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Old 03-10-2021, 10:29 PM   #1
TF04
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Default Help with potential purchase?

I found a WRX I'm interested in, in Annandale, VA. I'm in Illinois. Was wondering what the best way for me to get it inspected would be before I take a 10-hour drive to pick it up.
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Old 03-11-2021, 09:20 AM   #2
akritzer
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Chapter/Region: MAIC
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Mach V in sterling does pre-purchase inspections. You could ask the seller to bring it there and have them do an inspection.
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Old 03-11-2021, 09:49 AM   #3
Grocery_GetterWRX
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Wouldn't it only need to be Inspected in the Registered State? So basically, once you are out of VA, it wouldnt matter anyway? Would it?

Honestly, I think you would be fine with a new purchase as long as you have Bill of Sale, Title, and whatever other Documentation. I dont think any "Normal" Law Enforcment Officer would give you too much trouble.
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Old 03-11-2021, 11:37 AM   #4
Detslider
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They're not looking for a place that'll do a state safety inspection. They're asking for a place that'll do a pre-purchase inspection to make sure the car isn't a lemon.

I also recommend Mach V.
When I was selling my WRX I took it there to have them do an independent pre-purchase inspection I could present to potential out of state buyers and was happy with their thoroughness.
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Old 03-11-2021, 12:53 PM   #5
TF04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grocery_GetterWRX View Post
Wouldn't it only need to be Inspected in the Registered State? So basically, once you are out of VA, it wouldnt matter anyway? Would it?
From a registration standpoint - no. From the "oh, ****, this car needs 3 grand worth of repairs the seller didn't disclose" - bit of a different story.
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Old 03-11-2021, 12:53 PM   #6
TF04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Detslider View Post
They're not looking for a place that'll do a state safety inspection. They're asking for a place that'll do a pre-purchase inspection to make sure the car isn't a lemon.

I also recommend Mach V.
When I was selling my WRX I took it there to have them do an independent pre-purchase inspection I could present to potential out of state buyers and was happy with their thoroughness.
Thanks. I'll give them a call.
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Old 03-11-2021, 09:56 PM   #7
TF04
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Does the price of almost $500 for an inspection with an engine compression test sound reasonable to you guys? That's what Mach V quoted me: $125 for an inspection and $313 for the compression test...
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Old 03-11-2021, 11:20 PM   #8
subUrbanAuthority
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TF04 View Post
Does the price of almost $500 for an inspection with an engine compression test sound reasonable to you guys? That's what Mach V quoted me: $125 for an inspection and $313 for the compression test...
If they provide you with a detailed list of all findings then that’s fine. In the end you would be able to use the information to plan your maintenance. However, I would only do this if I was sure this was a car I wanted if everything checked out. Also based on the what they find you may be able to negotiate a better price with the seller.
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Old 03-11-2021, 11:22 PM   #9
TF04
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The thing that I am most concerned with, TBH, is that it's got 46K of what looks like legit miles. VIN check shows no accidents or issues with the title. What the hell was it doing from 2007 until 2015 when it was sold with 19K miles on the clock?...
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Old 03-11-2021, 11:24 PM   #10
TF04
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Old 03-12-2021, 02:41 PM   #11
Detslider
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Weirdly coincidental. When I said that I took my WRX to Mach V to get a pre-sale inspection in was also a 2007 WRX Wagon and also WRB. Mine was a limited trim so it's def not this car.

Can't comment on the low miles but it's not a totally unheard of number of low miles. Could be the owner kept it as a weekend hobby car. Maybe the owner knew DC area traffic sucks and primarily used the metro to get around. Maybe it was in storage while they were assigned overseas (not uncommon for DC where there is a lot of military and federal workers).
In any event there probably aren't too many other cars with lower miles.

It looks pretty clean. Are the only mods the radio and roof rail delete? If so even better that it's stock.

The fact that it's been repainted is nice since the paint from Subaru (especially on the plastic bits like the rear spoiler and hood scoop) was super thin. On the flip side it makes it harder to know the condition of the vehicle before the repaint. Can the seller provide you some pictures of the damage it sustained?

If I was looking for an '02-'07 WRX wagon this would be at the top of the list. It's going to be hard to find a car that's closer to stock and real hard to find one with low miles. I think those two points are it's biggest appeal. How important are those details to you?

$16,100 is on the high end of the market but again, there aren't many comparables so it's largely uncharted territory. You'll get a lot people saying that it's crazy high but I think most people don't realize how much the market has changed in the past few years for the GC, GD and GG chassis. Check some other sale prices for Subaru on BAT... https://bringatrailer.com/subaru/

To get back to your original question... if everything else seems legit, seller seems reputable, the inspection checks out and you're otherwise willing to pay close to the seller's asking price I would ask the seller to pay for all/part of the inspection.
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Old 03-12-2021, 04:44 PM   #12
TF04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Detslider View Post
It looks pretty clean. Are the only mods the radio and roof rail delete? If so even better that it's stock.
It has a catless downpipe which will need to be put back to stock. Also, the aftermarket pressure gauge gives me a little pause.
Quote:
The fact that it's been repainted is nice since the paint from Subaru (especially on the plastic bits like the rear spoiler and hood scoop) was super thin. On the flip side it makes it harder to know the condition of the vehicle before the repaint. Can the seller provide you some pictures of the damage it sustained?
I'll ask, but that was six years ago...

Quote:
If I was looking for an '02-'07 WRX wagon this would be at the top of the list. It's going to be hard to find a car that's closer to stock and real hard to find one with low miles. I think those two points are it's biggest appeal. How important are those details to you?
They're important. I would have been prepared for higher miles, but I'm glad it's (mostly) stock.
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Old 03-12-2021, 04:48 PM   #13
TF04
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Yeah, this thing gives me the most pause. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...impreza-wrx-8/

Better condition, fewer miles. Not a wagon, granted, but this was a showroom-quality car for 10% less.

In any event, I'm having my DC-based friend check it out. If he says it sounds/looks/drives legit, I'll spring for the inspection at Mach V minus the compression. But I don't see myself paying more than 12K for it, if that.
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:51 PM   #14
Detslider
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'16 Outback

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Well there is your comparable and starting point for negotiation.

Is this the "aftermarket pressure gauge" you're talking about? If so that's stock Lamco boost gauge, it was an accessory option from Subaru.

Cattless DP and no other mods? That's odd. I'd check for indications that it was modded and put back to stock.
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Old 03-13-2021, 12:06 AM   #15
TF04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Detslider View Post
Well there is your comparable and starting point for negotiation.

Is this the "aftermarket pressure gauge" you're talking about? If so that's stock Lamco boost gauge, it was an accessory option from Subaru.

Cattless DP and no other mods? That's odd. I'd check for indications that it was modded and put back to stock.
Oh, no kidding. I didn't know this was a Subaru option.

Apparently it was just "for the sound".
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Old 03-20-2021, 10:04 AM   #16
KAT_Ayanami
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Location: Maryland
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TF04 View Post
Yeah, this thing gives me the most pause. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...impreza-wrx-8/

Better condition, fewer miles. Not a wagon, granted, but this was a showroom-quality car for 10% less.

In any event, I'm having my DC-based friend check it out. If he says it sounds/looks/drives legit, I'll spring for the inspection at Mach V minus the compression. But I don't see myself paying more than 12K for it, if that.

You answered your own question there with that post.

That bid closed at $14k. On BAT, which people pay crazy premiums for cars. Which means nobody would pay $16k for the wagon you listed.

I have bought cars that are 10 hours away as well. And let me tell you, unless they were a crazy good deal price wise, it never made sense for me.

You are going to spend $16k on the car.
$500 on the inspection.
Probably some money for the seller's time to take it there.
Price to drive 20 hours round trip (not only on "labor"hours, but gas and TOLLS!).


Clean hatch, but I have seen a few close to that cleanlines and around 60k miles sell for $11k to $12k on CL and FBMP.

Just my .02
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