My wrx vs sti dilemma
19 June 2014 | 12:55 PM
#1
My wrx vs sti dilemma
Im aware this has been covered many times but im after my first subaru and it will be a blob, id like the 05 plate isnt that the year it had the nicer interior? my problem is i dont have unlimited money for juice as this will be our only car in the household so that kinda puts me off the sti but then im reading people get a wrx and wished they had bought an sti , im just so confused, my budget will be around 7k ish
19 June 2014 | 01:12 PM
#2
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I get about 250 miles to a tank with a 2005 sti on a good day. I bought a decent one in good order but it needed £600 on the first service, the biggest issue being a new radiator. I love it but would never use as a daily driver.
Just go for what you want, but finding a 2005 sti that doesnt need a bit of work done to it for less or around 7k might be difficult in England.
Just go for what you want, but finding a 2005 sti that doesnt need a bit of work done to it for less or around 7k might be difficult in England.
19 June 2014 | 01:30 PM
#3
I have a bug prodrive sti and have had a couple newage wrxs. Love them both to be honest the sti is slightly better but the way the impreza drives overall is a good place to sit. Got 280 miles from £50 pound this weekend mainly motorway and quarter of a tank left the wrx was similar there isn't much fuel differance really depending on how you drive. Interiors can be bolted in if that's what you want to change if you get an earlier model. As said above 7k for a decent wide track with no work needing doing might be stretching it. Cheers Marc
19 June 2014 | 01:42 PM
#4
Depends on what your plans are really.
If you are going to keep it standard my thoughts would be pick up a WRX with PPP which is roughly the equivalent of a basic STI for power although it doesn't have the 6 speed gearbox, stronger engine internals etc.
This means you can purchase a good car for a decent price & still have finance left over for extra insurance costs, servicing, possibly taxing the car & increased running costs.
Be patient in trying to source one though. HTH
If you are going to keep it standard my thoughts would be pick up a WRX with PPP which is roughly the equivalent of a basic STI for power although it doesn't have the 6 speed gearbox, stronger engine internals etc.
This means you can purchase a good car for a decent price & still have finance left over for extra insurance costs, servicing, possibly taxing the car & increased running costs.
Be patient in trying to source one though. HTH
19 June 2014 | 02:33 PM
#6
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From: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
My concern is your comment about not having a lot of spare cash for fuel.
If you don't have enough money to drive it, how are you going to maintain it??
These ARE NOT CHEAP CARS TO RUN.
Factor 23-26mpg in a WRX and 20-22mpg in the STI.
And this is on the expensive v-power jungle juice at £1.40 a litre.
And a £7k wide track sti will be a £10k wide track sti once you put everything right.
Seriously, have a good think about this potential purchase.
I only do around 8000 miles a year a still cough and splutter at how often I have to fill up. Totally worth it though as I would rather drive my Impreza WRX than a common as much astra/focus/golf.
I have also had two classic sti's that were faster, but at 31 years old, 250bhp is more than enough for me. In fact, I prefer keeping it as near to standard condition as possible.
If you don't have enough money to drive it, how are you going to maintain it??
These ARE NOT CHEAP CARS TO RUN.
Factor 23-26mpg in a WRX and 20-22mpg in the STI.
And this is on the expensive v-power jungle juice at £1.40 a litre.
And a £7k wide track sti will be a £10k wide track sti once you put everything right.
Seriously, have a good think about this potential purchase.
I only do around 8000 miles a year a still cough and splutter at how often I have to fill up. Totally worth it though as I would rather drive my Impreza WRX than a common as much astra/focus/golf.
I have also had two classic sti's that were faster, but at 31 years old, 250bhp is more than enough for me. In fact, I prefer keeping it as near to standard condition as possible.
19 June 2014 | 04:15 PM
#7
Wrx ppp as a daily and STI as a weekender.
I get between 25 and 35 mpg from my Blob wrx wagon ppp, you'll only see 25mpg taking it very steady on a long run with an STI.
I don't do many miles so it's no big deal. My WRX has cost me £500 in servicing in 15k / 3yrs but mostly sat on the drive for the first 2yrs, 4 oil changes, and a set front pads also gone through one set of tyres, but I basically got those for nothing.
Not cheap to run if you do lots of miles, especially an STI as they are harder on clutches and seem to require a new one at about 60k intervals my wrx is on 105k with the original clutch.
I'd say you should pick up a nice Bug STI in your budget or a Blob wrx with change. If funds are tight I'd suggest you opt for the latter leaving yourself cash for any problems and running costs.
I don't see an STI as a families only car being a good proposition where as something like my wagon is much more doable with better economy and easier to live with on a day to day basis, also not quite so 'in your face' and there's nothing in it performance wise in the real world, so unless you plan on moding or tracking it then it's a wrx wagon all day for me.
I get between 25 and 35 mpg from my Blob wrx wagon ppp, you'll only see 25mpg taking it very steady on a long run with an STI.
I don't do many miles so it's no big deal. My WRX has cost me £500 in servicing in 15k / 3yrs but mostly sat on the drive for the first 2yrs, 4 oil changes, and a set front pads also gone through one set of tyres, but I basically got those for nothing.
Not cheap to run if you do lots of miles, especially an STI as they are harder on clutches and seem to require a new one at about 60k intervals my wrx is on 105k with the original clutch.
I'd say you should pick up a nice Bug STI in your budget or a Blob wrx with change. If funds are tight I'd suggest you opt for the latter leaving yourself cash for any problems and running costs.
I don't see an STI as a families only car being a good proposition where as something like my wagon is much more doable with better economy and easier to live with on a day to day basis, also not quite so 'in your face' and there's nothing in it performance wise in the real world, so unless you plan on moding or tracking it then it's a wrx wagon all day for me.
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19 June 2014 | 04:34 PM
#8
If you're handy with a spanner it doesn't have to cost the earth. Oil, plugs and brakes are all pretty easy to do.
I ran my V5 STI for five years (10,000 miles a year) for less than some of my mates in their diesel Audi's.
If you have to go to a garage when anything needs doing its going to get expensive fast!
In my view Impreza's are the cheapest way to get a REAL high performance car and this is their charm
I ran my V5 STI for five years (10,000 miles a year) for less than some of my mates in their diesel Audi's.
If you have to go to a garage when anything needs doing its going to get expensive fast!
In my view Impreza's are the cheapest way to get a REAL high performance car and this is their charm
19 June 2014 | 04:42 PM
#9
In my experience owning an impreza is a labour of love, I have a direct debit with shell but I would never own a run of the mill car.
Fuel,servicing, and general up keep isn't cheap but you also need to remember that at some point you WILL have to fork out for a forged build..... 3.5k - 4-5k should see you forged with a good builder.
It's something you have to take on the chin but owning a special car is never going to be economical.
Siv
Fuel,servicing, and general up keep isn't cheap but you also need to remember that at some point you WILL have to fork out for a forged build..... 3.5k - 4-5k should see you forged with a good builder.
It's something you have to take on the chin but owning a special car is never going to be economical.
Siv
19 June 2014 | 04:50 PM
#10
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From: Scotland
wrx ppp I bought and love it, economy is hard when its so much fun to drive, i picked that over the sti, but if you drive normally its not too bad on fuel
seen a few nice hawk and blobs for 5-6 grand with ppp
seen a few nice hawk and blobs for 5-6 grand with ppp
Last edited by Miztera; 19 June 2014 at 04:52 PM.
19 June 2014 | 06:37 PM
#12
I have both and I say WRX for a quick daily that performs as well as an STI on the road and if it's for fun and you don't do many miles and can afford it then STI.
With the OP's budget and circumstances ie only car in the family, the smart move would be a nice WRX Wagon with PPP or a remap. Then you can do the shopping, tip runs, stick a washing machine in the back as well as the dog and still have a play at the weekends when the mood takes you.
The reality is most drivers won't get the benefit of the STI on the road, you only get the down sides, hard suspension, lots of gear changing and very poor fuel economy on a day to day town driving basis. Been there done that.
It's a no brainer.
With the OP's budget and circumstances ie only car in the family, the smart move would be a nice WRX Wagon with PPP or a remap. Then you can do the shopping, tip runs, stick a washing machine in the back as well as the dog and still have a play at the weekends when the mood takes you.
The reality is most drivers won't get the benefit of the STI on the road, you only get the down sides, hard suspension, lots of gear changing and very poor fuel economy on a day to day town driving basis. Been there done that.
It's a no brainer.
20 June 2014 | 06:30 AM
#14
I'm not a modder but it does make sense to me to mod a WRX, good condition, low milage STI's are nigh on £10k where as a good condition low milage WRX is half the price, throw £2k at a WRX and you'll have the brakes, suspension and about 350bhp for £7k and if it means that much to you the badges are on ebay.
Main point being, if you don't have £10k to spend then get a WRX you'll still have the same performance for half the money, I don't think anyone who has X amount to spend should buy any car at the top of their budget because there is always something that needs attention no matter what car it is, always make sure you have a little something in reserve. It's all well and good people saying buy an STI but no point in doing that if you can't afford to maintain it and run it properly. These aren't a cheap car to run even when nothing goes wrong they're still expensive, when you DIY oil change = £100 Brake pads £120 Tyres £100 a corner and the big killer Tank of fuel ever 200 miles @ 60/70quid soon starts to wear thin when everything comes at once along with other living expenses, which is why so many change hands rapidly and end up with worn discs, seized calipers, dodgy syncros, bald tyres, knocking suspension and in need of a cambelt because the bill for that lot is over £2k even if you DIY, take it to a garage and add another grand to the bill and that's without the gearbox re-fresh.
It's a minefield and these cars can be serious money pits.
Main point being, if you don't have £10k to spend then get a WRX you'll still have the same performance for half the money, I don't think anyone who has X amount to spend should buy any car at the top of their budget because there is always something that needs attention no matter what car it is, always make sure you have a little something in reserve. It's all well and good people saying buy an STI but no point in doing that if you can't afford to maintain it and run it properly. These aren't a cheap car to run even when nothing goes wrong they're still expensive, when you DIY oil change = £100 Brake pads £120 Tyres £100 a corner and the big killer Tank of fuel ever 200 miles @ 60/70quid soon starts to wear thin when everything comes at once along with other living expenses, which is why so many change hands rapidly and end up with worn discs, seized calipers, dodgy syncros, bald tyres, knocking suspension and in need of a cambelt because the bill for that lot is over £2k even if you DIY, take it to a garage and add another grand to the bill and that's without the gearbox re-fresh.
It's a minefield and these cars can be serious money pits.
Last edited by ditchmyster; 20 June 2014 at 06:50 AM.
20 June 2014 | 06:58 AM
#15
Yup, never buy at the top of your budget. I've just bought a WRX PPP and now I'm adding, new brakes, tyres all round, fuel pump, decat pipe, plugs and re- map.
I also want drop links, ARB's, strut braces but those will have to wait
Dam these cars
I also want drop links, ARB's, strut braces but those will have to wait
Dam these cars
I'm not a modder but it does make sense to me to mod a WRX, good condition, low milage STI's are nigh on £10k where as a good condition low milage WRX is half the price, throw £2k at a WRX and you'll have the brakes, suspension and about 350bhp for £7k and if it means that much to you the badges are on ebay.
Main point being, if you don't have £10k to spend then get a WRX you'll still have the same performance for half the money, I don't think anyone who has X amount to spend should buy any car at the top of their budget because there is always something that needs attention no matter what car it is, always make sure you have a little something in reserve. It's all well and good people saying buy an STI but no point in doing that if you can't afford to maintain it and run it properly. These aren't a cheap car to run even when nothing goes wrong they're still expensive, when you DIY oil change = £100 Brake pads £120 Tyres £100 a corner and the big killer Tank of fuel ever 200 miles @ 60/70quid soon starts to wear thin when everything comes at once along with other living expenses, which is why so many change hands rapidly and end up with worn discs, seized calipers, dodgy syncros, bald tyres, knocking suspension and in need of a cambelt because the bill for that lot is over £2k even if you DIY, take it to a garage and add another grand to the bill and that's without the gearbox re-fresh.
It's a minefield and these cars can be serious money pits.
Main point being, if you don't have £10k to spend then get a WRX you'll still have the same performance for half the money, I don't think anyone who has X amount to spend should buy any car at the top of their budget because there is always something that needs attention no matter what car it is, always make sure you have a little something in reserve. It's all well and good people saying buy an STI but no point in doing that if you can't afford to maintain it and run it properly. These aren't a cheap car to run even when nothing goes wrong they're still expensive, when you DIY oil change = £100 Brake pads £120 Tyres £100 a corner and the big killer Tank of fuel ever 200 miles @ 60/70quid soon starts to wear thin when everything comes at once along with other living expenses, which is why so many change hands rapidly and end up with worn discs, seized calipers, dodgy syncros, bald tyres, knocking suspension and in need of a cambelt because the bill for that lot is over £2k even if you DIY, take it to a garage and add another grand to the bill and that's without the gearbox re-fresh.
It's a minefield and these cars can be serious money pits.
20 June 2014 | 07:22 AM
#16
And yeah I know your coming from a 311bhp classic, I've have a 330bhp Type R and I can honestly say on the road the newage is quicker once moving and into 3rd gear the PPP does not hang about, if you can drive a bit and it's decently set up ain't no ****** going nowhere.
20 June 2014 | 08:36 AM
#17
when I say 'wait', I only mean a couple of weeks 
The guy I bought my PPP off had fitted a bell mouth de-cat downpipe but looked blank at me when I mentioned a re-map. I want to get this done just to make sure the car is running sweetly.
OP - sorry to hijack your thread
The guy I bought my PPP off had fitted a bell mouth de-cat downpipe but looked blank at me when I mentioned a re-map. I want to get this done just to make sure the car is running sweetly.
OP - sorry to hijack your thread
20 June 2014 | 09:39 AM
#18
I've owned both and would say this.
As a day to day car, a WRX PPP is a a brilliant compromise between performance and useability. They are still quick, more comfortable and quieter (road noise etc) than an STI. I loved my 04 WRX. It was my first scoob and still felt special.
The STI is different to drive. Its much more focused, harder ride, noiser and that bit more lairy!.
As far as running costs go, I guess I've been lucky. I've owned an 04 WRX, 06 STI, 98 JDM STI wagon and now a 55 plate blob STI and none of them have cost me anything serious (yet!). Servicing with a specialist has always been between £300 and £500 depending on whats done, tyres, pads, discs can all be bought fairly cheaply and are good upgrades on standard oem parts. Fuel is a bit of a bummer but then i only do 5000 miles or so a year in it. Insurance was expensive but has now come down (old git!) and is now around £450. Tax was an issue on my 06 STI as it was registered after March 06, so was £490. If you buy a car pre march 06 it;ll be £285 ish.
They are great cars to own. I am fortunate enough that i had a pretty good choice of cars and could have leased through work. I drove a new Golf R, BMW 330d, Mini copper S JCW but none of them made me smile like the scoob, so I saved myself a fortune and went back to a Blob STI.
Look after it and it'll look after you. Enjoy
As a day to day car, a WRX PPP is a a brilliant compromise between performance and useability. They are still quick, more comfortable and quieter (road noise etc) than an STI. I loved my 04 WRX. It was my first scoob and still felt special.
The STI is different to drive. Its much more focused, harder ride, noiser and that bit more lairy!.
As far as running costs go, I guess I've been lucky. I've owned an 04 WRX, 06 STI, 98 JDM STI wagon and now a 55 plate blob STI and none of them have cost me anything serious (yet!). Servicing with a specialist has always been between £300 and £500 depending on whats done, tyres, pads, discs can all be bought fairly cheaply and are good upgrades on standard oem parts. Fuel is a bit of a bummer but then i only do 5000 miles or so a year in it. Insurance was expensive but has now come down (old git!) and is now around £450. Tax was an issue on my 06 STI as it was registered after March 06, so was £490. If you buy a car pre march 06 it;ll be £285 ish.
They are great cars to own. I am fortunate enough that i had a pretty good choice of cars and could have leased through work. I drove a new Golf R, BMW 330d, Mini copper S JCW but none of them made me smile like the scoob, so I saved myself a fortune and went back to a Blob STI.
Look after it and it'll look after you. Enjoy
20 June 2014 | 11:21 AM
#19
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I'd go out there and say that he might be better off with a 2006ish Focus ST. Same performance as WRX, very comfy and 30mpg is readily available, plus plenty if great nick at that price.
If money is a concern then I really wouldn't want to be running and servicing an Impreza. Ok so the Focus may only be a few hundred cheaper to service, few hundred cheaper to insure etc, but if, as he stated "I don't have unlimited money for juice" then it all adds up to a pretty big saving.
If money is a concern then I really wouldn't want to be running and servicing an Impreza. Ok so the Focus may only be a few hundred cheaper to service, few hundred cheaper to insure etc, but if, as he stated "I don't have unlimited money for juice" then it all adds up to a pretty big saving.
20 June 2014 | 01:08 PM
#20
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From: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
I'd go out there and say that he might be better off with a 2006ish Focus ST. Same performance as WRX, very comfy and 30mpg is readily available, plus plenty if great nick at that price.
If money is a concern then I really wouldn't want to be running and servicing an Impreza. Ok so the Focus may only be a few hundred cheaper to service, few hundred cheaper to insure etc, but if, as he stated "I don't have unlimited money for juice" then it all adds up to a pretty big saving.
If money is a concern then I really wouldn't want to be running and servicing an Impreza. Ok so the Focus may only be a few hundred cheaper to service, few hundred cheaper to insure etc, but if, as he stated "I don't have unlimited money for juice" then it all adds up to a pretty big saving.
Also, it is not the same performance as an Impreza. May be in a straight line but that's about it.
Completely different animals. The ST's are not that reliable either.
20 June 2014 | 03:04 PM
#21
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Goes against everything I've experienced with the ST. Truth be told the ST is a better car, but has no where near as much character.
20 June 2014 | 03:13 PM
#22
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From: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
I think that he has decided that he doesn't want a Ford.
I have been driven in a standard ST and I wasn't impressed. It just didn't feel that fast.
My thoughts were confirmed when one decided to have a play against my 240-250bhp WRX. Started at around 20mph as we joined the dual carriage way where he was in front of me. By 80mph, I was sailing past him. (This was late at night with no traffic).
He gave me the thumbs up afterwards so I knew that he has been trying.
So no, the ST in my experience, is not a faster car.
20 June 2014 | 03:17 PM
#23
I brought a blobeye 05 wrx as a daily dr8ve the 9nly thing i miss is the better looking blue interior for the STi which u can get full seat and doors card for around the £300 mark power is fine as for fuel there's little in it just depends how u drive
20 June 2014 | 03:22 PM
#24
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But the OP was asking which to go for, WRX or STI.
I think that he has decided that he doesn't want a Ford.
I have been driven in a standard ST and I wasn't impressed. It just didn't feel that fast.
My thoughts were confirmed when one decided to have a play against my 240-250bhp WRX. Started at around 20mph as we joined the dual carriage way where he was in front of me. By 80mph, I was sailing past him. (This was late at night with no traffic).
He gave me the thumbs up afterwards so I knew that he has been trying.
So no, the ST in my experience, is not a faster car.
I think that he has decided that he doesn't want a Ford.
I have been driven in a standard ST and I wasn't impressed. It just didn't feel that fast.
My thoughts were confirmed when one decided to have a play against my 240-250bhp WRX. Started at around 20mph as we joined the dual carriage way where he was in front of me. By 80mph, I was sailing past him. (This was late at night with no traffic).
He gave me the thumbs up afterwards so I knew that he has been trying.
So no, the ST in my experience, is not a faster car.
But then the STi is 100kgs heavier than the Focus and after transmission loss puts the same power to the ground. Nonetheless, it was a sensible suggestion given the guy is suggesting costs would be tight. Seriously, Subarus are not cheap to run and if people are struggling to fill up their cars or waiting for the next pay cheque then you have to ask if an Impreza is the right car.
If it has to be a Subaru then the only sensible option is a WRX and keep a couple of grand in the bank for servicing et al. STi prices are climbing a little at the moment and I don't see many 2005 Blobs coming in at 7k without mega mileage, unlike last year.
20 June 2014 | 06:35 PM
#25
20 June 2014 | 06:58 PM
#26
No it's not. it's a Focus. A modern day XR3i.
Might as well be called the Ford Clitoris because every ****'s got one.
As for 30mpg
OP.
WRX vs STi I have also owned both. WRX definitely the more comfortable and once upgraded/remapped makes a good fast road car, as long as you upgrade the standard braking setup.
STi definitely a bit more hardcore, very hard suspension compared to the WRX, not a great car for prolonged use on bad roads. Brembos are 10x better than the Subaru four pots the WRX has.
As for MPG, if that's an issue don't buy a Subaru. These really are not cheap cars to run and maintain properly. I got around 18-24 in the WRX, slightly worse than that in the STi.
Might as well be called the Ford Clitoris because every ****'s got one.
As for 30mpg
OP.
WRX vs STi I have also owned both. WRX definitely the more comfortable and once upgraded/remapped makes a good fast road car, as long as you upgrade the standard braking setup.
STi definitely a bit more hardcore, very hard suspension compared to the WRX, not a great car for prolonged use on bad roads. Brembos are 10x better than the Subaru four pots the WRX has.
As for MPG, if that's an issue don't buy a Subaru. These really are not cheap cars to run and maintain properly. I got around 18-24 in the WRX, slightly worse than that in the STi.
Last edited by Norman Dog; 20 June 2014 at 06:59 PM.
20 June 2014 | 09:04 PM
#28
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From: North West Kent
I got my 2006 Blob STI last year simply because I always wanted the STI, if I got the WRX I'd always be hankering after the STI. I've spent a small fortune on it (cam belt, service, new wheels and tyres, diff and gearbox oil change, new exhaust and other bits) but love the car. I only do 7500 miles a year but that's short trips, and sometimes I do find the car hard work in traffic. If anyone asks me about petrol consumption I just laugh it off. I knew it was going to be expensive but I sat in my first Impreza in May 1997 and always wanted one since, but various things got in the way of getting one, mainly insurance. I just didn't want to get to a point where I was buying boring family cars but still wanted the Scooby.
And I'm looking for another car as a daily runner as well, to keep the wife and kids happy!
And I'm looking for another car as a daily runner as well, to keep the wife and kids happy!
20 June 2014 | 09:35 PM
#29
it depends how much power you want to achieve or if you want to do track days
I'm on my 2nd blob wrx and for me, the sti was too expensive to justify over a wrx. my latest 05 reg cost me £4,000 over 18 months ago
the wrx is a capable car as std, but if you spend 1k on engine mods, you will get 330bhp and still get 35mpg on a run or 22mpg around town (but would benefit from better brakes/handling if you do track days or spirited driving around the twisties)
they are not that expensive to run or service. the sti does cost more for replacement parts like brake pads/disks and other bits
if you can afford a good sti and be able to maintain it correctly and accept the lower MPG, it will hold it's value better when you come to sell it
I'm on my 2nd blob wrx and for me, the sti was too expensive to justify over a wrx. my latest 05 reg cost me £4,000 over 18 months ago
the wrx is a capable car as std, but if you spend 1k on engine mods, you will get 330bhp and still get 35mpg on a run or 22mpg around town (but would benefit from better brakes/handling if you do track days or spirited driving around the twisties)
they are not that expensive to run or service. the sti does cost more for replacement parts like brake pads/disks and other bits
if you can afford a good sti and be able to maintain it correctly and accept the lower MPG, it will hold it's value better when you come to sell it
21 June 2014 | 07:05 AM
#30
it depends how much power you want to achieve or if you want to do track days
I'm on my 2nd blob wrx and for me, the sti was too expensive to justify over a wrx. my latest 05 reg cost me £4,000 over 18 months ago
the wrx is a capable car as std, but if you spend 1k on engine mods, you will get 330bhp and still get 35mpg on a run or 22mpg around town (but would benefit from better brakes/handling if you do track days or spirited driving around the twisties)
they are not that expensive to run or service. the sti does cost more for replacement parts like brake pads/disks and other bits
if you can afford a good sti and be able to maintain it correctly and accept the lower MPG, it will hold it's value better when you come to sell it
I'm on my 2nd blob wrx and for me, the sti was too expensive to justify over a wrx. my latest 05 reg cost me £4,000 over 18 months ago
the wrx is a capable car as std, but if you spend 1k on engine mods, you will get 330bhp and still get 35mpg on a run or 22mpg around town (but would benefit from better brakes/handling if you do track days or spirited driving around the twisties)
they are not that expensive to run or service. the sti does cost more for replacement parts like brake pads/disks and other bits
if you can afford a good sti and be able to maintain it correctly and accept the lower MPG, it will hold it's value better when you come to sell it