Subaru WRX vs STI - 3 Reasons Why The WRX Is Better
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2015
- Should I buy the WRX or the STI? Is 2015 Subaru WRX STI better than the standard WRX? The 2015 STI features a 2.5L boxer four producing 305 HP while the 2015 WRX has a more modern 2.0L producing 268 HP and peak torque at a low 2,000 RPM. The WRX is also lighter and achieves better fuel economy, all the while almost identically as fast as the STI. The STI offers additional limited slip diffs, a driver controlled center differential, larger brakes, tighter steering, and a more rigid chassis. Which is best?
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I'd be happy by just affording a Subaru Impreza..
+TeaRex Just get an older one. I started with a 02 WRX before getting my 06 STi, I still miss my bugeye to this day. It might not have all the fancy dash guages but I promise you, it will still put a smile on your face.
Got a few requirements.. 2011 or newer..
+TeaRex why?
Thomas Cocks Why the requirements?
TeaRex yea why 2011 or newer?
I keep watching this over and over, picking up my '17 WRX in 2 weeks!
Congrats on your new ride!
Thank you! Your video helped me make my decision! =)
I remember what that was like. Congrats man!
+Engineering Explained great videos that you do, you should do a video called "what the 2018 sti should be" , and send it in to Subaru. 2.2l direct injection, twin scroll, maybe a half descent tune from the factory, just a few things to add to the wish list
Nice. Congrats. Were there any other cars you considered when you were making the choice on this one? I need a 4-door sedan with some balls and preferably AWD, so Subaru WRX was the first thing I thought of, but did you ever consider anything else comparable?
4 years ago I saw this video and knew I was going to own a WRX someday. Got an '18 WRX 50th Anni one month ago, and I've never been happier. Thank you Engineering Explained, for always providing such good info. This isn't to say I like WRX more than STI, I love them both for their own uses! I just know that the WRX was the better car for me (and my bank account!)
WRX is already great!
-Fuel effecient (as opposed to the STI)
-Less laggy
-Also a good daily car.
Yeah I had a WRX that Was Laggy had a more late torque
Yeah man I agree, I got a 2017 sti about a month ago. It set me back $37,000 and first gear is pretty useless, also trying to cruise down my alleyway in 1st is so laggy it’s insane. The sti hates crawling and reverse wants to give too much power sending me out at almost 10mph in a second lol.
I could not agree more referring specifically to the 2015/16 models
STI= Track and or heavy tuning
WRX = Daily and mild tuning
Bones12x2 I know it sounds crazy, but transmissions rule speed. While I cant speak to the strength of the WRX's trans it has a substantially longer gear ratio which in turn really benefits adding power vs the STI's nearly useless first gear which will become even more useless with a hundred or more horsepower attached, (I have driven a 450ish hp STI, wow I loved it but the trans, especially first is all but useless with power added) I prefer the running gear of the STI and the longer trans ratio's of the WRX. I myself have added power to a car with longer ratio's, say 52ish for first and let me tell you it helps tremendously when you add another 180 hp, which is why I would opt for my five speed over the six speed every time when power is involved. I have a 1993 3000gt VR4 with roughly the same if not a little bit more than that.....Like you said though I have not driven the newest STI or WRX, but traditionally the STI has had a very tight close ratio box, my memory may not serve me correctly, but I don't remember getting over 30-35 in first which is pretty bad......it may have been lower than that. Anyone that owns an STI feel free to correct me, plus I know you will anyway if I am wrong..lol I am glad that they have fully revised the WRX, hears to them shifting their attentions on the STI next.
kenmastersmaster SMDH. You can add full links on TH-cam now. For about the last 2 years.
dictionary.reference.com/browse/bullshit
kenmastersmaster
And I'm telling you, you are full of shit. I post links all the time and I' sure I'm not the only one. They only mute posts over links for spamming, you idiot.
+kenmastersmaster Douchebag.
WRX with STi spoiler = happy me
+dayway05
Just don't.
+Charles Bradford Why would you refrain yourself from doing so'?
Thats what im doing.. $8k for more turbo lag? LOL no thanks
+Bill Freedman
You mean $8k for a better car? Pretending to be an STI isn't cool but if you like being a poser and playing pretend, go right ahead.
Also, If I was that worried about what people think of adding 3 letters on, then I'd buy an STI..
after 3 years of reading thinking and searching, I finally got a 2016 WRX last night,. This video definitely helped influence and confirm my thoughts. Thanks for the original content
what'd you pay?
+soxfantony773 Nothing.
Hows it holding up
Last week I went to a local Subaru dealer fully intending to buy a new STI. I have previously owned a 2003 WRX that I liked very much...until it met an all-to-early demise at the hands of about 30' of highway barrier. (Simple accident, no antisocial behavior involved.)
In the interim I have owned a 2002 Honda S2000 and a 2005 Crossfire SRT6 Roadster, both great, if hard edged, road cars. I decided upon the STI because I wanted more doors and trunk space while still retaining a high FTD (Fun-To-Drive) coefficient.
Being on good terms with the dealer, and being an Old Fart (us grey haired types seem less threatening when we test their pricey performance vehicles) I was able to take an STI for a nice long test drive on varying road surfaces. It was pretty much what I expected, a no-compromise technological wonder of a modern performance car. Lots of power. Razor sharp handling. Superb braking. No disappointments.
Just for grins I asked to take a 2016 WRX out to get a feel for differences. I noticed pretty quickly that I was having more fun driving the WRX. I didn't need to keep an eagle eye on the power band, and even though the suspension was multiple notches softer than the STI, body roll was minuscule and the car stuck like glue. The only let down was the brakes. The STI binders had the kind of stopping power and easy modulation that I had become used to in my previous cars (especially the SRT6, with its Xtra-Large-Pizza size discs). I think the WRX brakes are fine for the general public, but are a bit of a weak point on an otherwise amazing car in its current state.
The final result is that I surprised myself by buying a Black 2016 WRX Premium. If I were going to be attending regular track days?...the STI would get the nod without a doubt. But I got racing out of my system years ago (hemorrhaging money for years on end is a cure for most of us). I suspect that many potential STI buyers will make the same decision, if they are honest with themselves.
Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love the STI and am glad it exists. I just don't love it enough to buy it as a daily driver when the base WRX is so...darn...good. I am almost certain that there is a brake system upgrade in my future, however. ;-)
Congrats on your new ride! I can certainly relate to how you feel about it.
+Johnson Knowles Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I've previously owned a 2006 WRX and thought it was a great car that I'd like to have a again someday (the job market forced me to let it go). I tested an 06 STi back then and the acceleration difference seemed quite noticeable and put it on my dream car list for when I was making more money. It's good to know that I can go back to a WRX as a much improved car since then and the STI is not nearly as enchanting for a street car and the price bump.
Johnson Knowles Is your WSX auto or manual
Johnson Knowles so the answer is ultimately a wrx with bigger brakes/rotors.
Still cheaper than an STI and pretty sure itd be fun to track once in a whilr
Out of curiosity, did you ever consider something like a focus RS?
Someone should put together a "Hello everyone, and welcome" compilation video.
hahahaha
should do one for subaruwrxfan
Agadmator (Chess) sells shirts with "Hello Everyone" on them
You just saved me 10k. Thank you!
I like my WRX because I don't like a lot of noise while driving. You know, screaming, whining, and that dang burn from fingernails in my flesh. You get far less complaining from my spouse about ride quality and general harshness in the WRX.
Sorry to hear about your spouse. Maybe you can return her??
65PontiacTempest I imagine she's non refundable and would result in a major loss for him.
+briansmobile1 drive louder so you hear less complaining. yessss
+barples lol
+briansmobile1 I put a catback on mine and my girl started complaining about the noise every time she got in the car, so I took it back to the exhaust shop and straight piped it to drown out her annoying voice.
the STI is 8 grand more than the WRX?
If I spend 8 Grand more on my WRX, it'd be faster than the STI lol.
dguy6789 1000 in that car and beat a gtr probably only once after that it explodes
I have a corolla.. tell me, on what mods do I spend the $1000 in order to be faster than a GT-R??lol
You have poor estimation skills lol
Add an extra 0 to that 1000 :P
Probably will take $10,000 to make a Corolla as fast as a GTR straight line wise.
dguy6789 not just in a straight line. It will brake better, handle better, and be faster in a straight line. The WRX is just so close to the STI already that it doesn't take much to make it better.
I wont be taking it to the track, but I still want the STI. I want the rumble, I want the better brakes, tuning and the driver controlled centre differential.
Same bruh
8grand is still a lot but it depends on how much you think is worth it. I think they are more with it new but used forget it. The STi is stupidly higher than the same year WRX limited and still either $6grand more with the same miles OR the same price but it will have 40-50k more miles on it. You really can't win lol The Wrx is the original and a great car. If you want to be a tuner and go to the track all the time and beat the living piss out of it, the STi is the car for you. If you want to have fun and still go fast but use it as a daily driver for work and such. The WRX is for you but the best part is. You can still take and mod up a WRX it just may cost you more money and the tranni isn't as robust.
But then you see the price for what you get.
Man, I just want that sick spoiler. I wish they spec'd the WRX with that spoiler. Or just a different sexy spoiler over all. A WRX without a spoiler looks freakin' naked and mundane.
A tatious WRX's are better to mod than sti (2017). Speed and track. Sti got some engine issues.
Bought a ‘16 sti recently, and I look forward to driving it every morning.
Really appreciate your WRX reviews. You are partially to blame for my purchase of a '15 WRX Sedan recently. Already started mods, dig it immensely! Thanks Jason
Damn! I clicked on the link thinking it was just a superficial review. Instead, you outlined many nuances.
Keep it going. Your reviews are better and more informative than the automotive magazines that I read.
Thanks for making this video! It’s sort of hard to determine all the differences and compare, but you organized all the important info into this video and I really appreciate it. Going to get a WRX this year, with any luck
This is the kind of review that separates your channel from the rest. Very relevant and interesting. Would love to watch some comparison videos such as WRX v/s GTI, R v/s STI etc.
the new 2015 wrx and sti looks like a F****ing Corola. I own a 2012 wrx which has a better body style imho
Dennis King Looks aside, it's a huge improvement over the previous gen.
Dennis King I use to think like you. I would recommend you going to Subaru dealer and get an up close and personal look at the new Rex/Sti. The front end looks way more aggressive than previous gen and the body kit/side skirts look sick. On top of that the driving experience is much better too. I had 2014 Wrx and traded it for a new one and theres no way i would go back even though the 11-14 isnt a bad car by any means but these new ones are better in every category.
Personally, if you buy a car for the way it looks, then you are looking to impress others. It's like working out to impress chicks rather than working out to be healthy. Granted, every new car looks the same these days, interior is much more important. You don't drive a car from the outside, you spend all your time inside. I went and looked at a 2016 STi today and was blown away from the interior improvements. All the previous models had more plastics than a Lego castle and looked cheap. I'm now looking into buying a new STi just because the interior and chassis improvements over previous generations.
I understand what you mean. But we are talking about the Subaru wrx / sti specifically. So no I didn't buy the wrx to impress others. I just think the new wrz/sti looks a little less "aggressive" than previous models. That's all. I chose a subie wrx because it is overall a good car in every aspect including the aggressive look that came with it until 2016.
Dennis King Didn't everyone say that about the 11-14s? And before that the 08-10s? Lol can Subaru never win? When it comes to looks many people will say no. But you'll get used to it and love the fact that it is a WRX, all in good time my friend.
gotten my 2016 sti two years ago. The rumble still makes me smile and i still drive around just for fun :)
Oh man, I guess you are the first American to ever tell how important fuel economy is! THANK YOU!!! Usually, you guys never look to the other side of the atlantic where gas has the double or even triple price! You deserve a new subscriber!
Great review! You really swayed my decision in getting the STI. Here I sat thinking I wanted the STI just for the extra HP and torque but I didn't know there was such a large difference in weight and peak torque. The only point that raised concern with getting the WRX is the fact that it's already running high boost levels and high compression ratios because I was planning on tuning it
7 years later, so what happened?!?!?!
I’ve had my 16’ wrx for over and year and still LOVE it ! 💯🔥🙏🏽
Nice review! I used to sell Subarus, and I told my customers the same thing. The clutch is also more sensitive in the STI, for obvious reasons, which is a disadvantage in peak traffic/slow driving conditions.
I have owned the 2017 WRX and I now own a 2020 STI. The STI in my opinion is the better car overall. Subies forever.
First video I've seen of yours. That being said, one of the best review/comparisons I've seen on TH-cam to date. Very concise and practical for the everyday person. Well done Engineering Explained
JaronAames Thanks for watching! I have a few other concise and practical videos if you're interested. :)
My stock 2015 STI with 100k mi warranty is exactly what I wanted. I have no desire to modify my daily driver so I wanted the top performer. The much nicer suspension, drivetrain, brakes, wheels and tires, and more power checks all the boxes for me. All I wanted was a really fun hoon machine. At the end of the day I probably would have been just as happy with the WRX, but thats not what I wanted.
Trevor Wray So you pretty much gave Subaru an extra 8 grand, good for you. They gave you a WRX that's heavier and less fuel economy. Brakes/Tires are irrelevant because you don't need all of that if you're not going onto a track. STI has literally 0 benefits unless you plan to make it a track car. You should've just went with a maxed out WRX that'll be as quick as a stock STI and have more features.
Sure, your logic seems all well and good, but I did not enjoy driving the wrx. You may not understand why I bought an STI, that's fine as your opinion holds little value to me. I'm fk'n happy with my purchase just like I assume you are with your wrx.
Sure, it might not translate into seconds on a race track, but what it really does is transform the feel of the car. I prefer how the sti drives. Simple as that, I don't think I wasted any money. I have no buyers remorse and the fact I smile every time I drive this car makes it 100% worth it
Lol
kenmastersmaster wooow you are small minded :O
Just because you did those mistakes doesn't mean everybody who gets an STI will follow your path. And you clearly lack basic human communication skills. Trevor clearly stated he DOES NOT want to mod his car in any way, and yet 80% of your comments are about which one can handle what parts and this much power blah blah blah - guess what, nobody_cares.jpg
And cool you install a cobb exhaust, and you think that the sound it makes is the most important aspect? lol. I'm sorry subaru have to deal with customers like you. No wonder they didn't honor the warranty, you clearly don't know how to appreciate fine engineering. You just want what sounds the best and goes the fastest, never think of the consequences.
A simple chip tune can destroy a car if it's not done properly, and even if it is done by specialists it is not a safe guarantee it won't damage something sooner or later. That is why companies make their chips so conservative, to not risk any damage to the engine during the warranty time. And guess what, the same goes for the engineering of the car. Of course if you mod it then subaru can't hold their warranty claim because you broke their engine layout with mods.
Trevor here talks about performance feel, how he bonds with the car, how he feels while driving. And you call him a brand whore?! What he has got is true enthusiast spirit. And how come you only talk about the track? How about the more advanced underbody of the STI, its better AWD system, its better gearbox, its better suspension, better brakes. And let me tell you, in real world scenarios you want good brakes too, not just on the track. If you head down from a mountain pass then you want to be absolutely sure you can rely on your brakes all the way to the end, and that they don't suddenly start to fade which could end up in a serious crash both in summer and winter conditions.
In the end you have no respect for one man's choice, and all I see you do here is to bash on everyone liking the STI - as if you are a god to judge everyone's decisions and personal taste. Which is why you don't deserve any respect yourself. You are a narrow-minded and arrogant fool, that's all you are.
Trevor Wray btw Trevor love your "Lol" comment :D about sums up the amount of communication that Kenmastermaster is able to comprehend :'D
thanks for the good job reviewing the cars, very informative!
Just traded in my 2014 Veloster for a 2017 WRX. Wow, what an amazing difference in low end torque. 1st and 2nd gear are ridiculously responsive. The torque reduces significantly with each gear past 3rd, but like this video states, this car is amazing on the street with wicked acceleration off a dead start.
I like that you made your side clearly before going into reasons, which are very good facts that you pointed out.
Great video!! In the future could you make a video on maintenance/maintaining a Wrx/STi. Thanks again for the great videos!
The prices are so reasonable now that I realized I could get an STi. BUT the reason I got the WRX is the new engine. The MUCH newer tech sold it. Direct enjection, twin scroll, better torque curve, and actually decent fuel economy. The area under the torque curve is current BMW good. Also, coming from a 2011 WRX, this new chassis is lively and fun. The chassis is stiffer and the unsprung weight is lower. The car is mechanically tuned more neutral and can rely on the more sophisticated electronic stability control to save you. It also uses torque vectoring on the front axle which has a secondary effect of limiting inside wheel spin on that open diff. The seats are better and the interior is a bit nicer than my 2011. I do miss the 5-door utility and distinctive character of the previous gen. The hard hit of the turbo ond the long gear pulls were fun in their own way, but the front end would slide around if you werent being conscious of keeping it in check. Looks... new one gets lost in the parking lot. So, yeah. I agree with you 100%. It's all about the new engine. AND good handling with a good ride quality.
I also went from a 2011 hatch to a 2015. I agree with everything you said.
Patrick Ford My main decider was that the STI would put me into the sports car insurance bracket and WRX didn't. that was a money over time issue for me
kkthxk to be fair, that was from bad lots of castings. It wasn't an engineering problem, it was a manufacturing problem that got sorted. Faulty engines failed and were fixed. Subsequent batches of pistons were fixed in manufacturing. If a car had that problem it wouldn't be on the road, or you'd know it from a test drive. I wouldn't worry about buying an old ej20 or ej25 if it's still running and you can test it. New ones, no problem.
kkthxk this is true. Subarus are money pits. Enjoy the warranty.
Birmingham Man Rixstaa not money pits. I've had three wrx. Very reliable. kkthxk were those stock STis? I could see that lean burn happening if they were tuned to push the boost beyond what the injectors were able yo keep up with.
always good to see the tech sepc broekn dow and making a lot more sense than just the numbers on paper. awesome vid bro
wow super impressive understanding and delivery for someone who is just becoming interested in these great cars. thanks for the great comparison!
I love my '16 STi.
+Steven C I love my '14 STI! Great car you've got! :)
16 sexualy transmitted infections? Thats bad luck
I only bought it.cuz it hold its value
Ty Ty gay
@@EngineeringExplained 14's are great!
So bolt the wrx engine to the sti transmission, got it
the sti box is a fair bit heavier and beefier
Is this possible?
+Asariel Maradiaga it was in 2007 so maybe
Asariel Maradiaga yes its possible actually wouldnt be that hard because they are the same chassis and similar engines ........... although r you going to buy 2 brand new Subarus and tear them apart probably not
David Dipboye I
🚼,,00$$
Damn dude, thanks for this video! I was really interested in the sti but you’ve definitely convinced me.
This chap is clear and precise. Nice vid SIR 🐎⛽
Had a 06 sti. Blew up on me. I'm in a 2019 WRX Raiu Edition now. Modding the hell out of it as well. The FA20 motor is a welcome change. Probably won't buy another sti ever again. Tired of the old engine and the new one replacing it is gonna be hybrid. Enjoy the hell out of my WRX though :')
I appreciate the thoughts here :) but I'd still pick the sti for the reasons you stated
Great video. Your engineering videos are very helpful as well. I knew i recognized your voice and teaching style from those. Been looking at the wrx and now i know its the one to get. You make complex things simple to understand which im sure is you goal. Thanks.
Picked up a 2016 WRX a couple weeks ago and couldn't be happier with it. Definitely agree with your points made between the WRX/STI. Coming from a 135i(6 spd/M Sport), the WRX is much more practical for both daily and back road cornering. The 135i was fun, but even stock you need a track to get close to it's full potential..
You really chose a sweet road to drive on. I was out there yesterday. Good job on explaining these so well so quickly. And thanks
Pick up my '16 WRX today!
+Thinking Commas Congrats!
+Thinking Commas Got mine last week!
+Thinking Commas , congrats! I picked up a 2016 lapis blue wrx 3 weeks ago and still no regrets. I didn't really trust the new 2.0 motor but performance wise its tuned perfectly and that twin scroll turbo has almost zero lag. If it ends up being reliable I will never regret getting the base wrx
+Thinking Commas how much $ ? Is it better than a 2016 mustang?
STI right??
Despite having grown up with two mechanics in my family, I am not tech savvy when it comes to the guts of a car, even though I consider myself a car person. I have friends who are true car people and they can talk about engines and exhausts and transmissions all day and I still have a very poor grasp on what they are talking about. I really appreciate the very clear and detailed breakdown of differences between these two cars and the pros and cons of each. Also, even as us an unsavvy car person, I can still appreciate the beauty that is the WRX/STI. This is my dream car. Thank you for this video. You just made me love it even more :)
This video was actually very helpful. Thank you!
even if thi difference is not that much
sti=bragging rights
wrx=the sensible hat
Jack Stewart just buy the Wing and the STI emblem to make your WRX looks like a STI..no one can tell the differece lol
Fair point thats probobly what I would do
+Dino Climaco that would make u a poser lol
Sti= better performance
Wrx= more sensible
I would just put an STi spoiled on a WRX, and remove the WRX emblem so I don't look like a wannabe STi owner.
i like Subarus, but who wants a sexually transmitted infection? those aren't fun at all.
neither is a Black Mans Willy....
neither is an Another Unsafe Dick Infection
C Diff (Clostridium difficile) is something you have to look at everyday sitting in the car coz it's written next to the gear lever in bold letters. Anyone in the medical field will know about it. (But... I still like the WRX STI..!)
Probably an EVO guy
God I love all of these comments 😂😂😂
Very. VERY, interesting view. I learned a lot, gave me a good point of view where I never looked before. Thank you for making TH-cam educational; something I don't experience within this website a lot lol.
Thank you for your thorough and detailed explanation(s). I appreciate this very much. Your work has changed the world for the better. Thanks again.
I'd be glad to have any of the 2!
I just wanna share my opinion since this is extremely relevant for me.
I remember watching this video a few months after getting my first Subaru, my 2015 WRX and being extremely ecstatic. This video really helped reaffirm that I made the right choice at the time to be more economic in multiple aspects, including financial. The car served me amazing through the years, but in time a serious issue began to present itself. I always wanted an STi ever since test driving one back when I was 18, but I didn't want to get rid of my other car at the time, so that seed had planted itself and was always there, slowly growing. This was the exact reason I ended up getting a WRX to finally nourish that original desire. This was the issue though, that seed wasn't truly being nourished and I ultimately realized I still wanted that STi...
So here I sit now with $20,500 for my WRX and about to go get a 2016 STi Limited with ONLY 27,700 miles for $29,990 and the previous owner did over $8,000 grand of custom work to it and treated it like it was his child, even kept it in a garage at all times. I'll tell you, the joy I felt test driving this thing before putting my deposit was in a whole different category of what the WRX gave me, especially with all the custom mods already installed.
My advice, if you have to wait, especially financially..then wait, but keep in mind, that desire will always be there until you get it out of you system. I literally can't believe I'm about to finally own my 18 year old selves desired car, and it's that beautiful electric blue.
I'm considering saving up for a hyperblue.
Trying to talk myself into a wrx.
What I'm telling myself is, I want the extra lsds living out in the corn fields in a place can get a foot or two snow overnight.
What I want from the wrx is the mpg.
I figure the turbo lag could be addressed in the future with a variable vane turbo upgrade in the sti.
So. After a year or so, do you feel the switch was still worth it? Any quick pros and cons?
Oh man this is me exactly actually. I really want an Sti but it may not be best since I qork minimum wage :(
Bruh
I've always wanted a side by side comparison! Thanks for the video! ^_^
Thanks so much for this video. That's exactly what I wanted to know. Well done (as always.)
You have a voice built for voiceovers, radio, and podcasting.
Dude, that was on point. Imprezzed. lol
The most important video I've seen all year! thank you for making this really hard decision much easier!
Great job on the video and explanation. Thanks for the awesome comparison!
There are two things I've learned in this life. 1: wrap it before you tap it, and 2: always buy the race version.
I agree. I think the current generations of WRX/STI are too close to justify the price hike for the STI.
Learned so much from you.
Keep it up!
Thank you so much for the review. I've been looking at both cars for a while now and couldn't decide between the two. I'm a dad with two toddlers but still wanted something I could have fun in. I think the wrx is going to be the one!
I remember obsessively watching this video and wishing I’d have an STI… day dreaming working at Panda Express all day…. it’s been 6 years and here I am sitting in my STI on my lunch break. Man time flies 😢
You should be proud of yourself! You work hard for what you've earned, and you deserve every bit of it!
And here I am, working 3-4 years, a failure in life, stuck woth parents house mortgage debt, no education other than high school because I'm simply not built for learning in academics, 23 years old, work at a gas station $15 and hour. Wish I had some money for a sport car. 😔
and now you're broke af gambling your remaining dollar in Vegas LMFAO. Should have bought the WRX HAHAHAHAH
Totally agree that the WRX is a better car. Unless you track it every day or its not a daily driver, its just a status thing.
And people who put "boosted" on their cars in 2015 just make me lol. Which car these days doesnt use boost? Ok there are a few, but I think it'd be funny to see a boosted sticker on a Ford Fiesta sFe, a Chevy Sonic RS, VW Golf, or Dodge Dart to name a few. I should put a sticker on my Mazda that says "High Compression FTW."
Great review Sir!
I put "boosted" in my turbo lawnmower... dont laught ok!
well... those little golfs actually have models with lots of boost :P
The fiesta, the Golf, the Sonic and the Dart are "boosted."
A lot of cars have turbo sure, but it's 200hp i wouldn't call that boosted hahah. It just uses the turbo to make acceptable power. An old Civic Si makes that much hp without the turbo lol.
WRX, STI, Evo.. now THAT is boosted.
My brz is not boosted!
This video was a great help. I was looking at the STI, but hearing how the WRX would be more beneficial to my needs and saves me about $10k!
Thanks for the great video and the clear explanation of the differences between the two!
The problem is whenever an sti pass by me, in an wrx, then i would feel devastated.
I just got a new 2019 Sti a month ago and I LOVE it I don’t mind the whole gas thing and for me Yes it’s Worth 8k more Especially the Sound it makes it’s just a more old School growl sound. Also it’s a STi and Not a WRX bragging Rights😎
Wow. Great video. I always assumed the STI was just better in every way although I don't ever race on the track. Enlightening. Thank you.
Thank you for the information between the 2! I recently just bought a WRX instead of the STI version. Drove it to Vegas from Los Angeles, the mpg did not disappoint me. I love this car and it is so fun to drive! 4-door 5 seater, Perfect car for mee! My first ever sports car with 6speed manual transmission!
We're driving conservatively? Or did you give use the boost every so often on your drive? I'm looking at getting a WRX, but a lot of the reviews online say the MPG is bad.
Very well explained .. Thanks for this review .. More tourqu at only 2,000 rpm .. The wrx would be much more fun to drive around town and in traffic .. Just daily driving ..
I have a gt350 and i can only rarely stretch it out .. So I'd be happier to have more torque down low where I use the same rpm the most daily driving ..
Balls to the walls driving is fun but how many times do we all get to have that fun ? I'd pick the wrx
I still own a 2003 wrx sti 2.0L with factory forged internals and pistons FTW! :D
so do I :)
+Zalata Japan?
same here, ej207 ftw!
Nice review, wanted the WRX STI for a while, but you convinced me that the WRX is a better choice. Thanks
Thanks for the video!! I just picked up my first Subaru two weeks ago: 2011 Subaru WRX!
is the sti trans still stronger, that was somthing i didnt think about when i had my 12, tuned it and then realized i capped out the trans gears, where as the sti had a stronger trans, and would of allowed me to continue on.
True! But Sti gives you wings!!
and the boxer rumble ;)
Actual wings!
Great video best one I've seen comparing the two
I just bought a 2015 wrx yesterday. Limited trim. I absolutely love it. Looks great, everything is just perfect.
You just saved me 10k. Thank you!
That STI looks clean though!
Thanks for the vid! Years later!
Thank you for your insight. I'm getting my wrx this May
Can you tell me what wheels are on the red STI? I'm in love. Thanks!
+DoomDash STR 524.
So will the WRX engine deteriorate faster than the STI because of the higher compression? Great video, love the break down and a completely interesting and unbiased view of the two cars traits.
Love this, the math geek in me appreciates the breakdowns.
Great post, to the point and not dancing around the question asked 🤙🏼
Man, this talk about 'torque', lol, - this guy understands!!!
My brother in law's name is Van Dorr, any relation? Serious question. I know it sounds made up hahahah
I'll get a PRIUS that day I'll care about gas mileage
Funny...I used to own an s2000 a few yrs back. Too many break-ins and vandalism to my car(the haters really hated it)so I let it go >:-(....My husband got a Prius that he later gave to me and I have been nagging him about me getting an STI since. It's painful to think about the sticker price but 2020 is the year I say goodbye to saving gas but gladly ")
Wow what a detailed vid. Great info! The rev hang comment alone makes me weary of the WRX... been driving a civic Si for 4 years... HATE rev hang
I truly enjoyed that video; you presented a lot of information in an easily digestible manner :)
The WRX is a great sporty car but the STI is a legend for good reason. The STI is far better everywhere it counts if you want to go fast. Far superior brakes, wheels, transmission, diffs- 2 of which don't even exist on a WRX, steering, suspension, seats, DCCD, and an engine with more top end power. Stock vs stock an STI is significantly faster in a straight line and around a track. Yes you can 'mod' a WRX, but you can start with a far superior platform in an STI, and mod that too. A WRX needs to be heavily modded to even come close to overcoming all these short comings and still will never be the STI's equal. A WRX limited is within a few bucks of a base STI, not to mention the STI has some items you still won't get on a limited WRX. (Dual zone climate control for example) And as far as engine failures, it has a ton to do with how you treat the motor. I've owned 3 EJs and have had ZERO issues. So if we're just talking about saving a few MPGs, go buy a Prius and get a used STI as your fun car. The only thing a WRX is 'better' at is compromising performance to save a few bucks.
Same
and the sti has turbo lag? slower power delivery than wrx = superior all round? haha
Agreed
Elguap08 why all the hate? the dude already agreed with you that the sti is the better car lol. either way, wrx is still a subaru. either one is fine. both can be modified. dont forget that the sti has ringland problems
Damn someone's bitter. Idiodic "impulse purchase", huh? sounds like you're projecting . casio tech - your lame ass, base wrx sucks. 340whp can be made on an sti with a flash and a down pipe. When you're tucking a Built closed deck short block and getting 600+ WHP then you can open your mouth, but even then you'll realize that if you did achieve those numbers, the transmission in your baby smurf cant hang.. So, you can go back to being angery and puting around in your bolted blue corola and hating STI owners.
You just made it really hard to pick between the two. haha
Great video. This clears it up...m getting a WRX
Very accurate and informative. I have a much different outlook being in the industry and also holding several race licenses. This was helpful, Im buying my wife a new car and she likes the WRX. Getting out of a 535 twin turbo, this would be a very fun transition. Thank you!!!
eye opening
he forgot to mention sti has the old UEL headers, u get that classic boxer rumble while WRX does not.
This.
This change was not needed. It's part of why the torque band is lower with the newer engine (twin scroll turbo doesn't like UELs) but no one floors it at 2300 rpm and expects a mountain of thrust anyway. Now the WRX sounds like every 4-cylinder boringmobile on the road, in addition to its lack of feel and character compared to a previous-gen.
I wonder what mpg the FA20F would achieve were it connected to an STI's beefy drivetrain.
Great analysis. Practical and in depth. Both cars have their advantages. An STI may be in my future.
I have to agree that the WRX is an absolute joy to have for city driving. Living in the middle of Dallas-Fort Worth I don't get out onto a highway much, but driving around in traffic I really enjoy the boost in lower gears.
I would get the STi just cause it's a STi. Resale value is better with the STi too.
bmwmsport11 You are a marketers dream lol. Same reason you bought a BMW I am sure. Status symbol.
Reed L rekt
Reed L id rather get the base model and put the flagship model parts in, its funner and cheaper that way plus you get to learn everything about your car all while saving money on insurance
TumblrTrash damned 2000 baby
Reed L I don't have a BMW. I have a WRX. Don't just assume things.
Don't you understand that with most japanese cars, the ones from factory command top dollar? Like take a built Skyline GTS and compare it to a Skyline GTR. Or a built N/A Supra and compare it to a Supra Turbo? Which is worth more over time assuming you matched the performance difference? People pay more for an all original car. Granted the STi is not loads better than a WRX, but if you keep it all stock the STi has a slight advantage.
I honestly cannot decide. WRX or FRS. I like both cars for different reasons... but I feel like the wrx suits my needs better. Any input ? They're both nearly the same price.
If you have the money I think the WRX is the clear choice. The FRS starts at a base price of around 25K where as the WRX starts at around 27K (both prices are from manufacturer websites) and I think for two thousand dollars more you really get a bang for your buck! You get roughly 60 more HP and 90 lb/ft of torque. And apart from all this you can still take your WRX to the dirt, snow track, etc. or places where you otherwise would not be able to take an FRS. And cmon lets be honest the WRX is just BADASS
***** Yeah, that's what I was thinking... the wrx is only 2k more, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I don't really do anything with my cars except commute on the highway for the most part. Unfortunately all the twisty roads are reserved for my motorcycle. lol I just really love the looks of the FR-S.
I own both a 14 wrx Sti and a 15 brz, previously owned a 12 wrx. Don't listen to the few guys here who have mentioned "you can off road with the wrx" because you can't. The car doesn't have any ground clearance, the sportier tires give any traction either. Dirt smooth road on stock suspension? Sure. If it rained any time that week you'll def get stuck. As I only test drove the 15 wrx, I can tell you the brz does feel more alive in the handling area and it's actually a lot more fun to drive on small twisty roads, the wrx kinda feels lifeless to me in comparison in those areas. The wrx is obviously faster, but at a price it is very noticeably heavier and almost feels like a suv when compared to an 86.
It all really depends on where you live and your lifestyle. If you live anywhere with a chance of snow get the wrx and through snows on it. If you live down south with no kids I would lean more towards the 86. "You can fit 3 more people in the wrx". Let's be honest, NO ONE wants people in their back seat. Not to mention even 4-5 people on a wrx just feels wrong, like a placebo affect that you're somehow stressing the car. I'm sure it's doing absolutely nothing to hurt it, but driving and feeling how heavy the load is and the cars behavior just feels wrong.
If you live in an area where it doesn't snow and you have no kids I would honestly vote the 86 twins over my Sti (hate me I don't care). I would buy a 2014 which are easy to find with no miles and save 8-9 k off of a brand new one so almost 11 k compared to a new wrx. If speed is your concern you can reliably make 300 whp with its light weight, beat stage 2+ wrx and Sti (I know from experience even though the Sti will have more power. It's heavier and awd becomes your enemy after the start off by drag)and still have cash left over for some wheels and coils or what ever.
Me living in New York, if it came down to one or the other id pick my Sti. Awd is a must (not that I would drive either through the snow).
Enjoy your new car what ever you pick!
Also with the 86, you'll get a lot more looks. A lot of people don't know what it is, I get a lot more compliments and "what kind of car is that?!"
Chris C Funny that you say that because I've had a couple people look at my badges (WRX) and ask me what kind of car it was.
Nice review and well supported points. Thanks.
excellent review thank you.... I just bought a '17 WRX