Looking at getting a 2003 WRX this weekend...?

[jjs316]

I know this is a legacy board, and dont worry, im keeping the legacy too. She will never go anywhere :grin: I just got an offer i dont think i can refuse on this WRX so Im going to be checking it out this weekend.

Is there anything I should pay close attention to? I have never owned a turbo vehicle, so i figured there were certain things I should check out.

Its a 2003 Bugeye WRX. Manual, sedan, blue in color. The guy says it runs really good, but im gonna be driving it tomorrow, so we will see about that.

Is the 2.0l semi closed? Closed? Forged internals? Anything like that? Would it be a good platform to build up? I read that a weak link will be the tranny but I havent seen much on the motor itself.

Do they have the same headgasket problem as the 2.5L?

I figured if i wrote something like this post on NASIOC I would get flogged and get a bunch of people complaining and never learn anything about it.

Thanks in advance!

[decke48]

2.0 turbos are open deck and forged pistions. personal the 02-03 wrx are always overpriced. but a good platform to build on if you not looking for crazy power

[jjs316]

what would you consider 'crazy' power?

[Reason]

what would you consider 'crazy' power?

500whp+

[jjs316]

what would you consider 'crazy' power?

500whp+

good, I have a HP mark in mind and its plenty under 500whp. Of course i wouldnt complain with 500 though :twisted:

[Huffer]

300whp is crazy power for an 02-03 WRX.

Get a compression test done on all cylinders, check for oil leaks around the turbo.

[sharky nrk]

I love mine, and 300whp is alot of fun

[jjs316]

300whp is crazy power for an 02-03 WRX.

Get a compression test done on all cylinders, check for oil leaks around the turbo.

oil leaks around the turbo mean turbo is shot?? or worse then that?

[Wiscon_Mark]

It could mean a impending doom sort of turbo problem :lol:

Yeah, if oil pressure is low on something that's spinning as fast as a turbo does, I'd be very wary.

[Plays_with_Toys]

One test, have the current owner drive it and park it. See if he waits to shut off the engine or not. It's a good idea to let the engine idle for 30 seconds before shutting it off. Not doing so is a good way to degrade a turbo.

[rougeben83]

receipts of oil changes and what mileage they were done at (should NOT be the "recommended" 7500 mark, more like 3750 like in newer literature).

Spun bearings are one of the big boogiemen of the 2.0 turbo engines. Also check the transmission.

[deadlydave]

Look for signs that the engine was modified. The bugeye trannies aren't exactly known for their strength, and more power being thrown at one isn't a good thing.

What color? If it's sedona red...*drool*

[jjs316]

well, i test drove it today. Seemed like it ran pretty good to me. They said it needed a blow off valve because the aftermarket one (not installed by the current owner) vary seldom, if any, opens.

It needs a few interior trim parts, radio trim, a pillar trim, trim piece under the steering wheel and the gauge pack trim on the center of the dash. Boost gauge is also missing.

Few dents and dings, front bumper cover needs painted (its black, car is blue). I would probably paint the entire car. There are two rust spots forming right above the windshield. i can see the paint bubbling.

Has 18 inch wheels and decent/newer tires. 5-speed. Springs have been cut so its pretty low (not by current owner). Had a pretty bad vibration in it at highway speeds, the owner was going to rebalance the wheels again to see if that helps.

The speedometer, tach, and odometer (so they dont know the mileage) do not work, but the fuel and temperature gauge works. Anyone know what could cause just those few things on the cluster not to work??


He offered it to me for 6500. Think its worth that?

[Mr. Sociable]

That seems like a lot of things wrong with the car, and it sounds like it probably wasn't maintained very well. I would pass, even for 6k

[rougeben83]

well, i test drove it today. Seemed like it ran pretty good to me. They said it needed a blow off valve because the aftermarket one (not installed by the current owner) vary seldom, if any, opens.

It needs a few interior trim parts, radio trim, a pillar trim, trim piece under the steering wheel and the gauge pack trim on the center of the dash. Boost gauge is also missing.

Few dents and dings, front bumper cover needs painted (its black, car is blue). I would probably paint the entire car. There are two rust spots forming right above the windshield. i can see the paint bubbling.

Has 18 inch wheels and decent/newer tires. 5-speed. Springs have been cut so its pretty low (not by current owner). Had a pretty bad vibration in it at highway speeds, the owner was going to rebalance the wheels again to see if that helps.

The speedometer, tach, and odometer (so they dont know the mileage) do not work, but the fuel and temperature gauge works. Anyone know what could cause just those few things on the cluster not to work??


He offered it to me for 6500. Think its worth that?

Lots of things wrong with that car, and from all the "mods" that were done to it, a teenager probably owned it before and drove it hard.

Rust is never a good thing.

I would pass on that car.

Boost gauge has always been a dealer-installed option btw, its just that a lot of people chose to get it when they buy the car.

[decke48]

pass... seems like a problem car from the owner before this one. aftermarkter bov dont have returnlines so the turbo has to suck in more are and they dont do anything for proformance unless they have a return line and your making big boost, it has cut springs what an idiot! (previous owner of course) the springs are never going to sit on the perchs right so your going to have steering geomotry problems, it could be even causing the high speed vibration, the dash custer doesnt work witch can be very hard to fix

[Mikey97D]

I'd pass too. Even for a hobby car, there is a lot wrong with this one and too many unknowns. Considering how much work you may have to put into it, I wouldn't give more that 5k...maybe even 4500 if you decide you wouldn't mind working on it. I think your better off passing the car up.

IMO, when I'm serious about buying a car, I always bring it to a mechanic for a purchasing inspection. It's worth the $100 (usually less) to know what is wrong with the car and normally you save the money in the sale price.

Good Luck!
-Mike

[Huffer]

PASS ON IT

[Wiscon_Mark]

PASS ON IT

Here, I'll say it with bigger text:

PASS ON IT!

Seriously.

[jjs316]

I might see if he will come down on the price then.

I used to work in a body shop and went to school for body work, so I can paint it and do the body work, So i dont think im taking that into consideration. I always see right past body damage (minimal that is) because its something i can repair by myself at minimal, if any, cost.

The mechanical is a whole different boat for me. The springs really didnt both me, because the car isnt going to be DD. It was going to be a project car and I would get coil overs for it eventually.

[Huffer]

I still wouldn't touch it. You have no idea what kind of butchering has gone on behind the dash, under the car, to the engine.

Are you prepared to pay double the cost just to get the car running/riding like stock again?

Because that's what you should be budgeting for.

When I bought my wagon, I paid $7k for it. I had another $7k in reserve "just in case".

[DOOK]

where exactly is this car in WV? not many people know how to care for vehicles man, I'd honestly pass on it with a quickness...

[jjs316]

where exactly is this car in WV? not many people know how to care for vehicles man, I'd honestly pass on it with a quickness...

Nicholas County. Down in the southern/central part of the state.

[peugoby]

I'd pass on it as well. It sounds like its been completely trashed in only five years! Bad paint, rust, odo not reading.... it all seems very fishy.

I'd rather buy a nice bug-eye with a documented history and a clean body for 10-11k than spend 5K on this one and try and work out all the problems. Just my opinion