04 WRX

remizak

remizak

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IL
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2010 nissian maxima
So I came across this 04 WRX in fantastic condition and it only has 5,000 original miles on it my question to you guys is how much would you consider paying for it, and are there any mechanical issues I should be worried about with that era of WRX's?
 
Only 5,000 miles? Probably need to ask why it hasn't been driven so much but the Sexy Rexy is a dependable little beast. We used to have one, lightly modified, and put about 25,000km (15,500mi) on it. Very reliable, but consumables were expensive and so is insurance.

With owning a turbo car though it's recommended (if you've been on the go for quite a while) to let it sit with the engine running, idling for a few minutes when you've stopped. Also with buying a WRX, you need to be wary if it's been modified. It's a very popular tuner's car and if it has any major modifications like a bigger (or even an STi) turbo, be ready to start walking away. Anyone who advertises their 'Rex as a "very quick car" or the like is about 99% likely to have thrashed it. But again, I would be checking into why it's only done 5,000 miles.

The one major mechanical issue that plagues Subarus that have neglected maintenance is the head gasket going, which is fairly catastrophic, but easily avoidable if it just doesn't miss a service. The transmission, as it's an AWD car, is also an item that's destined to break if the previous owner has done their fair share of quick launches. Dumping the clutch in a fast start puts a lot of strain on the Rex's drivetrain.

As for price, most Teardrops seem to be going for around the $10k-14k mark. Considering its low mileage that one will probably be about $16k+
 
Murcie_LP640 said:
Only 5,000 miles? Probably need to ask why it hasn't been driven so much but the Sexy Rexy is a dependable little beast. We used to have one, lightly modified, and put about 25,000km (15,500mi) on it. Very reliable, but consumables were expensive and so is insurance.

With owning a turbo car though it's recommended (if you've been on the go for quite a while) to let it sit with the engine running, idling for a few minutes when you've stopped. Also with buying a WRX, you need to be wary if it's been modified. It's a very popular tuner's car and if it has any major modifications like a bigger (or even an STi) turbo, be ready to start walking away. Anyone who advertises their 'Rex as a "very quick car" or the like is about 99% likely to have thrashed it. But again, I would be checking into why it's only done 5,000 miles.

The one major mechanical issue that plagues Subarus that have neglected maintenance is the head gasket going, which is fairly catastrophic, but easily avoidable if it just doesn't miss a service. The transmission, as it's an AWD car, is also an item that's destined to break if the previous owner has done their fair share of quick launches. Dumping the clutch in a fast start puts a lot of strain on the Rex's drivetrain.

As for price, most Teardrops seem to be going for around the $10k-14k mark. Considering its low mileage that one will probably be about $16k+
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HG's on Subies are mostly contained with the N/A 2.5 blocks from 98 and till 04. There are some WRX 2.0 blocks that do blow out, but there far and few between compared to the 2.5. The clutch and transmission on WRXes are the biggest culprit for failure usually. 04 is a decent year for them, bit more upgraded than the first year ones.
 
Murcie_LP640 said:
Only 5,000 miles? Probably need to ask why it hasn't been driven so much but the Sexy Rexy is a dependable little beast. We used to have one, lightly modified, and put about 25,000km (15,500mi) on it. Very reliable, but consumables were expensive and so is insurance.

With owning a turbo car though it's recommended (if you've been on the go for quite a while) to let it sit with the engine running, idling for a few minutes when you've stopped. Also with buying a WRX, you need to be wary if it's been modified. It's a very popular tuner's car and if it has any major modifications like a bigger (or even an STi) turbo, be ready to start walking away. Anyone who advertises their 'Rex as a "very quick car" or the like is about 99% likely to have thrashed it. But again, I would be checking into why it's only done 5,000 miles.

The one major mechanical issue that plagues Subarus that have neglected maintenance is the head gasket going, which is fairly catastrophic, but easily avoidable if it just doesn't miss a service. The transmission, as it's an AWD car, is also an item that's destined to break if the previous owner has done their fair share of quick launches. Dumping the clutch in a fast start puts a lot of strain on the Rex's drivetrain.

As for price, most Teardrops seem to be going for around the $10k-14k mark. Considering its low mileage that one will probably be about $16k+
Click to expand...

I've never felt the need to let my car idle. I've run it for 111k so far and never have done it and my turbo is still in great shape. Water cooled turbo's don't coke up like the old school oil cooled ones.

I agree about the "be wary of mods" thing though. Easiest way to tell if its been modded is to look for the heat shield over the turbo missing, and if you look near the fuel rails and if there are dark olive green brackets over the injectors, then it probably has not seen any mods needing more fuel (Turbo upgrade). They call them the "Green Brackets of Death" because they are so hard to take on and off. Most people who do mods just leave them off, since they are reportedly there to protect the injectors during storage and while being installed in the car. The most common first upgrade is either a turbo uppipe or downpipe, and they are usually fairly obvious.

I would maybe be a bit wary of something with such low miles. Very few people will drive theirs that little, since its not a "classic" car. Only reason I could see is that someone bought it just to thrash on the track, which makes it even worse.

By far the worst problem with the WRX (not STI) is the "Glass Tranny". I have an STI shortblock and turbo installed in mine and the transmission is holding up, but I never launch it and never shift hard. I was getting ready to add a bigger turbo and more power, but had second thoughts after worrying about the tranny. THe rest of the car seems to take a beating and keep on going. I will drive this car until its dead, and then I'll think about rebuilding it. Love the power, love the AWD, and since its a wagon I can actually use it for day to day stuff. I've hauled all kinds of stuff, including flat towing a Samurai two and a half hours each way through the mountains and doing a 3000 mile trip to california with 6 kayaks on the roof and 4 guys. I did blow a head gasket (hence the STI shortblock) after overheating heavily (my fault for not burping it enough) and it filled one side of the engine with water.

I would say take a knowledgeable Subaru Enthusiast with you, or better yet ask them to meet you at trustworthy Subaru specialist shop and have them take a look. Honestly, unless its in supreme condition in addition to the low mileage, I would offer the same as any other 2004 WRX. I've seen them for under $8k, but most seem to be going for $10-12K. I haven't really looked that hard in a while though, so they could have dropped in price. I also live in the land of Subbies (Colorado), so they are fairly desirable but also easy to find so it could go either way.

Never hurts to make a lower offer then you think and see if they bite. They can say no or haggle with you, but once you make an offer its harder to haggle it down any further.
 
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thanks for all the replies I'll be sure to take the car over to a shop that works on subarus. From my understanding the guy who bought the car was older and thought it would be a classic in a few years but died recently so his kids are selling it so the car will have no mods on it. and i'll make sure the person has a up to date service history.
 
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