Expert's Opinion Part 2

After a disappointing viewing, I drove my friend to the lot at the Auto City where I previously saw a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The salesman recognized me and asked if I was ready to buy the Version 8. I was surprised when the salesman told me a different price and was now, slightly more expensive. While I was chatting with the salesman, my friend began his inspection. He told me that this unit was familiar to him and saw it in a used car warehouse. This contradicts the story the salesman told me and I began doubting this company. Although the paint was fresh, there were cobwebs on the rim that shows the car was in storage for a long time and checks out my friend's story. Next, he started the engine and instead of the smooth, quiet engine, the engine was creaking. It was opposite to when I started it one week ago and I was confused. My friend fiddled with the throttle body and told me the engine was not perfect but still fine. After another 10 minutes, my friend signaled me to leave as he was unhappy. He was unhappy with the backstory that the salesman cooked up to sell the STI and attitude change when he revealed seeing this unit at a warehouse. It was not even a good condition unit. We left the lot and out of a sudden, my friend remembered seeing another Version 8 that was in the Auto City. So, we went to check out the other unit.

The other unit was a 3-minute drive away and soon, I was looking at another Version 8. This marks the third Version 8 that I have viewed and I realized there is a common trend with the exterior. All that I viewed is blue in color, which is the signature color and spots gold, aftermarket rims. It is such a classic combination but leaves nothing for me to write. This unit is no exception and that is why I did not bother to take a photo of the car's exterior. At the same time, I was also tired after viewing 2 units straight. So, we got straight to the important points, the engine and the price. I started the engine and this has to be the best sounding engine so far. My friend opened the hood and I was surprised the engine bay is so clean. This car is still using the factory intake tunnel and airbox. I only spotted the aftermarket aluminum radiator and blow-off valve. My friend was smiling because of the condition of the engine bay and the sound of engine. This unit can be considered and it all depends on the price. While we were there, I took a look at the interior and as expected, everything is still stock looking. The only mods were an STI Genome boost meter, Turbo timer, and a speed meter. It was getting late and both of us have things to do. I took the salesman's name card and told him I would call him to ask about the price. Days later, I did call but was shocked to hear the crazy price of this unit and although it is in a very condition, I am not willing to pay this much for a Version 8. It looks like the search for my future ride continues. 

Expert's Opinion Part 1

I made an appointment with my friend, who previously owned 2 Subaru Impreza WRX STIs to view and give me his opinion. Instead of the one I recently viewed, I arranged for us to view another unit first. I found one Version 8 online and is selling below the market price which intrigues me. On the way to see this car, my friend cautioned me to not fall for cheap deals as it usually means something is wrong with the car. I needed his keen eyes to look out for signs if this unit has been involved in any accidents prior to this. I believe things such as engine failure or cosmetics can be repaired but not a chassis involved in an accident before. I, on the other hand, do not have that skill or experience to make such judgment. We arrived early and after waiting for a while, I heard the car arrive and this is the first STI I viewed that is driven, not parked. It was not very loud and this shows that the car is in running condition. The car is completely stock on the outside and looks a bit dated. It has an aftermarket exhaust and Version 9 rear lights. My friend started talking to the owner and I went to look inside the interior.

The interior of this Version 8 is the most modded among the 4 units that I have seen in my time. There were STI Genome boost, oil pressure, and oil temperature meter by Defi above the center console. By the A-pillar, there were Apexi's Rev Speed Meter (RSM), Super Air Flow Controller (SAFC), and Turbo timer under the driver's aircond vent. I could tell the owner spent a large sum buying all these extra meters. On one hand, if I buy this STI, I do not need to spend money to mod but with all these meters, I would be distracted. I also noticed Tein's EDFC on the left side of the center console. This meant that this car is using Tein's Coilover kit and it is possible to adjust the dampening inside the interior while driving. The EDFC was a luxury that I could not make myself buy in the past. The rest of the interior is just stock and in normal condition. I am starting to ask why would someone sell such a modded car below market price. After seeing enough of the interior, I went to join my friend and the owner to view the engine bay. He should have some information regarding the car by now.

At first glance, the engine bay looks stock with a little mod. On the cooling side, there is a cooling plate above the radiator and an aftermarket aluminum radiator. The air intake tunnel is missing and the air filter has been changed to an HKS open pod. The blow-off valve is also aftermarket. I could see the EDFC motors and I was right about this car using Tein Coilover kit. There was not much to see but it was then my friend told me. Although nothing serious, the front has had a minor accident before. There are signs of hammering on the chassis on the headlight bracket. Immediately, I was not interested anymore despite the great interior. Nevertheless, my friend kept inspecting and we arrived at the boot. The boot was difficult to open and when we finally opened it, we realized the reason for the difficulty. The part of the chassis where the lock is located is dented and most likely caused by a heavy hit to the rear. I told the owner I would think about it and left to see the other unit. It was a waste that such a nice car had been involved in an accident. Now I know, this is the reason why it is selling cheap and like my friend said, this is why we should stay away from cheap deals. Disappointed but I move on to the next unit. 

The Search begins

There had been one model of JDM sports cars that has always been on my mind. As early as 2014, I have written here in this blog, that I was interested in getting a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. I even viewed one unit in 2014 and one more in 2015. Both units were Version 9 and until now I still love this model. At that time, I was not financially able to purchase one even though there were several nice units. That dream is still very much alive and I intend to fulfill it since I currently do not own a sports car. Since the moment I decided to sell my Toyota Altezza, I started talking to my friend who had previously owned 2 STIs. He suggested that instead of looking for Version 9, I should look for Version 8 because it is much more affordable, and besides the cosmetic changes, there is little performance difference. I was searching online and realized that the price difference is indeed too much. So, I changed my direction and started looking up Version 8s that are for sales. I planned to convert it into Version 9 for the exterior and interior, which is possible. Before I sold the Altezza, I found one unit at an Auto City at a reasonable price and decided to take a look. Inside Auto City, there are more than 20 companies located there. When I arrived and took a glance at the STI, I noticed it has a new paint job and nice aftermarket rims. I was told it belongs to a friend of the used car owner, who decided to sell it.

My favorite model is Version 9 but Version 8 has its charm and I could grow to love it. There was not much to comment about the exterior because there is no exterior mod and I asked to see the inside. The interior was stock except for the Apexi turbo timer, Greddy boost controller, and Greddy boost meter. It would have been nice if it had some Defi meters but these are fairly good upgrades too. In my opinion, the most important part that should be converted is the interior. Version 8's interior design is dated even for a fan like me. Luckily, the dashboard design is the same for both Version 8 and 9. The main difference lies in the center console. Just to name a few differences, the cupholders, DCCD (Differential Control) mode button, DCCD level knob, and side mirror adjustment switch are all located differently. In addition, Version 8 has manual knobs for aircond controls while Version 9 has electronic buttons. Although having the same design, the speedometer of Version 8 only goes to 180 km/h but it goes up to 260 km/h for Version 9. In order to convert completely, I would need to replace the whole center console and steering wheel with Version 9 parts. I am starting to worry about the overall cost and time needed for such a conversion and whether it is worth it. 

After looking at the interior, I crank up the engine and listened to the engine sound. I was pleased that the start-up was smooth and the engine was quiet. It idles normally and had no weird sounds. I was a little surprised as the car is already 16 years old. I stepped on the accelerator and heard the loud exhaust note. If I was younger, I would be so into the loud sound but as my readers know, I do have a wife to please and was hoping to get an STI with stock exhaust. I opened the hood and checked on the chassis plate. It shows that it is indeed a genuine Version 8 and the location of the windshield wiper fluid tank confirms this fact. The engine bay was dirty but everything looks fairly stock. The air filter and blow-off valve are not stock parts. Both of these 2 items are HKS products. The radiator is also an aftermarket part. Surprisingly, the car is still using a factory suspension set which in my opinion, is rare because one of the first mod for owners would be an aftermarket Coilover kit. I wonder if the absorbers are still up to the task of harsh driving. By then, I have seen all I needed and after talking to the salesman, I think this unit could be the one for me. However, I need to bring my friend over to take a look and give me his opinion before making a decision.