New Used Vehicle Purchase

[teh vash]

please help..was wondering what to look for when test driving an 02 wrx 5 speed..about certain things that may be wrong with the vehicle the only one i know about is a bad first gear or grinding(which the car did not seem to have any problems with)...but please help and put anything down you all think i should look for in a used wrx thanks so much....best forum yet...u guys rock!!

[302@12psi]

Being a 2002 it has what is considered the weakest transmission out of the model years. You want to make sure that it has the stock clutch (or atleast not one stronger then stock).

I'd also look for a vehicle that has all it's maitance done on it up to date. There is no reason why someone shouldnt be able to show you proof of oil changes/maitance.

Also with the car being a 2002 it will probaly have a fair amount of miles on it. Oil pumps in these cars tend to go around 90,000+ miles so if you are past that make sure it was done. These are typically done with the timing belt, which should also include a water pump if the person had some common sense.

Other then that make sure the body is straight and it hasnt been abused. These cars are not "rare" by any means so pass on something that is heavily modded or looks abused.

If you do not know anything about modded wrx's then I highly suggest staying away from them. Buying someone elses headache of mix matched parts can be a PITA.

[bdpAKAknox]

sorry for the OT question, but are 03 trannys stronger then 02s in any way?
Im looking into a 02-03 wrx aswell

[adam3482p]

please help..was wondering what to look for when test driving an 02 wrx 5 speed..about certain things that may be wrong with the vehicle the only one i know about is a bad first gear or grinding(which the car did not seem to have any problems with)...but please help and put anything down you all think i should look for in a used wrx thanks so much....best forum yet...u guys rock!!

What part of NC?

[RayfieldsWRX]

sorry for the OT question, but are 03 trannys stronger then 02s in any way?
Im looking into a 02-03 wrx aswell

Seems like I remember that some if not all '03 trannies are indeed stronger. Not entirely sure.

[302@12psi]

Seems like I remember that some if not all '03 trannies are indeed stronger. Not entirely sure.

The rumor is the switch was made late in 03 but no one really knows the exact build date