Comments

1
Isn't there a way to search based on the VIN? The WRX should have a specific code in the VIN to identify it as such. From Wikipedia: "Another way to determine the version of a WRX was to look at the chassis code. All WRX sold between 1992 and 2000 have the beginning chassis code of GC8 sedan or GF8 wagon; this is followed by a letter from A to G."

Also, Subaru didn't begin selling the WRX in the US until 2002, so that should narrow it down.

Or, is the DMV database really that crappy?

2
What about contacting local (25-50 mile radius) Subaru dealerships and asking them for a list of all people who have purchased silver WRXs in the past 5 years? Sure, that might provide some false leads since the guy might have bought it new, but it would be a lead.

This doesn't seem that hard. Time consuming? Yeah. Hard? No. I get the sense the cops are like "oh, fuck, that sounds like a TON of work to arrest a guy for hit-and-run when he'll just end up pleading down to reckless driving and getting 60 days probation."
3
Subaru doesn't code for color in their VINs, which would have helped: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/vin.html

And the witness reports quoted in the original Oregonian article just said that it MAY have had a temporary plate, unfortunately.

What about sales of a new headlight, since it broke one in the second collision? I'm sure there are hundreds of *retail* stores to buy one in Portland, but the stores will probably have to special-order it from just one or two distributors, right?

And - traffic cameras, in the area? Anything captured on film?
4
The commenters on that NASIOC forum seem pretty convinced that it's a 2002 based on the description of the foglight left at the scene. Of course, the police now have that foglight and it's unfortunate that THEY haven't managed to discern a year from it yet.
5
I am fucking stunned that for all the waits, expense, and ridiculous hoops DMV makes us jump, they don't record something as basic as color.

Our tax dollars at work.
6
and why are people yammering about the VIN? umm... peeps?... unless you have the car, reading the VIN is...problematic, OK?
7
"What about contacting local (25-50 mile radius) Subaru dealerships and asking them for a list of all people who have purchased silver WRXs in the past 5 years? Sure, that might provide some false leads since the guy might have bought it new, but it would be a lead. "

Gee, I don't know, because they'd be fucking sued off their asses x20,000 for doing so?
8
@Rabblevox - We already know the make, year, model and color. If we could sort the DMV records by color, that might give us a small enough list of registered cars for police to investigate.

Our silly DMV records don't have a field for 'color' but they DO include the VIN number. So if the VIN number itself specified color, that would be a way around the limitations of our DMV records. Follow all that? Should I make a chart?
9
You know how many Silver WRX's there are in this town? I have one, and I see doppelgangers everywhere. This will be tough. Note: I have never hit any bikes. Please do not come after me and my car.

Please wait...

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