robby

Well after trying the economical route for a couple of months i'm bored and want something to enjoy again.
I've had 3 Imprezas in the past (classic, bugeye and blobeye) which were all WRXs and after having a few remapped cars feel another WRX would soon bore me so i'm wanting a STi.
I understand from 03/2006 the car would fall into the high tax bracket (£475?) but what i want to know about is problems on these cars.
I've read some posts about 2008> 2.5s having major engine problems so if i bought a 2006 or 2007 2.5 would this be safer or are these just as bad?
I don't want to buy a car and have it let go as it'll be my daily transport so has to be reliable, i also don't want to spend 2k-3k on an engine rebuild as i know i'd never get that back when i sold it (i don't keep cars long).

Any other pointers?

Cheers

Frenchwood

All the 2.5's suffer head gaskets and ring landing failures when pushed for power (and in some cases when standard too).

Either budget for a forged rebuild, or pay major £££££ and buy one that's already been forged!

My 2p anyway bud.

DantheMan2605

Well a hawk defo won't be economical.

As above really. Factor in a rebuild as its more a case of WHEN not IF

Depending on your target power. Upgrade pistons and head studs would see a safe remap. Any more and I'd go for a full build for peace of mind.

robby

Really want to buy and keep it standard (engine wise) - not really looking into more power just looks and backbox.
So is it more WRXs or STIs that go pop?

Is there any way to tell if an engine has been rebuilt/ fixed/ bodged as i'll be wanting to buy from a dealer so they would either not be 100% sure or tell porkies for a sale

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

both wrx and sti have the 2.5 which is poop.

Frenchwood

It seems it's usually STi spec or "above" as it were.

Although my WRX is being an **** at the moment!

You can't trust ANY dealer IMHO... Make sure it's got a good warranty, that's all I'd say!

And google the number plate before you buy, you'd be surprised at what turns up sometimes!

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

no the wrx suffers the same issues

SPIKE LIKE MIKE

have a look here, open to offers full tank of juice and 6 months tax

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...k-2007/1420145

kb1

iTrader: (1)

The torque on the 2.5 wrx or sti is fantastic the sti/wrx have the same engine as in what power they can handle. The problem on both is the pistons so at least fit forged.

If you want more power a 14mm head gasket conversion and a pinned or CDB insert will be a good investment plenty running 500/600 bhp with supporting mods that is.

The wrx gearbox now becomes the weekness I ran my wrx to 400/400 on the 5 speed without any issues.

I'm now on a 6 speed the engine is forged and cosworth HG and running 430 to 480 with no problems on saying that I only do about 2 drag days a year on the 480 map (syvecs).

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Get a JDM and don't worry

Frenchwood

My bad, I assumed that the STi suffered more on count of the fact that they run more power!

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

no they both suffer due to the fact Subaru fitted a crap engine for the uk market

Frenchwood

Fair point. Apparently the 2.5 diesel is just as bad, so I guess it's a broadscale design issue!

JDM anyone?

tarquin crispin

JDM all they way

AndyBaker

+1.

robby

Looks a nice car - i'd be wanting to buy from a dealer so i could get a warranty and trade my car in (2012 Swift sport)

robby

Thanks for the tips - guess the problem with a JDM is when trading it in as most garages wouldn't be interested or would offer peanuts?

re googling the reg - most dealers hide the plates on their websites/ ads and want you to turn up to see the plate in person/ wont give number out over email/ phone

Have enquired about this car but got no replies - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3106803981...ht_1429wt_1322 anyone know the previous owner/ history?

Pramas

2.5 has issues but once forged these go away and make an awesome lazy daily driver, horse for courses, some prefer the higher reving 2.0.

cuprajake

iTrader: (11)

Never understood that though, just like civic type r where can you drive at 8000rpm now a days.

StiX

iTrader: (4)

Well my 2.5 is running 285/342 (lots of torque clearly) after Stage 1 mods that were done in 2007 with no issues.

I have been reading loads about the 2.5 on here recently, it would be nice to hear about cars/engines/mods that DON'T have problems?

And as above if you prefer not revving the guts out of cars (like me) the torque is fantastic - short shift baby

tarquin crispin

Think your wrong there regarding JDM they command a much higher premium due to them being a bit of better car on the uk spec one's.

what is your budget ?

if you want a uk hawkeye you better off buying one which has had the bottom end forged as most of the uk 2.5's have problems if they havent there a ticking time bomb waiting to go.

even if you bought from a subaru dealer with warranty most dealers have got out of paying for that engine problem

at the ened of the day your paying your money if its advice your after theres several threads on here regarding uk spec V jdm

Hope that helps

robby

My budget is £10k which is mainly value of current car which i'd want to trade in which is why i'd want to buy from a dealer (unless someone wants a 2012 46mpg Swift Sport new model?)
With buying from a dealer i could get a min 3 months warranty which i'd try to upgrade so should cover any future engine problems (or at least contribute towards).

Apart from trim and extra power is there way more noticeable difference between the STi and WRX as a daily as i've seen a WRX for £1k less than the STi (ok STi looks better with the wheels/ splitter/ etc)
I don't thrash cars or do track days so top speed isn't important or 0-60 but i do like nice mid-range for overtakes so a WRX is probably all i need - i just don't want to buy a WRX and regret not paying extra for a STi

STi - http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13706160150159

WRX - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...extras/1404331

Anyone know the history of these cars?

Tidgy

o also slight correction on thetax thing (may have been said but couldn't see it) you can get them that fit into the lower tax bracket,as long as regged before 23rd march 06, like mine

StiX

iTrader: (4)

£8.5k for a 2007 WRX! Seems very steep to me. The STis are normally loads more than the WRXs.

I should know my 2006 WRX (albeit a wagon) is on here for £5.5k and not much interest at that price.

Two points about the differences. Brakes, and 6 speed. If you decide to swap these in the future they are extremely pricey especially the 6 speed.

The standard WRX brakes are awful. Mine has uprated disks and pads and it's still dangerously bad.

If you do a lot of fast road driving/cruising (Mways/A roads) you will want the 6 speed.

Oh, interior is much better too.

I would go for the STi if you have the choice and insurance isn't an issue.

robby

As i only do a 8 mile commute on A roads a 6 speed isn't really needed - are the STis more economical on steady drives with the 6 speed than WRXs?

I'm just waiting for the dealer to get back to me with a price for my car - if he offers low money then i'd forget about it but if he offeres good then that would bring the WRX price down.
Not sure on prices as ebay, AT, PH, etc are all over the place with sellers upto £3k adrift?

Tidgy - i was looking for an early 2.0 hawkeye or possibly 2.5 on a 06 plate but these now seem very rare

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

only 2.0 hawkeyes are jdm cars and these are usually more expensive than the uk spec ones.

robby

oh - didn't know that
Is is still a problem insuring imports -paying more and specialists only or do most companies now cover them (Esure, etc)?

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

if you want a hawkeye , import insurance isn't a problem and you will have the added benefit of not having to rebuild the 2.5 turd engine when the hg fails after 500 miles.

also they are in the lower tax bracket.

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

There you go.

https://www.scoobynet.com/subaru-444...ed-engine.html

Now that is seriously good value.

gregwill

iTrader: (1)

+2