Matchu1001

Hi, new to forum but feeling a little concerned from what I'm reading, just put a deposit down on one of these and after reading more about them I'm absolutely ****ting it that the thing is just going to blow up on me. It's only done 41k but have noticed that some report the piston failure is happening after only a few 1000 miles??
I haven't seen the car yet due to the distance so when I go to pick it up will be the first time I see it, obviously I'll test drive it first and walk away if not satisfied, I'm aware that it has the retired service history and has had gaskets replaced in 2013 could this be a sign of problems?

Thanks
Matt.

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

Head Gaskets?

If so, then I'd leave alone if i was you. There are other cars about.

Unless it's had a full engine rebuild from reputable company.

Jonnys3

Even though it's had gaskets replaced, there could still be underlying problems. Any 08+ Impreza really needs forged pistons, uprated studs and new gaskets at the very least. If you can't see real evidence of this work having been carried out by a reputable company, my advice would be to walk away, or factor in the costs of a full rebuild when you buy.

Presumably you have already had a thorough read of the sticky thread ?

https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...-failures.html

Matchu1001

Yeh, looked at that and it's got me thinking about is it really worth the risk of buying the car? Could you recommend a garage near Derby?

Cheers
Matt

Jonnys3

Specialists nr Derby:

Scoobyclinic in Wingerworth nr Chesterfield : www.scoobyclinic.com

Scoobyworld in Loughborough : www.scoobyworld.co.uk

Roger Clark Motorsport in Hinkley nr Leicester: rogerclarkmotorsport.co.uk

I tend to use scoobyclinic as they are nearer to me (and what they don't know isn't worth knowing), but have also recently used scoobyworld as I can drop the car off and hop on the train and be in work in 15mins.

Scoobyclinic will strengthen the 2.5ltr engine for approx £2.5k - see their website for further info: "heads off, new forged drop in pistons and back together using ARP head studs, and all new gaskets. Cost wise approx £2K + vat to do this."

Hope this helps.

Kedlestone

iTrader: (9)

Get it down to any decent specialist and let them give it the required checks ie, leak down test/compression test. If that reveals nothing bad then happy days.

You do hear the horror stories but from personal experience of owning one I had no issues at all and actually miss it now I've moved on. Just keep up service intervals and use premium fuels.

As for garages in the Derby area, Scoobyclinic, Scoobyworld, Area 52, or slighty further you have RCM. I'm in the Derby area and have used all but RCM and have been happy with all the serivces. Area 52 might be you r closest option near Alfreton, Jase who runs it actually bought my old hatch sti to.

Jonnys3

If you're in Alfreton I would use Scoobyclinic as my first point of call (never used Area52 so can't comment, but Kirkby-in-Ashfield is only a stone's throw away too).

Whereabouts is the car ? Would definitely be worth getting a compression test done before purchasing as mentioned above.

VinceW

I have sent you a private message (pm) cheers Vince

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

If your going to worry about it every time you drive the car, you are better off walking away, otherwise it will spoil the experience of the car.
I bought a Hawk STi a few years ago with an untouched 2.5 with 50k miles on the clock and had 10k mile trouble free motoring, but I went into it knowing that the engine is the weak link of the car and that at anytime it could go bang, and I drove it the same way i would have with any other car.

Matchu1001

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201504042334038?atmobcid=soc4

This is the car, it's a right head f$€k tbh. It's totally standard and appears to have been cared for, I've been in touch with the garage that serviced it for the last couple of years and they said it's a good car, the garage I'm getting from however aren't that helpful, not offering warranty or full 12m mot they just seem to want to sell it with out any responsibility. I may have to consider something else as it's always gonna be at the back of my mind, then I think that any car could break down at anytime so why not go for it? ..... Only other option would be a evo viii.

salsa-king

they won't give it any warranty???


stay well clear.

it could be ok as a car BUT £11K from a dealer with no back up.

they'll be cars out there for you.


Trouble is you're looking at a 7yr old car...... you don't know what it's life has been.


It not got original 17" alloys (not an issue though) .. the back box doesn't look standard either.



keep looking.

looking on autotrader you don't find one till you look at £14k.

I'd save your money and go for a more expensive newer STi car.

fatboy_coach

iTrader: (1)

Well get a warranty for a start off, I bought mine last August (not fully appreciating the engine issues) and am just about to get the car back after 2 months of engine rebuild under said warranty.

I assumed that FSSH and it running well would be enough but you can't tell until it goes wrong. Mine passed compression tests, cranked evenly and ran ok some of the time but eventually we had to pull the engine (after noise was heard on det cans) and it had one cracked piston and another that was scoring the bore.

Sorry to sound like a merchant of doom but it's best to go into this eyes open, the last 8 weeks has proven that to me.

Matchu1001

A warranty for 1 yr is £1200, it's put me right off now.

Back to the drawing board 😞

Cheers for all the comments guys,

fatboy_coach

iTrader: (1)

'Kin hell! Mine was 799 which I winced at but they've just shelled out 5K on a new short block and rebuild (with me chipping in for some upgrades ) so I've had my moneys worth but 1200 is taking the pee

Jonnys3

Be patient and the right one will turn up. Keep your eye open in the for sale section on scoobynet. Some real gems turn up, which have been cared for properly by fellow scoobynetters, and with proven history to back up the car's maintenance.

salsa-king

my Extended Subaru warranty is £60.80 pm for Ten Months on 0% interest free payements -- tnx subaru ( so £608 for the year)

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

I'm glad I took a forth year warrenty on my old wrxd
43k boom Boom
10k new engine replaced under warrenty thanks to a great garage Stan palmers
6weeks off the road though
I will never buy another Subaru untill there is a 5 year warrenty as standard and no reports of engine problems

Gambit

iTrader: (6)

that car has been for sale for quite a while also

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Ive said the same thing, unless they give a 5 year warranty or change the 2.5 for another engine, I wouldn't be buying a new Subaru.
The road tax is also a bit of a bummer especially when you compare other performance cars in the same price range that have better creature comforts and more power, can manage to get there emissions that low that you can pay under £200 a year road tax on a 300bhp hot hatch!!