My girlfriend and I are looking at buying a STi and I'm wondering what would be the best year out of 04-07(which one has the least problems from the factory?) I know some had bad rod bearings from the factory or something like that, which caused them to go randomly. Any info would help. Thanks i-club!

 

Any year would be good. Depends on which look you like. 05+ stis have the nicer rear fender flares and wider wheels stock. 05+ also has better looking center console. 04 has 5x100 wheels 05+ has 5x114.3 (more wheel choices). I believe the 07's are the ones with most failures with the ringlands due to poor stock tune. 07's have a longer 4th gear that's better for drag racing. 04-05 has weaker synchros for 3rd and 4th gears.

 

I kinda want a 04 STi and swap the front end to a bugeye that way we'd have the closest thing to a real bugeye STI . But I'd also like 5x114 hubs since they're bigger bearings and you can find 5x114 BBS stocks for cheap. I do like the Hawkeye front ends to, they're sexy, but my girlfriend and I want a bugeye, but are set on a STi for the fact of not having to put a ton of money into a 02-03 to make it as good as an STI....anyway, thanks for the info, didn't know about the gears and synro stuff.

 

I love my 06, I just wish 6th gear was longer so highway cruising was better. Because lets face it your only in 2nd-4th in the twisties and then you dont mind short gears.

 

i love my 04 sti. You just need to find a unmolested and non abused

 

Yeah we want to find a "close to stock as possible" one. Aspen White preferably.

 

04 is the Rawest year...

 

If you want 5x114.3 with the least problems from factory, I say you go for an 06 STi. Then again, the 04 STi is the closest to the bugeye.

 

Love my 04', but would rather have the 05' because of the 5x114 hub= more rim choices. But I do love the 06' hawkeye front end.

 

07 with a tune. Quest=over...

 

****, that's a no brainer dude, 06 STi for sure! Do your research & you'll see why it's the best year-period. Too much goodness to list, find a stock one & you'll never regret it (not that i'm biased or anything-lol). 06 FTMFW baby!

 

i love my 04. i honestly like the 5x100 hub because if your into stance and stretch and poke and stuff, you'll find euro wheels all day from vw vortex for these wheels hubs. the golfs match right up! i personally think the 04/05 is the best looking also. and not to mention, theyre the cheapest of the sti's right now.

 

Thanks for all your input guys. I think my search will narrow down to 06 STI or 04 STi in Aspen White.

 

O6 For the Win. ;-)

 

Have a question for everyone, what makes the 06 better then the 07? If anything the 07 is better because of the tranny! Don't give me that the motor is better because they are all the same. Some years had better tunes on them, other then that they are the same! I think it comes down looks really!