2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI: Parting Shots

Scott: too bad the new staff flushed that magazine down the drain and it is now no more.

So STI or EVO if you have to live with it everyday?

Iam sorry to see this car go.

But please, can we get a CTS-V?

The STI was nice, but I really want to know how a Genesis Coupe 3.8 holds up.

Now that that's gone, how about we get a Volvo XC60. I don't think you've ever had a Volvo in your garage...

With the thousands I saved over MSRP plus 0% financing for 63 months, I can afford to make any suspension changes that I might desire. My previous car, a 2007 MS3 cost me only $200 less than the STi, and I got the MS3 for $1,500 under sticker. One thing that bothers me about Subaru is the complaints I've read about with owners having voided their warranty (doing next to nothing to mod the car). Stock HP is fine, but if a tune can both improve HP and mileage, I can't see why it also immediately voids the factory warranty. I like the STi's looks, its practicality (we travel a lot during the summer), and its performance.

sriracing, For me, the STi 5 door hatch meant it was a much more practical vehicle than the EVO.

I want paulvincent1 with me next time I go shopping for a car!

so, pv1, why'd you drop the MS3??

Yes! Pleeeeeeease get a Volvo XC60 on your LT fleet. Don't tell me you're going to get another BMW or Infiniti instead.

bkochuk, My 2007 MS3 GT was totaled out (no injuries for anybody). I really liked the MS3, and I had a chance at a very good deal on a 2008.5 MS3 GT (no special financing though), but the STi was a better vehicle at the right price and time. I had always wanted all wheel drive, and I think the STi is the best looking of the hatches, so it only made sense to buy the STi. I would recommend the MS3, but at the same time, it is not the equal of the STi (except for mpg as I could easily get 30-31 and hypermile up to 37.5 mpg). A significant difference between the two is the clutch feel and shifter action; the Sti is light years ahead of the MS3. Plus, if I want to mod, the STi is in a different league than the MS3. Also, if the Ford Focus RS would have been available (at the right price), I would have given it a close look and great consideration before getting the STi (yes, I know that it's FWD only).

To sum it up, the improvements to the standard WRX have made this thing irrelevant and overpriced. And it's ugly.

I would love to see Edmunds get a WRX Premium, as the dollar-to-performance ratio is much more favorable. Heck, if you've got two long-term EVOs, this isn't that far off that line of thinking.

Get the WRX 4-door sedan, if you must have something "different," even though I'm not a fan of that body style.

I'm glad you reviewed this car long term.

A good choice because many people could actually afford one of these.

Very informative especially because you had an EVO to compare with.

Now we know the Evo wins.

Hmm, the commenting system ate my original post, so let's try again...

The "Parting Shots" feature is a great idea. Why didn't anyone think of this before? (Although you should've included Subytrojan this one time as an honorary commenter.)

I think the current WRX is an even better choice for a combination of decent performance with everyday livability. Overall, it's a much better value than the STi.

Oldham's talking about an old Sport Compact Car Magazine where they spray painted a first gen STi flat black and ditched the wing. One of my more favorite issues--still have it.

I like the parting shots, nice addition to the long term fleet.

Jacking it up on a sloped/angle driveway?

so, pv1. since the MS3 is no longer your fave, do you wish you had held out for the WRX?? you could have had a sunroof...

and can the MS3 really get that good of MPG?

finally: stereo evaluations, please.

@bkochuk

no one would buy an WRX if you could buy the STI the same price. He said the MS3 cost much the same as the STI. I traded in my WRX for the STI for the same reason. Much better car by any mean for the same price.

The only thing is this STI better than the old one....Vote?

I meant" is this one better than the old one"...Sorry

kyolml-
I had an 05 STi for about two years that I purchased new. After a brief affair with a DSG Audi TT I went back to an 08 STi. I feel that in just about every way the 08 is better than the 05. The 05 seats seemed to have better lateral thigh support and the intercooler water spray was kinda cool. Other than that the 08 is a better and faster car at least in Sport#. Now if I could only afford a GT-R

New car better than the old car, but people think it's not as good compared it to others... Competitions got stiffer. They need to bring the Spec C and put that 2.0 liter boxer engines back in the STIs here (8K rpm and better drive train components, etc.)

bkochuk, Yes, the MS3 really was that good on mileage, although it took about 7500 miles of more meager mileage to get there. As for the sound systems, the STi has nicer features, but since I'm half deaf, I really can't judge the sound quality. As for the WRX, the only feature it has that I'd prefer over the STi is less curb weight (but I've already reduced my STi to 3300 lbs with more to go). I'm not a fan of a moon/sun roof (I've had them in every other car we've had but the STi and MS3 for the last 18 years now and never use them). I can't emphasize enough how much cost figured into my purchase (I had every intention of buying a Ford/Mazda product but no 0% financing with a huge sticker discount was available for Ford/Mazda at that time). Unless you'd get 0% financing, you cannot buy the WRX Premium at my STi cost, and to buy the stripped WRX at sticker (with current financing) it is almost exactly the same dollar figure as my STi. In the spring of 1995, a Chicago Mazda dealership had a $14,000 advertised discount on new '94 RX7s (Touring). That's right, $42,000 for $28,000. R2's had a good discount too, but not nearly as much. I got the Touring model and have it to this day. My STi discount wasn't that good, but it was enough with 0% 63 month financing and zero down.

thanks paulvincent1.

so to summarize: the MS3 is a blast to drive.

the STi is a blast to drive.

choose based on cost (I tend to buy lightly used)?

what kind of mpg do you get with the STi?

bkochuk, Best so far is 25 mpg, but I've only got 4,800 miles on it, and I'm hoping it will improve a bit (while stock) with a few thousand more miles. Also, it is all too easy to get only 18 mpg around town and less than 25 on the road. As for buying slightly used, your best deal would be the MS3. Realize that maintenance on the MS3 will be less than the STi (especially if you intend to keep your STi in warranty). The MS3 had a recall for an engine mount as well as a reflash, and I had a tire sensor go out, but other than that, it was trouble free (wait, the blower motor once kicked out during some high spirited driving in AZ, but it came back on without anybody doing anything to fix it).

I say this car makes a great road trip car. Just drove my wife's from Colorado Springs back to Pewaukee, Wisconsin today. 1,100+ miles and my butt is in pretty good shape. It is a great car, very comfortable and we love the hatch. If we had taken my 07 STI I would have been in a lot worse shape, the seats in mine suck for more than 100 miles. We did get our 08 for cheap to be fair though or we wouldn't have bought one.

bkochuk:

I have an MS3 with 37,000 miles on it. I've averaged @23 mpg since I bought it new in July 2007. I had to replace the LF strut and the turbo before it hit 26,000 miles. The car is good-but definitely not great-to drive, and I would not buy another one. That said, I know that there are a lot of very happy MS3 owners, so I guess it's simply a matter of personal preference...