...so I'm not going to spend this blog post comparing our 2008 Impreza WRX STI to either our Evo MR or our crack infused Evo GSR. I didn't drive it at some race track, nor did I risk life, limb and career driving it at 11/10ths on one of the widely available, nearby curvy mountain roads. Instead, I slogged it to work in traffic. I cruised it to the donut store and I raced it home to make it to the bathroom in time. Normal. Everyday. Driving.
Right, on to my impressions.
It makes good, useable power. The turbo gives it good grunt, but the low redline is a total buzz kill. Since the motor doesn't sound even remotely stressed near redline, you've got to keep an eye on the tach or you'll bash (and I do mean bash) into the rev-limiter. Like I said though, the motor delivers a fair amount of pop, so you don't need to tach it out to get past the masses.
The shifter seems situated a bit far back for my taste, but the long, upright shifter lever gives that rally car feel to every shift. I dig it. What I don't dig is the clutch. It's not too heavy, just vague. I don't care for the short stroke of it either.
I'm not going to delve into the nav/stereo interface because it's been done again and again. And no, I don't like it either.
To keep this from turning into a full review, I'll cap this with the handling. Like I said before, I didn't flog this thing around a track, so I found it's handling to be just fine for daily, mildly aggressive driving. The steering is a little numb, which I didn't expect but it is pretty accurate. It also feels tuned to understeer, but that's fine for the street with all of its irregularities. Trust me, you can still make some time in the STI regardless of the less than razor sharp handling. It's sure-footed and confidence inspiring.
I can't say I'd buy one, the price is just too high for my blood, but it's a cool, quirky little rocket. It definitely deserves a look if you're in the market for a hot hatch with a little money to burn.
Kurt Niebuhr, Photo Editor @ 20,286 miles
clarkma5 says:
09:07 PM, 03/19/09
That picture makes it look absolutely gorgeous. I've loved the new STi's look since the day it was released.
Overall it sounds like the STi is a disappointment to you guys. I think that's totally fair, though I wish it were better. I wonder how much of its mediocrity as a road car ties into its focus as a competition homolgation special for off-road racing (a totally different animal from road driving that requires a totally different set of compromise) and how much of it just comes from Subaru's inability to properly dress up said homolgation special for the road. My guess is that it's roughly 50/50.
kyolml says:
09:07 PM, 03/19/09
I don't know why people hate the new STI so much, but not the old one. Edmund.com even said this one is better than the old one right? Why don't you guys say something about the EVO X? I think it is wrong for a new car being slower than the EVO IX in most circumstances, as least this STI is faster than the old one...
billt9 says:
10:47 PM, 03/19/09
we hate it because omg is that an Infiniti EX35 advertisement picture right next to this post's picture? Wow the EX35 looks like the same body style but a lot prettier... oooh... aaah...
blankfocus says:
04:42 AM, 03/20/09
I like the look of this car too... if it has red tail lights.
It looks amazing in that pic!
coletrickle says:
06:05 AM, 03/20/09
I think Josh Sadlier's observation that of all the cars in the long-term test fleet, the STI and Smart are the two cars that are almost always available.
Edmunds paid over $39,000 for this iconic 300 hp econobox and the editors would rather drive a Honda Fit or Cadillac CTS.
cervelo says:
07:05 AM, 03/20/09
coletrickle - just out of pure curiousity - what kind of car(s) do you drive?
coletrickle says:
07:19 AM, 03/20/09
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser TRD.
2008 Volvo XC70.
2009 Volkswagen GTI, (4 Door).
The GTI is my favorite of the bunch (and the cheapest by far).
The wife drives the Volvo and it's a good car.
I bought one of the first bug-eye WRX's in March of 2001 and loved that car. I still kick myself for selling it.
blueguydotcom says:
07:22 AM, 03/20/09
09 WRX is a better car for the money. You'll save a grip of cash and it performs nearly as well - with tons of room for tuning. About the only downsides to the WRX - no 6 speed or xenons.
tsy says:
09:07 AM, 03/20/09
@blueguydotcom
Yes, but you always pay a lot more for just a little more performance. Base 911 to GT2- more than double. Even base 911 to an S, $30k. Similar but not as bad with the Corvette. And you don't even get more inside- just the same interior.
Even the 328i to the 335i is quite a jump in price.
But I agree, the new WRX is a great leap from last year, and you really don't lose much by not stepping up to the STi if it's your DD. But you do lose something. :)
tsy says:
09:09 AM, 03/20/09
Wow, finally! A not incredibly negative post! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
cx7lover says:
12:36 PM, 03/20/09
09 WRX is great until the engine blows.
bschai says:
02:55 PM, 03/20/09
Is the STI that bad? I have been following this blog and it is almost like complaint after complaint.
"is it worth 10K more than wrx"
"Evo is better"
"Steering is numb"
"Understeer"
"Sedan looks better"
These comments seems to be repeated over and over again.
I admit these issues do exist but covering them once or twice (here and in the review) should be sufficient.
Long term test should cover areas that a short term review doesn't cover.
e.g.I think yeah subaru price it too high. But A lot of the people bought the 08 STI with that 6000-8000 off MSFP with 0% So that 10K difference command doesn't directly apply to actual situation.
I think a lot of the blog entries here are from the performance criteria.
If this is a long term driving blog. Then a more daily driving criterion should be used.
The percentage of time you driving this car on track (or agreesively) in a long term is very small compared to daily driving on city streets.
The sole focus on speed , performance make this long therm blog too biased, I think.
threader says:
10:39 PM, 03/20/09
I'll be glad when Inside Line team gives back the keys and ends their long term suffering. Seems this car is certainly not worth your high praise. I've seen lesser cars get fairer journalistic treatment.
stihatch says:
09:59 AM, 03/21/09
I agree with a lot of the negative comments. I have an STI. But the STI with only a few after market change will become the most amazing car. Great turn in response, More usable power and yes even better fuel economy. Unfortunately that's not how it comes off the showroom floor.