Subaru WRX and STI visual differences

vr7

I've been on the lookout for a second generation Subaru STI for the past while. I've been on done deal, Subaru FB pages, carzone etc. I spotted a 05 JDM blobeye STI on marketplace. Looks in great condition. It's advertised as a JDM but it has a 5 speed box, doesn't have STI bucket seats and doesn't have DCCD. Is there anyway of visually knowing its genuinely an STI and not a WRX?

Henry Ford III

What's on the logbook?

darragh o meara

One easy tell on this model is look at the brake calipers, the WRX has ones with SUBARU written on the front calipers which are generally black in colour whereas the STI has BREMBO written on its ones and they are gold.

A quick look under the bonnet at the manifold, most of the STI's will have a red manifold or once red at least.. Whereas the WRX have silver ones.

The logbook could say absolutely anything so I wouldnt go by that, there was a lot of messing back when these were popular imports. I remember looking at a few Impreza's and Lancer Evo's back when I had more money than sense and seen everything from STI's with Impreza 1.6 to Tommi Makkinen EVO's with Lancer (whatever the basic model was ) on the logbook..

They are cracking cars if you get a good one, I would love to have somewhere to keep an Impreza STI for occasional driving but alas I dont. Most of these are now approaching "Classic Insurance" age so might not be as hard to insure as they once were.. Not sure how they will view cars like this but if it meets the criteria and so does the driver then you will probably find someone to insure it..

vr7

I can see from the callipers they are indeed Subaru red type. No photos of the engine bay. Any Irish insurance company I tried wouldn't quote me because the car is 20 years old. I did get a quote from Abbey Autoline who will use my NCB from my current policy. Am I permitted to post the link to the advert here?

Montage of Feck

So annoying that when your old enough to finally afford and get insurance on the dream car of your youth, they pull the car too old nonsense.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123698940#Comment_123698940

Yes post the link.
Are you using it as a daily or trying to get classic insurance?

vr7

Just for the off drive to work or weekend spinning. Not looking to modify it or anything.

Advert below.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Yc8uGTrHo/

vr7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123698650#Comment_123698650

I don't know.

Henry Ford III

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123699169#Comment_123699169

You could ask the seller.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123699274#Comment_123699274

If its a JDM car it will just have an engine code, like VW Golf AUCJZ or whatever

darragh o meara

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123699059#Comment_123699059

That is an Impreza WRX with an STI badge. The brake calipers give it away, along with a few other items.. I double checked since my last message and they came with big Brembo brake kit as standard on the STI and Subaru calipers on the WRX. The car is still a good looker though so might be worth a look anyway. They do however suffer badly from rust so if you are serious about buying this one or any one for that matter, get someone who knows those cars to check for rust as they rust in some unusual places.. Ive had enough of them to know first hand.

BTW, Classic insurance hardly ever cover using the car to go to work so worth keeping that in mind when looking for quotes.

vr7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123699478#Comment_123699478

Ah well. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. It's UK reg. Probably cost a lot to VRT it as well. Its bad form advertising the car as an STI when it's not. The 320bhp is doubtful too.

darragh o meara

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123699558#Comment_123699558

VRT will be horrendous on this, no question about it. I would hold off for a genuine STI if your gonna make a purchase, they are a much better car to drive. The WRX will be no slouch in fairness but if your gonna go to the hassle of VRT etc, you may as well get the one you want.

As for the badge.. anyone can buy an STI badge online and fit it to whatever they want.. Some people wouldn't know the difference and would buy it thinking they got a bargain.

vr7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123701236#Comment_123701236

I read a post on a FB group where a guy brought in a 06 STI. Almost €13k VRT. I saw a southern reg 06 silver Hawkeye 2.0 STI going for €20k. Seems very cheap. Is the WRX JDM at £16k reasonable in your opinion?

darragh o meara

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123701989#Comment_123701989

To be totally honest, I'm a long time away from Subarus so I wouldn't really know what the values currently are.