Calling all Subaru owners.

[DannyO]

I'm looking into getting an 04-07 STi in the next couple months or so possible, and was wondering on what there reliability is like?, what are common problems or what have you guys had trouble with?, any info is appreciated, thanks.

[Ihatetowait]

The obvious ones for a 300 HP AWD that will "wear" are:

Clutch
Tires

Parts like brakes can be a bit more expensive, but places online can be had for cheaper (much cheaper) then dealers.

I have an 04 wrx, very few problems other then normal wear items.

And just so you know, If you get in an 04 you get: No rear fender flair liner (its the little strip on the rear fender..), Older interior, 2.0 L, and a few other things driveline related are different.

05+ is updated all around, plus more displacement and more potential for power.

[Team_Mclaren]

USDM 04 STi has a 2.5L....

[DannyO]

Originally posted by Ihatetowait
The obvious ones for a 300 HP AWD that will "wear" are:

Clutch
Tires

Parts like brakes can be a bit more expensive, but places online can be had for cheaper (much cheaper) then dealers.

I have an 04 wrx, very few problems other then normal wear items.

And just so you know, If you get in an 04 you get: No rear fender flair liner (its the little strip on the rear fender..), Older interior, 2.0 L, and a few other things driveline related are different.

05+ is updated all around, plus more displacement and more potential for power.

Thanks man, good to hear, the year I seem to look at most is 05s.

[Cy2k1]

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/general/89922-used-sti-buyer-s-guide.html
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/faq-newbie-forum/24548-newbie-threads-interest.html

Quoted from Iwsti.

'This thread was created to help people looking to buy an STi that's be "pre-loved." The forum is often full of threads asking what to look out for and tell-tale danger signs as well as "known issues with X model year car." So I'm putting together this thread.

NOTE: There is no pricing advice in this thread, as that changes a lot over time and with individual cars.

Help me out here, peeps. Read this post, and if you have something to add, post it and I'll ammend it into this post.

General STi Information (all USDM model years)

The 04-07 STis all share common platform. When buying a used one, sometimes a well-maintained and unmodded car with higher miles is a better investment than a heavily modded low miles car. In fact, aftermarket parts rarely increase the value of a car compared to a stock car. Here's a checklist you can use for the STi:

Is it modded?
The most common modifications to the STi are powertrain and suspension mods. When I say mods, I don't mean an aftermarket spoiler or tint. I mean a mechanical alteration of the car. So, check to see if the exhaust is stock - from the turbo to the axleback. Make sure the car has its catalytic converters (any more details here, guys?). Does the car have its stock Bypass Valve (BPV) or an aftermarket Blow-Off Valve? By and large, the latter is a poor modification to the car (on the stock turbo).

Another quick check is to look behind the engine on the passenger side, where the turbo and downpipe should be covered by a heatshield. If this is missing it may be a sign that the car was modded and someone tried to put it back to stock. There are a lot of bolts that make it tough to get that back on correctly. It may not be a huge deal, but it tells you a little bit about the person selling the car. Another place to check for correct heatshields is the exhaust manifold. If someone had headers on the car and decided to sell them when they sold the car, they may have been lazy and not put the heatshields back on.

If the car has the balance of a factory warranty, take it to a dealership for an inspection. If the car was modded, they may deny you warranty service in the future. If the car is out of warranty, you may still wish to have the car inspected so you know more about what you're getting yourself into.

How does the car sit? If the wheel gap front and back is even, the car's suspension has been futzed with. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but bear in mind that a suspension mod is likely indicative of other modifications. Stock STis have MORE wheel gap in the front than they do in the back. The stock struts and springs are black, with the exception that the 04 struts are actually pink. Stock swaybars are black for all model years.

Pop the hood. Is there an aftermarket intake, intercooler, or even turbo? Check the fluid levels, especially oil and transmission fluid. They should be clean. If you have ANY doubts whatsoever about the condition of the engine, have a leakdown/compression test performed by a trustworthy mechanic.

Is it complete?
Does it come with everything it should come with? Lots of people slap aftermarket wheels on the car. The stock BBS wheels are fantastic pieces, and are hard to beat. Does it have its spare? Many people remove it. Does it have the front undertray? Many people also remove that. How about a huge wing on the trunk? Are the brake calipers gold (they should say "Brembo" on them)? Owner's manual? The car should come with two keys and two remotes, plus one grey key (valet key). *ASK FOR MAINTENANCE RECORDS!

What's the paint look like?
Subaru chose to paint our road-going rally cars with crayons. Don't be surprised if there are a few nicks and scratches. Stock colors include: World Rally Blue Pearl, Java Black Pearl (04 only), Obsidian Black Pearl (05-07), Aspen White (04-06), Satine White Pearl (07), Platinum Silver Metallic (04-05), Crystal Gray Metallic(05+), Steel Grey Metallic (06 only), and Urban Grey Metallic (07).

How does it run/drive?
The car should idle smoothly, though idle RPM can vary a bit with ambient temperature and oil weight. If you hear a "clicking" noise while running, and this clicking increases with engine RPM, the car may be throwing a bearing. That would be bad. Does the clutch really grab? Do you get a bit of shift shock? Fine, the stock clutch is a little grabby in low gears, and the gears themselves are very close ratio. The car tends to be notchy. The gearbox may feel stiff when it's cold. If the clutch is iffy or the gearbox grinds a lot, you may be looking at a large bill.

How does the inside look?
On the interior, the gauge cluster is amber/red from the factory with most everything else green. Don't let it freak you out. If it's all red, the car has been modded. Again, not necessarily a bad thing.

The seats should be black with blue alcantara fabric inset. The STi logo should be visible. Some people dislike the stock seats and swap them out. Not necessarily a bad thing, but bear in mind the the side airbags in the STi are contained in the seats. USDM cars do not have fold-down rear seats.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
--It is not uncommon for these cars to burn a little oil <1 quart every 3k miles
--The DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential) is not a toy, but can turn the car into one. I'll let you read about its use elsewhere. However...
--The drivetrain makes noise in these cars. Don't panic at every sound you hear.
--When turning very sharply (steering wheel turned to lock), you're going to hear some noises and maybe feel a little shudder through the wheel. The car has three differentials, and they will complain about this maneuver. Place the DCCD in "Auto" or "Open" when turning in this way to reduce the complaint from the drivetrain. You're not really hurting the car. It's just a noisy bugger.
--Speaking of noises, be prepared. This is NOT a Lexus. It has very little sound deadening material, and it is going to be loud.
--Read this thread concerning a possible problem emerging with axle nuts. May affect all model years.
--For cars on stock tires, 1) They're loud and they have stiff sidewalls. Good for performance, bad if you had road noises. 2) If it's below about 40 degrees outside, driving on stock tires is not recommended - they're summer performance tires. Snow is right out.
--The types of differentials Subaru uses in the car have changed over the years. If this matters to you, the information is available if you're willing to dig.
--If the brake calipers on the car look discolored - the so-called "Brownbo" effect - then the car was almost certainly on the track at some point, and heat caused the caliper paint to discolor.
--The following things belong on the car, in case you're wondering: hood scoop, TMIC, big wing (except Limited), BBS wheels (except Limited), HID headlights, "STi" stamped on exhaust tip, pink STi stickers, intercooler sprayer
--The following things do NOT come on the car from the factory: Sunroof (except Limited), window tint, leather seats (except Limited), strut bars.
--The following things are optional: fog lamps, steering-column mounted boost gauge, short throw shifter, titanium shift knob, auto-dimming rearview mirror (w/ or w/o Homelink), STi all weather floor mats, security system w/ shock sensor, and wheel locks. There are various SPT parts available from the dealership as well.

KNOWN ISSUES
--04-07 STis are plagued by "rear strut clunk" eventually. There are lots of threads on the subject.
--During highway driving, many people experience a "bobblehead" effect, being bounced around in the seat over seams in the road. This is commonly attributed to the seat springs, and can be lessened with aftermarket seats, or aftermarket springs (on the suspension, not the seats). Currently, folks including myself are testing a way of curing bobblehead cheaply.

These are just general guidelines, but they apply to all STis (Limiteds are slightly different as noted, and see below). Now let's get more specific.

04 STis
The OG of the USDM STi is it's most raw entrant. The 04s were somewhat lighter and a little more savage than later iterations (or so I'm told ).

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
--Did not come with a stereo from the factory, though one was available as a dealer installed option.
--Did not come with floor mats.
--There is an issue regarding the filters in the manifold oil line, including a TSB.
--Was the only year for Java Black Pearl.
--Was the only year with 5 x 100 PCD (bolt pattern) wheels (17 x 7.5")
--The default torque split is 35/65 front/rear, making the car rear-biased.

KNOWN ISSUES
--Steering rack bushings were kinda bad from the factory, but much better ones are available
--Wheel bearings tend to burn out on tracked cars
--Fourth and fifth gear syncros are known to be problems and have a TSB.
--The cars do NOT have an engine immobilizer theft deterrent, and as such are targets of joyriders and car thieves (buy a security system).

05 STis
The last of the peanut-eye body style, the 05 is the choice of many enthusiasts. It's only slightly heavier than the 04, but the interior was freshened.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
--Comes with stereo from the factory - 6-disc in-dash changer (subwoofer optional)
--Was the first model to come with 17 x 8 wheels in the 5 x 114 PCD.
--Was the first model year to use an engine immobilzer theft deterrent
--Java Black Pearl replaced by Obsidian Black Pearl

KNOWN ISSUES
--???

06 STis
The first of the "flying V grill" STis. There were a few styling updates in 06, but the cars is very similar to the 05s mechanically.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
--The only year that offered Steel Grey Metallic.
--The Subaru logo badge on the trunk is held on by screws, which leave holes in the trunk if it is removed.
--The first year to include the "roof vane" spoiler, which is stock.
--First year of "Altezza" style brake light assemblies.
--Default torque split was changed to 41/59 front/rear, increasing the front bias slightly.
--Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) became standard (though owners sometimes disable them).

KNOWN ISSUES
--Early build 06s came with liquid-filled motor mounts that tended to break under sudden stress (launching the car, for instance). Subaru reverted to solid mounts later in the production run. There is a TSB on the liquid mounts, and Subaru will replace them if they break.

07 STis
The last of the "flying V grill" STis. The last STi of this platform, as the 08 is a complete redesign.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
--iPod jack where the lighter and ashtray used to be.
--First year for Satin White Pearl and Urban Grey Metallic
--New Engine Control Unit (ECU)
--Upgraded turbo wastegate
--Slightly shorter wheelbase
--First model with rear seat pass-through (USDM)
--Longer 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears.

*The 07 model year also included the STi Limited, a run of 800 cars. They were available only in the two colors mentioned above. While mechanically the same as their standard STi brethren, Limiteds offered more sound deadening material, leather interior, front lip, sunroof, a small lip spoiler in lieu of the larger stock spoiler, black Brembo calipers, and Enkei wheels.

KNOWN ISSUES
--Some 07s have suffered from a hesitation issue. Subaru released a reflash for the ECU in attempt to correct the problem, but the reflash has not cured all cars with the problem. Many owners report that an aftermarket EM reflash, such as with the Cobb AccessPort, cures the issue entirely."

[DannyO]

^^^ Damn, thanks alot, thats some great info, just hope the syncro issue from the 04s didn't find there way into 05s, I don't know much about transmissions.

[Jay911]

I have a WRX, which is of course not exactly the same as an STi, but here are my experiences.

1 - I had an 06 WRX for 11 1/4 months, from May 2006 to April 2007. It held up quite well and was very fast, enough that I got several tickets before I learned my lesson and lightened off on the gas. It got decent gas mileage, between 500 and 575 km per tank - and on one trip where I drove Calgary>Medicine Hat>Taber>Lethbridge>Calgary, I managed to get 700 km on one tank somehow - must've been the steady highway driving. Now, the reason I no longer have it is, I got into a fight with a full grown deer on Highway 22 just north of Highway 8 last April. The deer jumped over a guard rail directly into my path at ~100kph and I had zero time to hit the brakes. The deer lost, but my car sacrificed itself to prevent me from getting injured. The hood, rad, both headlights, intercooler, timing case cover, and basically everything on the front of the engine was demolished. The rest of the car held up exceptionally well, and the airbags didn't go off (the impact was too high to activate the sensors). However, it was over $12k in damage even before they found the crack in the engine block (caused when the a/c compressor was bent over from the deer impact). Wrote the car off.

The only unscheduled maintenance/concerns were that both foglights burnt out after about 6 months of use (though I was using them almost constantly during that time).

2 - I now have an 07 WRX. Bought in May 2007, still got it (taps wood!). Getting the same kind of gas mileage - roughly 550 km per tank, I think it works out to about 9.8L/100km. The changes between the 06 and 07 in the WRX are very minor - mainly an upgraded stereo, from my experience. This car has not yet had any unexpected maintenance issues, despite me being lax with the scheduled maintenance visits over the winter (missed the 18,000 and 24,000 checks and got them both done at 25,000 km).

The one thing I've heard bad news about in the WRX and STi is the traction level (or lack thereof) in the stock Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires. In two years and about 60,000 km, I haven't had any real concern myself and haven't gone anywhere I didn't want to, yet. Of course, now that I've said that, the flurries we're getting later this week is going to put me in a ditch somewhere. ;)

[rc2002]

When buying a used one, sometimes a well-maintained and unmodded car with higher miles is a better investment than a heavily modded low miles car. In fact, aftermarket parts rarely increase the value of a car compared to a stock car.


QFT. Some good information there. The guy seems pretty sharp.

I like all the information posted on how to spot if it's been tracked or modded before.

[Eleanor]

From everything I've heard, 05's are the most desirable. But the big thing with the STi's as mentioned above is the noises (drivetrain & exhaust).

http://forums.nasioc.com/

[94boosted]

That really is some solid info I will be looking into buying an STi when I'm done school in a year and I'm sure that info will help immensly.


Is what "IhateToWait" said true about the 04's only having a 2.0L I thought all STi's ran a 2.5L?

[DannyO]

Thanks Jay for the info, sorry to hear about your 06, hopefully your 07 doesn't try and pick any fights.

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by 94boosted
That really is some solid info I will be looking into buying an STi when I'm done school in a year and I'm sure that info will help immensly.


Is what &quot;IhateToWait&quot; said true about the 04's only having a 2.0L I thought all STi's ran a 2.5L?


http://en.research.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/autos/vip/overview.aspx?year=2004&make=Subaru&model=Impreza&ts=6317982004

2004 STI had the 2.5L

[94boosted]

Yah I've been doing research on the STi and I was 99.99% sure it was a 2.5L but that comment threw me of a bit. Thank you

[Canmorite]

My family has owned 4 subarus, and we've had no major problems. Just replacing the brakes, exhaust and clutches. No electrical problems whatsoever.

That being said, one of them tends to leak a tiny amount of oil (now 16 years old, 232Kms) but it doesn't even drip onto the ground.

They will be heavier on the consumption side due to AWD and the added weight, but they are still fairly economical cars. Great in the winter with a pair of snow tires :thumbsup:

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by Canmorite
My family has owned 4 subarus, and we've had no major problems. Just replacing the brakes, exhaust and clutches. No electrical problems whatsoever.

That being said, one of them tends to leak a tiny amount of oil (now 16 years old, 232Kms) but it doesn't even drip onto the ground.

They will be heavier on the consumption side due to AWD and the added weight, but they are still fairly economical cars. Great in the winter with a pair of snow tires :thumbsup:

This i can attest too, i picked mine up the weekend when we had the huge dumping, and the previous owner left the kw-19's on it for me... wow did the car ever grip like crazy.