2004 WRX - Edumicate Me

Considering purchasing one with 135k on it, bone stock. What should I look for?

Mostly just usual used cars stuff and then you should look for dumb mods like a non-recirc blowoff valve which since it's stock you shouldn't have to worry about. At that many miles make sure they did the timing belt if not it's well overdue. Really since it's a stock car there isn't much else to talk about.

Stock WRX that old are harder to find, i would check for signs of mods.

WRX have a loud trans and from these years are rattle cans. The paint is also known for being fairly E36 M3ty, chips easy, fades easy, etc.

I might want to get a compression test if I were buying one used. It is probably one of the most important things you can do.

Don't forget to check for signs of mods that have been reverted, too.

At least with the Evo crowd, a whole bunch of "stock" Evos weren't that way until shortly before they were advertised for sale.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

How exactly do you do that, other than looking for items that look out of place or recently messed with?

I think the way you describe is pretty much the only way, plus look for spare mounting holes and the like.

My '04 needed a new fuel line. Nothing major, just a foot of rubber, under the hood. It was dried and cracked.

If you're built like an American football player, not a European football player, there is a couple-hour project to make the driver's seat fit your ass better.

bravenrace wrote: Considering purchasing one with 135k on it, bone stock. What should I look for?

Make sure to do a whole bunch of full lock uturns in a parking lot. With the awd, you obviously have to worry about more parts of everything being worn out. Listen for clunks, clicks, and bangs (cv axles, driveshafts, and diffs).

At only 135k miles though, if its been maintained, there isn't really anything that should be wrong with it.

I've come to the conclusion that 99% of people have no idea how to drive a stick. I bet its going to need a clutch soon. Any DIY'er can swap the clutch by themselves, its pretty easy AND super well documented on NASIOC. The exedy hd replacement is cheap and handles extra power well while still being perfectly drivable.

Other than that, I'd suggest getting a tune on it as it makes the car 1 million times better, is better for the motor, and should get better mpg.

2nd on tune here. The west coast cars were actually recalled for tune issues because of our 91 fuel. It also is REALLY lean stock.

Don't get accessport or anything to do that either, just get a tactrix cable and opensource tune.

Timing belt.

I think you guys have effectively scared me off....

bravenrace wrote: I think you guys have effectively scared me off....

Why? I dont' see anything that's been said that doesn't apply to pretty much any car with enthusiast leanings.

If this scares you off, you might as well hang it up and buy a beige Camry.

I bought a 2004 new and sold it with 127k on it. My clutch was original and I had changed the timing belt once. I had to replace one catalytic converter (there are three) at about 122k. I loved the car and never had any other trouble, but I had a sense that things were about to start getting expensive.

I miss it though...

Yup just look for signs of having been modded and if it's private seller even better because you can kinda tell how it may have been driven.

I've got a stock 06 with 129k on it and we just finished a 3k miles road trip with no issues and even got 28 mpg at times. I've had it since about 90k and with plenty of rallycross and off road fun I've only done maintance. It doesn't even burn oil.

Amazing cars. I'm keeping mine till it's absolutely dead beyond repair.

A few months back I bought an 05 Saab 9-2x Aero, which is a WRX wagon and same mechanically as the 04. Min had ~49k on it when I bought it.

Only issue I've had is the accessory belt squeeks when the AC kicks on, I replaced the plastic pulley with a metal one, and it needs adjusting again.

Generally the car is great and just what I wanted. I'm disappointed with the throttle response and off-boost power in certain daily-driving scenarios. Its really a dog if you get caught in the wrong gear, almost dangerously slow when pulling into traffic. I think the car needs the phaseII type mods to free up the exhaust and try to spool earlier.

Rust is the big worry, timing belt should be address, when it's done do the water pump, cam seals, tensioner and so forth.

As for looking for mods, the big tell tale is the turbo heat shield. If it's missing, they've been playing around with the car.

Valve covers on the 2.0 are prone to leak. Mostly a slow leak that is not a noticeable loss between oil changes, but it lands on the exhaust and smokes. My 2002 has 137xxx and I just had mine changed at a Subaru specific shop for $500. Only other thing I have had to do was replace a torn cv boot and the radiator had a pin hole leak in the plastic and had to be replaced. Other then that its an amazing car.

I have a friend with 230k miles on his stock WRX and still running. He's thought of making a 818 out of it, but the car's still far too nice to tear down. OTOH I have another friend who's been through two trannys. But the second guy autocrosses, drags and powershifts all the time.