AutoWeek: 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

[Bullhonkie]

Rally Ready: The STi is like a WRX, only more so
The Subaru Impreza WRX STi is surprisingly uncompromising in its pursuit of rally-car fun. Why do we say surprisingly? Because in the transition from WRC gravel to USA showrooms, you might expect Subaru (or any other carmaker) to remove a lot more performance edge than it did when making the street version of the WRX STi. Subaru didn?t.

STi vs. Evo: Apple or Orange? Consumers of quality fruit win
Both are ultra-performance, near-race car versions of their makers? more tame compact sedans; both are a step or two removed from the race versions that challenge for dominance on the World Rally stage; and both are here in new versions following long, long years during which their predecessors were only offered to buyers overseas.

We scrutinized both, ran each one through our usual battery of tests, and can firmly say that... they?re both darn good.


Major magazines should also have reviews/comparos hitting newstands anytime now (Car and Driver, Road and Track, Automobile, etc.), some people have already received the latest issues.

Looks like a great time to be in the market for a 4-door AWD turbocharged track monster.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: Bullhonkie
Rally Ready: The STi is like a WRX, only more so
The Subaru Impreza WRX STi is surprisingly uncompromising in its pursuit of rally-car fun. Why do we say surprisingly? Because in the transition from WRC gravel to USA showrooms, you might expect Subaru (or any other carmaker) to remove a lot more performance edge than it did when making the street version of the WRX STi. Subaru didn?t.

STi vs. Evo: Apple or Orange? Consumers of quality fruit win
Both are ultra-performance, near-race car versions of their makers? more tame compact sedans; both are a step or two removed from the race versions that challenge for dominance on the World Rally stage; and both are here in new versions following long, long years during which their predecessors were only offered to buyers overseas.

We scrutinized both, ran each one through our usual battery of tests, and can firmly say that... they?re both darn good.


Major magazines should also have reviews/comparos hitting newstands anytime now (Car and Driver, Road and Track, Automobile, etc.), some people have already received the latest issues.

Looks like a great time to be in the market for a 4-door AWD turbocharged track monster.

I like the new look. I wonder how bad is the turbo lag....

 

[Phuz]

I like the new look. I wonder how bad is the turbo lag....

Less lag than the base WRX.

 

[Bullhonkie]

Originally posted by: Dr Smooth
I like the new look. I wonder how bad is the turbo lag....

Variable valve timing and the .5L displacement edge will improve the low end response a bit. At 1500rpm the 2.0L WRX makes about 125lb/ft while the 2.5L STi is making around 160lb/ft. The margin only grows from there. By 2300rpm or so, the STi makes more torque than the WRX does anywhere in its powerband. Top end is much livelier than the WRX also (which was one of its weaker points). Acceleration numbers from Car & Driver have the STi reaching 130mph four seconds faster than the EVO (24.5 vs 28.5 sec). Can't find my issue of C&D with a WRX 0-130 number, but by all accounts it is pretty abysmal - well over 30 seconds IIRC (the stock turbo is tiny and really horrible for top end power).

 

[toant103]

Originally posted by: Bullhonkie
Rally Ready: The STi is like a WRX, only more so
The Subaru Impreza WRX STi is surprisingly uncompromising in its pursuit of rally-car fun. Why do we say surprisingly? Because in the transition from WRC gravel to USA showrooms, you might expect Subaru (or any other carmaker) to remove a lot more performance edge than it did when making the street version of the WRX STi. Subaru didn?t.

STi vs. Evo: Apple or Orange? Consumers of quality fruit win
Both are ultra-performance, near-race car versions of their makers? more tame compact sedans; both are a step or two removed from the race versions that challenge for dominance on the World Rally stage; and both are here in new versions following long, long years during which their predecessors were only offered to buyers overseas.

We scrutinized both, ran each one through our usual battery of tests, and can firmly say that... they?re both darn good.


Major magazines should also have reviews/comparos hitting newstands anytime now (Car and Driver, Road and Track, Automobile, etc.), some people have already received the latest issues.

Looks like a great time to be in the market for a 4-door AWD turbocharged track monster.

what's the insurance bill on one of these?

 

[toant103]

hold on, no radio ?

 

[LivinLaVivaPollo]

You don't need a radio. Listen to the turbo.

 

[toant103]

Originally posted by: LivinLaVivaPollo
You don't need a radio. Listen to the turbo.

can't really listen to turbo in Northern VA traffic.

395, 95, 495!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all

BUt i can rev it right? hehehe

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: toant103
hold on, no radio ?

And the dash is prewired for audio, according to the article. That's seriously dumb.

 

[Rainsford]

Nice, I wish I had one of those. By the time I'm done with school and can afford one, I'm sure they will be cheaper, all the bugs will be ironed out, and hopefully they will have put in an audio system.

 

[fonzinator]

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: toant103
hold on, no radio ?

And the dash is prewired for audio, according to the article. That's seriously dumb.

No radio adds to the car's rally/race car image. Subrau is trying to say, "Go ahead and take this car right to the rally tracks. We've left off the nonessentials to help you save weight." However, they prewire it so those who want a stereo can have one. I think it's a blessing for them to leave out the stock stereo. Who wants a stock stereo anyway?? This way you can put in exactly what you want and get something that's better than the stock for probably the same cost.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: fonzinator

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: toant103
hold on, no radio ?

And the dash is prewired for audio, according to the article. That's seriously dumb.

No radio adds to the car's rally/race car image. Subrau is trying to say, "Go ahead and take this car right to the rally tracks. We've left off the nonessentials to help you save weight." However, they prewire it so those who want a stereo can have one. I think it's a blessing for them to leave out the stock stereo. Who wants a stock stereo anyway?? This way you can put in exactly what you want and get something that's better than the stock for probably the same cost.

But like the article pointed out, the radio and floormats wouldn't have added that much weight, especially in light of the other creature comforts they put in there that did add a lot of weight. It should have at least been a no-cost option.

I also think a 300-hp car that can't get to 60 mph in 2nd is a mistake, regardless of how rally-appropriate gearing like that is.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: fonzinator

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: toant103
hold on, no radio ?

And the dash is prewired for audio, according to the article. That's seriously dumb.

No radio adds to the car's rally/race car image. Subrau is trying to say, "Go ahead and take this car right to the rally tracks. We've left off the nonessentials to help you save weight." However, they prewire it so those who want a stereo can have one. I think it's a blessing for them to leave out the stock stereo. Who wants a stock stereo anyway?? This way you can put in exactly what you want and get something that's better than the stock for probably the same cost.

But like the article pointed out, the radio and floormats wouldn't have added that much weight, especially in light of the other creature comforts they put in there that did add a lot of weight. It should have at least been a no-cost option.

I also think a 300-hp car that can't get to 60 mph in 2nd is a mistake, regardless of how rally-appropriate gearing like that is.

Keep in mind that a fair number of these cars are actually going to be used for rally racing, hence the rally-appropriate gearing.

 

[cjchaps]

In the C&D article, I believe the STI did 0-60 in 4.6 secs.

 

[Frdm51472]

I like the new look. I wonder how bad is the turbo lag..

"if you got turbo lag, you ain't drivin' it right!!!" -Carroll Shelby

 

[fonzinator]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
But like the article pointed out, the radio and floormats wouldn't have added that much weight, especially in light of the other creature comforts they put in there that did add a lot of weight. It should have at least been a no-cost option.

I agree with you that the deletion of the floormats is a pretty lame excuse for "saving weight." I'm sure Subaru was also aiming for a very specific price point with this vehicle - particularly with the Evo in the ball game. Keeping the cost as low as possible was, I'm sure, a paramount goal. Like the article also pointed out, fewer construction configurations reduces cost (however slight it may be).

I also think a 300-hp car that can't get to 60 mph in 2nd is a mistake, regardless of how rally-appropriate gearing like that is.

Subaru is doing a great thing for their company by creating a rally car for the masses. No one has really done that yet here in the US (with the exception of the Evo VIII). The US is one of the largest unreached markets for rally racing. Subaru is darn good at winning in the WRC and lesser rally circuits. But, Joe Schmoe here in the US doesn't even know what a rally race is. Take any Joe Bloke in Europe or Asia - they all know what rally racing is. You mention Subaru to them, they think of a winning rally car manufacturer. You mention Subaru here in the US, people think average econobox. Subaru will try to use the WRX and the STi to get their rally brand planted here in the US. These two cars will revolutionize the Subaru name for the US market.

The STi needs to be as close to it's big rally brother as possible. People here in the US will see the WRX and STi, see how good they are, then make the connection to the rally races (further inceasing Subaru's racing brand and consumer brand). People want to drive what they see on the race track. That's what this STi car will be...people's chance to drive a great rally car on the street. Changing the gearing ratio for the STi would depart from this rally car that people want to drive. Plus, every other sports car on the street is geared long (in comparison to STi and Evo). Only Evo and STi have short enough ratios for people to really have some low speed fun!!

 

[Fritzo]

Before you all start drooling over the STi, you're going to have to realize that this is an enthusiast car, not a consumer level car. You're not going to get any comfort perks...it's all pure performance based. It's also a car you probably don't want to get into if you don't know what you're doing (Much like the Dodge Viper's and Porsche 911's). If you're looking for something to drive to work everyday, the WRX will work for you. If you want a second car to cruise in on the weekends, then the STi is probably what you want. Since only 500 will be shipped to the US per month, I'd expect it'll go for closer to $40,000.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: fonzinator

Originally posted by: KingNothing
But like the article pointed out, the radio and floormats wouldn't have added that much weight, especially in light of the other creature comforts they put in there that did add a lot of weight. It should have at least been a no-cost option.

I agree with you that the deletion of the floormats is a pretty lame excuse for "saving weight." I'm sure Subaru was also aiming for a very specific price point with this vehicle - particularly with the Evo in the ball game. Keeping the cost as low as possible was, I'm sure, a paramount goal. Like the article also pointed out, fewer construction configurations reduces cost (however slight it may be).

I also think a 300-hp car that can't get to 60 mph in 2nd is a mistake, regardless of how rally-appropriate gearing like that is.

Subaru is doing a great thing for their company by creating a rally car for the masses. No one has really done that yet here in the US (with the exception of the Evo VIII). The US is one of the largest unreached markets for rally racing. Subaru is darn good at winning in the WRC and lesser rally circuits. But, Joe Schmoe here in the US doesn't even know what a rally race is. Take any Joe Bloke in Europe or Asia - they all know what rally racing is. You mention Subaru to them, they think of a winning rally car manufacturer. You mention Subaru here in the US, people think average econobox. Subaru will try to use the WRX and the STi to get their rally brand planted here in the US. These two cars will revolutionize the Subaru name for the US market.

The STi needs to be as close to it's big rally brother as possible. People here in the US will see the WRX and STi, see how good they are, then make the connection to the rally races (further inceasing Subaru's racing brand and consumer brand). People want to drive what they see on the race track. That's what this STi car will be...people's chance to drive a great rally car on the street. Changing the gearing ratio for the STi would depart from this rally car that people want to drive. Plus, every other sports car on the street is geared long (in comparison to STi and Evo). Only Evo and STi have short enough ratios for people to really have some low speed fun!!

Just to add to this: SCCA Rallying in the US is quite popular among enthusaists. And some say it is truer to the art of rallying than the WRC championship since the cars are closer to production.

Ironically, Hynduai is the current champion in SCCA Rallying in the US, too bad they don't cash in on that.

 

[Fausto]

Just to add to this: SCCA Rallying in the US is quite popular among enthusaists. And some say it is truer to the art of rallying than the WRC championship since the cars are closer to production.

Ironically, Hynduai is the current champion in SCCA Rallying in the US, too bad they don't cash in on that.

Too bad they don't offer a street version of the Open Class Tiburon either.....that thing is a beast. According to my brother (who wrenches for an SCCA rally guy) they are making over 400 bhp this year.

 

[JYDog]

If you want a luxury sedan that happens to be fast, STi is not the car for you. There are a dozen cars that would be much better suited for that type of description than the STi. No radio and floor mats is a good thing here. As a matter of fact, no seats would probably be better too because many would rather have only ONE seat, installed themselves(and save a few buck)!

 

[JYDog]

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: JYDog
If you want a luxury sedan that happens to be fast, STi is not the car for you. There are a dozen cars that would be much better suited for that type of description than the STi. No radio and floor mats is a good thing here. As a matter of fact, no seats would probably be better too because many would rather have only ONE seat, installed themselves(and save a few buck)!

Nope. Gotta have two. Where would your codriver sit otherwise?

 

[toant103]

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: JYDog
If you want a luxury sedan that happens to be fast, STi is not the car for you. There are a dozen cars that would be much better suited for that type of description than the STi. No radio and floor mats is a good thing here. As a matter of fact, no seats would probably be better too because many would rather have only ONE seat, installed themselves(and save a few buck)!

Nope. Gotta have two. Where would your codriver sit otherwise?

need room for a chick

 

[Imported]

Yummy.. I'd buy one if I had the money to do so.. I'd take this over a 350Z easily..

The no radio thing doesn't bother me at all.. I'd replace the stock one if there was one anyways..

 

[Noirish]

The same old fugly...