OT: Experts on the Subaru WRX? Options

[ninefourteener]

Howdy folks!

Been awhile since I've posted. I don't mean to neglect the 914club. The 914 is still my first passion...... and it sits quietly tucked away in my garage awaiting Spring... although I did take it out this weekend for a 2 hour stroll.

In the last 4 months, I've gotten married, gotten a new job, my wife got a new job, we bought a house, moved in, and yes... I've put the Acura up for sale.... as of Saturday.

If anyone's interested, it's in perfect shape.... an 02 with 45,500 miles, fully loaded with leather. The only mods are a 1.5 inch drop spring, a set of 18 inch BBS (ASA) wheels, and a factory Acura A-spec spoiler. Engine/tranny and exhaust are 100% original. I'm only asking PAYOFF..... which is $13,900. The KBB private party value is $14,400..... with the stock wheels (which come with the car anyway). Right now, it's the best deal on an RSX within 800 miles of me... hopefully it sells quick.

Anyway... the purpose of this post is to inquire to the minds of Subaru owners/enthusiasts. I've absolutely made up my mind that I want to get into an 02 or 03 WRX (not the STI... too much $$$)... with under $50,000 miles. I'm STRONGLY looking for a yellow one, and I don't mind travelling for it. My problem is that I keep running into (I've looked at several of them so far) WRXs that have been owned by kids.... and quite frankly, the shit has been beaten out of them.

I took one out this past weekend.... FROM A SUBARU DEALERSHIP if you can believe that. Yea.... it was fast...... and when I got back from the test drive, there was smoke and burning oil coming from under the hood. Lovely.

Anyway..... to the experts..... what are some easy-to-look-for things that I should concern myself with? Any inherant problems with these cars? What are good upgrades? What are the bad ones I should look for?

Sorry I've been gone for so long...... here's my favorite "collage" of recent pics:

And thanks for everyone's help in advance!!

--Matt