WRX vs STI? Opinions wanted

[Ron Ginter]

The master plan is playing out nicely. The wifely unit wanted to keep her '92
Acura Vigor, so I traded my Miata on a '02 Forester. Next, the wifely one
falls in love with the Forester, as I suspected she might. ;-)

Now, she has the Forester, and I have an old Vigor to trade in on... what?

The WRX sport wagon was my original target, but the STI looks mighty
appealling. Some points to ponder:

I'd prefer the utility of the wagon to the sedan. (favours WRX)
I don't like the appearance of big rear wings. (WRX)
I do like horsepower and torque. (STI)
The STI's seats and steering wheel are genuine kick-ass units. (STI)
6-speed better than 5-speed for road use? (not sure)
STI handling stiffer/less comfy on highway than WRX? big difference? (not
sure)
Difference in insurance rates? (not sure)
Will the STI be a bigger magnet for road hazards such as thieves and police?
I like the look of WR Blue with the gold anodized wheels, but this can be
achieved on the WRX too, can it not?

Bottom line: I could give up the wagon form factor in order to get the extra
horsepower and cool interior. I could even put up with the big wing if I had
to. The goal is to achieve a balance, and have a semi-practical car that will
be fun to drive in a spirited fashion on backroads, either paved, semi, or
not. But I don't want to have my fillings rattled out, or be plagued by
reliability concerns. I'm in the Toronto area, so snow is expected for half
the year, and ground clearance matters on backroads too.

Any opinions would be welcome.

....Ron

 

[xymergy]

The master plan is playing out nicely. The wifely unit wanted to keep her '92
Acura Vigor, so I traded my Miata on a '02 Forester. Next, the wifely one
falls in love with the Forester, as I suspected she might. ;-)

Now, she has the Forester, and I have an old Vigor to trade in on... what?

The WRX sport wagon was my original target, but the STI looks mighty
appealling. Some points to ponder:

You mentioned cargo carrying capacity as a possible factor in your
decision. I think that could be a moot point given that your wifely
unit has exactly that in the Forester, covering you all as a family,
so I vote for the STI. Function in one car, fun in the other, all
together.

 

[Jerry and Bea]

Get the WRX wagon, your wife will dump the Forester for it and you can
trade that in on an Sti.

 

[FNO]

The master plan is playing out nicely. The wifely unit wanted to keep her '92
Acura Vigor, so I traded my Miata on a '02 Forester. Next, the wifely one
falls in love with the Forester, as I suspected she might. ;-)

Now, she has the Forester, and I have an old Vigor to trade in on... what?

The WRX sport wagon was my original target, but the STI looks mighty
appealling. Some points to ponder:

I'd prefer the utility of the wagon to the sedan. (favours WRX)
I don't like the appearance of big rear wings. (WRX)
I do like horsepower and torque. (STI)
The STI's seats and steering wheel are genuine kick-ass units. (STI)
6-speed better than 5-speed for road use? (not sure)
STI handling stiffer/less comfy on highway than WRX? big difference? (not
sure)
Difference in insurance rates? (not sure)
Will the STI be a bigger magnet for road hazards such as thieves and police?
I like the look of WR Blue with the gold anodized wheels, but this can be
achieved on the WRX too, can it not?

Bottom line: I could give up the wagon form factor in order to get the extra
horsepower and cool interior. I could even put up with the big wing if I had
to. The goal is to achieve a balance, and have a semi-practical car that will
be fun to drive in a spirited fashion on backroads, either paved, semi, or
not. But I don't want to have my fillings rattled out, or be plagued by
reliability concerns. I'm in the Toronto area, so snow is expected for half
the year, and ground clearance matters on backroads too.

Any opinions would be welcome.

...Ron

I have the STi. I live in Nova Scotia; all of the same concerns as you.
Try driving the WRX. You'll love it. Then try driving the STi. WRX will
then become the prefix for WRX STi.

I was going to buy a WRX... until I drove the STi. It can comfortably seat
4 averaged-sized adults, has pretty good trunk space and... goes like
nothing you will have ever driven before. However, the most impressive
asset it has (that beats the WRX hands down) is the braking and the grip in
the turns. It is pure fun, but it is semi-practical. I use mine as a daily
driver and, except for the verbal speed restrictor in the passenger seat
(otherwise known as wife-unit # 2), it makes the commute a pleasure.

 

[nl]

The master plan is playing out nicely. The wifely unit wanted to keep her '92
Acura Vigor, so I traded my Miata on a '02 Forester. Next, the wifely one
falls in love with the Forester, as I suspected she might. ;-)

Now, she has the Forester, and I have an old Vigor to trade in on... what?

The WRX sport wagon was my original target, but the STI looks mighty
appealling. Some points to ponder:

I'd prefer the utility of the wagon to the sedan. (favours WRX)
I don't like the appearance of big rear wings. (WRX)
I do like horsepower and torque. (STI)
The STI's seats and steering wheel are genuine kick-ass units. (STI)
6-speed better than 5-speed for road use? (not sure)
STI handling stiffer/less comfy on highway than WRX? big difference? (not
sure)
Difference in insurance rates? (not sure)
Will the STI be a bigger magnet for road hazards such as thieves and police?
I like the look of WR Blue with the gold anodized wheels, but this can be
achieved on the WRX too, can it not?

If you seat it out for a year maybe they will come to
their senses and offer an STi wagon without the whale wing.Maybe it will
take more than a year for that to happen
(until all the kids got their STis and it's time for Subaru to explore other
markets).
On the other hand STi Legacy may kill that dream :-(

 

[David & Caroline]

I'd prefer the utility of the wagon to the sedan. (favours WRX)

I agree (I have a WRX wagon)

I don't like the appearance of big rear wings. (WRX)

I don't mind the STi rear wing, but if you hate it, rest assured that lots
of the boy-racers buying the normal WRX sedan love it and would be all too
happy to swap their trunk for yours with the wing

I do like horsepower and torque. (STI)
The STI's seats and steering wheel are genuine kick-ass units. (STI)

I agree 110% with that!

6-speed better than 5-speed for road use? (not sure)

it's subjective - and also depends on the gear ratios - you may be shifting
quite a bit with the 6spd

STI handling stiffer/less comfy on highway than WRX? big difference? (not
sure)

You won't notice too much difference cruising on smooth pavement (at least I
didn't)

Difference in insurance rates? (not sure)

almost certainly going to cost more for the STi

Will the STI be a bigger magnet for road hazards such as thieves and

police?

Thieves - maybe
Police - I doubt it - if they clock you speeding, they generally don't care
what you are driving.

I like the look of WR Blue with the gold anodized wheels, but this can be
achieved on the WRX too, can it not?

In the US, the gold wheels are only available stock on the STi - you can
easily add aftermarket ones on the regular WRX, though

Bottom line: I could give up the wagon form factor in order to get the extra
horsepower and cool interior. I could even put up with the big wing if I had
to. The goal is to achieve a balance, and have a semi-practical car that will
be fun to drive in a spirited fashion on backroads, either paved, semi, or
not. But I don't want to have my fillings rattled out, or be plagued by
reliability concerns. I'm in the Toronto area, so snow is expected for half
the year, and ground clearance matters on backroads too.

Based upon your bottom line, and the fact that you guys already have a
Forester, I would say go for the STi!

 

[Ron Ginter]

Thanks all,

A definite trend has emerged and it is saying that I should get the STI. I am
willing to have a "semi-practical" car. I'm in the fortunate position of not
having to commute. My office is about a mile from my home, and my biggest
concern is whether the motor gets fully warmed up before I shut it off again.
<g>

I've read a little more about the 6speed tranny, and it sounds like a
wonderful addition, and the performance exhaust with a "freer" exhaust note is
a given.

I'll report back after I get it... as soon as I can stop driving it!

....Ron

 

[Jerry and Bea]

From the length of your commute, I'd suggest a bicycle.

 

[Decimal Cat]

Or maybe the good old shoe-leather express.

--Decimal Cat

 

[JaySee]

e-mail http://www.evolutionimports.com
See if they can get you a WRX STi Wagon imported.

JaySee

 

[matt]

Any opinions would be welcome.

Simple. If you can afford the STI, then buy it. You don't need two wagons,
but you do need fun. Very important is fun.

Matt
version 3 STI