I own an 05 WRX with ppp which gives same bhp as a standard sti, 261. Yes it doesn't have the trick diff , bigger brakes, 6 speed box, ect, but that probably makes it slightly lighter and in a stright line drag quicker?
Different matter on the twisties but my talent runs out long before the power of a wrx so for me an sti would have been a total waste of money.

 

Passing observation but If the STi has better suspension, why do they suffer the same shock failures as the WRX?

 

Shuuush, they don't like to admit it's quicker where it counts,

P.S, don't mention the faster spooling turbo and longer gear ratios.

 

I think all the blob onwards STI's suffer with crap suspension, where as it's mostly 05 onwards WRX that get the knock as that's when they changed it, my 54 plate wagon is on 100k and no suspension knock.

 

Lol
Didn't want the sti folk feeling too ripped off. Lol.

 

Better is VERY subjective as it really does depend what you want the car for.

Yep and there's the rub.

The only thing about a 6 speed that is "Better" is that it can take a lot more power, and your right the brembo's aint all that.

For those of us that just want some poke and overtaking ability but would like to retain out kidneys and not drive everywhere looking like Carlos Fandango in a Chaved up monstrosity a lightly modded WRX makes perfect sense and saves quite a few quid too.

My Wagon was a cracking deal just over two years ago at £4k with AP 4 pots PPP and a set of springs all round, as a quick ish daily that can still return 28/34 mpg + it was perfect for my needs, and a much nicer place to be than a garish, back jolting over rated chave chariot.

OK now that i'm used to it and I'm out here in Croatia and everywhere I go is twisty as **** with no cameras an very little in the way of police presence, it's been found a little wanting in the handling department, which is something i'm currently addressing, average tyres don't help either, but it will still wipe the floor with most things and disappear off into the distance with very little effort, mind you there are a few hondas and a couple of clio's that would give it a very hard time once moving, but they are all lowered on coilovers and there's only about 2 roads they could do that on so i'm still ahead of the game.

I've said it before but i'll say it again for the benefit of the newbs, 8yrs ago the difference between the two was quite a lot, but 8/9yrs on with knocking suspension, seized brakes, tired/ failing gearboxes and dirty day glow interior and worn bushes etc,etc, the STI is not the smartest of choices add to that the advances in the tuning department and parts availability and there really is very little to chose between the two, as out lined by quick and me on numerous occasions if your a serious modder your better off starting with a WRX because chances are you'll change EVERYTHING, AND end up rebuilding the gearbox too.

 

all this wrx v's sti's is really starting to get on my ****

subarus are/was rally cars , so people wanted them to drive /act like one

if you wanted a toned down version that's where the wrx comes in to play

if all of you wrx owners was single/no kids etc etc you would buy a sti ( would you not)

stu

 

Why would "sti folk" feel ripped off when lowly wrx owners like yourself circle around the for sale section waiting for the parts STI owners advertise for sale.....Ask the Breakers on here why they dont buy stock WRX's but would buy a Stock STI all day everyday....

 

Oh I completely agree. If I was single, no kids and still lived with my mum with no mortgage to pay, the STI would be my first choice. But thats the point, it's a choice! A lot of members on here have grown up, got a lady, had a sprog and bought a house, so spending all their spare cash on an STI doesnt make sense when there are bills to pay, holidays to and go on and of course, those expensive little creatures called kids! So to Dad, the WRX ticks all the boxes.

People grow up and their priorities change. This is where the WRX comes into play.

I would love to no the average age of WRX and STI owners.

 

iv got kids , house , partner etc etc

Maybe it's all the wrx owners that have a a big thumb print on ya heads

and you need to ask the gf/partner/wife if you can spend a little money on the car only to be told NO ;-)

get some ***** and go buy a sti and put up with the crap from the misses , it will only last a day or two
then pass your bike test buy a bike and get on a lads holiday on them
the **** from the gf/partner/wife will only last a week or two ;-)

stu

 

Yes I'm just a lowly wrx owner and total happy with my wrx which will remain a wrx without any sti bits.
Tried both and found a my wrx 300 which is bit over a basic wrx and a bit under the sti which suited me.
Each to there own, lowly or not.

 

I think you have been miss informed....The UK 300(if thats the model you have) is a WRX with a couple of visual differences, the under pinning is the same as a WRX.....and its not a bit under an STI, its miles away.

 

If you knew your imprezas its a WRX300 which is a limited addition 05 blob with ppp and a few other cosmetic bits. Same bhp as standard sti of same age.

 

Yes sorry, I know nothing about Impreza's.

 

interesting thread......bookmarked to see what I can learn

 

Apples for apples clearly.

As said there are clearly some circumstances around why one would by the WRX over the STI which has been pointed out in this thread, and many times over in other threads. But the clear point is tag this is an enthusiasts forum, and most folk, and I mean "MOST" folk modify their cars in some way. Usually budget prevents the purchase of an STI out right in the first place, but then as funds become available their cars start to evolve into what an STI is as standard with STI parts (mentioned above by 53's post). I understand that young guys and girls struggle to insure the STI, and some folk only use the WRX as a school run, 2nd car, slow project, or simply because the wants a Scoob! But at the end of the day the out of the box the STI has better parts.

If someone asked me which Blobeye to buy with a 8k budget, I'd ask what they intend on doing with the car, if it's was to commute to work or school and keep standard then I'd tell them to save their money and buy an STI, but pretty much all other answers depending on age I'd say STI.

The amount of threads based on my next comment are so common, but this specific one is true to the fact I owned the car. Guy buys car, starts modding it slowly away, gets more power our of the standard lump and realises quick the brakes need upgrading. Then pushes more power and engine fails. Engine rebuilt with forged internals with supporting parts, and turbo now out of puff, puts new turbo on and now gearbox under strain so fits 6 speed, now car pushing hard and turbo gives up and fits larger billet, car now pushing so well clutch gives up blah blah.

Most folk aspire for 400bhp out of a newage as a stepping stone, and the newage STI has all the capabilities with a few changes as standard. Even the clutch if in good nic can take 400/400.

Rob

 

Incorrect, I paid more for my WRX when I had 2 kids than I did for my STI when I had/have 3.



Genuine question, what is it that sells so well from an STI?. I can't think of a single thing I have bought and fitted that is available on STI models but not on a WRX. The only positive I can see apart from the box are Brembo's which I would only consider an upgrade as they came from a heavier car so would therefore stop my lighter car better if that makes any sense. I may get them, but that depends on what is available for a similar price at the time.
Look at Tubbs, I believe he upgraded his Brembo's to Ksports.

As said STI's come with parts that cost a premium, but in reality aren't the parts that people actually want to upgrade to (6spd not included).
It would be interesting to see 2 project threads from different owners, one WRX, one STI. Take the price difference at the start, let them both mod their cars to how they want them then see the price difference. I'd lay good money the WRX owner spends less.

If there wasn't anything to debate between WRX and STI on price and performance then these threads wouldn't pop up every 5 minutes.

 

I think there's about 80kg difference between the two cars (Parkers), equates to about 18bhp, more air drag on the STI and a power/spool robbing catted up-pipe on the WRX. Take that off and the STI is really embarrassed. Also the TDO4 spools far quicker than a VF35?

STI wins a drag race, the 3rd in the WRX is too damn long. Quick dash to 70 and the WRX every time, providing the revs are up on take off.

I did a 13.7 in a WRX at 96mph! To test the 3rd gear theory my 200m speed was 88mph!

How much would it be to put a shorter 3rd in the newage WRX and make it a RS4 killer?

 

Ive run with both Ksports and Bremobs, the Brembos had PF discs and pads.......If I was to do it again, I'd choose the Brembos...

 

......but you have a classic so the parts bin from a newage STI isnt as great as it is with a Newage wrx.

 

For my WRX I bought STI pinks £80, STI TMIC £200 and a TD05 £70. Now I have power to justify the long 3rd, I wouldn't want the 6 speed box as I can't change gears for toffee and nearly always hit the limiter! The 5 suits my "auto-esque" style.

I've also got genuine STI Skirts, spoiler and vent for less than £200. Fair do's an STI gives you the window of 360-450 but after that I guess most STI parts have to be changed.

 

Guys seriously STOP with the bitchfest and the ***** waving. I'll have to get an admin to close the thread if there's any more fanboy posts. No offence but i wanted information not your opinions!

 

It must be Sunday on Scoobynet

First and foremost the WRX is a nice car

However, it is not a performance car to the extent that an STi is . Don't confuse power with 'being as good as'. I notice you asked for a list and proceeded to ignore the one I posted. Power power power lol...

If you revisit my brief and not exhaustive list you will see that an STi is about performance engineering, longevity and delivering sustainable performance.
The WRX has this but it is limited to it's reduced performance and product placement in the Subaru line up and is not rectifiable by simply changing 'bhp' parts to get past 261bhp

Brake fade, charge temps, steering response, dynamic cornering, airflow, lateral stability of the drivetrain, grip, track width, exhaust expulsion, Aero, boost power band, map substance, fuel delivery etc etc etc...

To ignore this shows a great arrogance and disregard which is probably why power numpties blow their WRX's up or just resort to ebay tat either glued or bolted to their 'pride of joy'

Comparing a WRX retrospectively to find out what you're missing is fine, but using it as some sort of appeasement to your deliberately less engineered Subaru is just pointless and should only allowed as on Sunday Snet entertainment.

 

How much more info do you want?

This topic has been covered as many times as Dump valves! So contact admin and get it locked, its no loss..

 

this post answers most of what your asking? plus forged pistons, sodium filled valves, avcs heads etc as said the list goes on.....

 

Wow, you sound like an extremely envious man! I wouldn't class being bogged down with a wife, kids and mortgage as 'grown up', I would call it a 'multitude of bad decisions'. If I ever pull up next to a WRX, you know what my thoughts are?......

"You only have a WRX because you couldn't afford an STI".

Its like any model of car. If you buy an Sri, its because you couldn't afford a VXR. If you buy an ST, its because you couldn't stretch to the RS etc.

Standard vs standard, I know I am sat in the better car, and there is no way on this Earth that any WRX owner can sit there spouting off about it. There's a reason it cost more to buy initially, there's a reason it has better parts than the WRX and there's a reason that ALL STI models hold their value better. Look how tricky its getting to find decent, low mileage STI examples from all years these days......don't have to look very far to find a decent WRX. People are starting to buy STI's (especially the older and limited edition models) as investments and keeping them. they're becoming ever harder to get hold of! Says it all really!

 

Lol, there'll be another WRX vs STi thread along in a few days.

 

Dead cert!

To be fair, the guy wasn't even specific on what models he was asking about...Classic vs Classic or Newage vs Newage..

For me, 53 and Peedee just about sum it up even tho its not what WRX owners want to hear.

 

Whats with the infighting anyway? There all great cars. We're all on the same side.
There's always going to be a faster/better car than yours.
Can't we pick on focus st's or civic type r's?
Lol.

 

This is why these threads are constantly made, because STI owners cannot fathom that someone may make a different decision to the one they've made.

This is my Mrs' uncle's car....



He has a blob WRX also.