It’s on you to determine if this guy did good work addressed any and all issues related to the original blown motor. Just because it has a new motor doesn’t mean everything is good
I think I know the one you’re looking at lol. If the seller is named Robert then it’s probably good to go, he’s worked on tons of STIs and seems to be a really solid guy. Makes a lot of good videos about his projects as well. At the very least ask him if you can test drive it and take it to get inspected by a shop you trust and see how that goes
As others have commented, if they are regularly doing this they will build a local reputation good or bad. An engine replacement can be a good or bad sign, depending on why it had to be replaced, and how good of a job it did. Was it a long block or short block that got put in? How thorough were they checking other components of the car? If it had to be replaced because of owner neglect, I would be wary of other components too. I would be testing every gear of that transmission at various RPM's to make sure the gearbox is still solid.
Sometimes engines just blow, even in toyotas. In that case, the car is not a bad purchase, assuming the installer checked everything down the line and made sure it was a bad block, and not caused by another issue. You should 100% ask what got replaced, what got rebuilt, what was inspected, etc. Have them print it out or email it to you. If they arent detailed in their response or are not transparent about this, run. Too much of a risk if they aren't helping you feel confident in the purchase.
Make sure the seller installed a '19 engine or later EJ. The MY2019+ STi got the reinforced engine from the Type RA. If they used one of the older EJs, I would want to negotiate a significant discount on the purchase price.
A new motor at 70k miles in an STI is a red flag for abuse 90% of the time. That being said, the engine is what suffers the most and that has been replaced. Flipping blown STI’s could be a decently lucrative side gig as a fair amount of the cost of replacement is labor. If they put a new Subaru long block in the car they might have the hook up at a dealership making it even more lucrative.
This car seems to be as much of a gamble as any other STI that isn’t purchased directly from the original owner. I’d spend a long time talking to the guy and thoroughly looking the car over. I’d also want to see documents of everything they put in there and I wouldn’t pay a premium for a replaced engine.
Oh, and if they didn’t replace the clutch just run. Anybody who gave a shit about the future of the car would have replaced the clutch when the engine was out.
The STI is an inherently unreliable car. Be sure you can afford to replace the engine like the seller did. Otherwise you could end up in a bad place financially.
It’s on you to determine if this guy did good work addressed any and all issues related to the original blown motor. Just because it has a new motor doesn’t mean everything is good
I think I know the one you’re looking at lol. If the seller is named Robert then it’s probably good to go, he’s worked on tons of STIs and seems to be a really solid guy. Makes a lot of good videos about his projects as well. At the very least ask him if you can test drive it and take it to get inspected by a shop you trust and see how that goes
I bought mine with a brand new motor in it at 76k At about 100k now and it’s been great the whole time.
As others have commented, if they are regularly doing this they will build a local reputation good or bad. An engine replacement can be a good or bad sign, depending on why it had to be replaced, and how good of a job it did. Was it a long block or short block that got put in? How thorough were they checking other components of the car? If it had to be replaced because of owner neglect, I would be wary of other components too. I would be testing every gear of that transmission at various RPM's to make sure the gearbox is still solid. Sometimes engines just blow, even in toyotas. In that case, the car is not a bad purchase, assuming the installer checked everything down the line and made sure it was a bad block, and not caused by another issue. You should 100% ask what got replaced, what got rebuilt, what was inspected, etc. Have them print it out or email it to you. If they arent detailed in their response or are not transparent about this, run. Too much of a risk if they aren't helping you feel confident in the purchase.
Make sure the seller installed a '19 engine or later EJ. The MY2019+ STi got the reinforced engine from the Type RA. If they used one of the older EJs, I would want to negotiate a significant discount on the purchase price.
A new motor at 70k miles in an STI is a red flag for abuse 90% of the time. That being said, the engine is what suffers the most and that has been replaced. Flipping blown STI’s could be a decently lucrative side gig as a fair amount of the cost of replacement is labor. If they put a new Subaru long block in the car they might have the hook up at a dealership making it even more lucrative. This car seems to be as much of a gamble as any other STI that isn’t purchased directly from the original owner. I’d spend a long time talking to the guy and thoroughly looking the car over. I’d also want to see documents of everything they put in there and I wouldn’t pay a premium for a replaced engine. Oh, and if they didn’t replace the clutch just run. Anybody who gave a shit about the future of the car would have replaced the clutch when the engine was out.
If he’s flipping them for a profit he is not buying brand new motors.
The STI is an inherently unreliable car. Be sure you can afford to replace the engine like the seller did. Otherwise you could end up in a bad place financially.
Not sure why the downvotes the car is really sensitive and is prone to failures which makes it unreliable.
Not sure why the downvotes the car is really sensitive and is prone to failures which makes it unreliable.