[ah gon]

im interested in latest gen. of WRX STI.was look around the site/forums about the 2018STI and they got some of tasty stuff like new 6 pots brake caliper,,recaro seat,led headlight,new bumper.......
but nothing to change for the engine.still using the 2.5l turbo engine that have been used for over 15yrs.
just wonder what u guys think?worth to try?im not people like change car frequency.my last car owned for almost 10yrs.
and there r many of other new car going to relase/released with new designed engine.like civic typeR,golfR,focus RS etc also tasty for me.
im newbie of subaru.would like to get more info. about this car.

[mb_]

I am sort of in the same boat as you since I've always wanted an STI but since my car is still new-ish so I'm holding off until they put a new motor in it.

IMO, if you can wait for a few more years, I would just wait. If not, STIs hold their value very well. What car do you have currently?

[LP700-4]

New engines always come with reliability uncertainty though, the 2.5 is a dinosaur yes, but also tried and tested to be reliable.

If you like the current gen looks then I say why wait, if you care about having the latest engine tech and stuff then wait for the new motor.

[ah gon]

I am sort of in the same boat as you since I've always wanted an STI but since my car is still new-ish so I'm holding off until they put a new motor in it.

IMO, if you can wait for a few more years, I would just wait. If not, STIs hold their value very well. What car do you have currently?
I used to owned a 06 bmw for almost 10yrs.then sold it n leased mini cooper 4drs.and now i really need a bigger car.

New engines always come with reliability uncertainty though, the 2.5 is a dinosaur yes, but also tried and tested to be reliable.

If you like the current gen looks then I say why wait, if you care about having the latest engine tech and stuff then wait for the new motor.
U got the point.:thumbsup: maybe y so many people still using the 2JZ engine.

[noclue]

Personally since it's getting close to the release of the redesign I would hold out for the new one and if it sucks, buy the current one at a discount. Unless you need the car now, then I recommend Golf R.

[Digitalis]

2.5L and reliable do not belong in the same sentence.
New engines always come with reliability uncertainty though, the 2.5 is a dinosaur yes, but also tried and tested to be reliable.

If you like the current gen looks then I say why wait, if you care about having the latest engine tech and stuff then wait for the new motor.

[Traum]

2.5L and reliable do not belong in the same sentence.
What are you talking about? Of course there are no ringland issues nor overboost / boost spike issues with the EJ257.

:pokerface:

[dark0821]

Personally since it's getting close to the release of the redesign I would hold out for the new one and if it sucks, buy the current one at a discount. Unless you need the car now, then I recommend Golf R.


Golf R and keeping it long term (ie 10 years) should not be together... I will want to move to Euro's one day... but at that point, I would just lease and return... keeping them pass warranty is just asking for trouble.....

[Timpo]

Subaru does not have to change the engine because it's still a good engine and it has been selling well for the last 15 years like you said.

Honda has been using the K series engine for 17 years.
GM has been using the LS series engine for 21 years.

There has been minor tweaks and updates, but yea, the basic platform stays the same.

I know what you mean though, if you're buying a brand new car, you would want to spend money on completely re-designed latest technology possible.

[Nabatron]

I would wait for the 2020 sti with the new engine and this is coming from a 16' wrx owner. I went with the wrx because it has the new FA20 engine and didn't want to risk engine failure on the ej. New 2020 sti will have a modified FA engine in it so that will help with longevity.

[Kalize]

I'm in the same boat, currently wanting a STI.

in Japan which engine does the STI get? is it the a 2.0L DI motor?

[invader]

im interested in latest gen. of WRX STI.was look around the site/forums about the 2018STI and they got some of tasty stuff like new 6 pots brake caliper,,recaro seat,led headlight,new bumper.......
but nothing to change for the engine.still using the 2.5l turbo engine that have been used for over 15yrs.
just wonder what u guys think?worth to try?im not people like change car frequency.my last car owned for almost 10yrs.
and there r many of other new car going to relase/released with new designed engine.like civic typeR,golfR,focus RS etc also tasty for me.
im newbie of subaru.would like to get more info. about this car.


Last December I was in the same situation.

Always wanted an STI, but was on the fence about waiting until they refresh the engine. As covered in this thread, the new engine will not show for quite some time.

I ordered and got my 2017 STI in August, and I enjoy every time I drive the car.

Advice: Buy a car you want, so you won't regret "Oh shit, should have bought the STI.

[heleu]

If you like the STi, then yes, it's worth buying new.
Used STi prices are ridiculous...I think there is some sort of premium going for the old bodystyle. The 2015+ STis are really not going for much more than the last generation.

[ah gon]

Personally since it's getting close to the release of the redesign I would hold out for the new one and if it sucks, buy the current one at a discount. Unless you need the car now, then I recommend Golf R.
Still long time for me to wait till their redesign(maybe 2020)or they will not even change.haha
Golf R and keeping it long term (ie 10 years) should not be together... I will want to move to Euro's one day... but at that point, I would just lease and return... keeping them pass warranty is just asking for trouble.....
I think depend on model.my old BMW e90 325i.owned it for almost 10yrs.nothing wrong with the engine with 150K km when I sold it.except I replaced the water pump for preveative failures(since those r electronic water pump).but of course u won't know which one is reliable when the car has new engine
Subaru does not have to change the engine because it's still a good engine and it has been selling well for the last 15 years like you said.

Honda has been using the K series engine for 17 years.
GM has been using the LS series engine for 21 years.

There has been minor tweaks and updates, but yea, the basic platform stays the same.

I know what you mean though, if you're buying a brand new car, you would want to spend money on completely re-designed latest technology possible.
Yes
I would wait for the 2020 sti with the new engine and this is coming from a 16' wrx owner. I went with the wrx because it has the new FA20 engine and didn't want to risk engine failure on the ej. New 2020 sti will have a modified FA engine in it so that will help with longevity.
2020 is long time for me.
I'm in the same boat, currently wanting a STI.

in Japan which engine does the STI get? is it the a 2.0L DI motor?
I think is the same?
Last December I was in the same situation.

Always wanted an STI, but was on the fence about waiting until they refresh the engine. As covered in this thread, the new engine will not show for quite some time.

I ordered and got my 2017 STI in August, and I enjoy every time I drive the car.

Advice: Buy a car you want, so you won't regret "Oh shit, should have bought the STI.

If you like the STi, then yes, it's worth buying new.
Used STi prices are ridiculous...I think there is some sort of premium going for the old bodystyle. The 2015+ STis are really not going for much more than the last generation.
Agree

[TOPEC]

I'm in the same boat, currently wanting a STI.

in Japan which engine does the STI get? is it the a 2.0L DI motor?

still the same EJ207 from GC era STIs until now, with different turbo varients

[ilvtofu]

The fact that people are asking for $30k on 08's that are coming up on a decade is insane but also partly why I decided to pick up a 2011 recently. I figure the depreciation over the next 4 years is going to be pretty minimal/affordable.

I also considered buying a new and waiting for the 2018 as the price difference is not that significant when you factor in the financing. Doesn't make sense to go with a 2017 now that they've already announced all the upgrades for 2018, I'd rather wait half a year for the 2018MY. If they sold a wagon/hatch for the current one I wouldn't have even considered used.

On paper the car hasn't changed much but the new chassis is definitely a lot stiffer, even compared to the 08-13. The interior on the 2015+ is finally ...acceptable? and the steering is better than the GR/GV IMO. If you are streeting the car, I don't see the engine as being unreliable but it is pretty bad on gas even when you are granny shifting.

The Golf R was what I had my eyes set on last year but I don't know how well the car would hold up to track use. The DSG is awesome and that engine AFAIK is pretty well sorted out so if you are looking for a fun daily I would honestly go that direction, it's just a much nicer car overall and IMO more fun on the street. The 30% gas savings is not insignificant either and the price point is very fair. In US the Focus RS is actually a bit cheaper than the Golf R, whereas here the Golf starts at about $7k less.

The RS may have been a logical choice stepping up from the Fiesta ST for me, but I think it's too hardcore on the street and I don't know how well it would really hold up on track. In Motor Trend's test the brakes were on fire after a 2 minute run in the twisties, which has basically been my experience in the Fiesta with brake torque vectoring. Also I think $50k is steep for it, more than double what I paid for my Fiesta but not double the car.

[forcedot]

as much as I love the STI, for the same coin. I'd take the much quicker, luxurious, and prettier M240i.

[SSM_DC5]

...

On paper the car hasn't changed much but the new chassis is definitely a lot stiffer, even compared to the 08-13. The interior on the 2015+ is finally ...acceptable? and the steering is better than the GR/GV IMO. If you are streeting the car, I don't see the engine as being unreliable but it is pretty bad on gas even when you are granny shifting.
.. .

A 2015+ steering rack is a direct swap into your 2011.

[LP700-4]

2.5L and reliable do not belong in the same sentence.

I guess if you and others have had bad experiences with the 2.5 then I stand corrected. I've heard about ringland issues but thought it was only for the older STIs or heavily modded/tuned ones

From what I knew and my friend's cars completely stock and daily driven its just been no problems at all.

[GeeGeeCivic]

In my opinion, the 2018 STi is not worth buying as it still too similar to the 2015-2017... A disappointment if you were to compare it to the competition.

The 6 pot brakes are nice but overkill for a 300hp car? A 4 pot caliper is more than enough and will outperform the 6 pot with the right aftermarket pads.
The new bumper looks good - The two openings on the bottom of each side look good but they dont seem functional? I would have liked it more if it actually allowed air to go in rather than look like covers -.-

I would save the money and go with a 2015-2017 sport tech and get a nicer aftermarket seat than that oem Recaro the 2018 has. You would also have a couple more years of warranty left as well going with a 2015-2017. And then just sell it when the next sti with the revised engine comes out.

[Indy]

You have to look REALLY close but in the bottom corner of the side covers you can see it is indeed cutout. So air is going in, possibly for brakes?

http://cardissection.com/wp-content/gallery/subaru-wrx-sti-detroit/Exterior.jpg

[Timpo]

2.5L and reliable do not belong in the same sentence.

why? so how many L is reliable?

[Timpo]

Impreza WRX STi (Japanese model)
2.0L DOHC Turbo
304hp/6,600rpm
311lb-ft/4,400rpm

http://www.subaru.jp/wrx/sti/gallery/images/photo/photos/photo2.jpg

Impreza WRX STi (US/Canadian model)
2.5L DOHC Turbo
305hp/6,000rpm
290lb-ft/4,000rpm

http://images.hgmsites.net/hug/2017-subaru-wrx-sti_100552403_h.jpg

[Indy]

why? so how many L is reliable?

not so much 2.5L itself isn't reliable but there have been issues in the past specifically with the EJ257

[Nabatron]

EJ257 is a ticking time bomb just waiting for the ringlands to fry. I mean even if you baby it and take great care of it anything could happen but that could happen to any car.

I went with the new FA20 engine just because of the EJ257 suspect reliability. My bros 2008 sti blew up twice first engine was not modified at blew up around 80km, 2nd engine was heavily modified blew up around 20km so hit or miss on the EJ

[Gh0stRider]

https://s16.postimg.org/pzgzuxegl/16831941_1536233033067890_2596688503831795358_n.jp g

[bluejays]

EJ257 is a ticking time bomb just waiting for the ringlands to fry. I mean even if you baby it and take great care of it anything could happen but that could happen to any car.

I went with the new FA20 engine just because of the EJ257 suspect reliability. My bros 2008 sti blew up twice first engine was not modified at blew up around 80km, 2nd engine was heavily modified blew up around 20km so hit or miss on the EJ

Exactly. The EJ motor isn't a question of "if" but "when". I was dead set on getting a sti years ago but after researching on forums for a couple months I decided it wasn't for me. I ended up going with a evo (so yeah I'm biased) but I much prefer the body style of the sti.

[ZN6]

You have to look REALLY close but in the bottom corner of the side covers you can see it is indeed cutout. So air is going in, possibly for brakes?


It's an opening for optional Fog light most likely. People will turn it into a brake duct though, I'm sure.

[heleu]

I think the EJ engine unreliability is overstated. I'm sure we've all heard stories, but it's anecdotal. I had a Legacy Spec. B with 190K on it with no issues.

Subaru has been using the same engine with continual improvements since 1989. For a 2018 model engine, it has unacceptable gas consumption and power delivery (esp. compared to DI engines), but it still generates decent power. If anything, I wouldn't trust the new FA20 design yet because it's relatively unproven.

[Nabatron]

^theres a wrx FA20 in the states that has over 150,000km read it on a facebook post that it was getting mods added to it.

[twitchyzero]

FA20 series being relatively new, it's hard to gauge at its reliability? Most of them probably are still under 100k miles in North America
i liked it in a '16 Foz XT Touring

[Indy]

It's an opening for optional Fog light most likely. People will turn it into a brake duct though, I'm sure.

I'm actually in the market for a new car (looking at WRX and GTI) and have a friend that works at a subaru dealer. He showed me a basic spec sheet(no pricing) for 2018 WRX and STIs highlighting the differences and one of the items was "Front Bumper Air Intake" and it was only available on the STI. There's also a line for "LED Fog lights" which is a no for all STI's. so I guess i was wrong and it wasn't brake ducting. but who knows until its all released officially.

I promised i would not post a picture of the sheet anywhere as it was supposed to be dealer only info. a few tid bits of interesting information though is that, in canada at least, the new wrx with performance package will be branded as the WRX RS, eye sight will finally be available on the WRX, but only as an option on the WRX Sport Tech (nothing on the STI) and the back up camera display moves from the head unit up to the larger Multifunction Display for all WRX and STI models.

[Nabatron]

will the eyesight be on the wrx 6speed? because I think it might be already on the wrx cvt if I am not mistaken. To me moving the back up camera has already been done in the 16-17 wrx models unless you are speaking of something totally different.

[ZN6]

I honestly don't think the EJ is going to be in the STi too much longer. Didn't the JDM STi have the 2.0L fitted into it in JDM land in 2017?

The gas mileage on the EJ is just horrendous by today's standards.

[Nabatron]

I don't believe the 2.0 is in 2017 JDM STI they might have it ready in house for the 2020 model year sti when it finally gets debuted.

[EX-R]

Its the s207 STI that has the 2.0L engine. Not sure if it has the new FA20 motor though.

[Indy]

will the eyesight be on the wrx 6speed? because I think it might be already on the wrx cvt if I am not mistaken. To me moving the back up camera has already been done in the 16-17 wrx models unless you are speaking of something totally different.

looks like its Sport-Tech CVT only. I think in the US they have Eye Sight on the WRX Limited but not in canada for some reason.

In 2015 the back up camera was on the 4.3" multifunction display. Then in 2016/2017 they moved it down to the head unit (6.2" or 7.0" depending on model) because of complaints that in the 2015 it was too hard to see.

For 2018, the multifunction display goes up in size to 5.9" and the back up camera gets moved back up to the multifunction display(according to the spec sheet).

Here's a picture of the new display from promo images. Although it's a big jump in size from the old MFD, it's wider and not necessarily that much taller so I'm not sure how good the visibility is going to be.

http://d1arsn5g9mfrlq.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2018_subaru_wrx_sti-display_720.jpg


here's what the 2015 back up camera looked like
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester15-rear-view-back-up-camera1.jpg

and the 2016/2017
6.2 screen
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/wrxsti/wrxsti16-audio32.jpg

7.0 screen
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/wrxsti/wrxsti16-rear-view-back-up-camera1.jpg

[Nabatron]

yah I opted to get the 16' wrx due to the fact they pretty much changed everything in the second model year compared to the 15' I don't really get why they are moving it back up to the multifunction screen. The lower one on the info is way bigger and useful I would say.

[Timpo]

http://www.damd.co.jp/products/subaru/wrx-s4/images/s4frontmain.jpg
http://www.damd.co.jp/products/subaru/wrx-s4/images/s4side.jpg
http://www.damd.co.jp/products/subaru/wrx-s4/images/s4rearmain.jpg

[Nabatron]

too busy of a kit! What wheels are those tho?

[TOPEC]

I honestly don't think the EJ is going to be in the STi too much longer. Didn't the JDM STi have the 2.0L fitted into it in JDM land in 2017?

The gas mileage on the EJ is just horrendous by today's standards.

I don't believe the 2.0 is in 2017 JDM STI they might have it ready in house for the 2020 model year sti when it finally gets debuted.

JDM STis always used the same EJ207 2.0L engine all these years, very similar to the EJ257 that is in use for NA spec STi but just 0.5L less displacement, and no STI has used the new FA motor yet.

[Nabatron]

I mean Subaru probably has test out a FA25 in house for the new 2020 sti is what I am guessing.

[optiblue]

As a fan of the STI since its first debut here in 2004, don't buy one until they redesign it in 2020. The ej engine is a ticking time bomb which was partially an engineering oversight and Ringland is only a matter of time.

Back in 2009, I saved up all my pennies ready and willing to pull the trigger on my dream car only to have it come out as a hatchback only variant. If that wasn't enough, they changed the engine for the worse. You can do a quick search and see other people's problems with that specific line of engines. I refuse to invest in any EJ line.

Ended up buying an Evo which I never really wanted just because of Subaru's stupidity. Even in 2011 I traded in for another Evo even though Subaru came back to their senses by bringing back the sedan. Sadly they did nothing with the engine which meant no for me again.

If you have to buy a STI now, buy the old 04-06. They're much more reliable and more raw than what they offer now. Otherwise wait for the 2020. I don't recommend getting an Evo purely because it's a little too tail happy for rainy Vancouver streets. Sure on the track it gets you those ideal angles to make you turn faster than you could without the computers, but on the streets we have curbs and other cars and just maybe sliding the tail out is a bad idea should you take a turn too fast in a narrow lane. The Evo is a great car, but it never has that same feeling of stability/predictability that STI offers and I've driven a lot of evo/sti. To each their own, but I highly recommend you don't support such a flawed engine design either way. Do the right thing and boycott the EJ.

Subaru is aware of the problem, but refuses to admit it and is currently just fixing under warranty on a case by case basis as they have been doing since 2008. Don't say no one warned you if it happens to you one day.

[Nabatron]

^exactly! I really don't get why Subaru has took this long to not fully upgrade the EJ engine for modern times. For example with the FA20 engine it has fuel injection and gets great gas mileage and way better torque in the lower RPMs. This is due to the fact it has a twin scroll turbo and what not. EJ you have to hit it up in the higher RPMs to get the most fun/power/torque. Obviously doing this you end up with shittier gas mileage but it is what it is. I don't know how Subaru can drag out this current face lifted STI with the same engine for another 2.5 years. To me it doesn't make sense and I would assume sales of the STI would take hit because of it.

[Timpo]

As a fan of the STI since its first debut here in 2004

:suspicious:

1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
http://ccsrpcma.carsensor.net/CSphoto/cat/SB/S004/SB_S004_F001_M003_1_L.jpg

[Timpo]

^ never mind, the north american version didn't exist til 2004 or so?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Impreza

[Timpo]

http://cdn.snsimg.carview.co.jp/carlife/storage/1525454/plus/68186c1e6c.jpg
http://www.ings-net.com/products/n-spec/wrx-vab/imgs/05.jpg
http://cdn.snsimg.carview.co.jp/minkara/photo/000/004/204/633/4204633/p1.jpg

[ah gon]

as much as I love the STI, for the same coin. I'd take the much quicker, luxurious, and prettier M240i.
If 1 series sedan in Canada will release.i definately interested.i need 4drs.
not so much 2.5L itself isn't reliable but there have been issues in the past specifically with the EJ257

EJ257 is a ticking time bomb just waiting for the ringlands to fry. I mean even if you baby it and take great care of it anything could happen but that could happen to any car.

I went with the new FA20 engine just because of the EJ257 suspect reliability. My bros 2008 sti blew up twice first engine was not modified at blew up around 80km, 2nd engine was heavily modified blew up around 20km so hit or miss on the EJ

Exactly. The EJ motor isn't a question of "if" but "when". I was dead set on getting a sti years ago but after researching on forums for a couple months I decided it wasn't for me. I ended up going with a evo (so yeah I'm biased) but I much prefer the body style of the sti.

I think the EJ engine unreliability is overstated. I'm sure we've all heard stories, but it's anecdotal. I had a Legacy Spec. B with 190K on it with no issues.

Subaru has been using the same engine with continual improvements since 1989. For a 2018 model engine, it has unacceptable gas consumption and power delivery (esp. compared to DI engines), but it still generates decent power. If anything, I wouldn't trust the new FA20 design yet because it's relatively unproven.

^exactly! I really don't get why Subaru has took this long to not fully upgrade the EJ engine for modern times. For example with the FA20 engine it has fuel injection and gets great gas mileage and way better torque in the lower RPMs. This is due to the fact it has a twin scroll turbo and what not. EJ you have to hit it up in the higher RPMs to get the most fun/power/torque. Obviously doing this you end up with shittier gas mileage but it is what it is. I don't know how Subaru can drag out this current face lifted STI with the same engine for another 2.5 years. To me it doesn't make sense and I would assume sales of the STI would take hit because of it.
The Truth Behind The Subaru EJ-Series Engines - Tech-Knowledge - Import Tuner Magazine (http://www.superstreetonline.com/how-to/engine/impp-1103-subaru-ej-series-engine-tech/)
I took a few minutes to read that but not completely done.
There r 2 thing talk about the EJ engine have rod bearing n piston issue.looks like is easy to fix.any more of issue that it isn't listed?