I have been contemplating about getting an STi over the FXT's and have finally made my decision. Initially I wanted to pick up an 04-07 STi, but the looks of the wagons has won me. My question is, are there any flaws in them that I should look for? Maintenance wise? Let me remind you that this will be my very first Subaru. I have just started looking and have not found any in town yet. I am in no hurry to make my purchase as of yet. I want to buy one and not feel like there is a better one the next day. Thanks in advance.
While I'm sure pleanty of people on here own 2008+ sti's this would be helpful as well... http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/impreza/2008/consumer-reviews.html?sub=wrx-sti (You may have to create a user account to view the above link).
I went from an '08 STi to a 2011 WRX. Unless you have specific goals in mind for tracking and/or mods, the WRX is a better value imho. Dealers especially ask way too much for used STis, you can get the WRX with warranty for the same $$$ and not have to worry about the history of the car. Do a Google search for "STi cracked ringland" if you want to keep yourself up at night...
Wrx 5-speed gears are longer, faster stock straight line. STi, gears are shorter, but 6th on highway can be nice; track worthy and better modding platform. Modded stg 2 wrx can reach if not exceed STi stock power. If you are buying used, leak down cylinder compression test is a must.
WRX 5th gear and STi 6th gear have nearly identical ratios. There will be no difference in highway cruising RPM in top gear. 09+ WRX's have the same power as an STI. If you plan to do significant modding, get the STI. Warranty will be the least of your concerns if you're putting on a lot of new parts.
I plan to keep the car close to stock. If not, stage 2 would be as far as I would go. This would be my daily driver; "haulin camera equipments, weekly runs up to afton during the winter time". Thanks for the info guys, I think I'm gonna go check out a couple of WRX's this weekend. Going to stop by the Mitsubishi dealer as well.
I had the choice between a STI, Legacy Spec B, and a Outback XT. Chose the XT over the other two since its was more practicle for me. I'm also a sucker for sleepers and wagons. Everyone owns a WRX/STI. Very few will even drive an Outback or a Forester.
No offense, but I just can't get over the fact of how ugly the 08+ WRX's are. The body lines just doesn't seem to be there like the STi's. Will have to talk to the GF and see which one she likes more. I was thinking about waiting and just purchasing an Evo X MR, just so she can drive it as well (due to physical reasons). Oh well, I still have until spring of next year to make my purchase.
They changed the WRX body in 2011. It's now it's basically same as the '08+ STI. Less the wheels they look pretty much the same... 2008 STI: 2011 WRX: 2008-10 WRX:
LOL. I did not know that. I've always liked the STi's for the wider body style. I still have lots of time to do some more researching and looking around for a good deal. I appreciate all the positive help that you all have given me. Thanks!
One main thing I want to do with the STi and Evo, is actually drive it on snow. Another question for those that owns an 08+ WRX/STI, how does it handle in the winter? I don't expect the thing to be a tank
With a good set of snow tires the STI is a beast. If you buy one I suggest picking up a set of 05-07 BBS 17" wheels for winter use.
As far as a 2011 WRX goes... Add snow tires and you may as well be driving a snowmobile. The grip is insane. I've had no issues in 12"+ of snow. As long as you've got the ground clearance or even if it's deeper but powdery the car will just go. I would assume all wrx/sti models (and most Subaru's for that matter) are like this though. Also, if you turn off the traction control you can have all kinds of fun (in parking lots of course).
If having 15-30HP more you mean the same then yes, the same. TQ is the same. As someone else mentioned the gearing hides that for straight line performance. The only thing I'd be really concerned about used is the ringland issue. Lots of issues with detonation and cracking with the 07+ STIs. Like someone else mentioned do a search on IWSTI or NASIOC and read for a while. Keep in mind that people without issues aren't posting that they are trouble free so all you are seeing is the folks with problems.
Here are stock numbers I pulled from COBB's database last fall. There may be a few more up there now, but I haven't gone back to check. At the MNSubaru Dyno Day this year we all watched a bone stock 2011 WRX (100 miles on the odometer) do 240's WHP / 240's WTQ on RS's Mustang dyno. I still think the STI is the right choice for a high power build or a track car. If you want a good daily driver with a warranty, I'd go for a new WRX.
Negative, they are not identical. If you look at the ratios, nearly doesn't even describe it, hence the difference in 1/4 mi timing. Top gears between 5 speed and 6 speed runs at diff rpm 60+mph.
Difference in acceleration times is due to a decreased number of shifts, not gear ratio in the top gear. 5th gear on the WRX and 6th gear on the STI are very similar ratios (current generation). Here are the numbers from cars101.com: Enter those in here: http://www.kabamus.com/garage/gears.html And get the following results: You can see that they are basically the same, but the WRX actually has a marginally lower cruising RPM than the STI! On the STI, the 6 speed is not just an extra tall overdrive gear. It is actually 6 more closely spaced gears within the same range as the WRX's 5 speed.
That average is misleading at best. My reference was to Cobb Tuning numbers only, stock for stock and that's 250/254 2011 STI and 223/255 2011 WRX. DD for me is about the entire package, not just power. I was happy to pay more for the upgraded bits over the stock WRX, some aren't. This argument happens over all the makes and models.
From a statistical standpoint, a population of data is much more significant than a single point. Just looking at the data I posted shows this. IMO, measuring 1 data point and assuming it represents a whole population (tens of thousands of cars) is very likely to be misleading. ie. If COBB had only gotten a 2010 WRX and 2010 STI of their own to dyno, then you'd assume that all STI's make 228WHP and all WRX's make 244WHP? STI, 2008, 239/258, COBB Tuning STI, 2010, 228/239, COBB Tuning STI, 2011, 251/255, COBB Tuning WRX, 2010, 244/258, COBB Tuning WRX, 2011, 223/255, COBB Tuning With the same logic (assuming a single car represents all cars from that population) you would also come to the conclusion that the 2011 STI gained 23WHP over the 2010 model, and the 2011 WRX lost 21WHP vs the 2010 model. I would have to believe that this is not true. I would assume that all of these cars are from the same population and they are merely showing the variation (due to manufacturing differences, different fuel, different ambient temperature, different tire pressure, etc, etc, etc). The fact is, there is significant variation from car to car (even when they are all on the factory tune, with no upgrades). Looking at any single car (WRX or STI) could basically give you any number between about 220 and 250WHP (think bell curve). The two cars you are comparing just happen to be at the far edges of that range. IMO, this approach can be very misleading. A population is a much, much better method. I agree. For me the extra money just wasn't worth it for the STI. I do sometimes wish I had that 6 speed though...
