Selling my MS3

[Justin]

I'm thinking about selling my 2008.5 MS3 to fund a down payment on a house. I have a line on a 2002 WRX from a friend with 99,000 miles on it that needs a little body work. I think I can pick it up for $5,500. Two questions:

1. What is the ballpark value of my car? I'll likely return it to stock. It has 57k and has always been adult owned, never raced and well maintained. It is in very good shape.

2. Any trouble areas on that generation of WRX I should be aware of? I kind of like driving beater cars, so the body doesn't really bug me. Just makes it more of sleeper. Sound like a good deal?

[Learjet45]

Personally, I'd look for a Legacy GT instead of a WRX. That's just me though. I just feel like the WRX is a bit too much of a typical ricer boy car. And IIRC, the 3rd gen Legacy (MY 99-03) is a 2.0L Twin turbo that puts out 265hp in the LGT.

Other that that, I have no real advice on the value of your car or trouble spots for that gen of WRX. Good luck though!

[christi]

I have some info on the 2008's my ex gave me while I was and kinda still am looking at getting a wrx. Let me find them and I'll post it here.

[Learjet45]

2008 was a completely different generation and engine. I don't think much info you have, if any at all, would be applicable to an 02.

[christi]

Here it is:

General heads-up about STi's: there is a known mechanical failure point for all '04-'10 STi model-years: the engine oil pickup tube is known to crack - it's a rare failure, but not overly expensive to fix, and I recommend replacing it as a precaution with an upgraded, aftermarket unit, as I have.

2004 - introductory year for the USDM STi, based on the second version "peanut-eye" GD chassis. PROS: Is the lightest STi made available to the US market, at approx 3250 lbs.; has a slightly more durable transmission than later model years, thanks to pressurized lubrication system (this is the only year this system was used - no real significant difference in reliability, though); more rear power bias (70% power to rear wheels) than later years (slightly more nimble when accelerating). CONS: slightly weak wheel-hub assemblies; known for severe lift-off oversteer (easy to lose control), due to power distribution/bias; no factory sound system; lousy shifter (worse than later years); other small teething issues. OPINION: Neutral - this version is fun, but savage, and has its' flaws.

2005 - same body-style as '04, but significantly different under the skin. PROs: re-designed interior with more creature comfort; much stronger wheel-hub assemblies than '04 (all STi's from this year and up use these improved hubs or slightly better ones); more stable due to power-bias being shifted forward (59% rear-wheel power bias from '05-07); has a factory sound system. CONs: heavier than previous year (3350 lbs). OPINION: Very good choice.


2006 - Marks the introduction to the third version of the GD chassis, the "Hawk-eye" body. *Much* of the car is the same as the '05 version (including the entire interior), but there are some changes. PROs: significantly improved aerodynamics, both visible and under the vehicle; more responsive electronic differential system; slightly reorganized and refined engine bay. CONs: slightly increased overall weight over '05 model-year (3380 lbs). OPINION: Best choice option of the GD chassis STi - kinda why I chose it.

2007 - Roughly unaltered when compared to the 2006 version, but there are two noteable differences. PROs: re-geared transmission for easier acceleration (especially when making more power than stock). CONs: notorious for engine failures on stock engine-tune, due to new emissions regulations introduced in '07. OPINION: *WORST* choice among the GD platform STi.

2008-2010 - With the introduction of the love-it-or-hate-it 5-door hatchback GR chassis STi, the car was significantly altered. The addition of a short-long-arm rear suspension made the car handle with much more stability, but was criticized for feeling soft and spongey - not what you want in a car with the STi badge. The interior is *much* more refined and comfortable, as well as visually appealing, but the front seats lack side-support in a big way. The hatchback factor is much more utilitarian, but does kill the rear-end aesthetics (but, with a slightly different wing, this can be drasticly improved). The larger wheels are equipped with grippy 245/40/R18 tires (the GD STi only ever came equipped with 225/45/R17s in the US). There was a stop-sell in 2008 due to premature engine damage and failures. More research into the mechanical reliability of this bodystyle STi is required. OPINION: Unless a 5-door hatchback is a high priority, the older GD chassis (while not as well equipped - no GPS, traction control, etc) is better - not to mention more affordable.

edit:

oh, i thought he said 2008, not 2002. I was half awake

Well, mine doesn't give the 2002 model information, but i'll keep it here for info regardless...

[alex_n/a]

I would go for an 02 wrx. they are actually my favorite impreza because of the headlights. I love the round headlights and if its blue or black you have me sold lol i would also love an rs too.

not sure what your car is worth but i would say 19k give or take.

[reconbygod12]

for trade it...i would say probably 16-17.5 ballpark range...but if you trade in or swap wth teh dealership you might get more or get the vehcile for less.....i would get the wrx over the speed in heartbeat

[erod550]

Seriously doubt you can get anywhere near 17.5k for an 08.5 with 57k miles. I had to fight for an hour to get 17.5k for my 09 with 21k miles. You're probably looking at around 15k with those miles.

A bugeye WRX will be a big downgrade but if the tradeoff is getting a house I say go for it. I love being a homeowner and will never go back to living in an apartment if I can help it. Plus a bugeye would still be a fun car to drive. Much better than a beater Civic or something similar.

And forget a Legacy GT. A WRX may be a boy racer car, but when you're young that's what you want. They are smaller and just more fun to drive. the LGT is heavier and slower and for old people, lol. Not to mention you're talking about a specific WRX that you know about, not like you're shopping around, so suggesting something else that would cost more than twice as much doesn't make sense anyway.

Edit - Ok a 2002 LGT wouldn't be twice as much, but close. 8200 is blue book. And they only have 165hp. The LGT didn't get decent until a few years later and then you're looking at 12k+

[reconbygod12]

i got 20k trade in with 33k miles on my car///not to mention my car was beat and heavily modded

[Justin]

I appreciate the opinions, everyone-keep'em coming. erod, I'm not sure the bugeye will be a big downgrade for what I like. I love me MS3, and it is absolutely a better looking car. I also totally agree with you about the LGT. I really like small, light cars that handle well and have a good balance of power to handling. That's really my biggest criticism of the MS3-that it has way more power than it needs. It's a lot of fun on an on ramp, but I've been less than impressed at its cornering under power. Mazda is asking the front tires to do too much at once. That said, it make a great daily driver and gets good mileage for what it is. I bought it because it was the best compromise at the time. I see the early WRXs as being sort of like a Miata. Not crazy fast, but a bunch of fun to drive around and more likely than a MS3 to reach 8/10s of their potential on the street. We own a house now, but selling my car will allow us to sell ours and move to a new home without totally destroying our savings. This is a big deal at 35 years old with 2 kids to take care of. It may also help me talk my wife into letting me put a full roll cage in my '71 Bronco.

[alex_n/a]

Forget the bronco and mod the wrx lol

And dont look at it as a downgrade but an opportunity to start a very nice awd project. Im sure with the money you save you can do some good upgrades to "catch" up to the ms3 standards

[Justin]

No chance . I'd stop eating before I quit buying parts for that truck. I drove it over some cars a few months back. However good the AWD system is in the WRX, it can't do that. I'll definitely be making some improvements if I do buy it, however. I'm not sure I've ever owned a car that stayed stock.

[erod550]

You are right that the WRX will probably handle better. That was a big reason why I got rid of mine. I was tired of not being able to push it hard in corners because it was just understeer so badly, especially once the front wheels started to break loose. I couldn't take the FWD mechanics anymore.

I had sworn I wouldn't get another FWD performance car when I had my SRT-4 but I didn't listen to myself and bought the MS3 anyway. Like you said, it's a great car for what it is. Good gas mileage, fun to drive for a daily, lots of utility, but for pure performance factor it is lacking because of the limitations on wrong-wheel drive.

Now I have 3 cars and none of them are FWD, heh. (Wife drives an Impreza)

[Number2]

I sold my parents 2002 wrx 2 years ago, in mint condition for $7k. The only thing wrong with it was the manual transmission had a problem with the syncros. The buyer knew a lot more than I did and said that was a common problem and he didn't mind it, he was just looking for a 2nd, awd car. The transmission would grind a bit as you're finding the gear, usually 1st IIRC. The brakes were stock but that was only because he drove across country from new mexico to denver a lot. Clutch was stock, but the belts were replaced. I remember we needed to perform a couple of TSBs, including something to do with the fuel line, causing the fuel to stink up the cabin, and the culprit is the end of a fuel line in the engine bay is a cheap rubber that warps over time and the evaporating smell is what we smelled in the cabin. I could be way off, but just make sure he has a record of all TSBs and double-cross them with a reputable dealer.

Great car and does very well in the snow.

[erod550]

My friend had a bugeye that had transmission issues also. He eventually completely blew up the transmission but he beat the ever living crap out of that car with a bigger turbo and nitrous. It ran a 13.3 before it died though.