advice?

[WRXlibre]

. im new to this forum i found it on accident but im gald i did.
i know my name is WRXlibre but i do not own a wrx yet im buyinng one for my birthday in january, but i was wondering if there are anythings i should out for when buying one im gunna be getting it used as i don't make enough money to buy a brand new one.

anything i should be concerned about when buying it.
i found a few already
1. 02 wrx (http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=190558910&dealer_id=46377333&car_year=2002&num_records=75&search_type=both&make=SUB&model=IMPREZ&make3=sel_one&transmission=Manual&distance=100&address=08828&make2=DODGE&advanced=y&certified=&model2=SRT4&max_mileage=&max_price=19000&bkms=1133676673370&min_price=1&end_year=2006&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&isp=y&engine=&body_style=SEDAN&doors=&lang=en&fuel=&cardist=49)
2.02 WRX (http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=192097239&dealer_id=573138&car_year=2002&num_records=75&search_type=both&make=SUB&model=IMPREZ&make3=sel_one&transmission=Manual&distance=100&address=08828&make2=DODGE&advanced=y&certified=&model2=SRT4&max_mileage=&max_price=19000&bkms=1133676673370&min_price=1&end_year=2006&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&isp=y&engine=&body_style=SEDAN&doors=&lang=en&fuel=&cardist=18#vdptop) .

any advice inromation that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[subwrxkid]

Whats going on? I'd say your best bet is to not buy one modded, for the reason that its probably been beat the hell out of. Also, check for ones with the lowest miles, maybe trying to save what little warranty is left. Also, check the vehicle history at a local dealer, you never know what that car has been through. And dont forget the wrx's trans are junk, save a little cash asisde when it blows up. lol Good luck with your purchase, for any other info pm me or post back up on this thread. Im sure you will get great feedback on this site as it is 60% subie owners!

[WRXlibre]

thanks for the advice,
yeah im looking for the ones with no mods my friend had showed that to me.
i didn't know about the trans problem thanks for the heads up.

if anyone knows of any good dealers please feel free to recommend them and such.
are higher mileage subies worth it? (hiles miles=40k-60k range)

[subwrxkid]

Id say try to get one with no more than 40k. Id say nittis subaru in hamilton, freehold subaru, coleman subaru in trenton, shrewsbury subaru, and flemington subaru. I dont know of any more. Also Id say for the an 03, youll find one with less miles and also the revised trans., it will last longer.

[acidbyte7]

well i can say my self, i'm happy with the car except for the trans...i'm about to be on my third one and i haven't even had it for a year....but i also beat the hell outta the trans...just remember you can't shift a subby like you can a honda...subaru transmissions are like paper mechie

[acidbyte7]

hey jus look at my avatar....that is the pic of my car on a flatbed after the first trans haha, not tryin to scare you but do what subwrxkid says...save about 2,000-$3,000 asidefor the trans, and i don't suggest modding the car before the warranty, subaru is pretty strict about that crap....well at least in this area

[subwrxkid]

I dont think I ever said, but i love my subaru very much. No problems, and wouldnt trade it for the world!

[SRT42EnVy]

I dont think I ever said, but i love my subaru very much. No problems, and wouldnt trade it for the world!
i think most of us know this, lol

[Mr. SUAVE]

check out the silver one. drive it libre and let us know what you think.

[96s14]

why are the trannys so bad? are they covered by warrenty?

[subwrxkid]

why are the trannys so bad? are they covered by warrenty?
Haha. The trans just suck, who knows. If you have any single mod, such as cat back, intake, or even something like a turbo upgrade, the warranty is voided (atleast where im from). They put you in a bracket called an enthusiest driver, basically meaning you look like you beat the sh*t of out your car. Basically, I would never take my car to the dealer, since they wont warranty nothing, youll be paying more in the long run!

[WRXlibre]

thanks for all the get backs, yeah im gunna try to find a weekend and go out there and test that silver one out.

other than the trans any thing else i should be aware of?

thank again for the responses

[subwrxkid]

thanks for all the get backs, yeah im gunna try to find a weekend and go out there and test that silver one out.

other than the trans any thing else i should be aware of?

thank again for the responses
nah thats pretty much it. Just watch shiftin hard from 1st to 2nd, dont launch the car alot and you should have no problem on stock hp. Now when you start modding, look for a trans upgrade!

[TROLL]

my wrx was my first sportscar and my first manual. from the getgo i knew not to beat on it. i'm not sure how other cars are but it would seem to me that any transmission that is regularly launched and has gears slammed would have problems sooner or later. i know some are more bulletproof than others and of course i agree it seems to be the weak link in the chain, but for what its worth i think if you treat your tranny right it'll treat you the same back. i have 43k miles on my car.. about 40k of them modded in one way or another. i was at about 225 whp for the past year and a half or so and just upped the ante to about 275+ and things are good so far (knock on wood). i have launched the car from time to time, but i dont make it a regular habit because i'm not trying to spend a boatload on new gears.
bryan

[Smokescreen]

why are the trannys so bad? are they covered by warrenty?
In the 02's, they used old technology. Basicly took the tranny from the 2.5 RS and threw it in the wrx w/o any modifications. That tranny has been used since about 98'. It just can't hold up to today's hp in cars. I forget where I read this, so don't quote me on it. Try and find an 03' with low miles.
If you have any single mod, such as cat back, intake, or even something like a turbo upgrade, the warranty is voided (atleast where im from).
They'll find an excuse to void your warranty if you change your wiper blades... Bov are ok though. I haven't been to the dealer since my 15k checkup, 5k/1 year ago.

[SonicSubie]

You should buy mine, and your have no issue.
they do have funky trans problems, i had mine go. rebuilt it with a hardened gearset, should be much better now.


-pat

[Lux]

Hey man if your really interested they have forsales at NASIOC.net which is the subaru boards i go on. look there ! the peeps are great guys

[the mike]

Aside from the glass tranny, the paint is really thin, as are the original windshields.

These are really the only real issues with the WRX that I have seen.

Keep looking for a low mileage one, they are out there. I found my wagon for <16K and it only had 21xxx miles on it.
Good luck with your search.

[2point4DSM]

Funny you should mention the windshield thing. I cracked the windshield on my 02 with just 900 miles on it.

I can't blame it on the car though I was following a ferrari which apparently have some very sticky tires cause he was throwing up all sorts of things while my buddy's 16g/50 trim powered (?) DSM who was next to him and pulling away had a clean trail behind him, lol.

Btw, I was probably 10+ cars back at the time cause they were both pulling away from me, lol.

[the mike]

Yeah, there was a thread on ClubWRX about windshields. Ash had hers break after jacking the car up.

[MuddyREX]

+1 for the cracked windsheild and blown trans club. :roll:

If I was going to buy another WRX, it'd be an 03. There were a few changes to make the car better, and more reliable. Like a stronger trans and an additional filler cap on the radiator. It's a PITA to change the coolant on an 02.

[SonicSubie]

Cracked windeshield and Trans problem here too.

New glass, and a built tranny. all fixed

-pat

[thewake]

So I am closing in on 100K miles on my '02. I have not had too much trouble with it under normal circumstances.

I am on my second windshield, but it is hard to pinpoint a cause for this.

My tranny is fine.

The paint is peeling off the scoop, so it needs to be repainted. I hear that this is common after a number of years.

I needed the engine rebuilt after some abuse at Pocono at 92K miles.

Road debris is rough on the front of the car, there are plenty of dings and dents. I have even had both foglights chip or break.

Rubbing undergrowth in the pines will also leave some 'pinstriping' down the side of the car.

I also need to get a new A/C compressor and rearview mirror.