks - check this is the same.

As long as it's not had stupid modifications they tend to last.

[Animal]

Service history again! Make sure the cam belt service has been done. Also, check and see if the car has had any warranty work done: one weakness is the suspension top mounts, which will clonk over speed bumps etc.

Happy Hunting!

Animal

[ScoobieWRX]

Subaru sorted out head gasket issues for newage cars. Classics had those fibre gaskets and newage use multilayer metal gaskets. To be honest i don't hear of many if any newage cars with head gasket problems and so long as when ever the gasket was installed it was torqued down correctly they really shouldn't go wrong.

Newage cars are very reliable and so long as they have been looked after properly they should be fine. Anyone that tells you they haven't thrashed their beloved scooby to within an inch of it's life is lying through their teeth. That's what they were made for, that's why we buy them, and that's what makes them such a good car. They need to be bullet proof and they are!! One minute your granny is driving it to the shops and the next she's out doing full on track days in it. There aren't many cars out there that can make that claim!!

[19890]

ScoobieWRX said:

Subaru sorted out head gasket issues for newage cars. Classics had those fibre gaskets and newage use multilayer metal gaskets. To be honest i don't hear of many if any newage cars with head gasket problems and so long as when ever the gasket was installed it was torqued down correctly they really shouldn't go wrong.

Newage cars are very reliable and so long as they have been looked after properly they should be fine. Anyone that tells you they haven't thrashed their beloved scooby to within an inch of it's life is lying through their teeth. That's what they were made for, that's why we buy them, and that's what makes them such a good car. They need to be bullet proof and they are!! One minute your granny is driving it to the shops and the next she's out doing full on track days in it. There aren't many cars out there that can make that claim!!

Well said that man. Since I've had mine i've been smiling like a cheshire cat every time I've driven it, especialy when making a monkey out of someone at the lights who's spent 5 times what I have buying their ( usualy german ) bucket of bolts

Edited by 19890 on Thursday 5th March 12:25

[RFSA180]

I have a MY04 WRX and it is ace. Built like a tank, goes like a .. well, a rally car really.

I will reiterate the above comments. SERVICE HISTORY! CAM BELT! And check the gear throw is smooth and that the clutch feels good.

Best of look, once you get one, you will love it's burbling sideways antics.

[The GMan]

As has been said clutch, but also check the shox. Make sure there is not a knocking sound or feel under braking or accelerating.

I had an 05 Sti PPP 1 month in and the clutch went, and then a rear shox about 3 months after that. Luckily replaced under warranty, but I had a major bust up with the garage about the clutch as at first they wanted me to pay.

[Steviejay01]

Scho said:

Hi all,

pooped in to look at this car today:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/SUBA...

It's only round the corner at a traders,i've arranged to go back and have a propper look and a drive this weekend, anything sepcific i should look out for? problem areas?

cheers,

rick.

Edited by Scho on Tuesday 3rd March 18:30

How spooky is this........a friend just saw a pic of my new car to be delivered on tuesday, and told me about this thread!

Please tell me its a good car.......lol

I'm in basingstoke and am having it delivered to me, with the assurance its a peach NOT a lemon.

[Scho]

Steviejay01 said:

Scho said:

Hi all,

pooped in to look at this car today:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/SUBA...

It's only round the corner at a traders,i've arranged to go back and have a propper look and a drive this weekend, anything sepcific i should look out for? problem areas?

cheers,

rick.

Edited by Scho on Tuesday 3rd March 18:30

How spooky is this........a friend just saw a pic of my new car to be delivered on tuesday, and told me about this thread!

Please tell me its a good car.......lol

I'm in basingstoke and am having it delivered to me, with the assurance its a peach NOT a lemon.

OMG! what a snotter

you have mail.

[Steviejay01]

LOL!


Thanks for the reply buddy

[Scooby72]

I have an '04 WRX,

Admittedly it's only got 35k on the clock, and I drive quite gently, but i've had no probs with it at all !!

I think being a turbo car, one of the most important things is regular oil changes. I do mine about every 7.5k miles.

So service history is very important, and cambelt should have been done at that mileage. (you really don't want a cambelt failure especially on this engine !!)

Also I would personally prefer buying a standard car, ie. no chips, lowered springs, or Halfords bolt ons.

If you get a goodun' you'll love it !! Good luck.

[ScoobieWRX]

Scooby72 said:

I have an '04 WRX,

Admittedly it's only got 35k on the clock, and I drive quite gently, but i've had no probs with it at all !!

I think being a turbo car, one of the most important things is regular oil changes. I do mine about every 7.5k miles.

So service history is very important, and cambelt should have been done at that mileage. (you really don't want a cambelt failure especially on this engine !!)

Also I would personally prefer buying a standard car, ie. no chips, lowered springs, or Halfords bolt ons.

If you get a goodun' you'll love it !! Good luck.

I felt just like you when i first bought my 02 WRX Sportwagon but totally agree....if you get a goodun..... However, after a little while 225bhp wasn't enough and i hungered for more
.....and thereafter the tweaking began!!

Suffice to say the car has changed under the skin, quite a lot

The best bit is i'll never sell it. It's one of the only cars i've owned that has genuinely made me laugh and grin till it really hurts!!