First time posting on these boards. I did a quick search and didn't find what I was looking for.

I live in the PNW. Specifically Washington State in the Seattle area. We get a fair amount of rain as that's what we're known for.

I'm also shopping for an STI but worried about rain water getting into the engine bay. Is this bad for the car?

Also from you Subaru owners, any suggestions or tips on what to look/watchout for when purchasing an STI?

Thanks alot, and hopefully I've posted this in the right section.

 

New tires. I hear the stock tires suck in wet weather, unless its different tires they use in different locations to accommodate for that state's climate conditions.

 

the water should not be inside the engine bay when you drive
the hood scoop has a splitter and the water should just land on the Intercooler

 

Don't worry, you're fine. Any car(built in the last 25 years) can handle water splashing in the engine bay, especially a Subaru(World Rally Championship etc.). There are parts of Japan that get alot more rain than even the Pacific Northwest. Water in the intercooler scoop just cools it off and gives you more power. STi's have a water sprayer specifically for this purpose. You got nothing to worry about. Good question.

 

I spray my engine down on a reg basis to keep it clean. If you wook at your engine after drving in the rain anyway it is usually wet a little bit. I wouldnt worry about that. I would be more concerned with how much gas these things eat.

 

if u are concerned with rain, it's not a problem at all. Except as others have said the stock re070 tires are lousy in the rain. I would recommend some Bridgestone RE-01Rs instead

 

Great thanks guys. That really puts my mind to ease. How much does a set of Bridgestone RE-01Rs cost?

I'm kind of debating on whether I should get the STI or WRX. I know the STI is probably going to cost a little more to maintain in the long run so I want to think carefully before I go ahead with my decision. Either way I plan to keep the car stock but just want to have a little fun with it. But I'm leaning really hard towards the STI.

 

if u plan on having fun with the car with it stock, buy the STI, if u plan to mod the car, buy the STI... the STI is just so much stronger... if u can afford the sti get it!

 

totally agree.... I bought a wrx and regretted it...kept it for 6 months and traded it for an STi... Completely different animal! I LOVE my STi. I'll live in that car just to keep it

 

i guess you can get wrx and mod it a little bit (suspension, brakes, engine)
or you can get sti thats all done already :x
i for one really like the blue/black interior of sti, and brembos, i love em.
its definitly worth the money to get sti over wrx.

i was debating on this myself before i bought my sti, i say good choice i made.

 

they cost quite a bit. Tirerack currently sells them at $180 each. But they are one of the best summer tires u can buy. Or u can check out the Bridgestone RE050 Pole Position but they are like $175 lol. Sometimes Tirerack has them for sale in certain sizes. I got my 17" RE050 Pole Positions for $120 when they had them on sale. Or u could go with the cheaper Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 which perform great in the rain but doesn't grip as well (it has a harder compound for tread wear I guess).

I would bite the bullet and get the sti. If u get the regular wrx u may regret it later on if/when u get bored of the performance. Are you thinking of buying used? If so, be real careful as both cars may have been previously abused by their former owners. Another thing to consider is insurance cost as the sti will yield higher insurance premiums (obviously).

 

the theory that the stock tires suck in the rain is kind of stupid. In the rain you aren't going to be able to push any tire as hard as you can in dry. I was running on a set of re070's when we here in CA had all that rain in January and I was fine, I just didn't drive like an idiot and they held fine. It wasn't until they were down near the wear bars that they had iffy traction.

 

No one said that you're going to drive in the wet like u would in the dry. But it's nice to have that extra traction from a good summer/rain tire in case anything were to happen and that you need to make an emergency stop. After all, your car's brakes are only as good as your tire's ability to grip the pavement.

 

Always go with the best of the best if you can financially afford it for the next "x" amount of years. Also take in consideration of the gas situation, increasing gas prices and 250 miles per tank on average but we bought an STI to "DRIVE" it right? With all upgrades in parts with the STI vs WRX you get what you pay for and its well worth it.

GO WITH STI

 

Yeah... I completely agree with you guys.

I'm definitely buying used. I've shopped for insurance and ironically it's cheaper to insure than my 2000 GTI VR6. It looks like the gas mileage isn't to far off from what I already drive and I've heard as long as you drive outside of the boost gas mileage isnt to bad. I get 20 in the city now and 26-28 highway. I don't drive very aggresively, but I do like to have fun every once in awhile.

One thing I am worried about when buying used is, and something you guys have brought up. Making sure it hasn't been abused by the previous owner. I plan to keep this car for AT LEAST 5-6 years and I want to make sure it lasts every bit.

Also extended warranties? Thoughts?

I know its alot of questions but I'm just not an impuslive buyer and I want to make sure I get all my ducks in a row before I bite the bullet.