Honest answers to common questions about this 2003 WRX
Below you'll find answers to common questions about this 2003 Subaru WRX. I've tried to be as detailed and honest as possible about the car's condition, history, and maintenance.
If you have a question that isn't answered here, please don't hesitate to contact me.
I've owned this WRX since 2005 when I purchased it as a used car from Landers McLarty Subaru in Huntsville, AL with 34,000 miles on the odometer. That's 20 years of second-owner history and care, during which I put almost 160,000 miles on it myself.
After 20 years of ownership, it's time for the next chapter. I've enjoyed my time with the car but believe it's time for another enthusiast to continue its story and potentially refresh some of the maintenance items it needs. If I had a three car garage I wouldn't be selling this car. I just don't have room for it anymore.
No, the car has never been in any accidents. It has a clean title, and there have been no panel replacements or significant body work. There is minor wear-and-tear. All VIN tags and seams are intact and original.
The car was purchased in 2005 with 34,000 miles. Usage was heavier in the early years, but after getting a family car in 2012, the WRX was used less frequently. Since working from home began in 2016, annual mileage has been under 3,000 miles per year. The current mileage is 191,964.
No, the car has always been based in Alabama and has never been exposed to road salt or harsh winter conditions. It's been garage-kept at home since May 2010 and was also garage-kept at work from June 2010 until I began working from home in 2016.
This is a major advantage compared to most WRXs of this vintage, which often come from northern states with significant rust issues. This car has zero rust.
Yes, this WRX features its original EJ205 turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. It has never been modified, tuned, or "chipped." The engine, turbo, exhaust, and ECU are all factory original with no modifications.
This is increasingly rare for these cars, as most have been modified over the years with questionable parts or tunes.
Yes, like many EJ205 engines at this age and mileage, it does consume oil at a rate of approximately 1 quart per 500 miles. This is disclosed honestly and is fairly typical for these engines. There's no visible smoke under normal driving conditions.
I've managed this by simply checking the oil level regularly and keeping a quart in the trunk. A proper rebuild with updated components could resolve this issue if the next owner wants to address it.
Yes, the timing belt service was performed at 100,000 miles (around 2013), which is in line with Subaru's recommended maintenance schedule.
Key maintenance items include:
You can see the full maintenance timeline on the details page.
The original Mitsubishi TD04L-13T turbo builds boost strongly and smoothly, reaching the factory target of approximately 13.5 psi. There is no smoke from the turbo, and it performs as expected. Cold starts and acceleration are documented in the videos section.
The original 5-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly with no grinding between gears. The shifter and bushings were refreshed in 2017, so it feels tight and precise. The factory-installed SPT short-throw shifter (a dealer option when new) enhances the driving experience.
The clutch is original but shows no signs of slipping, even under boost. It has a slightly higher engagement point which is typical for these as they age.
Yes, the A/C functions well and can cool down to approximately 40°F at the vents. The heating system works well too, reaching around 110°F. Both functions are documented in the videos section.
No, this WRX has NEVER been smoked or vaped in throughout my entire 20-year ownership. This is actually quite rare for WRXs, which are notorious for having been modified and vaped in by previous owners. The interior is completely free of smoke odors or residue, contributing to its remarkably clean interior condition.
The most significant items needing attention are:
These are all straightforward maintenance items that would be expected for a 20+ year old vehicle.
The body is straight with no significant damage. The paint shows age-appropriate wear with some stone chips on the hood/front bumper and minor clearcoat wear consistent with a 20-year-old vehicle. There are a few minor scratches on the hood scoop and some normal scuffs on the bumpers.
All panels are original, and the car has never had bodywork or paintwork. You can see detailed photos in the gallery.
There is no significant rust on the car. Being an Alabama vehicle that's never seen road salt, the chassis, strut towers, pinch welds, and underbody are all rust-free. This is a major advantage compared to WRXs from northern states.
The most common rust areas for these cars are the rear quarter panels, strut towers, and frame rails - all of which are clean on this vehicle.
The interior is in good condition for its age. The driver's seat has minor cuts on the left bolster, but the passenger and rear seats are in good condition. The carpet shows limited wear and "looks amazing" for its age. The dashboard has no cracks or lifting, and all controls function properly.
The steering wheel has the original MOMO leather which has cracked with age, so it has a wheel wrap installed. The interior has never been smoked in, which helps explain its clean condition.
The electrical systems are in good working order. Some interior illumination bulbs are out, but all power windows, locks, and other electrical components function properly. The radio is a Kenwood KDC-MP7028 unit that works well, connected to a Boss CX250 amp and subwoofer.
Yes, the car has two dealer-installed options:
Both were installed by the dealership before I purchased the car in 2005.
The exterior is Platinum Silver Metallic (code 01G), and the interior features the standard WRX black/blue cloth upholstery that came in these models.
Yes, the car retains its original 16-inch factory alloy wheels. They show normal wear and some curb rash consistent with 20 years of use.
The 2002-2003 "bugeye" WRXs were the first generation officially imported to the US market, making them historically significant. Unlike most WRXs from this era that have been heavily modified with aftermarket parts and performance tunes (often with questionable quality), this example has remained completely stock with its original drivetrain intact.
This provides enthusiasts with a blank canvas to either preserve as a time capsule or modify properly without dealing with unknown previous modifications or "mystery tunes." As these cars age, finding one with the original EJ205 engine and TD04 turbo that hasn't been pushed beyond stock power levels becomes increasingly difficult, especially with well-documented 20-year ownership history.
I'd rate the car as a solid 7/10 overall. The strong points are the completely stock drivetrain, clean/rust-free chassis, well-documented history, and remarkably clean interior for its age. The areas needing attention are fairly straightforward.
To bring it to a 9 or 10, I would recommend:
These are all straightforward fixes that wouldn't compromise the car's originality. With these addressed, you'd have one of the cleanest, most original bugeye WRXs still on the road.
The car comes with the original owner's manuals in the factory Subaru document folio, available service records, two key fobs with working remotes (one main key and one valet key), and a clean Alabama title in my name.
The car is located in Birmingham, Alabama, specifically in the Hoover area with easy access from I-65 and I-459.
Yes, pre-purchase inspections are welcomed and encouraged. The buyer arranges and pays for the inspection, and I can recommend local mechanics familiar with Subarus. You'll have full access to all areas of the vehicle.
I'm confident in the car's condition and have nothing to hide, which is why I've documented everything so thoroughly with photos and videos.
Accepted payment methods include:
I do not accept personal checks or payment plans.
I prefer local pickup. The buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for shipping. I'm also flexible with pickup scheduling for out-of-state buyers who wish to fly in and drive the car home.
The asking price is $8,999.
This price reflects the car's originality, single long-term ownership, documented history, and rust-free southern chassis. While it does need some maintenance items addressed due to its age, finding an unmodified bugeye WRX with a stock drivetrain is increasingly rare and worth the premium over modified examples with unknown histories.
This WRX stands out because of its originality (unmodified drivetrain), southern provenance (no rust exposure), long-term second ownership (20 years with full history), honest disclosure of all conditions, and complete documentation. Finding an unmodified WRX with stock drivetrain, clean title, and no rust is increasingly rare in today's market.
Additionally, this car has never been smoked or vaped in - a rarity for WRXs, which often have lingering odors from previous owners.
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