YACT: 2004 WRX STi

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: helpme

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: OS
heh, are you ok with fact that if the car was hard driven it might need a new clutch in the near future?

Subaru warranties clutches for 3/36.

I thought the clutch plates are always considered a wear and tear item, and thus is not covered under warranty (unless it fails due to defect).

Subaru warranties ALL wearable items (brakes, clutch, and even wipers) to 3/36.

So they say, heh. SOA is very stingy (as can be expected) when it comes to allowing warranty work on the clutch.

 

[Chrono]

I own a 06' STI and I love my car so fvckin' much. It's my only car and I drive it daily to everywhere really. I really have not driven a car I like more for the $.

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug

Originally posted by: dmw16
good price, but I'd go for the GTO, but Im a torque junkie. The drivetrain is bullet proof and there are a ton of mods out there for the LS1/LS2.

The STi was probably kid owned and modded foolishly with too much boost and all that crap, but thats just me. I know some people are anti-GM, but honestly, the GTO is built by Holden is AUstrailia and the build quality seems really good to me.

I would drive both and decide.

Another thing to consider is insurance. Both will be high, but the GTO may be a little lower since Id bet more STi's are wrecked every year.

EDIT: Oh, and 2 more things.

1) there are owners clubs out there for both cars. With the GTO, check out LS1tech.com (or do a search for GTO owners forum, think there is one like LS1GTO.com). They are both good forums. I dont know about the sites for STis, but there are alot out there. For me, a good owners club with local meets makes the car that much more fun to own.

2) as for the "is this a good price" question, check out Edmunds.com, that is the best way to get a price estimate.

lots of good info here! thanx!

:thumbsup:

for subarus, check out www.nasioc.com

 

[Chrono]

nabisco.
iwsti.com
i-club.com

Just ignore a lot of the immature WRX drivers out there. Lots of youngsters that only think about street racing daily, that really give a bad rep (and higher insurance rates) to WRX drivers out there.

 

[RGN]

I have a GTO and the guy that was my roommate for the summer had an '04 STi. I got to drive it a couple of times, great car. The GTO is more comfortable for the driver, has way more instant torque and doesn't beat you up when riding down the road. The scooby on the other hand felt faster than it really was and handled great. The seats were ok, they held you in pretty good. The suspension was pretty rough, no go for long trips.

That $19.5K seems like a great price, I'd consider buying one for winter/spring driving but I'm scared of the insurance rates. As much as the GTO is a high HP V8, it is cheap to insure.

 

[DanFungus]

have it checked by a reliable subaru mechanic - he'll be able to tell at the very least what bolt ons were done to it (probably a downpipe or turboback, maybe BOV, bigger turbo, etc.) by seeing if the bolts have been untightened/tightened. There is a huge aftermarket for these cars, so it's very likely it was modded at some point.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I'd take the GTO over an STI in reliability. GTO is just less complicated and has a very proven drivetrain. If I was going Subaru I'd have to go with a legacy GT. The STI is too boy racer looking for me.

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: Chrono
I own a 06' STI and I love my car so fvckin' much. It's my only car and I drive it daily to everywhere really. I really have not driven a car I like more for the $.

Is not really the same thing. The 06 have some better base options including a stereo.

Anyway, my father has one(waiting for my brother to get his license). '04 Blue/Gold, runs like a champ. He really enjoys it went drives it.

 

[thomsbrain]

i'm pretty sure the seats don't go down in the STi. that crosses it off my list. however, there's no denying it is a bad-ass car, and that's a pretty decent price for it. make sure the title is clean!

oh yeah, i forgot to remind you to check the insurance rates before you buy, and make sure you can handle it. the WRX costs an f-ing insane amount of money to insure. figure about $600 more a year than any other car anywhere near the price. even the S2000 is about $600 less a year.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Not a chance in hell I would buy a used STI. Those cars are notirous for there owners to beat them to a living hell and modding them with lots of boost. Mods you can no longer see if they have been removed. Stock tires are $200 each IIRC. You do become all the envy of every rice boy who wants to race though all thanks to that giganctic ass wing.

Get a GTO.

 

[Chrono]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1

Originally posted by: Chrono
I own a 06' STI and I love my car so fvckin' much. It's my only car and I drive it daily to everywhere really. I really have not driven a car I like more for the $.

Is not really the same thing. The 06 have some better base options including a stereo.

Anyway, my father has one(waiting for my brother to get his license). '04 Blue/Gold, runs like a champ. He really enjoys it went drives it.

I'm talking about driving it and such. I don't even have the same stereo system in it anymore. Just overall very fun and being boosted rocks.

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
i'm pretty sure the seats don't go down in the STi. that crosses it off my list. however, there's no denying it is a bad-ass car, and that's a pretty decent price for it. make sure the title is clean!

oh yeah, i forgot to remind you to check the insurance rates before you buy, and make sure you can handle it. the WRX costs an f-ing insane amount of money to insure. figure about $600 more a year than any other car anywhere near the price. even the S2000 is about $600 less a year.

as far as I know you can let the rear seat down, I can check tomorrow. Also depending on your insurer the may just list the WRX Impreza, not the specific models, meaning it wouldn't be that high.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
i'm pretty sure the seats don't go down in the STi. that crosses it off my list. however, there's no denying it is a bad-ass car, and that's a pretty decent price for it. make sure the title is clean!

oh yeah, i forgot to remind you to check the insurance rates before you buy, and make sure you can handle it. the WRX costs an f-ing insane amount of money to insure. figure about $600 more a year than any other car anywhere near the price. even the S2000 is about $600 less a year.

as far as I know you can let the rear seat down, I can check tomorrow. Also depending on your insurer the may just list the WRX Impreza, not the specific models, meaning it wouldn't be that high.

Impreza sedans don't have folding seats as far as I recall, they have a pass through for skis. A good reason they need to bring over STi wagons

 

[iversonyin]

GO FOR IT, you won't regret it

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: SithSolo1

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
i'm pretty sure the seats don't go down in the STi. that crosses it off my list. however, there's no denying it is a bad-ass car, and that's a pretty decent price for it. make sure the title is clean!

oh yeah, i forgot to remind you to check the insurance rates before you buy, and make sure you can handle it. the WRX costs an f-ing insane amount of money to insure. figure about $600 more a year than any other car anywhere near the price. even the S2000 is about $600 less a year.

as far as I know you can let the rear seat down, I can check tomorrow. Also depending on your insurer the may just list the WRX Impreza, not the specific models, meaning it wouldn't be that high.

Impreza sedans don't have folding seats as far as I recall, they have a pass through for skis. A good reason they need to bring over STi wagons

Yep. Rear seats don't fold down, pass-through only.

It's all but confirmed at this point that there will be an STi hatch/wagon for the 08 total redesign, but those won't go on sale until later next year. Expect the new Impreza to look a lot like the current gen Legacy except a little smaller.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I had a 2005 STi. Great car...can't say enough good things about it. Quick as hell too.

BTW-I don't think the Evo is any smaller than the WRX. They are both compact sedans.

That rear wing attracts cops faster than a donut shop though.

 

[chris7b]

I'd stay away from the 5speed wrx

 

[Chrono]

GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go stealth if you think the big wing is going to be a drag for you. (trade trunks)

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
Ok guys, so i'm looking for a sporty but (fairly) practical car in the 20-25k range.

I was heavily considering a used GTO, but I'm not sold on the reliability or the practicality.

So, the next car on the list is a 2004 STi WRX. I found one for $19500 (private seller, so this is the final price!), with 22k miles on it (in that gorgeous blue color). Good deal? Worth buying? any other cars to consider?

I looked into an Evo but it was waaaaaay to small for my preference. Without even considering the passengers, i felt uncomfortable in the drivers seat will the seat pulled all the way back.

That's a pretty good deal. It's hard to find an used STi under 20k. Make sure that if there are mods that they were installed correctly. AWD FTW!!!!

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: SithSolo1

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
i'm pretty sure the seats don't go down in the STi. that crosses it off my list. however, there's no denying it is a bad-ass car, and that's a pretty decent price for it. make sure the title is clean!

oh yeah, i forgot to remind you to check the insurance rates before you buy, and make sure you can handle it. the WRX costs an f-ing insane amount of money to insure. figure about $600 more a year than any other car anywhere near the price. even the S2000 is about $600 less a year.

as far as I know you can let the rear seat down, I can check tomorrow. Also depending on your insurer the may just list the WRX Impreza, not the specific models, meaning it wouldn't be that high.

Impreza sedans don't have folding seats as far as I recall, they have a pass through for skis. A good reason they need to bring over STi wagons

Yep. Rear seats don't fold down, pass-through only.

It's all but confirmed at this point that there will be an STi hatch/wagon for the 08 total redesign, but those won't go on sale until later next year. Expect the new Impreza to look a lot like the current gen Legacy except a little smaller.

Meh, give me back the GF/GC/GM days, a lot of flavor there. Even the bug eyes were unique compared to all the others on the road.

 

[I Saw OJ]

How its the GTO any less practical than the STi?

As for reliability, the LS2 T-56 combo is just about as bullet proof as you can get.

 

[SamurAchzar]

Get a new VW GTI. It's very quick, DSG is a hoot and great around town, interior is wonderful (as opposed to the cheap feeling STi), far better economy and passenger accommodations.
The torque and power spread of that 2.0TFSI engine is amazing, it always has power on tap.

Unless you're a hardcore driver - in which case you probably wouldn't seek advice here - the GTI would be more fun, day in day out, than an STi. Really, can't go wrong with that car.

 

[pray4mojo]

Might I add that some Mazda dealerships have/had rebates on the Mazdaspeed6? I heard some of them going for ~22k.

 

[BillyBatson]

my buddy owns a 2005? (the model year right before they changed the fornt grill) WRX STI, black.
overall luxury wise it is very minimal (the dash, radio, etc) but the seats are very comfy, he has power windows etc, the car hauls ass, and the freaking thing stops on a damn dime!!!!!!!!!!!!!! which is the scariest thing to experience since in any other normal car we would keep going and most likely die but somehow the car always stops where it is supposed to stop lol

 

[zerocool84]

well i know of many problems reguarding the trannies in the pre 06 wrx line but i know they fixed it in the 06 line. just be careful with the tranny and it should last you a long time and yes like said above the big wing is a cop magnet, take it from experience and take it off asap. good luck on wutever you choose and be safe