So last year I had to part with my MY06 to make way for a car more suitable for work use. I am still regretting it and should have just kept it in the garage. Anyway I am back in a position to buy another wrx it will be used for work but would be our second car for afterhours use. I would suggest 18,000km a year of driving.

I am trying to keep this under $14-15k

So I am left with,

G3 WRX Hatch - Found a few with 180 - 200,000km for $10-12,000ish
MY06 Sedan - Few around with 130-170,000km for $12-14,000
MY04 Sedan - Again few around 130-170,000km for $10-14,000


By the time I finish with the G3 we would be well up to 250,000km+ the others 190,000-220,000km

The G3 is appealing at those prices, however cars with 20-70,000km less would leave me at the same K's as the G3 has now.

So went from G3 to the MY06's and thought of all the issues with water pumps etc and for similar / slightly less can get into a decent MY04 with the 'more reliable' EJ20.

So if in my position what you guys be going for?

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MY06 WRX - Stock Nugget Spec

Get an 01 02 STI best bang for buck. If you dont like the fugly front end you might have some cash left over to do a peanut front end swap.

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New Foz Build http://ozfoz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=43042

Am considering this with the stronger built motor

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MY06 WRX - Stock Nugget Spec

Considering... ?

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[I]trolololol[/I]

If you are after all out performance then a Bug STI > later model WRX's.
- better engine; EJ207 > EJ255.
- better 6 speed gearbox.
- better rear diff; limited slip both front and rear.
- better brakes; Brembo and larger discs.
- there are more reasons...

If you are after a nice sports car but don't see yourself taking it the track and just want a nice weekender then a later model (2006+) WRX will do the trick. Just try to find one with a good service history and not a huge amount of power from the EJ255.

If you want to get an older (2002 - 2005) wrx then same deal but the EJ205 can take a little more abuse even with high mileage, plenty of examples in the high hundred thousands still going strong.

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MY01 JDM EVO VII - 230KW / 430NM @ 1.6BAR

There was one posted (05 sti IIRC) on SOWA today that had a few little issues but to the mechanically able it could be a decent buy. Wanted 10K or thereabouts.

Decent buy; throw a set of coils or better shocks and change the throwout bearing.

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MY01 JDM EVO VII - 230KW / 430NM @ 1.6BAR

Think I have seen this one on Gumtree, looked reasonable no stupid BOV just some colourful pipes . $10k seems to good to be true but I'll give him a call.

Not fussed on minor mechanical or panel, have family who are both.

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MY06 WRX - Stock Nugget Spec

Anyone know of the life expectancy of an 08+ motor?

Have put the word out to a few friends, have had someone come back with one nearing 190,000km with a good price.

Ultimately if the motor goes it goes we swap it out and am still ahead of the game however I don't want this to be in 3 months time.

Aside from general maintenance timing belts etc is there anything else to look out for or commonly go wrong?

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MY06 WRX - Stock Nugget Spec

How long is a piece of string? It will depend on a number of factors such as mods (sometimes they are removed prior to sale making it harder to gauge previous life), maintenance, and just plain luck of the draw. I have seen the 08+ 255s let go of headgaskets and even develop bottom end knock even on some moderately powered and well maintained examples. On the other side of the coin there are others that go much longer without issue. It feels a bit like the lottery with these motors.

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MY08 WRX 325hp/456nm/18psi E85