Topic: Thoughts on 2002 WRX

[davidm]

Thinking of purchasing a 2002 WRX wagon (5-speed).  Any thoughts on one of these as a used vehicle.

My concerns are:
1) Used turbo - where has it been and how has it been driven
2) Mods - I don't want a car people have played with
3) Tranny - car is supposed to be a bit weak here, don't want one that has been doing lots of 5K dumps
4) General squeeks and rattles

Any thoughts or tips?

Thanks,
Dave

[ghost]

Well, u'll never know the history unless the seller is your friend. WRXs are generally reliable car. I mean SUbaru makes reliable car period. But it's the driver abuse that cause problems if you get the wrong one.

[Giant Dwarf]

Yeah, what Ghost said.

[ovr50]

Davidm - talk to Snowman - he knows the scoop on Rexi ........

[RayT]

Wouldn't touch a used WRX, but that's just me.

The Subaru engines are quite tight and the engine really loosens up after about 2-3K, so a proper break-in is important.

Also, the 04/newer ones are improved in terms of lack of clutch shuddering

[Snowman]

I would be nervous about the purchase of any used performance oriented car/truck…….unless from a sensible, mild-mannered, and responsible individual like me.
 
I have 40k on Scoob now and it runs like a top….no squeaks and rattles, tranny is fine (I do not do 5k dumps), and I have become accustomed to the cold clutch shuddering and adjusted my driving accordingly.
Snowman
94 Toyota Tercel, 02 Subaru WRX, and a 02 Toyota Highlander 03 Pontiac Vibe GT, 01 Ford F-150 SCSB 4x4, 00 Pontiac Grand Prix GT, 99 GMC Jimmy SLT, 96 GMC Jimmy SLT, 95 Chevrolet Lumina Z-34, 95 GMC Sierra SLE SCSB 4x4, 93 Dodge Ram SLT RCRB 4x4, 91 Ford F-150 SCSB 4x4, 88 Ford Tempo, 86 Ford F-150 RCRB 4x4, 84 Mustang SVO, 82 Ford Mustang GT, 81 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28, and a 72 Chevrolet Nova SS.

[ovr50]

Snowy - you still plagued with the cold clutch shudder??? There is a TSB and a fix for that and I had my '02 TS done before I traded it. Can your dealer not fix it??

[Snowman]

Never heard about the TSB…..I will contact my dealer in North Bat fer details. Thanks Oldiwan…..
Snowman
94 Toyota Tercel, 02 Subaru WRX, and a 02 Toyota Highlander 03 Pontiac Vibe GT, 01 Ford F-150 SCSB 4x4, 00 Pontiac Grand Prix GT, 99 GMC Jimmy SLT, 96 GMC Jimmy SLT, 95 Chevrolet Lumina Z-34, 95 GMC Sierra SLE SCSB 4x4, 93 Dodge Ram SLT RCRB 4x4, 91 Ford F-150 SCSB 4x4, 88 Ford Tempo, 86 Ford F-150 RCRB 4x4, 84 Mustang SVO, 82 Ford Mustang GT, 81 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28, and a 72 Chevrolet Nova SS.

[davidm]

Rayt/Warp - Curious on why you wouldn't touch a used WRX?  Is it the general profile of buyers of '02s selling now that is scary or something specific to the cars?

Other than the obvious changes to the 2004 are there any lessor-known changes I should be aware of.  I've heard about an ECU difference, but would like to hear more concrete.

My fundamental issue here is used 02 WRX for mid-20's or new for cost+$500 (I'm assuming around $34.5k for wagon with sunroof).  Obviously, big financing incentives on 04.  Still, seems like larger than usual depreciation which should be taken advantage of by buying used.

Also, so people know, I tend to flip vehicles reasonably often (4 years in a Miata is the longest I've owned a car) and I'm thinking 2-3 years out of the WRX.

Thanks for the help,
Dave

(Message edited by davidm on April 14, 2004)

[RayT]

Mostly it's just me, as ghost put it, a used performance car that's nearly out of warranty is just not a risk I like to take, in addition to the regular usual issues you've already listed.  

The fuel leak TSB is the only one that might bite you as it wouldn't be covered after the 3 yr bumper to bumper.

The clutch operation is so much more improved on the 04's, that's my biggest beef with the older models.

[Keith_moon]

We had a 2002 WRX Wagon...5 spd...it sold for 24,500...too bad...it was treated very reasonably

[JSCC]

Ouch, $10K difference in 2 years.
About 30%.
Is that normal for Subarus?

[Keith_moon]

I'm pretty sure...if you look in the Autotrader nobody is really asking for more than 26,000$ for a unmodified 2002 WRX

[RayT]

That's actually on the low side for Subarus, most Subarus keep their value very well. I had looked for an previous Impreza RS used, and they were so expensive that I decided to buy new instead. Some of the depreciation may be because performance cars tend to suffer a bit more of "The flavour of the day"

Lastly, the 2002 WRX came out in March 2001, so they are bound to have a few more kms on them than the average 2002 car.

[davidm]

Thanks for the additional feedback.  Talking to a broker today, he indicated 02 WRX wagons (what I'm looking for) are having a hard time selling and thus carrying lower values than sedans.  Interesting dynamic the usual Subaru depreciation and owner loyalty (I looked for an 00 or 01 Impreza RS 4 door for a long time and got nowhere) vs Rayt's flavour of the day (non-traditional subie buyers coming in and heading out of latest toy).

Thanks again,
Dave

[johngenx]

Part of the value killer for the WRX is the manny-only tranny.  That really hurts the number of prospective buyers.  Would I want an automatic WRX?  No, but that means squat in resale.

The other problem is their rep for being beat to death by agressive rally-wannabe-drivers.

Next, they do kinda look like garden variety Imprezas.  Sure there is the fenders and the spoiler, but for someone just looking for an AWD car, $30K for a used one that looks just like the new $24K Impreza TS looks like a bad buy, no matter the go-fast goodies.

Also, a new Forester can be had for $28-32K, and lots of Subie buyers would prefer that over a used WRX.

[Railton]

Add difficult car to mod without $$$.
Looks like a...a Subaru. Sorry.
(Comments from an X-Talon TSI AWD owner and new owner of 02 WRX. (Not me))

Railton

[JSCC]

A few more questions about the Impreza.

I see that there are 2 reviews on the Impreza on this site.
1994-1997 (4 years)
1998-2001 (4 years)
And since the 2004 models (2 years) had a mid-life update.
I was wondering if the Imprezas go through a 4 year production cycle?
And if so the Impreza will be all new in MY2006?

[Keith_moon]

You can get a automatic transmition in the WRX...I drove one...it's a shitty 4 speed that makes you really feel the turbo lag. The 5 speed manual was far better.

[RayT]

The Forester Turbo changed the landscape a bit since it's actually capable of better 1/4 times, and has more room to boot, so the WRX wagon is stuck in the middle as a compromise either way. So I can see it being a harder sell now. And it doesn't come in WR Blue.