2008 Subaru WRX STI: Fast but...

I say leave off the gadgets and either lower the price or add another 100 hp.

300 hp is not enough today to maintain the legend.

Exactly, if you're spending close to 40k, you want to feel your money's worth.

For around 10 grand less off the base STI's price you can buy a Mazdaspeed3 that has similar or better equipment, and a very nice interior. Granted it doesn't have AWD, and has a bit less power, but I recon 10,000 should buy a bit more than 30 some ponies and a mass produced AWD system.

Fair enough. I understand sunroof as optional on a performance car (weight savings), but there is not a single person spending $40K on a high performance Subaru that does not have an iPod and a cell phone (or an iPhone). There should be standard on every car above $25K AT LEAST an aux jack, if not full on iPod integration. And bluetooth is a complete no-brainer, especially since so many of these will be sold in California.

Excellent photo, by the way. I'm really enjoying the quality of photography on this blog lately. Keep it up.

Range is one of those things that I've had in my couple of BMWs that spoiled me. When I had a car without it 5 years ago, it sucked. That on top of an inaccurate gas gauge made for some fun times.

I agree Scott. While the STI is a great car, it's not a great bargain.

$40K. There are a lot of cars in the $35K to $40K that I would consider and an STI with the el cheapo interior, trunk lining on the cabin ceiling, and weak exterior paint job isn't one of them.

The inside of this car feels like a $23K car.

Again, there are individuals on this web site who have purchased this car for less than $33K. The $40K is fully optioned. I wouldn't buy it for anywhere close to 40. Maybe for $32, since I am not interested in blue tooth, ipod integration, etc. The haters apparently refer to it as a $40k car though.

I love Subarus in general, and STIs specifically. However, this post is right on. I didn't know the new STI was lacking some of these things. That's pretty unforgivable for a modern car.

Subaru and Mitsubishi have priced their sport sedans right out of reach of their target market. That's old news. What they do about it in the future will be interesting.

I agree. Given the modern day ECU's, this is useful info that could be provided for an incremental cost of close to $0 and should be standard on all Subies across the board. A $15k Chevy Colbalt can tell you gas mileage and remaining oil life but a $40k Subaru can't?

Also, why are they still sticking with the 4-speed auto, especially on the modestly powered non-turbo cars, which (and trust me on this, I own one) really need an extra gear.

The STI does have some good things going for it, mainly AWD, but as Scott notes it is no bargain. People looking at this vehicle are probably not cross-shopping for a G37 (even G35x), or a German AWD sedan/wagon, but should be for that price. You can get 300 Hp out of a good V-6 currently, with probably more torque!

Tshoe - Doubtless a V6 would have more torque...they just don't have the displacement for it. And most people who buy these cars are modifying them....resulting in sickening amounts of torque.

Rascal - How are people supposed to be saying this is a 32k car? or a 35k car? How many people bought it for MSRP or even more? You can only judge what a car SHOULD have based upon it's MSRP.

Scott Oldie - You are complaining about a lack of a sunroof on a sports car? That's a feature, not a lack of an option! Too many cars (I'm looking at you BMW) force a sunroof onto you.

As for iPod integration...it has an AUX jack. Good enough.

Bluetooth integration? This is not exactly a sound-proofed, quiet ride. Between engine, exhaust, road, and wind noise...I'd think bluetooth integration in a stock system would be problematic.

There's always $150 with Parrot Bluetooth.

You guys are really getting ridiculously spoiled when you complain about lack of bluetooth and satellite radio in an STI. I'll be the first to say it needs a far better interior for it's price point, but feature light can be featured right.

In this class of cars.

Joe

I got below invoice for my '08 STI. So $32.5k ++. So while everyone complains about the $40k price, however it isn't really where the car is trading. For $32k, I was happy and have been very happy with the car.

The fact that this relatively limited-production car can be had for "below invoice" is all the proof one needs that people aren't impressed with it.

Coletrickle - Totally agree...when brand new cars are selling below invoice, it's not representative of their "hotness" in the current marketplace.

I'd say 32k is what this car is worth...considering all the performance upgrades over the WRX, and compared to what else can be had for 32k.

Joe

You're 32 years old now (not 22) and looking for a car for "about $35,000" - what are you going to do?

1) Volkswagen R32 - $32,990
2) Infiniti G37 - $34,900
3) Subaru WRX STI - $34,995
4) BMW 135i coupe - $35,575
5) Audi A3 3.2 Quattro - $36,975
6) BMW 328x coupe - $38,100

When I was 22 I probably cared more about 0-60 times. Now, as long as the car has some real giddy-up (as all these cars do to various degrees) I'm interested in the whole overall presentation. I think the STI would finish 5 or 6 on my list. I'd take the 135i coupe first, (the R32 if I needed the hatch).

Harry says you forgot to put the Evo on your list, Cole.

True dat:

7) Mitsubishis Evo MR - $38,290

Oh yeah. The STI's navigation system can play DVDs. Can the others' nav systems?

Oh, you wanted an STI with a nav system?

Let me reprice that for you:

1) Volkswagen R32 - $32,990
2) Infiniti G37 - $34,900
3) BMW 135i coupe - $35,575
4) Audi A3 3.2 Quattro - $36,975
5) BMW 328x coupe - $38,100
6) Mitsubishis Evo MR - $38,290
7) Subaru WRX STI - $39,440

To quote another auto review site:

"The STI's interior is a travesty at the price. Someone (Subaru? GM? Toyota?) replaced the previous car's nice-for-an-econo-box plastics with crap. Crap whose crappiness is increased exponentially in full consideration of the STI's $40k price tag."

The STI must be the best one on the list, since everyone is such a hater. :-)

Which one of the cars listed do you own?

The previous example doesn't bump the G37 price up by the Nav price of $2200 for nav and $3800 for premium package bumps it up to $42k.

The STI is great for me. Personally I wouldn't get a VW, BMW or Audi due to reliability issues, you may have another opinion, which is ok. The infiniti? I needed a family car that could handle New England Weather. Now the Mitsu...perhaps the argument can be made I should have gotten that car, however it wasn't my personal choice and again, when driving I am driving one car, not one day to day.

I am not a hater..

This car is on the top of my list, and would be my daily commuter so I can enjoy it.

We all think the price is a bit high, that and we each have our gripes if we were to shell out that money. I like..love the standard 5 spoke rims, but would like Navigation. Why is the Nav packaged with the BBS rims.. I am sure they will split those packages for 09. Also, with the British STI 330s, boosting up the power, and making it more accessible in low rpms , they should make those changes for us. I have driven the STI, and in Sport sharp mode, it should hit hit peak torque lower in the RPMs. But please give it a bit more power. (STI 330 numbers if you can). Why can't Subaru make the Intelligent drive mode a real economy mode , reduce the power tremendously in the I mode. Cruise at 80 MPH, turn only 2000 RPM, turn down the turbo boost pressure. Should be able to squeeze out 32 MPG highway, and 26 city. I may be smoking something..but if I am shelling out that dough, and also convincing my wife that this is a practical family car, then I need some proof to back it up.

Love the style and practicality of the hatchback.
Looks much better in person, pictures do not do it justice.

I have a gut feeling the MY2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI will receive a power increase to widen the power gap between it and the current MY2009 WRX.

re: Dmac11, Ok...My hater comment was meant in jest. This seems to be the car a lot of people love to hate based on all the internet comments I read

I can appreciate the gripes and a lot of them are true...the headliner is not so good, the faux chrome pedals...cheap.

The MSRP is way to high, IMHO...at least I think it is selling at market value, which is really the true cost of a car from my perspective.

Major factors in my purchase...I needed a new car...I went to test drive the STI again just for fun actually...wow! wait? this time I fit in it, and the passenger's shoulder isn't touching mine, and wait, there is room in the back and wait...it is a really cool sports car to boot...and then my neighbor was able to hook me up with VIP pricing...done.

Perhahps some of the cheap feeling in the interior will pay off long term since if I use it as a daily driver, throw golf clubs in the back, haul ikea stuff, etc. Maybe it will handle the wear well.

I know that last weekend while out for a 5 AM drive (I wake up early on weekend due to my work schedule and go out since the family sleeps until 8:00) ripping down a wet broken pavement road, with all 4 wheels grabbing for traction was a great experience. I really like driving this car.

I am waiting for someone to hack the software to allow us to select Sport Sharp all the time, and like you said, dumb down intelligent mode to get great highway mileage.

A COBB AccessPORT may be up your alley, sbcooke. :o)

www.cobbtuning.com

Btw, Holy Schmidt that's a sweet photo! Hey, Kurt! Nice shot!

I like the photo too...which led me to re-read the original blog...

Notes on car issues
* No sunroof -?? I had a 95 altima with a sunfoof that would whistle on hot days and the dealer couldn't fix it. Finally my dad told me to try lube on the weatherstripping...it made a better seal and closed the leak...it required quartely maintenace. I would have opted out of a sunroof if offered.

* Ipod interface? Well the external jack is better than most cars and it offers flexibility, like plugging the kids dvd player into it ( I mounted the player on 2 of those kid cardboard blocks and a couple of zip ties...it was great for a road trip...and we could play the movie through the stero.

* The radio...just plain stinks. The "10" speaker stereo (there are only 6 countable speakers in the car..pretty lame subaru) is actually pretty good via cd or external input. I hook my ipod up daily and it sounds great. The radio though, leaves a lot to be desired.

* Bluetooth and satellite? Eh...as long as I can have my ipod playing...I am ok...I really don't want more in that space. I aleady have bluetooth with my phone.

* A stock compass would be helpful. I often vere off 2 highways to the NE for example...and need to get back without a map. I am not interested in GPS or Nav...I get that from my blackberry already, if I get lost...I just want to know which way I am heading, that is enough for me...I spend 5 min studying the map before I leave on a trip and wing it.

What I enjoy
* Driving the car. It is sweet. It is actually quite comfortable...in my opinioin
* how well it stops. Its stopping power causes blood to rush to my head and almost make me dizzy. Wow!
* The fact that it is a fairly roomy hatchback that I can drive to work, target, ikea, etc as a daily driver...absolutely fantastic.

re: cobb tuning.

Thanks for the link. Very interesting. At 1800 miles I am not interested in updates for the computer, suspension or drivetrain yet, but what they offer reads as very cool.

Thanks for the link

For vehicles with nav such as the long-term STI, there's a Bluetooth adapter accessory available from Subaru dealerships.

http://www.subaru.com/bluetooth/faq.jsp

Whoops. Wrong link.

http://www.subaru.com/bluetooth/index.jsp

You have to opt for a 2000 dollar navi system to get bluetooth?!

I think it's the same for the Lancer. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'll take the BMW 135i over this car any day. I think it's a car for a more mature driver.

"I think it's the same for the Lancer. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong."

The Lancer comes with bluetooth in the GTS model.. You do not need to get the nav to get bluetooth.

It is "hardwired in" in the lower models.

jahfakin -- I would take a BMW 135i or used M3 Coupe over this if I didn't have young ones. I like to see you take your baby car seat in and out of the BMW coupes..LOL.. Obviously the practicality and little less in the gaudy wings department, and huge hood scoops, helped direct the car to a wider audience. Also, if your BMW broke down, it would be costing us heavy to fix it. You probably do not live in an area where it snows much either..

Can't really compare the impracticality of a RWD, BMW coupe to an AWD STI wagon.. Find me a another fun to drive Stickshift wagon that does what this does performance wise for less then 33k.

Still waiting for those 09 changes for the STI. I agree with Subytrojan, they need a wider power gap between the STI and the regular WRX. But reduce the base price to 32k. Add 2k for Nav. It would clean up in this market segment.

Ofcourse the bluetooth, and mp3 aux jack should be
standard, shouldn't require NAV for that.

Someone explain why people insist on comparing this car to a 135i. In just about every STI thread someone pops up and says "I would rather have the 135i than this".

Ummm...it's not hard to figure out.

They're both "go-fast" sporty cars with a reputable/iconic pedigree for the same base price ($35K).

So people like to play the theorectical value proposition and say, "I'm sports car kind of guy and if I had $35K which would I spend it on?"

In other words - they're not really comparing the cars themselves so much as they're comparing the value, (ie "What do you get for your money.").

Everybody knows that one is all-wheel drive, one's a coupe, one's a 5-door hatch, one has leather seat sunroof option, one is a 4-cylinder boxer, etc. etc. etc.

Yes different cars.

But one feels like a good value at $35K and one feels a little bit like a rip-off in terms of it's quality.

The 135 is a cool looking car and in the same performance range...I can understand the comparison. When is the edmunds head to head comparo?

Yes, I get it, but I guess I don't see someone cross-shopping them. Then again actually making a purchasing decision may be different than just comparing them for kicks.

Thanks for the correction, dougtheeng! :thumbsup:

I agree about the cross shopping difference. I think the new softer look of the sti with the hatchback might not appeal to someone looking for a sportscar coupe. When I was shopping a 4 door was a requirement for me.

2008 Subaru WRX STI: Fast but...at least it isn't being disassembled in a dealership right now.

I just read the GT-R post. Holy smokes. There was a recall on the STI to get the fuel mixture reprogrammed, but nothing like that.

dmac11,

If I have $35K to spend and looking for a "sports car", practicality will be on the bottom of my list. Yes the STi has 4 doors, and can double as a family car. But I'm not impress with the car. Besides the go fast ability, there's nothing else to it.....IMHO the WRX/STi line always felt cheap, and always will continue to.

As for the BMW.....well it's a BMW, need I say more? As for reliability, I've seen many blown turbos and tranny from WRX/STi owners over the years to realize that no car is bullet proof. I've also seen enough BMWs on the road with over 200k+ on the odometer to have confidence in the brand.

Have those of you who don't like the car gone for a test drive? I test drive cars often for fun...and it might be worthwhile to go drive a STI, GX35/37, EVO or 135. I read so much of this internet chatter from people who don't have skin in the game.

Actually, I didn't go looking for a sports car, it found me. I was looking for a luxury AWD sedan/family car...I just test drove the STI and loved it.

Out for a ride today...I have gotten good with the clutch and short throw shifter. I only need to depress the clutch 1/2 way to shift and can rocket through gears seamlessly. I really love driving this car...And who has 35K for a sportscar...I have $400.50 a month :-).

I will concede that the softer STI is more for my target audience. Middle class, mid-life crisis type person who can justify a sportscar if it can fit the family. That doesn't bother me...it is awesome. Finally something perfect for me. Too bad if it is now not making the edges of the bell curve happy. Me right in the middle is loving it.

yeah I test drove it (co-worker has one)...it's fast, very fast. But that's about it. I was not impress. it's cramped for my 6'2" large frame and has the cheap feel of a $20K car. Even the VW GTI has a better interior. $35-$40 can buy you a lot of car.....the Infiniti G37 is another great buy in that price range. Not as fast...but I think you get more of a car.

This is what happens when you try to base a performance car off of an econobox platform and price it at $40k.

I'm glad people are finally starting to notice what I've said all along with these cars (STi and Evo). I think it took the $40k price tag for people to wake up to it. But the same issues were there with the original versions at $30k too.

sbcooke - you keep calling your STi a "sports car." Is it really a sports car? I don't think so.

A performance car, yes. A rally car, yes. A hot-hatch performance sedan, yes. A sports car? No.

I did some reading on wikipedia...It does qualify as a sports car from the basic definition, though they point out that "hot hatches" sort of fall out of the category. While an argument can be made for it to be a sports car, I concede...it doesn't qualify as a sports car.

Wow, bogus comment, Scott. I shopped every sports car in the class, and nothing even came close to the 08 STI in value for performance, which is why I bought one. I got mine at 2% under invoice last April using the Subaru VIP program, fully optioned less only the Nav, since I can get a far better after-market for far less $$. I think I paid somewhere around $35-36K.

Sunroof (rather, power moonroof) is available in the 09 STI, or at least it's available on the CDM version, which is already out, and reportedly on the 09 USDM, but we'll see, I figure Edmunds of all places should know that better than I... Personally, I don't miss it -- came from an Audi TT without one, and as a driver who values performance over gadgets, I'll take the added chassis stiffness over a hole in my roof. When I want sun, I generally get out of my car.

iPod integration is an available option. I believe I paid about $130 for it, the interface is somewhat clunky, but it's fully functional and works fine with the steering wheel controls, and I definitely got my money's worth.

With a 160GB iPod fully-loaded with music, I can't imagine why anyone would want satellite radio -- I mean really, you PAY for radio? Crazy. But it is available as an option, both Sirius and XM (moot point now, of course)

I don't care about Bluetooth in the car, because I don't use a cellphone while driving -- that's unsafe, remember? Especially if you're driving as hard and fast as the STI allows. But it is an available option as well, somewhere around $200 if I remember, and I'm told it works fine. Again, though, aftermarket NAV with bluetooth will always be cheaper, better, with more features, with just about any make and model of car. But a $2K Nav unit makes a nice fat profit for the auto maker!

Range measurement on trip computer -- see comment about gadgets, above. Can't see why you'd want one, but to each his own. Having taken high school math, I can figure out estimated range in my head, at least as close as I'd ever want to cut it. I find that just filling the tank when it's getting empty works for me.