yes but turbos are cheap

if your getting a fresh motor, might as well upgrade and get new turbo too... who knows, ur turbo is proberly 216,000km aswell

yeah it is it's origional, will i be doing any damage to my car driving it while its in this state? missfiring and bowing smoke?

Get it checked - by driving it you maybe killing it if it's a lean misfire due to a fucked MAF.

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does this car have by any chance triple 3 on plate 1xxx 333?

id say that there is nothing wrong with your engine mate, a worn engine doesnt cause a misfire. as said above, coils, maf, leads, plugs etc would be a starting point for checking.

You might put a new engine in it and it runs exactly the same, that would be bad!

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Version 6 STI

Ive had many subarus with well over 200'000kms. DaKDaKs only just get worn in at the 200k mark.

1. Spend $200 and get it checked over by a mechanic listed on this site.
2. Spend some money and get new oil + oil filter.
3. Get a new o2 and maf sensor. - Will cost a few $$$
4. Check coolant, replace if you have the funds.

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1989 Legacy GT --> 2001 GD WRX --> 1999 GF8 WRX --> 2001 GD WRX

Nah mate 1***-319 is mine. if you see me give a wave haha.
Ok so I have taken it to my mechanic twice in the past week and he is only getting the reading of a MAF sensor playing up. he said my turbo may be on its way out as it only misfires when i hit boost, he then said putting a new turbo on an old engine opens a world of problems and thats when he said a re build may be an option, just spent 800-900 on new fluids, service, new brakes, full flush, all my oils done and had a slight boost leak that got fixed.
My gearbox should still be ok shouldnt it?

he thinks that the seals might be ruined because the car was sitting for 6 months before i got hold of it and reccomended a bolt on turbo?
does any of this sound like the right idea to you guys?

Who is your mechanic?

Take it to a WRX specialist like S-Technic. They'll put you straight.