Buy a "performance" Subaru as a daily or?
 

Hi All,

Cross posting here for a different set of opinions.

First off I'm conflicted about replacing my daily (2010 Lancer ES) with something a little more "fun."

I have been "window shopping" and eyeing this 05 STi (https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...016237172.html) for quite some time as it's been posted on and off since this past Summer.

The WRX/STi has definitely been one of my dream cars since I was a kid and when they came stateside in 04, I was in High School and could not afford one.

Now that I'm a bit older, I'm considering looking into purchasing this, but I'm having conflicting thoughts.

My daily, currently has ~176k miles and I've just become bored with it. I definitely do have a soft spot for the Blobeye design, but I just feel that for the price, I could either get an older Bugeye WRX for about half the price (higher mileage, weaker transmissions, less potential)... or get an 09+ WRX or get an more "grown up" WRX and get a Legacy GT... or go the other way and get an Evo. Or ultimately decide to keep the boring daily.

I definitely know about some of the common issues from hearsay (headgaskets, ringland failures, weak WRX 5 speed, etc.) and that in the end it's ultimately my $$$ and my decision, but maybe I'm just wanting some opinions, feedback, suggestions, or to get a conversation (from random internet strangers... https://forum.miata.net/vb/images/smilies/biggrin.gif) started, especially from those who own or have owned a WRX or STi.

The plan for this car, is to essentially keep it mostly stock and just enjoy it as I already have the Miata to tinker with.

Thanks!

I had a similar thought as you once.... and my bone stock 2007 Legacy GT that I picked up (with a pile of positive maintenance records that should've covered me) blew up not once but twice in one winter while doing nothing more than cruising down the highway... luckily I bought it for a steal, and only ended up losing a few hundred on the deal after selling it with a blown up EJ, but never again Subaru.. absolutely never again.. its unfortunate that my story isn't uncommon and they are a royal PITA to work on compared to inline 4's..

my advice, keeping what you have an running it into the ground will be more exciting than Subaru ownership.

Sincerely,
Bitter Ex-Subaru-that-was-supposed-to-be-flipped-after-one-winter-of-driving-to-pay-for-"gofast"-miata-parts Owner

Sorry to hear about your troubles, but I do appreciate the feedback!

Also, I noticed the link to the ad I've been looking at in the OP doesn't work so I edited it. It should work now.

The STIs are fairly reliable. Expect to pay way more than you think for one that hasn't been beat into the ground.

The LGTs had serious turbo oiling issues that would kill them, send metal bits through the enigne and eat rod bearings. It was fairly common to get a new turbo at 60-75k and a new engine 10k later...

I've seen a lot of issues with blown up subarus blowing up again. You really gotta be careful once the engine has gone, flush all the oil lines, and REPLACE the oil coolers, as they collect debris.

I would definitely daily a turbo subaru, I aint skurred.

@18psi

Yes, Vlad will gladly tell you specifically why it's a bad idea.

STIs reliable, that’s hilarious.

OP run, run far.

LOL, I'd definitely like to hear what Vlad has to say.

:eek4:

Don't do it

My Automatic 99 Outback went through two engines. One at 118k, one at 167k. Cameshaft seized and then spun a rod bearing respectivly.

My friend's 2012 Forester decided to suck down all of it's oil over 2k miles and develop rod knock at 65k miles due to the piston rings suddenly failing.

My dad's 07 Out back has had weeping headgaskets since 80k miles, developed more oil leaks since then. Though still runs well, but at 165k, he is reolacing every bushing in the suspension since the car got to the point it was dangerous to drive.

My friends 2010 Forester, at 165k, has all the same engine issues my dad's outback has (it leaves a nice little puddle) but has otherwise been reliable. His mother had it dealer serviced until she gave it to him at 95k miles though.

My other friend's 2012 Forester currently drinks/leaks oil to the tune of 1qt every 600mi. It has 115k on it. Combo of leaking and bad pistong rings. We are currently chacing down an intermitant lean condition that causes the ECU to push the fuel trims out to apmost +40%.

Its the same as pretty much every other car:
it has its strong points and its weak points. Those people that bought piece of trash examples, or completely different and irrelevant to this convo models, and then those cars took a dump will cry til the end of time about how terribru they are.
Those that bought pristine examples, and/or built them to be that way, and maintained them, will tell you how fun they are all around.

The strong point of an STi is the trans/drivetrain/brakes
The weak point is the finicky and fragile engine, that is not made for big power.
Cheap, reliable, fast. Pick two (spoiler, even if you pick cheap it still wont' be cheap)

Also: It's good at many things. It's master of none. For an all arounder, it is VERY hard to beat a properly done up sti. I have yet to hear a good argument refuting this statement.

PS: I have had 10 subaru's. They all worked perfect and the only things I ever broke was wrx 5 speeds when I stuffed 400wtq through them. Otherwise literally never had any of the above mentioned issues. But there might be a reason for that ;)

Thanks Vlad. I really do appreciate the input.

Unfortunately the STi ad went down last Saturday. So either it sold, or the owner took the post down again.

Either way I came across this 02 WRX that has piqued my interest as well and if anyone cares to I would like to hear some feedback.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

Carfax: https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...YqyZOaCsiiIOHQ

And some poor low resolution cell phone pictures I was sent from the dealer today:

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No engine bay pictures unfortunately. It at least looks pretty clean inside and out and at least unmodded (but I won't know until I see it), so I've scheduled to go take a look at it on Wednesday since there's a supposed snow storm that's supposed to dump 12" of snow tomorrow here in parts of CO. My rationale is that it may be at least worth to go take a chance and see this car in person. Hopefully, emotions don't run high and I end up with this... or maybe that's what I'm hoping, lol :firedevil

That is the equivalent of a 1.6 maita. Hard pass.
if you plan to mod or make decent power. Sti only

That is a valid concern, I do worry that I may regret that I didn't go with an STi from the beginning, but I do have a soft spot for the bugeye. I really don't plan to mod it much, maybe more cosmetic wise. No plans for decent or big power or will it see any kind of track as the plan right now would be to enjoy it as is a daily with some (ok?) passing power and for driving in snow here in CO as most of the tinkering would already be delegated for the Miata.

Boooo. Dealership called, said after their inspection they need to replace the transmission. No information yet regarding what failure they found, whether this was the transmission with the thinner gear set (being an 02, it's possible), whether they plan to replace with a "new" or refurbished transmission or whether it will be replaced with one with the wider gear set. No word either if the cluth and flywheel will be replaced as well.

Kind of a bummer hearing that... but maybe better them than failing on me? Due to this, I won't be checking it out until Friday. Thoughts?

I was in a similar position a few months back, I wanted a daily driver to let the MSM rest from DD use and live a life of projects and fun. I wanted a station wagon so I can carry the dog, and I'd long wanted a Gen 4 Legacy GT but had similar concerns to you. So, I was thinking maybe a Passat wagon? Maybe a Mondeo? But I kept coming back to the Legacy. It's what I really wanted, turbo, manual, AWD!

Eventually I a really good example came up local to me, low mileage (~40k miles), well maintained, very slightly modded (DP, tune and sways). It was priced at a premium over others with higher mileage, but it was in way better condition than any others, so I jumped on it. I've been driving it for 2 months now and I love it. That's not enough time to say it's a perfectly reliable motor and that Subaru issues aren't a thing, of course. But I'm happy with my decision so far, it's a great daily but it's not boring. I won't be doing any more mods to it for a while, and I'll be spending as necessary on preventative and scheduled maintenance.

So my thoughts are, buy the best you can with a solid history and good maintenance. Don't buy the cheap one that's been modded and hooned without care just to save money. Think of buying a Subaru like putting a turbo on your miata, if you can't afford to do it right, then you REALLY can't afford to do it wrong.

I would never buy a car that has been opened up for major work. No way.

Awesome, glad to hear it's working out for you and you're enjoying it!

Are you saying that replacing the transmission is considered opened up for major work?

Ever driven a stock Bugeye WRX? It's not an experience that holds up well in the year 2019.

They're not good at anything except being blue and having huge foglights. They weren't special other than OMG WRXXXXX!!!! in 2002, and they're even less special today.

Nope. Never driven a stock Bugeye, but I have driven an 04 STi that was owned by a friend some 10 years ago and I didn't exactly have a chance to really get on it. When all you've owned is a 126 hp 2005 Nissan Sentra that was automatic and a 152 hp 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer a 227hp AWD WRX sounds pretty exciting, lol :D

Have you heard of our lord and savior the LS engine?

go buy a 5.3L Regular Cab Short Box pickup, get 20mpg hwy, toss a cam, converter, and gears in it if you want it to be "fun" 13 second utility vehicle, make choppy v8 noises to moisten your britches with, and have a vehicle to tow your miata with... wins all around?

But growing up and playing Gran Turismo on the PS1 I didn't dream about anything with an LS in it ;)

Imagine the extended length of time you'll have to be excited while you struggle to get to highway speeds in a heavy-for-its-size car with massive driveline losses with handling and ride quality akin to a dump truck.

They're seriously terrible.

Well, thanks for the perspective. But I won't know until I go see this one and get a chance to drive it. Maybe my opinion may change after a test drive... or not.

Sure definitely drive one. I mean after all we like Miatas here, so our collective viewpoint is pretty skewed. :rofl:

:laugh:

This thread. :bowrofl:

Honestly bugeye's aren't that bad. A good platform to dump a bunch of money into, but then you might as well buy an STI like vlad said.

Then again, I daily drive a 1988 323gtx when I'm not dailying my 1990 miata, so don't listen to me.. some of us just have a sickness.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 u baebae

I just want to add to this. I've had an 04 WRX, a 14 WRX, and now have had an 05 STI for 5 years with exactly zero reliability issues. And I agree that there might be a reason for that.
People will definitely continue to cry until the end of time about how unreliable they are. You'd be surprised how many people who own these cars just make stupid decisions and then blame it on Subaru. That is not to say that the EJ is a perfect engine or even a really good engine.
And I definitely am gonna have to agree with the hard pass on a bug eye. I regret wasting money on my WRX's when I honestly should've bought an STI from the beginning. If you think you'll eventually want an STI, stay away from WRX's. You'll just waste time and money.

My daily from '11 to '18 was a 2007 Forester XT 5spd and I put over 100k miles on it. The sum total of repairs due to parts failure was a ruptured radiator, and one rear wheel bearing. It was one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned.

ALL THE UPDATES!
 

I thought I should provide an update to close out this thread for those of you who are dying to know the end of the story. :D

Rather, than copy/paste my original wall of text I've cross posted, I will just leave it that I walked away with the keys to this last Friday:

Attachment 227862

I may follow up to provide details.

Heh - and despite not participating in this thread, I feel like I should mention this thread is partially responsible for my brother going another direction on a purchase. We might have the same illnness as Fireindc.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b67cb1e64d.png

15-17 base from the looks of it. congrats. get a tune and enjoy

Excellent choice for a daily. And that color... <3

Welp, went and drove it and I will just say that while it was clean and appeared to have been unmodded I was quite unimpressed and underwhelmed with it. It also appeared to have some issues and the dealer wasn't willing to go down on their almost $10k OTD price.

Yessir, 2015 base, ~70k miles, unmodded, 1 owner, came with 2 sets of keys and I believe a valet key and a folder of PO's maintenance receipts. It does have the OEM foglights, but I believe it's still an aftermarket kit. It doesn't work right now, so I have to dig into why that is but I figure it's a small inconvenience and not a big deal breaker. Paid just a little under $17k for it.

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Thanks! Logic and rationalization started to hit me, figured the ~$15K I was looking to pay for an 05' STi could be used to buy something much newer with lower miles and (possibly) more reliable since it is supposed to be a daily. I was pretty close to picking up a 2013 Focus ST with ~60k miles that had the ST3 package after a test drive about a week ago for a little under the $15k. But the next day when they agreed to let me take it to a Ford dealership to get inspected and I never made it to the Ford dealership. About half way there I came to the conclusion I didn't really like the seating position and the ergonomics of the steering wheel & shifter so I drove it right back. The amenities were nice to have, but if I'm driving it everyday and I can't be comfortable doing so, that's gonna be a big problem.