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Thoughts on 2007 Suby STI...

S

SJ10

Chimp
Dec 11, 2004
32
0
OP,

I have an 04 STI and it's been an awesome car. Stock engine, modified suspension, fun all weather daily driver and reliable so far. Take it to the ski hill every weekend and to work during the week. I'm a bit older than you, and yes the car is a little rice, but I still look forward to driving it and I really don't care what others think.

That said, these are the things I would check before you buy:

Compression and leak down by a good shop.
Mechanical inspection.
A cat back exhaust is fine but a turbo back without a tune is not.
07' on up seem to suffer from either a bad stock tune, pistons, or both. Consider getting a good tune if things check out mechanically. The tune is very important!
Stock or stage 1 or 2 is best if you can find one.
iwsti.com has an absoulte wealth of information.

Hope it works out!
 
Jm_

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
20,594
11,091
AK
Great cars overall. I've never heard they had head-gasket problems, as the turbo-subarus use a totally different (multi-layer) head-gasket system, which has in recent years been used on the non-turbos finally.

Yeah, stage 1 or 2 is ok, be wary of any other upgrades. Tunes are necessary with turbo-back exhaust.

I have a WRX wagon, it's cool cause the insurance calls it an "impreza wagon", so the insurance is pretty cheap. I've got the turbo-back exhaust, STI intercooler, short-ram intake, and of course the engine-management to go along with it. Those aren't too crazy as far as mods, and for further mods I'd need a new turbo, injectors, fuel pump, etc. These are "tuner" cars, not "ricer" cars. It's pretty rare to see a WRX/STI with Race Inspired Cosmetic Enhancements, as they are usually enhancements that actually do something. On most cars putting an aftermarket exhaust isn't really going to do anything, given the engine management and the intake restrictions, but with some EM and a more free-flowing exhaust, you can get the turbo to spin faster/earlier and actually have some significant gains, unlike most cars. You can tell if someone is a ricer idiot or tuner with a WRX/STI because replacing the cat-back exhaust doesn't do anything. All the restriction is upstream in the area of the downpipe and of course the cats. It takes the entire system with less restriction to give you some gains.

If you are in the market for a new car, the 2009 and on WRX is finally an upgrade over the previous generation. The 2008 WRX was a turd, relabled as the Impreza GT in 2009, but the 2009 WRX has a stiffer suspension, changed steering ratio, real gains in HP, and other drivetrain enhancements over the 2007. Due to the 5 speed gearbox, it's quicker to 60 with most drivers than the STI, but obviously it won't have the top-end. All in all it's a decent car, and of course with some mods you can have it running faster than an STI, but to really get to STI performance you have to upgrade brakes, drivetrain/suspension, engine, exhaust, and so on. In the end you'll have spent more money and won't have a warrenty, but it can be fun for the tuner who likes to slowly upgrade and add parts.
 
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Inclag

Inclag

Turbo Monkey
Sep 9, 2001
2,782
466
MA
Keep an eye on those $130 hydraulic timing belt tensioners too. If they fail they will kill your engine....

I'm through with Subaru after dropping a replacement engine in mine....:rant:
 
Leppah

Leppah

Turbo Monkey
Mar 12, 2008
2,294
3
Utar
The only thing RICE about the STI is that ugly a$$ wing. If you get the STI, take the wing off.
You could always get a WRX wagon and have the STI block stuffed in. My buddy had that setup in his wagon. It was fun to drive. Hehe. I didn't know he upgraded the brakes on that bad boy. He put STI brakes on it. I about threw myself and a friend through the windshield when i stomped on them.

Did you get the car yet?
 
kazlx

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,958
Tustin, CA
The car went through the auction and pulled $25K. Not a deal when I see them sell private party for a hair more than that. I was only interested if I could get it for around $20.
 
Leppah

Leppah

Turbo Monkey
Mar 12, 2008
2,294
3
Utar
Get a WRX Wagon and add a few things to it. They're way fun and work well with mild mods.
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
22,044
7,973
Colorado
04/05 Forester XT. They have the STI engine, just de-tuned. Also, all 2004 STI parts are direct bolt-on's. To hell w/ the WRX...
 
Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
22,169
7,439
borcester rhymes
The Joker said:
04/05 Forester XT. They have the STI engine, just de-tuned. Also, all 2004 STI parts are direct bolt-on's. To hell w/ the WRX...
Click to expand...
:stupid:

the xt is a gorgeous car in the sport edition, and with a little bit of effort could be just as fast. plus, it's not a retard magnet like the sti.
 
spocomptonrider

spocomptonrider

sportin' the CROCS
Nov 30, 2007
1,412
118
spokanistan
Sandwich said:
:stupid:

the xt is a gorgeous car in the sport edition, and with a little bit of effort could be just as fast. plus, it's not a retard magnet like the sti.
Click to expand...
Yes something about that car is just rad, its got actual ground clearance so you won't feel bad driving sweet places, looks good and its faster than your mind will allow you to think it is. Awesome idea.
 
Leppah

Leppah

Turbo Monkey
Mar 12, 2008
2,294
3
Utar
My friend that works for COBB drives the Forester XT. I never liked Foresters until I saw his and rode in it. He's got a few things done to it. Nothing big. He said he won't do much more than bolt on stuff after having a car that was tuned like crazy. It just had too many gremlins.
His Forester has a turbo back exhaust, headers, lowered a bit but still very functional, and aftermarket wheels. He had four of us in it, with about 15 cases of beer in the back and that car still hauled a$$. I'd totally get one of those.
 
Leppah

Leppah

Turbo Monkey
Mar 12, 2008
2,294
3
Utar
I teased him about it being for lesbo's for a while. Now that it's modified a bit, I don't say that about it as much.
 
gsweet

gsweet

Monkey
Dec 20, 2001
733
4
Minnesota
I agree wholeheartedly on the FXT approach. I've owned mine (a red 04) for about three months now, and it's a blast. Great in the snow, fantastic in the mud and such. Mine is completely stock, as I purchased an extended warranty with it (something I don't intend to void while it's valid). However, with a few tweaks, you'll be destroying stock STI's (see: how to go faster than an STI for cheap). For 20 grand, you'd be able to pick up a very low mile FXT, tweak it for some fun, and probably still have at least a grand left over. On the downside, you don't get a 6 speed, and the 5 speed FXT's are not easy to find these days (I had to fly down to Virginia from Boston to get mine).

Good luck with whatever your decision is. Joker, how are you liking yours?
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
22,044
7,973
Colorado
I get it on 3/24. I have been ordering parts for it already. Got new wheels coming, FXTI Type-C wheels, and will be putting on an STI 20mm rear sway, then KYG GR's w/ STI take-off springs and saggy butt spacers. It's STG2FXT's from SF.org.
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
22,044
7,973
Colorado
SkaredShtles said:
And yet you're looking to save $100 on hotels for the drive back by couch-surfing? :rofl: :rofl:
Click to expand...
Yes. I'd rather put my money into something tangible. A bed is a bed,is a couch, is a ...
I'd rather use that $200 I will save on hotels to put towards my car.
 
Demomonkey

Demomonkey

Monkey
Apr 27, 2005
857
0
Auckland New Zealand
FWIW I've got an 01 STi Imprezza (same chassis and motor as the one you're considering), completely stock and I've clocked up 130,000km in it. Its been reliable, safe and occasionally a hell a lot of fun.

Mine gets a work out about once a month on some B roads but the rest of time I just putt-putt around town.

They are solid cars. Just make sure its got a good history.
 
boogenman

boogenman

Turbo Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
4,438
1,152
BUFFALO
kazlx said:
The car went through the auction and pulled $25K. Not a deal when I see them sell private party for a hair more than that. I was only interested if I could get it for around $20.
Click to expand...
Used car price are through the freaking roof right now! It is crazy how high they are. You are waaaaaay better off buying from a dealer that has one is stock right now. If they have had it over 60-90 days they probably paid next to nothing for it, especially if it was a trade in and not a wholesale purchase.
 
kazlx

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,958
Tustin, CA
boogenman said:
Used car price are through the freaking roof right now! It is crazy how high they are. You are waaaaaay better off buying from a dealer that has one is stock right now. If they have had it over 60-90 days they probably paid next to nothing for it, especially if it was a trade in and not a wholesale purchase.
Click to expand...
It was a repo. That's pretty much all my friend's company deals with.

I passed and bought an R1 I got a deal on instead.
 
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