Hi All

I'm new to the site so apologies if posting in the wrong place!

I'm looking to buy a 2003-2005 WRX or STI...

Much of the driving will be motorway so I'm not massively concerned about having the top spec

Clearly the STI is superior, but I'm not seeing much of a difference in price to the WRX - most seem to be around 5k to 7k, I wondered why many of them are so similar in price?

Also on those model years, do all versions come with A/C and cruise control?

These questions have probably been asked many times before:

What's the best mileage to look for?
What kind of mileage do common problems start to appear?
What kind of problems should I look for when buying?

Thanks everyone!

 

AFAIK, the WRX is in a lower insurance group.
The STi is the better car, no doubt, but MIGHT have been ragged, or modded. Neither is good, so you need to know. ANY mods need to be declared to your insurers, and some may cause problems.

However: mods DO NOT mean the car wasn't treated right. Many people who mod their cars also love them and look after them

Modern cars reckon to go 12,000 miles per year, so look for those that have done less than 72,000 if you can find one.

Check for service history, and especially oil changes and cambelt changes.

Other stuff, I run a classic, so am not an expert.

 

Was toying with the idea of selling mine if you`re interested, pm me cheers,i have another project in mind! It1s a facelift 05 with just over 72000 on clock in silver.

 

Thanks guys - anyone know what year air con and cruise control became standard fit on WRX/STI? I've had a read around and the suggestion is 2001 but I can't find anything conclusive. Thanks.

 

Think all have aircon except spec c base models but I have never seen cruise control on a scoob either sti or wrx

 

Nope ive never seen factory cruise control either.

 

If you opt for STI, go JDM. From the factory the UK STI is rather limp wristed. Easily sorted with a remap. You mind find the ride too hard if you opt for the STI and spend a lot of time on the motorway. A test drive ina Hawk STI when they were released left one of my children feeling sick and I couldn't have lived with it skipping and jumping as it did on the road. A decent set of coilovers and a Whiteline ARB will sort out the inherent understeer.
As far as problems and what to look for...6 monthly oil changes, cambelt at 50k or 5 years.
Knocking rear shocks is a problem, other than that, a well cared for car should give you plenty of smiles.
Whichever you go for, you'll have a great car. Bob

 

Thanks all - really useful info!

Stu advises that cruise was an optional extra - so will be a bit more tricky finding the right one.

I have to say I much prefer the 03 shape/front to the newer ones...

 

Ok so another question.

I definitely want a 6 speed manual box, from 03 to 05 was this standard on the STI but not WRX?

So far I'm looking for:

2003-2005 WRX or STI
STI spoiler
Colour - Black
Cruise control (only fitted as an optional extra)
6 speed (STI only)?

Not asking for much then....

 

you have pretty much answered your own question then. has to be the STi if you want the 6 speed.

£2.5k for the 6 speed conversion from a wrx, plus better brakes, better suspension, better interior, better performance. definitely the STi. the 2005 STi is also the last of the 2.0L models with wider track and has the DCCD in the 6 speed box.

 

Wow ok - great info thanks!

So the last of the 2.0's / 2005 / STI / inc DCCD 6 speed has to be the way to go..

Now I just wonder if there's one out there with cruise and in black

If not I'd settle for blue!

 

thats what i am looking for. I want mine in black as well. seem to be fetching around 7 - 8K