Just based on the performance and driveabilty which would you have and why?

An STi or WRX with PPP

Both put out 265bhp so which is best??

I guess if you wanted to mod further you would go for an STi but i just want to know in peoples experience if both were kept as is which they prefer??

Cheers

 

Have not owned both, but I would go for the STI every time
6spd gear box, more resiliant engine, sporty interior and I have read several threads of WRX owners driving an STi and finding that they prefered the Sti. Also the STi is a better base for modifying.

All my personal opinion of course

 

Never driven a WRX, just an STI.

I'd always go for the STI though.

 

Sti

Better gearbox, diff's, engine, turbo, chassis (apart from the sticking dampers), brakes.

 

STi

 

WRX for me - better trade off between performance and ride but then I'm biased having a WRX although have driven an STi. Plus you gain on initial purchase price (inc. PPP), insurance and I would guess that the PPP package would give better fuel efficiency that a standard STi.

But as others have said above it's horses for courses.

 

My vote goes for the WRX with PPP for the following reasons:

1. better acceleration performance according to the stats
2. better fuel economy
3. less gear changing (5 vs 6 gears)
4. cheaper.

Rich

 

Well I would say an STI

But I could only afford a WRX PPP

 

WRX PPP

Sti does not come with leather, sunroof, heated seats or a decent size boot (called an estate). Not the most exciting car though in recent trim but good enough.

I only bought it for the wagon size and now realise just how bloody small a car inside it is and therefore wish I'd gone for another make, as this drinks fuel like nothing else...

 

ive got an sti and i love it. i had the new WRX 2.5 when mine was in for a service the other day, fair enough it wasnt the PPP but it was crap, just like driving a normal car with a little poke, my STI gives u more of that i'm in a rally car feeling and look. i like the 6 speed box too as u get more response in the gears with them being shorter

Sy

 

WRX drove both, bought a WRX dont like the 6 speed box
my opinion of course.

 

If you buy the WRX you have limited your tuning capabilities, whereas the STi is just begining.

Gary

 

I test drove all four (Inc Sti PPP) and prefered the STi to the WRX with PPP. Bought a STi PPP in the end

 

the WRX is cheaper and with the left over cash can be sorted to outdistance the STi

 

There are other issues. WRX PPP will probably be a lot more hassle to insure (and probably more expensive than a standard STI). If you're going to have the hassle of PPP insurance then you may as well have the full fat STI version. Yes you can mod your WRX but, what about warranty? you'll want to change the brakes, maybe the diffs, etc... you'll probably just end up with a more expensive STI "copy". The WRX PPP is quicker on paper than a std STI, but the 6 speed box more than makes up for it in real world conditions. Also a WRX that has been modded to the extent that it cost as much as a given STI will no doubt be worth less on resale.
As for interior etc... you're looking at the wrong car if you give a crap either way - they're both ****.


To answer the ORIGINAL question tho. If both were kept as standard, then the STI would be better to drive and would probably have slightly better performance in the real world due to: Better gearing, better brakes, better diffs, better suspension.

 

Well I`ve just been through this process over the last month and have driven both extensively (Thanks to Stan Palmers) and eventually I have just ordered a 2006MY WRX which will get the PPP treatment at its 1K service .For me the WRX PPP performs better than a standard STi on the fell roads and B roads of cumbria , only the brembos on the STi were better for me. And the gay gold wheels would have to go aswell. So with a WRX discounted at new purchase and then PPP later on you save £5000 . Thats an easy decision now ain`t it !.

 

whats more important> semi relaxing drive with some poke when you need it or not quite so relaxing drive with some poke when you need it? are you you going to mod it i.e. PPP?

Ive just done a 600 mile round trip in mine (sti ppp) and personally i would have prefered to have taken one of the work vans, i was shattered and achy afterwards

also the sti is a bit ostentatious (sp?) for some

 

I have a WRX PPP and have driven many STi's of various tune from standard, through PPP all the way up to a T25. I find the 6 speed box hard work on the more adventurous roads flicking between 3/4/5th where my 5sp keeps me in 3rd with the occasional 4th gear straight. I recently learned Police pursuit driving techniques which would be harder to implement with the STi's 6sp box, compounded by my Police tutor whom had driven many such cars and much prefered my 5sp. On a recent test drive for a buyer of my car, a mate who owns an STi PPP TSL333 commented on how my car is way quicker on the road than his with IRO 70bhp more power, but that is mainly due to the AST coilovers and Whiteline suspension products making the available power completely useable, whereas with the STi you are restricted as to what the chassis can handle. I also have mildly upgraded brakes which are adequate, but Brembo's would be better. I also think the extra diff makes STi's much more adaptable mid bend.

To summise, for a £5k saving the WRX PPP is a superb car, and with some of the savings invested in well chosen mods can be every bit as quick as an STi. My next car however will probably be an STi to gain the brakes and diff, but I shall be following the same route on suspension modification to make any power upgrades useable on-road. Ideally a JDM STi with Milltek + remap and AST's and the Whiteline catalogue. A Type 20 in other words