Prospective STI Buyer

**mikeynavy1** · 04-06-2005 12:52 PM

Greetings all. I currently own a 2002 Nissan SE-R Spec V and am in the process of finding it's replacement for the end of this year. I live in Cali so I'm at my limit on what I can do to it (no smog check passing turbo, header, etc.) so the STi is at the forefront for my next car. My buddy has a regular '04 WRX and I loved it...so I can only imagine how the STi must feel. I'm hoping though that people here can shed some light on any negative issues I can factor in. For example I looked at Mitsubishi Lancer Evos but there are horror stories on getting warranty work done if you touch anything. Anything that can be pointed out ahead of time would be a help. I may even consider used so if there were any common defects or quality issues in the '04s that would be great to know also. I hear the regular WRXs suffer from bad trannys...just like Nissan. Anyways, hopefully I can get insight. Thanks

**WRC_Obsessed** · 04-06-2005 01:26 PM

Welcome!

STi is a grat buy. I got mine used for $25.7.

Unlike the trannys in the WRX, the STi 6MT is bulletproof. There are really no major issues that I am aware of other than suspension clunk that will be replaced under warranty.

Buy it!!

**YBNormal07** · 04-06-2005 06:32 PM

To date, there is not a single major issue with any year STi for the US. A few minor items that sometimes need to be taken care of:
Strut noise (replace)
Trunk Lock (align and tighten)
Low transmission fluid (verify and fill)

For my car specifically, the only issues I've had are the trunk lock, I broke the raised center armrest the first day, and my boost gauge has nvever lit up at night. Just lazy about the last two and never bothered to fix them.
There have been minor occurances of half shafts breaking, one instance each (that I'm aware of) of a tranny breaking and a center diff breaking. Some have also bent end links after installing aftermarket sway bars.

Other than that, the powertrain is rock solid, as is the suspension. Once you start modding though, be sure to provide excellent tuning, as this is key with our motors. As with all of the scoob boxer fours, individual cylinder lean/knock event can occur at throttle tip in and let up (usually number 4 cyl...closest to the turbo), and not be caught by the ECU due to it's quick and transitory nature. Subaru relieves this issue by providng extremely rich A/F ratios. Not a big issue, but for those that mod, you should be aware of it.

**mikeynavy1** · 04-06-2005 06:53 PM

Thanks. Looks like I'm pretty sure the STI will be the next thing I get. It seems like it's made much better than the Spec V, even though mine hasn't suffered many of the problems, yet, that other Nissan owners have had. Our big probs are:

1) Very poor quality transmission that ends up grinding in third and requiring replacement.
2) Intake runner screws (butterfly screws) working loose and getting sucked into engine, ruining spark plugs, and scoring cylinder walls
3) Precat breaking apart and getting sucked back in engine, resulting in excessive oil consumption
4) Bad ring seals (especially 2002)
5) Poor MAF sensors that go bad, especially with CAI

Then there is the little things like super thin paint, rattles, clunky shifter, and little stuff like that.

I'm ready for an STI. The car comes with a bulk of the mods I'd want anyways, but I'm sure I'd add a CAI, coilovers, wheels, and some small things. How are service departments with respect to mods. Nissan is typically pretty good, dealer specific though. Any recommended web sites for low priced parts?