Hey guys,
I am keen on purchasing a family friends 2009 WRX STI. It's only done 16,000km which is great but it's last service was at 12,000km back in June of 2012 so its been driven 4000km since then and hasn't been serviced since that date as the owner suggested they go by km….
My understanding is that a service should still be done at least once a year even if the kms are low..
Should I be concerned?
subaru servicing is every 6 months or 7500km. This oil should have been changed as oil degrades with time, especially if it has done such low km in mostly short trips when the oil never reaches full operating temp. Also with the flat four engine remember that with the pistons being horizontal, half the piston will be laying in oil so it is important to change it. And this is a performance engine. There may be nothing wrong but I'd get it checked first.
You are right, it should have been serviced even if only oil changes. Rubber also perishes over time, I would expect the hoses would be ok(best to check). What is the recommended timing belt ($$) change interval? I would suggest getting it checked by a good Subaru mechanic, (found by referral/forums or an Aust Subaru forum).
Suspect, but on the other hand…..
He was incorrect, servicing as suggested previously is 100% by time or KLM's which ever comes first. That is the suspect part, if that is how the vehicle was mistreated by bad information, even though it is clearly stated and explained in the owners manual, what else received less than correct maintainence or otherwise treatment?
On the otherhand, if the vehicle was laid up professionally, as in storage etc, then like us vintage car buffs, time and distance really have no bearing, except your warranty and book details will be stuffed. There are ways of doing this correctly, and there are ways to truly hurt your vehicle, your budget and yourself.
You need to find more info on this situation, why such low K's, what if any maintainence did it get, and what else has he done that may of been detrimental to the vehicle.
I suggest if you do buy it, then your first service is going to have to be a whopper, and very comprehensive, to include a very very throrough inspection of all rubber(as suggersted) components, tyres/belts/seals etc, as well as hydraulic components, ie calipers, struts/seals etc.
Again, it truly depends on wht did or did not get done, when and how. Sacrilege to not even change the oils.
Thanks for your input. Very informative.
As far as I am aware it has been locked up in the garage as a toy for the past 3 years only taken out on sunny days. Other then that its only service was back in 2012 June nothing else has been done to it.
Make sure that the condition of the car corresponds with "barely used".. Even a weekend warrior is likely to have driven more than 16k over 6 years..
I wouldn't be to concerned as I only change the oil on my 4x4 every couple of years or so due to low mileage and its always been in good condition when I change it. Sludge would only occur if excessive moisture got to the oil and sounds unlikely in this case. My 4x4 is 19 years old now and just starting to run in ; )
Many transmissions for example are sealed for life these days as an example. I wouldn't want one though as I would still want to change fluids at least every couple of years ideally.
timing belt needs changing as well as plugs, water pump, ancillary belts, coolant, oil, diff oil, transfer case oil, all filters and probably tyres (they will be 6 years old and the rubber will be perished)
don't get me wrong, it sounds like a good car, but you need to factor in about $3000 of work to ensure it doesn't fail very soon
Only 6 months ago did I change the timing belt on my forester xt. Just hit 100k after 9 years. Timing belt was in perfect nixk and didn't show any signs of fatigue. Your only issue will be fuel, depending on age and quantity in the tank.
I do the full servicing on three cars and two large trucks for my business. The whole oik sludges over time is just info repeated by people who have browsed the web. It can happen in extreme cases but is usually due to other factors, not time sitting stationary in a sump.
Go for it. The age of fluids and rubber won't be a problem on a car of the age.
For peace of mind have RACV or your equivalent come and do an inspection. Cost a few hundred from memory but could save you a whole lot more
I personally would be very keen to buy…change all fluids including brake fluid, pick up on 'normal' servicing with common sense…don't replace the air filter or pollen filter until scheduled servicing klms and get back to normal servicing…these days most services are mainly oil changes and 'check and observe'….waiting for kms for service schedule to replace items. Don't skimp on oil use full synthetic.
Have a look at the dates on a few cars' tyres and I'm sure you will find some more than 6 years old…not sure there is a 'Use by date' on tyres. If you are gonna run the car at Eastern Creek put a decent set on it.
Enjoy your find.
Yes you are right, it should be done at least once a year on a car that isn't driven much as old oil can turn to sludge which could lead to premature engine failure.
If the car didn't have such low kms I would tell you to stay away from it, but it deserves to be looked over by a mechanic as it could well be a great buy having done such low kms.