Jessy08

Hey Guys, just registered; apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I've just sold my car and now looking to buy an 08/09 Subaru WRX STi 330s. Still got a bit of saving to do but hoping to buy one private or from a dealer in the next two to three months.

I will be browsing the forums and learning as much as I can but in the mean time I'm wondering how much I should be looking to pay for the model mentioned above with sub 30.000 miles?

I have looked on line and the prices vary so much that I can't even gauge it. Prices seem to vary from £10,000-£20,000! I'm hoping to pick one up for around £13,000. Is this a realistic price?

Thanks

oHUTCHYo

Welcome!

Ensure you fully read up on the 2.5 engine issues, Im not scaremongering as I have just bought a 2.5 2006 STI myself but best enter in to ownership in full knowledge.

Start here: https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-general-1/828990-2008-2010-2-5ltr-engine-failures.html

All great people on here, barring the odd troglodyte who soon gets banned

Jessy08

Oh wow! Didn't realise they had such a big engine issue. Maybe I should re-think about buying one. Only just started reading the thread you linked me to and it's very scary.

thenewgalaxy

A great car without the risk of blowing up, if your budget will allow then find a car with a forged engine by a reputable specialist.

Otherwise it may be worth going down another route. Plenty of excellent choice out there at the moment.

Jessy08

Just reading the thread now and lots of failures with the 2.5 especially with the 330s (which is the one I want).

Always wanted a Subaru but never got one but now my minds set on one I think I'm going to avoid one due to the engine problems.



What is causing the problem for them to fail? From what I can tell is it due to map / weak head bolts?

I would consider a forged one by a reputable specialist but at the same time I don't like the idea that the engine has been out and rebuild on a car I'm handing around £13,000 over
for

oHUTCHYo

The 2.0 2005 STI 'widetrack' 'blobeye' cars are generally considered the best new age model, in 2006 the design changed to 'hawkeye' along with the 2.5 engine, more torque but suffers with issues. Believe the hatch or 'shark eye' was then launched 2008, same 2.5 issues.

As mentioned, the engines can be forged or have some preventative work done. I'll be spending circa £1500 on the latter for peace of mind...once I can save up some money.

Some of the more technical guys on here will give you some technical info but I believe its ringland failure on crappy pistons, headbolts and gaskets.

Nothing like awd, flat four burble and power of s Scoob, so dont give up too quick that said, for £13K, lot of choices out there. If it were my money, Audi S3. Thats next on my list after Ive enjoyed my 370BHP noisy Scooby for a few years and Im too old to pull it off

Jessy08

Still reading the thread but I think I'm out.

People can't even put their foot down without worrying it will go pop lol. What kind of 'performance' car is that?

I'm actually very disheartened right now as I have my heart set on one but there's is no way I'm handing over approx 13,000 pounds in cash to just tread on egg shells worrying if it will go pop.

Had an Astra VXR for 4 years prior to selling last week running at 305 bhp and never missed a beat in those 4 years / 72k miles and it got nailed daily. Was looked after but never had a problem and that's from an Astra!

oHUTCHYo

Funny you mention the VXR.

I had a VXR Nurburgring. Week 2, gearbox failed, £800 repair. Week 4, manifold split, £500 repair. Week 5, sold the POS. Fun car but never, ever again Vauxhall

Jessy08

Could live with a gearbox failure (can be refurbed for less than £500 now) or new turbo supplied and fitted for less than £500. I wouldn't worry about either, but would worry about engine going pop on a car that cost so much money! How much would it cost to sort a blown engine? Has to well into the thousands of pounds

I personally never had any issues with either box or turbo as both were looked after. Regular gearbox oil changes and looked after the turbo. To be fair when I sold it to a dealer last week the turbo was on it's last legs as was loosing boost higher in the rev range but it had done 72k miles and was 5 years old!