im looking at an 02 wrx with 65k miles for $9000.
clean title, stock everything, carbon fiber hood.

what should l do to make sure im getting a good car for the right price?

Get the Carfax report. If it has been wrecked or been damaged, they will let you know. Definitely take a test drive, without the radio on to listen to the engine. That way you can hear any engine trouble or weird noises you do not like. Also go to kbb.com to check the expected retail price.

l bought a used 2004 WRX, and l took it to Tuffy is to get it inspected. First you should make sure it has never been modified, modified cars tend to have more problems than stock cars. If the car is not stock you should take it to a shop that modifies cars and have them inspect it. Use kbb to figure out if it is the right price. WRXs also require premium fuel, so make sure the previous owner has been using it.

Find a Subaru knowledgeable mechanic & have him drive the car. A lot can be determined from a test drive - or have the owner take the car to a Subaru dealer for a complete inspection & have him show u the report (the transmission is the weak point in this car).

Carfax is garbage & only reports damage reported by the insurance company. Many people would rather pay out of pocket to avoid a rate increase so that defeats a carfax check. l just replaced a front bumper, radiator, condenser, & hammered out a bent bumper support for a woman is mini van (2006 model year - rear ended a car) & she paid cash ($3200) because she did not want to report it.

$9k seems pretty low in my opinion.

ask them if y'all could take it to AAA for a full diagnostic and that you will pay for it.

AAA will tell you exactly what is right, wrong, needs to be changed.

and that is a damn good car for the price...although the owner probably swapped out all the mods and stuck the stock parts back on.

There is something wrong with the car if it is only going for 9k. Carbon fiber hood means the previous owner was most likey a tuner. It may be stock now, but it may not have been. l had an 02 wrx with 300whp(~375 flywheel hp) & l put the car back to stock besides the built tranny & the guy had no idea l had it heavily modded. Look right under the car between the radiator & timing belt cover & see if there r leaks around the fuel pump, & have the tranny looked at, also check around the exhaust bolts to see if they have been loosened to put on a different turbo or exhaust system. That car should go for around 15k with that many miles, beware.