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WRX Reliability?

44 messages,  Last post on Oct 03, 2011 at 1:55 PM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 4 of 6

#22 of 44 Re: WRX Reliability? [wayland1985] by bazillionrpm

Feb 12, 2007 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: wayland1985 (Feb 12, 2007 7:21 pm)
I think some of the trouble is due to the fact I bought the first manufacturing run of a brand new design. People who bought just a month or two later had a few design revisions in place already.
 
The car has high mileage but it's mostly easy highway cruising (280 in SF Bay Area, it's like our last functional highway) 65-85mph.
 
I am disappointed by the valve cover leaks, aww well. At least it's not the head gasket which I don't have great faith in because of the high specific power of the ej20 placing strain and also because of a technical service bulletin that was issued re: adding an additive to the coolant to prevent head gasket leaks.
 
So I'm dying to see the new WRX hatch design that's getting launched in Detroit but am honestly concerned about the environmental impact of buying another car like the wrx or an evo, etc. What I may buy next is a Prius for my long highway commute and a sportbike, say a Yamaha R6, to satisfy my speed cravings.
 
Tough call really, whatever replaces this WRX has got to be able to haul a few surfboards around the coast and haul 800+lbs of gear to burning man once a year. If Subaru would bring out its (bio?) diesel in the next-gen Impreza chassis with a sport suspension and six gears or so I would gladly pay $30k.
 
This WRX, bought in late spring 2001, has been the most reliable car I've owned.

#23 of 44 Re: WRX Reliability? [bazillionrpm] by eab73wrx

Feb 28, 2007 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: bazillionrpm (Feb 12, 2007 8:57 pm)
Hi everybody. I'm new to the Impreza forum but not new to Subaru ownership. I figured I would just share my experience. I have an '02 WRX 5MT. It was purchased new in April 2002.
 
Right now I have about 73,400 miles on it and I do believe it's been pretty reliable as well.
 
I have had a couple of odd problems which have been fixed. My water pump started leaking around 20,000 miles. The dealer replaced it under warranty. Basically everyone involved was baffled as to why it went bad.
 
I also had a problem with the ABS control unit. Basically it was "hyperactive". I would slow down approaching a red light and sometimes the ABS would just kick-in with no warning. No wheel slip of any kind. It took a couple trips to the dealer and eventually they were able to replicate on a test drive. They also found a TSB on the issue and I haven't had that problem since the time of the repair.
 
Still on original clutch (does have some chatter sometimes), 2nd set of brake pads and 2nd set of tires. I replaced the RE-92s around 50,000 miles with Falken ZE512s.
 
Overall, reliability has been very good. Never had to have car towed or anything like that.
 
I'm a happy Subaru customer.

#24 of 44 Re: WRX Reliability? [eab73wrx] by ateixeira

Feb 28, 2007 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: eab73wrx (Feb 28, 2007 12:12 pm)
They revised the tuning on the ABS, it didn't affect any other model year AFAIK.
 
-juice

#25 of 44 Re: WRX Reliability? [ateixeira] by eab73wrx

Mar 01, 2007 (7:19 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 28, 2007 1:33 pm)
Hi Juice,
 
Thanks for you reply. I did know about that ABS tuning issue. My problem was different however. It was a "wasn't doing it before" kind of issue. Basically out of the blue, the ABS would kick in when it wasn't needed at all. Literally no issues with the ABS for about 2 years of ownership and then suddenly I would just touch the brakes on a perfectly dry road and ABS would kick in. Based on my recolection it was doing it once in every 4 or 5 stops. I'd have to look up the receipts but the fix did involve some replacement of parts.
 
But regardless of those problems, I definitely believe my WRX has been the most reliable I've ever owned.
 
-eab

#26 of 44 reliability by cptplt

Mar 01, 2007 (10:04 am)

33K on my 02, know its not much mileage. had the clutch judder, replaced under warranty.
also I opted to get the revised ABS module put in.
also had a rear strut/shock and a front ball joint replaced under the ext warranty. must be all those Chicago potholes! no, I do not drive like a total maniac! otherwise its been running fine. will have to teach my 16 year old daughter how to use a stick though on this thing as its the only manual we have, bye bye clutch!
 CD seems to playing up last few weeks, maybe its that subzero weather as its fine when its "warmer"! anyway when it gets bad enough I'll try get them to replace that too, should be covered by the ext warranty.

#27 of 44 WRX Reliability? by mindzeyewrx02

May 01, 2007 (4:22 pm)

I have a '02 wrx with 75k and a '93 impreza L with over 125k. Very reliable cars as long as you maintain and service them!!!
 
I've taken my 93 from california all the way to canada and back down twice with no issues what so ever!!

#28 of 44 WRX Reliability? by macksrex

Jul 28, 2007 (6:34 pm)

Hi. I have a 2003 WRX Sedan, bought new on 5/31/03.
 
 112,000 miles, mostly highway.
 Replaced: battery, tires, timing belt (recommended at 105K), regular maintenance - oil, filter...
 
 Problems: NONE
 
  I would happily jump in my car right now & drive from Boston to San Diego, & I will definitely look at Subaru for my next car. However, at the rate my WRX is going, it will be a long time before I'm in the market for a new car.
 
 Drive safe!
  Macksrex

#29 of 44 2002 Subaru Transmission Problems by dsubi

Jul 16, 2008 (5:29 pm)

I have an 02 WRX just bought used with 52000 miles 500 mine. It has an after market turbo full 3 inch exhaust a different ecu and a heavyduty race type clutch a little to aggressive around town the car puts out a said 300hp. My problem is when i first got it it shifted great and now when i shift from second to third gear it grinds when i drive hard or now even sometimes when i drive slow. Thats the only shift it does it not down shifting just the up shift all the other gears have no problem and never ground. Is it this clutch or is it the trans i did get a less aggressive clutch from the previous owner he also said the trans did blow up before but then he had a 2003 gear set put in and has not had a problem. Well now there seems to be. Has this been a problem with anyone elses subie if so let me know i am at a dead end.

#30 of 44 Re: 2002 Subaru Transmission Problems [dsubi] by paisan

Jul 16, 2008 (7:32 pm)

Replying to: dsubi (Jul 16, 2008 5:29 pm)
The 02-03s sometimes had issues with that gear. In all honestly with the upgraded clutch, it's probably causing more wear on the trans. With a lot of power and awd, something has to give, usually your clutch is the weak point, and takes up the slack, but with a heavy duty clutch, that then forces the trans to take up the slack. I'd look into an RA gearset or an STi 6MT swap.
 
-mike

#31 of 44 Re: 2002 Subaru Transmission Problems [paisan] by dsubi

Jul 17, 2008 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Jul 16, 2008 7:32 pm)
Hey thanks for the info. But what is the RA gearset? And do you know if the STi swap is possible in the 02 if so were do i get the trans and is there any info on what needs to be done to make it possible like any web sites? I could not turn anything up.
 
           Thanks Doug

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