Models · Subaru
Subaru Impreza WRX / STI GR/GV buying guide
The third-generation Impreza WRX and STI, built from 2008 to 2014, launched as a hatchback with the saloon following, and powered in the UK by 2.5 turbo flat fours with four-wheel drive.
The versions
- WRX: 2.5 turbo flat four (EJ255), 227bhp; the Prodrive-tuned WRX S from 2008, 251bhp
- WRX STI: uprated 2.5 turbo (EJ257), 296bhp, six-speed manual only, with the DCCD driver-controlled centre differential
- STI 340R factory upgrade, 335hp, and the Cosworth CS400, 395hp
- Hatchback and saloon bodies; Japanese-market STIs with a 2.0 twin-scroll turbo arrive as imports
What to check on a GR Impreza WRX
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Signs of ringland failure
What to look for: Watch the exhaust on start up and on the drive for smoke, and feel for any loss of boost. Ask whether the car has been remapped and by whom, what fuel it runs on, and whether a compression test can be done before you buy.
Why it matters: On the 2.5 engines a piston can crack between the rings, letting gas pressure into the sump; cylinder 4 is the worst affected. It's linked to low-octane fuel, hard full-throttle use at low revs and poor tuning, and specialists suggest the problem can be overstated. Oil changes every 5,000 miles and a compression test give the best picture. Japanese 2.0 STIs are less prone to it.
Gearbox and clutch
What to look for: Work through every gear; a heavy, notchy shift when cold is normal. Grinding unless you hold the clutch down and let the revs drop is the thing to note. The clutch should have a clear biting point and return properly. Listen for a squeak from the clutch pedal.
Why it matters: Repeated hard launches damage the gearbox, and clutch and release bearing problems are known on these cars. The STI's six-speed is stronger than the WRX's five-speed. A squeaking clutch pedal can point to failing spot welds on the pedal box or bulkhead, a dealer check item.
Rust under the B-pillar trim and rear chassis
What to look for: Look closely at the black trim on the pillar between the front and rear doors for bubbles underneath. If you can, look behind the rear wheel arch liners and underbody covers at the rear chassis, and check the front chassis legs, sills and boot floor for damage.
Why it matters: Rust under the B-pillar trim can spread into the door, so it's best caught early. The rear chassis is hidden behind liners and guards, so look behind them on any car you're serious about.
Also in the full guide
- Knocks from the suspension
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the GR Impreza WRX
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
Subaru Impreza Turbo GC (WRX / STI) · Subaru Impreza WRX / STI GD · Subaru WRX STI VA
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Subaru.