[a blue sti 6]

Hey guys...good to be back at IWSTI. I had a 2004 STi about a year ago, and ended up just getting rid of it after a few months because it had alot of problems and gave me a headache. I bought an S2000 with low miles, hasn't had any problems but it just isn't fast enough and I'm starting to really want another STi.

Anyways, I'm just wondering how many of you bought yours used, and what you guys would recommend for me to check out when I look at one and drive it. As far as mine went, the brakes squealed like crazy, the suspension was messed up cause it made noises when I went over bumps, and the car had been in an accident prior to me owning it...so it didn't look 100% on the outside either. I want the speed that mine had, but I definitely don't want to go through that again. Any advice at all would help guys, thanks.

[Excalibur]

Purchased my 2005 used, clean one owner car with no mods. The things I look for are - no mods, low miles, have a body shop or mechanical shop you trust check it out. These cars do have some squeaks and rattles, some can be fixed some are tough to find. With high miles, mods or rough use the rattles and other problems will be worse also. The 2007 I got new and still spent 2 days chasing rattles. Each year a few things were changes, research what you want and like. Paying more for a low mile stock car is worth it!

[boondocksaint]

This is an old list, as the question is asked many times.

1) Evidence of modification - Ask a competent Subaru mechanic to inspect it to see if it's ever been modded, and if so, the extent of this mods.

2) Service history - Does the car have receipts for standard maintenance?

3) Tires - I always find that tires are a good indicator of the previous owner. If there are good/correct tires on the car, the previous owner was likely a maintainer. If, like my old Explorer, the car comes with cheap-o knock-off tires, the likelihood is that the car was neglected.

4) Clutch - As a former STi owner, you probably know how the car should drive. There are probably a few members left with stock cars () if you still need the reassurance, since your old car was a limp biscuit. Know how the car should drive and how the clutch should feel, then drive the prospective cars. A newer member bought a car used and thought it was great until it flew apart on him. After the warranty repairs were done, he noted that it was much different/better than it had been. Had he known what the car should feel like, he would have known the previous owner abused his.

5) CARFAX - While not exactly as accurate and indispensable as they would have you believe, CARFAX reports can reveal history that may steer your decision. In the above case, the previous owner failed to make any payments on that car, and may have gone out and abused the Hell out of it prior to the repossession (and I wonder if the repo men knew the car required flatbedding).

Hope this helps.

[a blue sti 6]

Thanks guys...sorry to ask questions that others have already asked. I'm looking to get another STi before this winter. I need to save up some money and then we'll see. Thanks again.