Buying a high mileage STI
 

Hi guys,

After a few years away I am looking to get back into the scooby scene.
I am looking at a few STI's with high mileage (75k average)
I dont care if bug or blob, but im put off by classics for some reason (got in my head that the engines are weak- sure they are not!)
Would this mileage bother you?
Are the engines generally good for a lot more mileage than this with the correct maintenance?

Budget is 6k max!

Cheers!

Is a scoob at this price generally going to be costly to maintain?

As long as the service history is in place & it's not had too many owners then 75k does not sound excessive, you should acquire a decent car for that as the market is a buyers one for sure at the mo!

Good luck in your search buddy

Mileage is not an issue if the car has been cared for and owned by an enthusiast. Service history is the most important thing, not mileage. 75K isn't high mileage, If we were talking 130+ then that's a little different but the engines are strong if they have been looked after properly.

Cheers guys!!
Is there anything particular to look out for on a highler mileage car- rear suspension?
What is the timing belt change intervals?

50k ;)

i dont think millage is really an issue, long as its been maintained!

a 02 bug with 70k miles is only 7k a year!!

you should get a good one for that price mate.

i got a 53 plate STI PPP blob with 62k miles on it in august for 6200. car has been spot on and best car i have owned bar far :D you wont be disapointed. i wouldnt call anything below 80k miles high milage on a bug/blob.

something like this?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...uk-2003/913064

just noticed your in glasgow. this should be worth a short trip down the road to view

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-m...-uk/1003374530

both them seem nice cars!

cheers mate, ill go have a look at Glasgow based cars over next few days!!
How much generally do you expect discounted off a 6k asking price? £500?

Is there a way to check the rear suspension (struts) is all in order? Any signs of knackered ones?

75k, high mileage :Whatever_

My STI will be up for sale soon.

What's wrong with a lot of owners if the car has a full service history.

Is there anything on a car that age/mileage that i should particulary look out for?

not really sure what u need to look for particulary but i found another you could prob get for under 5500

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-m...003/1003453519

few performance mods, not sure if that would put you off or not?

Lol @ 75k and lots of owners being a concern.

First thing is your looking at 8/10yr old cars for £6k, it's fair to say anything below 100k is average/low miles, when normal milage is around 12k per year, so anything below that figure multiplied by the age IS low.

As for lots of owners, these are performance/ bucket list cars, so the norm would be a few owners on a car of that age, either because people buy them then get scared of the speed or the reality of the running costs are too high, then theres the ones that can't justify owning it when it just lives in the garage, which is the same with performance motorbikes.

Personally i'm more afraid of a really low milage car, especially a scoob as they really don't like not being driven, if it's just been tucked in a garage for weeks on end then started without disconnecting the crank sensor and turning over to build oil pressure, then this will cause more wear than one that has been driven hard everyday of it's life, sure there are service items to be considered on higher milers, but the same applies for cars that do nothing for long periods.

In answer to your question, buy based Service history and condition, as for the knocking shocks, it comes to them all sooner or later, but there is a cheap fix that doesn't involve buying coilovers, which ruin the ride for a car that spends most of it's life on the road.

Possibly thrashed a lot, accepted that it does depend who the owners were mate

If its a JDM Sti you may struggle to get FSH for obvious reasons

But they can be found, just like mine ;)

Shouldn't be a problem - just don't buy the first car you see.

We just picked up a '05 plate STI DCCD for £6,400 with 70,000. For me the car HAD to be the wide track model which in my opinion was a bit more desirable and has a slightly nicer dash. Make sure you buy a car with all the paperwork and the infamous cambelt change. Don't be afriad to poke around the car, look at all paperwork and walk away if necessary.

Always worth "googling" your prospective car's number plate. I found mine had been owned by a member on Pistonheads and even managed to find it on google maps!

Attachment 68713

At 70k there could be things which need at the least, an eye kept on them. Most obvious would be the clutch. It could well be the original if it's been treated sympathetically but still be approaching the end of it's life. Wheel bearings are another concern at this age - not cheap to replace. Don't forget the CV joint boots!
The above would apply to any car of that mileage.
JohnD

Looks good cheers mate!!:thumb:

Thanks for taking the time to give me a detailed answer!!

Snap ..

seen an sti with 77k. Timing belt was replaced at 55k, in 2008. Would you think that it should be ok for the 20k or would you replace now? Any idea of costs of cambelt change and service on an sti? Cheers

I`d do it now. Mileage wise it`s not due but it`s been on the car 4 years. My garage charges around £300 for a belt change.

So about £500 for a belt change and service?
cheers!