# What to look for in an STI **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 11, 2009, 7:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982 "2009-04-11T07:54:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Harvey](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/harvey/32/5069_2.png) [@Harvey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Harvey)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982/21 "2009-04-11T12:15:38Z")
> [@MOBOOST4U](#): > > The IHI VF39 turbo that comes on the car is prone to crack on the exhaust housing. If you search around the boards you will see numerous cases of this. I know the heat shield blocks a lot of the view but try to get a nice look at the turbo and make sure it doesn’t have any cracks. My 06 ran for 20k with the infamous crack and it caused NO problems. The crack never caused a problem for anyone. I’m not sure why people even feel the need to mention it. :poke: > [@CarJunki](#): > > Thanks but pretty set on a white sti. This thread is about what I’m going to buy not what’chall think I should buy… 👋 :tup: ---
**Author:** ![neonglh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neonglh/32/4951_2.png) [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982/22 "2009-04-11T13:37:13Z")
> [@Studderin](#): > > were is neonGLH? Hes had like 3 STi’s and 1 evo, 1 of each right now. I’ve driven them both a bunch. > > Get a evo!!! :eekdance: These cars are pretty tough. Even if the turbo is bad, its like 300 for another one, and its easy to do, so I wouldn’t worry too much about turbo failure. The only concerns I would have would be the transmission shifting smoothly, no rear end noises, and the motor feels strong and doesn’t smoke/burn oil. That car looks very nice btw! ---
**Author:** ![fourseasonsandles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@fourseasonsandles](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fourseasonsandles)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982/23 "2009-04-11T15:05:16Z")
Agreed that the turbos are cheap to replace. Many of the stock turbos tend to crack near the waste gate, but does not appear to cause any issues with boost. I do not have a crack, but I have been on the stock turbo for about 60k miles with no issues. The trannys are solid, I would agree with Neonglh to make sure it shifts smoothly. They can be a bit notchy, but make sure it goes into gear OK. Strut clunk is on just about all the cars. The only fixes are repack the rear struts, replace them with new stockers or spray them down with some sort of lube every now and then. However, with these fixes, it will always come back. It isnt damaging, but can be annoying. Otherwise your options are new/different struts or coilovers. The GF210s on the car are stiff and a bit harsh on bumpy roads. I have them and if I had to do it all over again, I would go with RCE Yellows. Also with the 2004 STI, rims are going to be harder to come by as this is the only year that they had 5x100 hubs. The 2005+ cars went to 5 x114.3. Perhaps someone with more 2004 knowledge can chime in here, but are those oil lines stock? mine do not look like that, but I have an 06. Looks like it has a catch can as well. That TMIC is super clean for a car with 80k on it. ![http://www.gripitdoes.com/JUSTB/sti/IMG_0728.jpg](http://www.gripitdoes.com/JUSTB/sti/IMG_0728.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![rdandy5875](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rdandy5875/32/7511_2.png) [@rdandy5875](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rdandy5875)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982/24 "2009-04-11T15:07:24Z")
I think thats the catch can he mentioned? ---
**Author:** ![fourseasonsandles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@fourseasonsandles](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fourseasonsandles)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982/25 "2009-04-11T15:11:34Z")
> [@rdandy5875](#): > > I think thats the catch can he mentioned? I must have missed that when reading ---
**Author:** ![rrsti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@rrsti](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rrsti)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982/26 "2009-04-11T15:18:24Z")
Spend a lil more an buy mine. ---
**Author:** ![steve1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/steve1/32/7283_2.png) [@steve1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve1)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982/27 "2009-04-11T19:50:01Z")
i should have this thread as well… ---
**Author:** ![fourseasonsandles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@fourseasonsandles](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fourseasonsandles)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982/28 "2009-04-11T20:25:01Z")
> [@steve](#): > > i should have this thread as well… you accidentally the whole thread? [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-to-look-for-in-an-sti/65982.md?page=1)