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2016 Subaru WRX — cheap project has enough margin to fix and resell?

RotorDaily862Community StarterApr 11, 20262016 Subaru WRX STIDallas
This started as a small annoyance and I finally decided to track it down. 2016 Subaru WRX STI, about 101,500 miles. I found a running car with cosmetic damage and deferred maintenance at a low price. Before treating it as a flip, how do you budget hidden repairs, title/registration, taxes, transport and selling time?
apr
6.14
location
Dallas
trade in
ppi planned
term months
36
asking price
36500
dealer doc fee
899
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13 replies

BoostMiles203Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 11, 2026permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2016 Subaru WRX price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. I'll update if anything new shows up.
DailyHauler884Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 12, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2016 Subaru WRX price probably got worse. Then the comparison gets honest. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
RotorDaily862Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 13, 2026permalink
Update from me: I finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines for the 2016 Subaru WRX. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
TowWeekend964Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 12, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. A written buyer’s order on the 2016 Subaru WRX is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. On “cheap project has enough margin to fix,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
DailyHauler884Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 12, 2026permalink
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. A written buyer’s order on the 2016 Subaru WRX is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
SunBeltHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 14, 2026permalink
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. Ask for out-the-door on the 2016 Subaru WRX with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. If they balk, that's your answer. On “cheap project has enough margin to fix,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Do that first. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
SunBeltHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 14, 2026permalink
Yes, with one caveat: Ask for out-the-door on the 2016 Subaru WRX with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. That's the whole play. Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
WeekendCollector482Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 12, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. A written buyer’s order on the 2016 Subaru WRX is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. On “cheap project has enough margin to fix,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
RotorOwner247Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 12, 2026permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2016 Subaru WRX and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
RotorOwner247Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 12, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, in Dallas, insurance quotes flipped a 2016 Subaru WRX comparison for me more than the sale price did. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2016 Subaru WRX in Dallas with 101,500 miles. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
RustBeltDetailer989Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 12, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2016 Subaru WRX so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “cheap project has enough margin to fix,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the whole play. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
RotorDaily862Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 12, 2026permalink
Coming back with numbers — insurance in Dallas changed the 2016 Subaru WRX comparison more than the sale price did. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
DailyHauler884Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 13, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. If one piece looks too good on the 2016 Subaru WRX, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
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