2008 Sti Hatch?

[infernouk]

hey guys

was looking through insurance price (as they dictate the car I can buy at 22)

I have seen there is a 50% drop in price when buying a 08 hatch vs pre 08 full size imprezzas.

Therefore I wanted to know what they are like in terms of running costs and repairs as its a potential way for me to get into a 4WD car with decent power for my age.

I had read about there being issues requiring engine replacement which sounds expensive! though i hear its fixable with simple software, but i dont want to buy one for around 15k then have the engine blow on me and face bills in the thousands!

So really just looking for some education on this model. A neighbour has had once since 08 so may go talk to him as well!

[rb5er]

Just buy one with warranty and you can't go wrong.

[ScoobieWRX]

As soon as you buy one get it remapped. Find out if it's had an engine change, if so it may have been remapped, if not get it done even if the car is standard. They run way too lean and too much ignition timing from the factory so needs to be sorted.

I would get a mechanic to have a good look at the cylinder bores and tops of the pistons using a borescope to check everything is in good order, no knock damage etc...

There are lots of hatchbacks that are perfectly fine and haven't been affected in any way but i would still get them remapped.

This is just my opinion, nothing more.

[infernouk]

rb5er said:

Just buy one with warranty and you can't go wrong.

i want a 08 so im guessing they are ouf or warranty by now.


I was considering buying a higher milage version and paying £3K for the reforged engine, but then i was worried about damage already being done and so would require a full rebuild as well!

this one looks good?

http://beta.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

States at the end it had a new engine 500 miles ago and new stronger pistons!

Edited by infernouk on Sunday 17th June 11:20

[paulmoonraker]

What sort of quotes are you getting if you don't mind me asking? I am surprised that anybody would insure an STi at 22, however, I guess given the low sales volumes and price statistically they are probably quite safe.

[infernouk]

paulmoonraker said:

What sort of quotes are you getting if you don't mind me asking? I am surprised that anybody would insure an STi at 22, however, I guess given the low sales volumes and price statistically they are probably quite safe.

£1500, though i think im going to go for the focus RS at the same insurance cost

[paulmoonraker]

infernouk said:

paulmoonraker said:

What sort of quotes are you getting if you don't mind me asking? I am surprised that anybody would insure an STi at 22, however, I guess given the low sales volumes and price statistically they are probably quite safe.

£1500, though i think im going to go for the focus RS at the same insurance cost

That's cheap, very cheap for your age IMO... anyway, for what it's worth I would probably buy an RS over the new STi. Sure, technically it's not as good, but you won't get close to the limits of either on the roads... It also looks a million times better...

[infernouk]

paulmoonraker said:

That's cheap, very cheap for your age IMO... anyway, for what it's worth I would probably buy an RS over the new STi. Sure, technically it's not as good, but you won't get close to the limits of either on the roads... It also looks a million times better...

yea the RS is £1400 insurance (the 350 upgrade approved by ford is also only £1400 for some reason) so its £100 cheaper there.

Cheaper road tax, similar mpg, looks better. but is more expensive to buy!

[Adam205]

infernouk said:

I was considering buying a higher milage version and paying £3K for the reforged engine

What on earth is a reforged engine?!

[rb5er]

infernouk said:

rb5er said:

Just buy one with warranty and you can't go wrong.

i want a 08 so im guessing they are ouf or warranty by now.

One with an extended warranty, or get the car pdi'd and buy a warranty. Peace of mind for if anything goes wrong.

[drumsterphil]

I had one and first thing I had the engine rebuilt using forged internals then had it remapped (I was originally going big power but didn't come to fruition) .

I know of one that's had two engine failures and some that are fine. I will say that my mapper was hesitant about remapping for additional power based on the original internals and I trust his judgement.

If you're buying one always run on Super (V Power for me) and I'd suggest a dose of NF for additional det protection.

[JM5]

infernouk said:

hey guys

was looking through insurance price (as they dictate the car I can buy at 22)

I have seen there is a 50% drop in price when buying a 08 hatch vs pre 08 full size imprezzas.

Therefore I wanted to know what they are like in terms of running costs and repairs as its a potential way for me to get into a 4WD car with decent power for my age.

I had read about there being issues requiring engine replacement which sounds expensive! though i hear its fixable with simple software, but i dont want to buy one for around 15k then have the engine blow on me and face bills in the thousands!

So really just looking for some education on this model. A neighbour has had once since 08 so may go talk to him as well!

Go for it!!! I read all the horror stories online and nearly didn’t buy one but wouldn’t think twice now I've done around 15k miles in mine so far with no issues. I use it daily and I'm still enjoying driving it.

As said prior just get it checked over. Most 08 STIs were recalled and reflashed to solve this problem so check if this has been carried out also and how many miles it had done prior to the reflash. Dont buy one with an induction kit if it hasnt been remapped as that will make it run even more lean and has been pointed out as the cause of a number of engine failures.

paulmoonraker said:

What sort of quotes are you getting if you don't mind me asking? I am surprised that anybody would insure an STi at 22, however, I guess given the low sales volumes and price statistically they are probably quite safe.

For some reason the 2008+ STIs aren’t that bad on insurance. I'm 22 but was 21 when first insured on mine and I pay just over £1300 so less than I was paying for the Z4 I had before it.

[JM5]

Here's a picture to help your decision!

[BerksJack]

If you havent already, Take both for a test drive before making your mind up.

The more I see of the hatch, they really are growing on me.