domestic guy considering a wrx/sti

[bottlefed]

I'm seriously considering getting a 4 door. Getting the kids out of the back of my SS is getting old. As far as my car search goes, the 4 door has to be somewhat fast and somewhat cheap. I've narrowed it down to either a evo or a wrx/sti. Honestly, I like the evo more, but really cant afford one, I cant seem to find a decent low mileage (under 25K or so) one for less than 25K. So, that leads me to to the wrx/sti.

Bottom line, I'm pretty ignorant as far as subarus go. If you guys can help me out with these few Qs I'd realy appreciate it

-What are the differences between the sti and wrx. From what I see, different body pieces and wheels, probably different suspension. Are there any big differences in the engine etc?

-As far as the newer models go, say '04-'07, are there any major engine etc. differences between the models? I know they changed the cosmetics a little but is there any certain model I should stay away from or are they all the same in that year range?

-If I got one, I would lightly mod it, nothing serious, just a few bolt-ons, like turbo back exhaust, tune, coilovers, etc. With that level of mods, what are guys running at the track roughly?

-I thought a found one yesterday, a local dealership had a '06 wrx with 7K miles on it...for 19K. I called them but they already sold it. How good of a deal did I miss there lol? That looked like the best deal I've seen so far.

[FlybyTT]

-What are the differences between the sti and wrx. From what I see, different body pieces and wheels, probably different suspension. Are there any big differences in the engine etc?

Big difference in motor trannsmission wheel hubs suspension interior you name it its probably different.

-As far as the newer models go, say '04-'07, are there any major engine etc. differences between the models? I know they changed the cosmetics a little but is there any certain model I should stay away from or are they all the same in that year range?


04 have a smaller bolt pattern for the wheels and a shorter gear ratio 05-06 have the 5-114.3 and a tad bigger ratio with an updated interior and 07 has the longest ratio yet

-If I got one, I would lightly mod it, nothing serious, just a few bolt-ons, like turbo back exhaust, tune, coilovers, etc. With that level of mods, what are guys running at the track roughly?

a stage 2 with support mods can break 12's with a good driver easily (youll want the sti for the stronger tranny)

-I thought a found one yesterday, a local dealership had a '06 wrx with 7K miles on it...for 19K. I called them but they already sold it. How good of a deal did I miss there lol? That looked like the best deal I've seen so far.

not that great of a deal if your looking for a wrx theres a couple of guys on here selling theres but if you want to stay away from problems get the sti(wrx trannies blow)



ps youll love the sound of your subbie :P hope that helps also look on
North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club (http://www.nasioc.com)

[bottlefed]

Big difference in motor trannsmission wheel hubs suspension interior you name it its probably different.

Can you expand on that a little please? are we talking about a totally different engine and tranny? I dont care about the little stuff (interior, spoilers etc), but if the sti has a much better engine/tranny, that will probably rule the wrx out.

[FlybyTT]

yes alot alot better if you look around wrx trannsmission pop alot and since your looking into 1/4 youll want the 6spd or a beefed up 5 spd and the motor on the sti can handle alot more abuse

[FlybyTT]

and not to be a jackass but do you know how to launch an awd car? this right here is about 25% of the problem then hard shift to 2nd or 3rd in a wrx= poped tranny

and since your used to your ss be able to break lose and put less strain on the drivetrain it'd be easier for you to look into the sti or an evo 5spd instead of buying a wrx and blowing the tranny then spending another $4000 to upgrade your tranny

[FlybyTT]

theres a nice 04 with 28k on our for sale forum 00lgt is a good guy give him a shot (04's have a 5x100 hub and shorter gear ratio than others but his is a really clean car)

[im2wrxy]

The WRX's change about every 2 years. 02/03 is commonly called the bugeye because of it's round headlights. There was no US market STi in these years. They came with a 2.0L with approximately 200HP. The tranny in the 02 is the worst tranny of the late model WRX's. They are better in the late model 03's but still similiar.

The 04/05 wrx did away with the bugeye head lights. The motor is still the 2.0L but the tranny was slightly upgraded (still not very good). The STi was introduced in 2004. It came with a 2.5L and a very durable 6-spd transmission rated at ~320HP. It also came with Brembo brakes, upgraded suspension, BBS wheels, etc. This year STi has the same bolt pattern (5x100) as the WRX's...the only year STi with this pattern.

06/07 WRX's get the same 2.5L as the STi. Obviously there are differences...turbo, injectors, exhaust, wheels, brakes (brembos on STi), etc. The tranny in the 06/07 WRX gets another upgrade (getting better but still fairly weak). The STi is very similiar minus a few upgrades, but still running 2.5 w/6-spd.

HP ratings have stayed very close as the years have progressed although obviously the potential HP increased with the 2.5 in the WRX in 06/07.

My recommendation, and I've said this a thousand times, if you arent after huge HP, you treat your cars very well (no launching, routine mx performed on time w/good fluids, few red line revs, etc) and you want to spend a little less money buy the WRX. It's a great car. If you're after big HP, track days, and have a little more money get an STi.
I think that covers the basics...anyone else have any corrections/additions?

[FlybyTT]

^^^ looks good to me

[blacksti]

youre money is better spent on an sti especially if you plan on modding

[bottlefed]

thanks guys

[blacksti]

good luck hopefully see you back in here posting up the new ride

[I'm Slow]

My 2005 WRX is forsale, lmk!

[homemade wrx]

Can you expand on that a little please? are we talking about a totally different engine and tranny? I dont care about the little stuff (interior, spoilers etc), but if the sti has a much better engine/tranny, that will probably rule the wrx out.
the sti has a 300hp 2.5L (2.5 became standard in the wrx in 06 but with less power), the bigger rear end (r180), brembo brakes, much stronger 6-spd transmission, nicer interior (if you like blue)...
02-05 wrx's have a 2.0L and all the wrx's have weaker 5-spd trannies (pull type clutch for 02-05 and push style from 06+)...

if you can, i get an STi instead...I like evo's as well but would NEVER buy one (or any mitsushitty) as a daily driver...they break down too often, are a PITA to work on because of retarded engineers and take a long time to do any work on...
The sti will make you happier than the wrx as well.

[josh06wrx]

i have an 06 wrx for sale, 18k. and i can throw in some mods to sweeten the deal. pm me if your interested.

[Zate]

I'd suggest an STi (04+) or a WRX (06+). They both have the same 2.5L block. The STi has bigger turbo (and the stuff that goes along with that). It also has the adjustable center diff (pretty useless) and the important 6 speed.

Similar mods on both produce similar HP though. For instance, alot of 06 WRX guys slap on the Sti turbo, STi TMIC, some injectors , a turbo back and make around 300 HP atw and 350+ tq. Similar type of deal with a STi, it has everything but the TBE, so slap that on, get a tune and your lookin at about the same power levels. STi has the much nicer tranny though.

[Matt M.]

I'd def. get the STi if i were you.I acted on an impulse and bought my bugeye and now regret it.

And i'm now looking for an STi :lol:.

[bottlefed]

thanks for the help guys

Spotted a really nice STI, it's only got 5K miles, he wants 27,500 for it, a fair price but out of my range

http://images.autotrader.com/images/2007/9/6/224/177/2822698793.224177901.IM1.03.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

http://images.autotrader.com/images/2007/9/6/224/177/2822698796.224177901.IM1.06.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

I love that combo, chrome wheels on white

[blacksti]

i was trying to find this one to show someone the polished bbs's i saw that about month back somewhere

[BigBadChad]

my 0.02= any year sti, intake, turboback, tune, done.

and if you want more fun you can do suspension mods too, but does very well stock

[StiGuy]

I also would recommend the Sti. If it's not obvious from my name, I own one. :lol: I test drove the Wrx because at the time, no one would allow me a test drive an STi. The salesman kept saying: this is not an STi, this is not an Sti. lol. And man was he right! :) There is a night and day difference between them performance & handling wise, stock to stock.

Straight from Subaru Drive magazine (Subaru Drive Magazine: Fall 2003 (http://www.drivesubaru.com/Fall03_LearningCurves.htm))...

The WRX STi isn't just a WRX with more horsepower, but it does share its rugged, unitized body and chassis with other Impreza models. The chassis is so stiff that it doesn’t need the strut-tower brace used in other performance cars. Beyond the overall chassis, Subaru engineers have analyzed every component to make sure it’s strong enough to be part of a 300-horsepower sedan.

What makes the WRX STi different? Start with the engine itself. Although at 2.5 liters it’s the same size as the engine in other Impreza models, it has a reinforced block to cope with higher internal pressures. Variable valve timing optimizes internal airflow, and the larger turbocharger produces higher boost than the WRX’s. A larger intercooler with a water spray reduces intake-charge temperature. Electronic throttle control – “drive by wire” – and racing technology such as sodium-filled exhaust valves and iridium-tipped spark plugs help handle the heat while also helping the WRX STi engine to qualify as a 50-state Low Emission Vehicle.

A six-speed manual transmission and a larger, stronger clutch mate with an exclusive Driver Controlled Center Differential. The differential offers a choice between computer-controlled power distribution or – when conditions or personal driving style warrant – a driver-selectable manual override. Front and rear limited-slip differentials make sure the all-wheel-drive system gets maximum grip at each wheel.

Special inverted struts increase bending resistance for more accuracy and responsiveness in hard cornering. Stiffer springs make a less forgiving ride, but they’re necessary in such a high-performance car. Quicker-ratio steering gives the driver faster input. Huge Brembo racing-style brakes combine with specially tuned Super Sport anti-lock braking for sure and stable stops.

Acceleration, braking and steering all connect to the ground via 17 x 7.5-inch BBS aluminum-alloy wheels and wide and sticky 225/45 R17 90W Bridgestone Potenza RE070 directional summer-only tires.

No wonder the car is named for Subaru’s high-performance and racing arm – Subaru Tecnica International, or STi. It earned the honor.

[bottlefed]

I'm going to go look at that white one today. Only thing that concerns me a little is I was looking for a stock one and he said his has perrin springs, I asked him about exhaust and tune he said stock ehaust, no tune but he has an access port on it and he can take it off (don't know what that means, if somone knows, feel free to tell me). We'll see.

also I've told my family and a couple freinds who dont know anything about cars what I was thinking about getting and showed them a picture and they all laughed and said it looks like a kid's car and I'm too old for it lol. I'm 26 :dunno:

My response has been that not many kids I know can afford a 30K car

[FlybyTT]

for the access port youll like having that around for when you do mod it and perrin is a great company so the ride i assume is going to be stiffer and lower than stock also for the kid car thing just go wingless with a limited lip its alot more grown up.

[Zate]

keep the access port .. thats your tune.

[homemade wrx]

also I've told my family and a couple freinds who dont know anything about cars what I was thinking about getting and showed them a picture and they all laughed and said it looks like a kid's car and I'm too old for it lol. I'm 26 :dunno:

My response has been that not many kids I know can afford a 30K car
A lot of people think that because of the big scoop and big wing...both can be fixed and I vote for the STi limited lip spoiler as well. It looks really clean and is very low profile.
the accessport just reflashed the factory ecu for a few pony's...no big deal. Also the perrin springs shouldn't be of any concern either. If you want to get back to stock, its easy and finding stock springs for cheap/free is easy