My97 N WRX - Bit of info for a new buyer
 

Hi guys, wasnt sure where abouts to post this - thought general looked ok to do so (New here, hope to become a regular soon enough).

Im going to try and buy my first WRX over this summer break, and im currently looking at a MY97 N Impreza WRX. Is there any major issues I should be aware of when buying a pre 2000 WRX Second Hand? Just things like major faults and if there are any questions I should be asking the owner, or any defects I should look for.

The car is stock WRX, with 181,000kms. First thing will be first - STi Rear Wing hehe ;)

Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Cam.

[QUOTE=SyncSubaru;408753]Hi guys, wasnt sure where abouts to post this - thought general looked ok to do so (New here, hope to become a regular soon enough).

Im going to try and buy my first WRX over this summer break, and im currently looking at a MY97 N Impreza WRX. Is there any major issues I should be aware of when buying a pre 2000 WRX Second Hand? Just things like major faults and if there are any questions I should be asking the owner, or any defects I should look for.

The car is stock WRX, with 181,000kms. First thing will be first - STi Rear Wing hehe ;)

Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Cam.[/QUOTE]

How much are you going to pay for it ?

Best to buy MY99/00 WRX

^^^^WHS

also bear in mind that the 200,000 k service is a biggie involving replacing timing belt etc etc, usually around 1200-1500 from subaru

[QUOTE=Strubaru;408772]^^^^WHS

also bear in mind that the 200,000 k service is a biggie involving replacing timing belt etc etc, usually around 1200-1500 from subaru[/QUOTE]

Cool, yeah thats the sort of information im after thanks mate :)

I know 99/00 would be better, but limited money and opportunity so i'm just happy with a pre-2000 of any sort really. Im not after massive performance or anything.

Hes asking 10900 but i want to try and get him to 10k or less. I think the trade in value is a minimum of 5700 on Redbook.

The seller should allow you to take it to a workshop to have a look over before purchasing it.

Even if he/she takes it there themselves and gets a report etc...

ASG, MMS, RMS one of these Subaru specialist workshops should be able to help you out.

You could always save up a little more and get a 99/00 GC8 like others have suggested already. ;)

Goodluck with the purchase.

I have the same model and done nearly the same k's mine still runs great. When on cruises the brakes tend to die very quickly, I recommend upgrading those if your going to be doing some speeds. No airbags, so try not to hit anything. Other than that for the performance you get I think they are great value for money.

[QUOTE=Bridantay;408775]I have the same model and done nearly the same k's mine still runs great. When on cruises the brakes tend to die very quickly, I recommend upgrading those if your going to be doing some speeds. No airbags, so try not to hit anything. Other than that for the performance you get I think they are great value for money.[/QUOTE]

Is there any sort of aftermarket airbag/saftey installation you can do or is it just bad luck on airbags? Just the lack of airbags alone will probably make me save up for a MY99/00

you could change the dash out for a newer version, to be honest thou better saving for a little longer and buying the 99/00 version, less hassle then

[QUOTE=Bridantay;408781]you could change the dash out for a newer version, to be honest thou better saving for a little longer and buying the 99/00 version, less hassle then[/QUOTE]

yeah who needs airbags right

Cool - seems like the MY99/00 is the way to go then. That actually works out ok because that was the one i originally wanted, but saw the MY97 for what i thought was a decent price. Thanks for the help!

Hopefully will be cruising with you guys in a few months time =)

yeah save a bit more and get a 99 at least, they have better brakes (4pots) to start with, should be able to pick a good one up with 150ish ks for around 12-15k,

obviously k's, colour, service history, mods & overall condition will all affect the price :)

wrc blue ones seem to fetch more dollars than green ones for instance ;)

Rule 1. Look for the most stock one you can find......

Rule 2 >>>>re-read rule 1 <<<<<

[QUOTE=Rossco;408816]Rule 1. Look for the most stock one you can find......

Rule 2 >>>>re-read rule 1 <<<<<[/QUOTE]

Rule 3. Don't be in a rush. Take your time and find the right car at the right price.

be wary of any gearbox noises. my 97 had a slight whine and now 3 months since i got it 2nd gear has broken some teeth. :(

Great info! Another thing thats been pointed out to me is engines being thrashed, have any of you found that to be much of a problem with buying a 2nd hand WRX?

you dont buy a wrx/sti to nanna it do you? have some fun in it mate

[QUOTE=fobz;408830]Rule 3. Don't be in a rush. Take your time and find the right car at the right price.[/QUOTE]

That's the best advice right there so don't get blinded by the immediate want of a rex and just take your time, plenty out there mate so its not like your short for choices.

Save a little more and you will have a better car with updated features such as brakes, interior, front and so on.

and remember, if there's doubt, there's no doubt ;)

i'd personally avoid cars that have been 'returned to stock' and go for a car off a mature owner who has left it stock from new

if buying a modded one look for one thats been modded properly ie, has ecu mods to back up bolt on mods, not something thats just had a bigger turbo bolted on there with a big exhaust, pod filter, manual boost controller..... tick tick tick boom ;)

Buying stock is always good as its less likely to be thrashed, but then again it very well could have been thrashed, if you buy one from what looks to be a decnet owner, with mods then you will save yourself alot of hassel and $$ by putting the same stuff on it yourself in 6 months time, just make sure if its had the boost would up then its had the computer to back it up... and you may find that one with mods has also had all the work done at a decent shop... and the owner may have cared a lil more for there car than a job bloe who just drives it and doesnt worry about regular services ect..

or spend the extra few k and buy something like this...

[url]http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30120[/url]

I had a look at that thread - thats pretty much something id look at if I had 15k right now. He only lives about 10minutes down the road from me too.

I can struggle to get 10k together.. but yeah. Basically im going to work my ass off over the summer uni break and then see how much dosh I have at the end.

In terms of nannaing, no im definately not a nanna, but a WRX would be treated like my baby. The story is basically, when I was about 8 years old, my dad took me to Rally Australia, and I became a huge Colin Mcrae fan and fell in love with the WRX. Im nearly 21 now and have always been saying that some day I will have one of those WRX's, so it has sentimental value to me aswell.

Currently im driving a 1996 Ford Falcon which I have customized alot (in visuals). Hoping to get 4 or 5 for it when It comes time to upgrade :)

[QUOTE=tommo;408898]or spend the extra few k and buy something like this...

[url]http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30120[/url][/QUOTE]

I am amazed that someone could state " girlfriend says it has to go ? "
Feel sorry for you mate.

[QUOTE=nicebus;408942]I am amazed that someone could state " girlfriend says it has to go ? "
[/QUOTE]

that's the power of the[IMG]http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2008/11/21/633629024659545098-pussy.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=SyncSubaru;408908]Currently im driving a 1996 Ford Falcon which I have customized alot (in visuals). Hoping to get 4 or 5 for it when It comes time to upgrade :)[/QUOTE]

Dont count on it to be honest, cars dont seem to shift that quickly at the moment.

A good piece of advice I have always followed is "Buy on condition and not mileage / age"

I would rather buy a 100,000KM car with a full service history and a folder full of receipts over a 50,000KM car that might be newer but has a patchy service history. Even if there are a couple of cosmetic bits to tidy up they are cheap to do compared to sorting 10 years of mechanical neglect.

[QUOTE=Papa Het;409532]Dont count on it to be honest, cars dont seem to shift that quickly at the moment.

A good piece of advice I have always followed is "Buy on condition and not mileage / age"

I would rather buy a 100,000KM car with a full service history and a folder full of receipts over a 50,000KM car that might be newer but has a patchy service history. Even if there are a couple of cosmetic bits to tidy up they are cheap to do compared to sorting 10 years of mechanical neglect.[/QUOTE]

thats good advice, rosscos V6 STi has over 200, 000 on the original donk and is still going well!

[QUOTE=Papa Het;409532]Dont count on it to be honest, cars dont seem to shift that quickly at the moment.

A good piece of advice I have always followed is "Buy on condition and not mileage / age"

I would rather buy a 100,000KM car with a full service history and a folder full of receipts over a 50,000KM car that might be newer but has a patchy service history. Even if there are a couple of cosmetic bits to tidy up they are cheap to do compared to sorting 10 years of mechanical neglect.[/QUOTE]

Oh absolutely. My car has been serviced every 3 months from new. Its been in the family since it was bought in 96 (Dads car, and then mine). Only a few wear and tear visual issues going on which im in the process of fixing up atm.

So far...
[LIST][*]New Radiator[*]New Brake discs/rotors/mechanics (the entire brake system)[*]New tires[*]New Stereo+Speakers+wiring+amp+dual subs[*]New 2.5" sports exhaust (Sept 2009)[*]EF XR6 Wing waiting to go on.[/LIST]Only damage is paint chips from people opening their doors on it, and a scrape along the back that some idiot did while i was at work and the car was in the car park. Taking it to spoilershop on Thursday for a quote.