question for the experts

wyattroa1 · 03-15-2008, 03:58 PM

Hey guys i am in the market for a used 05 sti. i came across one in my area that has 30K miles on it for $24k. Im very comfident that i can get that price even lower with my brother dealing with them at the dealership. (He is a car sales man) helps to have him there to mess around with them. My question is this... on the car fax report, the car had gone in for warranty work with only 3K miles on it for engine service and suspension system service. these were the only things reports on the carfax report. Is this a big red flag for me? Should i steer clear of this car now? it is the color i want and also the year i want. I would just like to get some opinions from the guys on here first before making any moves. The car also has three guages mounted in it as well. one being a air/fuel ratio guage from the looks of it.. the others i cant really tell.. her is a link to the pic
http://photos.vehicledata.com/ss/61/...L506198-9S.jpg

im just wondering if these are all signs to stay away.. thanks for the input from anyone that responds.
robert

***///M Power*** · 03-15-2008, 04:28 PM

I would not let that sway you from buying the car.....now if it were an accident on the other hand I would reconsider the purchase. Boondocksaint has a used sti buyers guide that you should read over before you buy. Good luck with the purchase!

wyattroa1 · 03-16-2008, 08:58 AM

would you happen to have a link to that. I have used the search function for boondocks buyers guild but came find it.
Robert

**04STiguy79** · 03-16-2008, 09:35 AM

I would lurk on here, many guys/gals have well maintained Sti's for sale regularly.

Es Tee Aye · 03-16-2008, 11:32 PM

before someone flames you let me just give you the link... no searching is needed because boondocks used buyers guide is a sticky for this section... just hit the back button and scroll up and its at the very top

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/general/...ers-guide.html

happy reading

jph · 03-16-2008, 11:50 PM

ask the dealership for the service history of the car, they should be able to tell you what it came in for.

try posting in your local area forum, and ask if anyone knows this car, or the previous owner. with any luck, it's a member here

J.

**boondocksaint** · 03-17-2008, 05:45 AM

The A/F gauge is a flag for me. The only reason one would NEED an A/F (we're talking a wideband o2 gauge) is if they're tuning. That said, it is favorite ricer bling, and so may have been installed for aesthetic purposes.

Make sure those really are the only mods. Check for signs of it being returned to stock. Use the guide. It's not the end-all be-all, but it should help.

wyattroa1 · 03-17-2008, 06:24 AM

yeah i noticed it was a sticky at the top of the page... i felt like such a jackass..lol
robert

Es Tee Aye · 03-17-2008, 12:48 PM

its all good man, i didnt know it was there until i looked but i did remember he had a sticky because i read it to see if i made a good purchase (i bought the car before discovering this site)...

but deffinitely make sure theres no signs on conversion back to stock... theres a list of things to look for in the boondock write up...

005sti · 03-17-2008, 01:01 PM

the narrow band AFR meter (far left in the pic) would indicate that the previous driver is a jackass since they are useless in forced induction cars, and perhaps make any other assumptions re: the car's history...although, I would demand to know exactly what was done during the aforementioned warranty work...SOA has to have the records, I would imagine.

wyattroa1 · 03-18-2008, 06:46 PM

whats the highest miles most of you would buy a used sti with? im just curious... i really dont want to go over 40k but i cant find that many good deals on cars that dont have over 40....the sti i was going to buy was sold while i was driving to the dealer!..
robert

Iguana · 03-19-2008, 11:42 AM

I personally wouldn't buy an STI with over 10K miles due to the propensity for them to sustain abuse from bad owners who buy them, beat on them, and dump them. I bought mine at 5,500 miles used, and I'm almost certain the pervious owner beat on her and did some damage during the break in process. However, its all good with some TLC and kind words. Hehe.

I'd sit in the car and go for a test drive if you are allowed. Other than that, know that the warranty expires in 36000 miles ...and if its a 2005, the warranty expires in 2008 (3 years).

redeye · 03-19-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04STiguy79

I would lurk on here, many guys/gals have well maintained Sti's for sale regularly.

Yep, I agree. Found my 2005 CGM this past October from a member on this forum. Had 5,000 miles on it and absolutely ridiculously stupid crazy mint condition. Drove 10 hours to get it, but well worth it. Paid full price of $26,500, but it's essentially a new car so I felt it was worth paying full book value.

Search here and I'd say avoid that STi you originally posted about. I test drove a very good condition 05 less than 15 miles from my house at a small dealership. It definitely did not feel as tight or strong as mine.

wyattroa1 · 03-19-2008, 07:00 PM

yeah if i were to buy from a dealer it would be my brothers... he is a saleman at one....i would also be getting the best extended warranty they have for free which helps...
robert

03-15-2008, 03:58 PM	#1
wyattroa1 Junior STI Driver Car: 08 OBP sti Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 70 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	question for the experts Hey guys i am in the market for a used 05 sti. i came across one in my area that has 30K miles on it for $24k. Im very comfident that i can get that price even lower with my brother dealing with them at the dealership. (He is a car sales man) helps to have him there to mess around with them. My question is this... on the car fax report, the car had gone in for warranty work with only 3K miles on it for engine service and suspension system service. these were the only things reports on the carfax report. Is this a big red flag for me? Should i steer clear of this car now? it is the color i want and also the year i want. I would just like to get some opinions from the guys on here first before making any moves. The car also has three guages mounted in it as well. one being a air/fuel ratio guage from the looks of it.. the others i cant really tell.. her is a link to the pic http://photos.vehicledata.com/ss/61/...L506198-9S.jpg im just wondering if these are all signs to stay away.. thanks for the input from anyone that responds. robert This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-15-2008, 04:28 PM	#2
*///M Power* Mod Pro Tempore for Premium Members Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: 22k complete reconstruction Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,512 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: question for the experts I would not let that sway you from buying the car.....now if it were an accident on the other hand I would reconsider the purchase. Boondocksaint has a used sti buyers guide that you should read over before you buy. Good luck with the purchase!

03-16-2008, 08:58 AM	#3
wyattroa1 Junior STI Driver Car: 08 OBP sti Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 70 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: question for the experts would you happen to have a link to that. I have used the search function for boondocks buyers guild but came find it. Robert

03-16-2008, 09:35 AM	#4
04STiguy79 Gold Member Car: 04 Platnm Silvr STi Fav Mod: GT35R 450+WHP Pump No Meth Location: MD,BASC Club,Team Agile Posts: 746 Join Date: May 2007 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: question for the experts I would lurk on here, many guys/gals have well maintained Sti's for sale regularly.

03-16-2008, 11:32 PM	#5
Es Tee Aye Junior STI Driver Car: White:05STi/04RSX-S Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 180 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: question for the experts before someone flames you let me just give you the link... no searching is needed because boondocks used buyers guide is a sticky for this section... just hit the back button and scroll up and its at the very top http://www.iwsti.com/forums/general/...ers-guide.html happy reading

03-16-2008, 11:50 PM	#6
jph S204 Racer Car: the wagon Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,783 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: question for the experts ask the dealership for the service history of the car, they should be able to tell you what it came in for. try posting in your local area forum, and ask if anyone knows this car, or the previous owner. with any luck, it's a member here J.

03-17-2008, 05:45 AM	#7
boondocksaint Moderator (v0.9 Beta) Car: Boony's Motown STi Fav Mod: banhammer Location: with the Stanley Cup Posts: 22,232 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: question for the experts The A/F gauge is a flag for me. The only reason one would NEED an A/F (we're talking a wideband o2 gauge) is if they're tuning. That said, it is favorite ricer bling, and so may have been installed for aesthetic purposes. Make sure those really are the only mods. Check for signs of it being returned to stock. Use the guide. It's not the end-all be-all, but it should help.

03-17-2008, 06:24 AM	#8
wyattroa1 Junior STI Driver Car: 08 OBP sti Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 70 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: question for the experts yeah i noticed it was a sticky at the top of the page... i felt like such a jackass..lol robert

03-17-2008, 12:48 PM	#9
Es Tee Aye Junior STI Driver Car: White:05STi/04RSX-S Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 180 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: question for the experts its all good man, i didnt know it was there until i looked but i did remember he had a sticky because i read it to see if i made a good purchase (i bought the car before discovering this site)... but deffinitely make sure theres no signs on conversion back to stock... theres a list of things to look for in the boondock write up...

03-17-2008, 01:01 PM	#10
005sti Senior STI Driver Fav Mod: Agile protune Location: vahbeach Posts: 393 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: question for the experts the narrow band AFR meter (far left in the pic) would indicate that the previous driver is a jackass since they are useless in forced induction cars, and perhaps make any other assumptions re: the car's history...although, I would demand to know exactly what was done during the aforementioned warranty work...SOA has to have the records, I would imagine.

03-18-2008, 06:46 PM	#11
wyattroa1 Junior STI Driver Car: 08 OBP sti Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 70 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: question for the experts whats the highest miles most of you would buy a used sti with? im just curious... i really dont want to go over 40k but i cant find that many good deals on cars that dont have over 40....the sti i was going to buy was sold while i was driving to the dealer!.. robert

03-19-2008, 11:42 AM	#12
Iguana Spec C Club Car: 06 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Defi's Location: Northern California Posts: 1,373 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: question for the experts I personally wouldn't buy an STI with over 10K miles due to the propensity for them to sustain abuse from bad owners who buy them, beat on them, and dump them. I bought mine at 5,500 miles used, and I'm almost certain the pervious owner beat on her and did some damage during the break in process. However, its all good with some TLC and kind words. Hehe. I'd sit in the car and go for a test drive if you are allowed. Other than that, know that the warranty expires in 36000 miles ...and if its a 2005, the warranty expires in 2008 (3 years).

03-19-2008, 07:00 PM	#14
wyattroa1 Junior STI Driver Car: 08 OBP sti Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 70 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: question for the experts yeah if i were to buy from a dealer it would be my brothers... he is a saleman at one....i would also be getting the best extended warranty they have for free which helps... robert This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.