in case we are to infer that your response is to cucamelsmd15's post- the car is no more or less susceptible to failure than what we have.
Uh, yes, actually it is.
You see, the problem is that when the 07 STI came out, Subaru in their wisdom decided to include the open loop/closed loop delay for emissions purposes. What this results in is lean conditions through peak torque and peak boost. Since the boxer configuration is so great at dispersing heat [/sarcasm], what you essentially wind up with is superheated pistons/rings, which are then cooled by a deluge of fuel as the AFR drops from the mid 13's to low 10's/high 9's. The repeated heat cycling of the rings plus uncontrolled detonation during peak torque/boost has lead to numerous failures on stock cars, not to mention cars that were modified but spend considerable amounts of time on the stock tune. Nothing was done in 2007 to correct these problems. I know firsthand of at least 4 2007 STI's that are stock that all had the same problem.
But, it doesnt stop there. In 2008 models, not only did Subaru retain the OL/CL delay, they botched the high RPM tuning as well. The 2008 STI has a redline 300rpm lower than the 2007, but the ECU logic was modified so that the "rev limit-fuel resume" parameter only replied to the rev limit, whereas it applies to rev limit and boost conditions in all previous models.
Example:
2007 STI bangs it off the limiter in any given gear. Rev limit is set at 7100rpm with a resume of 7000rpm. Revs hit 7100rpm and fuel cuts and revs fall to 7000rpm. Fuel doesnt resume because boost hasnt fallen below 9.7psi as specified in the ECU logic. It does this at say, 6900rpm and fueling resumes. Rinse, repeat. By dropping the boost, it ensures that there is no lean condition in the cylinder when fueling resumes from too much left over air.
2008 STI does the same thing with the rev limit set at 6800rpm with a resume of 6700rpm. Revs hit 6800rpm and fuel cuts, but resumes at 6700rpm while the manifold pressure is still above 9.7psi. In this event, it results in a lean condition and potentially knock. Rinse, repeat, crack ringland.
I know of no fewer than 5 2008's in my local area with this problem. 4 were stock, one was modified but spent 10k on the stock tune.
Now, if anyone wants to pony up the stock map for a MS3, Ill be more than happy to take a look at it. I guarantee that it doesnt have these issues though, as there are plenty of people, stock and otherwise, that arent having these types of failures.