2003 Wrx Sti

sxi-kenny

im currently looking at a WRX STI, its a 2003 with 54k on the clock, the mileage seems a bit high for a car that age, can anyone give me any advice on this on wether i should go for it or not, not too clued up on subarus !!

any help appreciated

DKLS

Subarus are pretty much bomb proof, a highish mileage shouldnt put you off, as long as its been serviced regularly and the Cam belt changed when it should.
Take one for a test drive, and it will sell itself. There are plenty around so you can afford to be picky. IMO stay away from anything that has been Max Powered.

Edit any car that you can do your favourite corners at 30-40 MPH faster than a 2 wheel drive, is a winner for me.

saintjanet

The WRX STI is an enthusiasts car,if i were buying one i would do a great deal of research before i bought one,to see if it was the right car for my circumstances.They are often hammered but can take it,i would not be concerned about the mileage.,but check its never been crashed!!

Unless you are getting on a bit,LIKE ME!,you may find the insurance premiums really high.If you use it as intended ,fuel consumption will not be good,having said that,if you are a good driver and can get the best out of the WRX,BUY ONE,performance is great,bloke over the road from me is on his second.

Graham_Devon

I was going to go for one, didnt like the fact that I would be ammo for a race every time I hit the lights. Looked at Evo's. In the end went for a fast 4wd street sleeper.

I don't get as much attention unless someone in an maxxed out astra knows what it is and tries to race off next to me. Knowing I can leave them for dust i just drive off normally!

But I couldnt stand it everytime I hit the lights. Thats what you get with a scooby as all the chavs know exactly what it is and try to bait you in.

I didnt think much of the interior either.

Well worth looking at the history on the car, and stay well clear of something thats had bits bolted to it.

mistry_2

have a look over here https://www.scoobynet.com lots of enthusiasts to talk you into buying one, but more importantly what to look for.

DKLS

If you want to go a little subtler, but very similar car try the forester, looks like a normal estate, but as someone on here described it as a Stealth Wagon, It takes many people by surpise, and doesnt automatically attract the traffic light racers.

sxi-kenny

My situation is, im 24, still living with parents so ive got a good bit of dospossible income, I want to get a performance car before I get my own house, because I know when I get my own place I wont be able to afford, so this is prob my last chance to get one for a good couple of years. I am a car enthusiast so I know what the STI is all about, its just the mileage that’s putting me of, the average mileage per year is about 12000, this is averaging 18000 which is what im a bit weary about.

Graham_Devon

Ahh but the average mileage takes into account granny who pops to the shops 12 times a year.

Wouldn't be worried about the mileage personally, so long as theres some way of telling where it has done those miles. Wouldn't want that many miles on a car thats been torn round london all it's life for instance, but wouldn't bother me if it had sat on motorways etc for the majority.

I was in your position not too long back. Once the house is over with you can go back to getting a nice car again. I got rid of my nice car for an old N reg diesel for £1000 when I bought a place. Now I'm running that and the 'nice' car around.

Little_John

As it has been said check the service history, if it has been looked after properly then a higher then normal mileage shouldn't worry you. 12000 miles a year would as it is more likley to have been ragged around the streets where 18000 sounds more like motorway use. I have a 10 month old vectra with nearly 20k on it most of it motorway and it is fine, but its diesel so its still being run in.

ttoli

DKLS wrote:

If you want to go a little subtler, but very similar car try the forester, looks like a normal estate, but as someone on here described it as a Stealth Wagon, It takes many people by surpise, and doesnt automatically attract the traffic light racers.

Could even hold out for a Forester Sti, now theres a sleeper.

tomstickland

54K in 4 years is fine.

I was going to go for one, didnt like the fact that I would be ammo for a race every time I hit the lights.

7 years ago I went from a 1.3 Astra to bright Red GTE and discovered that everyone wanted to race it off the lights, even an old lady in a Metro one time! It was fun for a while, but I prefer the stealth approach nowadays.
Personally I prefer correct wheel drive rather than 4 wd, though they're both better than fwd.