I am 17 and am working on saving up for my second car for after graduation. I want the 2006 STI Hawkeye and have heard that there are some problems with these earlier cars. I was just wondering what I should be looking for before I buy and what kind of maintenance things i need to do after purchase.

I currently drive a 2007 VW GTI and am loving it.

 

chocolate 2.5l and rust, nothing major

 

Cars that age you do need to look for rust in all the usual places, as mentioned the hawk has a 2.5 not a 2.0 and it is prone to HG failures, that said some are lucky others not.

If you go for one that isn't forged then be prepared for a rebuild or pay more and get one where its already been done, making sure the paperwork is there to prove it.

 

Have look in the stickys at the top of this page about the 2.5 motor, you might have already done so.
And then think about going for a 2.0L, your not going to learn about these cars over night.

The only stupid question is the one you dont ask.

I love the fact your 17 and interested in these old cars and as above these cars rust rampantly unless properly treated, rust is like an ice berg, you can see 25% of it but 75% lays below where you cant see it.....
Good luck!

 

Just buy the 2.0 JDM version or one with a forged engine.

 

as mentioned many times on here, JDM 2.0 cars from MY03 (basically all twinscroll cars) use the same "chocolate" Hyperpeutic pistons that the 2.5's use.........

we have rebuilt many 2.5 AND 2.0 engines with ringland failure just the same

 

So it’s clear scoobynetters, The uk blobeye Sti is the best!! I’m not sure what’s worse a jdm car or a Uk 2.5???

 

Really wow, first time heard that.

 

Signature seems to based in Florida -- is rust a problem there (or a UK car..)??

 

2.5 is chocolate as a whole ,no one mention pistons
wrong- bugeye with forged pistons and best seats
he could buy a car from North etc

 

All USDM STI's are 2.5 so no choice there really.