After a couple of months of research and prowling the internet I purchased a 2005 WRX wagon today. Crystal Gray Metallic, crossbar kit and turbo boost guage with 0.8mi on the odometer.

I had been looking at an Aspen White 04 wagon with turbo boost guage, armrest and cargo net, with 120mi on the odometer.

The 05 was still wrapped in plastic and hadn't been prepped for sale because it just arrived yesterday. The dealer didn't quite want it driven, but I didn't want to buy a car I hadn't driven so I took it for an easy spin around the block. It feels the same as the 04, which I test drove once.

I had to punch a hole in the plastic to allow air to the turbo. It was like slapping a baby on its butt to get it breathing at birth...

They wanted 24K for the 04, which I didn't think was a good deal, so I offered 24K for the 05 and they accepted it. I'm going to pick it up on Monday.

I had planned all along to get a deal on the 04, but at the last minute my right brain siezed control from the left, based on color, stereo and - believe it or not - cup holders, and I blurted out the offer.

So it's my baby now.

 

congrats! I know what you mean about the cup holders - I have an 04 and I hate the slide out one above the stereo.

post pics!

 

goddamnit...congrats

 

nice

 

120 miles already? and yet they said they didn't want anyone to drive it? something's not right...

 

Search off the Subaru web site for zip code 23455 - Va Beach, VA. Check the inventory for R.K. Subaru

The WRX phenomenon doesn't seem to have caught on here yet, so there are cars in stock.

 

The 04 had 120mi. They weren't concerned about RPMs test driving that one - I posted a thread about that earlier. The 05 had .8mi and they didn't quite want that one driven yet. Everything's alright about it - thanks.

 

Good Luck.

 

congrats!

 

ah, i see... must have read it wrong

 

pics please

 

The '04 stereo really did sound like crap. I listened to it on the dealer's lot. It was awful, almost sounded like the speakers were blown. Maybe they were abused. Anyway, I wasn't able to listen to the '05 stereo immediately afterwards, for a bona fide comparison, because the '05 hadn't been prepped and the stereo wasn't hooked up. But I had read here that it's better. That was valuable information that affected my buying decision, and it proved to be accurate.

I got the stock stereo. There's no cassette like there was with the '04 - just as well. Judging from the car manual it doesn't handle mp3s but I haven't tried one. But to the main thing - the sound is satisfying. It's not great but it's definitely not disappointing. I've had it loud, though not truly cranked up yet, so it could be even better than anticipated.

I've been listening primarily to the music of the engine up to this point (day #2), trying to get attuned to the sound of the car. Needless to say, I haven't cranked up the turbo yet, either. I'm sure the stereo will get cranked sometime before getting to 1000mi.

It was a hot day today, I drove around with the windows down, listened some to Santana Live! Great ambience! Carlos never sounded so good! I've never had a car that sounded so good either!