OK, so the sti's MSRP is around 32k, with dealer's already talking about jacking that up because of the demand...
So what I would like to know, is it really worth it to get a car that is 10-13k more then its predecessor, when you could drop that money in to after market mods, and you would probably get a 400-500hp sti killer??? Not to mention that the insurance is already much more for the stiÉ Just curious to see if I was the only one thinking this way. Let me know if there is something I missing? Thanx!

 

The subaru website has the new impreza just added to their site. I priced out my WRX as I would want it. 29k. That's without HID, 6MT, 2.5L, and STi suspension. So how am I supposed to get all that for just 3k more? If I purchase the STi, then I got it all. (Minus the heated seats and moonroof which I really want and would take the performance loss they would impart.)

But all that is negated by the fact, once you modify that stock WRX, Whooops there goes the warranty. Buy an STi. Get the warranty and the mods. And when I do decide to break the warranty and make mods, I have a much higher starting ground to work with.

High Intensity Discharge Headlights, Short Throw Six Speed Transmission, 2.5L engine, Sti Suspension, Sti Muffler, and a Carbon Fiber wing (that I don't want) for only six grand more. Yes, It's worth it.

 

THere is no carbon fiber wing on the STI.

 

Assuming that EVO is the only model with the carbon fiber wing and not the STi, then I guess the STi isn't worth the money?

 

I think the STI is worth the extra $2000 over the EVO. Carbon wing or not.

 

Unless you want the BBS wheels, you should never approach paying $29k for a non-STi WRX. The STi is still a solid $7-9k more. Of course the notion of spending a thousands of dollars modifying the engine of a new car seems ridiculous to me.

 

This is really a personal question. Everyone have different preferences on everything.

First of all, the regular WRX is NOT a predecessor to the WRX STi. Again the easiest way to explain this is:

WRX STi = M3, C32 AMG, S4
WRX = 330i, C320, A4

Got it?

If you are looking at the complete package, the WRX STi is a complete bargain. Subaru give us SO MUCH for the premium they will charge on the STi over the regular WRX.

But if you are looking for a really fast drag only car where you don't care about the warrenty, don't care how good the brakes, handling, looks, status......etc... is. Then your best bet is to buy a used WRX and dump a tons of money in it to make it go really fast in the straight. But you will be very surprise when you try to mod a regular WRX to match the complete performance the Sti offer straight from the factory. Not to mention anything from the factory is going to have reliability that NO aftermarket parts/tuner can offer.

The only time a tuner car is as reliable as a factory car is from mega bucks tuner like RUF/Brabus/NISMO.......etc. Where they charged huge amount of money for their works.

At the end, just buy what makes you happy. You really can't ask other people's opinion on something that is totally personal preference. It is like asking people what color look best on a car, which restaurant have the best food, which girl is the best looking, which country is the best to live in, is Pepsi or Coke taste better, is a burger better or a chicken sandwich, is Disneyland more fun or Disneyworld

 

It is an opinion, but that is what message forums are all abou tot begin with...

 

I guess you could say that.

For me, message forums are more for sharing infos and common interest.

Maybe it is just me, but I think it is just weird to ask people on things that are totally personal preference. You will just get a YES from people that think the same as you, and a NO from people that think differently, so what's the point?

Sorry if I seem harsh. I am just being honest.

 

I won't mention all of the differences between the WRX and the STi. I will say that at most, they look alike. That's where it ends.


But let's ignore the handling and cool features completely, and let's leave the DCCD set to lock. For the WRX, let's modify the turbo (like a Force Performance job), add bigger injectors, delete all cats, pop in a well tuned UTEC, remove the air silencer , hack the air box, and put in a high-flow filter. This should get you 300hp @ 5600 and 290 ft-lb @4300. This will ony cost aroun $3000 if you do the work youself. Put the STi wheels and tires on it too. Compared to the STi's 300/300 at 6k/4k. Now take them to the auto-x and detune the STi's supsension to handle like a WRX. Even with 200 extra pounds, I bet the STi would get faster runs over the modded WRX with the same driver. Why? Torque curve and brakes. Though the torque peak comes in only 300 rpm sooner and is only 10hp greater, what counts is that 75% of the STi's torque is available (just speculating) at 2000 rpm where as 75% of the WRX's power isn't available until 3000 rpm. Then there are the Brembo's. In short the Sti will be able to enter the corners hotter due to better stopping clamps and exit harder due to more available low end torque.

Sure you can spend the extra $7000 (MSPRsti-MSRPwrx) on mods and have a much much quicker highway car. That is for sure. The WRX handles better than most cars, and that my very well be all you need to satisfy you in that department. Add that cash and you have hp out the ying yang, but you'll get your butt handed to you by an Evo and, I'm sure, an STi in an auto-x like environment. I mention the Evo, only because I've driven it and know how it will simply own an auto-x. Simply put, you can bolt-on all you want; the WRX will still be a pig on the low end. You can get 400hp with $6000, but that's buy using a really big turbo. You'll cut a 12.2 quarter, but that car would be a sucky daily driver. LAG CITY!!! Adding low end cost mucho denero.

Personally I think the .5 extra litres, forged internals, 6speed box, beefy CVD's, LSD's, AVC, EBC, larger innercooler, huge brake discs, four pot fronts, center tach, alum front lower arms, better struts, beefy drive shafts, catless uppipe (so I hear), higher-flow injectors, water sprayer, short-throw shifter, better suspension setup, and forged wheels are worth more than $6000. But maybe none of that is important to you. There is no sin in not caring about these things. Just remember, a 300hp WRX is only about $4000 (MSRP) cheaper than the STi.

 

JDM nut it is not harsh, but you must have not understood the reason I asked the question was because I was 2ondering if there was anything else I was missing on the sti, so in that I was asking for your knowledge of an interewst in which you thought I was stating an opinion... anyway I am not offended just looking for opinions and facts between the two... But I have a bimmer right, and I don think you could ever mod that past an M3, but I think (but am not sure), you can mod an wrx past a sti... anyway thanx for the info...

 

Thanx that makes sense, but the wheels I think are something I would change immediately on either car to get something lighter and better looking (imo). Intercooler, turbo, suspension, and maybe some others would be replaced regardless, for a larger one. Out of all the things that you said the one that would play big would be the tranny... 6spds, although maybe not used as much in the canyons, is still a distinct advantage to a regular 5, and a tranny is one mod I don't feel comfortable with, dont ask me why...
OK any why thanxx for the input, I guess I will wait and see...

 

Excellent post metoo. That is exactly what I want to say, just too lazy to type all that.

Don't forget the STi also have a stronger block.

One correction, the 04+ regular WRX now have a center tach also.

 

The price will calm down eventually, the WRX STi is NOT a European super exotic. Just give it 6 months and the dealer will bag us to buy it at MSRP or below.

Mark up are for impatient sucker that can't wait. They deserve to pay more if they can't wait.