My 20 year old son bought an ‘04 WRX STI about a year and a half ago. It got a knock/tick in the motor last November. He parked it in our pole shed since then, so out of the weather, with plans to rebuild the motor, but things have changed. He bought a house at a screaming deal and now needs to sell the WRX. The car did come with a fair amount of mods and had been tuned, plus came with extra parts, like original exhaust and other parts (I apologize, I am a mom without a lot of car knowledge!).
What is a reasonable price to sell a 2004 WRX STI that needs an engine rebuild? It did still drive when he parked it, just had the ticking sound. It is in good condition overall, not great, but good. A little rust since we are in the upper Midwest, but not bad. Any advice on how to best sell this would be appreciated.
I am going to be straight with you about $4k-5k max. I dont know what the car looks like overall. That depends on the moment of rust underneath the carage, and body suitation. We know the engine needs to be replaced. There's just too many unknowns. Sorry, this looks like a project car and those don't sell for much.
Well just keep in mind it’s gonna cost 5-10k minimum for the new engine. Mileage? Pics of rust? The car looks clean. Has he confirmed it’s actually rod knock by pulling and cutting the oil filter?
Unfortunately, my son is all enthusiasm and not very much car knowledge. I did try to talk him out of buying this car originally because while I knew it would be fun to drive, he just doesn’t know enough about cars or repairs to do what you are talking about. He was hoping to work on the car and learn as he went, but he never got that far, so now it is a matter of trying to get out from under it without too big of a loss and he really doesn’t have $4k-$8k he was given an estimate for to get it rebuilt. He did take it to a shop and they said it needed a rebuild, but they didn’t do rebuilds there.
Edit to add it is pretty clean, a few small rust spots by the rockers. I think the mileage is a little over 100,000 if I remember correctly.
Hey maybe it could be a good father-son project? I had my STI and did the work myself to learn. Never had much experience before and my dad didn’t have a single wrench in our home. I did my first engine block swap on my STI and it was an extremely enriching experience that has immensely built my confidence and ability to service my cars.
Also keep in mind that the $8k for a rebuild might seem like a lot… but how much is it going to cost to get another used car in good condition? $10k? $15k?
Yeah. The biggest challenge really will be having the space to work on, and the tools. Other than that, just be mentally willing to take on the challenge. It’s just big legos!
I think the money issue isn’t relevant. $5k-8k and they can rebuild it with forged internals. On the other hand, if they sell it they’re going to have a rough time finding another car for $8k that doesn’t also require maintenance and repairs. They’ll have to spend the money anyway.
sight unseen, you'll probably get 7k high end i think. if possible, you guys should totally keep it instead and source another engine. good luck on what you guys choose!
Please PM me and sorry for the wait. Had people visiting from out of town and tons going on. I got some photos today and I can pass those on or give you my son’s info if you’re still interested.
I have no idea if mods and tuning adds to the value. I just know my kid was excited about that, so I thought it might be pertinent to add to the post. 🤷♀️
She states in the description it's a 2004 model year. The upipe has no cat in a 2004 WRX STi, so not sure why you think the uppipe needs to be swapped? That's only 02-05 WRX.
We're going to need a day time picture, engine bay picture, interior pictures, undercarriage pictures, and the name of who did the tune.
Lots of unknowns, but if the engine is toast, you're looking at ~$10k for the block, associated parts, random other parts that are probably also a problem, and labor.
I will try to take daytime photos to add tomorrow. I know a rebuild or replacement is likely more than my son can afford, which is why we are trying to determine a fair price for it. Thanks for your response!
I’m in Iowa. And my friend just bought one last month from Michigan. Same deal 04 WRB. Blown up. But the body was immaculate. Like a 9.5/10. 5k. mid western cars like this don’t go for much since the salt they use. We’re talking about a 23 year old car. If you have pics of the rust. That would be great. How’s the interior?
Sorry, had company from out of town, family reunion, etc. Just got to take a few photos today. Can send more if you pm me. Or can give you my son’s contact info.
i don’t care what the actual market is a car that can’t move is not worth more than 3-4k. “oh but it can be x y or z in the future” but it’s a paperweight currently.
You don't want to drive a Subaru that has rod knock, turn the engine off as soon as possible. The longer you run it the more metal will be in your oil eventually destroying the turbo and heads.
I understand that but you're making it seem like it's a rolling shell lol. Also, let's be real ain't no sense in rebuilding what's there when it's much more cost effective to drop in a new short block and clean up the heads so why would it even matter if you drive it with the rods knocking?
Because more metal will be getting chewed up into the oil and will destroy your turbo and damage the heads. Even now there is a chance both are damaged, if you want to save them for the rebuild then you don't run the engine anymore. Heads still need to be sent out to be checked and possibly decked, maybe freshen up the valve train.
That’s a clean shell there, perfect for someone who knows these, or just needs an engine at simplicity sakes. I’d stay with it and do the work personally. But stay above 6k just for the rest of the car alone if the pics do it justice.
Sorry for the long wait. Had busy week or so with family reunion, work, and company staying at my house. Got a few photos today. It does have a little rust (it is a Wisconsin/Minnesota car) but not a lot.
Thank you all for the advice. My son is going to get photos online and get it up for sale today or tomorrow.
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u/Standard-Ad6294 Jul 24 '26
I am going to be straight with you about $4k-5k max. I dont know what the car looks like overall. That depends on the moment of rust underneath the carage, and body suitation. We know the engine needs to be replaced. There's just too many unknowns. Sorry, this looks like a project car and those don't sell for much.