Tips on buying MY99 GC8?
 

Hi guys been looking at buying a My99 wrx due to being over the rwd cars and wanting a 4dr turbo car, im pretty new to all this subaru thing (did search but couldnt find what im after) but yeah need some advice.

The car im looking at is a My99 stock 130 kms with just turboback exh, pod filter, is there things i should look for apart from the general stuff like accident damage etc. Dont know much bout eng/trans so just any little tips would be good.

Thanks in advance for your help :)

ask if the AFM has been replaced.

They are getting to that age now where the OEM AFM is starting to die.

Tightness between first n second gears, slight grinding going into gears... I learnt my lesson :)

thanks guys, any other common problems?

Alan just save yourself the trouble and buy [URL=http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19626]mine[/URL] - solid gearbox, had the AFM replaced, knock sensor replaced, heck, even replaced the engine :D

But seriously, make sure the pod filter isn't the oiled type (K&N etc) as the oil damages the AFM.
Make sure that the clutch isn't slipping or on it's way out - not cheap to replace.
Definitely check the gearbox out - as above.
Make sure that the timing belt has been changed (should've been done @ 100,000 km)
Check for oil leaks around the turbo

Good luck.

Agreed the AFM die but it should not be a deal breaker. They take about 3 minutes to change and cost well under $200. I would be more looking gearbox / big end noises in the engine and seeing if he has had any mods on there that he has taken off prior to sale.

Brendon

all of the above

listen for noises that sound out of the ordinary in the gearbox, engine, diffs and wheel bearings. ( it may be hard to know what is actually out of the ordinary so may need help ), listen for noises when turning left/right eg: cv's, tyre scrub etc, suspension noises and or feel eg: shockies, bushes, check steering feel ( play in the wheel ). check all fluids, check tyres for uneven wear. oh and check the brakes

depends how in depth you want to go.

after all the above.... best thing to do is take it to one of the many good shops that specialises in subarus and get them to do pre-sale check. they should cover all the above and more....

Get it checked by one of the more reputable Subaru specialising workshops before you buy it, if anyones gonna find problems they will

MMS, ASG or RMS

I had factory driveshafts act up on mine.
I'd give them a good look at

Thirded all the above - but i emphasize asking for prepurchase inspection and/or compression test. My last was around $180 (i think) for my VR4..so far so good :)