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Old 07-05-2021, 04:57 AM   #1
Bugeye01WRX
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 506873
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle:
2001 WRX
Sedona Pearl Red

Default Should I buy this STI??

Hey guys

Looking at buying an STI from a dealer a nice 2001 STI exactly what I am after as the EJ207 come forged from factory and the gearbox obviously .

However been in contact with the dealer and he says it is getting a worn synchro repaired.

Is that a red flag? I know that the STI gearboxes are stupid strong and can easily handle 600hp so to hear them having issues makes me think it has had the living daylights thrashed out of it and that the entire gearbox might go boom.

I'd hate to buy an STI only for it to have an expensive gearbox replacement.

So should I avoid this vehicle? Any checks I could get done professionally without having them rip apart the box or if I decide to buy it just have to have faith in the box?
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Old 07-06-2021, 08:15 AM   #2
Unabomber
Big Ron
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Member#: 18062
Join Date: Apr 2002
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: I can save you a ton of cash
Vehicle:
on car parts so PM
me b4 j00 buy

Default

STI gearboxes are not stupid strong and they cannot easily handle 600HP. When you go online and read about how Carl and Tim are running 600HP, you cannot take those two data points and draw a trend line to the moon. That's not how logic or data analytics works. The 6MT is stronger than the 5MT. Yes. The 6MT can and does break, so don't think you have a "racing transmission".

Synchros fail. You take apart the case, you remove the gearset, you reinstall new synchros, you reassemble, then you smoke cigarettes. I literally did this last summer on my gearbox for no good reason. All my synchros were perfectly fine and they went into the trash and were replaced for new ones. Synchro failure does not mean the transmission is "bad".

You, as an end user, can do nothing to figure out if a transmission will fail. You or a mechanic can tell if there are clutch issues, synchro issues or differential issues. Failure is not something you can predict as gearbox failures come from shockload which is a formula of power*applications of power*severity of application=gearbox asspload.

You should have a pre-purchase inspection to include a compression check prior to purchasing ANY used vehicle. Mechanics love these as they are a refreshing break and they can give you general and specific advice on whether to or not to buy the car.
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Old 07-06-2021, 08:48 AM   #3
Jack
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Member#: 13699
Join Date: Dec 2001
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Hopkinton, MA
Vehicle:
2021 Building
It Better

Default

Everything Ron just said is 100% correct.

In addition, remember that this is an ancient car. Rubber bushings, boots, hoses, vacuum lines, brake hoses will very likely need replacement at this point. Your pre-purchase inspection can pay particular attention to these. Very few owners replace suspension bushings, ever. Look over Youtube videos on how to remove and install all of these bushings. While you're in there, look for string alignment videos. If you're willing to do some work, this can be done for a small price with lots of your own sweat equity. If you have to pay someone to do all of this, you'd better have found a one of 3 rare cars owned by Elton John as it's a crap ton of time to properly do this. The alternative (which I will admit I do) is to skip over this-old-car and buy something new.

And to be redundant, absolutely get a pre-purchase inspection.
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Old 07-06-2021, 03:12 PM   #4
rtv900
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Member#: 428511
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: philadelphia
Vehicle:
2016 STI

Default

you're concerned about a worn synchro and you didn't even state the mileage?

I mean, a synchro is a wear part, meant to be consumed to do it's job, so if there's decent mileage on this thing that is to be expected.
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Old 07-07-2021, 12:06 PM   #5
Bluestreak03
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Member#: 125887
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Southern Oregon
Vehicle:
2001 EJ207 V7 RSTi,
Mica Blue

Default

+1 for Unabomber, but not only that I'm a hands on person I rarely ever buy a car sight unseen
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Old 07-08-2021, 10:02 AM   #6
AnjaBrown
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Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Norlina, NC 27563
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be aware my friend, this car is really old...
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Old 07-08-2021, 10:37 AM   #7
Nix_Evo
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Member#: 131304
Join Date: Nov 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: New Jersey
Vehicle:
20 WRX PB Blue
19 Mustang Vert - GG

Default

Be wary of anything used. I had posted my horror story a few months ago regarding a used WRX I bought from a dealer. Be warned, even no glaring issues on a used performance car is a giant red flag.
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Old 07-08-2021, 11:10 AM   #8
subaru_gc8
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Member#: 29292
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Orange County CA
Vehicle:
2004 WRX wagon
silver

Default

also forged means maybe a little stronger but it also means it wears faster... you are dealing with a 2 0 year old car... my rule of thumb is keep at a minimum of 5000 USD on the side for incidentals
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Old 07-14-2021, 11:51 AM   #9
ericsson
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Member#: 208672
Join Date: Apr 2009
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Houston, TX
Vehicle:
2013 WRX STI Limited
Obsidian Black

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Avoid
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Old 07-14-2021, 09:02 PM   #10
Brentpierce
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Member#: 507011
Join Date: Oct 2019
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Better to decide if you can get it cheap and you have the resources to keep her in good condition.
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Old 07-25-2021, 10:05 AM   #11
mrharris1964
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Member#: 525722
Join Date: Jul 2021
Default

Add me to the avoid camp. There are so many good used WRXs out there.
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