Hi all

New member here and looking to purchase my first impreza. Im just researching at the moment and trying gain as much info as possible about the various models.

Im probably goin to go for something like the 04/05 WRX or STI. (A WR1 if a nice one comes along

What are the real world benefits of an STI over a WRX? Any advantage of buying a wrx300 over a STI? Bear in mind i have no plans whatsoever to modify. Been down that route with an mr2 turbo in the past.

Thanks for the replies in advance and hope to contribute myself at some point

Cheers

John

 

Hi. Welcome. Most STi owners buy one as they're that little bit better at everything - faster, handling, looks, interior etc etc. But really it comes down to cost to buy or run. STis are more expensive to buy, but only marginally more expensive to insure / service etc.
Depends on what you like - a newer motor or a faster one?
Suggest you test drive both.

 

Hi , Thanks for the reply. I think as long as its as quick as my mr2 turbo id be happy with that. The WRX seems to deliver on that respect.

Is the WRX any less reliable than the STI? This is my main worry to be hoenst.

Cheers

 

STi's are night and day compared with a WRX. The newage WRX gained about 300lbs in weight and basically the same power as the classic. The WRX may be alright at first but quickly you will desire more power!

STi's will be dearer insurance and marginally dearer to run. There is so many modified cars out there so just be careful what you're buying. Cars from 2006 pick up the hefty 450 quid road tax per year, so this is worth considering. If you do a fair bit of mileage then a Scooby is a expensive depreciating asset.

Good luck!

 

Welcome.
This has been asked numerous times recently however I don't mind giving my opinion.
Reliability is not an issue on either WRX or STI as long as they have been looked after. Pretty bomb proof in my opinion and neither have any mechanical pitfalls.

WRX is a bit lethargic in standard form due to the weight and only livens up with remap and exhaust mods. From 220 -280bhp after mapping.

STi will have additional power, 265 or 305 [PPP]. Also 6 speed gearbox [which I think is great however others don't like it] and Brembo brakes as standard and STI suspension which doesn't wallow around like the WRX. Plenty of other mechanical and cosmetics features over the WRX aswell. After exhaust mods and remap 340bhp is common.

I would always go for an STI as the WRX is too tame in standard form but it depend what you want from the car. If you are into modding your cars' then the STI is the one for you.

Are you aware that the WRX 300 is not 300 bhp? It is a limited edition car.
Also WR1 is nice but you are paying for the badge and unpopular gay colour.

 

double post.

 

Hi Andy, Cheers for that. im defo goin for pre 2006, no way am i paying £400+ a year in tax Insurance isnt a worry for me , neither is fuel consumption. Im just wondering if the extra couple of grand or so for the STI over the WRX is worth it.

I see that the 2005 WRX300 has decent performance figures(0-60 4.8 secs). But is this just a WRX with a PPP?

Cheers

 

Hi Andy, Cheers for that. im defo goin for pre 2006, no way am i paying £400+ a year in tax Insurance isnt a worry for me , neither is fuel consumption. Im just wondering if the extra couple of grand or so for the STI over the WRX is worth it.

I see that the 2005 WRX300 has decent performance figures(0-60 4.8 secs). But is this just a WRX with a PPP?

Cheers

 

That will be a wrx with the PPP to achieve the 4.8 to 60mph, there are also differences between the 2004 and 2005 STI's as the 05 cars recieved some enhancements (DCCD and revised interior and uprated geometry settings).
Then you have the JDM STI's which are a different kettle of fish again with their twin scroll turbo's (virtually lagless )

Tony

 

My WRX is just coming to life now, part 2 of the remap tomorrow, and then plans for a bigger turbo, injectors etc to go with the other mods now in place. If I could have afforded an STI when I bought 4 years ago I would have, but I wanted a newage and my budget would only stretch to a WRX. The STI is a stronger base to start with, and in the long run will end up costing less. I don't think there is any great difference in reliability when they are standard, but when you crank up the power the STI will remain reliable for longer

 

What that man said !!! I found that the STI was just a bit too expensive plus I found the insurance was quite a bit more too ( thought I live in Manchester !!! ).

 

i thought all sti have the £400+ road tax no matter what age.

 

not yet !

dunx

P.S. A 2.5 WRX is a nice road car, early 2006 (hawkeye) would be my choice, what use is the car being put to ?

 

welcome moved from the mr2 myself just over a year ago which ever you buy you will find the car far more fun than your old sliding mr2 and you will be able to put your power down in most weathers would never go back to my old mr2 scoobys all the way mate

 

Ive had a few Imprezas : a Turbo 2000, a WRX Blobeye the a WRX Hawkeye with PPP, Ive just got a 2010 STI and it seems worlds apart from the last car. The handling is much sharper and generally the STI is a much more focused car.

Obviously Im not comparing same models so take what you want from that, 73henny above said it perfectly, "Depends on what you like - a newer motor or a faster one?"

 

NO! WRX is in its own class i really dont like the BIG stuck on ugly spoiler on the sti and i really dont like the blue interior ok thats my opinion. And 230 bhp 4wd turbocharged engine is more than enough believe me i leave most cars standing when i push the pedal.In what car review it says this, WRX is easier to live with than the STI. This is an BMW M3 eater,
Kurtis Williams
Buyer,
Lex Vehicle Leasing

 

Another what car review WRX is performance bargain.
John Owen
Buyer,
Fords of Winsford

 

I've just bought a Hawkeye STI & the difference between the WRX & STI is like night & day, the STI is just a better car out of the box than the WRX - no disrespect to the WRX as it is an awesome car anyway, just the STI is much better.

If you can afford it, buy the STI, you won't regret it.

 

I've just bought a Hawkeye STI & the difference between the WRX & STI is like night & day, the STI is just a better car out of the box than the WRX - no disrespect to the WRX as it is an awesome car anyway, just the STI is much better.

If you can afford it, buy the STI, you won't regret it.

 

dj jon day and night wat the hell u talkin about sti stands for sexaul transmitted desease so go and see a doctor!!!!!!

 

 

I can't understand a word of that, I don't comprehend monglish/txt-spk, could you repost in English, please?

 

This is an BMW M3 eater,
Kurtis Williams
Buyer,
Lex Vehicle Leasing[/quote]

 

If you decide to go for the WRX just make sure it's the Wagon, much more sophisticated, much more fun. In fact try and find a GB270 Wagon and you will have style as well as the sophistication.

 

Having owned a new age STI and a new age WRX, the STi is a better car out the box, well der! of course it is. The WRX PPP is a myth as far as published figures are concerned it will not be as quick as a standard STi. You don't have to have a big ***** spoiler some STi's are very civilised.

WRX's are easier to live with ? how exactly ? I never understood this, and usually comes from disgruntled WRX owners muttering "**** I should have bought the STi, but if I tell people to buy a WRX more people can share my inferiority complex misery"

The STi is a WRX made better, simples !

 

late 04 or 05 sti would be the best bet, wider track (look for the rear arch extensions)than the 03 year and dccd.

dipster

 

i suppose a big spoiler is as '*****' as gold wheels. each to their own eh.

 

Indeed

 

LMAO

Yeah I'm afraid that just simply isn't true no matter what you hope for. My modded STI Hawkeye (316/335), can only just out run my mates 04 plate M3. WRX wouldn't get close unless you've invested HEAVILY in mods.

 

Not that heavily really, relatively inexpensive to exceed your M3 beating 316/335 in the 2.5wrx.