No.

 

Hmmm, my 2003 (one model year newer) sold for $5500 more than 6 years ago with half the number of miles and the correct engine.

What makes this car worth 25% more than that all these years later? Hard pass from me.

 

Where are people finding all of these 50k mile 20 year old engines?

 

Junkyards and other markets where emissions regulations require vehicles of a certain age to be removed from public roads.

 

Besides the price being high, would you not trust the car? I cannot find any stock bugeyes for sale. And the other not stock ones have also been swapped and they are asking $9000. I believe the price is just the inflated used market right now, plus in my area they are always pretty high priced. I have been speaking with the owner for a few days to get a feel for how he has treated the car and he seems like a legit guy.

 

would you not trust the car?

I don't trust daylight.

I cannot find any stock bugeyes for sale.

I have one, but I'm keeping it. It's hard to find another and I've had mine since new, so I know exactly what you are saying. Nonetheless, I'd either keep looking or get another car entirely.

I have been speaking with the owner for a few days to get a feel for how he has treated the car and he seems like a legit guy.

Find a completely stock car with a full service history by a single owner using authentic Subaru parts. If the owner is an enthusiast, walk away anyway.

 

Damn, I read other posts of people asking if they should buy 'x' car and I thought this would be different lol. I had pretty much made my mind up since it's the car I've always wanted and it is essentially all stock. I still may do it, it is very clean with almost no cosmetic damage

 

Then why ask?

just buy the car and show up to a forum when it blows up in 2 weeks and yell at the members because they give you the reasonable prices and methods to fix your car and ensure its reliability but it's not "slap a bov and external wastegate on there with a turbo back and intake brah".

Man I thrive on buying trashed vehicles for cheap. It's a rich mans game. If you've got the money to buy that car and handle it when it goes to hell, you have the money to buy a brand new one.

 

You do you.

Hope your pockets are deep.

 

Yeah, I agree with XJ's frustration.

Really, this thread was just for validation. I don't operate on validation and personally think it's been the single strongest driving force of today's narcissism problem.

 

OP -- look, I would love more than anything to buy my dream car: 1993 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II 16V.

And I could indeed make this happen! I have the funds and they occasionally crop up for sale at exorbitant prices. Then I check myself with reality - I'm not a collector. I am smart with my income and investments. I am not Jay Leno. It's then that I realize, buying something like that would be stupid.

Maybe you should also check yourself with reality. That car is far too expensive for what you get.

 

OP -- look, I would love more than anything to buy my dream car: 1993 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II 16V.

I see you are a man of exquisite taste.

 

It sounds expensive, but We all deserve to drive our dream car even if it ends up costing a lot in the end. I paid $4000 for a 92 GTI in 2013 and ended up losing money on it about 8 months later. Losing money sucked, but nothing can ever rob me of the experience of driving that 92 GTI, the car I’ve wanted to experience since I was a little boy.

Don’t listen to these people telling you not to buy it. They haven’t seen the car , they don’t know the car. But, That’s a hefty price for an 02. If you’re willing to drop that amount of money, it would be smart to purchase a pre-purchase inspection (perhaps from 2 different places).

I’d walk away if the owner doesn’t wanna go lower than 6K. I hear you though, it’s hard to find these cars nowadays (especially stock), that may be driving the price up too. Bugeye wagons are my favorite WRXs, so I understand the appeal.

 

People always say don't buy. I'm sure if I'd asked here before I bought mine I would have been told the same. I'm glad I didn't ask, and I'm glad I didn't listen to all the other posts I've seen. I love my WRX, and I treat it accordingly. Sure, they're a bit pricey to buy and maintain, but I'm also sure that everyone has something in their life that they spend "stupid" amounts of money on. Money is one of those subjective things, for instance some people run out and buy the newest stuff like cars, TVs, stereos, cell phones, etc right when the next model comes out. Others stick with the older stuff because it works just fine and it's "stupid" to spend a bunch of money to replace it. To each their own.

Quite honestly, imho people driving around in older cars that run good and are in decent shape, and keep them that way, earn more respect than someone driving around in a new car still covered under warranty. I wish I had a video of everyone's reactions in my shop back when we had a '78 Chevy C10 in one bay versus the 2018 Mustang GT getting ready for Gingerman Raceway in the other. But then again, it's a very subjective topic.

 

The problem is people buy above their means. Just because the car is stupid cheap doesn't mean you are not looking at tens of thousands of dollars in work potentially. To be honest, I don't see many successful bugeye buys. It's usually buy, oh no it's blown up, I can't afford to fix that.

 

Thanks everyone. I'm at least going to see it and drive it. The guy has a receipt for the engine and a few of the parts in his list of stuff that was replaced. I also don't plan to do any modifications to it. Worst case is the engine blows on the way home and then I'd tow it to a shop for a new shortblock for ~$3000 and then its total cost would still be on par with the asking price of the other bugeyes and blobeyes around me. But best case is i maintain it and don't have any major problems for the next few years.

 

I'd tow it to a shop for a new shortblock for ~$3000 and then its total cost would still be on par with the asking price of the other bugeyes

See, that's why we (those of us in the know) are trying to help you to see through this fog.

A SHORTBLOCK costs $3k, but that doesn't include installation, accessories, additional labor, etc.

You will be looking at $8-10k on the LOW END for an engine rebuild. How does that compare to "other bugeyes?"

 

I'm not saying you guys are trying to keep me down or anything. And I'm not really just looking for validation. All the responses that are saying not to buy it are going to influence my decision when i actually go to look at it, i really do want to know what you guys think. I was just saying that when i go see it if everything seems golden i still might pull the trigger. I'm not really buying outside my means either, i work full time, getting paid $25/hr in a state with no income tax and I could afford to buy the car cash 5x over. If i do decide to buy and have big problems immediately that are higher than the cost of the car then i will have learned and i will cut my losses and part it out or sell it cheaper for a loss and you guys will have been right. I do appreciate EVERYONE'S responses especially those trying to keep me put of a money pit.

 

Didn't end up buying. I drove 4 hours to look at it, and it ran great, but the short shifter was hard to get into gear, and the 2nd gear synchros were gone, but mostly there was A LOT of rust underneath and pretty banged up. I offered $4500 and he said no and didn't counteroffer anything so i just had to drive back. So as you can see my mind was not made up, and i think you guys helped me make the decision. Im gonna check out an 08 sedan that popped up for $7000 in my area on Monday. I don't like the body style as much as the iconic bugeye but the newness will be nice if it works out. What are your thoughts on that year? No aftermarket parts except stage1 tune with AP included?

 

The 2008 is the least sought model because of the narrow body and the suspension.

 

I think you made the right call, personally.

 

The lesson I've learned is if it isn't under warranty then you should count on it having been rode hard and mistreated and start saving accordingly. If you can get a new or rebuilt shortblock and some good heads, get them in there and enjoy the piece of mind that comes with a fresh motor. It's worth it.

 

Why go through the struggle of replacing the engine and handling any issues the car had 500 miles ago invest all that money to then sell it. ? Something seems off

 

Beats me, I’ve no idea.

I haven’t sold a car since 2002.

 

Don’t give up and don’t settle when looking for your wrx… took me 6 months to find one , I was looking for a wagon but found this sedan with 107 k original owner unmolested 2006 wrx limited with leather interior a stack of receipts for 8700

 

That's a nice find, around here it would probably be 13k to 15k right now. I am going to look at the 2008, and since it is close i will be having my mechanic/friend come to look at it with me. He owns a spec. B and 2 WRX so i feel comfortable having him assess whether the car is worth it. I'm not looking for my dream car right now, just something more capable than the RSX, that will bring me some more enjoyment. I also will be looking at a 2010 Mazdaspeed 3. I don't like it as much as the WRX but it would satisfy the turbo lust i have, and the hatchback function and reliability. It will be a tough decision but ultimately I'm not on any timeline so i can take my time looking/deciding. I'm just trying to drive some cars right now to figure out what i like best.

 

The Mazdaspeed3 is a better car in virtually every way compared to the GD WRX.

My wife had the better of the two cars. Guess which one was hers?

 

For example just looking right now i found a 2004 with 250k on the body, "70k on the motor" with no receipt and it's not in particularly good shape, missing fog lights and no cover there, paint dull and clear faded, and they want $11,000. Which, it is their car, and they can sell it for what they want, I'm just saying that is the situation around here for WRX's

 

If I'd shoehorned a front mount intercooler and then removed it to sell the car, my car might be missing front fogs also.

(I have dated receipts in a binder dating back to 2002, incidentally. Happy shopping!).

 

So you think it's a good deal?

 

No.

 

I bought my 02 (approx 170K miles) with a 70K JDM motor and upgraded VF48 and the motor was not the problem. The weak link is the transmission. I was able to find an 03 tranny for $200. Additional flywheel, pressure plat, clutch, etc. set me back another $500. Installation my time.

Other than that the cars rust at the wheel wells. Reach inside the rear fender lip might get a feel for it. There is some kind of rubber lip seal there that people tend to remove which seems counter intuitive to the seals purpose.

Does the guy have the receipt for the motor purchase?

 

Well seller was asking 9500 for the car and we went over the car , the car did have a timing belt replaced at 67 k but that was 8 years ago . As you can see the car was driven very little . I had to put on new tires , rear brakes , new timing belt , water pump , pulleys , the whole 9 yards . I also found some other things I had to fix like brake switch was faulty and the rear defrost wasn’t working . But all is fixed and is running pretty decent . I also added a alarm remote start , laser shifters and new wheels and I plan to maybe do new exhaust , intake and new tune and possibly lowering it about a inch . by the way what area do you live ?