mr terzo

iTrader: (2)

like others have said its the syncros are worn . i have a 98 uk terzo with a 193.000 miles still using the original gearbox and engine running 326bhp , 310ft/lbs torque. it changes gear fine during normal driving. occasionaly crunching on downshifts 5th to 4th when giving it a kicking. i just blip the accelorator on downchanges which seems to help.

before anyone says its will break due to the milage its been running this power for 4.5 yrs and 60,000 miles. regular fluid change help as has been said i use millers oils .

pigSTi

iTrader: (5)

+1

I was looking at WRX newage, then realised I would only be changing bits on it and bought the STi instead.

jh1

people who buy sti also change bits:lo

stef_2010

iTrader: (3)

STI envy

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Exactly.
Like it or not the STI is a better car than a WRX (in standard form). It's not just performance where the STI is better either.
It really is beyond me why anybody would buy a WRX or UK turbo if they could afford an STI and the added running costs. Why have second best when the best is within your grasp. Why buy a GTS when you could own a GTR or a 330 over an M3.
Earlier cars admittedly were alot closer to each other but these newage cars are two different beasts.

jh1

[QUOTE=MattyB1983;10072862]Really hope that wasn't aimed at me chap. All I was doing was pointing out the facts. Later STI's came with the fantastic and super strong 6 speed box. The WRX is an inferior car to the STI, and that is also fact. Yes the WRX suits some people just fine and I'm sure it would make a fantastic everyday car, but that doesn't change the fact that the STI is a better car.
People who say different just can't afford an STI.[/QUOTE

Hate this STI vrs WRX thing. It,s allway,s started by some **** with a £1500 to £2000(generous) STI classic.
To the op, i would change up slightly earlier in the rev range. :thumb

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

[QUOTE=jh1;10073696]£1500/£2000, lol. My brakes are worth that buddy.

pigSTi

iTrader: (5)

This is true, but the bits I was looking at were - STi: skirts, rear wing, fog covers, possibly winglets, bonnet scoop. These are the less expensive & more acessible.

I would also have liked to change the interior, the steering wheel, door cards, seats, center console. This would probably have always been a pipe dream as I am not that adventurous with money/time/ability.

Then I would have been looking at the gold Brembo brakes but these would also probably remain a pipe dream as above.

If however, I did have the money, time and inclination I would make all of the above changes.

I would also go under the hood and look at the intercooler for an STi one. I would look at the injectors - for STi ones.
I would probably look at the manifold and think to myself "hmmm that would look nice in red".

The list could go on, but these are just examples for you in reference to your comment that people with STi still swap parts.

Yes they do. However I would not change any of the above bits as my STi has them already and I like them as they are.

Things I may change on my STi? My exhaust from the 4" slash Jap style to something smaller with a rolled tip reminiscent of the standard STi. A re-map possibly. The air filter for a panel filter.

I would love to add the Defi gauge center pod, but this is very dear so may never get done.

Basically, I bought the STi over the WRX for all of the above parts. I prefer the look of the stock STi. I like the 6 speed box, I like the little bit of extra power, I like the short gears.


I'm not saying WRX is a bad car, just different. Suited for someone other than me with different desires.

People do mod their STi, as do they mod their WRX - but why put STi parts i.e. injectors, intercooler, gear box.. if the STi and its parts are inferior to the WRX? It's beacuse they are not. But a WRX can be made better by using the STi parts - doesn't make it better than an STi does it?

This is a debate that will never end, and that was my 2 pence worth.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

This really isn't the thread for this debate anyway so I apologize to the OP for taken his topic off course.
As said, try a good oil change and be a bit more considerate with the box. Or if you have big plans for the car you could look into the 6 speed setup.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

[QUOTE=MattyB1983;10073707]Jesus Christ, put your **** away fella!

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

[QUOTE=Gear Head;10073749]Think you got your username wrong feller, should read ********.
The guy started that argument by implying my car was worth sub 2K, I only pointed out that my brake setup was worth that.
And my **** is away, I wouldn't even dare get this little fella out. Made a baby though so not all bad.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

lol this debate again.
i was going to buy a wrx and put on the sti skirts scoop wheels and spoiler.
then when i priced it up it worked out to be just as cheap to buy an sti in the first place.
i have nothing at all against wrxs as i was going to buy one but the only reason was because it was cheeper.
can someone who is a wrxs owner please explain why the wrx is better than an sti.
in a post above someone mentioned its only a little slower to 60 in standard form.
so how can it be better if its slower???
i did my research when looking and the big problem with the wrx was the weak gearbox.
which the sti 6 is supposedly very strong.
also can someone tell me what the increased costs are on running the sti other than insurance as both are crap on fuel but servicing etc looks very similar om both.

the wrx is a good car but the sti is better!!!

Pramas

Other than RS Matt whos car seems to be able to win touring car races with only 2 tyres fitted

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

i have read a few of these wrx sti threads and the usual answer is if you spend a little on the wrx you can make it as fast as an sti.
then spend the same on the sti and make that even faster!

stef_2010

iTrader: (3)

he makes me laugh

I'm pretty sure hes just on the wind up but you never know !

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

but no answers from wrx owners

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

[QUOTE=MattyB1983;10073757]Wow, how imaginative. I will ask to mods to change it for me.

The guy came on here asking about gear changing issues and your advice was that he should have bought an STI and that the only reason he didn't was because he couldn't afford it.
Don't you think that sounds rather arrogant? Then, when someone tries to point out that his newage wrx is worth quite a bit more than your rather old sti, you get all umpy and try to justify yourself by stating how much your brakes are worth. Who blo*dy cares?

Either offer advice on what he is asking (gear selection problems) or don't bother posting.

Castrol Syntrax sorted my gearbox issues (in my super duper STI 4 ). Why don't you offer some pearls of wisdom as opposed to trying to impress everyone by saying how good your car is.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Who ever said the wrx was better? There is nothing wrong with the wrx. The problem seems come from sti owners who seem intent on justifying why they spent more money for a tiny bit more real world performance. They are both great cars.

Shaun

Sorry... but that's just as bad as a STI owner slagging off a WRX.

There are many reasons why one person would buy a WRX over a STI and vice versa.

They are both good cars (as you state) so can we leave it at that please and return this thread back on topic.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

I didn't say all sti owner's did I? I used to be one. But having owned both types, I can appreciate both in their own way.

But, any digs at 'how bad' wrx's are always seem to come from sti owners. This thread is a great example of that.

andythejock01wrx

That's a bit like saying racist comments about black peeps are never made by black peeps GH!

rob84

iTrader: (5)

Sounds very much like the synco's are worn mate like a few have already mentioned under high speed and load conditions its not basically braking like it should to allow you to shift into the next gear. 3rd and 4th gear are matched syncros and come as a set I've got one in the workshop at the moment that was crunching into 4th and is looking at a hefty price for parts and rebuild well in to the £k's

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

gearbox is broken fit an sti one because they can handle the abuse.
hold on a minute....

Pramas

not strickly true, my sti 6 speed has a issue with synchro on 2nd
but in gerneral a much better box

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

anyway enough of the sillyness
your gearbox needs a repair or a replacement which either way is not going to be a cheap or simple fix.
the gearbox is a weak point of the wrx which put me off buying one.
i would consider fitting a replacement 6 speed box to hopefully avoid the problem happening again.

Shaun

You totally missed what I was referring to.

Not who was making the dig, but what you said about "them" with regards to "them" making justification of a "tiny" bit more real world performance. Ergo, you are only doing the same as some STI owners have done..... having a dig! Hence why I said that was just as bad as what you are remarking that some STI owners do.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

I have just re-read a couple of my earlier posts and I would just like to clarify what I meant as I feel I was misunderstood.

The OP told us that he had been launching his WRX and that he was having problems now finding gears. My first post merely stated that if he had bought an STI this probably would not be an issue.
We all know the WRX 5 speed is a weak point when put under strain (ie- launches, high rpm gear changes etc) and that the STI 6 speed is much much stronger and (as we've all seen before) can take alot of abuse.
I then get blasted by a couple of people so I make the comment that the only people who buy WRX's can't afford an STI. I apologize for that comment as it's not true. I had a hot head moment like we all do.
The OP is obviously new to this seen and more than likely didn't realize the differences between the two cars and the weak points the WRX has.
The WRX is a good car and does it's job well, but for most people it just isn't quite enough.

I hope you get things sorted chap, a rebuild is expensive so look into a second hand box if a good service doesn't do the job. Swapping it for a 6 speed is also pretty expensive, you'd be looking at 2K ish so if you don't have big power plans I wouldn't bother.

andythejock01wrx

A very self effacing post Matt. Nice.

Personally I replaced my broken 5spd box with a recon 5 spd from API (about £1200 inc fitting locally). Then I took it (slightly) easier! No problems after that.

rob84

iTrader: (5)

Early 6spd boxes do have syncro issues, its not un common

ADAM1978

The Sti is a better car but it should be it costs more! But it takes something special to keep up with a wrx if its not a scooby ! All scooby owners know where its at! We own the road and rough stuff