REDLINE ALLEYSubaru Impreza WRX and STI GR buying guide
2007 to 2014. A GR suits a buyer who wants a practical turbo AWD hatch or sedan and will pay for a compression test first.
Big jobs
- EJ25 ringlands and cylinder 4. A US class action covered piston and ringland trouble on 2009 to 2014 WRX and STI models, with cylinder 4 the worst affected. Labouring the engine at low revs in high gears and low octane fuel make it worse.
Workshop jobs
- Clutch pedal squeak. A squeaking clutch pedal can be an early sign of spot weld failure on the pedal assembly or the bulkhead.
- Release bearing and gear selection. Release bearing trouble is not unknown, and gears that grind unless you wait for the revs to drop are a warning sign.
Small jobs
- Brake master cylinder recall. A 2012 recall covered about 3,000 Impreza, Legacy and Outback cars for the brake master cylinder. Pulsing brakes are reported by some owners.
- Air conditioning and electrics. Air conditioning can fail when its O rings fail, and a rich mixture engine light is usually an open circuit in the emissions system.
Questions for the seller
- Has a compression test been done, and can I see the figures?
- Has it been remapped, and on what fuel?
- Does the clutch pedal squeak, and has it been looked at?
- Has the brake master cylinder recall been done?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-01. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.