2008 Subaru WRX STI: Headliner or trunkliner?

This is one of the reasons that the STI just doesn't appeal to me. If I'm going to be dropping $40,000 on a car, I want it to at least have an interior that is comparable with that of a $25,000 GTI. I think Subaru priced itself out of it's own market with this car. Shame.

Gotta agree with Snake Doc here... Subaru should at least make the STI headliner:

1. different than the trunkliner, and
2. different than the regular WRX headliner

It's certainly not a deal breaker but can and should be better. Also, from the picture, the reading light unit screams cheap in my opinion. Looks like something I would expect on a $17k econobox but not a $40k sports wagon.

Woven headliner should be a given in a car over 35K.

"Headliner material shouldn't matter! The average person wouldn't be touching it on a regular basis"

I agree but there was a time when GM cars were slammed for having headliners like this. This is the first time I have seen this complaint about the Sti. Its funny now that most GM cars have the Euro style mesh headliners no one mentions it just no one talks about the mouse fur headliners found in many Toyotas even though that was considered "cheap" when GM did it.

Can we please not turning this into another GM discussion? I believe the topic should be "headliner", "trunkliner", "Subaru", "WRX", and "STI".

Guys, the WRX STi is a $17k econobox with $23k worth of go fast hardwares (300hp turbo motor, excellent 6-speed tranny, variable 4WD system with front and rear LSD, 18" forged aluminum BBS wheels, Brembos brakes, flared fenders, aluminum hood, monotube performance shocks). The budget don't allow for a nice interior or any luxury feature.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2008/07/2009-subaru-wrx-teaser-video.html

When you can do this (see video at the link above), who cares about the headliner? :o)

"The budget don't allow for a nice interior or any luxury feature."

I am not asking for a luxury-car type of interior... But seriously, how much more would cost Subaru to give the STI a different/better headliner and reading light unit?

"Can we please not turning this into another GM discussion? I believe the topic should be "headliner", "trunkliner", "Subaru", "WRX", and "STI"."

I knew it would be long before someone was whining. Its about double standards, not about GM. If such things are going to be criticized on American cars they should be called out on the Sti. Period.

And please lets not start saying "this car is about performance not luxurious materials" because that BS never floats when talking about a Mustang or Corvette or Solstice.

"When you can do this (see video at the link above), who cares about the headliner? :o)"

Plenty of cars that offer great bang for the buck have been criticized for interior quality issues and perceived cheapening. why would the Sti be exempt?

Can we seriously stop with the GM b*tching, at least in this blog which GM wasn't even mentioned!!

If I had to make a bet, I would say this is the same headliner and same reading lamp found in the Subaru Imprezza. People quickly forget the STi is based on an Imprezza, which is an econobox no matter how you slice it. Same goes for the Evo and the Lancer. I understand the performance is (mostly) there, but basing $40k+ performance cars on economy cars is generally not a great idea, IMO.

Does this mean we've moved on from the "hard" versus "soft" plastic inquisition?

Let me list the parts of a car's interior that matter:
1) Driver's seat
2) Steering wheel
3) Shifter
4) Gauges

What is this, HGTV?

By making the STi appeal to a wider audience, making it a bit softer and more practical, Subaru has to get ready that that audience expects a lot more refinement than their old die hard fans. This car was always considered a boy racer car, I don't think too many boys can afford it anymore, more like man-children, and man-children want a bit more upscale trim. Personally I like the recycled coke bottle material; I think in a hardcore rally inspired performance car it's cool, gives it cred, if I may.

"Let me list the parts of a car's interior that matter:
1) Driver's seat
2) Steering wheel
3) Shifter
4) Gauges

What is this, HGTV?"

Ah, c'mon it all matters really. Its about the entire package. And in the case of the new STI, if its going to be so ugly on the outside, I'd expect a stellar interior to make up for it.

For the record, I think the Lancer has a nicer headliner. EVO>STI

Sports cars are about performance, not comfort.

I predict the Ariel Atom 500 V8 will cost $300k, it got no interior.

Look at the $3 million dollars Mclaren F1 LM interior, there is no carpet!

http://image.motortrend.com/f/motorsports/ron-dennis-to-give-hamilton-a-mclaren-f1-lm-but-only-if/8466130+cr1+re0+ar1/1995-mclaren-f1-lm.jpg

lazyhater - This STI was all about making it a more livable DD. Those cars you mentioned are serious track runners.

Yup, Subaru does cheap headliners in Imprezas and Foresters.
'09 Forester tries embossing a woven pattern in its cheap headliner - beware of touching or cleaning it!
Fortunately we're not stareing at headliners all the time.

Upper scale Legacy and Outback models get woven headliners.

"lazyhater - This STI was all about making it a more livable DD. Those cars you mentioned are serious track runners."

I know, I was just argueing for fun :)

How about the $500k Caparo T1's interior!

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/features/general/caparo.t1/caparo.t1.int.500.jpg

The T1 can be a livable DD, no? haha.....

louiswei- the double standard exists whether you acknowledge it or not. Excuses will be made for certain cars while others will be ripped to shreds for the same offense.

The first complaint levied against any Vette is it's interior quality/materials but for the STi, it doesn't matter? Puh-lease.

I have a quick question.

How many of ya'll touch the headliners of your vehicle(s) on a regular basis?

"The first complaint levied against any Vette is it's interior quality/materials but for the STi, it doesn't matter? Puh-lease."

I agree with Chavis. Just because something performs well doesn't allow it to have garbage materials. This applies for everyone - STI, Corvette, Viper, you name it.

"How many of ya'll touch the headliners of your vehicle(s) on a regular basis?"

I don't touch the headliner on a regular basis, no. But I also don't touch the dash on my car on a regular basis, and I still would prefer to have soft, high quality materials.

American apologists never shut up! Even in a post calling out cheap materials in a Japanese car. Why are you bitching here? Calm down and at least wait for an appropriate post before you pounce.

"How many of ya'll touch the headliners of your vehicle(s) on a regular basis?"

I do, mostly because 2 of the cars I current owned have 2 extreme headliners.

04' WRX STi.....it is made out of cardboard just like the 08' STI in this post. I touch it because it is hilariously ghetto, it make me laugh.

05' Lexus LS430 with Ultra luxury package. It came stock with a suede headliner, I touch it because it is extremely luxurious, complete opposite of the STi.

HAHA....

A Porsche boxter is only 45K. while not as fast in the 0-60mph, it does have a much nicer interior.....and it's a Porsche!!!

If I wanted more of a performance car, in the 40K price range, I would just shell out the extra 5K for a Lotus Exige.

Yeah, the STi is overpriced. 40K should get you more than just an econobox on steroids.

"If I wanted more of a performance car, in the 40K price range, I would just shell out the extra 5K for a Lotus Exige."

But could you haul a separate set of wheels/tires to the track in an Elise/Exige? :o)

Anyone know how these STIs are selling so far? It certainly seems like they've lost their market, and I've only seen 1 or 2 on the road.

"Calm down and at least wait for an appropriate post before you pounce."

THANK YOU compliance!!

Chavis10, I know that the double standard exist and if you bothered to take a look at my earlier posts regarding STI's headliner you'll see where I stand on this issue.

However, that being said, it is still not okay to turn a Subaru WRX STI blog into a GM b*tching contest...

It looks the rear partition on a hatchback. Awful!

The only reason we bitch about the Corvette's interior is because we have to find SOMETHING to complain about. An empty cons column is unacceptable.

From the Edmunds Corvette Review...
"Cons:
Base interior lacks pizzazz compared to rivals, ultra-performance Z06 looks too much like the standard Corvette."

If that doesn't say, "well, we have to come up with something, so I guess there's this..." I don't know what does.

"Personally I like the recycled coke bottle material; I think in a hardcore rally inspired performance car it's cool, gives it cred, if I may. "

Huh? That's some twisted logic right there. Why don't you remove the carpeting, passenger seats, stereo, and A/C while you're at it, to give it more "cred". You know, because true rally race cars don't have any of those luxuries.

In its favor, this solid piece is probably pretty durable. At least pieces of fabric won't bubbling, ripping, and hanging from the ceiling in 10 years.

"A Porsche boxter is only 45K. while not as fast in the 0-60mph, it does have a much nicer interior.....and it's a Porsche!!!"

Not exactly. Boxsters aren't even built by Porsche. If you're stepping up to $45k, then a Corvette is the right answer. It'll crush a Boxster and an STi in every performance metric you can come up with (except offroad rally races). Hard to argue with 430hp and it happens to handle and brake extremely well.

"Boxsters aren't even built by Porsche."

Come again?

I have this type of headliner in both my cars (Mazda3 and Outlander) and I don't mind it one bit. Even more, I prefer it over some woven headliners I saw in other cars, plus as mentioned by other posters, they wouldn't hang from the ceiling in few years as the fabric headliner did in one of my old cars.
It should be no surprise to anyone, especially the car enthusiasts, that the STI as well as the Evo have econobox interior materials of a similar quality and they are the same as their respective base models. However, their strength is performance more than anything else.
I wonder how many STI owners bought them for their looks, how many Evo owners bought them for their cargo and how many owners bought any of these for their interior materials quality. I bet not too many.

Again, the "function over form" argument is all good and dandy and I have to admit that I agree to a certain degree. However, the question still remains...

Seriously, how much more will cost Subaru to give the STI a more upscale headliner + interior light unit just to make it stand out a bit from the regular WRXs. I am sure if people are willing to pay $40k for this car they wouldn't mind to pay another $500 for a better interior.

"Anyone know how these STIs are selling so far? It certainly seems like they've lost their market, and I've only seen 1 or 2 on the road."

I think they are typically selling for about invoice to $500 under invoice. So a base STI should be around $33,000-$33,500.

"Huh? That's some twisted logic right there. Why don't you remove the carpeting, passenger seats, stereo, and A/C while you're at it, to give it more "cred". You know, because true rally race cars don't have any of those luxuries."

Some people really does that.

Also Subaru sells a version of the WRX STi in Japan that is exactly what you just described, no AC, no sound deadening material, manual crank windows, cheaper/lighter seats from the base model Impreza, no stereo, hell it doesn't even come with wheels (it comes with some tiny black steel wheels). It is call the Spec-C, for people who doesn't need all that stuff to save weight and cost.

"It is call the Spec-C"

Uh... last I checked, the STI Spec C still comes with A/C, pretty nice set of wheels and possible power windows...

http://www.worldcarfans.com/2050817.009/subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-spec-c

Even the more radical Spec C Type RA-R still has the A/C and pretty wheels...

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=120027

"Seriously, how much more will cost Subaru to give the STI a more upscale headliner + interior light unit just to make it stand out a bit from the regular WRXs. I am sure if people are willing to pay $40k for this car they wouldn't mind to pay another $500 for a better interior."

It would cost Subaru quite a bit to do that because they have to develope new parts instead of just use what's already in the part's bin.

I am a current STi owner, and I can tell you I won't pay any extra money for a better interior. In fact, when I shop for my STi 5 years ago, the only thing I care about the car is performance, I want the least amount of stuff in the car for the lightest weight. At that time, the auto dimming mirror with home link was one of the only few options, I specifically look for a car that don't come with any options.

People want different things for different cars, when I shop for my Lexus LS430, I want all available luxury amenities that Lexus offers, cooling seats, reclining rear seats with massage function, refrigerator, side window curtain....etc. I don't care how much the car weight or how it perform, I just want total comfort.

lazyhater, when you were buying that STi 5 years ago was it anywhere close to being $40k?

Huh?

FYI, the headliner in my as-paid $24.5k 08 Legacy GT is one of the nicest I've ever had....beautiful tan woven material that feels excellent to the touch and makes the visors feel very upscale.

That headliner looks like tufts of it are going to fall into your hair. I've seen cheap headliners, but that's one of the cheapest I've seen since the 80's.

I don't touch my headliner often (except when I open my sunroof shade, about once a week)....but I do SEE it often. Much like the comment about someone with a dash.....you want it to look nice.

I don't care about the plastics under my seat, in the dash, or anywhere I don't see and/or touch, but I want those materials I DO see/touch to be worthy of the car's price.

FYI, the cheaper base 135i has a much nicer overall interior (though it has very cheap sun visors) than the STI....

This isn't a deal breaker for someone in this price bracket, but signs of cost cutting always lead to the owner wondering what else was cost cut...

Joe

"lazyhater, when you were buying that STi 5 years ago was it anywhere close to being $40k?

Huh?"

I was one of the stupid one, I wanted the car 1 week after the car hit the showroom in June of 2003. I pay $2500 over MSRP, total out the door I pay for the car was $38,000.

Does that answer your question?

"I pay $2500 over MSRP, total out the door I pay for the car was $38,000."

Yup, which means you paid $35,500 (including tax since you said "total out the door") and that makes its MSRP to be around $33,100 (assuming 7% sales tax).

This one has a MSRP of $39,700...

"Uh... last I checked, the STI Spec C still comes with A/C, pretty nice set of wheels and possible power windows...

Even the more radical Spec C Type RA-R still has the A/C and pretty wheels..."

Subaru uses the name "Spec-C" very loosely, they probably made 10+ different version of "Spec-C"..... regular Spec-C, Type RA, limited, RA-R......etc. Some Spec-C have extra hardware like the RA-R, but there is one version of the Spec-C Subaru made especially for private owners that want to turn their car into a real competitive rally car. The car come with smaller 16" steel wheels instead of the 17" alloy wheels, no ABS, no AC, it come with smaller WRX brakes, manual crank windows......etc. It didn't have a specific name for it, Subaru just called it WRX STi Spec-C 16 inch wheel version since all other Spec-C came with 17 inch wheel. It was sold at a much lower price then the regular Spec-C because it didn't come with all that hardware. The purpose for that car was for people who is turning their car into a real rally car, they don't need all that fancy hardwares, so Subaru made a stripper version for those people to save money. Very few people know about that version since most normal people don't want that. I tried very hard to look for that car's info online or a pic of it, but I just can't find it since it is a very unpopular version. I found this Subaru history website that mention it:

Scroll all the way down to "Japanese Domestic Market - 2001-2002"

http://www.scoobyphotos.com/impreza_history.php

Quote:
"There is a further stripped down version available that loses the ABS, brakes and 17" wheels of the standard car. Both versions have the same gearbox as the standard Newage STi."

^^
EDIT: The above calculation was all wrong...

Total out of the door = $38,000
Before tax (assuming 7% sales tax) = $35,500
You paid $2,500 over MSRP so that makes the MSRP to be: $33,000

The 2008 STI has a MSRP of $39,700...

Geez, no edit button SUCKS big time!!

That $33k to $39,700 isnt correct since previous models havent had a Nav system available, which adds $2,000. Its still more, but not as extreem as you make it out to be. MSRP on a base STI is $35,000

"Total out of the door = $38,000
Before tax (assuming 7% sales tax) = $35,500
You paid $2,500 over MSRP so that makes the MSRP to be: $33,000

The 2008 STI has a MSRP of $39,700..."

Yes the MSRP of my 04' STi was about $33k.

The base 08' STI's MSRP is $34,995.

Edmund's STI got the $3800 NAV package making it $39,700.

My 04' don't have the NAV package, comparably equipped, the 08' is about $2k more.

What is your point of this price comparison?

http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZAWRX&trim=STI&command=overview

Thank you lcbellevue.

louiswei,

Are you saying it is ok for a $33k STi to have a cheap headliner, but it is not ok for a $39k STi?

Thanks for your comments.

I could understand if this material was chosen for mass reduction, or if it was topped with faux carbon fiber or some other racy finish. But it ain't.

Regards,
Snake Doc

"Are you saying it is ok for a $33k STi to have a cheap headliner, but it is not ok for a $39k STi?"

Sort of but not really. Personally I don't think even the base model WRX should have cheap headliner like that. What I was trying to say is that at $33k I am more willing to accept a "cheap headliner/interior" than at $39k. Also for me, if I am already willing to be a sucker and pay $1,800 for the nav then I sure wouldn't mind to pay an extra $500 for a better headliner and reading light unit.

this many comments over headliner quality?! wow.

So we all agree this car simply costs too much $$?

I really noticed the headliner in a test drive of the lowly WRX, and was turned off. I just kept thinking how much I did not like the interior. The irony is, my mid-90's car has similar mouse-fur treatment, but it somehow drew attention to itself in Impreza. Maybe the color makes it worse, or the texture is a bit more rough...

I don't really remember what headliners look like (I drive a Miata) but this one does look pretty nasty.

I don't think it's a problem because the car costs $40,000. I think it looks too cheap for the base Impreza as well. Probably why you don't see a whole lot of base Imprezas out there...

To be honest, I haven't ever noticed the headliner on ANY car that I've been even remotely interested in.

I have, however, noticed that the sunvisors on the new Impreza are very hard and really feel cheap. That's not the case on my '06 WRX. The sunvisors are padded and just feel better.

Anybody seen the headliner in the current Civic? It's way nicer than this & that car's just as cheap.

"American apologists never shut up! Even in a post calling out cheap materials in a Japanese car. Why are you bitching here? Calm down and at least wait for an appropriate post before you pounce."

CAn you read? The comments were in response to those saying the headliner material on the Sti isnt significant. No one was even disagreeing with the actual blog post. The point is the same standards should be used for all cars and thus the STI can be criticized for a cardboard headliner. I dont think the material of the headliner is too important but many journalist disagree.

"The only reason we bitch about the Corvette's interior is because we have to find SOMETHING to complain about. An empty cons column is unacceptable. "

I think those complaints were reasonable for the old car, but not the C6. The car really has no direct rivals so its hard to say it's interior is too cheap compared to its competitors. Its interior isnt as nice as a Porsche's but its price reflects that. Perhaps IL's complaints are minor but the Vette's interior has been a major point of criticism in many magazines.

"So we all agree this car simply costs too much $$?"

I agree. I would get a 335i before I dropped $39k on the STi even if it has AWD.

"I agree. I would get a 335i before I dropped $39k on the STi even if it has AWD."

While I agreed the 08' STI is overprice for what it offer. A comparably equipped 335i cost WAYYY more then $39k.

A few points:

The cost/performance was perfect for me, which is why I bought one, and I couldn't be happier with the choice, particularly over the other models I cross-shopped: BMW 335xi and M3, Porsche Boxster, Audi TT and S5, etc. The 08 STI has a combination of features and value that, for my criteria, trounced the others -- nothing else even came close, and I say that both as an owner of Subarus and some very nice German autos.

Overpriced? Hardly. The cost of the 08 STI compared to previous year's STI models is roughly on par, considering the yearly inflation rate, and increased cost of materials. In other words, you're getting far more car for roughly the same amount of money with the '08 STI, and in fact, Subaru did an admirable job of holding the line on cost, given real-world increases in manufacturing and transportation costs. Like it or not, 'tis true, I did the math. Things get more expensive over time, sad to say, it's the way of the world.

To those who question the wisdom of the 08 STI design, price, or other design and marketing decisions, even with hard times in the auto world lately, Impreza sales are way up, not based on whether any particular individual happens to remember seeing one on the road, but based on concrete, actual sales numbers and statistics. Subaru bet right on this one, and the numbers bear that out.

"Overpriced? Hardly. The cost of the 08 STI compared to previous year's STI models is roughly on par, considering the yearly inflation rate, and increased cost of materials. In other words, you're getting far more car for roughly the same amount of money with the '08 STI"

I agreed with what you said, but my feeling is the 08' STI don't have a good performance value anymore, all because all other cars had caught up, their performance increased dramatically.

Don't get me wrong, I am speaking as a current 04' STi owner, I am a big Subaru fan, loved my STi for the past 5 years that I owned it. When the STi came out 5 years ago, that was a performance bargain, 300hp/300TQ, 13.2 in the 1/4 for $32k. Back when the BMW 330i had 225 hp, Honda Accord had 220 hp, Porsche Boxster had 250 hp, the M3 only got 333 hp. The 04' STi was way faster then all cars within $20k. But now in 2008, the 335i has 300/300, Accord has 270, Boxster has 295, M3 got 420, even a IS350 has 306 hp....the 08' STI is no longer faster then cars in the same price range, it is only average now. So with a $39k price tag (with NAV) and with a econobox interior, it is no longer a good value. The 08' STI need 350~375 hp to be what it was back in 04', and Subaru didn't deliver.