25k-30k miles to much for a 2004 STi?

[Corporate Thug]

I found a 2004 STi for $23000 out the door with 27k miles, is that too much for the turbo? I know repairs on that thing can get really pricey.

What do you all think?

PS all 2004-2005 models that I found in the $25k range has 25-30k, at the lowest.

 

[zerocool84]

That's not a lot of miles for a car that old but that seems high to me for a car that old.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Would you rather it was older? Its still only 27k miles. Just means he probably drove alot on the interstate.

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

2007 - 2004 = 3 years. 27000miles / 3 years = 9000 miles per year. Thats really low. I know I drive around 12k miles a year.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Would you rather it was older? Its still only 27k miles. Just means he probably drove alot on the interstate.

um, no. highway driving almost always correlates to higher than average mileage, not lower. so for a car that old, you'd be looking at 60,000+ miles if it was a car that saw mostly highway miles.

with mileage that low, it was either someone's weekend toy, or it never hit the highway at all. there are upsides and downsides to both scenarios.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Dudewithoutapet
2007 - 2004 = 3 years. 27000miles / 3 years = 9000 miles per year. Thats really low. I know I drive around 12k miles a year.

and that's assuming a late 2004. an early 2004 it could be under 7000 miles a year. so it's either a short commuter and a toy, or just a toy. neither are particularly easy on an engine.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Would you rather it was older? Its still only 27k miles. Just means he probably drove alot on the interstate.

um, no. highway driving almost always correlates to higher than average mileage, not lower. so for a car that old, you'd be looking at 60,000+ miles if it was a car that saw mostly highway miles.

with mileage that low, it was either someone's weekend toy, or it never hit the highway at all. there are upsides and downsides to both scenarios.

Opps misread what he was worrying about.
Anyway no 27k miles isn't a problem for a turbo. They will go well over 100k miles anymore without any problems.

 

[thirdeye]

That's not really out of line. I have 33k on my 2005. It's a solid car regardless, as long as you're willing to forgive some squeaks and rattles here and there, you shouldn't have much if any mechanical problems.

Only thing that seems more expensive than average on the car is the brakes, but it all depends on what you buy, and what kind of performance you want.

 

[exdeath]

The plugs and the oil should tell you everything you need to know.

 

[DanFungus]

It's most likely been modded then put back to stock, possibly without engine management. Could be a solid motor, or it could already have a death wish depending on how it was taken care of.

 

[ayabe]

Most STI's are abused beyond belief I wouldn't go near a used one unless you know the owner.

That being said, the turbo should last till around 70K miles if well maintained.

 

[Vic]

That's relatively low mileage, and scarcely even broken in yet.
Turbo concerns are unjustified at that mileage. I know of a modded 02 WRX still going strong at nearly 200k miles on the stock turbo.

There are many ways to tell if the car was previously modded and put back to stock, and/or if it was abused. For example, all the major component bolts are marked at the factory so you can tell if a particular part has been removed and replaced because the markings won't line up.
Don't believe all the FUD though. Subaru says that the average age of STI buyers is over 40. Although a number of STI's do fall into abusive hands, it's the WRX's, with their significantly lower price tag, that you need to be more worried about having been punked by some kid.
Another thing that you could is take a pic of the car and then post it over at the Southern CA club on Nasioc.com. Only about 3k STI's are sold in the US each year. So if this one had been modded and raced, it's pretty likely that someone in that area would know about it.


edit: I have never understood the squeaks and rattles complaints. That's what all performance cars do. If you're looking for quiet and comfy you shouldn't even be considering an STI.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Vic

Don't believe all the FUD though. Subaru says that the average age of STI buyers is over 40. Although a number of STI's do fall into abusive hands, it's the WRX's, with their significantly lower price tag, that you need to be more worried about having been punked by some kid.

Yes, daddy's do buy the STI's, but the kiddies are the ones driving them.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Vic

Don't believe all the FUD though. Subaru says that the average age of STI buyers is over 40. Although a number of STI's do fall into abusive hands, it's the WRX's, with their significantly lower price tag, that you need to be more worried about having been punked by some kid.

Yes, daddy's do buy the STI's, but the kiddies are the ones driving them.

I won't argue that that isn't frequently the case. However, when I hook up at local Subie meets or over at PDX Tuning, most of the modded STI's are being driven by guys ranging about 35-45 in age. Seriously.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Vic

Don't believe all the FUD though. Subaru says that the average age of STI buyers is over 40. Although a number of STI's do fall into abusive hands, it's the WRX's, with their significantly lower price tag, that you need to be more worried about having been punked by some kid.

Yes, daddy's do buy the STI's, but the kiddies are the ones driving them.

I won't argue that that isn't frequently the case. However, when I hook up at local Subie meets or over at PDX Tuning, most of the modded STI's are being driven by guys ranging about 35-45 in age. Seriously.

That's good news actually. I have only ever seen one STI driven by a guy over 40. On thursdaya we have Subie meets at one of the local bars and all 20 or STI's are driven by college kids - and they aren't so kind on their daddy's purchase.

 

[DougK62]

Yep, way too much. Everyone knows that turbo cars explode at 30k.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: DougK62
Yep, way too much. Everyone knows that turbo cars explode at 30k.

actually, due to the intense pressure pushing the parts inward, turbo cars implode, leaving a miniature black hole. this is why you always read about how tow companies and emergency personnel won't help you if your turbo car breaks down on the road. i read that some people starved to death in their Evo when they ran out of gas and AAA wouldn't help them because they didn't want to be sucked into another dimension. in the article, the tow driver was quoted as saying "Those Evos really suck hard.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: DougK62
Yep, way too much. Everyone knows that turbo cars explode at 30k.

actually, due to the intense pressure pushing the parts inward, turbo cars implode, leaving a miniature black hole. this is why you always read about how tow companies and emergency personnel won't help you if your turbo car breaks down on the road. i read that some people starved to death in their Evo when they ran out of gas and AAA wouldn't help them because they didn't want to be sucked into another dimension. in the article, the tow driver was quoted as saying "Those Evos really suck hard.

That's f'n classic :thumbsup:

But seriously turbos cars can be just as reliable as any other car if treated with the same respect as other cars do but unfortunately they dont. I've had my srt-4 since august 05 with 29k miles and no mechanical problems with bolt-ons. as long as it's not beat on hard it could last you forever. Remember all these cars are based off economy cars so interior and fit and finish isnt the best ever and squeaks and rattles happen, just a part of getting speed on the cheap.

 

[NutBucket]

Its a good price but get it checked out by an independent shop if possible. Hell, get NASIOC'er to look it over. Its usually not terribly difficult to tell if the car's been modded.

Assuming its in good shape, the car will easily hit 100k with no major repairs. I'd say the most realistic concern would be the condition of the clutch and brakes. From what I've seen (and someone will probably correct me on this), pads and rotors for the Brembos tend to be a good amount pricier than "normal" setups.

 

[No1ustad]

It kinda depends how they broke the turbo in as well...

 

[kumanchu]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Vic

Don't believe all the FUD though. Subaru says that the average age of STI buyers is over 40. Although a number of STI's do fall into abusive hands, it's the WRX's, with their significantly lower price tag, that you need to be more worried about having been punked by some kid.

Yes, daddy's do buy the STI's, but the kiddies are the ones driving them.

I won't argue that that isn't frequently the case. However, when I hook up at local Subie meets or over at PDX Tuning, most of the modded STI's are being driven by guys ranging about 35-45 in age. Seriously.

That's good news actually. I have only ever seen one STI driven by a guy over 40. On thursdaya we have Subie meets at one of the local bars and all 20 or STI's are driven by college kids - and they aren't so kind on their daddy's purchase.

seems like the sti owners i know of are mostly older guys too.

i also question the intelligence of a car meet at a bar.

 

[lupohki]

My '04 is in the low 30's and runs fine, but I don't drag it or anything.