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Old 01-01-2013, 04:45 PM   #1
jmaluso
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Member#: 6616
Join Date: May 2001
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Vehicle:
'06 Forester XT
Gray

Default WRX / STi questions - i've been out of the loop for quite a while.

Hello again everyone.

I am contemplating another WRX or STi as a second vehicle (especially if my wife and I move out of the area to somewhere w/a little more snow). What have I missed in the Subaru world? I had an Aspen White '06 STi and loved it. I shouldn't have got rid of that thing! Dang! Well, if this ends up happening again, I will probably go the used route...are there any troublesome model years that I should watch out for? I heard through the grapevine that '08 might be a bad year. Is that accurate? Any specific issues to look for? Also are there any issues specifically with the hatches over the sedans?

Later,
Joe
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Old 01-01-2013, 06:06 PM   #2
Mc29xMc
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Member#: 334338
Join Date: Oct 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Waldorf, MD
Vehicle:
2015 WRX
Crystal Black Silica

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I have an 08 hatchback, and I haven't had any issues with it. It has a ton of room in it and is useful for some hauling. If you can't stand hatches, then an 08-10 may not be the one for you, unless you would be just as happy in a WRX. Just my opinion though, good luck on your search!
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Old 01-02-2013, 07:49 AM   #3
jmaluso
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Join Date: May 2001
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Vehicle:
'06 Forester XT
Gray

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This was one of the things I found that has made me nervous - http://www.stiblog.com/articles/2009...ubaru-failure/
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Old 01-02-2013, 03:36 PM   #4
KONKILR
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Member#: 3190
Join Date: Dec 2000
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Flintstone,md.
Vehicle:
2004 Impreza TS and
the Suxass racing mobile!

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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmaluso View Post
This was one of the things I found that has made me nervous - http://www.stiblog.com/articles/2009...ubaru-failure/
I dont see a year specific issue. I see failures often that are due to improper care for the vehicle. If you abuse the crap out of it you will see a failure.

As far as best years. IMHO 05 6 speed was the best trans, 08 and later has the best suspension/chassis and engine.

jake
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Old 01-02-2013, 07:56 AM   #5
gaedikus
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Member#: 310254
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Stafford, VA
Vehicle:
04 Forester XT
Silver

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i have an 04 STI, although mine was chocked full of issues when i first bought her (grumble mumble racka frassa), she's fixed now and starting to look much more pretty... but im looking at the '11 STI as a successor.

edit: in regards to your article above, i thought 07 STI's were the best year to own??
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Old 01-02-2013, 09:22 AM   #6
robotarmy
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Member#: 264376
Join Date: Nov 2010
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Vehicle:
'04 WRX, JBP, stg 2
'05 Outback XT, ABP

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Quote:
Originally Posted by gaedikus View Post
i thought 07 STI's were the best year to own??
no way, '05 STIs are the best.
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Old 01-02-2013, 11:17 AM   #7
Smurftastic
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Virginia
Vehicle:
2002 TOPSCOOB031
HighwaystarGarage

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Quote:
Originally Posted by robotarmy View Post

no way, '05 STIs are the best.
Yes, 05 is the best build
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Old 01-02-2013, 11:52 AM   #8
gaedikus
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Member#: 310254
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Stafford, VA
Vehicle:
04 Forester XT
Silver

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Quote:
Originally Posted by robotarmy View Post
no way, '05 STIs are the best.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smurftastic View Post
Yes, 05 is the best build
even for transmissions?
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Old 01-02-2013, 03:45 PM   #9
thehollowrift
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Join Date: May 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Frederick County - MD
Vehicle:
04 STi
PSM

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Quote:
Originally Posted by gaedikus View Post
even for transmissions?
Yes.

Only years with issues were pre-04, or based off of improper scaling with WRX guys blowing them up when they are 350+whp during bad launches.

05's are awesome, but owning an 04 will make you a pioneer!!!


04 for the win :-)

If you can find one that hasn't been molested, decent lowish miles (under 50k) for around $15.5k snatch it up and don't look back. Its much easier to add mods yourself. Be sure to check all the critical bolts (turbo, suspension bits, etc) for tool marks. If you see a couple things that look fudgy they are, and run.

Also, you can't go wrong with some of the new cars. I have a 2012 Legacy that is a dream to cruise in. It's not a sport car but that is what the STi is for.

Search the web, or talk to Ed Rucker @ Annapolis Subaru.
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Old 01-02-2013, 03:59 PM   #10
jmaluso
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Member#: 6616
Join Date: May 2001
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Vehicle:
'06 Forester XT
Gray

Default

If anyone remembers me from years ago - I have foolishly bought a million different cars throughout my younger years. Along with the White STi I mentioned earlier I also had an JBP w/Gold '04 STi as well. I honestly loved them both.

I just don't want to make a mistake buying a newer model year WRX or STi if they aren't as stable as what I was used to. I just need to catch up on some of the more recent changes and do some more research I guess.

Joe

Last edited by jmaluso; 01-03-2013 at 05:52 PM.
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Old 01-02-2013, 04:42 PM   #11
prescottn6ft7
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Member#: 268918
Join Date: Jan 2011
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Vehicle:
2006 WRX STi
World Rally Blue

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There are major differences in the DCCD's of the 04-07 model years versus the 08-current model. And at the track I have yet to lose to an 08-current model WRX or STi tuned or untuned stage II. I am Cobb OTS stage II in an 04 with 52k original miles. Only problem I have with my 04 is a slight syncro grind going from 3rd - 4th under heavy acceleration. I have never been in an 05 that had this problem, and 06-07 use carbon treated syncros that completely alleviated this issue.

There are numerous threads about 06-07 STi's motor build quality search cracked #3 ringland
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Old 01-02-2013, 04:59 PM   #12
jmaluso
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Member#: 6616
Join Date: May 2001
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Vehicle:
'06 Forester XT
Gray

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by prescottn6ft7 View Post
There are major differences in the DCCD's of the 04-07 model years versus the 08-current model. And at the track I have yet to lose to an 08-current model WRX or STi tuned or untuned stage II. I am Cobb OTS stage II in an 04 with 52k original miles. Only problem I have with my 04 is a slight syncro grind going from 3rd - 4th under heavy acceleration. I have never been in an 05 that had this problem, and 06-07 use carbon treated syncros that completely alleviated this issue.

There are numerous threads about 06-07 STi's motor build quality search cracked #3 ringland
Thanks! I will take a look.
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