WRX with over 100k miles, dumb idea?

[drivesideways46]

So tonight, I'm out with the girlfriend and a few of her friends from work when one of the girls starts talking about how she can't believe that she's making payments on her fiance's car, and they can't seem to get rid of it.

The vehicle in question is a 2002 WRX with 109k miles, and everything seems to be in order with it.

She then tells me, "I'd even be willing to take payoff for the damn thing!" It turns out, payoff is approx. 8500 dollars.

After taking a long test drive, I returned pretty impressed. This thing didn't feel like the dog-slow stock WRX's I've ridden in and was still pretty tight and squeak-free considering the 100k+ miles. The only couple things I didn't like were the "STI" shifter and the engagement point of the clutch. (Clutch is engaging about an inch off of the floor, but still seems strong.) Oh, and the car is blaze yellow... :?

The car also has a HKS SS blow-off valve which was fun for a test drive, but I could find that getting annoying really quickly.

Any advice you guys can give me before I head past the point of no return?

[Nis01]

Blaze yellow is one of my favorite colors on the WRX, very rare. :thumbup: Blow off valves on the stock system are a no no as it drives the fuel system crazy but if you find a stock one and throw it on there should be no harm done. 108k is quite a bit but I have seen these cars get twice as many miles but issues will occur with maintenance items. Theres a lot more to say but I have to be getting to work. The miles are a bit worrying but if its in good condition the price isn't too bad.

[CaptainHenreh]

Blow off valve? STI shifter? Yellow? 109k miles? Ok, that part isn't really bad.
But still, Keep looking.

[WRXtranceformed]

If it's been modified like that, I probably wouldn't touch it. If you're really interested though you could get a compression test done and like Shea said, replace HKS with the stock bypass valve.

[mrbaggio]

Like they said before. The blow-off valve is a BAD thing in a stock WRX.

[Scott]

offer them 4k

[ButtDyno]

BOV with stock uppipe can clog the uppipe cat and send it into the turbo.

So, if you do get it, put a catless uppipe on the car just to be sure

[drivesideways46]

Thanks for the info guys!

Since the couple split up in the last couple of days, I don't know if the car is still for sale...but I think I'll probably pass on it.

[ScottyB]

it sounds like very minor modifications, and what you don't like you can take off. what's not to like? a test drive might reveal its a good driver.

really, isn't the only major weak point on these cars the tranny, and that's if you launch the piss out of it? i imagine it wouldn't get to 100k with that going on.