Hello all! I'm new to this group and planning to get a new subaru really
soon. But It's a difficult choice, I really like the way the WRX I tested
drives, it's really mindblowing how can you get such exciting performance
from such a cheap (relatively) car. I've never tested the STi, but
according to the specs, it should be waaay better. Is this true?
And most important, do the improvements justify the price tag? or can I
get similar performance with the WRX + the price difference in aftermarket
accesories? Any comments are really apreciated.
I have an MY04 Type UK STi (261bhp) I have had it for 4 months and covered
3500 miles. My Previous Car was an MY00 WRX Saloon so i have driven both.
recently.
The WRX understeered a tad under power the STi 4 wheel drifts under power
and will go full on rally if you hang on!
The WRX turbo lag was manageable and smoooth ie came in gradually between
2300 - 3500 rpm, hitting the gas after 3500rpm resulted in a shove then a
kick as the turbo caught up, it was noticable but not a problem. The STi
has nothing below 2500rpm and explodes into life at 3000rpm much more
suddenly than the WRX (so much so I took it back to the dealer thinking
something was wrong), As a result of this sharper delivery it demands much
more respect, however after about 4000rpm the turbo lag dies to next to
nothing its not a sharp kick of power like a normally aspirated Sequential
MPI engine but its there when you need it. its like taking half a second to
sqeeze the throttle down rather than mashing it in a normally aspirated
engine. The WRX felt faster day to day driving below 3000 rpm than the STi.
The WRX suffered from a Little body roll the STi has next to none but you
suffer on the ride, It is clunky and choppy, the grandparents dont like
riding in it depite the nice big comfy seats.
The STi gearbox is fantastic the lever moves like 1.5 inches selecting 1st
the WRX gearbox (Still a good gearbox) felt like putty after the test drive.
The STi Brembo Brakes wipe the floor with the wrx brakes in terms of feel,
power and sharpness, they are much more sensitive, to heel toe on the
brembos when i moved over was much harder as when i was blipping the
throttle i was modulating the brake much more and thus lurching into
corners. I seem to have sorted my technique now tho.
And finally there is much more feel to the steering. The WRX never told you
anything. Now i get little tugs to tell me the front wheels are slipping in
a corner etc.
In my opinion, If you test drive the STi you'll buy one so if you (The Mrs)
don't want the drawbacks then dont test drive it. It is an Evil seductive,
addictive machine that SilverFXT has already been bitten by ;o)
Yes its Ugly, Yes its brash, yes its in your face but its got the
performance to back itself up.
Ro