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WRX or STI???

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Not sure why some dealers won't allow test drives. Hell, I've gotten test rides on Ducati motorcycles that will smoke any STI.
 
Ferzerp said:
Seriously. My last car purchase, I went somewhere that didn't want to pull the car I got out of the showroom for a test drive. They lost a sale, and the dealer across town got the business instead.
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They probably get a lot of "fast & furious" types wanting test drives
 
I traded in an '05 sti for an '11 wrx hatch limited. I don't regret not going with an sti one bit. The sti was just too rough for a dd. I remember the first time I took it on a four hour trip across state lines my back was hurting the next day. I got conditioned to it after that, but it was still a rough ride.
I'll agree with zap that the tranny shifted smoother on the 6 speed, but I got tired of the amount of shifting that was required with the extra gear. Fifth gear on the wrx is approximately the same as sixth in the sti, which just mean one more shift every time you start from a stop.
As far as speed, yeah the sti is overall faster but straight line acceleration there have been multiple runs with wrx's beating sti's in the quarter simply because there is one less shift involved. I don't think you'll really notice the difference unless you're tracking the car.
I'm also like zap in that I bought some '04 wrx wheels for the new car, put winter tires on them, and just deal with the idiot light. I don't know if that's illegal, but I don't trust the sensors and check my tires regularly anyways. If the light really annoys you, just put some electrical tape over the light in the winter.
Bottom line is that it comes down to what you want. There's plenty of people that will tell you if you can afford the sti to buy it because otherwise you will always regret going with a lower model. If you're considering the sti in the first place you'll probably fall into that category. To me, already having an sti, the wrx was more practical and a much better value, and I don't regret not buying a new sti one bit.
 
Pens1566 said:
This was my implied understanding of it as well. I'm guessing that when I walk in with my title and checkbook, they'd change their mind.

Still undecided.
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A lot of it comes down to people not wanting to buy a 'new' car they did not break-in. I spent the time to properly break-in my WRX, and it had 2 miles on when I bought it. Break-in has been shown to be very important for the 2.5T wrx/sti engine.

It's pretty easy to get a test-drive in a CPO or slightly-used STi as a substitute.
 
another +1 for the STi


I test drove both before getting mine. Transmission is built beefier, suspension is a little stiffer, DCCD control, 6 gears, crappy stereo but you get that in any subaru. It generally holds up a little better to abuse, especially user error, than a WRX would. There are also far less people ricing out sti's because they can't afford to high initial price tag, yet spend more than an STi on mods...
 
I'd only get the WRX if you are completely satisfied with it being in stock form. As soon as you put a dollar into modding it you should have gotten the STI. The transmission and the differentials being the #1 and #2 reasons.

I have a WRX and it's been modded to the gills, but I got those parts for dirt cheap and some came with the car already. STI's cost more on the pads/tires being brembo and more aggressive camber. Insurance is a tad more and so is filling at the pump.

It's all up to you. I'm actually waiting for the 2013 models because the engine change over and its going to be a whole new body. I might get one if it turns into that 4 door coupe everybody keeps rumor milling about.

If not I'll keep my car and get the S2000
 
I found out yesterday went I went to order my WRX that the last day to place an order for a 2012 WRX/STi is today. You may want to check with your local dealership though in case it's not but it will be sometime soon if not already.

I also heard that there will be no WRX/STi for 2013 and that the refresh will be in 2014.
 
That will probably be 2014 models since it looks like they stopped 2012 ones halfway into 2012 and then have the next years start up around the same time.

Everything else this year sounds like it's wait listed.
 
RGUN said:
Sti owner here. The 08+ stis are soft, no worries about dd ing them. If cost is not an issue don't even consider the wrx. My insurance for my sti is much cheaper than for a wrx, and also much cheaper than most other "soft" cars.

Anyway, I've owned mine for near 5 years. It has been rock solid, and it is heavily modified. If you have any specific questions about ownership let me know.
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It has been a rock solid car because in the past 5 years of ownership, he has driven it about 13 times.... 🙂

I would also say Sti though....especially if money is no object. Why not test drive each one too?
 
HybridSquirrel said:
when was that? because that was true in 2005, when there was a 2nd gear shift point at 55mph.

edit: actually looking at the times, thats never been true...

http://www.zeroto60times.com/Subaru-0-60-mph-Times.html
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2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited Edition Sedan 0-60 mph 5.2 Quarter Mile 13.7
2011 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan (Premium Package) 0-60 mph 4.9 Quarter Mile 13.5


That was taken from the list you posted.


Also in this review:


http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2009-subaru-impreza-wrx-short-take-road-test
 
jlee said:
2004 Subaru Forester XT 0-60mph 5.3 Quarter Mile 13.8

Heh. Subaru has been slacking lately. 😛
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No, it's the silly market we are in. The Forester is a HUGE car now, like pretty much everything else people 'want'. 🙁

Same with Outback, same with Legacy...
 
xSkyDrAx said:
2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited Edition Sedan 0-60 mph 5.2 Quarter Mile 13.7
2011 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan (Premium Package) 0-60 mph 4.9 Quarter Mile 13.5
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My understanding is that it is because with the STI you have to shift into 3rd gear just before hitting 60MPH, thus dinging you an extra few tenths of a second. The STI would probably be faster to 55MPH.
 
Zap said:
My understanding is that it is because with the STI you have to shift into 3rd gear just before hitting 60MPH, thus dinging you an extra few tenths of a second. The STI would probably be faster to 55MPH.
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Yea I was just pointing out that info in his list since he said he didn't see where a WRX would be faster than the STi.

For sure the STi would be faster past that mark and the 6 speed has always been more robust than the 5 speed.

Most people probably wouldn't mod a 5 speed past 300-350 hp/trq nowadays without knowing the possible outcome.
 
Zap said:
My understanding is that it is because with the STI you have to shift into 3rd gear just before hitting 60MPH, thus dinging you an extra few tenths of a second. The STI would probably be faster to 55MPH.
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thats not true on my transmission (06/07), but was true on the earlier models and the 08+ models. they changed the ratios on the hawkeyes, and then since then have had to revise both the engine tuning and gearing for emissions regulations...so it went back to slow....meh...there is also more weight due to chassis reinforcement on newer models iirc. i'm sure it would kill the wrx on lap times.

my 2nd gear tops out at 65, i double checked on the way home.
 
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ExarKun333 said:
No, it's the silly market we are in. The Forester is a HUGE car now, like pretty much everything else people 'want'. 🙁

Same with Outback, same with Legacy...
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Not comparing to the current Forester, just comparing an old Forester to their current flagship performance car. It's barely slower (in a straight line), stock for stock...which is silly.
 
jlee said:
Not comparing to the current Forester, just comparing an old Forester to their current flagship performance car. It's barely slower (in a straight line), stock for stock...which is silly.
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Power has remained relatively constant, weight has gone up. Apparently Subaru feels the current push for MPGs is a bigger issue than increasing power for their niche vehicles. Might not seem great to us enthusiasts, but Subaru probably sells more Foresters (non-turbos) or Outbacks in a month than WRX/STi sales in a whole year.
 
ExarKun333 said:
Power has remained relatively constant, weight has gone up. Apparently Subaru feels the current push for MPGs is a bigger issue than increasing power for their niche vehicles. Might not seem great to us enthusiasts, but Subaru probably sells more Foresters (non-turbos) or Outbacks in a month than WRX/STi sales in a whole year.
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Not Subaru, the US Government. Requiring additional safety features, increasing weight, decreasing performance. There is also a gas guzzler tax which is causing them to re-think their performance and shift their production to more fuel efficiency

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/guzzler/index.htm
 
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