WRX Cost??? Seems high. Or are these people just high. L.A.

[gwader]

Is it just me not searching for the right thing or are these 02-05 WRX really expensive. Searching the LA area.

[PhilElement]

Subaru people love their cars and don't let them go cheaply. Dealers, auctions, or even salvage cars is where you will find some great deals.

[MuddyRoverRob]

I had noted the same thing here in Calgary.

$10-$15k for a runner.
Even with high mileage.

On the plus side I had my 'ego' handed to me by a wrx in my Golf GTI 1.8t today...
I DIDN'T miss the shift and he just walked away... sigh :o

WRX's are QUICK!

[bromikl]

To meet the target cost of $5,000 for the donor, FFR is expecting the builder to find a wrecked WRX or part out the stuff that doesn't go into the kit.

Personally, I might be going the el-cheapo route, using a mid-90's 2.2L 5-speed Impreza. I should be able to get the stuff that doesn't fit from NASOIC or the local salvage yard. There's always time to upgrade later! :)

[Niburu]

AJW Performance, one of the vendors on NASIOC, said they were planning on offering completion packages - from base build to a turnkey.

http://ajwperformanceproducts.com/

[gwader]

Thanks for the info. Talking to a neighbor which has two Subaru foresters confirmed the Subaru love. He's got 200k on one and says the cars are bullet proof.

[DrieStone]

I'm trying to decide if I should use my '05 WRX as my donor or not. I'll have 120k on the engine by the time I get my 818, and I assume its value will be around $10k in 18 months or so (KBB states the private sale price is currently just over $11K). I'm not sure what the "parts" are worth from a runner. Obviously it's better to keep my eyes open for an '08 that was wrecked, but I have a feeling that's going to be hard to find.

Luckily I do live in New England where I assume many WRXs are purchased. On the down-side I only live 2.5 hours from FFR which means the supply may be a little "thin".

[Xusia]

I thought they officially said '02-'07 WRX?

[PhyrraM]

I thought they officially said '02-'07 WRX?

They have. However, Subaru had a long run ('89-'07) with very little change to the basic chassis across many models.

When FFR releases an official "used from the donor" list many of us that know Subarus are expecting to be able to easily use donors outside of the '02-'07 Impreza.

[Evan78]

Here's a few that I find in the area:

Autotrader - 200 miles from 90032 (East LA), manual trans WRX, max $8000 (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastBeginningStartYear=1981&num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=200&address=90032&marketZipError=false&make=SUB&model=IMPWRX&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2012&min_price=0&max_price=8000&seller_type=b&transmission=Manual&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceASC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=priceASC&systime=&isFlashPlugin=true&sownerid=65658179&dma=LOS_ANGELES_SO&rdm=1322688354225):
$6200 - 2002 WRX 150k (65 miles away)
$6400 - 2002 WRX 135k (123 miles away)
$7500 - 2002 WRX 141k (101 miles away)

Craigslist LA - $1000-$8000 (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=wrx&catAbb=cta&srchType=T&minAsk=1000&maxAsk=8000)
$7800 - 2002 WRX Wagon 152k

Ebay and Nasioc would be a couple other places I'd look.

[Evan78]

My gut has always been that it would be a shame to pull apart a car that is running well and has a body in good condition. Something with a salvage title or deserving of one seems ideal to me. Rear end or side impact collision survivors perhaps. Front end damage acceptable if you can verify engine condition. Since you're going to tear it apart, it makes sense to start with something where that is practically the only viable option anyway. Why tear apart a car that could go on living life as a normal daily driver?

[Oppenheimer]

Yes, recycle. Take junk and turn it into gold. I agree that its a shame to turn a running, usable car and tear its heart out. Like using a living being as an organ donor.

But if you are going to take each and every part you don't use, and find a buyer for it, even the shell, well somehow that feels OK. Like how the Indians would use each and every part of the Buffalo they hunted for food.

[GUNS]

I bought my 02 with 113k miles for $7500. It was actually in great shape too. I bought it to DD/track until I build my 818. I've had to put some money into to it for standard maintenance/track prep, but that is life.

[Evan78]

Oh yeah, I sold my 2002 WRX wagon with 125k on it for $6800 in Oct 2009. I sold to a friend of a friend and never advertised it, so I probably could have sold for slightly more, but probably not a whole lot.

[mattster03]

Why are you guys looking at cars w/ clean titles? The absolute easiest way to acquire one of these cars is the same way a lot of guys get their donors for GTM's. Check out www.copart.com ; it's an online auction for mostly insurance salvaged vehicles. No dealers license is required to bid on most of the vehicles. A good donor of this generation of WRX goes for $2000-$3000 or less ALL the time.

[DrieStone]

Why are you guys looking at cars w/ clean titles? The absolute easiest way to acquire one of these cars is the same way a lot of guys get their donors for GTM's. Check out www.copart.com ; it's an online auction for mostly insurance salvaged vehicles. No dealers license is required to bid on most of the vehicles. A good donor of this generation of WRX goes for $2000-$3000 or less ALL the time.

Great find. I was aware of local auctions, but I didn't know they had it modernized now. Two non-turbo imprezas in CT... this bodes well for my future chances at finding something.

[slopoke]

Another source is Ridesafely.com

[gwader]

Now we're talking!

[AJW Performance]

Thanks for the info. Talking to a neighbor which has two Subaru foresters confirmed the Subaru love. He's got 200k on one and says the cars are bullet proof.

Very reliable cars, I have seen many daily drivers come in lately (250 WHP +) that have been creeping on 180,000 miles; love it!

[Etos]

There's a site that auctions off wrecked cars. I forgot the name but I was able to find rear ends and side impacts of WRXes for only a couple thousand.

[Xusia]

Um, can you try to remember the name?? PLEASE?!? :D

[mattster03]

There's a site that auctions off wrecked cars. I forgot the name but I was able to find rear ends and side impacts of WRXes for only a couple thousand.

I think you're referring to copart.com which I mentioned a few posts up?

[bbatts]

I found Copart just last night. Looks like great deals on damaged WRXs with a salvage or rebuild titles. Seems there are several of these wrecking yards all around the US. Thanks for the big tip. I think this will help many of us save some $$$.

B Batts
Nashville, TN




Why are you guys looking at cars w/ clean titles? The absolute easiest way to acquire one of these cars is the same way a lot of guys get their donors for GTM's. Check out www.copart.com ; it's an online auction for mostly insurance salvaged vehicles. No dealers license is required to bid on most of the vehicles. A good donor of this generation of WRX goes for $2000-$3000 or less ALL the time.

[gwader]

Coparts seems to be the answer. Supply now and in the future seem endless. Yes!!!