Subaru Impreza WRX STI: Ride Optimization

Really... can the STi do anything right? For this kind of dough I would expect a center armrest!

This just in: The STI is a rally car homologation, not a minivan. I'm not a fan of this redesign (think it's ugly), but if you had encountered anything BUT a terrible ride in the backseat of an STI, I would be shocked. I'm not trying to say your post is stupid or anything, I understand to point of this blog is to write down your thoughts on the cars, but a lot of these STI posts just seem to be stating the obvious. Wow, the STI isn't comfortable on long road trips. Wow, the STI doesn't handle as well as a 911/GT-R/R8. Wow, the back seat of the STI isn't comfortable. How about telling us something we don't know already?

@carguy

at the risk of sounding like I'm defending this car, which I definitely wouldn't buy, it can be had for under 30 grand. Still not worth it, but I think people should really consider what a people are actually paying for the car instead of the MSRP.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/875416?highlight_key=y&keyword1=sti&lastpage=1

Of course the reason it's selling so cheap is because nobody's buying it, probably for the reasons this blog has been covering extensively...

It's good that Edmunds has been giving a thorough view of the STI. However, it's getting obvious they dislike it for what it is.

I sincerely hope the Evo, GT-R, Challenger, Camaro, and others get the same types of tests. Will those vehicles fare as well, better or worse? Stay tuned....

I think I'd rather sit in the rear seat of the STI than the much-revered (and extremely cramped) 135i any day of the week.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/03/2008-bmw-135i-i-can-sit-behind-myself.html

How the 135i's rear seat is found acceptable (see post) and the STI's rear seat gets pissed on is beyond me. :(

spacewilly, to get an idea for what a car typically goes for, I use carsdirect.com. Not gospel, but a guideline. I find it more reliable than what someone said in a forum.

According to them, the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Base 4dr All-wheel Drive Hatchback is going for about $35K. That's a lot of money. That's Taurus SHO territory. :)

I don't get car sick but every time I sit in the back of a STI I throw up.

I'd rather sit in the Evo's rear seats.
Look at the pretty and comfy evo rear seats.

everytime i look at an evo i throw up. (sorry, subaru fanboy reaction.)

"How the 135i's rear seat is found acceptable (see post) and the STI's rear seat gets pissed on is beyond me. :("

135 is a coupe, STI is a sedan? I guess for a coupe, the 135 seats are pretty good. For a sedan, the STI seats are not so good?

I haven't sat in either....I'm just trying to offer an explanation based on what I've read.

"135 is a coupe, STI is a sedan? I guess for a coupe, the 135 seats are pretty good. For a sedan, the STI seats are not so good?"

Did you look at that photo in the link? If so, there's no way you can come to the conclusion that "for a coupe, the 135 seats are pretty good." The 135's rear seat area is flat out lousy, coupe or not.

If you're comparing the rear seats of the 135 to the rear seats of a 911, yeah, I'd agree; but otherwise, the rear seats of the 135 are 100% a penalty box.

"Did you look at that photo in the link? If so, there's no way you can come to the conclusion that "for a coupe, the 135 seats are pretty good."

Well, the photo doesn't show much of the actual seat. However, Riswick commented positively on the 135's backseat space compared to the G37, Gen Coupe and 370Z.

I've not sat in the back seat of either, so I'm just reiterating the information presented in these blogs.

I would say if you're nauseated sitting in the back of the STi it's a function of the driver, not the car! If you're not driving like a maniac then sitting in the backseat of the STi is just like the Impreza. If you're driving smoothly in "I" mode and people don't know anything about the car, they don't notice anything. That is, until you put it in "S#" and floor it. ;)

It's quite roomy for a compact car. And plenty of headroom because it's a hatch. It has much more space than the 135i (It's hard to fit back there, and even harder to get back there!) but you would expect that from a 4 door hatchback.

@blankfocus
LOL. I just can't get over the wing. Ditch the wing for a nice lip spoiler and it becomes ok.