2008 WRX Hatchback
 

Ok,
So I sold my my05, couldnt afford the repairs.
I now seriously want a [B]2008 WRX Hatchback[/B] and yes, I have done heaps of research but I want to hear from people who actually own them and drive them daily.

[B]What are the Pro's/Con's of them?[/B]
I know the '09 is better but I cant afford it at the moment :(

The photo attached is one I'm interested in at the moment, not sure if the previous owner is on here, would love to hear from them.
I've been told it was a Girl that lived down Forrestfield way?

They are ugly, slow from stock, and built for hairdressers. Anything else you need to know? :D

When I had my old car (was a daily driver into the city) you noticed how much slop there was in the body and gearbox.
Torque was nice and early with the TD04, I believe Mitch had his tuned with an exhaust and said it was a massive improvement over stock.
If you go down the path of owning a MY08 I would recommend wider wheels (MY11 fit nicely) and fixing up the suspension and gearbox slop.

Besides that they aren't a bad daily.

[QUOTE=Lukester17;808608]Ok,
So I sold my my05, couldnt afford the repairs.
I now seriously want a [B]2008 WRX Hatchback[/B] [/QUOTE]

Said no one ever!

I just fell off my chair!

Hey hey hey,
Ease up on the 08's....... They're great.... When you pump circa $25K into them....
;-)

[QUOTE=Lukester17;808608]Ok,
So I sold my my05, couldnt afford the repairs.
I now seriously want a [B]2008 WRX Hatchback[/B] and yes, I have done heaps of research but I want to hear from people who actually own them and drive them daily.

[B]What are the Pro's/Con's of them?[/B]
I know the '09 is better but I cant afford it at the moment :(

The photo attached is one I'm interested in at the moment, not sure if the previous owner is on here, would love to hear from them.
I've been told it was a Girl that lived down Forrestfield way?[/QUOTE]

Step 1. Give yourself a cold shower for ever entertaining the idea of buying an 08 wrx.
Step 2. Buy a Bugeye or peanut sti instead
Step 3. Profit

[QUOTE=RUSSGT;808611]Said no one ever!

I just fell off my chair![/QUOTE]

Alright to be clear, If I could find another WRB MY05 [B][SIZE="2"]SEDAN[/SIZE][/B] in my price range I would OBVIOUSLY buy another one. Otherwise the only other model I will settle for is MY08.

The dealer has told me that one has apparently got a TBE & Tune, aswell as aftermarket air intake and a few other goodies I'm going to find out about on Saturday.

[QUOTE=dnbosiris;808613]
Step 2. Buy a Bugeye
[/QUOTE]

Please do not ever mention buying a bugeye in this thread ever again. Please.

lol.... STi mate. Brembos, 6 speed, r180 diff, tweaked ecu and tight suspension amongst other things. Doesn't matter what model.

[QUOTE=dnbosiris;808617]lol.... STi mate. Brembos, 6 speed, r180 diff, tweaked ecu and tight suspension amongst other things. Doesn't matter what model.[/QUOTE]

Oh it matters. It definitely matters. No offense, yours looks clean ;) . But they are hideous.

Wants to buy an ugly betty but shoots down bug eyes, uhhhhh :rolleyes:

In all seriousness, I like my 08 hatch. They don't look the sharpest, but with some nice wheels, a bit of low, the STI rear wing, colour matching of chrome, and fixing of the tail lights it doesn't look too bad. That's actually a terrifically long list to make a car look acceptably nice. :p

Suspension is sloppy/soft from factory, which makes for a comfortable daily drive but really lacks when you push it. The usual suspension mods will take care of this.

Power, will probably feel the same as your 05 wrx. I think they use the ej205? If so you'll feel the 2.5l engine is a little more torquey down low, but it's not going to make much of a difference as the td04 runs out of puff really quickly. TBE and tune helps a lot if that isn't done already, made a nice difference on my car.

I have probably spent around the $10k mark on my car now with mods to get 325hp and I'm very happy with it. I need to do some more handling upgrades now which will come in time, but it has turned out to be a nice ride with enough dollars thrown at it.

If it is what you want, go for it.

[QUOTE=JRecardo;808620]Wants to buy an ugly betty but shoots down bug eyes, uhhhhh :rolleyes:

[/QUOTE]

And would pick a betty wrx hatch over an STi :confused::confused:

[QUOTE=JRecardo;808620]Wants to buy an ugly betty but shoots down bug eyes, uhhhhh :rolleyes:

They don't look the sharpest, but with some nice wheels, a bit of low, the STI rear wing, colour matching of chrome, and fixing of the tail lights it doesn't look too bad. That's actually a terrifically long list to make a car look acceptably nice. The usual suspension mods will take care of this.
If it is what you want, go for it.[/QUOTE]

I like the look of it and I enjoy modding the exterior looks of a car to look how I want it, which I've already considered and pretty much involves all the stuff you've mentioned for the 08, As soon as you chuck some Vinyl overlays on the tail lights it already looks 10x better and then there's obviously the performance mods that will come later.

But I really like the 08 as a kind of blank canvas, I think it has a lot of potential. Sadly, it's not a my11 widebody :(

Is this an argument between ej25 and ej20? ;)

I would recommend a My10 with vf52. Save u a bit money to change ur turbo later, it is most balanced turbo for response and gearbox reliability.

TBH, that one on the 1st post looks good. Just post up the mods list after test drive. Pay attention to clutch and shift smoothness. Ask for oil change interval and what oil was used if possible. Leak down test will be the best pre purchase inspection.

[QUOTE=Lukester17;808623]I like the look of it and I enjoy modding the exterior looks of a car to look how I want it, which I've already considered and pretty much involves all the stuff you've mentioned for the 08, As soon as you chuck some Vinyl overlays on the tail lights it already looks 10x better and then there's obviously the performance mods that will come later.

But I really like the 08 as a kind of blank canvas, I think it has a lot of potential. Sadly, it's not a my11 widebody :([/QUOTE]

That is eaxctly what i did ;) It probably too much now, but I like it. Plus I had a My10 WRX sedan before STI, hatch is so much more practical.

I would use VHT nite shade on the tail light, overlay is too much trouble, unless u pay someone to do it.

keep saving son......

[url=http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Impreza-2008/AGC-AD-16549006/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1]2008 Subaru Impreza WRX MY08 All Wheel Drive[/url]

This is the one u r looking at, right?

Here is the complte mods list

[url=http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ferndale/cars-vans-utes/2008-subaru-impreza-hatchback/1054722429]2008 Subaru Impreza Hatchback | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Canning Area - Ferndale | 1054722429[/url]

But boost gauge is removed for some reason?

Smart mods list in total with a safe tune.

Get an STi, they do good handbrakeys.

[QUOTE=s20525xxx;808630][URL="http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Impreza-2008/AGC-AD-16549006/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1"]2008 Subaru Impreza WRX MY08 All Wheel Drive[/URL]

This is the one u r looking at, right?

Here is the complte mods list

[URL="http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ferndale/cars-vans-utes/2008-subaru-impreza-hatchback/1054722429"]2008 Subaru Impreza Hatchback | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Canning Area - Ferndale | 1054722429[/URL]

But boost gauge is removed for some reason?

Smart mods list in total with a safe tune.[/QUOTE]

Oh jesus, look at that interior. Bright blue trim and raped door trims for 6x9 speakers? No thanks. They want $20k too. I didn't even pay that for my Betty over a year ago.

Its also sold.

a[QUOTE=JRecardo;808638]Oh jesus, look at that interior. Bright blue trim and raped door trims for 6x9 speakers? No thanks. They want $20k too. I didn't even pay that for my Betty over a year ago.[/QUOTE]

To be clear... I hadnt noticed the 6x9's, I HAD noticed the blue trim and was already planing well in advance for that be sprayed back to stock colour or there abouts.

So what do you suggest price to KM's ratio?
i thought $20,000 for 85000k's want to , I was gonna offer max of $17

aaaaaand the gumtree link is saying it's sold.

[QUOTE=Lukester17;808641]a

To be clear... I hadnt noticed the 6x9's, I HAD noticed the blue trim and was already planing well in advance for that be sprayed back to stock colour or there abouts.

So what do you suggest price to KM's ratio?
i thought $20,000 for 85000k's want to , I was gonna offer max of $17

aaaaaand the gumtree link is saying it's sold.[/QUOTE]

Gumtree link should be from the previous owner, he trade the car to the dealer....

Be firm to 17K, if u really wanna buy it. And at least do a compression list, maybe get a OBD reader to check how many KM has the car run since last CEL (If any).

So hopefully i'll be test driving a few 08's this weekend.. Anything I should keep an eye out for? Before/During/After test driving? Or are they pretty similar to the Peanuts?

[QUOTE=RUSSGT;808611]Said no one ever![/QUOTE]

I did.













In 2008...

Anyway, my sensible input is to just wait until an affordable 09/10 comes up. You will have a 2.5L with a pathetic little TD04 attached to it otherwise. They run out of puff [B]very[/B] quickly.

It was half acceptable to buy and own a 2008 [B]in[/B] 2008 when it was the latest model. Not now when there is so much more choice. Or at least smarter ones. 09/10 also has wanky red stitching on interior trim and red brake calipers that add 10kw.

Avoid MY08.

Considering the amount of money several 08 owners here have already put into their cars to get them to an acceptable performance standard (near $10 000 according to JRecardo) you would be wise to listen to them regarding maybe not purchasing them. Trolley has also put a fair amount of money into his and isn't fully happy with the figures.

[QUOTE=thehowlfactor;808744] you would be wise to listen to them regarding maybe not purchasing them. [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=TROLLEY;808742] just wait until an affordable 09/10 comes up.
Avoid MY08. [/QUOTE]

I suppose.. :(

*cough* or buy an 02 - 05 sti *ahem*

:thumbup::cool:

Might be worth a look.

[URL="http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/sale-cars-only/59332-2009-subaru-impreza-wrx.html"]http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/sale-cars-only/59332-2009-subaru-impreza-wrx.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=thehowlfactor;808744]Considering the amount of money several 08 owners here have already put into their cars to get them to an acceptable performance standard (near $10 000 according to JRecardo) you would be wise to listen to them regarding maybe not purchasing them. Trolley has also put a fair amount of money into his and isn't fully happy with the figures.[/QUOTE]

LOL no dude, I've spent bugger all on my car. My car audio is worth more than my mods:
VF52
TMIC
Tune
Sways
ROTAs
STi spoiler
~ 4.5k

Is that all? I was positive you had more money in it than that.

I wonder how the my11s will be priced next year.
If you can hold off up to a year and get into one instead.
I regret getting the MY08 instead of holding out for a couple of years....

[QUOTE=thehowlfactor;808775]Is that all? I was positive you had more money in it than that.[/QUOTE]

Actually, forgot the Butler exhaust so add $1700 to that. ~6k spread out over 6 years is fuck all. *touch wood* it's been reliable, haven't had any surprise bumsex mechanical problems or the like. I don't regret my purchase one bit because at the time it suited my requirements. I'll happily spend more money on it as I'm the type of person who will keep a car for 10 years if it will last that long.

their is nothing wrong with that colour coded interior. If it was a lambo or ferrari with it you would all be creaming your knickers. It looks like its been done professionally so what the problem.

By the sounds of it, you are in a rush to get into something and are making all these stupid little choices about the car to try and justify it too yourself that its a good idea to buy it. what you need to do is sit back and rub one out before you make anymore decisions. Either buy an older model sti, or if you want the later model look, save some more money and get something 09 onwards.

I made a shit choice, but i redeemed myself. dont be me, im a cunt.

If you need to ask everyone elses opinion, are you buying the car for yourself, or for approval from everyone else ? Do your research on the car / cars you actually like, and make an informed decision for yourself. We don't have to look at the car in the driveway nor drive it everyday, you do. Get it tested by a mechanic to make sure it's not a lemon, and if you like it buy it.

I was thinking the same but heard negatively about the quality of the 08s being they were the first of the new design, went with the my11 as the wide body makes the car look that much better imo at least :)

[QUOTE=Insome;808802]If you need to ask everyone elses opinion, are you buying the car for yourself, or for approval from everyone else ? Do your research on the car / cars you actually like, and make an informed decision for yourself. We don't have to look at the car in the driveway nor drive it everyday, you do. Get it tested by a mechanic to make sure it's not a lemon, and if you like it buy it.[/QUOTE]

Sorry for asking for advice on a model of WRX that I know very little about... In the future I will go onto a forum for advice....oh wait..

I loved my 08, I just traded up for an STI because I could.

With a good tune and exhaust it went very well indeed.

I slapped some cheap HSD's on it and it handled like a dream.