WRX STI ownership advice!
Discussion
Hi all,
Ive posted a similar thread to this before, but I'm now in a position to pull the trigger. I currently own a 2011 MK2 focus ST, only mod is a stage one map to around 250 ish hp. I love the car and its its been a pleasure to own for the last year or so. However, I have always loved scoobys, and am currently in the market for a 2004-06 WRX STI, with around 10K to spend, could stretch this a little for an immaculate example.
My only concern is one of reliability, and the obvious fact that I would be buying a nearly 10 year old performance car, so obviously a well looked after example is crucial.
My question(s) is basically would you bother ? what things do I need to look for and also as a side note, anyone had any dealings with 'boystoys ltd' car sales, they seem to have a good stock, but ive read mixed reviews!
Thanks for your help
Ive posted a similar thread to this before, but I'm now in a position to pull the trigger. I currently own a 2011 MK2 focus ST, only mod is a stage one map to around 250 ish hp. I love the car and its its been a pleasure to own for the last year or so. However, I have always loved scoobys, and am currently in the market for a 2004-06 WRX STI, with around 10K to spend, could stretch this a little for an immaculate example.
My only concern is one of reliability, and the obvious fact that I would be buying a nearly 10 year old performance car, so obviously a well looked after example is crucial.
My question(s) is basically would you bother ? what things do I need to look for and also as a side note, anyone had any dealings with 'boystoys ltd' car sales, they seem to have a good stock, but ive read mixed reviews!
Thanks for your help
i have no experience of scooby's but do want to own one at some point, this may be worth a view http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2883...
i have bought plenty of older cars, the main thing is to buy on condition and not get too hung up on milage etc. avoid buying a car with engine mods as you never know how it was running before the mod. look for proper history (not a pencil scrawling in the service book), i also dont like buying vehicle with overly large exhausts as i know the effect they have on me haha.
i have bought plenty of older cars, the main thing is to buy on condition and not get too hung up on milage etc. avoid buying a car with engine mods as you never know how it was running before the mod. look for proper history (not a pencil scrawling in the service book), i also dont like buying vehicle with overly large exhausts as i know the effect they have on me haha.
Just to add some more info, i would be looking for as close to standard (ideally completely standard) as possible. defo the 2.0 lump (heard too many bad things about the 2.5, don't know how true) with between 40-70K miles on the clock. As mentioned though, I would definitely prioritize condition/history over low mileage.
I had two with the last being the blobeye in sti prodrive form. It wasn't tuned beyond prodrive' tweak but had suspension fettled, defi guages, ice and tinted rear windows. Well looked after a just serviced in accordance to guidance etc. didn't rag it but it had its moments. Never missed a beat. Not one issue in the two years I had it. The 2000 yr model had a clutch and gearbox replaced under warranty within 18 months of ownership having bought new.
They are great cars and really get under your skin but everybody wanted to race you. So despite best efforts, I usually ended up driving a little more aggressively than I would normally do.
21 mpg average on commute and not much better on motorway.
You must check out Scoobynet and ideally buy from an enthusiast and one with OCD if you can! I did and am!
They are great cars and really get under your skin but everybody wanted to race you. So despite best efforts, I usually ended up driving a little more aggressively than I would normally do.
21 mpg average on commute and not much better on motorway.
You must check out Scoobynet and ideally buy from an enthusiast and one with OCD if you can! I did and am!
Theres a fair few horror stories on the 2.5 engine (uk hawkeye onward) General consensus seems to be once its forged its bullet proof. My only condition when I was buying was that it had a forged engine already done. The 2 litres seems to be ok but as with anything its just your luck!
Shame you didnt buy mine, it would have been perfect for you.
These cars are very reliable and I dont think you will have much trouble with it. I had a 54 plate STI PPP with 65k miles on it and it was flawless. The only bad point with these cars is fuel costs, its horrendous. £70 gets you 200 miles of good driving, fast driving will be 160 odd.
The best STI to buy is a 2005 STI PPP, the reason is because this car is a hawkeye model with the blobeye bodyshell and engine, you have the best of everything including DCCD gearbox.
Mods are not a big deal, people seem to really over react to modifications. Look what mods it has and the condition of the car. If its an air filter, exhaust, fuel pump and remap then why are you worried? These are just basic mods and will not give you any issues over a standard car.
These cars are very reliable and I dont think you will have much trouble with it. I had a 54 plate STI PPP with 65k miles on it and it was flawless. The only bad point with these cars is fuel costs, its horrendous. £70 gets you 200 miles of good driving, fast driving will be 160 odd.
The best STI to buy is a 2005 STI PPP, the reason is because this car is a hawkeye model with the blobeye bodyshell and engine, you have the best of everything including DCCD gearbox.
Mods are not a big deal, people seem to really over react to modifications. Look what mods it has and the condition of the car. If its an air filter, exhaust, fuel pump and remap then why are you worried? These are just basic mods and will not give you any issues over a standard car.
Stuart_D said:
Shame you didnt buy mine, it would have been perfect for you.
These cars are very reliable and I dont think you will have much trouble with it. I had a 54 plate STI PPP with 65k miles on it and it was flawless. The only bad point with these cars is fuel costs, its horrendous. £70 gets you 200 miles of good driving, fast driving will be 160 odd.
The best STI to buy is a 2005 STI PPP, the reason is because this car is a hawkeye model with the blobeye bodyshell and engine, you have the best of everything including DCCD gearbox.
Mods are not a big deal, people seem to really over react to modifications. Look what mods it has and the condition of the car. If its an air filter, exhaust, fuel pump and remap then why are you worried? These are just basic mods and will not give you any issues over a standard car.
You sure about that? These cars are very reliable and I dont think you will have much trouble with it. I had a 54 plate STI PPP with 65k miles on it and it was flawless. The only bad point with these cars is fuel costs, its horrendous. £70 gets you 200 miles of good driving, fast driving will be 160 odd.
The best STI to buy is a 2005 STI PPP, the reason is because this car is a hawkeye model with the blobeye bodyshell and engine, you have the best of everything including DCCD gearbox.
Mods are not a big deal, people seem to really over react to modifications. Look what mods it has and the condition of the car. If its an air filter, exhaust, fuel pump and remap then why are you worried? These are just basic mods and will not give you any issues over a standard car.
Stuart_D said:
Shame you didnt buy mine, it would have been perfect for you.
These cars are very reliable and I dont think you will have much trouble with it. I had a 54 plate STI PPP with 65k miles on it and it was flawless. The only bad point with these cars is fuel costs, its horrendous. £70 gets you 200 miles of good driving, fast driving will be 160 odd.
The best STI to buy is a 2005 STI PPP, the reason is because this car is a hawkeye model with the blobeye bodyshell and engine, you have the best of everything including DCCD gearbox.
Mods are not a big deal, people seem to really over react to modifications. Look what mods it has and the condition of the car. If its an air filter, exhaust, fuel pump and remap then why are you worried? These are just basic mods and will not give you any issues over a standard car.
I'd not discount a hawk eye with the 2.5 litre engine. The issues you hear about with the 2.5 primarily relate to the 2008 hatch models and it would be difficult to tell of those that have lunched themselves how many were running standard power and how many weren't. In general with STI's I'd check the brake discs and the cam belt has been changed. I got stung with my brakes in they were the original discs (I missed this which was poor form)and so needed replacing when the MOT came along. These cars are very reliable and I dont think you will have much trouble with it. I had a 54 plate STI PPP with 65k miles on it and it was flawless. The only bad point with these cars is fuel costs, its horrendous. £70 gets you 200 miles of good driving, fast driving will be 160 odd.
The best STI to buy is a 2005 STI PPP, the reason is because this car is a hawkeye model with the blobeye bodyshell and engine, you have the best of everything including DCCD gearbox.
Mods are not a big deal, people seem to really over react to modifications. Look what mods it has and the condition of the car. If its an air filter, exhaust, fuel pump and remap then why are you worried? These are just basic mods and will not give you any issues over a standard car.
Daniel1 said:
You sure about that?
Spot on the hawk eye model started from 2006 onward and initially was available with the 2 litre engine. The 2005 STI PPP is still a blob eye but has the updated Hawk eye interior and DCCD. Sounds promising so far! as for the mpg, I don't think this would bother me much as I'm only getting early to mid 20's out my ST, and I don't exactly rag it around. Also, i only work 5 miles away so I'm not exactly racking up the miles!
Just remembered another reason against the 2.5L! Am i right in thinking the 2.0 fall in the lower tax bracket of around £295? I know they went to the ridiculous £500 tax bracket but not sure which year this happened ?
Thanks again...
Just remembered another reason against the 2.5L! Am i right in thinking the 2.0 fall in the lower tax bracket of around £295? I know they went to the ridiculous £500 tax bracket but not sure which year this happened ?
Thanks again...
vtecgobwah said:
Sounds promising so far! as for the mpg, I don't think this would bother me much as I'm only getting early to mid 20's out my ST, and I don't exactly rag it around. Also, i only work 5 miles away so I'm not exactly racking up the miles!
Just remembered another reason against the 2.5L! Am i right in thinking the 2.0 fall in the lower tax bracket of around £295? I know they went to the ridiculous £500 tax bracket but not sure which year this happened ?
Thanks again...
Yep I think the 06 plates are the last before tax got stupid. Anything after that which is when and its £490 (surely a £10 saving can change you mind :-P).Just remembered another reason against the 2.5L! Am i right in thinking the 2.0 fall in the lower tax bracket of around £295? I know they went to the ridiculous £500 tax bracket but not sure which year this happened ?
Thanks again...
Either way good luck finding a scooby they are great cars if a little uncultured at times.
Daniel1 said:
I thought all hawkeye uk sti's were the 2.5
Fortunately not I think anything made in 2006 (or at the very least 06 plated ones) ran with the 2L engine. Finding those would be tricky as they are quite rare. The Japanese imports also run the 2L engine and hit the £295 bracketGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff