Dear friends,
I am planning to buy a Subaru WRX STI and I have a question related to Subaru turbo engines that comes with the WRX STI models. Are they know also for head gasket problems or are they better than the non turbo models?
Regards,
Yousuf
Which year(s) are you looking at?
2016 onward.
Subaru's head gasket problems primarily affect 1999-2011 models. In any event the turbocharged engines never had the problem because a different gasket design was used for those. The biggest problem with the WRX, as others have pointed out, is that most of those cars are beaten to death by their owners. If buying a used one better have it thoroughly checked out by a mechanic who knows Subarus.
They are better made compared to the older ones but you are talking about WRD STI models, generally people get them and drive the heck out of them. I would not advise to buy them used.
The EJ25 2.5 engines are prone to excessive oil consumption, not sure if thats the case with the WRX STI, maybe they made them better as its more performance oriented but just something to look out for. 2016 onwards should be fine in that regards as I believe they mostly resolved engine problems in the early part of the decade. Head gaskets shouldn't be a problem with regular maintenance. Make sure to have a mechanic check them out as these cars are heavily ragged out by original owners. Why do you think they are selling them?
The biggest issue with the EJ25 in the WRX STI was ringland failure:
Thanks alot friends for your help!
For what it’s worth, my son just bought a 2016 STI. He thoroughly researched it first, and says the motor has no significant flaws (though I agree with Chuck that the usual caveats about used sports cars apply). He has had it a couple months and is very satisfied with the choice.
By the way, that thing is a beast. Completely different species from my regular WRX. Not a great daily driver, but a very impressive car.
