Now I know I may get stick for posting this and not reading the forum but I'll ask anyway..


I'm considering purchasing a WRX AWD turbo SL 2.0. it's registered on a 55 plate

It's got 60,000 on the clock, cambelt has been changed at 48,000.
Other than that it's standard no mods.

Firstly is there anything I should be looking for when checking the car?

I've been offered it at 4k, is this a reasonable price?

 

Hi mate, and welcome.

You won't get stick at all, it's what this community's all about, providing impartial - if sometimes highly opinionated - advice

Got a link to the ad or some pics and details of the spec?

I'll guarantee that it'll get a good going over and you'll have plenty of info on which to base your decision.

 

Sorry, couldn't help myself...

 

SL means sunroof and leather doesn't it?

If so, nice little extra's. Cambelt done, but fully check the service history and general condition and drive of the car.

Bodywork and all the usual stuff when looking to buy a new piece.

Nice that it sounds unmolested and not "Got at"
£4k sounds ok, nice mileage etc, but nobody pays the full asking price - the owner has priced it and will expect a potential buyer to kick it for something.

Go in at £3,500 or £3,750.

Rear shock knock is common amongst the nicest of STi's, this can be fixed with the grease nipple mod, but I'm not sure if WRX's have this same issue.

Temp guage, make sure that's nice and steady on a decent drive, and when idling, make sure it's not going skyward and that the cooling fan cuts in etc.
Tyres, you want plenty of meat on them.

Pop the bonnet and ask the seller to start it from cold and listen for any rattles.

Be sure to check the V5 log book and match the chassis number with the main plates on the front suspension turrets and with the small sticky labels that can be found on the underside of the bonnet, underside of the boot, and inside all four doors - near where the child proof lock is etc.

I work in the motor trade myself (not Subaru) but to help you out, feel free to PM me the reg number and I can do an HPi check (if you haven't already) and scan and email it to you on Monday.

This will show Cat D damage - or worse, ever been stolen, outstanding finance and so on.

 

With the rear shock problem, you get that on all Impreza models.

 

It seems it maybe misadvertised because it doesn't have a sun roof or leather!


the advertisment is here:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307237957986/


Thanks for all your help, I have to confess I'm going into the purchase with limited knowledge. I've always wanted a scooby but the oppertunity have never presented itself until now.

The rear shock problem I can look out for. I've seen the car once it's in very good condition for the age, full service history but thank you I'll check all the above.


I actually have a Subaru specialist quite near me, I'm contemplating taking it in for them to give the 'once over'.

 

There's not a lot of the spec mentioned, the ad's a bit sparse.

However, I suspect that might be because the seller's a mature owner who, like the previous owners, have had the car for what it is, not for what they want to make it into. Hence it is truly unmolested and low mileage for the year.

You'll know that anyway.

A quick ferret about Pistonheads shows it to be value for money on the face of it (54's around £3.5-4k, 55's around £4.5 private, up to £6k trader).
Tbh most of the 2005 ones are slightly above £5k.

It's not SL-equipped btw, as Hawkeye's mentioned.

I think I'm right in saying cambelt every 5 years (since it won't approach the mileage limit), so that will need doing in 18 months or so.

I'd say it was well worth considering, especially since they're open to sensible offers.

Good luck with it !

 

Again it's not an SL but it is a nice looking straight car that's sensibly priced, i'd go in at £3500 which to be fair is about the right money for this car, i wouldn't be giving £4k for it though, considering thats what I paid for mine 2yrs ago but with 30k more on the clock and with £1300 worth of AP racing brakes, and the all conquering PPP.

 

I'd agree with Lucky.

 

Hi car looks good same as I have and I love mine

also has the later interior (better centre console, and dials) 3 spoke steering wheel

REF the SL in the listing have seen this before not sure if seller is aware that there is an
SL model but some use "SL" to mean saloon

 

Am I right In thinking that's got a Sti spoiler?

I bought an equally unmolested wrx a few months ago with 49000 miles although 54 plate for 4300. Seemed to be about right IMO and absolutely love my car. Just pay what it's worth to YOU.

I'm a great believer in judging the person selling the car as much as the car itself to get an idea of how the car has been looked after.

Good luck with it.

 

You're right, it's not a WRX spoiler.

 

Absolutely spot on imo !

It's why I'm confident I got a GREAT deal with mine !

 

Thought it was silver in the pics at first but seller says its blue so assume its the ice blue (same colour as WR1).

If so, its likely to be a european import (cyprus or malta at a guess) rather than a UK car, as the UK WRX's didn't come in that colour. Check this doesn't affect your insurance.

And yes, the spoiler is from an STI and its not an SL.

 

Looks nice I'd go I at £3400 settle at around £3500-£3600, as said its not a SL, nice added bonus of the STI spoiler and colour coded side skirts already.

 

thanks everyone for the input.


I know the owner took care of the car, I have a huge bundle of receipts to prove it.

I was happy to pay the 4k on that basis but alas a spanner in the works, your right it a European import. First registered in Cyprus.

Bar the obvious implications with insurance companies possibly classing this as an import (would they?) does it have any other implications?

I'm presuming this would decrease the value if anything.

 

Yes insurance companies would class this an import, but it might not affect the policy cost. You won't know until you get a few quotes.

I'd say being a euro-import it will make the car worth marginally less than a UK car personally.

There's a lot of WRX's around for good money.... and 99% of them aren't in such a poofy colour

 

Give Gary a PM (moley_wrx) and see what the quote is.

Mine was £70 (over 10%) less than other quotes, with fully declared mods.
Oh - and it is a JDM

Get a quote for a comparable UK one, and use any difference to possibly negotiate a reduction in price.