the hatchback STi

[mu0n]

what are your experiences with these?

any difference between the years?

what are the running costs like? mpg/servicing/reliability?

i'm looking to change my car soon and i really like the look of these. i've always wanted an STi and i like the fact that these aren't as lairy the other scoobys and way less common.

is there anything to watch out with on them?

thanks a bunch.

[marcella]

I almost bought one brand new back in 2008 but opted for the Focus RS at the last minute.
Now I have been looking to get one again but probably not till next year. Look on forums like scoobynet and iwsti for more in depth info but the main thing you will hear about is the ringland issue (basically involves an engine rebuild).

Models between 08-10 (I think!) are the main ones affected, but have even heard of failures in the new 2015 model which uses the same 2.5 engine.

Personally I'd go for a JDM (Import) one as all of them have the 2.0 engine which is forged so won't have this issue. May have to pay a bit more but I think its worth it for piece of mind, plus its a better car.

[mu0n]

thanks for that - any links i can read up on with regards to the JDM vs UKDM models?

i know the JDM ones are also cheaper on road tax?

also, are the hatchbacks known as a particular variant with the inner circles? or is it simply known as the hatchback impreza?

[drumsterphil]

I had an 08 STi from near new (my 5th Impreza).

It was bought with the intention of modding it (as with all cars I had) and the major mods included -

Fully forged engine with Bob Rawle remap
Magnaflow cat back exhaust
Eibachs springs, Whiteline roll bars and droplinks
Recaro CS seats
Team Dynamics 1.2 wheels

In real terms for A to B use it was easily the fastest and best Impreza I had. Very much underrated and the 2.5 makes a wonderful road car engine (though would still rev out). People rate the 2litre import but try a remapped 2.5 and it's the preferable car to me. Suggest you try both and see which appeals to you.

Plenty to choose from for not much money and many have had rebuilds/remaps which should alay fears over the engine (as much as you can).

[RB5Bird]

marcella said:

but have even heard of failures in the new 2015 model which uses the same 2.5 engine.

Where have you heard this?

[paulmoonraker]

RB5Bird said:

marcella said:

but have even heard of failures in the new 2015 model which uses the same 2.5 engine.

Where have you heard this?

Given how simple it is to sort the main issue, head gasket failure with better head stubs, I can't see subaru not solving this in the newer cars. However, the pistons are probably the same, but this was less of an issue relatively speaking.

[macky17]

I drove one of these and loved the power and character of the thing but it had the worst steering of any car I've driven. Ever. No feel and really loose and imprecise. Was there something wrong or is this typical?

[JM5]

Loved my STi hatch, do it!

Mine was a 2009 did lots of track days in it, launched it regularly and generally drove it hard with no reliability issues.

[macky17]

macky17 said:

I drove one of these and loved the power and character of the thing but it had the worst steering of any car I've driven. Ever. No feel and really loose and imprecise. Was there something wrong or is this typical?

I'll assume from the silence that they are all like this. Shame as I liked everything else about it.

[Hol]

I drove a demo STI when they first came out in 2008, but my JDM Blobeye at the time was extensively modified throughout and I could see the immediate need for similar upgrades again - but nobody had really developed any specific tuning parts for the new shape back then.

so, I decided to wait and pick something second hand up a year later when the parts were there.
Before I did, a few people on SN started reporting ring-land failures and warranty issues because they had changed the back box etc.. So, I sold my Blobeye and bought a Caterham-type car for the track and a Forester daily with the cash.

Looking back, I often wonder if I made the right choice, or whether I should have just gone with it and swapped out the pistons.

[giblet]

Is there a decent buyers guide for the STi hatchback? I've tried searching for one but not managed to find anything suitably comprehensive.

[Lora-x]

The ringland failure is definitely one to look out for, I started getting signs of it 4 months after I bought it, and spent nearly £4k getting the engine forged and mapped with a few other minor upgrades.

I get an average of 20-25 mpg out of mine, mostly this is A/B road driving on the daily commute which is about 15-20 miles each way, and the odd spirited drive.

Car is low mileage for it's age and I've just had a major service done as it was due on age with brake pads and discs all round for £1300 (inc VAT). Previous minor services have been about £300-£500ish.
I was warned there was a bit of an issue with replacing the discs, in that when you remove them you tend to find the threads are stripped so need helicoiling, I needed this on all 4.

I've been warned the coolant hoses need replacing for silicone ones, but that's an easy fix at £60ish.

It's been a good car really, I've only had one random issue with it, I ended up with a pin prick sized hole in the heater matrix, which leaked coolant into the passenger footwell and I lost heat, part had to be shipped in from Japan/Sweden and was a dashboard out job to fix, no idea how the hole happened, but the part wasn't cheap!

I do love it though, you don't see many of them around which I quite like, as it makes it a bit more unique. It is heavy though and you can really feel that, especially up against some of the pocket rockets, but it's got grunt. It's also a little more stealth I think than your older more 'typical' Subaru.

I have the 330s model, which gives you some nice little extras too....keyless entry/start, bucket seats, touch-screen sat-nav and a little more power

[ellipsis]

I had a 330S and wish I hadn't sold it. Not withstanding they've barely dropped in value, it was a fantastic car

[tonyb1968]

RB5Bird said:

marcella said:

but have even heard of failures in the new 2015 model which uses the same 2.5 engine.

Where have you heard this?

Yup, a few in the states with bearing failures, at least 1 in the UK though that was down to the owner running it on 95 ron fuel so it had piston failure...

Cant fix a bad engine with those design flaws unfortunately... (or polish a turd, whichever way you see best)

[arthur t]

I test drove a couple of these and the steering feel was not great and the interia is really nasty for a car circa £18k.

But sounded and drive well.

I think you would struggle to sell it again though, as the market for these cars is very small due to known engine problems.

My money would be buy a S3 or a old STI and enjoy the extra cash.

[giblet]

I posted above asking for buyers advice as my mate was looking at getting one. He ended up doing a deal on an 08 hatch with the Prodrive pack the day after my post. A lot of car for the money, performance is silly. Raw pace is on par with my ISF but obviously I would be left eating his dust on a twisty road. Styling is spot on, when that thing appears in your rear view mirror you know it means business.

Now the next question, is there any point in mapping a car that already has a Prodrive map on? He has no plans to forge the engine so reliability is the main requirement. Would the usual breathing mods of an intake and a decat pipe help and if so would it need a remap after fitting them?

[paulmoonraker]

I would not mess about with the air intake as this nearly always causes problems. For a de-cat you will need a remap. You will develop more power than the prodrive map with a custom remap, and a good mapper will have it running safer.

[giblet]

Cheers for that. Will tell him to have a chat with a few local tuning companies. What grade oil are you chaps running? I'm finding conflicting comments online between using the factory 5W30 or changing to something like 5W40.