New owner of 03' WRX. Questions.

[IceWindius]

Hey all, names IceWind from the now freezing and snowy state of Montana. Been eyeing getting myself a WRX for some time but the funds just were available but I had a stroke of luck recently a few weeks ago. The owner has offered to fix the foglamps if I cut a deal with him in regards to replacing my tires on the 4Runner.

One of my local dealers has a 2003 Silver WRX from the Arizona area. It has 72,000 miles on it, new tires and the body looks to be in good shape, Unfortuantly, the fog lamps are completely busted. Where and how much could I get some replacement lamps, because I wanna put in blue Halogen bulbs in all the lights eventually.

Also, do you feel if the car was taken care of, 72,000 miles is ok? IM getting for $16,500 on the lot with a straight trade for my 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The dealer has offered to take it to the Subaru shop to make sure everything checks out *including take out rocks from the cold air intake radiator* replace the gay ass STI shifter knob with a stock one and make sure all is well with it.

Do you have any reason to believe that with this many miles I may be getting myself in a repair central on this car? The interior is in good shape and the car drove AMAZING. It was the first time I was ever behind a WRX and I had a grin ear to ear when I finally came back from the test drive an hour later, damn this cars haul ass!! I was blowing by people at 80mph no problem on the highway and the turbo is just beautiful!

ONe thing, does this particular model have a shifty manual transmission? I noticed that it was a real bitch to get the car into 1st grear, especially if I was moving even at crawl speed. This a WRX trait or a sign of transmission failure?

Also, do I HAVE to put premium fuel in or can I put regular unleaded plus in to save some money? And what about driving in the snow with the alloys" Should I sprin for cheap crappy steel rims to by through the winter or will the alloys take the punishment?

My drive enviroment this winter looks to be wintery and slushy so I'll get to see how these things handle in the snow. The rest of the year is dry for about 7 months out of the year sans rain. I DO NOT, repeat DO NO have the finances to go modding the crap outa this car, especially engine related but I do kinda wish to replace the cruddy looking stock exhaust. Any beginner level modifed exhausts that would give it a little more oompph and not hurt the pocket book?

Thanks, im a total noob to this car stuff. IF it was computer, server or network related, im your man but this car stuff is all foreign language to me.

[Skyline_R32_Canada]

Well first of all congratulations on the purchase, WRXs are amazing cars, treat yours with respect!

72,000 miles isnt much but watch out for water pump, and clutch/tranny if the previous owner abused it often (launching etc.) and radiator hose leaks.

As for the fogs you can either look for some on e-bay or in the classifieds of NASIOC forum, or i would just purchase some JDM fogs since it's JDM

The wrx is a quick car dont get me wrong but what makes it so great is the response around corners and its handling abilities...this is where the stock exhaust system is VERY restrictive! I mean it has 3 damn cats to push through.

First thing is first, if you don't want to mod your car like crazy I will suggest you do two things and trust me, you'll notice a huge difference in torque and response -- get a new up - pipe (connects headers to turbo) because this cat actually causes the turbo to spool slower
second thing is to get some sort of engine management - this will smooth out your powerband and give you increased power and torque all over the map, this is money very well spent

again good luck.

[IceWindius]

Originally Posted by Skyline_R32_Canada

Well first of all congratulations on the purchase, WRXs are amazing cars, treat yours with respect!

72,000 miles isnt much but watch out for water pump, and clutch/tranny if the previous owner abused it often (launching etc.) and radiator hose leaks.

As for the fogs you can either look for some on e-bay or in the classifieds of NASIOC forum, or i would just purchase some JDM fogs since it's JDM

The wrx is a quick car dont get me wrong but what makes it so great is the response around corners and its handling abilities...this is where the stock exhaust system is VERY restrictive! I mean it has 3 damn cats to push through.

First thing is first, if you don't want to mod your car like crazy I will suggest you do two things and trust me, you'll notice a huge difference in torque and response -- get a new up - pipe (connects headers to turbo) because this cat actually causes the turbo to spool slower
second thing is to get some sort of engine management - this will smooth out your powerband and give you increased power and torque all over the map, this is money very well spent

again good luck.

So a brand new exhaust system and remove the the Cats and make it a straight pipe with no muffler? Isn't that illegal?. Anothing thing to is, I REALLY hate noisy exausts so if that makes me sound like a fart cannon like those damn Civics, I think i'll pass

[keita]

You need to read more carefully. He said get a new uppipe, which containes one of the three catalytico converters. Other two are on the downpipe, which many people replace as well. He didn't say anything about the muffler. And yes, it is illegal to remove catalytic converters.

And also, yes, it is normal for you to have difficulty getting into 1st if you're moving.

Originally Posted by IceWindius

So a brand new exhaust system and remove the the Cats and make it a straight pipe with no muffler? Isn't that illegal?. Anothing thing to is, I REALLY hate noisy exausts so if that makes me sound like a fart cannon like those damn Civics, I think i'll pass

[page2334]

shiftin to first is a bitch, from a stop even somethings, as gay as it sounds double-clutchin helped a little, im glad the sti 6-speeds not like that, had 2 wrx before the sti and and the only thing i didnt like was that if ya had to shift to first ya was shit out of luck, have fun

[Right_LiRrr]

1st is a bitch, it's a WRX "charm". I find double clutching helps heaps, but if you can't be bothered, just push gently on it intil it eases in.

If my memory serves me correctly, the USDM 03 is the 02 right? i.e. the last of the bugeye ones? I know that's one of the ones without a syncro on reverse gear and THAT is a REAL bitch. I can't tell you how many times I've sat like an idiot in traffic trying to reverse park or 3 point turn just going 1st-->reverse-->won't go in-->clutch out-->clutch in-->1st-->reverse-->won't go in--> repeat :-) ....nah, I kid. Generally, if you always go into 2nd, before going into 1st, it should be a lot easier; same goes for reverse, always get into 1st then go into reverse. Cos just a little turn of the cogs will make it easier. (also the letting the clutch fully out, then waiting a while and pushing it in and trying it again does wonders too)

Even though it is a bitch in the beginning, it's not the reason to not buy the car, once you get used to the whole process, the car rules...for the first 8-12 months...then you'll wish you got an STi :-)

Oh, and welcome to AF! (for some reason I have my bookmark as "AA"...I must have been so high at the time....)

[keita]

BITCH=shifting with left hand.

I don't know how you jokers do it...

[Right_LiRrr]

I did use bitch excessively there eh? Must be giving the guy the wrong impression hahaha....ray don't ban me.

Shifting with your left hand is so natural...much like RHD :-)

You know what's really hard though, using your left foot to brake, it's funny cos your left foot has NO feel at all for the brake.

[freakray]

Originally Posted by keita

BITCH=shifting with left hand.

It's easy.....like when your right hand goes to sleep on you and switch hands

*goes off to ban RL for using 'bitch' and Keita for saying left handed shifting is difficult*

[IceWindius]

Ok, now you guys are scaring me with the WRX transmission problems....

[Skyline_R32_Canada]

its not a problem man, its just a little obstacle...when coming to a stop sign just keep it in second and clutch in then when you are at a full stop or just barely rolling just slide it in first and it will be as smooth as butter

[freakray]

I don't think it's a problem, it's a case of understanding how the transmission is designed.
There is a latch in place that doesn't allow you to drop the car into first above certain speeds, the same kind as the one that stops you slamming a car into reverse when it's moving forwards.

If you have a problem with pushing the car into first when you're moving at a reasonable speed, perhaps you shouldn't be driving a manual transmission at all.

[keita]

Originally Posted by freakray

If you have a problem with pushing the car into first when you're moving at a reasonable speed, perhaps you shouldn't be driving a manual transmission at all.

OUCH!!

Well...WRX DOES come in Auto...
But I think you're not allowed buy one unless you have 2 X chromosomes.

[civic_stuntin]

Originally Posted by Right_LiRrr

You know what's really hard though, using your left foot to brake, it's funny cos your left foot has NO feel at all for the brake.

good to see i'm not the only one that has trouble with that lol it's like my left foot is retarded cuz it doesn't ease into it at all unless i go incredibly slow haha

anyways, i'm thinkin about gettin a 02' WRX, 46,000 miles, body is great, everything works, 1 owner and it was an old man, they want $14,999, unfortunately it's also silver though...

do you think my insurance will jump ALOT? right now i have a 97' Honda Civic LX, i'm gonna call tomorrow and check out for sure

[IceWindius]

Originally Posted by civic_stuntin

good to see i'm not the only one that has trouble with that lol it's like my left foot is retarded cuz it doesn't ease into it at all unless i go incredibly slow haha

anyways, i'm thinkin about gettin a 02' WRX, 46,000 miles, body is great, everything works, 1 owner and it was an old man, they want $14,999, unfortunately it's also silver though...

do you think my insurance will jump ALOT? right now i have a 97' Honda Civic LX, i'm gonna call tomorrow and check out for sure

Mine went up only $16, but then again, im 25, outa the "youth" category for State Farm. Thank God

And Freakray I don't find much useful information in your post, just a put down. You have been reported. I hope another more "mature" moderator will get you watch your mouth. I came here for advice and information, not to have some immature, hot rodding, NOS brained, gasoline inhaling moderator to make jokes at me.