spot - on - the sti actually costs less to run than my old wrx

 

Anyone actually gone from a WRX PPP to an STI and not liked the new car (or from an STI to a WRX and not liked it)

Call me a cynic, but virtually everyone is staying 'my current car is much better, cheaper, smoother.....blah, blah, blah', well surprise, surprise

 

The WRX PPP will give the same straight line performance as the Std STI together with a softer, lazyer ride in a "diesel-esque" kind of way

The STI is a significantly better car being more "hard core". The STI is not an WRX with a bigger turbo.

If you like driving there is no comparison - STI every time. If you can see yourself in a big diesel eating up the motorway miles then go for the WRX PPP. It is a good compromise.

 

well surely you wouldn't buy a car without driving it and therefore deciding you liked it better?

 

Hi Jo,

I've had a WRX PPP 03, and an STI PPP 03, and the STI did all the things I wanted the WRX to do. The 6 speed gearbox is and feels better, the handling far more surefooted with a lot less bodyroll than the WRX (I had Prodrive springs also on the WRX). Better braking-Brembo's, better acceleration, better engine, better/nicer seats, bigger turbo.

Still, I did love my WRX PPP, but it never felt quite as solid on the road as my STi's. I now have a JDM STI, the best Scoob I have ever owned, and it's standard.........for now!

 

abc - the WRX had hardly any lag when I test drove it - STi was totally different

and thanks Tidgy, but I don't want a modified one (other than PPP)

 

Try em both and buy the one you like best !!

Must admit i had assumed that PPP'd cars always came with Prodrive springs. Is that not the case ?

I have an Ecutek'd 01 WRX with 273bhp, Prodrive springs, Whiteline ARB and droplinks. Figured it must be about the same as a PPP'd WRX and so could argue in defence of the WRX PPP, but my car's by no means soft'n'lazy and is not much like a diesel !!

 

So why buy the one you're moving on from in the first place . Should've tested them both and bought the right one first time. My point is that most people don't seem to have. They seem to have had one version (usually WRX) then harp on about how STI is the only one to get

 

sti with ppp every time i got mine with my 1000 service and never looked back 6th gear no problem your driving a impreza for god sake

 

Whilst I agree with most of your post, have to pull you up on this one. If you want to mod the car further, get a standard STi, not an STi PPP. The main advantage of the PPP over cheaper and more powerful aftermarket exhaust + remap setups is that you keep the warranty. If you're going to mod further and lose the warranty anyway, no point paying for the PPP.

 

No - the springs are a separate mod and not part of PPP.

With 273bhp (assume exhaust as well as remap to get that?), plus springs, ARB and drop links, your car should be noticably better than the PPP. Also remember the 01/02 PPPs initially used a piggyback ECU and only gave ~245bhp, it was only later that they got the ECUTEK remap and ~265bhp.

 

"Better" depends on what you want. The STi is indeed more "hard core", sharper handling, better brakes, extra gear ratio and more tuning potential. It also costs a lot more, has in many people's opinion an uncomfortable ride (personally I don't mind it, but many do), and (in non PPP form, especially around the '02 models) a very narrow powerband where not a lot happens until nearly 4k rpm and it starts to run out of steam not long after 6k rpm.

STi's are still less hardcore than some other cars that are better to drive (arguably some EVOs, let alone e.g. Caterhams etc). The STi is a faster, more driver oriented car than a WRX but still isn't a true raw road racer with no practicailities (think radical etc). The WRX is softer and a bit more like your run of the mill saloons, but still is much more of a "drivers car" and less comfortable / practical etc than most "normal" saloons hatches (say Audi A4 TDi). Ultimately, most people buying cars have to settle on a compromise between driving pleasure and costs/practicalities/comforts, and the two cars are at slightly different points on that compromise scale.

 

Interesting.

Re exhaust -"yes"

 

As everyone seems to say the STI has a worse ride can someone answer the following please:


"I know that MY05 onwards WRX's have inverted struts as standard as per the STI but are they exactly the same set up - ie same spring and damper rates ???

Just wondering as it is always stated that the STI has a harder ride than the WRX but my 05 WRX didnt seem any less firm than the 06 STI I drove (although I admit was only around town)."

 

I don't believe the set up is the same, but I haven't driven a post 05WRX. It's definitely true that the pre 05WRXs had a softer ride than the STi's. Not everyone would think it was better, but it was different and less firm.

 

the original sti ride was a little harsh. i changed to eibach springs then eventually on to the full T25 AST handling package (as seen on 5th gear tonight) now the car handles

 

How much was that Pip ?

 

I'm test driving a WRX PPP on Wednesday, and re-testing the STi PPP, but I think I've made my mind up !!!!

I currently drive an S2000, and I have a Caterham (part of the reason for changing the S2000) so a hard drive doesn't worry me at all - in fact I hate driving "soggy blobs" as most modern cars seem to be !

Does anyone have any experience of New Car Dealer, Buy New Cars at Used Car Prices AllBrandsNew ? They seem to have new STi's for the same price as ex-demo's.... imports I assume.

There are 2 black sTi ex-dem's for sale around here, but I think they're overpriced - any ideas on realistic price?

STi PPP 55 plate (pre-reg?) 06-type car, 9.5k miles on sale for 24,500
really worth about 21/22?

STi 06 plate with about 2k miles on sale for about 23k
really worth about 20/21?

Thanks !

 

Are you single ?!

 

check the group buy section - expensive but well worth it

 

Dreamer_girl, I have just ordered a new STI From Allbrandsnew, They are eu imports from Malta, I can't fault the service so far, answered all my questions about warranty and service schedules and they are willing to strike up a deal. They can't really move on the price but I got them to up there trade in value on my RX8 and throw in a Cat 1 alarm. I have paid £21600 for the car due on the 21st.
I did a lot of research on buying a euro import first, the dealers couldn't get within £3000 of the import price and couldn't get me any colour other than Crystal Grey. The dealers hav'nt got the 07 model yet and nearly all of the 06 models have sold, besides you don't get the free fuel/£2500 pounds off list price with the 07 model.

Chris.

 

Thanks Chris - what's the difference between EU Import, and UK car then; my dealer told me a Cat 1 alarm was standard with the UK STi, so are there more differences?

 

No Alarm,
No Mats,
No Locking Wheel Nuts,
More warranty on certain parts.

 

Wot Gaz - no mats !! What a bloody con !

 

Not driven an STI, but I have driven both a WRX PPP & a WRX with a custom Map

Obviously, if warranty is an issue, a WRX PPP is the way to go, however having driven a customer mapped WRX recently, the custom mapped WRX appeared a lot more aggressive when putting your foot down

Difference in power 271bhp as opposed to 265 (not much granted)

NB – The WRX PPP is the same power output as a standard (Non PPP) STI – bare in mind that PPP demands a higher premium when buying the car

I’ve been struggling with what model to opt for sometime now, as my intention is to modify & map whatever car I settle for, but as you say this is not your intention

 

Upholder of the Law,

Reckon you should go for an STi since you want to mod it. Gives you more options due to gearbox etc that can cope with the xtra power.
Having said that, I'm entirely happy with my remapped WRX !

 

 

 

I'm having an "off" day today

 

No offence intended in any case. If I was right, then what you do on your "on" days is pretty worthwhile.