Akram124

evening all just as the title says what should I watch out for when buying a wrx sti 2003-2005 with high mileage as in how many miles do people generally manage to do in them before the car gives up (very expensive things start going wrong engine gearbox etc).

nicam49

Try not to be bedazzled by the bolt-on goodies and 3 inch exhaust! What you've got to look out for is stealth rust/rot that is so hidden it's often not discovered till it's too late. ie beyond repair. Anything else ie mechanical can be tackled... but not the rot. You're not the 1st to ask this question and it's been answered a few times, so I'll try to. find links to. previous posts on the subject rather than repeat...
Have a read of this thread and the link within it..
https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-general-1/1063311-info-before-i-buy.html#post12092051

Also this one:
https://www.scoobynet.com/general-technical-10/953502-rear-strut-towers-rusted-through.html


Also youtube for 'Impreza rust'

Akram124

Very helpful mate thanks

nicam49

I can't rub it in too strongly! Remember, let 'buyer beware' be the motto. Take a look in the cars breaking for spares section here, the bodies look great, but it's the stealth rot that's got them else they would be on a forecourt.

Akram124

Ive just had a look and that is insane most of the cars look like you could just drive them away can the rust not be cut out and repaired got me in two minds if I want to get another subaru.

nicam49

https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...arch-rust.html

There's loads of examples on the forum, here's another one to read.

The Joshua Tree

Quite a lot of things, if the engine hasn't been forged at some point then it will have had a pretty hard life for a lot of miles. The usual things like rust, worn parts everywhere like bushes, wheel bearings, rusted/siezed bolts all over the place, the paint will more than likely need some kind of attention. I would only consider a high mileage car if i could have a look underneath it, if the engine has been forged and its got a load of receipts showing really good maintenance and chnges of the common parts which perrish over the years etc.

stockcar

they can be rotten regardless of mileage........just because its shiny up top means nothing

have a customer with a 30year old / 200K Legacy that looks like it was built last year........all totally original

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

They are all 15+ years old. I don't think the numbers on the odometer mean much. It's all down to condition. I'd rather have a car that did 20k a year on a motorway than one that has done 5k a year in London.

Rot is the main thing. Everything else can easily be replaced as long as you factor in the price. A car parked near the coast will rot just as quickly as one that's been driven. I don't think rust really cares about mileage

RetroPug

They rust in places that aren't always easy to see and inspect even on a 2-poster if you don't know where you're looking.

If you can, bring someone experienced in finding these places on an impreza.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

I bought one Impreza cheap, never had a single mot fail on rust, but once I started stripping things back it wasn't brill. Both sills had gone and inner rear strut turrets. Saying that is all being rebuilt. Other option is to buy a mint shell. Seen some really nice shells knocking about.

Akram124

First Thank you all for the help all the messages have been great.

I have realised I dont mind paying to repair rust because then I will be able to sleep easy but it seems very difficult to source an sti blob at the moment everyone seems to want pretty insane money 160k mileage sti's on sale for 10k I picked mine up for about 7k 2 years ago 85k on the clock did need some work did timing belt, water pump and clutch and was as good as gold. High prices putting me off another impreza might just go for an m135i or golf r will see.