i am currently in the market to get a new car, and the WRX STi is on the top of my list now. i'm still in the process of learning more and reading more about everyone's cars (from suspension to gauges).

however, i'd like to know more about the CONS of a WRX STi. the things that bother you about your car and/or things that have gone bad in your car.

thanks.

 

There is another thread maybe 2-3 pages with major complaints. I'll be honest with you, the complaints all suck. They range from lots of brake dust, to no noise insulation, to crappy MPG. thats really it.

 

I think you should begin by telling us why the STi is at the top of your list. What other cars are you considering? Why do you think you'd be happy choosing the STi over the others? At that point, we might be able to tell you if you have unrealistic expectations of the STi versus the other possible choices, or that you would be happy with the STi.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

okay....here are some GENERAL criterias for my decision:

1st: i would like an all-wheel drive car to go up to the mountains during the winter, and for possibly starting to learn how to rally.
2nd: 4 door....with a trunk (since i drive a VW GTI VR6 now)
3rd: well balanced car (just don't like the balance on my car now.....)
4th: good well balanced car for dragging, street racing (highway), autoX
5th: i want a forced induction car.
6th: I want a car that doesn't need that many mods to go fast, i plan to do the normal "bolt-ons".....(well i'm sure that'll change once i drive any car)
7th: a light car that gets decent gas mileage (i've read the posts, and the Rex is pretty good in this arena)
8th: 6th gear.......just cause i have 5 now.......(i guess this isn't really necessary)

my reasons for not getting a WRX (thus far): its only because i raced a WRX on the highway once, and i was pulling on it from 100+ and on......as far as i could tell (it was at night), that guy was lowered and had an exhaust with stock rims.......i completely understand that a WRX has huge potential like any FI cars.....but i just don't want to dump so much money into a car for it to be quick.......

one might ask why i wouldn't want a EVO VIII, and the reason is because my friend use to be a Amateur Rally Driver for Mitsubishi, and he drove the EVO V, and he told me that EVO's USE to be very balanced, but now that they push the engine all the way in the front, it throws the balance of the car off a little since the center of gravity of the car would be shifted towards the front more than a STi would. and overall, the STi is more balanced than the EVO.

and of course--
STUPID REASON #1: i like the JDM STi kit......its sexy!!!!

---thanks for the input guys!!!!!!

 

STi probably meets the above criteria although we don't address street racing on this message board, thanks.

If you purchase the STi you might peruse the STi Powerplant Forum because unless you've owned a Subaru before, the mods are not always 'normal' as on other cars.
The WRX can get decent fuel economy (see my postbit - I also average over 22 mpg around town). The STi is notably worse in this regard. I think it's a combination of the short gearing on the highway (6th gear will have the engine revving higher than the 5-speed in the WRX), larger engine displacement, and more agressive factory tuning.
The STi 6MT is a nice robust transmission. The gearing is more closely matched to the performance of the engine than the WRX 5MT.
I don't know if that's true or not. The EVO has always had a front transverse-mounted inline four-cylinder engine. The EVO VIII is regarded as having excellent balance right out of the box, with some people (mainly magazine road tests) stating that it is much easier to drive fast than the STi. Part of this is suspension tuning, with the EVO a little less prone to understeer than the STi, and also the EVO has a much quicker steering ratio which is great for rallying and autocross.

The reason I would choose the STi are that:
• 1) I just like Subarus,
• 2) I like the greater mid-range torque of the larger displacement STi engine,
• 3) 6MT,
• 4) factory limited-slip differentials for slippery conditions.

Good luck with whatever car you end up purchasing. It sounds like the EVO might be the only alternative that meets your criteria.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

hmmm... if you come from the nice confines of a vw cabin you might find the STI not nearly as good.

i know that vw's are heavy, but they have a certain feeling of solid-ness that is lacking in the wrx platform.

but it sounds like you are more geared towards performance than creature comforts, so the STI is probably right up your alley

 

thanks for the input!!!!

yea, i forgot to mention that i do prefer to have a 2.5L(STi) versus a 2.0L(EVO is 2L right?) its just more displacement which means a bigger grin on your face!
and simply comparing a STi to an Evo, both interior in my mind aren't GREAT, but I would definately give the 'thumbs-up' to a STi.

i did read the page that is sort of about the 'Cons' of a Rex----thanks



out of curiosity. how many people have even considered a VW R32.
heres a link:
http://vortex3.rely.net/artman/publi...0.shtml?page=1

of course i don't want to get another Golf since that sort of defeats the point of getting a new car.....

 

I like the execution of the R32 and applaud VW for bringing it to the U.S. market. There is nothing I really dislike about the car as it seems to do a lot of things right and does it in style. My only concern would be future power-enhancing mods since it's relatively easy to boost (pun intended) performance in a turbocharged car. I'm sure that there will be aftermarket superchargers and turbo kits for the R32 but it's nice to get an integrated package right from the factory.

Thanks also for posting the link to the R32 vs EVO vs STi comparison. I really enjoyed reading that well-written article and felt that it conducted testing of the vehicles in a very objective and open-minded fashion.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

i definately agree with you on your point about incorporating a package straight from the factory. NA is fun, but it definately limits the potential and $/hp for any car enthusiast.....

too bad my local dealership doesn't have any STi on the lot.

if i go and test drive the WRX, is it pretty comparable to the STi? does it drive/ride/feel close to the STi?

 

From what I gather from someone who has owned both cars, there are major differences in the handling, braking, and engine power, although they are based on the same chassis. If you test drive a WRX, I guess you can assume that the STi does everything better.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

LOL........

k........
how about reliability. from a VW owner's stand-point.....my car has a lot of little annoyances (from creeks behind panels to instrument lights going out........just little things that is from wear and tear that i have to fix now since my car is 5 year old) but how is a Subby in that arena?!??!
because i *plan* to get a STi and drive it for approx 5-6 years before i change again.

 

My dad has a 98 legacy outback wagon, the only thing broken is the cupholder, no creeks, nothing wrong...except for a squeaky steering rack, but i *think* thats the tires, not sure. great car overall and VERY few little annoyances.

 

Might want to get the car safely up on jackstands and check the steering rack bushings. They will sometimes deteriorate to the point where they allow a lot of unwanted movement and sometimes metal-to-metal (chassis) contact.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush