Pre-purchase walkaround
2015 Subaru WRX (VA)
88,000 miles · asking $16,500
Five-year cost to own, maintenance and fuel
~$22,300
The VA-chassis WRX is the direct-injected turbo replacement for the old EJ25 car, sold with a 6-speed manual or a CVT. Money goes into driveline abuse (clutch, tranny), turbo/oiling health, and cleaning up mods left by previous owners, so buy the car and the owner history together.
The roadmap
88k → 148k mi · 12k a yearYear 1Suspension comes around again.~$5,618
Year 2Brakes and consumables.~$3,904
Yrs 3-5Brakes and consumables. · Tires and the ordinary rhythm.~$12,747
Five years, all in~$22,300
typical parts + government labor rates ($153/hr, CO) · an estimate, not a quote
What to look for on this one
Every used example of this chassis has the same questions. The bands show when each tends to surface; the gold line is this car at 88,000 miles.
Engine bearing/rod failure on modified cars$380-$1,320 if not done
0failures cluster 50k-95k · this car: 88k, inside the window150k mi
FA20DIT engines are sensitive to tuning and oil starvation; ENGINE is the top complaint category, especially on flashed cars. Knocking noise, oil consumption, or sudden engine failure.
CVT and driveline failures$2,420-$7,240 if not done
0typical window 40k-100k · this car: 88k, inside the window150k mi
CVT-equipped cars driven hard show valve body and torque converter issues; power train is a top complaint component for this car. Shuddering, whining, or hesitation under load, or CVT limp mode.
windows from 52 owner complaints on file with NHTSA and community service data · · profile researched with cited sources, review pending
3 recalls + 407 service bulletins →
Recalls (verify completion by VIN)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 17V625000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · 16V162000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH · 22V522000
Service bulletins by area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (143) · EQUIPMENT (128) · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (46) · POWER TRAIN (45)
Hand this to your inspector
A $300 inspection against this list is the best money in the whole deal.
01Pull the ECU for tune history or scan for aftermarket flash; a modified tune drastically raises engine risk
02Check oil level and look for consumption; inspect for oil residue and listen for rod knock at cold start
03On CVT cars, drive from cold and watch for shudder, whine, or delayed engagement under throttle
04Test the clutch on manuals: launch feel, slip under boost in 3rd gear, and pedal engagement point
Walking into a negotiation?
This roadmap as a PDF, priced for your zip code, with the inspection checklist, a fair price for this example, and the negotiation sheet. Saved to your garage the moment you pay.
$29
saved to your garage
Just keeping tabs? , no account needed.
typical parts + government labor rates · an estimate, not a quotecheck another car →