u/suzuki_swifting

Hey fam,

Since my 2018 STI will be in repairs for the engine seize, I have no fun car.

I’m tired of buying used cars and fixing someone else’s ticking time b0mb. I want to get something new. For those who have/had other brands of fun cars (e.i Type R, C-GR, Supra, Hyundai’s N-Lines, etc, etc)??

How fun is it (by itself)?
How fun is it (compared to your STI)?
Did it meet your expectations (or was it under/over expectations)?
Do you recommend (or not) that vehicle to others?
How has been your experience with that 2nd fun car so far?

Non of my local dealerships let me test drive their sports vehicles unless I have “intentions to buy” Toyota don’t let me test drive their C-GR, Honda don’t let me test drive their Type-R, Hyundai don’t let me test drive their Elantra N, so I wanna hear it from you guys first before I incline myself into a direction.

I did test drove a WRX Ts and dint feel that same attraction as I did the STI. It felt weaker, sluggish, overall slower.

Thanks all.

As I posted a day ago my story. If you are a WRX/STI owner in AZ, and have experience with any of these Shops (or others) let me know how was it? The engine in my 2018 STI is seized, who should I go to?

TIA 👍

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Another seized engine story :’(

Car: 2018 WRX STI Limited
Miles when bought on October 31st 2024: 47K
Seized on April 30th 2026 at: 63K

Buying this car was literally getting my dream car. After turning 30 and having a good income I told myself I’m getting my dream car. For many years that spot belonged to the Mitsubishi EVO and I wanted a Final Edition, but I told myself, “do I really want to spend 30-40k on a decade old car when I can get something newer?” So I started looking around.

I test drove many cars. I test drove a 5.0 Manual Mustang, and the dealership flat-out told me, “we will give you an awesome price, we’ve had it in the lot for a long time and not many people are looking for manuals anymore” (which we all know is true) but anyways, I was not feeling it, I told myself “If I buy this, I’m not going to be happy”. After that I test drove a Manual Widebody Challenger Scatpack, again, amazing car and power, but not happy with it. After that I test drove a Manual 2019 SuperSport Camaro, a fking beast, it did wow me, the throttle response and feedback was amazing. But the dealership wanted too much for a used Camaro so I moved on. After that I test drove a brand new 2024 Honda Civic SI for $30K. For being a brand new car, with all the latest tech/bells/whistles not bad, but the sporty side of it was laughable, the delay in throttle response and slow acceleration made me not get it.

Then there it is a 2018 White STI Limited. 47K Miles, Sunroof, push to start, touch screen, Recaro seats, Harman/Kardon sound system, short shifter, mirror compass with homelink, Blind Spot Detection & Lane Change Assist, wing, ppf on the bumper, hood, fenders, roof, side mirrors, TurboSmart Blow Off, Invidia Performance Catback Exhaust, All weather floormats on top of the regular floor mats. I test drive it (even before knowing what i/s/s# is) and I fell in love with it. It was perfect, 100% what I was looking for. Got it for $30K.

Whoever had this STI before me, thank you, it was perfect.

Thinking I was taking care of her by the book, not skipping a beat, looks like it was not enough. It was drinking oil like crazy. And just as I put new bezel lights and rear F1 5 in 1 light. I started hearing rodknock, the engine seized on me 2 miles away from the dealership after an oil change (they did showed me a picture of the glitter in the oil) but I thought I had more time before taking it for a proper tune up.

Now I’m left with a locked engine 2018 STI and $15K still on the loan note.

One dealership quoted me $30grand, another $20-25grand, another 11K just for the parts, and I found an independent subaru performance tuning shop quoting me $11-$15k for both parts and labor.

It feels like paying the car all over again.

Ugh :’(

TLDR:

I bought this used 2018 STI Limited with 47k miles for $30k and the engine seized at 63k miles with $15,000 left on the loan note. OP Sad.