DBY

Ian ross you are quiet right, PPP is just the start I have MY03 WRX and soon found the standard brakes and suspension to be hopless when rearly pressing on (vehicle has never been on track)

mods so far

PPP
18 Prodrive PFF7 wheels
Prodrive quickshift
Prodrive Lowered spring kit
Godspeed 335mm front cross drilled grooved brake kit
Godspeed 290mm rear cross drilled and grooved brake kit
Front and Rear braided lines , Ferodo 2500 pads DOT 5 brake fluid

Whiteline Anti lift kit
Whiteline solid drop links
whiteline rear anti roll bar and uprated mountings
Powerstation geo

STI front bumper and corner splitters
STI side sill spoilers WRX side skirts look like flat planks of wood
STI fog lamp covers.

I love this car to bits and it now goes round corners as it should and now stops properley as well, yes when I come to change again I will defo get the real deal next time. However I would like to thank all those people that have gone before me in helping to sort the car out IT's cost a fortune!! LOL.

John

PS I do think it's a total disgrace on Prodrives part that they do not recommend to up grade the brakes which are borderline at the best of times.

WRX PPP 261 bhp 294 mm front brakes
STI standard car 261 bhp 330 mm front brakes

WRX PPP rear brakes 290 mm
STI rear brakes 300 mm

Climbs off soap box

Jason Knowles

ive had both 04sti is quicker all round,stops better,corners better aswell you cant compare the two has anyone got any details of both cars on the same track at the same time

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

Me thinks not, I drag raced my mate who has an 04 STi with approx 8K on the clock against my 04WRX PPP with 3K out of a roundabout onto a motorway, and it was dead even all the way, even though his engine should have been more run in than mine. Also as a previous post stated, go get a WRX SL and you add a little class to the cabin and get your bum heated in the winter. Oh, and not that there opinion matters much, but evo magazine gives a WRX PPP 5 stars but the 04 STi only 4.5 stars, go figure.
Craig

merlin71

The WRX is lighter than the Sti too.

Jason Knowles

what about the handling of the two my03wrx even with the prodrive springs was just not a match for 04sti on the same bits of road/large roundabouts etc the sti is just so much better.AND IT STOPS

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

It really depend what you want from the car with your style of driving...

In the 4 scoobs I've owned, I've driven 50,000 miles in my MY98 Turbo, 100,000 miles in the MY00 Turbo PPP, 50,000 miles in my 03 STi PPP and I've already done 2500 miles in 3 weeks I've had the 05 WRX (ppp not added yet).

The STi PPP was easily the most focused drivers car in the way it went, turned and stopped, BUT became a bit wearing when I wasn't commited and just wanted to get from A-B.

I'm very impressed with the 05 WRX SL although I miss the snap acceleration especially when looking to overtake (hopefully the PPP will liven it up), but the increased comfort makes up for it on a long run.

I'll probab,y add the Prodrive springs and the Prodrive brake conversion for the extra control and stopping power, but as a complete package for 90% of my driving the WRX has it over the STi.

If I only did 10,000 miles a year it would be a different story.

merlin71

/flops 10 inch dick out to win the argument.

pmsl

gareth60

Hi all,

Performance aside, I had a fair amount of trouble getting a decent insurance quote for my Sti with PPP when I decided to change companies this year. With the added agro and additional cost, it did make me think (was it worth the £2000???)

Just my 2 pence worth.

Gareth

Jason Knowles

just one more small point car was bought from cheam motors 04sti for £21995 next comment please

GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

I can really relate to what you're saying Gareth, I had a lovely 03 WRX PPP which I bought brand new. I had it 18 months and 14000 miles. My ONLY qualms with it were the soft handling, oversized steering wheel and crap brakes. I put Ferodo DS 2500 pads which improved braking, and had Prodrive springs which were good, but didn't cure the leaning on bends at highish speeds. I let these problems bother me daily, especially the soft handling. I should have put droplinks on,(whatever they are) as advised here on Scoobynet, but instead, I went in a hurry, test drove an Evo 7 FQ 300 and bought it within a week. Exactly as you say about your previous STi, it was superb to drive when committed, but when I am tired (quite often), it's hard work. Its a full on car, it tramlines constantly and need to be driven with full attention always. Now here's where you can help me! I want to sell it and get either a 2005 WRX or 2005 STi. Daily, from morning till night the thoughts are in my head, which one should I have......i'm test driving both next week and i'm VERY interested in seeing how the WRX 05, with its revisions, has improved over the 03/04 versions. I'm also thinking the STi won't be as hardcore to me, because ive got this Evo 7, and going from that to an STi maybe what I need! How do you find the steering and handling round bends in your 05 WRX? I may go for this one due to financial restraints, I can get an 05 WRX, on the road with 6 months tax, £16,600, EU Import, UK spec. Gareth, is the STi THAT full on in comparison to an Evo? I want the car to corner quickly, be nice, smooth and fairly quiet on motorways, have excellent brakes, and be able to enjoy driving it quickly or slowly! The WRX had 95% of this, but my head keeps saying 'try STi, try STi..........'

virgin

yep same here

Chris Barn

I had a classic then the first Sti Type UK. Loved the classic, hated the Sti. onlt kept it six months and swapped for a diesel Merc........

Back in the fold and have ordered a WRX SL PPP, lots of miles with tools in the boot means an Sti is not a good everyday car. Plus I hated it on a track day that i Did, very fast but boring as hell, more fun can be had in a rear wheel drive car. If the last 1/10th of a second to get home is that important to you then the Sti is for you, but if you do this everytime you take the car out you will probably die.

If you want a bit of speed with a bit more luxury buy a A3 1.8T Quattro, but you just don't get that 'Oooohhh' Feeling when pushing on.

PPP WRX SL is a good compromise for everyday use and for a little over £20K is still the performance bargain of the moment.

Tiredeyes

I have got my first scooby 2 months ago
10 m old with 10K on cloxk.
53 plate black sti.
it is the best car ever.
i have had 9 different cars this year !
mustav had 50 different cars in my life.
this is perfect for a 33year old with 2 kids & wife.
large boot. can be driven sensibly, but then when out on own......
Whooosssssssshh, plenty of fun.
i do think if you do over 10K a year tho, maybe a wrx sl ppp would be easier on the spine and ****.

GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

Just responded to an ad in Top Marques, 2005 revised WRX EU Import with 3 year/60,000 mile Subaru Warranty (except breakdown cover), £16,795 on the road, including 6 months tax. He can also get the PPP done at Mainland European prices, around £1200. Its got inverted struts and revised steering, so with a set of prodrive or similar springs, will be a better drive than my previous 03 PPP. Not forgetting a nice small steering wheel, whatever was that large wheel for on 03/04 cars?????

Got to sell my Evo 7 first, maybe I should wait till after Christmas, or should I sell now?

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

Greg, I've not driven the Evo, or the new 05 STi which I understand has the SPEC C suspension setup (await to be corrected), so I would have expected the 05 to be a bit more focussed than my old 03. If you are used to the Evo I would have expected the STi to be be better ride - in the same way a WRX is to the STi.

My WRX doesn't provide a sharp a turn in as the STi but its hardly poor but in some ways the car seems to work with you, rather than having to take the STi by the sruff of the neck.

The WRX is deceptive quick, rather than explosive, you need to keep checking the speedo as you don't register the speed - with the STi you felt it through the seats

Jonesy

Just test driven a 53 plate sti with PPP and prodrive springs. Jesus. Quick is not the word. Although I must be mad, now I'm hooked and considering this. Someone persaude me it's bloody mad. I do in excess of 20 k per year so is it going to cost me a fortune to run? Insurance alone is going to cost......6 points you see. Decisions, decisions......................

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

No its not mad, it's understandable, and yes it will cost a fortune to run.

To give you an idea - I worked out that the running costs per month, including repayments, fuel, service costs, tyres, insurance and tax were in the region of £1300 -£1400 per month over the year.

AR

PPP WRX SL is great but mine is a wagon with metallic, springs, 18" wheels, ISOFIX child seat and car phone = £25k after discount. Not that cheap but nice!

Jonesy

Pick up an 04 STI PPP on Saturday. Good to be back

Engineer@Uni

Wow this post really is picking up steam. I'd like to point out two things:

1- 330 cross drilled front brakes are alot bigger and a lot more effective than the 294s the wrx has. And the 05 version has new suspension, which the WRX doesn't.

2- What only one gentleman noticed and posted, and what I believe is a massively underestimated item as far as driving is concerned, are the diffs. free differentials cost next to nothing and they cost an arm and a bloody leg if they are limited slip (LSD) . The WRX gets one LSD at the back, and the STi Gets 3! A LSD at the back, a helical (in contrast to the subaru traditional Suretrac) in the front and a variable one in the middle, that alters torque split up to 50 times each second from 50/50 to 35/65 to control yaw! Thats one hell of a load of technology gentlemen! Not something to be snuffed at.

I have really had it up to here with subaru drivers that can't get over the obsession with drag-racing. Surely, if you have one of the worlds most renouned rally-bred machines, Santa Pod is really the last place you should be checking out it's output. If straight line is your cup of tea, a WRX PPP will not only out-pace a stock STi but it will also have less turbo-lag due to a smaller turbine. If you're serious about B-roads (or idealy, worse than B-roads...) then there really is no question. STi every time.

-Antonis

Foxmod

Plus the STI looks alot like this : -



Dave

notsofurious

Nearly got an STi but

1. Couldnt live with gold wheels...tackeee
2. The ironing board on the back weighs to much and only impresses 8 yr olds

WRX PPP is just that bit more subtle, but then I am getting old...

changed the springs on the WRX though, a bit too soft and high. Now with Eibach springs she handles much better and sits nicer.

mightyyid

Slightly incorrect point here - the Sti has a throughly revised suspension while the WRX does has some suspension revisions carried over from the STi, which from my experience does make a difference. I remember test driving an STi 04 model and feeling it was good but not great and not as good as I would have liked. Now my MY05 WRX SL has the PPP fitted, I much prefer the better ride that the MY05 gives versus the harshness of the STi.

It's a bit like buying a Mini One or a Mini Cooper. With less cash, you cash easily tune the ECU to give exactly the same spec as the Cooper on the One, but there are other ebenfits and drawbacks. That's what we have. Sti is more hardcore and has a certain 'following'. WRX is more the bog standard car but equally adept at many things the STi does, and perhaps in the real workd, driving of A-B and sitting in traffic jams is a nicer place to be, espicially in SL guise.

All depends what you want. PPP has made all the difference in my mind to date (even though it's only been fitted three days) and brings a good package to a great level and meets my general requirements.

Have fun finding out....

SirFozzalot

Good Choice!

CarMan

Sorry to wander slightly off subject but does anyone have an informed opinion about which is best: JDM STi or UK STi PPP (both 2001/2). They seem similar prices.

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

Without being condisending toward Antonis, the choice of car is not just about the engineering that goes into it, otherwise there would be no market for UK Scoobs, and we'd all be driving the JDM Spec C until next week when the new one comes out.

Its about finding the right car for your personal needs. As I have mentioned, I've driven over 200,000 miles in Imprezas in the last few years and as an overall package the 05 WRX PPP is a very difficult package to beat if you are a high mileage driver, or strapped for cash. The difference between it and an STI (whatever spec) is (for most of the time with ordinary fast road use, with "joe public" driving) negligable.

Fine, if you must have the ultimate in performance then the STi is the way to go as a starting point, but given the choice, for everyday use and the running costs involved, the WRX PPP wins hands down.

Unless you are an exceptional driver, and prepared to take the risk of losing your licence, or take the chance of causing a serious accident, the STi (in all its forms) will out-perform your abilities to exploit it on a public road - the WRX has the capabitity as well - so under the majority of conditions it becomes an academic arguement.

If 10/10 ths of performance is your goal, fine STi here I come, but for a practical option the WRX takes it.

Gareth
PS I only went the WRX route originally cos the finance was prohibitive on the STi -it turned out to be the best move I ever made !!

Jonesy

Picked it up today. 04 STI PPP in blue with Prodrive springs, mudflaps and grey original WR1 wheels (asked that the gold ones be changed). Didn't really want the huge spoiler or bloody great scoop but once I had driven it I decided I didn't care. BTW I have an eight year old and he was impressed with the spoiler

-------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by notsofurious
1. Couldnt live with gold wheels...tackeee
2. The ironing board on the back weighs to much and only impresses 8 yr olds
-------------------------------------------------

alwong

I changed my bugeye wrx for an 53 STI PPP and preferred the sheer peformance when needed. The PPP makes it easier to drive and easier to drive around time. (More responsive)

I dislike the gold alloys but can't afford to change them.

The wrx had the better ride comfort for long distances and fuel consumption is somewhat better.

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

The diffs might sound all fancy and expensive, but Subaru took me to Knockhill circuit in August to thank me for my recent purchase (MY 04 WRX SL PPP, 18" PFF7's, STi spoiler, Prodrive Springs), but unfortunately the track was fogged in (August?), so track instructors/ Prodrive test drivers took us for 3 lap runs, WR1 and STi just understeered horribly into most corners, Gordon Shedden (Track instructor and Seat Cupra R Championship driver) had a WRX wagging it's tail through and out of every corner, so I'll leave the diffs.
Also, if you are as you state in your name, at uni, you'll still have to learn that low and hard is fine for tracks, as soon as it gets onto B roads with poor surfaces or onto single track, then it gets even a little wet, it pays to have suspension that is supple that can lean into corners and feel what the car is doing, hard suspension just deflects and sends you from the intended direction.
Craig (Honours Degree @ the School of Life)

hades

Which of course ignores the fact that the STi as standard has a MUCH narrower power band, so is much easier to get caught in the wrong gear and be slow away from tight bends or whatever. Also, most B roads tend to be bumpy, at which point the softer WRX suspension can sometimes help. Either car will easily get you into license losing and/or dangerous situations. Therefore, it's down to who is prepared to push it most, who is the better driver and who knows the road - all will make much more difference than STi vs WRX PPP.

I do accept that with the same driver on a smooth(ish) race circuit, there is no question the STi will win every time. The STi will be faster if you drive it hard and use the diffs, better brakes etc to full effect. The WRX PPP will be more relaxing, softer, easier for everyday use etc.

There's also the argument that if you want ultimate raw pace - get a caterham, or if you need 4 doors, an EVO or a spec C rather than an STi. On the flip side, if you want everyday comfort with reasonable pace - get e.g. a 330i not a WRX. It's down to where you want to make your compromise. . . .