2008 Subaru WRX STI: Open Thread

STI > 135i:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naIbxy8DmDU

Enjoy! :o)

How about a blog entry stating the sales numbers of the STI (specifically, not Impreza overall sales) compared to the sales numbers of the Evo?

@subytrojan

I can say I saw a lot more STI than EVOs. Subaru, sold them cheap last year, way before Mitsu lowered EVOs' price in recent months. Smart move. Now Mitsu is still waiting to get rid of all their MY08 EVOs and skip MY09 even with pretty good incentive....

I like the looks of the STI as well. I've always been a big fan of hatchbacks -- almost all my cars have been hatches -- and those fender flares and fat tires make the car look tough and "not to be messed with."

What's the future of this car now that the WRX has upped its horespower to 265 horses but kept pricing under $25K.

The STI, with 305 horses and a small handfull of extra bells and whistles, costs a full $10,000 (that's 40% folks) more than the WRX.

So where does the STI fit in the line-up in the future? Possibly discontinued?

that is one fantastic picture.
i'd like to see some sales figures too. i saw one on the way to work this morning, but it's probably only the fifth or sixth one i've seen and i live in massachusetts which is subaru country.

Well, not having an STI to test, it' sort of like testing a car by being a passenger, and not the driver...

Having said that I'm in the unique position to having "alsmost" an STI by owing an '09 WRX. So most of my comments come from my WRX experience, which is probably good enough.

So here we go:

• As has been said before, the STI's cost vs. what you get is way out of wack. There's way too too much hard plastic in the interior, and not enough warm and fuzzy stuff found in competing sporty cars found in the mid-upper $30K price range. It's hard to believe that heated seats and moonroof aren't even on the option list—yet those features are standard on the Canadian-spec models.

• Subaru should bring over the hardcore spec.C model for those who insist on owning a barely street legal race car. So far, even in Japan, the current-generation spec.C has not been announced, but should be soon. When that happens, bring it over here as well.

• Recaro seats are available in Japan and elsewhere, yet can't be had here. Those seats should be standard on the STI.

• Since this is a turbo, a boost gauge should be standard (same with the WRX).

• The base STI should match or exceed the EVO in terms of track performance. That shouldn't too hard to do, as it's mostly a matter of tweaking few chassis items.

• Other items I want to see: Direct injection and a DSG transmission option. A digital gear readout reminder like that found on sport-shift automatics (reportedly on the 2010 Legacy GT 6-speed).

• I'd also like to see a luxury trim level offered. This would have more sound-proofing and comfort amenities. Not everyone wants a hardcore street-brawler STI, and this would address that audience.

To sum it up: The STI, as it stands is too expensive for what you get in terms of features and performance. That's why I got the WRX (Premium trim model). It's almost as sporty, yet offers more comfort features at a much lower price point.

Lastly, all Subaru models—in their entry-level models are generally considered to be very good values. However, the higher up the trim trim level, that "good value" benefit seems to disappear. I mean how can an STI cost almost twice that of a base Impreza, yet the interior and comfort feature level is almost the same? Or how can there be such a wide range in prices between the base Outback (excellent value) and the top-drawer H-6 Limited (not so great a value), when there really isn't that much difference between the models to justify the huge price gap?

How annoying is the understeer? Understeer is what kept me from buying the last gen STI.

Former '02 WRX owner and this is what would compel me to buy a Subie Impreza (STI or WRX)again:

Bring back:

1) Momo steering wheel
2) Boost Guage
3) 7,000 RPM Redline (WRX) & 8,000 RPM Redline (STI)

Add:

1) Better stereo.
2) Upgraded interior in STI / better plastics.
3) Better exterior styling!!!!!!! (bring back bugeyes?)
4) Recaro's in STI.

Delete:

1) Those clear plastic tail-light covers (Cheese.)
2) Trunk carpet used as a roof liner.

Also, I don't care about nav systems. I'll buy a $200 garmin for when I need it. I don't need the manufacturer system screwing up my use of the radio and paying over $1,000 for it.

P.S.S. - Subura, please improve the quality of your website. I love "building" cars on websites but I swear yours has actually gotten worse since I built my first WRX in 2001.

is the '09 WRX available with a sunroof?

Yes. It comes with the Premium package, which I have.

Also included in that package are heated seats, heated outside mirrors and a windshield deicer—none of which are available on the STI.

Plus, the WRX and the STI have nearly identical 0-60 and quarter-mile times. From what I've read, the Rex has a much more linear power curve that is much better suited to daily driving.

The STI offers the same performance as the WRX, has fewer options, and it not as easy to drive every day -- tell me again why I'd spend the extra 10 grand on an STI? So I could have pink letters on the grill?

I've got a feeling the MY2010 STI will get a power bump to increase the gap between it and the WRX.

For those who complain religiously about understeer, most of the time the turn is probably being entered too "hotly." Slow in, fast out...then work your way to fast in, fast out. :o)

Describe the drivetrain lash on this? Do you get a minor bucking/surging when you let off the throttle in-gear? How does the shifter FEEL when selecting a gear....bolt-action, knife through butter, like you are pushing a metal rod through the syncros? What's the power delivery like from 2000-3000 rpms? Smooth and progressively growing? A little rough with minor surging?

Joe

Here's a question for all the Edmunds editors:

If you you had to spend your hard-earned money on a vehicle—to be used as your daily driver—which would you pick and Why? STI? EVO? 135?

Keep in mind, this would be your do-it-all car. Which would you pick?

^^ I ask this because that's what we (normal car buffs) are confronted with. We don't have the luxury of a garage full of extremely cool rides to pick from like Edmunds editors do.

It's your money. You gotta pay for it. It's got to fill all sorts of roles, yet it still has to be fun and rewarding to drive. What do you buy?

I don't mind the looks of the new STI. I honestly like it more than the previous STI. I hate that they did away with the wagon and replaced it with a hatchback though. I've a '05 9-2x and wouldn't mind upgrading to a new style STI if the price was right aside from the fact I'd be cutting my cargo capacity in half. I have two dogs and need the room back there.

rsholland - There's a guy near long island selling a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT 5-speed. 55,000 miles. $12,900 now in probably 7-7.5/10 condition.

Mods include: Cobb Accessport port with custom pro-tune, full exhaust upgrade, upgraded intercooler, upgraded bypass valve, heavy duty clutch and lightweight flywheel & short shifter, upgraded brakes...

Full coilover suspension and assorted chassis upgrades, 17x8 rota wheels running brand new 245/40/17 hankook ventus rs2s, upgraded audio system to accept aux in, two aftermarket gauges (including boost), custom mounted scanmaster...

My point behind this is: I'd probably go for this right now instead of a 30k new car.

Joe

I think the problem a lot of people have with the 08+ STI is that it has changed from what it was. It’s no longer the boy-racer in-your-face style of car. Sure is has bulges and scoops but it looks sort of pedestrian. I normally like a pretty car, still like pretty cars actually but I’ve got kids and yes you can make a sports car work or if you have money you can get a nice 335 sedan or similar to do the job. But a lot of us don’t have or don’t want to spend that money or get tired of having to make the sports car work.

At some point you need a practical car but you still want something fun, something fast and oh you live where you get some occasional snow and dealing with snow tires is a hassle. I’ve owned my STI for a few months now, if you had told me I’d have an STI 6 months ago I’d have laughed at you, “the thing is ugly, are you crazy?” I would have said. My next car was going to be a Camaro SS or a used M3 coupe or something similar. Well Subaru offered a great deal and you know what? The car doesn’t look half bad in person, the seats are comfortable and it’s quick (especially after a stage one flash, best $650 I’ve ever spent). And you can actually carry stuff in it. I just installed a new exhaust and was able to take the OEM one home with me, couldn’t do that in an Evo. Installed all-season tires (yeah I know) and brough the summers home. I took a whole mess of old electronics to the recycling center along with my son, couldn’t have done that in a sedan.

Subaru does need to make some changes like they did with 09 WRX. Bump the power with an ECU flash, put stiffer sways, endlinks and springs on, put red taillights on and tighten up the steering are the top things that come to mind.

Bottom line is you can have a family, or dogs or go skiing, kayaking, or whatever and not be stuck driving something that blows from an enthusiast standpoint. Anything that gets me out of my wife’s mini-van more is well worth it, ugly and all.

I think Edmunds should make a request, see if they can try out an owner’s car who has done some basic handling and power mods and see what you think then. You really can improve the car alot for around $1,000.

It'd be nice if they offered Recaro seats in the WRX as an option much less the STI. And the auto dimming mirror should be standard equipment on the WRX premium pkg. Keep in Mind the Mitsubishi Evo GSR does offer the Recaro seats.

It'd be nice if they offered Recaro seats in the WRX as an option much less the STI. And the auto dimming mirror should be standard equipment on the WRX premium pkg. Keep in mind the Mitsubishi Evo GSR does offer the Recaro seats.

What would be nice if you guys keep the car abit longer then normal and start doing small changes to the car. Take a pool of what things you wish were better and then look at the aftermarket to see if that can fix the issues you have. But the key here would be to still make the car a daily driver so that way you guys don't go crazy.
So I would suggest:
Engine Tune (Cheap way to add power)
Sway Bars (Might make your leaning and pushing problem go away)

You should try to keep the changes small and cheap and see if this helps what you guys think of this car. The STi is a car that has alot of aftermarket options so it would be nice to see if you guys could maybe guide the ones that own the car to maybe make it abit better.

Subaru STi: Jack of all trades, Master of none.

Subarus are known for their quirky AWD cars that are safe, reliable, go anywhere, do anything and with their Turbo models, are fun to drive for a reasonable price. And let’s face it, you don’t need to spend $40k to buy an STi. If you can skip the Nav which isn’t that great to begin with you can easily buy one in today’s economy for a little over $30k, or if you were lucky, $28K with 0% financing for 63 months.

Sure, it’s not the prettiest car in the world, especially if you don’t like hatchbacks. It’s not the fastest. It’s not the best handling. It’s not luxurious. Nor will it replace a minivan.

But it is interesting to look at with all it’s muscular bulges and the hood scoop. It’s a fast car and handles well, especially once you figure out the DCCD settings, get a better alignment, and change to max performance summer tires instead of the mediocre Dunlops that came with the car. With snow tires with it’s AWD it will handle just about any whether condition short of a blizzard. It is nice looking inside with well placed gauges and Radio/HVAC controls, even though there’s too much hard plastic. And it will haul you, your wife, 2 kids and a reasonable amount of your stuff on a daily basis.

Not bad for something that you can autoX or take to a HPDE in stock form.

Now, if you feel like being masterful, being an STi the world awaits in mods available to make this car go, stop, look and handle better. Significantly better.

If it only had a nice set of Recaros. Oh wait, you can get those too.

@jasond52

Actually, the letters are red. :)

The STi is still faster than the WRX. It does take one more shift to get to 60mph because it's a 6spd vs a 5spd in the WRX, but most road tests still put the STi faster 0-60 even with the extra shift.

The STi gets, in addition to the 6spd and engine, over the WRX, Brembo brakes, DCCD (center diff), front and read diffs, better/lighter suspension components, some extra structural bracing, 18" wheels, bigger tires, Leather/Alcantara seats, and HIDs.

The STi is only $6305 more than the WRX Premium (granted, the WRX premium gets a sunroof, useless foglights, and seat heaters) I would say the extra stuff is worth the premium.

The 'STi' badge looks cool too. :)

Sorry, not 'read' diffs, 'rear' diffs.
There should be an edit function!

Cherry Blossom Red, to be exact.