I have an MY03 WRX with only 3500 miles on the clock. When I checked the oil (cold) today (possibly for the first time!!) I was surprised to find the level on the minimum mark. Not aware of any leaks and was serviced on time at 1000 miles.
Is this normal or excessive oil consumption do you think??

 

Cars often use a bit of oil for the first few k miles, will probably be fine, and its very cold and oil does shrink a bit.

 

Speedmeister - mine has done 7k now and only used half a litre in first couple of thou - seems to not use any now. Make sure you are letting it settle properly before topping up as they don't like to be overfilled. Apparently should be a tad below the full mark or may burn your valves out if overfilled.

Barney

 

I remember reading on here that it should be filled to the minimum, and some dealers only fill to this mark. I check mine regularly, (every couple of days) and top-up when necessary. You may find that it uses less oil now that it has reached the min marker.

 

Thanks guys, that's all quite reassuring.

 

Moving this to Drivetrain for a better response

 

According to local Subaru service most of MY03 WRX and STI drink some oil (including mine) when my MY00 didn't suffer from oil consumption at all.
Now, with 10k miles on the clock I still add oil between changes - about half litre/3,5k miles - and I am really curious if this will stop in the future!
A guy in the service told me that all the cars that drive better from others (similar MY) suffer from oil consumption and my car is in fact faster from other unmodified WRX03, I don't know if it's true!
JIM