Anyone here daily a Subaru WRX (Bugeye)

[Blau]

Looking at a relatively clapped out WRX on Saturday. Has some obvious signs of rust and some silly cosmetics, but I plan on stripping it down and using it as a fun daily. It'll just need to shuttle me to and from work to keep miles off the 1er.

Question: Anything to look out for with these early 2000's WRX's? I know they get rust at the fender and quarter panels and being as I'm in New England and my budget is under $8,000 I think I'll have to live with rust. It's had an engine swap and has no leaks, head gaskets and turbo are fine as well.

Would you do it? I can't see myself in a Fiesta or a Fit, and I've always kind of wanted a WRX.

Is this a stupid idea for a daily?

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Blau

Is this a stupid idea for a daily?

I suggest taking the car to a local, qualified independent shop specializing in Subies so it can do a PPI for you. That might save you some $$$ heartache down the road.

[pikkagtr]

Stock up on head gaskets
And coolant
🤣

[Blau]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

Stock up on head gaskets
And coolant
🤣

So, half the issues of a BMW? Lol. We've got a couple at home. We're great on maintenance, but my driveway tells a different story.

[Torgus]

No offense but your 128i is not exactly special. Just dump the miles on it. You are not going to devalue it 8k by the miles you would save by driving the subie unless you are an uber driver.

You now have to drop 8k + insurance to get a subie which will have more issues than your bmw.

The only good thing about the subie is it will be quicker than your bmw

[aa2033]

It's a ~20 year old subaru that's already had an engine replaced.. and you're asking if it's going to be a good daily and reliable? If you're looking for a reliable daily, you should look at something else. I also agree with Torgus above.

[Das_Stiggy]

I had an 02 wrx back in 2006ish. I owned it a few years and absolutely loved it.

The transmission in those years is known as the glass-box tranny. They were known to grenade when abused. When you test drive, make sure all gears and especially the synchros work well. You'll grind when shifting if a synchro has cracked.

Was the Engine swap to something bigger? Maybe it already has the 6mt trans swap (STi trans) and the glass-box isn't a concern for you?

I'm not a subie expert but have owned 2 WRXs, a Leggy, and an impreza sport. All new England driven. None of them ever let me down or left me stranded. Subies are excellent cars.

[Blau]

Originally Posted by Torgus

No offense but your 128i is not exactly special. Just dump the miles on it. You are not going to devalue it 8k by the miles you would save by driving the subie unless you are an uber driver.

You now have to drop 8k + insurance to get a subie which will have more issues than your bmw.

The only good thing about the subie is it will be quicker than your bmw

I think my 1er is special. I'm hanging on to it and would like to continue to build on it. That's why I'd like a second car. The e82 is already attracting a lot of attention due to every e36 on the market being clapped out.

I found an Impreza Sedan, which is the opposite of the WRX and is very boring. It's had a ton of maintenance done and my mechanic is the owner. I'm now considering that but it's hard because it's not a fun car.

Thank you to all who have chimed in.

[iminhell1]

Junk. Avoid at all costs.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Blau

I think my 1er is special. I'm hanging on to it and would like to continue to build on it. That's why I'd like a second car. The e82 is already attracting a lot of attention due to every e36 on the market being clapped out.

I found an Impreza Sedan, which is the opposite of the WRX and is very boring. It's had a ton of maintenance done and my mechanic is the owner. I'm now considering that but it's hard because it's not a fun car.

Thank you to all who have chimed in.

It is a base model bmw with the base model engine. It is a nice car but not going to hold any value unlike an m3. Just being honest. Whatever miles you save and value it adds to your sale in the future will be so small compared to how much you will have spent on a second car.

Just drive the piss out of your bmw and enjoy it. You only live once.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Blau

Looking at a relatively clapped out WRX on Saturday. Has some obvious signs of rust and some silly cosmetics, but I plan on stripping it down and using it as a fun daily. It'll just need to shuttle me to and from work to keep miles off the 1er.

Question: Anything to look out for with these early 2000's WRX's? I know they get rust at the fender and quarter panels and being as I'm in New England and my budget is under $8,000 I think I'll have to live with rust. It's had an engine swap and has no leaks, head gaskets and turbo are fine as well.

Would you do it? I can't see myself in a Fiesta or a Fit, and I've always kind of wanted a WRX.

Is this a stupid idea for a daily?

No I wouldn't do it. A ~20yr old daily sounds like a poor idea.

Other scenarios:

- Sell the 1er and add $8,000 then buy another car - what does that get you?
- Put $8,000 into the 1er - what does that get you?

[Blau]

Originally Posted by chassis

No I wouldn't do it. A ~20yr old daily sounds like a poor idea.

Other scenarios:

- Sell the 1er and add $8,000 then buy another car - what does that get you?
- Put $8,000 into the 1er - what does that get you?

Yeah I've moved on from the bugeye. I'm not looking for a new project and that's about all that car is good for.

I'd rather keep the 1er and get a daily. The 1er has been getting upgrades for track duty and I like the platform. We've got an X3 for family duty. This other car that I'm trying to buy will just be a shuttle to work and something more comfortable to pick the kids up from daycare.

The only issue is my vanity otherwise I'd be in a Honda Fit or something. I have to actually like the car to want to park it in my driveway. Douchy? Sure. Do I care? Nah.

Peace

[M3ineffect]

I’ve owned a bugeye since New and while I love my car like it’s my child, I wouldn’t recommend buying a rusty one to daily at this point. That’s a lot of money you’d have to sink into it to fix it up, not worth it. I know you’ve already decided against it, but just chiming in.

[floridaorange]

Have you considered a miata? A friend of mine has been building his - it just looks like so much fun, especially after it was lowered + muffler delete. Could be a fun option as well, likely more dependable.


https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mx-5-m...591/?radius=50

Or an older model mercedes - just for your commute - built like tanks and most have extremely robust engines.


https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...353139747/NONE

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Blau

Yeah I've moved on from the bugeye. I'm not looking for a new project and that's about all that car is good for.

I'd rather keep the 1er and get a daily. The 1er has been getting upgrades for track duty and I like the platform. We've got an X3 for family duty. This other car that I'm trying to buy will just be a shuttle to work and something more comfortable to pick the kids up from daycare.

The only issue is my vanity otherwise I'd be in a Honda Fit or something. I have to actually like the car to want to park it in my driveway. Douchy? Sure. Do I care? Nah.

Peace

If you have concerns about vanity and your budget is $8K, there isn't much out there that you won't have to pile thousands into to make right and reliable. I'd say a well used Acura TSX with some good looking aftermarket wheels and a mild drop. My buddy has a 2006 TSX setup this way as his daily and it's been bulletproof for the 10 years he's owned it. I think it was 175K miles on it now.

[Blau]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

If you have concerns about vanity and your budget is $8K, there isn't much out there that you won't have to pile thousands into to make right and reliable. I'd say a well used Acura TSX with some good looking aftermarket wheels and a mild drop. My buddy has a 2006 TSX setup this way as his daily and it's been bulletproof for the 10 years he's owned it. I think it was 175K miles on it now.

I'd love a tsx wagon! It's one of a few cars I'd stretch my budget for.
I still think I can find a reliable beater for $8k though, and it won't need a ton to pass inspection. I can deal with bits of rust, I'm in New England. The vanity part is for things like a Toyota Yaris or a Scion xB or something. No ugly shit, lol.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Torgus

No offense but your 128i is not exactly special. Just dump the miles on it. You are not going to devalue it 8k by the miles you would save by driving the subie unless you are an uber driver.

You now have to drop 8k + insurance to get a subie which will have more issues than your bmw.

The only good thing about the subie is it will be quicker than your bmw

Considering the OP is in the northeast, the WRX will be able to handle the winter and inclement weather far easier than the 1er. I owned a 2003 WRX since new for 14 years, and with winter tires on it, it was an absolute beast in the snow.

It was always amusing to see the look on peoples' faces who were driving 4WD trucks and SUVs when I could get better grip in snowy conditions with the AWD and winter tires compared to their worn all season tires.

[iminhell1]

I think the words you're looking for are Camry. Toyota Camry.

[Blau]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

I think the words you're looking for are Camry. Toyota Camry.

Eww... But yes.

[Blau]

Went with a Honda Fit. Hoping that the 45mpg on the highway makes me forget about how slow it is.