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... ) 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.

 

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:











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

 

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.