Blobeye WRX & STi differences in experience and drive
19 October 2014, 07:07 AM
#35
Hello again boys.
I'm the guy that drove both back to back and opted for the WRX and it wasn't about the money.
The STI's ride is very firm and the suspension isn't great on the road TBH, the only aspect where the STI suspension is "better" is when your pushing the car reasonably hard, but that's not just the suspension it also has to do with thicker roll bars front and rear and spring rates.
The gear ratio's on the STI are shorter and poorly matched to the larger standard turbo, so you spend more time off boost and up and down the gear box during normal driving revving it to keep it on song, which is the main reason STI's are more thirsty than the WRX.
The WRX is definitely a much more daily use orientated car, smaller turbo, longer ratio's and softer suspension make it much more road and daily use friendly.
As everyone knows mine has the PPP and AP 4 pots ( better than brembo) along with uprated bushes and camber bolts all round so I can get a little more than the average geometry settings, so not exactly standard but not an STI copy either.
For daily use it's great but I can also use it on track, which I'm off to do once I have finished my coffee and this post.
I shall be "up rating" mine over time but that's not because I have STI envy it's because I think both are lacking in certain areas for my needs, the WRX has a little too much roll on track but is very compliant on the road, so next on the list is up-rated roll bars but like I say this is really for track use, The STI would be better in this department but horrible on the road going to the shops.
At the end of the day it's always going to be very subjective and down to personal preference but in summary I would say, neither is perfect off the shelf so they both require some adjustment, but I would say the fact that this will be a daily and for your mrs would lead me to the WRX, on the other hand if you like a pose have feelings of insecurity related to the size of your manhood yet still posses a narcissistic streak then STI all the way.
I'm the guy that drove both back to back and opted for the WRX and it wasn't about the money.
The STI's ride is very firm and the suspension isn't great on the road TBH, the only aspect where the STI suspension is "better" is when your pushing the car reasonably hard, but that's not just the suspension it also has to do with thicker roll bars front and rear and spring rates.
The gear ratio's on the STI are shorter and poorly matched to the larger standard turbo, so you spend more time off boost and up and down the gear box during normal driving revving it to keep it on song, which is the main reason STI's are more thirsty than the WRX.
The WRX is definitely a much more daily use orientated car, smaller turbo, longer ratio's and softer suspension make it much more road and daily use friendly.
As everyone knows mine has the PPP and AP 4 pots ( better than brembo) along with uprated bushes and camber bolts all round so I can get a little more than the average geometry settings, so not exactly standard but not an STI copy either.
For daily use it's great but I can also use it on track, which I'm off to do once I have finished my coffee and this post.
I shall be "up rating" mine over time but that's not because I have STI envy it's because I think both are lacking in certain areas for my needs, the WRX has a little too much roll on track but is very compliant on the road, so next on the list is up-rated roll bars but like I say this is really for track use, The STI would be better in this department but horrible on the road going to the shops.
At the end of the day it's always going to be very subjective and down to personal preference but in summary I would say, neither is perfect off the shelf so they both require some adjustment, but I would say the fact that this will be a daily and for your mrs would lead me to the WRX, on the other hand if you like a pose have feelings of insecurity related to the size of your manhood yet still posses a narcissistic streak then STI all the way.
19 October 2014, 08:30 AM
#36
Ditch, constructive post.
I don't just say that cos I own a WRX, but fair to say in summary to improve a WRX as an every day road car is adding to it, whereas to make an STI better for the same purpose is taking away from the very essence of the car?
I don't just say that cos I own a WRX, but fair to say in summary to improve a WRX as an every day road car is adding to it, whereas to make an STI better for the same purpose is taking away from the very essence of the car?
19 October 2014, 08:46 AM
#39
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19 October 2014, 09:41 AM
#41
And as much as I liked bright blue paint, gold wheels and mahoosive spoilers in my yoof, it's a bit old hat, council housed and violent nowadays
19 October 2014, 09:49 AM
#42
The roads where I live are rough, I think STI suspension would be too harsh for my requirements. Horses for courses I suppose.
And as much as I liked bright blue paint, gold wheels and mahoosive spoilers in my yoof, it's a bit old hat, council housed and violent nowadays
And as much as I liked bright blue paint, gold wheels and mahoosive spoilers in my yoof, it's a bit old hat, council housed and violent nowadays
some people have tried both
19 October 2014, 10:10 AM
#43
The Sti is the more hardcore version of the Impreza where as the Wrx is the more refined version for everyday road use,that's why i personally bought the Sti as i am more for the hardcore and it fitted more into my plans of modifying,if you are more a everyday road driver the Wrx makes more sense to purchase but if like myself you are more track focused there is only one choice that makes complete sense that being the Sti.I think that is where the problem lies as people purchase a Wrx and then want more power,so now they are in Sti territory,my advice just buy the correct model in the first place for your intended use and save yourself all the future heart ache and thought saying "I wish i bought the Sti".SJ.
.SJ.
19 October 2014, 10:13 AM
#44
to
or spend your life trying to convince yourself and others the wrx is what you really wanted when it wasn't
The Sti is the more hardcore version of the Impreza where as the Wrx is the more refined version for everyday road use,that's why i personally bought the Sti as i am more for the hardcore and it fitted more into my plans of modifying,if you are more a everyday road driver the Wrx makes more sense to purchase but if like myself you are more track focused there is only one choice that makes complete sense that being the Sti.I think that is where the problem lies as people purchase a Wrx and then want more power,so now they are in Sti territory,my advice just buy the correct model in the first place for your intended use and save yourself all the future heart ache and thought saying "I wish i bought the Sti".SJ.
.SJ.
19 October 2014, 10:31 AM
#46
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i dont get people saying an sti is the better base car for modifying. Doesnt that all depend how much you modify? i bought a wrx (and yes i wish i bought an sti) but the bits im currently upgrading will replace what makes an sti an sti pretty much anyway
19 October 2014, 10:44 AM
#47
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So to sum up:
The STI is the faster car
The STI is the more expensive car
The STI is harder to live with everyday
The question is, whether you put performance as a higher priority than budget and comfort.
There isn't really anything else to say.
For the record, I have done the STI thing and am now very happy with my near standard WRX, even with the 'crappy' brakes!
The STI is the faster car
The STI is the more expensive car
The STI is harder to live with everyday
The question is, whether you put performance as a higher priority than budget and comfort.
There isn't really anything else to say.
For the record, I have done the STI thing and am now very happy with my near standard WRX, even with the 'crappy' brakes!
Last edited by Gear Head; 19 October 2014 at 10:47 AM.
19 October 2014, 11:34 AM
#50
Standard power=Wrx,modifying=Sti,Simples.Why do it twice just buy the right model from the start to suit your use.SJ.
19 October 2014, 11:54 AM
#51
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So to sum up:
The STI is the faster car
The STI is the more expensive car
The STI is harder to live with everyday
The question is, whether you put performance as a higher priority than budget and comfort.
There isn't really anything else to say.
For the record, I have done the STI thing and am now very happy with my near standard WRX, even with the 'crappy' brakes!
The STI is the faster car
The STI is the more expensive car
The STI is harder to live with everyday
The question is, whether you put performance as a higher priority than budget and comfort.
There isn't really anything else to say.
For the record, I have done the STI thing and am now very happy with my near standard WRX, even with the 'crappy' brakes!
The STI is the more expensive car - Yes to fix, run and maintain
The STI is harder to live with everyday - Unless you are braking the law.
The STI is cheaper to insure - for me anyway
If I was into tracking cars or wanted 400bhp with reduced paranoia of components wearing or failing I'd get an STI.
I still believe 300bhp in a car weighing 1.2 to 1.4 ton is enough for road use. A few tuners have told me this too.
280 was fun in my WRX on the road, 330 is harder to handle. I can no longer give it beans in the damp or on corners.
I see no shame in replicas though if they are pretty true to the original. There's some stunning P1 and 22B copies.
19 October 2014, 12:03 PM
#52
Quote "I see no shame in replicas though if they are pretty true to the original. There's some stunning P1 and 22B copies."
Thing is , any P1 or 22B copy will be an STI in the first place based on the 2 door type r shell, and those two cars are fairly rare. Easy enough to pick up a new age STI, so don't see the point making a WRX look like one if you really want an STI.
Thing is , any P1 or 22B copy will be an STI in the first place based on the 2 door type r shell, and those two cars are fairly rare. Easy enough to pick up a new age STI, so don't see the point making a WRX look like one if you really want an STI.
19 October 2014, 12:07 PM
#53
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Although times and markets have changed there was a time when all these wrx blobs etc were bought new by people who clearly could of bought a sti that was a few years old but instead went with the wrx.
My brother bought a new wrx in 2003 and had no problem buying a new sti should that of been the car he wanted.
The best thing about the Subaru Impreza is it being a around road/daily car, the wrx does this best with sti having some compromise.
Personally I am willing to make that comprises and go Sti but still feel the everydayness of the Impreza over the evo was what gave subaru the bigger market and the wrx did this best.
My brother bought a new wrx in 2003 and had no problem buying a new sti should that of been the car he wanted.
The best thing about the Subaru Impreza is it being a around road/daily car, the wrx does this best with sti having some compromise.
Personally I am willing to make that comprises and go Sti but still feel the everydayness of the Impreza over the evo was what gave subaru the bigger market and the wrx did this best.
19 October 2014, 12:22 PM
#54
Yes carnut, if ours was solely my car, I probably would have gone for an STI. As the wife uses it daily for school run, commute, taking her nan to the shops on occasion, a little more subtlety and comfort over an STI was required.
Could we not afford an STI?, well, given that we've got four cars and three motorcycles between us, could probably chop them in and go buy a brand new STI no problem, if we so wished.
Could we not afford an STI?, well, given that we've got four cars and three motorcycles between us, could probably chop them in and go buy a brand new STI no problem, if we so wished.
19 October 2014, 12:48 PM
#55
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Not sure I agree with these comments that all the people who buy a WRX only did because they could not afford an STi. That's like saying to an STi owner, you only bought one because you couldn't afford a P1 or to a blue with gold wheels owner, you only bought that combination because you couldn't afford a proper rally car.
Very narrow minded view point, lots of people have different agenda's or requirements. We love our WRX, I did consider changing it for an STi this year but it's been the perfect family workhorse for the last 6 years so we kept it and I bought an Integra DC5 as well. When the Impreza dies or gets moved on, we won't consider an STi, we will look at WRX wagon or Forester as it suits our needs and not because I can't afford an STi.
Very narrow minded view point, lots of people have different agenda's or requirements. We love our WRX, I did consider changing it for an STi this year but it's been the perfect family workhorse for the last 6 years so we kept it and I bought an Integra DC5 as well. When the Impreza dies or gets moved on, we won't consider an STi, we will look at WRX wagon or Forester as it suits our needs and not because I can't afford an STi.
20 October 2014, 07:49 AM
#58
Typical woman.
The only real solution is for her to go and drive one and seriously consider if she can live with it on a daily basis, not just get blinded by the badges like so many do.
She also needs to consider whether or not she can live with around 20mpg, which is ok if you do bugger all miles but does start to hurt after the initial glow wears off as many discover.
It also depends how old she is and what cars she has had before as the idea of big spoilers, hard suspension and bright blue paint along with red badges
might appeal now but could get rather tiresome and attract the wrong sort of attention when she is alone in the car, which is something that is definitely worth some serious consideration.
Where as the more subtle WRX in black tends to slip under the radar a little more easily, especially the wagon.
The only real solution is for her to go and drive one and seriously consider if she can live with it on a daily basis, not just get blinded by the badges like so many do.
She also needs to consider whether or not she can live with around 20mpg, which is ok if you do bugger all miles but does start to hurt after the initial glow wears off as many discover.
It also depends how old she is and what cars she has had before as the idea of big spoilers, hard suspension and bright blue paint along with red badges
might appeal now but could get rather tiresome and attract the wrong sort of attention when she is alone in the car, which is something that is definitely worth some serious consideration.Where as the more subtle WRX in black tends to slip under the radar a little more easily, especially the wagon.