[killerz124]

Hey guys,



So I'm just looking at the differences between the new STI and WRX and I'm trying to convince myself that I don't really need the STI and can save the 10k. I don't plan on modding the car too much, most likely looking to do ecu tuning and change the exhaust to something with a deep gurgle, but other than that I don't plan on doing much more (maybe a BOV and intake?). I won't really track the car, but I do like giving it a push in the streets.

I mean I want the STI just to be able to say I have an STI, but its that price tag that I can't justify.

Would you guys be able to point me in the right direction of which one would be more suitable for me?

[trollface]

Hey guys,



So I'm just looking at the differences between the new STI and WRX and I'm trying to convince myself that I don't really need the STI and can save the 10k. I don't plan on modding the car too much, most likely looking to do ecu tuning and change the exhaust to something with a deep gurgle, but other than that I don't plan on doing much more (maybe a BOV and intake?). I won't really track the car, but I do like giving it a push in the streets.

I mean I want the STI just to be able to say I have an STI, but its that price tag that I can't justify.

Would you guys be able to point me in the right direction of which one would be more suitable for me?


The STI is better in everyway expect price and gas milage. That being said, wait for the new STI with the 2.0L that Japan just got.

[freakshow]

If you're asking for advice between these two cars on Revscene.. you've already decided on the STI, you just want confirmation..

Go get the STI!

[smoothie.]

buy a wrx and spend 10k on mods, make it faster than a stock sti, you still have a wrx.

that's just how I see it.

[Traum]

If you're asking for advice between these two cars on Revscene.. you've already decided on the STI, you just want confirmation..

^^ This. And to top it off, you want the STI, but is whining about the premium that you need to pay for it.

Esp when you don't plan on tracking the car, I really don't see any rational reason of why you should go for the more expensive STI with the far more ancient engine. If you are in it for the bragging rights -- fine, that's a fair point. But if you want the car, you gotta pay for it. Gotta pay to play -- no other way around it.

The question you really need to ask yourself is -- if you purchased the WRX, are you gonna have buyer remorse everyday afterwards, thinking that you could have / should have bought the STI? Or, if you bought the STI, and it somehow didn't turn up to be all that you were expecting out of it, are you gonna have buyer remorse and thought you should have gone for the WRX and save yourself $10k?

None of us can answer those questions for you, nor can we make the decision for you either. You have to ask yourself, and you are the only one that knows the answer.

Personally, I think the WRX is more than enough for my purpose, and that includes street as well as track duty. I also can't find myself paying top $$$ for what is essentially a 20+ year old engine design.

[bcuzracecarz]

I'd go with the WRX, the new FA motor is a great thing and with a few simple mods it'll outrun the STI, and if you don't wanna track it then you won't really benefit from the STI's upgrades anyways. WRX is way better value for the money and looks virtually identical, if you reaaaally want the STI though I'd wait for the new 2 ltr motor from Japan

I agree tho, I was in the same boat a couple years ago... Just ask urself one question, "If you're sitting at a light and you're in the WRX, and an STI pulls up, will you be upset? "

[Gh0stRider]

STI! :)

[killerz124]

I probably would feel a bit bummed if I saw an STI of the same model pull up beside me, but I'm just hesitant because people keep complaining about the engine and the WRX has a newer engine. I'm too conflicted right now. Plus I'm not looking to track the car, so would it still be worth it? I'm just into the STI for the whole bane behind it

[PuYang]

Get a lightly used / well maintained STI?

Save you some cost, and still have a STI.

It's something to consider, since no one can really answer this for you.

[killerz124]

Its not that the price is a problem, is the price difference worth it? That extra 10 worth the difference or wrx is a good enough?

[jnesss]

in the future, how likely are you to regret your decision on purchashing the wrx? i had this dilemma with a gaming headset. i wanted to only spend $300, compared to tgr $500 model. i weighed out the features and got the $300 set. it sucked, i returned it and ponied up for the higher model.

just get the sti and no ragrets ��

[aalex]

let EE explain which one is better for you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dg3BeWFyys&t=211s

[SpeedStars]

I chose the WRX. Zero ragrets. No more needing to worry about ringlands and rod knock. If you were to get an STi I would wait for the new motor. That being said, the WRX vs STi stock vs stock are pretty close due to the WRX hitting peak boost at around 2k rpms. The WRX has more usable torque whereas the STi has more of it higher up in the Rev range (linear).

Only thing I dislike about the WRX is that it has pretty much open diffs whereas the new STi has locking diffs which mean you can do sick skids

Another note: if you're ever plan on going for big power numbers (over 600hp) or are planning to track/auto X the car often; I would get the STi. Otherwise stick with the WRX if all its going to see is public roads.

Edit: I don't think buying an STi for the sake of saying " I have an STi " should be a deciding factor BabyRage

[trollface]

buy a wrx and spend 10k on mods, make it faster than a stock sti, you still have a wrx.

that's just how I see it.

But if you spend 500 on a tune on the STI you end up exactly where you are with the WRX except you still have a warranty and the better suspension and locking diffs. It's almost always better to jut buy the faster car from factory then trying to mod it up...

It's like slapping a 8k turbo on a V6 mustang when you can get the V8.

[StanleyR]

I was in the same situation 13 years ago with choosing between an e30 325is and an e30 M3.

at the time, a nice e30 in the prairies cost me 7200. Kinda steep, but it checked out well.
A similarly equipped e30 M3 was going for about 12-15 g's. At most, 20g/s

I thought it over and since I wasn't going to mod it like crazy, decided on the 325is since it was easier to daily (even though I just wanted something nice in the summers).

Today my nice e30 325is is worth about....10ish....at best
an equivalent e30 m3 is worth about...40-50ish...at least!

do I feel like an idiot?

you bet I do!
:lawl:

[ZN6]

If you are dailying this car, wrx wins in the everyday functionality. If you don't care about gas mileage or a more jarring ride, STi. If you want something that gets up and goes with no frills and much better fuel economy? Wrx. It's about time they replaced that ej. Srs japan already did in their STi. Only a matter of time before North America makes the switch. It's more economical and newer tech in every sense.

[twitchyzero]

I was in the same situation 13 years ago with choosing between an e30 325is and an e30 M3.


ironic given the current STi motor was designed 13 years ago ResidentSleeper:heckno:

[smoothie.]

But if you spend 500 on a tune on the STI you end up exactly where you are with the WRX except you still have a warranty and the better suspension and locking diffs. It's almost always better to jut buy the faster car from factory then trying to mod it up...

It's like slapping a 8k turbo on a V6 mustang when you can get the V8.

i think we agree :pokerface:

[tofu1413]

STI.


all the hardware (DCCD, LSD's Brembos, beefier suspension) is worth the admission.

I would wait for that newer dual injection motor though.


Oh, and resale too. STI would be the hotter car that would holds value. you'll be getting most of that difference back (check craigslist on older wrx vs STi)

[underscore]

Go drive them both, and see if you can notice the difference. Also I'm not sure if that 10k difference includes taxes, if not that's another $1200 bringing the total difference to $11,200 which is a pretty nice vacation every year for the next few years. Plus you'll be paying more for fuel and more for insurance every year.

[killerz124]

Don't both the vehicles retain their value? I see WRX's going for a good price on craigs right now as well

I also read somewhere that the WRX does not have as nice of a note than the STI. Can the WRX sound just as nice with a exhaust? Hows the stock WRX sound?

[EX-R]

I was in this dilemma when I bought my Sti last year. Seeing how the performance is so close between the wrx and sti, it was hard to choose. Seeing how most of the comments here just talk about how the new FA20 is better than the outdated EJ25 motor, it doesn't justify the WRX being anywhere close to the Sti.

Having been able to drive a 2015 WRX for a week, I was able to compare the WRX and Sti. Even though the Sti has an outdated engine, it more than makes up With a ton of things.
-The Transmission on the Sti compared to the wrx is night and day. The new WRX has a sloppy cable transmission. Yes you can correct it with a perrin shift stop but it still doesnt feel as crisp as the mechanically linked Sti transmission
-The Steering feel on the Sti has a much better feel due to the hydraulic steering and tighter steering rack compared to the electrically assisted steering on the wrx and wider steering ratio.
-Driver controlled Center Diff
-Sti has brembos... it has brembos
-Sti Badges :fuckyea:

With the Sti being a track orientated car, it has some drawbacks if being used to drive around the city
-The suspension on the Sti Is extremely jarring. It can make a small bump on the road feel like you went through a lansdowne mall speedbump at 60kms. This can be fixed however with aftermarket springs. I put a set of RCE yellows on mine and it handles the smaller bumps much better while maintaining a stiff ride around corners.
-The Turbo lag on the Sti is quite noticeable. Most of the power is at the higher end of the powerband. The WRX however with the twin scroll turbo provides usable power at lower area of the powerband making it much more enjoyable to boot around the city.

Personally, the extra money was worth getting an Sti. The steering rack and transmission makes driving an Sti night and day over a WRX. I could be biased though because i used to drive a 04 WRX and always regretted not having an Sti when an Sti would pull up beside me. That was back in the day though when everything in the Sti was better than the WRX

[Nabatron]

bought sport tech wrx just just because it had the new engine. Didn't care the sti had DCCD or brembos since with the money i saved in not buying the sti i could do the mods myself. Also if you want all the sti pieces you can pretty much add them to the wrx and still have other mods to do whatever u want engine wise...

[EX-R]

Don't both the vehicles retain their value? I see WRX's going for a good price on craigs right now as well

I also read somewhere that the WRX does not have as nice of a note than the STI. Can the WRX sound just as nice with a exhaust? Hows the stock WRX sound?

Due to the twin scroll turbo, the wrx uses equal length headers. The famous subie rumble is due to the unequal length headers on the EJ motors. Therefore the wrx Does not have the famous subie rumble. It does however have a subtle distinct boxer motor sound that I cant really describe.

[SpeedStars]

I think the best way to describe it is...it sounds like a tractor :fullofwin:

I've got muffler deletes on mine and it pretty much sounds like a tractor....or an frs with an exhaust

[Kaolinite]

I was in the same dilemma last year and went with the WRX. I had a modded 2010 STI before and tbh the WRX is just as fun to drive. I dont track at all tho. One reason I chose the WRX is cuz its just my daily car i go to and from work and the extra 200km a tank is nice.. plus I only had to pay $6,000 on top of the trade-in for a 2016 WRX

[teggy604]

The kid in you wants the flash and everything that comes with the STI. The adult in you tells you WRX is all you will ever need... Like someone said only you will know the answer. So who do you want to be?

[FN-2199]

Went from a GC WRX to a GC STI. I even have a NA 2.2 GC wagon. Although they are not the same cars that you're looking at, they are the same in the sense that you get so much more with STIs; seats, brakes, springs, hp, torque, dccd... all goodies that are highly sought after by Subaru owners who don't have STIs.

They are all tons of fun to drive, but it's ultimately down to what you want the most.
I can tell you right now that if you opt for the WRX, every time you see an STI you will feel nothing but regret. Do yourself a favor and get an STI (:lawl:) so you know what it's like to own one.

[tofu1413]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3fqEvxLerA/hqdefault.jpg


Remember. It beats the "invincible" Ae86 out of the box. :lawl:

[nsx042003]

STI hands down.The suspension, brembo, & diff is worth the 10K

Unless you don't care or can't drive manual, then WRX

[Gh0stRider]

I wont wave to you in your WRX

[monkeywrench]

I wont wave to you in your WRX

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/c8/c8fce312f321a767d12a4f0c2a01ef01433b312c22910cca0b cdd5ad9549aa01.jpg

[aalex]

I think the best way to describe it is...it sounds like a tractor :fullofwin:

I've got muffler deletes on mine and it pretty much sounds like a tractor....or an frs with an exhaust


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUiyNud1FX0

[AzNightmare]

STI if you're a kid
WRX if you're an adult.

Just to be clear, there's nothing wrong with being a "kid" in this context. If you simply have the money to afford it, it may be worth while to get the STI anyway. But many people that have a STI just want it for the title. If you're not going to take it out on a track, the differences are kind of negligible on the the street.

I know people who regret getting the STI cause it uses more fuel, the ride is more harsh, it kind of sucks as a daily car, gets attention from police, etc. I think based on your post, you would probably be content with a WRX.

[jasonturbo]

STI certainly wins in terms of mitigating depreciation, for this reason alone I would opt for the STI over the lesser WRX.

Edit: Cross shop with the Golf R, it's a much better car than the STI IMO

[Mancini]

The STI is better in everyway expect price and gas milage. That being said, wait for the new STI with the 2.0L that Japan just got.

WRX spools up quicker.

[J-Chow]

IMO, WRX for daily driving. You said it yourself, you ain't tracking the car, so why spend $10,000 extra for the nicer stuff?
Save the $10,000 and put it into RRSP or TFSA :awwyeah:

[dark0821]

^ plus the savings on insurance and gas... lol

[bluejays]

The only people advocating for WRX are actual WRX owners themselves trying to justify their purchase. If you're already torn between the 2 you'll always regret not getting the sti right off the bat.

[killerz124]

I test drove both of them and the WRX and STI seem very similar in power, I just feel in love with the STI. The WRX is a great car and I liked it as well, but it's missing the rumble that the STI has. In terms of power, they were both great no complaints for either car. The WRX actully pulled pretty well in comparison. Both cars are great, but after driving the STI I don't think I can go for the WRX.

[trollface]

STI certainly wins in terms of mitigating depreciation, for this reason alone I would opt for the STI over the lesser WRX.

Edit: Cross shop with the Golf R, it's a much better car than the STI IMO

That VW reliability though. The shit is scary.

[hotong]

STI for sure. I have no regrets getting mine.

[roastpuff]

Focus RS?

[J-Chow]

Focus RS?


You ballaaaah...:lawl:

[esfir.a]

if you are buying it, STI is a no brainer imo, it holds its value so much better (WRX is still pretty good in this aspect but STI really takes the cake)

[underscore]

^ how much better though? The STi has to still be worth more than 10k more than the WRX 5 or 10 years down the road and that's doubtful.

[yoshi86]

For 10yrs old STi and WRX

2005 and 2007 STi
2005 Subaru WRX-STI (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5866935893.html)
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Pristine Condition Super Rare (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5871481775.html)
there were 2 more 2006-07 STi around $22K last week.

2006-2007 WRX
subaru wrx (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5917208306.html)
2007 Subaru WRX (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/cto/5918475039.html)
2006 Subaru WRX Sedan (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5904687962.html)
2006 Subaru WRX (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5892151239.html)

So its around $10k more, but the mileage on the WRXs are higher..

[originalhypa]

I've had multiple iterations of both cars in various generations.
For me, performance was more important than a little extra comfort, so it is STi all the way. The WRX is a good car, but it's like comparing a Type R integra to a GSR. Both are fun, both are fast, but in the end the factory adds so many little extras that the average WRX owner never would add, and those are the difference makers.

It's about what you want. Want comfort and extra money left over? Go WRX.
But if you want performance, go STi.

I was talking to a guy with a WRX back in the day who swore his car was the best. It had about $10k in modifications which I thought was crazy. My BPU (at the time) STi waxed his car. That said, my STi was beat shortly after by a lightly modded JDM spec WRX with twin scroll and about 800 fewer pounds of weight. So maybe the right answer is a 1997 JDM spec WRX with no interior?

durp.

[GLOW]

IMO, WRX for daily driving. You said it yourself, you ain't tracking the car, so why spend $10,000 extra for the nicer stuff?
Save the $10,000 and put it into RRSP or TFSA :awwyeah:

just get an STI badge, problem solved :troll: Kappa

[hotong]

The value that the STI holds is pretty nuts.. I was looking for a 2011- 2013, but they were going for almost as much as a brand new one.

[yoshi86]

The value that the STI holds is pretty nuts.. I was looking for a 2011- 2013, but they were going for almost as much as a brand new one.
That's what I am wondering too.
For that 2007 STi
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Pristine Condition Super Rare (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5871481775.html)

If I could find a lease end buy out for a 2015 (2yrs lease), the buy out price might be about the same.

[GC8]

the question I ask is are the actually selling at those prices? I rarely pay abit more for a new one haha

[hotong]

the question I ask is are the actually selling at those prices? I rarely pay abit more for a new one haha

There was a 2012 that was listed for 36k at Toyota dealership sold the next day.

[SpeedStars]

I think the STi hatches are fetching a premium since they no longer make them. Silly if you ask me but then again, a minty integra Type R costs like 35k

Edit: depending on the package though, an STi could break 50k new

[Mr.Money]

There was a 2012 that was listed for 36k at Toyota dealership sold the next day.

the fuck.....ford focus RS 45k after dealer discount.

[Nabatron]

ford focus overpriced ST

[Galactic_Phantom]

the fuck.....ford focus RS 45k after dealer discount.

They have discounts on that car now? :lawl:

I thought dealers were selling them beyond msrp

[Timpo]

buy a wrx and spend 10k on mods, make it faster than a stock sti, you still have a wrx.

that's just how I see it.
That's like saying "Don't get a Shelby GT500, just get a Mustang and mod it" or "Don't get a 911 GT2RS, just get a 911 Carrera and mod it"

[Timpo]

^ how much better though? The STi has to still be worth more than 10k more than the WRX 5 or 10 years down the road and that's doubtful.

If the price difference between WRX and STi is $10k, you can't expect the STi to worth $10k more than WRX 10 years later. However it would still worth more than the WRX. Also the percentage of depreciation will probably be the same.

For example, the base Mercedes S Class go for $120,100. And the top of the line S Class AMG is going for $253,300. The price difference is $133,200.
You can't expect the S Class AMG to worth $133,200 more than the normal S Class 10 years down the road. Same thing as this WRX vs STi debate.

[PDKGD3]

That's what I am wondering too.
For that 2007 STi
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Pristine Condition Super Rare (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5871481775.html)

If I could find a lease end buy out for a 2015 (2yrs lease), the buy out price might be about the same.

Wonder what one with sub 60k would sell for... :awwyeah:

[CL typeS]

Wonder what one with sub 60k would sell for... :awwyeah:

That 07 blue sti wouldn't take a month to sell if that was the right price.

[underscore]

If the price difference between WRX and STi is $10k, you can't expect the STi to worth $10k more than WRX 10 years later. However it would still worth more than the WRX. Also the percentage of depreciation will probably be the same.

That's what I'm saying, it'll be worth more later on but not enough to offset the initial difference in price. Say in 10 years time the STi is worth $4k more than the equivalent WRX, yes it's worth more but you're still $6k down overall. Paying $10k more to get <$10k more out of it when you sell is just bad math.

[wingies]

2016 Subaru WRX Hikari Edition for $40,500 in North Vancouver | autoTRADER.ca (http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/WRX/North+Vancouver/British+Columbia/5_29657426_20150827082018863/)

Is this a good price? $40k for a 2016 STI?

[Oshiguru]

2016 Subaru WRX Hikari Edition for $40,500 in North Vancouver | autoTRADER.ca (http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/WRX/North+Vancouver/British+Columbia/5_29657426_20150827082018863/)

Is this a good price? $40k for a 2016 STI?

I believe they were around 42-44k new msrp.

[320icar]

I was looking at it the other day on CL. I'm so tempted to go look at it. My ST doesn't have AWD.... And I love that blue...

[wingies]

Yea I don't know much about these cars pricingwise, but thought it wasn't a bad price, you might be able to negotiate 2-3k more off too. But it doesn't have navi and H&K sound system, which i find a little surprising for a limited edition sti

[tofu1413]

Sold a sport tech to a fella for $40k a few months back....


I think the hikari should be a sub $40k car... it has equipment similar to a sport, but not the sport tech.


A new sport tech could easily run into $48k new, and being a somewhat limited allocation car, dealers wont discount that much on a brand new.

[hotong]

I was looking at it the other day on CL. I'm so tempted to go look at it. My ST doesn't have AWD.... And I love that blue...

do it man!

Also on a side note I got my STI Sport model for 40k with the Freight and PDI waived

[LP700-4]

Only 200 of those Hikari STI's across Canada so prices have been pretty firm. Don't understand why they didnt make them sport techs either.

[yoshi86]

http://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/1067/1/subaru-debuts-2018-wrx-wrx-sti-performance-comfort
2018 WRX and STi

[320icar]

Doesn't say if the STI finally gets a new motor, or yet again still the old one

[jjson]

^Likely in 2020 as a 2021 MY with the new global platform. This one just seems to be a mild refresh/facelift

[bcuzracecarz]

Same motor, wrx with performance pkg is clear winner yet again

[BlackV62K2]

https://i.imgflip.com/1h5dzg.jpg

[Nabatron]

^2020 new FA25 most likely going into the new sti

[SpeedStars]

Those new recoros look sexy :sweetjesus:

[roastpuff]

Subaru is one of the car companies that tries to milk the most out of whatever they put in the market. They were still selling 4-speed automatics in 2013 in the Forester that was in the 1988 Subaru XT with minor changes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Subaru_transmissions#4EAT

[Teriyaki]

New impreza wagon looks pretty good for 2018. Damnit Subaru, just throw the WRX engine back on that thing and it'll sell like hotcakes.

[Matsuda]

New impreza wagon looks pretty good for 2018. Damnit Subaru, just throw the WRX engine back on that thing and it'll sell like hotcakes.

you mean 2017, the new refresh. Sister in law just bought one today, I test drove it too and its quite nice inside.

[Scotsman]

Yellow Brembos look out of place on a STi...they need to be gold

Just like "STI" when it use to be "STi"

[Nabatron]

^yellow brembos I assume were based off the new wrx concept a few years ago I actually don't mind them since I have some one my white wrx lol...

As for the recaros they look half ass'd...those seats are pretty much the same as the 2015-17 sti seats with recaro on the centre. Yeah they are nice but are not worth it...I called my Subaru parts guy just to see how much they were if I wanted to get them and they are $2300 a piece lol. As for getting sti seats from the dealer which don't have recaro on them they are $1700 a piece.