Should I Buy An Sti?

[mystery machine]

Edit - the deed has been done:

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtop...t&p=1283556

Hi folks.

I'm seriously considering trading my trusty Hawkeye WRX for a low-mileage (<15K) 56/07 Hawkeye STI.

I do a highish mileage (20K pa - mostly easy-going on the motorway) so I don't like to hang onto a car as it get older and the miles have clocked-up. I know this doesn't sit well with everyone - and I'm far from 'flash with the cash' myself - just that I've had too many past heartaches with old high-milers

Now, I had originally planned on keeping the WRX for three years, but it occurred to me recently that in two years' time I might be struggling to find a replacement for it... as I can't get into the new hatches, hawkeye saloons with <15K on the clock will be like hens teeth, and the Evo X will still be out of my price range

So perhaps now is the time to make a move while I can still potentially find a car that ticks all the boxes? Here are the pros and cons of the proposed trade as I see them:

Pros

• Stronger STI drive-train - inspires greater confidence in car's resilience to hard driving and (potential) future mods.
  
• Six gears - I feel that on some bends the WRX 'box could use a gear in between third and fourth. The tighter STI ratios should help out here.
  
• Tighter suspension.
  
• Bigger brakes.
  
• DCCD - like the idea of manually biasing power to the rear (wee dod of power oversteer out of your apex, sir?).
  
• Higher-geared steering - has to be good on the twisties, right?
  

Cons

• Considerable financial investment. For me this would mean four years of finance, compared with the three I took on the WRX (I'm 9 months into that now) and also 20% higher monthly payments. But hey, if I love it I won't want to sell it, right?
  
• More expensive servicing (need to make some enquires here).
  
• Harder to live with on the daily drive... or is it? I mean, that's what the reviews always say about the STI vs WRX. But what does this mean? Are they simply referring to the harder ride or am I missing something?
  
• More of a tea leaf magnet...?
  
• More of a vandal magnet...?
  
• More of a 'fandang driver' magnet...? (other drivers being the fandangs, that is ).
  

I'd be particularly interested in hearing from anyone who's made the switch from WRX to STI, but other folks' opinions are more than welcome

Cheers for any input.

Tam.

P.S. Can anyone comment on how those STI semi-slicks handle in the rain/slush?

Edited June 13, 2009 by Mystery Machine

[thewelsho]

If you can afford it, do it. The STi is a superior animal even though I have never driven one, I know it to be true. I have driven the WRX hard and fast and broke it lots! The STi would cope much better than the WRX with this type of driving. As for the closer ratios of the 6-speed for cornering, possibly true, however, with a remap and bigger turbo, you will feel an enourmous difference in the mid-range; perfect for pulling out corners without down-shifting.

The other option you have, which is MUCH cheaper, is to get that bigger turbo, and go for a remap with a sports cat. If you're not going to track it, the gearbox and internals should handle it, but the risk is greater than with the STi.

If I hadn't thrown so much time, effort and money (especially money!) sorting my WRX, I'd be looking at an STi for sure. But there is too much history between myself and the "big guy" that I could never let him go.

Edit: I don't care much for those semi-slicks (Bridgestone RE070)! You can replace these of course

Edited May 26, 2009 by TheWelsho

[mystery machine]

Cheers for the comments, John.

As for the closer ratios of the 6-speed for cornering, possibly true, however, with a remap and bigger turbo, you will feel an enourmous difference in the mid-range; perfect for pulling out corners without down-shifting.

It's not so much lack of pulling power out of corners that causes me to downshift, just that - as with most turbo'd motors - the turbo/engine have to be 'in the zone' to get a good sharp throttle response on the way through and out (oh-so important for smooth & fast cornering IMO). Would a remap really help with that? I dunno, maybe it would (perhaps moreso the sportscat?).

The other option you have, which is MUCH cheaper, is to get that bigger turbo, and go for a remap with a sports cat. If you're not going to track it, the gearbox and internals should handle it, but the risk is greater than with the STi.

I'll be honest, even with the engine running standard I don't have huge confidence in the gearbox. Too many 'chocolate box' internet forum horror stories, perhaps?

If I hadn't thrown so much time, effort and money (especially money!) sorting my WRX, I'd be looking at an STi for sure. But there is too much history between myself and the "big guy" that I could never let him go.

I can understand that perfectly, John - you've made that motor your own and it'll no doubt continue to give you mucho pleasure keeping it.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Mystery Machine

[mctwistuk]

i do roughly the same mileage as you and i love my hawkeye sti for this. It potters around town in 6th no problem and can pull itself in 6th as well.

The drive is not too harsh and you will always be safe knowing that if you want to mod it the potential is there. Fuek economy is not too bad as i am getting around 240 miles to 3/4 of a tank combined driving. There are some great bargains out there.

Chris

[thewelsho]

It's not so much lack of pulling power out of corners that causes me to downshift, just that - as with most turbo'd motors - the turbo/engine have to be 'in the zone' to get a good sharp throttle response on the way through and out (oh-so important for smooth & fast cornering IMO). Would a remap really help with that? I dunno, maybe it would (perhaps moreso the sportscat?).

Oh yes, yes, it does! You can try it if you like!

[addison]

Tighter suspension.- are the WRX and STI 06-07 not the same suspension?

mod your car with re-map will be cheaper and better for you than a standead STI

[scooby222]

do it,my only concern would be fuel consumption as my sti(2.0 mind you) is quite thirstier than my classic turbo. when i changed i looked at getting a wrx with prodrive suspension and brakes,spoiler etc and realised i wasnt far off the price of an sti and still didnt have the dccd,6 speed box,better diffs,heavier driveshafts,wider track , better suspension etc etc

never regretted getting the sti,i know itl be all the car il ever need,all the important bits are there for heavy modding

[dipsy]

If you can get hold of a Jdm Sti for a test drive i would try that aswell as the UK Sti

[mystery machine]

Tighter suspension.- are the WRX and STI 06-07 not the same suspension?

mod your car with re-map will be cheaper and better for you than a standead STI

The STI certainly has slightly lower springs. Not entirely sure on the dampers, although I do seem to remember reading that they were different... Not entirely sure what's what wrt all the other suspension components...

I don't think a remap would really do it for me, TBH - I find the WRX in standard form to be quick enough on a twisty road (sky's the limit on wider straighter roads, of course - but I value my clean licence ). Besides, even the STI isn't that much quicker once the extra 100kg kerb weight is taken into account - so I guess I'm not in it for the power (well, not yet!).

Cheers.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Mystery Machine

[scooby222]

the dampers are different on the sti-tho not really up to scratch! also theyre inverted(which hawkeye wrx's may have) and wider rear track,lighter suspenion arms and even in auto dccd makes a big difference

[mystery machine]

do it,my only concern would be fuel consumption as my sti(2.0 mind you) is quite thirstier than my classic turbo.

That's a reasonable concern. The manufacturer's figures are 27mpg (WRX) vs 25mpg (STI), so I 'spose I'd have to accept slightly higher fuel consumption. Hopefully liveable, though.

when i changed i looked at getting a wrx with prodrive suspension and brakes,spoiler etc and realised i wasnt far off the price of an sti and still didnt have the dccd,6 speed box,better diffs,heavier driveshafts,wider track , better suspension etc etc

never regretted getting the sti,i know itl be all the car il ever need,all the important bits are there for heavy modding

That's where I'm coming from too. By the time I add up all the things I'd like to change, I'm way beyond the cost of just trading the car for an STI (still going to cost big bucks to do the trade, mind).

the dampers are different on the sti-tho not really up to scratch! also theyre inverted(which hawkeye wrx's may have) and wider rear track,lighter suspenion arms and even in auto dccd makes a big difference

Yes, the Hawkeye rear dampers are also inverted (new for that rev WRX, I believe). When you say the STI items are 'not up to scratch', do you mean in terms of build quality or in terms of performance (or both)?

Interesting about the DCCD in auto mode, cheers.

Tam.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Mystery Machine

[mystery machine]

If you can get hold of a Jdm Sti for a test drive i would try that aswell as the UK Sti

Pardon my ignorance - I know that JDM stands for 'Japanese Domestic Market' - but what are the major differences between that and the UK model? JDM doesn't have a 2.0 block by any chance? (that would rule it out for me). What about a tracker?

Also, are all the JDMs imports by definition?

Thanks.

[dipsy]

http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk .Look on this website for Jdm Sti and you will see the difference from a uk Sti

[C_WRX]

Bottom line is yes !

When I bought my completely standard Blob WRX it was mainly cause of money at the time, and if I'm honest cause I didn't know half as much about the Impreza as I do since being on here. I was doing 15k miles a year and like you wanted a low mileage example but with next to no finance. Since then my yearly mileage has halfed and I think quite a bit about "STi - what if". When I bought it I never intended on doing anywhere near as much to it as I have, and I feel it's a better car, but at a fair old cost, and worse still I still want more from it !!

Do I regret not stretching the finances - yes. Do I think quite a bit about the money I've thrown at my WRX -v- how an STi would be for me now - yes. Would I trade my WRX for an STi now - unlikely, only cause feel gone too far and spent too much on it.

If you've not spent much on your car, if it really is annoying you for all the bits you noted, then nows the time to change.

You're doing your homework, you'll come to the right decision for you soon enough.

[mystery machine]

http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk .Look on this website for Jdm Sti and you will see the difference from a uk Sti

Thanks for the info, mate - interesting site.

Their JDM STIs are way more expensive than SH UK models though, so I'd have to rule that out.

Cheers all the same

Edited May 27, 2009 by Mystery Machine

[mystery machine]

Bottom line is yes !

When I bought my completely standard Blob WRX it was mainly cause of money at the time, and if I'm honest cause I didn't know half as much about the Impreza as I do since being on here. I was doing 15k miles a year and like you wanted a low mileage example but with next to no finance. Since then my yearly mileage has halfed and I think quite a bit about "STi - what if". When I bought it I never intended on doing anywhere near as much to it as I have, and I feel it's a better car, but at a fair old cost, and worse still I still want more from it !!

Do I regret not stretching the finances - yes. Do I think quite a bit about the money I've thrown at my WRX -v- how an STi would be for me now - yes. Would I trade my WRX for an STi now - unlikely, only cause feel gone too far and spent too much on it.

Thanks for your post, Colin - it's very interesting to hear other folks' experiences of WRX ownership. Sounds like you are in a similar position to John - significant investment in the car, which you're obviously benefiting from, but I can understand why you'd be reluctant to trade.

Like you, I had only the most common knowledge about the Impreza when I bought mine... did my homework, etc, but really wasn't aware of quite how different an animal the STI is (in particular the stronger engine, stronger gearbox, DCCD, wider track, steering gear ratio). I quite naively thought an STI was just a WRX with a different ECU map, six gears, lower suspension, bigger brakes, gold alloys and a feck-off great spiler! (turns out that's the GB270 - minus the gold wheels and sixth gear). You lives and learns

If you've not spent much on your car, if it really is annoying you for all the bits you noted, then nows the time to change.

If I'm being frank, I wouldn't go as far as to say that these things are strongly annoying me - more of a niggling at the moment, but one that might develop into dissatisfaction. I 'spose like all motors, the longer you own one the more you become aware of its limitations/weaknesses. Just so appears that most of these niggles are addressed by the STI model... However, in the big scheme of things, I still reckon that the standard WRX is hugely capable B-road bomber - maybe I'm just being greedy

You're doing your homework, you'll come to the right decision for you soon enough.

Och aye - and it's sounding more and more like the STI is the very boy for me... just need to work out if it's the right decision for me wallet!

[mystery machine]

Oh yes, yes, it does! You can try it if you like!

Fair enough

Cheers also for the offer of trying it out. I'm happy to take your word for it, though - as you're the man with the 'short but fruitful' modding career (which I'm sure will develop into a 'long and even more fruitful' modding career!). Certainly useful to know, should I decide I can't spring for a 'dose of the itchies' (an STI).

Edited May 27, 2009 by Mystery Machine

[GJLATZ]

Hi there,

If you're looking for a prestine STI. My wife woud part with her blobeye STI:

Miles: 26k totaly standard apart from green filter and Meerkat backbox (3'' rolled tailpipe)

FSSH: (AF Noble and Son)

Colour: Mica Black

It's never been used as an everyday car only a weekend drive

RPM bleeper always set at 4500 rpm

Always properly warmed up and and allowed to cool down

Always run on V Power

Just a thought

[mystery machine]

If you're looking for a prestine STI. My wife woud part with her blobeye STI:

Thanks for the offer mate - sounds like a very nice Blob - but it's definitely a 56-plate or newer I'm after so I'd have to pass on that.

[mystery machine]

Where's Gav when you need him?

[thewelsho]

Fair enough

Cheers also for the offer of trying it out. I'm happy to take your word for it, though - as you're the man with the 'short but fruitful' modding career (which I'm sure will develop into a 'long and even more fruitful' modding career!). Certainly useful to know, should I decide I can't spring for a 'dose of the itchies' (an STI).

Oh and fuel consumption with double the torque and an extra 120bhp is the same, maybe a half of a mile per gallon less Of course thanks under normal driving with some spirited bursts

[mystery machine]

Oh and fuel consumption with double the torque and an extra 120bhp is the same, maybe a half of a mile per gallon less Of course thanks under normal driving with some spirited bursts

That's genuinely impressive, especially considering your torque gains. I guess the less-restrictive exhaust helps keep fuel consumption down?

[mctwistuk]

what fuel mpg you getting these days John? Am due a remap in Aug hopefully.

cheers

Chris

[thewelsho]

That's genuinely impressive, especially considering your torque gains. I guess the less-restrictive exhaust helps keep fuel consumption down?

Er, no idea, will it?!

[mystery machine]

Er, no idea, will it?!

Don't think that OEM cats help. Certainly noticed an improvement in MPG when I decatted one of my old Vauxhalls... or maybe that was just down to the weight of the bleeding cat... Edited May 27, 2009 by Mystery Machine