Who really knows their Subaru WRXs around here?

speeder · speeder's Garage

Ski season is approaching and I'm getting the serious WRX wagon bug. We're talking used, maybe even 10 years old or more but well maintained and bone stock. I've actually found a few candidates already.

They seem to hold up extremely well if not owned by retarded 12 year olds and modded by research chimps.

What I'm looking for is actual ownership and/or wrenching experience on these cars, what to look for besides the obvious rust or signs of neglect, common big-ticket repairs at certain mileage milestones, etc.

Any other feedback from knowledge appreciated!

dos531 · dos531's Garage

The 5 speed in the early wrxs are known to be a weak point. I had a STI with a big turbo back in the day and it was a great car.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos531

The 5 speed in the early wrxs are known to be a weak point. I had a STI with a big turbo back in the day and it was a great car.

Ok, thanks. Are the transmissions weak on a stock car or is it a case of them not being able to handle the huge HP numbers that the cars are capable of when modded?

Bugsinrugs · 11-01-2014, 11:41 AM

04 wrx sedan with 207,000 miles. I do most of the wrenching. I just had a mechanic do a timing belt because I waited too long to do it myself and I was way to busy at my real job. The only issue I have had is a idle stabilizing valve go bad. Simple fix. This car has been great! I would buy another if they weren't so pricey. The only knock I can think of would be the thin metal on the body. It dents easily and gives off loud road noise. Maybe better tires might help.
Oh, I just changed my spark plugs after 100,000 miles and it made a huge difference. Job took about two hours. No problems with the tranny. I have the five speed and did a clutch at 130,000 miles.

Rick V · 11-01-2014, 11:50 AM

Drive them like you have some sense and they will last forever. I have customers with well north of 150k on the clock and they are doing great.

BE911SC · 11-01-2014, 11:54 AM

Bought an '04 STi new and it was an animal in the snow on the stock summer 'track' rubber. Had a sudden snow in town one night and I was one of very few cars getting around on the slick streets. Only had it three years so no experience with wear and tear.

I'd assume that if you found a stock, cared for WRX wagon you'd have no problems with reliability.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BE911SC

I'd assume that if you found a stock, cared for WRX wagon you'd have no problems with reliability.

Finding a unicorn would be easier!!!

BE911SC · 11-01-2014, 12:13 PM

Says he found three candidates already? But yeah, the "chimps" have gotten to most of them.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Quote de BE911SC

I'd assume that if you found a stock, cared for WRX wagon you'd have no problems with reliability.

Finding a unicorn would be easier!!!

I'm not having a problem finding a good one, took about 5 minutes.

Nostril Cheese · 11-01-2014, 01:18 PM

Transmissions are glass. I speak from experience.

Head gaskets go a bit easier than most other cars. Check the radiator tank for signs of oil.

Good cars if kept stock. Good luck finding one.

Rick V · 11-01-2014, 01:34 PM

We are seeing very little to no issues with the head gaskets on the turbos, it is the NA cars that you really need to be careful with

vash · vash's Garage

I have a 05 turbo forester. Spark plugs are a pain but doable. Tranny is fine. I do smell radiator fluid. I had to change the radiator. Adding fluid back, you have to add some "conditioner". It looked like stop leak! Pretty sure it was. I'm worried about our head gasket. Car only has 80k miles.
I'd peek at the coolant for sure. Ours is fine, but I know what I smell.

rick-l · 11-01-2014, 02:19 PM

2003 WRX 205,000

The only significant item was the ABS unit went out and I got one off e-bay.

NASIOC used to be a good resource but now it is just a bunch of high school kids that like to type. Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.0L Turbo) - NASIOC

speeder · speeder's Garage

I'm only looking at 100% stock cars. If they have so much as a K&N sticker under the hood, I pass on it.

I found two rust-free, unmolested clean title wagons immediately in my search. Wagons seem to be less desirable to boy racers and therefore fewer are modded. I only want a wagon.

Cory M · 11-01-2014, 04:59 PM

I had a 2003 for about 10 years and 120k miles. Stock engine, daily driver, not abused: 2 blown headgaskets. First one went at 58k miles, engine overheated badly, was replaced under warranty after 2 months of dealer headaches and lies. Second one went at about 95k. Had it done at an independent shop. Was hard to diagnose at shop. Only leaked under operating temp and pressure. Very small leak but enough to lose water over time and get air bubbles in system. Car was maintained well. Maybe I got a lemon? No other issues. Was a fun car but wouldn't buy another. I'm in an Audi A4 wagon now and it is 1000 times more comfortable. Still turbo, manual, and awd.

TimT · 11-01-2014, 05:01 PM

I have an '08 WRX Sedan owned since new, it is my daily driver...

As of today it has 157609 on the clock...

Have had zero problems...

It is stock....

Things I have done..

Rotors/pads... easy about 1.5 hours...

Oil change is about a 30 minute deal

Timing Belt+ Water Pump 4 hours...

Unfortunately the steering rack and the rr wheel bearing started to fail recently...

Still has the original 02 sensors... and turbo...

Passes NY smog every time...

Has never shown an CE light....

BTW mine is an automatic....

Swap fluid every year

Go go go...

Great cars

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I had an '04 for about 70,000 miles (sold it to make room for the 911). Stock but I did add gauges, replaced the shifter and trans mount with Cobb pieces and put 17" wheels on it. Kept the 16's for snow duty. It ran well and I never had an issue, although with a modern car that should be expected with only 70,000 miles.

I've consider an older STI for a daily driver.

Bill

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Having researched before getting an '05 Outback. The 6 cyl has a timing chain as opposed to the 4 cyl, which just recently comes with chain. As far as the 4 cyl, they were known for possible head gasket failures, and the '05 had a problem with a banjo bolt, which caused turbo failure in some around 80k. Otherwise, easy to work on and an animal in the snow. First run was to Tamarack Lodge in Mammoth on a Wednesday and they got 12' of snow by the time I left Sunday (2010-11?).

Ran like a champ and never had to put chains on. I would put it up there with my FJ62 LandCruiser plowing through the white stuff which is saying a whole lot.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Thanks for all the feedback, good stuff. I'm looking for a fun snow car, (that is also a good highway machine), I might be in Minnesota some this winter plus some mountain skiing.

It sounds like I should get a good PPI from some shop that really knows Subies in order to know what I'm getting. I need to learn-up their maintenance schedules and budget for the various things since I'm looking at older used cars with some miles.

I'd definitely consider an Audi Quattro manual trans 4-cyl turbo, great driving cars but don't want to step into a maintenance/repair quagmire. Not to hijack my own thread, (is that possible?), but are there any sweet spots as far as years for those?

Cory M · 11-01-2014, 06:28 PM

I don't know which a4 years are best, mines an 04 and had some performance upgrades . I think reliability really depends on maintenance. Definitely more complicated to work on than the wrx, really tight engine bay. A little slower than the subie but much nicer ride. I work with about 4 guys with wrx/sti drivers and mines the only one that had major issues. On my wrx i never had trans problems, but i never really launched it either. I replaced the clutch at 60k just because the engine was out and there was no labor cost.