Here is why I believe the STI MSRP may end up around 33k MSRP. I am using JDM STI prices to come up with my numbers.

Assumptions:
1. US$ = 120 Japanese Yen
2. MSRP does not include destination & delivery charges
3. JDM WRX rear Suretrac diff is same price as USDM Viscous diff
4. JDM WRX 17x7 wheels are same $ as USDM (non-BBS 17x7).
Therefore JDM WRX would be $1350 cheaper if it came with USDM-style 16x6.5 wheels.


JDM WRX & STI (F.O.B [free on board] in Japanese yen):
WRX (Wagon & Sedan) = Y 2,644,000 = $ 22,033
WRX (w/ 16x6.5 wheels) = $22,033 - $1,350 = 20,683
STI = Y 3,185,000 = $ 26,542
STI (w/options) = 26,542 + 3,350 = $ 29,892

STI options:
DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential with Auto Mode) + Front Suretrac LSD + Rear Mechanical LSD + HID lights + 17” BBS wheels = Y 402,000 = $ 3,350

USDM WRX (MSRP in U.S Dollars):
WRX Sedan = $ 24,195
WRX Wagon = $ 23,695
Average = $ 23,945

Price differential between markets (JDM WRX vs. USDM WRX):
$ 23,945 – $20,683 = $ 3,262

FINAL PRICE:
USDM STI = JDM STI (w/ options) + Market Price Differential:
$29,892 + $ 3,262
= $33,154

Horsepower differential between markets:
1 BHP = 1.015 PS (approximate)
USDM WRX = 227 bhp
USDM STI = 300 bhp
JDM WRX = 247 bhp
JDM STI = 310 bhp*

*JDM STIs produce around 300 to 320 bhp in spite of the Japanese manufacturer’s “gentleman’s agreement” to limit horsepower to 276 bhp. Therefore the JDM STI has around 60 bhp more than the JDM WRX, whereas the USDM STI will have 73 bhp more than the USDM WRX. A slight difference that may boost USDM price over JDM price.

Of course there are plenty of market-based factors that may increase or decrease the final price. The fact that the STI is the ONLY full-scale rally-replica car in the US market may allow Subaru to exercise more market power than they are able to in Japan. On the other hand, Subaru has a weaker brand identity as a performance carmaker in the US market as opposed to the Japanese market. This will reduce Subaru’s ability to charge a premium. In addition, there remains the question of whether the 2.5l engine will be used in other markets, thus spreading out the development costs. I don't see why this engine shouldn't trickle down to the european market which is also heading toward very strict emission laws.

I have purposely ignored these types of subjective factors in this calculation.

JDM Prices were obtained from:
http://www.japanvehicles.com/newcars...model/main.htm

 

Nice Calculations...sounds about right.

 

safety packages could cost more

plus import tax !!!

even tho it's not a whole lot only a few hundred in difference.

but reasonable , won't expect a whole lot above this.

 

Since the USDM WRX has already undergone all safety and import tax considerations, these factors should NOT influence the final price. The price differential between the JDM WRX and the USDM WRX already reflect these costs. In fact I have removed the safety premium from my calculation altogether.

Also, I added $1350 to the price because the JDM WRX gets 17x7 wheels as standard. This is something I had previously overlooked.

The final price is now slightly above 33k.

 

tax is based on the price of FOB

which is more

but it's quite low so we can almost ignore it.