As an STi7 owner who has come from a MY99 with bump stear mod, I find the handling of the STi7 much more throttle adjustable. I believe this is due to the Suretrak diff and therefore would expect the same difference between the Sti8 and MY03WRX.

I would also agree with a previous comment that PPP makes the STi7 into an animal. Infact I think I need to arrange some driver training so that I can handle it properly.

Alan

 

DBY,

What dealer did you use as you seem to have got a good deal.

Tony

 

Tony i did the deal back in jan with sparshatts of botley at that time the wrx03 had only just appeared in the mags and they had not had much interest so were keen to do business and i had no px paying cash.I gave them £2500 cash deposit and waited for the 1st march for delivary,when i picked the car up the salesman had left and i was seen by somebody else who commented that they were no longer doing deals like that! when i asked him why he said that the car was generating a lot of interset and they did not have to do deals like i had got, whether this is true who knows best of luck.

John

 

Just to go back to the 6 speed gear box, unless someone can correct me, as I understand it, the closer ratios will allow for quicker acceleration in the same way as Jap spec RA's (?) and the like. Only here there is a 6th gear on top of what is in effect a close ratio 5 speed box, so that you don't have to sit on the motorway with the engine screaming at high revs.

If I've got it wrong say so, but I'm pretty sure that's the deal.

 

Jonathan

The dealer told me the same thing last Summer when I got my 02 WRX; get the std car and fit the PPP. Said it made a much nicer, better balanced car for UK roads. They also said (along with Mike Wood when he rang me), that the BHP figures would be pretty similar. The only STi7 I've had a play with, couldn't lose me.

Cheers

Mike

PS Nice to see you may be coming back to the "Fold".

 

Have to agree wholeheartedly with that - the limited drive in an 8 taught me what throttle adjustability actually was. Hoping, due to the same diff being in the rear of the WRX (apparently) that the wrx will do it too

 

Going through the same questions ...
STI has a great feel about the whole package - suspension, 6 gears, 4,000 rpm upwards is soooper, etc.
WRX + PPP will be more relaxed to drive distances, less obvious to other drivers, more low down torque, arguably more drivable on a day to day basis.
Performance - I guess in real terms on the road - not that much real difference - probably depends on how you want to feel in the car - racer or understated ...

For me, the WRX with PPP has it ... on paper at least ...!?<confused>

Steve

 

earlier in the threads someone quoted that sti ppp would hold better value than wrx ppp. don't think so, ppp on any car will only hold the price of any car over a standard one, up to a cetain mileage . that depends on if it's been looked after, and would you buy a car with say 40k on it and possibly more than 2 owners ?. must say though wrx coming soon with ppp to be fitted at later date. sti very nice but just toooo nickable or i'll put a dent in it for a laugh . sorry but been through it with previous cars .

 

"Bounce" - Wot bounce??? My 7 doesn't!! If you want the edge STi/PPP has to have it in all respects. Question is.... is it worth the extra. My ranking in ascending order of desirability...
WRX > STi > WRX/PPP > P1 > STi7/8PPP. Note, cost not factored in!!

Phil

 

Oh I forgot..so to answer in the new style of the BBS...
No, you ferkin idjit ***** poncy doofus (*&(*£&%(&^***!!###! The WRXPPP is not a better car! The STI is! Go hence and renew your subscription to Uphill Gardeners Weekly!
Cman

 

Scoobycar60

Have to reply

Remebering Ive also owned both an STI 7 and UK300 PPP I have some experience.

BUT

The PPP on the new WRX seems a class above the old PPP. Its got more power and torque. Doing an overlay of the WRX PPP shows it to be the car to have power wise. At 3000 rpm youve got 70lbft more torque and 40bhp. Thats an area a lot of people use. It takes untill 6000 for the STI to catch up. Even at the red line the power difference is minimal. PLUS you have a lighter car.

So if you buy an STI you might just be embarrased by a WRX, esp exiting roundabouts My biggest beef with the STI 7 was its driveability. On the Motorway at 70, put your foot down in 6th and a Fiat 127 could outdrag you. Sure I know how to drop a few gears, but theres some days you want the car to just pull in top.

Brakes wise: Ive certainly faded brakes, but on the track only. Stamping on the brakes will only mean the WRX behind you leaving its mark on your bumper

The suspension is a tough one. Certainly personal. I felt on rough B road the WRX dealt with the road better and rather than keep headbutting the roof, you just got on and drove quicker.
On track I have no doubt the STI's set up will be better.

Jonathan

[Edited by Chins - 3/13/2003 7:25:49 AM]

 

The version 8 I now have feels so much better than my old 7, feedback through the steering wheel is vastly improved and whatever has been changed suspension wise has made a considerable difference to turn in and high speed stablility.

Power wise - I'm running it in but I am convinced that the car feels more pokey, ready to take off. I will report more on that when its run in.

All I can say is the Wrx must be one hell of a car if you expect it to live with a Sti.

 

Chins perhaps you should try a PPP`d STI

 

I've owned both a MY02+PPP and now an sti7 (standard). I know the new ppp kit will be an improvement. On driving them back to back, the sti feels quite a bit faster (probably due to shorter gearing) but in real terms the on road difference is probably not as great.

For everyday usability the WRX ppp will be the better car, no question. But for when you want to play, the sti is the better car. This is not necessarily to do with power, but more its harder set up and agressive diff. The wrx is a safe understeerer.

On a b road blast the sti is a hoot, the wrx is also but not quite as much. On a daily commute the wrx is better.

I would go for the sti for road presence alone (or posing) but you decide.

 

I read in last weeks Autosport that Tommie Mak would like the WRC subaru he drives to revert back to a five speed box as he feels that it is better suited the the cars new characteristics.Talking of suspension the WRX 03 model has revised dampers and modified suspension pick ups along with an increased track of 20mm to improve ride and handling over the old model.They have also revised the engine specifications with lighter valve springs and sodium filled valves, So although it is not an sti for the money its a very good package especially when fitted with the PPP.

John

 

Jonathan,

I'm amazed that you even bothered to post this. Knowing your car ownership habits I'll be very very supprised if you don't end up buying the STI, getting bored with it afer a couple of months and swapping it for the WRX for another couple of months.

Go on you know life's too short not to try them both.

Roger

 

Sorry should have said.

My STI 7 has PPP

Are you comparing a standard STI8 or a PPP STI8 with a WRX PPP

If no PPP on the sti 8 Fair comment then.

Frankly it is an unfair comparision IMHO, The car is completely strangled by emissions legislation, I wouldn't bother buying an 8 without PPP

If ever a car needed the PPP it is the STI7/8

If you say a my03 wrex with ppp is quicker than an sti8 with ppp then someone must have done their sums wrong IMHO

Ross

 

Ross, there's no way the WRXPPP would be faster than the STIPPP, but it might be a "more suitable" car for what Chins wants? Depends on your priorities really.

But it'll never be faster!

 

Dunno about that Nick...I've yet to go all out in my 8 as still low miles..but if the suspension proves too harsh it could well be slower point to point than the 'better' B road setup the WRX PPP comes with. I can say as an example that the 22 is a great fun car, but ultimately the suspension puts a cap on how quickly/how commitedly I would drive it on a bumpy back lane...I'd say I'd be faster in our old MY99 PPP down some roads I know.(Then again it may just be the costs associated with an 'off' that are slowing me down LOL)
Regardless the 22 is more *fun* than any scoob I've driven..and that's where it matters for me...and where the STI wins over the WRX for me too.
C

 

Very true.

Roll on Saturday . I pick my 03 WRX up then!

Will have to persuade Rum to have a play. And also persuade my good lady that PPP is a sensible option. The insurers mentioned 80 quid extra...
Cheers,
NIck.

 

Old_Fart
I Know what you mean cross country on really cruddy B roads the Sti does tend to bob about a bit, slippers can twitch the car about
a bit too, however I still think I would be quicker (if a bit more committed) on most B roads too, especially if I switched off my sanity mode button

 

Nick!
Enjoy picking up the new one mate.
Perhaps you should join Rum and I at the Cat?!?

Mossman

 

Maybe I am biased, maybe I am an old fart, but surely what it is all about is working out what you actualy want. Me, I have a MY02 WRX Sti ppp. I bought it as ex demo for the same money as I could have had the MY03 prodrive style (Days at Chelmsford let me play). Why, because it drove IMHO how I wanted a car to drive, it's handling is superb, it's acceleration was noticebly faster and yes the lights are crap, and the brakes need different pads... yes and it tram lines and a bit bumpy on **** roads.

Try driving some other perormance cars and you will be surprised. All I can say I have driven and owned lots of performance cars and I reckon I have the best copromise I can get. **** off a shovel when I need it an full tractability, 6th gear in a 40 limit? No probs, need to change down if you want to pull away fast but so you would in a Cossie or a Dino.

It will pull (like I wish I could on a Saturday night) from 2750 rpm to 6500rpm - no worries. Why not have a look at the prodrive web site. 0-60 4.6 secs, 0-100 in 12.2 305 bhp and 299 ft lbs.

If the MY03 is similar go for the "rampant rabbit" version with duracel batteries, not some limp substitute.

 

LIMP SUBSTITUTE!!!

are you for real

whats limp about 0-60 in 4.8 secs.

i've got a my03 wrx with ppp and yes i could have paid another 5k for an sti.
but this car is perfect for me, a pleasure to drive 95% of the time in and around traffic and a great buzz through the lanes etc. in the few decent chances you get to play.
i think both models are great cars and we buy them looking for different things. LIMP they certainly aint, better looking than the fugly they are.

IMHO of course.

 

Just to bring this thread BTT.

I thought I had made up my mind, WRX + 1000 miles then PPP.

Today have done a back to back test drive with the STI (neither PPP). I am now not sure as I loved the the drive of the STI, actually thought the WRX seemed a bit soft afterwards. I realise that the WRX will be better 85% of the time but that othr 15% is when it really matters.

A lot of serious thinking now has to be done. Bonus is the missus has said that she prefers the STI (she thinks the seats will not be as comfortable on a long journey but she can always stay at home!).

 

Jonathan

Kid gloves off

Your well off the beam mate

You dont buy a Subaru for the comfort of a long distance cruiser, if thats what you want buy another Beemer but make it it diesel next time, better residuals

My mate has a PPP UK300, we swap cars on occasions, he LOVES mine and is frantically saving his pennies for an STI8 my honest opinion of his, soft and over rated, its not as quick despite your comments and push it into a couple of roundabouts hard and it understeers like crazy and thats with those 18 inch rims.

Suspension works better on the Sti brakes ARE far far superior, if you have never experienced any brake fade on a Wrex you cant be driving it very hard, blimey on my old MY01 3 High speed Stops in the fast lane on the M1 and my brakes were going all soft and warpy, feeling not ispiring any confidence at all.

The STI has more presence on the road but any little herberts out there will be just as likely to key/attempt to nick either car small or large scoop, its all the same to them.

Second hand year for year you will always get more for the better spec of the STI As the price differential has dropped a lot more STI's will be bought, frankly the standard Wrex will struggle as the poor relation on the s'hand market IMHO

so there you have it there is no excuse for picking the inferior option.

I may be just a tiny bit biased though.......



[Edited by scoobycar60 - 3/13/2003 12:03:23 AM]