InfernoUk

Hey guys

Im looking at a 2008 Hatch as my next car, mainly due to it being 50% cheaper to insure than all other subaru, at 22 its all i will get away with.

My question is engine failure seems to be a big issue in these models, am i best to steer clear?

If getting an 08 is a bad idea will probably have to leave the subaru until the other side of 25 due to insurance quotes!

Cheers guys

chopperman

What model, is it an sti ?

peter zippy reid

iTrader: (25)

I went with my bosses son for an 08 sti checked it had the reflash for the map problem and no other recall everything was fine pm rob84 on here he has one and im sure he works for subaru

InfernoUk

hey guys sorry, yes an sti. Is it worth getting one with the PPP?

Im not looking to buy just yet, im still at the research phase. Want to know what can go wrong with them so i can look at the impact on my wallet over ownership (exc fuel)

looking at ones lik this: http://beta.pistonheads.com/classifi...tchback/427846

out of interest what are the differences between regular, wrx and sti hatches? just bhp?

chopperman

There a great car . If i were you i would phone around some of the great engine builds and get a quote to put forged pistons in. Then when you go to buy the car budget it with that cost in mind.
There is a thread hear on the subject of which engine builder.
Forged pistons = peace of mind.

InfernoUk

so forged pistons fixes all problems? reminds me of looking at the corsa VXRs with their piston 4 issues lol, same solution

chopperman

Forged pistons and a set of head studs will make it a great car. The car it should have been to start with really.

InfernoUk

is that a large cost on top of initial purchase? how can i be sure the damage isnt already done when i buy?

its either one of these or a focus RS which dosent seem to have any issues (bit isnt qute as awesome)

chopperman

The best thing to do is buy one with the build cost as part of your over all budget then get the job done straight away. It's best to get them done before they go bang. Once done you can relax and enjoy a car thats far better than a focas RS. I like the RS but its front wheel drive.

InfernoUk

yea i just wondered if replacing them instantly sorted the problem of if the issue slowly damages other areas.

Wheres the best place to get it done so i can look at prices?

Thanks for your help!

chopperman

Check out this thread.
https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...e-rebuild.html

InfernoUk

so its around £1500?

hard to find a pricing guide in the threads or recommended companies sites!

chopperman

As a ball part figure to get the engine re-built as a drive in drive out deal with pistons bearings studs cam belt ect i think your looking at about £3k mate. But don't quote me. I think the parts alone would be £1500+

InfernoUk

ah right 3k is a lot to factor in to the build, might go for the Focus RS if this is the case. less hassel

chopperman

Of course the other way is look to buy one cheap that's gone pop. I've seen one or two on ebay in the past going cheap because its popped and the warranty peeps will not pay. Hassle as you say though but imo the better car at the end of the day.

InfernoUk

yea i like them both equally so anything to sway it is useful info in deciding. I would like one but an instant 3k+ just for piece of mind that 1 fault wont happen is perhaps to much, something else could break and then id be spending even more...

would it make sense to buy a cheaper higher milage one and do the forge on that? at the moment im aiming at around 30k miles, but i could buy one 3k cheaper with more miles and forge. but i dont know what others tuff would need repairing at the higher milages

chopperman

There not know for anything else really, just pistons. The rest of the car is pretty much bomb proof.

InfernoUk

so something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/9?logcode=p

+£3K for the reforge and im good to go except for regular consumables for as long as I own it?

as the car plus the 3K is around good focus RS money so should be ok

chopperman

I don't think anyone can guarantee that lol but the only problems im aware they suffer is piston ring-land fracture. Obviously if that has happened on a car your buying you would re-build the engine completely as other damage may have been caused.
Not every car suffers this, it's more the modified cars or the cars with the old map.
As for Focus RS, i doubt there without there problems.

InfernoUk

yea thats my concern, getting a car already damaged and having to throw down even more money on a red build fixing that damage.

And the FRS dosent seem to have any issues as glaring as this one, i wont be mapping or anything for more power for a long time but id love to keep this car for 3-5 years depending on my finances so I want it to have its options open. But buying seems to be dodgy when i could get one with damage or one that just needs the regular forging...

chopperman

Out of interest how does the RS insurance compare to the hatch sti ?
I think you should go and test drive both and wee what you like. Set you budget and stick to it. If your budget is 16k you want to be looking for a car around 13k or look for a car thats already forged.

InfernoUk

the hatch is around £100 less than the RS. both are near to £1500 at 22 years old (2 years NCB) which isnt to bad.

My budget isnt final yet, it depends on circumstance when the time to buy approaches, but id like to stick to around 15-16k max because of insurance costs, which is around a 40k mile rs or a similar milage sti with money for a forge.

not sure how many good sti there are for 13k, also havent seen any forged yet. I wonder how big of a problem it actually is across all the cars? i wonder if i could get away with not forging for a little while to keep initial purchase costs down. I mean the amount i see on PH and Auto trader with 40k miles but not have had any issues with it...

salsa-king

would love to know what insurance you'd pay at 22 on a std STi hatch.. and a quote on a PPP Sti... and a FRS

InfernoUk

ive already mentioned it in this thread... its £1500

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

InfernoUk,

Get the Focus, it's a better car anyway and do you really want to be worrying every time you use your car that it could fail and that if it does you will have a £2-3K bill?

There are some other issues repoted with the hatches too such as cracking and rust in the roof seams, poor quality seats ....

Why give yourself the hassle when a bombproof Focus is available instead?

ste sti spec d

16 k ! . It's gotta be an rs 4 , no forging worries there and near as 400 horse smooth as you like,

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Have to agree!!!

I know its a subaru forum, but even from a subaru enthusiast Id pick the Focus RS. It looks better and sounds just as good as the hatch STi.

InfernoUk

yea i think the FRS is the way forward for me, i just wanted the 4WD and love Japanese cars!

rob84

iTrader: (5)

PPP waste of time on an 08, It's out of warranty get a custom remap it will ensure longevity of the engine.

Piston upgrades are a wise choice on these.

Apostle

RS

A