I got a phone message from a friend tonight saying that he had a bunch of car questions for me. We won't be able to talk until tomorrow, but I think I know where this is going.
He's the original owner of a 2002 or 2003 WRX wagon. He bought it when he was making decent money and always took great care of it (dealer service by the book). The problem is that he's a contractor and when the market took a dump a few years ago, he took a beating and his business never recovered. His car has suffered a similar fate.
Nearly a year ago, he started talking about looking for a used car. When I asked what he was doing with the Subaru, he said that he didn't think anyone would give him anything for it and he would probably just drive it to the junk yard. I said, "Call me".
I think I'm getting the call.
I owned a WRX for seven years and I loved it, but I don't really need another right now. This guy is a little quirky and doesn't even use the internet. I know that the thought of trying to sell a ratty old car makes him chafe. He just wants to be done with this car. He knows that I occasionally flip cars for a profit, so if I take this thing off his hands, it would be mutually beneficial. I'm just not sure what the bottom of the WRX market looks like right now.
So here are the details: 2002-3 WRX wagon, white, five speed, about 190k miles. He hit a deer, had the hood, radiator support, fender and bumper repaired. Then somebody backed into him and he never got it fixed, so the hood and a fender are a mess again. The clutch is original, it needs an exhaust and tires. Three of the shocks are original. It's had a check engine light on for a long time.
I'm not sure if this thing should be fixed (not by me), be a donor car for someone who wants to do a WRX swap into an older Subaru, or just part it out (that, I can do).
What should I offer and what should I expect to get out of it?
Discuss...
