Thanks. From #078/209. Primary daily driver - YEAHHHH! Fourth one for me; lived in Japan 4 years; this is not the fastest, but the best one. You point out whys. And I really, really love it. Clearly you get it. 350-ish miles and still in break-in stage, but you get it. STAYS flat, and has all the tech of my former lux all-options Infin’. Didn’t notice a ton of these deets from your vid, and I appreciate your thorough-ness and attn to detail. A couple other cool things; it stays PLANTED. Duh. It also makes really cool noises. And, it’s got nice “touch” things about it; it doesn’t let you lock yourself out of it or your keys in it; all that proximity shit has been perfected so that your daily interactions with it are super streamlined. Bought Pilot all-seasons and had a special lil shop in NJ put em on! We’ll see the track in Spring w Dunlops and 1,500+ miles. Follow me at @the_red_chief I’m not rich, and I’m a lover. ‘86 Legacy (Japan specs), ‘97 385whp Tokyo WRX, ‘03 bugeye with an easy $20k added, and now WRB 2019 STI S209. Suck it, haters. Nvm your Hellcat.
Great in-depth video. My real complaint is that it's not the "best" that STI has to offer.. especially from an engineering standpoint. Extras that the S208 received: -Hand-built & balanced engine with forged pistons -Twin scroll ELH (S209 retains the UELH) -Twin scroll, ball bearing turbo with titanium turbine wheel (S209 receives a single scroll, journal bearing HKS turbo) -Better torque curve & 8k rpm redline -Real Recaro Sportster CS seats -Bilstein DampMatic II adjustable suspension -11:1 steering rack Yes, it's the best STI that we've received in the US, but it's not an engineering advancement from the S208.
100,000% correct, we still don't get the truly good stuff, but this is a step in the right direction and certainly the best STI we've received here. I would still take a clean version 2 over this any day haha, but it's super neat we actually got a real STI :) Thanks! Rick
Keep in mind that the US has one of the most stringent laws when it comes to legalizing cars for emissions and safety. They can only do so much before it gets difficult US emissions testing. There's even a documentary showing how much time and money they spent to tune the car to pass US emissions with the new HKS Turbo. Subaru has to design the car to pass all emission laws in each of the 50 states. Within those 50 states you have places as cold as Wisconsin, as hot as New Mexico, elevation as high as Colorado, and as low as Death Valley. Japan on the other hand nearly has nearly uniform atmospheric properties throughout the country, as it's much smaller. Because of the wide variety of environments, they had to tune the S209 to work in all of them reliably and within emissions spec. Any chance of unreliability, especially being the flagship model, will tarnish Subaru's reputation. They already get a lot of flak for spun bearings on EJ's haha. As much as we'd all love to have Recaro sportsers, it won't comply with american safety laws. Yes they can do a safety retest with sportsters but again that's more money to do so. Even the US spec Focus RS doesn't get sportsters while the EU editions do. Though I don't see why we couldnt get the adjustable Bilsteins I'm not much of a subaru fanboy, I just appreciate the automotive engineering process
@@adrianealmiranez2174 In my opinion, those aren't reasonable excuses for a vehicle at this price point.. especially a Subaru. I think it ultimately came down to Subaru/STi's production costs vs profit (while limiting sales to only 209 units) and also meeting the 2019 delivery deadline. Otherwise, they would have had to re-certify the vehicle for 2020. How would a twin scroll setup with a ball bearing turbo negatively impact emissions? An equal length, twin scroll setup would actually improve volumetric efficiency, fuel economy, emissions, and arguably reliability. The equal length runners would allow for equalized/lowered EGTs & exhaust backpressure across cylinders.. while reducing the chances of detonation/knock. That's why the WRX's FA20DIT and most other modern, turbocharger 4 cylinders have converted to twin scroll setups. STi claims to have not used the forged pistons due to a manufacturing defect (of the piston itself) that they didn't have time to resolve in order to meet the 2019 delivery. Hand-building, blueprinting & balancing the engine would have only improved performance and reliability.. even with the standard cast hypereutectic Al-Si pistons. For what it's worth, Cobb and other tuners have already noted inconsistent power delivery and significant power loss due to knocking (with the stock tune) even on 93 octane. The owner of S209 #207 in California already has his S209 at the Subaru dealer due to rod knock. The vehicle is stock and hasn't seen any track time. As for the Recaro Sportsters, they did make a version with airbags that could pass US safety regulations. They were actually used in a few vehicles in the US, the Nissan Juke Nismo RS being one of them. Edit: I am a Subaru nerd and appreciate the engineering aspect. I really wanted the S209 to be more from an engineering perspective, unfortunately the delivered product wasn't enough for me to justify the $64k price tag.. let alone the markups that I've seen to nearly $130k. Subaru of Japan had a lottery system for the S208 that prevented ADM like this.
I appreciate how in depth you went without reading a brochure...I like that you admit when you aren’t sure of something rather than trying to pretend you know. I enjoyed all the tangents and opinions you shared. I love these. Not the car to buy and modify, I believe that would hurt the value more than anything. I know in a decade or 2 these will appreciate in value. I love the “one-off” type parts like the fenders, and the frame ties. I’m a nerd for all that “specialty” type stuff. I love my ‘16 WRX, I’ve driven it extensively (131k miles), it’s got rock chips and scratches from rocks and debris, but I bought it to be a daily. If I were to buy this car, there’s no way in hell I’d drive it the same way I drive my WRX. It would be a garage queen, weekend/fun car as much as I know a car like this begs to be driven. I know many will buy this and cover it in a corner of their garage and will drive it very little, but I’d have to take it out and enjoy it. Great video. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions.
I'm thinking about trading my 17 STI for an S209.. but not sure I have a ton of rock chips and scratches as well but I don't stress it... I'm like... "rally car" it's not gonna stay pretty forever. If I got an S209 I would drive the crap out of it same as I do my 17... I would get a clear bra and ceramic coating to help protect the car somewhat. I didn't do that on my 17.
THIS IS EXACTLY why I got one of these. Its not meant to be changed up, its the closest I will ever get to having a 22b. I have been driving subarus since the 22b came out, and have always loved them. Thank you Japan, your gift is well received.
Bam. I know not everyone understands it, but there certainly is a place for this car and it's 100% this. A factory modified, hand assembled, and truly special car from Subaru. And for that, its awesome :) Rick
I almost ordered one. But decided to go buy a used 2015 STI. Since I had every intention to modify my car. The S209 shouldn't be modified and left in its purest form. I see it as a collectors car and not a car designed to actually be driven. Sounds stupid, but that's really what this car is meant for, despite the chassis being tuned. It's basically a farewell model to the VA WRX. I say this because it will get dominated in every aspect on the track for similarly priced cars.
No you are 100% true. And I don't think it would be that hard to build your 2015 into something that could easily beat this in just about every aspect. You made the right choice for sure :) Thanks, Rick
@@rallysportdirect, I agree. I spent 24k$ on it with only 24,985 miles. And it just went stage 2+ and waiting to go EWG with headers and upipe. Still saved a ton of money I'll use on other aspects of the car. Here's a link to the dyno recently. TH-cam th-cam.com/video/RxrWafFKyTI/w-d-xo.html
designed to actually not be driven ? Drive it hard and enjoy it ! But obviously as a weekend car so to keep the mileage down.And yes def made the right choice getting the sti .The price subaru are asking for the 209 is ridiculous .You will have a faster more enjoyable car by modifying it the way you want
@@saigoneze4465 If there were maybe 1000 plus made I would agree with you 100%. But being only 209 made, period. I personally couldn't see driving it. It may or may not have value down the road.
wish they made more of these! s209 is the pinnacle of AWD driving pleasure and performance. I've taken jdm STi parts like the s209 strut tower brace and STi pink springs put em on my VA WRX an it transforms the way the car communicates with the driver, and making it more enjoyable to drive. This car is an STi with those part taken hand installed perfectly. I love STi philosophy about not making the fastest most powerful car but a car thats balanced and the driver can control at will because that make a car more fun to drive for me.
I like to think that as well. I know at the end of the say they are a company and need to be net positive, but when they do stuff like this, which does not really make financial sense, it makes me proud to be a fan. Thanks, Rick
i like how the majority of the comments here are completely missing the point of this car. the price tag and rarity is what makes it better than ANY STI ever sold in the US. it's literally hand built by STI themselves. all bolts are touched by their staff. "oh i could've bought this but i went with a regular STI or a used one", um no, you have zero clue what you're talking about. sorry, but jesus people. let's get it together! nice vid btw.
The STIs are built at Kiryu Kojou, a small factory that makes all the specials such as police cars, and is about 17 km or 35 minutes drive from the main factory in Ota. They can produce about 2 of these per day. I believe that STI buys them from Subaru to keep everything legal. There is also the tc380 model made by FujiSubaru, 380 hp, 50 of them only tuned by Toshi Arai, a rally driver, but it does not have all the refinements of the S-models. I was a second round lottery winner for the S208 in Japan #78. After losing the first round, I tried to build a upgrade a regular STI to S208 specs with help from the local dealer, but many of the parts were not available or too hard to come by. As luck would have it, they held a second round of the lottery, after a number of people had decided that they did not want it, and I was eligible to buy one! The rear i/c water tank is 3.8L, lasts just over 5 minutes if used continuously!
At the 26:00 mark, I work at shingle springs Subaru and ours was off loaded from a single enclosed trailer. The tech spent 2 days PDI-ing it and now it sits in the show room with all the wrapping on it still. If anyone wants an untouched one come and get it hahaha
That's what I'm talking about man! Good job on your techs there, I'm sure some know what it is and respect it as much as they can. Whoever had ours just did not care and apparently put in the pieces with an air hammer haha. Thanks, Rick
Completely agree with you! Great video. I haven’t seen any such S209 detail on TH-cam or online for that matter. I have most of the STI parts on my 19 STI just need the trunk stiffener and I’m there but haven’t found it yet. If you guys can get hold of it from Japan I’ll be your first customer for it. You are absolutely right - price is immaterial for this car. It is a collectors car and that’s all that matters. I’m not in the USA but would be on it in a heartbeat. #proudofboxer
Thank you!! and yeah I have not been able to find the trunk damper, but I imagine now that it's out, we should see it available here pretty soon. Now I have not done an in depth search for it yet, but I think these will be easier to find here soon. Thanks, Rick
Wow, as an Evo X FE and Type R fk8 owner, this is a really good review and explanation. Im actually thinking of getting this STI S209 in the future. I truly appreciate your honest and in depth review man. 👍💚😊
A man of taste I see :) But seriously, thank you! I appreciate the feedback and just hope this video helps or at least entertains people. Thanks again! Rick
Rick, thank you! I just watched the video last night, and just finished reading all 111 comments.. I'm not the type that writes comments on TH-cam, but you sir deserve a hat tip! At first, I thought "this is gonna be a long video", and when it finished I thought "that's it?! I want more!!!" Some of us are envious that you got the S209, or the Type RA before it.. Man, we don't even get the FB25 on the Forester, we get a dinky 2.0 instead! 😂 Glad that such videos from people who get this car exist... Also, thanks for verifying that I'm a Subaru/STI nerd! RSD customer from Saudi Arabia! (shameless plug: @boostedKST!)
Very very cool!!! Subaru execs NEED to see this video now more than at any other time. Especially in regards to their recent decision about the future of the ICE STI. And they should pay particular attention to the last 10-15 minutes of you video. Your sentiments reflect many our feelings and loyalties to the Subaru brand and original company philosophy. A car that has stuck to an all ‘round good at it all platform that has only been honed and improved over the years. And yes, most Subarus over 10 years old are still motoring along for a reason. I hope that someone over there is still listening. And still cares.
Love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru and it’s why I’m on my second and will continue to buy Japanese. Thank you for the in depth video and please don’t stop making videos like this one!
Thank you! I truly appreciate the kind words, and I 100% agree. I don't even know how many Subaru's I've owned, but its 10+ easily and I'm just a huge fan of the brand in general. :) Rick
Great video! Unfortunately this is probably the only up close footage I'll get on one of these truly special cars... as a life long Subaru fan I absolutely get it and hope they continue doing the tribute cars celebrating their success! Hopefully we get more low volume special editions state side!!!
Thank You!! I figured this car would not get this type of review and I figured I would be the guy to do it... well maybe not the best guy to do it but still haha. But I agree, I hope they continue bringing us genuine special edition cars and not just a special edition badge with a markup like so many companies do. But seriously, thank you :) Rick
This is why I've been buying from Rallysport Direct for years. A true OG Subaru lover like myself, and not just a flash in the pan parts site. And as someone that has owned every Impreza model back to 1993, I get the emotional part that finally Japan (and STI more so) recognizes that the US has a bunch of Subaru fanatics. Subaru is a niche market, and this car appeals to a very small subgroup within that group.
Thank you so much. It is truly appreciated. I know this was not the highest quality video, but I feel like it's more genuine when I can just grab a camera and go and I'm glad you noticed that :) Thanks, Rick
Subaru Technica International building itself is behind a dealer in Mitaka, Tokyo. You should visit them one day, if you call ahead they have ppl that can guide you. :) They just reopen again after a small remodel.
Dude this would be a dream come true. I assume it's amazing, but I almost worry that I build stuff up like that so much in my head that when I actually experience it, it won't live up to my own hype I've put on it lol. Still on my bucket list though :) Thanks!!! Rick
If FA engines end up being the future of STI, hopefully they figure out the connecting rods that like to go elastic and slap piston skirts in WRXs at sub 400hp.
The EJ257 is an STI engine and receives forged rods from the factory. The WRX's FA20 obviously doesn't get the "STI treatment" or forged rods. Hopefully Subaru gives us a true STI version of the FA. Time will tell.. In the meantime, check out Prime Motoring's FA24DIT swapped Crosstrek.. over 500whp on the stock Ascent longblock.
Thank you! And you literally made me realize I could have had way more views(along with more hate too lol) just by using the title... "Why the S209 is worth more than the asking price." But seriously thank you, glad you enjoyed the video. :) Rick
Thank you!! and ohh man.. YES! Oh man I would love to get my hands on an old RS-RA and geek out on it. The history there... to me it was start of something special that has evolved into what I have my hands on today. For anyone reading this and want's to geek out on some old school Subaru stuff.. Look up Legacy 100,000KM challenge. You can thank me and Francis later ;) Rick
it's similar to people that buy watches or collect watches. Some feel that a base model Seiko watch is already extremely good quality at a great price point. Then you have Grand Seiko's which cost a lot more and a lot more handcrafted methods into making their watches. both tell time extremely accurately both priced very differently.
Excellent way to put it. It's not always about the all out performance, or this vs that for the money. To some they see what goes into this, and the appreciate it for that exact reason and is worth the price, and for others they see an over priced Subaru. Both are not wrong. lol Thanks, Rick
It's the first collector car.. are you serious? 07 Sti and 06 Spec Bs ..500 ever made in the US. Shit the 2012 Legacy Gt only had likd what 100 something ever made?
I never said "first collector car" let's not be twisting words. I said this is the first genuine STI we've got in the states and that I hope it becomes a collectors car. And while the cars you listed are rare and properly badass in their own respects, not one of them came from STI, with parts engineered by, tuned by and installed by STI. And that's what this video was about. Not to downplay other cars, but to show this one in the light it deserves. Thanks, Rick
Great video. The concepts you are conveying are underappreciated. Also, eat more next time and you won't ramble so much! After watching this video, I'm convinced buying an S209 is not for me. I am better off buying parts from RallySportDirect and building an ordinary STI to /my/ idea of "perfect". Here are some more items I want to know about the S209: 1) STI's suggested oil drain interval for Motul 300V 2) What does STI mean by active torque vectoring, and how does it differ from a standard STI 3) Does the water sprayer turn on for only 5 seconds like the '04-'07s did, or will it run until you turn it off 4) What's the purpose of those PCV check valves
I agree 100%. Its like any fine tool, or machine. You don't want to use it every single day(I mean you want to, but you don't) but when you do use it, it makes it special and that much more memorable. :) Thanks, Rick
That's awesome! How you liking it so far? After this video we've been hit with snow storm after snow storm so I have still not had a chance to really take it for an extended drive and review it... one day though haha. Thanks, Rick
@@rallysportdirect Put Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3s on it and hit a little ice, but not enough to test it yet. The winter tires make it feel like a "normal" sport suspension, but it is still blast to drive. No snow accumulation here, yet.
@@rallysportdirect My M2C is a beast, but not as fun to drive as this. The suspension really is from a different level on this car, and so livable on the street. Thanks for the video. Only one out there that goes under the car in depth.
haha thanks! I don't like doing the typical youtube thumbs, but I feel like I need to start slowing creeping there. Unfortunately that's what gets people to click, then I just hope the content is worth the click LOL. ;) Rick
Hi Rick, Awesome video, great attention to detail! I wanted to get your thoughts on a couple of items about the S209, relative to the Type RA (full disclosure: I own a 7.2 mile example no. 350) , and namely Subaru / STI's last minute decision to remove the forged pistons? Personally, that was the reason why I elected to pass on my endeavor to purchase one, especially after spending the better part of the year getting financially prepared for it, that last minute decision stung! How do you feel this car stacks up against the Type RA? I know it'll be damn near impossible for me to not sound biased and yes I recognize the S209 is "more", but I can't help feeling the S209 is merely a glorified Type RA and I don't mean that as an insult, it's simply that a lot of the items you commented on have been available from STi japan for some time now - directly out of their catalog. Do you think some of these parts will find their way into the website, as parts to be sold? I know I've been pouring over the S209's parts and trying to decide which pieces I intend to add to my RA. It's funny, a couple of people have point out wanting to drive the car and not drive it - it's the same issue I have with my RA. I want to drive the heck out of it, but then I also like knowing it's safe and mint at the same time. I daily a '19 Honda Civic Type R, so I'm not hurting too badly. Can you please get more info on the rear trunk brace? I'd like to see if I can get that to effectively plug and play on my RA. Anyways, thank you for the great video and please add more if possible - it's great to see the detail.
Hey Chris, thank you for the kind words. And the Type RA... mmmmm just the badge alone gets me excited. I know their current version of the RA stand for Record Attempt in commemoration of their attempt to set a record at the ring, and that's what makes this one special. The RA badge holds some serious weight, going back to the first Legacies which you could get with the RA badge to honor their attempt at the FIA 100,000km speed record challenge, and they crushed it! Now the S series.. LOL. well the first S series, the S201, was a goofy looking boy racer thing that while im sure was impressive on the track, would look awful sitting in your garage haha. Then the s202 came with a much needed simplicity to the body work and all the magic put into the chassis, suspension, engine etc.. So for that alone, I take more pride in the RA, but I know that was not your question, but I also start with a personal bias, so there's that. The S209 in theory, should be better in just about every way, and I don't think of it as a glorified RA, I think of it as a continuation of the S series line, where the RA is a continuation of the RA cars. This is a wildly off example, but it's like comparing a 911 turbo to a GT3 RS. Both will go toe to toe in many respects, but they are aimed and marketed towards different type of people. The S209 and RA are much closer in every respect, but you get the analogy. I don't think you made the wrong decision to keep the RA, it's a very very very special car in it's own way. In fact it could be argued that its more special than the S209 because of what it represents. So it really comes down to personal opinion when it comes to these very special and rare cars. If you like the idea that your car was modified by STI, the S209 is worth more, where if you light up thinking that you bought 1 of 500 cars made to celebrate and honor a damn valiant and near heroic attempt to best some of the giants around the toughest track on the planet(which is a very Subaru thing to do and is increidble) then the Type RA should be held in the highest regards. In my video when I briefly talk about the 22B, and what made that car so special to many wasn't the wide body, larger engine and performance numbers, it was that Subaru did it to honor their three consecutive WRC Constructors Championship wins in 95, 96 and 97. And that's what makes it so special. Now in regards to the STI parts. I'm sure some will be finding their way onto our site as we continue to bring on more Subaru OE and STI parts. I'll also see if I can dig into the rear strut tower damper for you and i'll let you know if I come across anything. Thanks so much! Rick
disappointed Subaru decided to go with the RA bottom end with cast pistons.. for a daily car it makes sense for longevity but for a 70k performance car they should have stuck with their original plan going forged for reliability..
yeah not my finest work but I really did want this to be genuine from me, and when I get excited... I ramble. I even told myself before the video not to do exactly what I did. yay me LOL Rick
@@rallysportdirect Oh I'm just messing with you lol i couldn't do a vid on the S209 simply bkuz I would ramble for hours. So I'm right there with you. Ur right tho, it's not worth the 65k unless ur buying it as a collector (or ur just ballin' like that) but it's hard to see a new S209 as a collectors car, compared to classics like a 70 Chevelle or even a Hako. It's just too new not to want to drive all the time lol
@@rallysportdirect To add to what I said about looking at this car, or any new car for that matter as a "Collectors" piece isn't the same as anything else that we collect really. I like that u mention a 1911 Pistol, bkuz I collect firearms as well. I bought a Sig 226 Legion 2 years ago and it's the 2nd nicest pistol I own( only to the TacOps version of the same 226) and they prolly made quite a bit of these pistols, and still it's a $1400 piece. Unlike a new car, I've ran a few thousand rounds through it, and will run thousands more, BUT... The pistol holds its value extraordinarily well & is pretty much worth the same as new no matter hard I run it (as long as the finish stays unscratched) it'll always be worth close to what I paid, if not more in the future. When it comes to a vehicle, the object is to put as little miles as possible on the motor, and as the miles go up, the value goes down. The only aspect that the S209 has on its side is the limited quantity of units made. It's a possibility that as this car becomes a classic, it will settle or rise in Price, but not for certain. As opposed to If you buy a classic collectors car, it most likely has leveled out in price and will stay there for years too come.
Do you know how to adjust the damper hardness of this front Bilstein DampMatic II in this S209? I heard that the hardness of the front damper is adjustable.
Brandon probably the improved cast pistons from the ‘19 base and the Type-RA are good enough of an improvement that forged isn’t needed at the S209 power level.
Not really, I mean it just depends on how you feel about it. From a price standpoint, it's really not an expensive car to daily, but from a rarity standpoint, it kinda is. Sorta puts it in a weird spot in the market for sure. Thanks, Rick
No, I never got around to it before i left for maternity leave, and then the covid hit, and then we had a big earthquake so we stored it off site. Once we get it back I can though. So far you're the only one interested, but I might do it anyway just for my own personal curiosity. :) Thanks, Rick
RallySport Direct That would be great. I’m wanting to order a S209 intake when I upgrade the Turbo and Intercooler on my 2020 STI. So very curious what the inside looks like.
sorry but i really don't agree with the USA being the reason Subaru are so big. i think it was all down to STI's clever marketing and one other man/legend Mr Colin McRae
Japanese people are laughing at Americans for buying this astronomically priced wrx. S209 will end up being a $5000 upgrade package when it’s released in Japan.
Maybe some.. but I would imagine most would be proud to know that people here are excited about this car and appreciate it for what it is. I mean imagine you build widgets and sell them all over the world, and you start to gain quite the following and fan base. Then one year you decide that you're going to take 200 of your widgets and modify them... by hand. You decide to mark them up a bunch because it took you hours and hours for each one and you want to make them special where only people who genuinely want one and appreciate what it is will pay that "astronomical" price without pause. And they will. It does not make them dumb, it makes them a connoisseur of your product, not a consumer. Do you know that in Japan they pay a premium for hand tools that are made in the USA? I'm not laughing because they pay more, it makes me proud that the U.S.A. is able to produce items that are seen by many as the best in the world, and they gladly pay for it. It's really cool. :) Anyway, I don't want this to come off as argumentative, and you are right in that most of these parts will be on a STI in Japan for less eventually. So if it's a price vs performance stand point, this car is really not worth it, but for what makes it special, it is... to some.. lol. Thanks! Rick
Tried to upgrade a regular STI to S208 specs in Japan with help from a local dealer, $10,000 later it was maybe only halfway there. Engine and suspension are easy to do, but steering rack, body refinements, i/c system, were not included. The whole S-series models are totally balanced machines, which is why they cost more.
It's funny, I realized during editing that due to the I/C reservoir, there is no spare tire and therefore they give you the inflator and sealant. Kinda cool :) Thanks! Rick
I'm not sure what you mean by this? Brakes and an engine? I can tell you what the evo does not have... the ability to be bought brand new. LOL totally joking and I mention later in the video that the EVO is a superior car for just about everything, but that I still prefer the Subaru's. I think you might be missing the point of this video though, and that's okay, I don't expect everyone to like it, just something I wanted to do from a personal stand point :) Thanks! Rick
Thanks. From #078/209. Primary daily driver - YEAHHHH! Fourth one for me; lived in Japan 4 years; this is not the fastest, but the best one. You point out whys. And I really, really love it. Clearly you get it. 350-ish miles and still in break-in stage, but you get it. STAYS flat, and has all the tech of my former lux all-options Infin’. Didn’t notice a ton of these deets from your vid, and I appreciate your thorough-ness and attn to detail. A couple other cool things; it stays PLANTED. Duh. It also makes really cool noises. And, it’s got nice “touch” things about it; it doesn’t let you lock yourself out of it or your keys in it; all that proximity shit has been perfected so that your daily interactions with it are super streamlined. Bought Pilot all-seasons and had a special lil shop in NJ put em on! We’ll see the track in Spring w Dunlops and 1,500+ miles. Follow me at @the_red_chief I’m not rich, and I’m a lover. ‘86 Legacy (Japan specs), ‘97 385whp Tokyo WRX, ‘03 bugeye with an easy $20k added, and now WRB 2019 STI S209. Suck it, haters. Nvm your Hellcat.
*#072/209 (sorry)
#166/209 here
# 014/209 here
Great in-depth video.
My real complaint is that it's not the "best" that STI has to offer.. especially from an engineering standpoint. Extras that the S208 received:
-Hand-built & balanced engine with forged pistons
-Twin scroll ELH (S209 retains the UELH)
-Twin scroll, ball bearing turbo with titanium turbine wheel
(S209 receives a single scroll, journal bearing HKS turbo)
-Better torque curve & 8k rpm redline
-Real Recaro Sportster CS seats
-Bilstein DampMatic II adjustable suspension
-11:1 steering rack
Yes, it's the best STI that we've received in the US, but it's not an engineering advancement from the S208.
I came here to say just this lol
100,000% correct, we still don't get the truly good stuff, but this is a step in the right direction and certainly the best STI we've received here. I would still take a clean version 2 over this any day haha, but it's super neat we actually got a real STI :)
Thanks!
Rick
I thought the 209 got the 11:1 rack :( that makes me sad to hear hahaha
Keep in mind that the US has one of the most stringent laws when it comes to legalizing cars for emissions and safety.
They can only do so much before it gets difficult US emissions testing. There's even a documentary showing how much time and money they spent to tune the car to pass US emissions with the new HKS Turbo. Subaru has to design the car to pass all emission laws in each of the 50 states. Within those 50 states you have places as cold as Wisconsin, as hot as New Mexico, elevation as high as Colorado, and as low as Death Valley. Japan on the other hand nearly has nearly uniform atmospheric properties throughout the country, as it's much smaller. Because of the wide variety of environments, they had to tune the S209 to work in all of them reliably and within emissions spec. Any chance of unreliability, especially being the flagship model, will tarnish Subaru's reputation. They already get a lot of flak for spun bearings on EJ's haha.
As much as we'd all love to have Recaro sportsers, it won't comply with american safety laws. Yes they can do a safety retest with sportsters but again that's more money to do so. Even the US spec Focus RS doesn't get sportsters while the EU editions do.
Though I don't see why we couldnt get the adjustable Bilsteins
I'm not much of a subaru fanboy, I just appreciate the automotive engineering process
@@adrianealmiranez2174 In my opinion, those aren't reasonable excuses for a vehicle at this price point.. especially a Subaru. I think it ultimately came down to Subaru/STi's production costs vs profit (while limiting sales to only 209 units) and also meeting the 2019 delivery deadline. Otherwise, they would have had to re-certify the vehicle for 2020.
How would a twin scroll setup with a ball bearing turbo negatively impact emissions? An equal length, twin scroll setup would actually improve volumetric efficiency, fuel economy, emissions, and arguably reliability. The equal length runners would allow for equalized/lowered EGTs & exhaust backpressure across cylinders.. while reducing the chances of detonation/knock. That's why the WRX's FA20DIT and most other modern, turbocharger 4 cylinders have converted to twin scroll setups.
STi claims to have not used the forged pistons due to a manufacturing defect (of the piston itself) that they didn't have time to resolve in order to meet the 2019 delivery. Hand-building, blueprinting & balancing the engine would have only improved performance and reliability.. even with the standard cast hypereutectic Al-Si pistons.
For what it's worth, Cobb and other tuners have already noted inconsistent power delivery and significant power loss due to knocking (with the stock tune) even on 93 octane. The owner of S209 #207 in California already has his S209 at the Subaru dealer due to rod knock. The vehicle is stock and hasn't seen any track time.
As for the Recaro Sportsters, they did make a version with airbags that could pass US safety regulations. They were actually used in a few vehicles in the US, the Nissan Juke Nismo RS being one of them.
Edit: I am a Subaru nerd and appreciate the engineering aspect. I really wanted the S209 to be more from an engineering perspective, unfortunately the delivered product wasn't enough for me to justify the $64k price tag.. let alone the markups that I've seen to nearly $130k. Subaru of Japan had a lottery system for the S208 that prevented ADM like this.
I appreciate how in depth you went without reading a brochure...I like that you admit when you aren’t sure of something rather than trying to pretend you know. I enjoyed all the tangents and opinions you shared. I love these. Not the car to buy and modify, I believe that would hurt the value more than anything. I know in a decade or 2 these will appreciate in value. I love the “one-off” type parts like the fenders, and the frame ties. I’m a nerd for all that “specialty” type stuff.
I love my ‘16 WRX, I’ve driven it extensively (131k miles), it’s got rock chips and scratches from rocks and debris, but I bought it to be a daily. If I were to buy this car, there’s no way in hell I’d drive it the same way I drive my WRX. It would be a garage queen, weekend/fun car as much as I know a car like this begs to be driven. I know many will buy this and cover it in a corner of their garage and will drive it very little, but I’d have to take it out and enjoy it.
Great video. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions.
I'm thinking about trading my 17 STI for an S209.. but not sure I have a ton of rock chips and scratches as well but I don't stress it... I'm like... "rally car" it's not gonna stay pretty forever. If I got an S209 I would drive the crap out of it same as I do my 17... I would get a clear bra and ceramic coating to help protect the car somewhat. I didn't do that on my 17.
THIS IS EXACTLY why I got one of these. Its not meant to be changed up, its the closest I will ever get to having a 22b. I have been driving subarus since the 22b came out, and have always loved them. Thank you Japan, your gift is well received.
Bam. I know not everyone understands it, but there certainly is a place for this car and it's 100% this. A factory modified, hand assembled, and truly special car from Subaru. And for that, its awesome :)
Rick
I almost ordered one. But decided to go buy a used 2015 STI. Since I had every intention to modify my car. The S209 shouldn't be modified and left in its purest form. I see it as a collectors car and not a car designed to actually be driven. Sounds stupid, but that's really what this car is meant for, despite the chassis being tuned. It's basically a farewell model to the VA WRX.
I say this because it will get dominated in every aspect on the track for similarly priced cars.
No you are 100% true. And I don't think it would be that hard to build your 2015 into something that could easily beat this in just about every aspect. You made the right choice for sure :)
Thanks,
Rick
Was going to order one but decided on a 2019 sti . It’s a beautiful car but I am happy with my sti
@@rallysportdirect, I agree. I spent 24k$ on it with only 24,985 miles. And it just went stage 2+ and waiting to go EWG with headers and upipe.
Still saved a ton of money I'll use on other aspects of the car. Here's a link to the dyno recently.
TH-cam
th-cam.com/video/RxrWafFKyTI/w-d-xo.html
designed to actually not be driven ? Drive it hard and enjoy it ! But obviously as a weekend car so to keep the mileage down.And yes def made the right choice getting the sti .The price subaru are asking for the 209 is ridiculous .You will have a faster more enjoyable car by modifying it the way you want
@@saigoneze4465 If there were maybe 1000 plus made I would agree with you 100%. But being only 209 made, period. I personally couldn't see driving it. It may or may not have value down the road.
wish they made more of these! s209 is the pinnacle of AWD driving pleasure and performance. I've taken jdm STi parts like the s209 strut tower brace and STi pink springs put em on my VA WRX an it transforms the way the car communicates with the driver, and making it more enjoyable to drive. This car is an STi with those part taken hand installed perfectly. I love STi philosophy about not making the fastest most powerful car but a car thats balanced and the driver can control at will because that make a car more fun to drive for me.
It's why we all love Subarus, it's just proof the company loves us too...
I like to think that as well. I know at the end of the say they are a company and need to be net positive, but when they do stuff like this, which does not really make financial sense, it makes me proud to be a fan.
Thanks,
Rick
i bought one of the S209...thanks for the walk thru...my wife and I watched it😎
i like how the majority of the comments here are completely missing the point of this car. the price tag and rarity is what makes it better than ANY STI ever sold in the US. it's literally hand built by STI themselves. all bolts are touched by their staff. "oh i could've bought this but i went with a regular STI or a used one", um no, you have zero clue what you're talking about. sorry, but jesus people. let's get it together! nice vid btw.
Thank you! :)
Rick
The STIs are built at Kiryu Kojou, a small factory that makes all the specials such as police cars, and is about 17 km or 35 minutes drive from the main factory in Ota. They can produce about 2 of these per day. I believe that STI buys them from Subaru to keep everything legal. There is also the tc380 model made by FujiSubaru, 380 hp, 50 of them only tuned by Toshi Arai, a rally driver, but it does not have all the refinements of the S-models. I was a second round lottery winner for the S208 in Japan #78. After losing the first round, I tried to build a upgrade a regular STI to S208 specs with help from the local dealer, but many of the parts were not available or too hard to come by. As luck would have it, they held a second round of the lottery, after a number of people had decided that they did not want it, and I was eligible to buy one! The rear i/c water tank is 3.8L, lasts just over 5 minutes if used continuously!
At the 26:00 mark, I work at shingle springs Subaru and ours was off loaded from a single enclosed trailer. The tech spent 2 days PDI-ing it and now it sits in the show room with all the wrapping on it still. If anyone wants an untouched one come and get it hahaha
That's what I'm talking about man! Good job on your techs there, I'm sure some know what it is and respect it as much as they can. Whoever had ours just did not care and apparently put in the pieces with an air hammer haha.
Thanks,
Rick
Completely agree with you! Great video. I haven’t seen any such S209 detail on TH-cam or online for that matter. I have most of the STI parts on my 19 STI just need the trunk stiffener and I’m there but haven’t found it yet. If you guys can get hold of it from Japan I’ll be your first customer for it. You are absolutely right - price is immaterial for this car. It is a collectors car and that’s all that matters. I’m not in the USA but would be on it in a heartbeat. #proudofboxer
Thank you!! and yeah I have not been able to find the trunk damper, but I imagine now that it's out, we should see it available here pretty soon. Now I have not done an in depth search for it yet, but I think these will be easier to find here soon.
Thanks,
Rick
@@rallysportdirect Not in the STI performance parts catalogue, but Cusco make one.
I like your enthusiasm. Thanks for spending the time and effort reviewing the S209.
Wow, as an Evo X FE and Type R fk8 owner, this is a really good review and explanation. Im actually thinking of getting this STI S209 in the future. I truly appreciate your honest and in depth review man. 👍💚😊
A man of taste I see :) But seriously, thank you! I appreciate the feedback and just hope this video helps or at least entertains people. Thanks again!
Rick
Rick, thank you!
I just watched the video last night, and just finished reading all 111 comments..
I'm not the type that writes comments on TH-cam, but you sir deserve a hat tip!
At first, I thought "this is gonna be a long video", and when it finished I thought "that's it?! I want more!!!"
Some of us are envious that you got the S209, or the Type RA before it.. Man, we don't even get the FB25 on the Forester, we get a dinky 2.0 instead! 😂
Glad that such videos from people who get this car exist... Also, thanks for verifying that I'm a Subaru/STI nerd!
RSD customer from Saudi Arabia!
(shameless plug: @boostedKST!)
Very very cool!!! Subaru execs NEED to see this video now more than at any other time. Especially in regards to their recent decision about the future of the ICE STI. And they should pay particular attention to the last 10-15 minutes of you video. Your sentiments reflect many our feelings and loyalties to the Subaru brand and original company philosophy. A car that has stuck to an all ‘round good at it all platform that has only been honed and improved over the years. And yes, most Subarus over 10 years old are still motoring along for a reason. I hope that someone over there is still listening. And still cares.
Love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru and it’s why I’m on my second and will continue to buy Japanese. Thank you for the in depth video and please don’t stop making videos like this one!
Thank you! I truly appreciate the kind words, and I 100% agree. I don't even know how many Subaru's I've owned, but its 10+ easily and I'm just a huge fan of the brand in general. :)
Rick
Great video! Unfortunately this is probably the only up close footage I'll get on one of these truly special cars... as a life long Subaru fan I absolutely get it and hope they continue doing the tribute cars celebrating their success! Hopefully we get more low volume special editions state side!!!
Thank You!! I figured this car would not get this type of review and I figured I would be the guy to do it... well maybe not the best guy to do it but still haha. But I agree, I hope they continue bringing us genuine special edition cars and not just a special edition badge with a markup like so many companies do. But seriously, thank you :)
Rick
This is why I've been buying from Rallysport Direct for years. A true OG Subaru lover like myself, and not just a flash in the pan parts site. And as someone that has owned every Impreza model back to 1993, I get the emotional part that finally Japan (and STI more so) recognizes that the US has a bunch of Subaru fanatics. Subaru is a niche market, and this car appeals to a very small subgroup within that group.
Thank you so much. It is truly appreciated. I know this was not the highest quality video, but I feel like it's more genuine when I can just grab a camera and go and I'm glad you noticed that :)
Thanks,
Rick
Subaru Technica International building itself is behind a dealer in Mitaka, Tokyo.
You should visit them one day, if you call ahead they have ppl that can guide you. :) They just reopen again after a small remodel.
Dude this would be a dream come true. I assume it's amazing, but I almost worry that I build stuff up like that so much in my head that when I actually experience it, it won't live up to my own hype I've put on it lol. Still on my bucket list though :)
Thanks!!!
Rick
If FA engines end up being the future of STI, hopefully they figure out the connecting rods that like to go elastic and slap piston skirts in WRXs at sub 400hp.
I would imagine they will. Well maybe not in the way we would like, but at least improve them from a stock performance standpoint.
Thanks,
Rick
The EJ257 is an STI engine and receives forged rods from the factory. The WRX's FA20 obviously doesn't get the "STI treatment" or forged rods. Hopefully Subaru gives us a true STI version of the FA. Time will tell..
In the meantime, check out Prime Motoring's FA24DIT swapped Crosstrek.. over 500whp on the stock Ascent longblock.
Great video, now I get it! Couldn’t really understand the price point but after this, I get it. Very informative, way more than other videos 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you! And you literally made me realize I could have had way more views(along with more hate too lol) just by using the title... "Why the S209 is worth more than the asking price." But seriously thank you, glad you enjoyed the video. :)
Rick
RallySport Direct hope to see more videos on that car!! Very cool.
That's the kind of videos I love. I like geeking out about, especially their special models, like this one, the 89 legacy rs type ra etc.
Love this
Thank you!! and ohh man.. YES! Oh man I would love to get my hands on an old RS-RA and geek out on it. The history there... to me it was start of something special that has evolved into what I have my hands on today. For anyone reading this and want's to geek out on some old school Subaru stuff.. Look up Legacy 100,000KM challenge. You can thank me and Francis later ;)
Rick
it's similar to people that buy watches or collect watches. Some feel that a base model Seiko watch is already extremely good quality at a great price point. Then you have Grand Seiko's which cost a lot more and a lot more handcrafted methods into making their watches. both tell time extremely accurately both priced very differently.
Excellent way to put it. It's not always about the all out performance, or this vs that for the money. To some they see what goes into this, and the appreciate it for that exact reason and is worth the price, and for others they see an over priced Subaru. Both are not wrong. lol
Thanks,
Rick
If you drink enough Kirin, that tire inflator hose pattern looks like a Motegi track map. It's not going back in the same way until the next day.
OK free x 1 S209R for Rick only
Good video, I appreciate your opinion.
Thank you!!!
Rick
It's the first collector car.. are you serious? 07 Sti and 06 Spec Bs ..500 ever made in the US. Shit the 2012 Legacy Gt only had likd what 100 something ever made?
I never said "first collector car" let's not be twisting words. I said this is the first genuine STI we've got in the states and that I hope it becomes a collectors car. And while the cars you listed are rare and properly badass in their own respects, not one of them came from STI, with parts engineered by, tuned by and installed by STI. And that's what this video was about. Not to downplay other cars, but to show this one in the light it deserves.
Thanks,
Rick
Really appreciate this video Rick!
Thank you!!
Rick
Great video. The concepts you are conveying are underappreciated. Also, eat more next time and you won't ramble so much!
After watching this video, I'm convinced buying an S209 is not for me. I am better off buying parts from RallySportDirect and building an ordinary STI to /my/ idea of "perfect".
Here are some more items I want to know about the S209:
1) STI's suggested oil drain interval for Motul 300V
2) What does STI mean by active torque vectoring, and how does it differ from a standard STI
3) Does the water sprayer turn on for only 5 seconds like the '04-'07s did, or will it run until you turn it off
4) What's the purpose of those PCV check valves
I hate these cars because you want to drive it but dont want to at the same time.
I agree 100%. Its like any fine tool, or machine. You don't want to use it every single day(I mean you want to, but you don't) but when you do use it, it makes it special and that much more memorable. :)
Thanks,
Rick
Daily mine. Just put on my Winter Tires. #064
That's awesome! How you liking it so far? After this video we've been hit with snow storm after snow storm so I have still not had a chance to really take it for an extended drive and review it... one day though haha.
Thanks,
Rick
@@rallysportdirect Put Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3s on it and hit a little ice, but not enough to test it yet. The winter tires make it feel like a "normal" sport suspension, but it is still blast to drive. No snow accumulation here, yet.
@@rallysportdirect My M2C is a beast, but not as fun to drive as this. The suspension really is from a different level on this car, and so livable on the street. Thanks for the video. Only one out there that goes under the car in depth.
lmao the cover shot was funny af 😂
haha thanks! I don't like doing the typical youtube thumbs, but I feel like I need to start slowing creeping there. Unfortunately that's what gets people to click, then I just hope the content is worth the click LOL. ;)
Rick
I would have liked to see more on the heat extractor on the top of the fender.
Hi Rick,
Awesome video, great attention to detail!
I wanted to get your thoughts on a couple of items about the S209, relative to the Type RA (full disclosure: I own a 7.2 mile example no. 350) , and namely Subaru / STI's last minute decision to remove the forged pistons? Personally, that was the reason why I elected to pass on my endeavor to purchase one, especially after spending the better part of the year getting financially prepared for it, that last minute decision stung!
How do you feel this car stacks up against the Type RA? I know it'll be damn near impossible for me to not sound biased and yes I recognize the S209 is "more", but I can't help feeling the S209 is merely a glorified Type RA and I don't mean that as an insult, it's simply that a lot of the items you commented on have been available from STi japan for some time now - directly out of their catalog.
Do you think some of these parts will find their way into the website, as parts to be sold? I know I've been pouring over the S209's parts and trying to decide which pieces I intend to add to my RA. It's funny, a couple of people have point out wanting to drive the car and not drive it - it's the same issue I have with my RA. I want to drive the heck out of it, but then I also like knowing it's safe and mint at the same time. I daily a '19 Honda Civic Type R, so I'm not hurting too badly.
Can you please get more info on the rear trunk brace? I'd like to see if I can get that to effectively plug and play on my RA.
Anyways, thank you for the great video and please add more if possible - it's great to see the detail.
Hey Chris, thank you for the kind words. And the Type RA... mmmmm just the badge alone gets me excited. I know their current version of the RA stand for Record Attempt in commemoration of their attempt to set a record at the ring, and that's what makes this one special. The RA badge holds some serious weight, going back to the first Legacies which you could get with the RA badge to honor their attempt at the FIA 100,000km speed record challenge, and they crushed it! Now the S series.. LOL. well the first S series, the S201, was a goofy looking boy racer thing that while im sure was impressive on the track, would look awful sitting in your garage haha. Then the s202 came with a much needed simplicity to the body work and all the magic put into the chassis, suspension, engine etc.. So for that alone, I take more pride in the RA, but I know that was not your question, but I also start with a personal bias, so there's that.
The S209 in theory, should be better in just about every way, and I don't think of it as a glorified RA, I think of it as a continuation of the S series line, where the RA is a continuation of the RA cars. This is a wildly off example, but it's like comparing a 911 turbo to a GT3 RS. Both will go toe to toe in many respects, but they are aimed and marketed towards different type of people. The S209 and RA are much closer in every respect, but you get the analogy.
I don't think you made the wrong decision to keep the RA, it's a very very very special car in it's own way. In fact it could be argued that its more special than the S209 because of what it represents. So it really comes down to personal opinion when it comes to these very special and rare cars. If you like the idea that your car was modified by STI, the S209 is worth more, where if you light up thinking that you bought 1 of 500 cars made to celebrate and honor a damn valiant and near heroic attempt to best some of the giants around the toughest track on the planet(which is a very Subaru thing to do and is increidble) then the Type RA should be held in the highest regards.
In my video when I briefly talk about the 22B, and what made that car so special to many wasn't the wide body, larger engine and performance numbers, it was that Subaru did it to honor their three consecutive WRC Constructors Championship wins in 95, 96 and 97. And that's what makes it so special.
Now in regards to the STI parts. I'm sure some will be finding their way onto our site as we continue to bring on more Subaru OE and STI parts. I'll also see if I can dig into the rear strut tower damper for you and i'll let you know if I come across anything.
Thanks so much!
Rick
disappointed Subaru decided to go with the RA bottom end with cast pistons.. for a daily car it makes sense for longevity but for a 70k performance car they should have stuck with their original plan going forged for reliability..
this car comes with the fix-a-flat stuff because there is no spare tire in the trunk...
haha yep, I realized that when I was editing the video.. I felt just a tiny but dumb for not picking up on that when I was shooting :)
Rick
yeah.... STI mean top of the line sushi LOL
giggity goooooooo!
Does the s209 really come with a high flow catted downpipe from factory? I haven't seen any article mentioning this.
Smfh...Now that we know
*_"What this car is about"_*
let's take a look at the car & get into the details!
yeah not my finest work but I really did want this to be genuine from me, and when I get excited... I ramble. I even told myself before the video not to do exactly what I did. yay me LOL
Rick
@@rallysportdirect
Oh I'm just messing with you lol i couldn't do a vid on the S209 simply bkuz I would ramble for hours. So I'm right there with you. Ur right tho, it's not worth the 65k unless ur buying it as a collector (or ur just ballin' like that) but it's hard to see a new S209 as a collectors car, compared to classics like a 70 Chevelle or even a Hako. It's just too new not to want to drive all the time lol
@@rallysportdirect
To add to what I said about looking at this car, or any new car for that matter as a "Collectors" piece isn't the same as anything else that we collect really.
I like that u mention a 1911 Pistol, bkuz I collect firearms as well. I bought a Sig 226 Legion 2 years ago and it's the 2nd nicest pistol I own( only to the TacOps version of the same 226) and they prolly made quite a bit of these pistols, and still it's a $1400 piece. Unlike a new car, I've ran a few thousand rounds through it, and will run thousands more, BUT... The pistol holds its value extraordinarily well & is pretty much worth the same as new no matter hard I run it (as long as the finish stays unscratched) it'll always be worth close to what I paid, if not more in the future.
When it comes to a vehicle, the object is to put as little miles as possible on the motor, and as the miles go up, the value goes down. The only aspect that the S209 has on its side is the limited quantity of units made. It's a possibility that as this car becomes a classic, it will settle or rise in Price, but not for certain.
As opposed to If you buy a classic collectors car, it most likely has leveled out in price and will stay there for years too come.
This is a really informative video but was in desperate need of some editing.
So what about the sti type RA? That has mostly the same features as a S209 but not the hp difference. I don't know which is da best.
Do you know how to adjust the damper hardness of this front Bilstein DampMatic II in this S209? I heard that the hardness of the front damper is adjustable.
They put so much effort into it that they couldn’t get forged internals passed the development stage...
Brandon probably the improved cast pistons from the ‘19 base and the Type-RA are good enough of an improvement that forged isn’t needed at the S209 power level.
How'd they route the intercooler spray tubing? It looks like RSD has some of the suspension bits already - any plans for the rest?
oh boy
Nice Car👍💯🇵🇭😎
❤️
Thank you!!
Rick
you guys think it’s crazy to daily drive this?
Not really, I mean it just depends on how you feel about it. From a price standpoint, it's really not an expensive car to daily, but from a rarity standpoint, it kinda is. Sorta puts it in a weird spot in the market for sure.
Thanks,
Rick
what is the wheel offset? 19X9.0 +5xmm??????
Did you ever take the intake apart?
No, I never got around to it before i left for maternity leave, and then the covid hit, and then we had a big earthquake so we stored it off site. Once we get it back I can though. So far you're the only one interested, but I might do it anyway just for my own personal curiosity. :)
Thanks,
Rick
RallySport Direct That would be great. I’m wanting to order a S209 intake when I upgrade the Turbo and Intercooler on my 2020 STI. So very curious what the inside looks like.
"This is a REAL STI" Don't worry regular STI owners. You can still feel superior over the WRX and the Outbacks. lol
sorry but i really don't agree with the USA being the reason Subaru are so big. i think it was all down to STI's clever marketing and one other man/legend Mr Colin McRae
Get any m car iver this more special
Japanese people are laughing at Americans for buying this astronomically priced wrx. S209 will end up being a $5000 upgrade package when it’s released in Japan.
It is not going to be offered in japan. They are getting the final ej20 version.
Maybe some.. but I would imagine most would be proud to know that people here are excited about this car and appreciate it for what it is. I mean imagine you build widgets and sell them all over the world, and you start to gain quite the following and fan base. Then one year you decide that you're going to take 200 of your widgets and modify them... by hand. You decide to mark them up a bunch because it took you hours and hours for each one and you want to make them special where only people who genuinely want one and appreciate what it is will pay that "astronomical" price without pause. And they will. It does not make them dumb, it makes them a connoisseur of your product, not a consumer.
Do you know that in Japan they pay a premium for hand tools that are made in the USA? I'm not laughing because they pay more, it makes me proud that the U.S.A. is able to produce items that are seen by many as the best in the world, and they gladly pay for it. It's really cool. :)
Anyway, I don't want this to come off as argumentative, and you are right in that most of these parts will be on a STI in Japan for less eventually. So if it's a price vs performance stand point, this car is really not worth it, but for what makes it special, it is... to some.. lol.
Thanks!
Rick
Tried to upgrade a regular STI to S208 specs in Japan with help from a local dealer, $10,000 later it was maybe only halfway there. Engine and suspension are easy to do, but steering rack, body refinements, i/c system, were not included. The whole S-series models are totally balanced machines, which is why they cost more.
RickSport Direct
I think I'd rather own a:
2021 BMW M3
2021 Toyota GR Supra 3.0
you mean BMW Z4
Yeah I don't think base model STi come with that tire sealant.
Source: I own a base 18' STi
Diego Tobar correct. Because the base STIs come with a spare wheel.
It's funny, I realized during editing that due to the I/C reservoir, there is no spare tire and therefore they give you the inflator and sealant. Kinda cool :)
Thanks!
Rick
A Subaru cost $50k+ .? No thanks
Most of this stuff every evo has....keep on moving love my evo
I'm not sure what you mean by this? Brakes and an engine? I can tell you what the evo does not have... the ability to be bought brand new. LOL totally joking and I mention later in the video that the EVO is a superior car for just about everything, but that I still prefer the Subaru's. I think you might be missing the point of this video though, and that's okay, I don't expect everyone to like it, just something I wanted to do from a personal stand point :)
Thanks!
Rick
RIP evo
😂😂 s..making videos