age that the turbo wont last
in australia the first wrx was 1996

if it doesn't blow smoke and there isn't oil in the intake piping then the turbos are fine. theres always going to be a little oil in the piping I'm talkin alot. like if it eats oil. and because its a 1999, I wouldn't worry about it. i have a 92 stealth and the turbos on it are fine. i'm pushing 211,000 miles on the originals. but that is non typical

Was the WRX available in 1999? I thought the first year was 2002

to tcv7755: weed eater motor only work in honda/acura, moron. IF the turbo is bad or doesn't last long, you can replace it for fairly cheap.

just put a weed eater engine in it. more power than the stock turbo motor. and more torque.

I didn't think it was available that early either, but Subaru has had good luck with turbos however I'd be more worried about the previous owner having hot roded the car alot. everyone I know that owns one likes to use the power and every one I've driven I had a lot of fun with but wasn't that easy on the car.