This video proves you're an honest guy because I've owned a 2019 STI and a 2021 STI as well as a 23 VB WRX and I agree with you 100% the STI is a special car but the VB WRX is a lot more fun to drive and in many ways is a better car, I wish Subaru would make a new STI using the VB platform but give it the STI looks and and STI transmission, and of course more power.
Thanks man! They really had a chance to build on the VB with an STI variant. Would have loved to see the golf r, type r, etc go up against a new STI version.
There's a reason Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2023 rated VB WRX so poorly and VB recorded the slowest ever lap, that in 2024 Subaru recommended they don't run the VB WRX and instead to use BRZ and Airslayer. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB. Telling people to spend $7k on used STI transmission, should've just gotten a used STI to begin with, or a new GR Corolla or Civic Type R like I ended.
Rented a VB Wrx off of Turo and was impressed how great the car was around town. Only complaints was the shifter, it had an STI short shifter but still didn’t feel great. I also found the stock exhaust too quiet.
The VB is like that ugly person who asks you out on a date and at first you say no because they aren’t your type. However they’re so persistent and continue to ask you on a date and finally decide to give them a chance. Then you randomly fall in love and realize personality matters. This is how the car was for me when I finally decided to test drive. I wanted to back away from the VB because it was so ugly but because it was a WRX I gave it a shot and I honestly love it. I think I test drove it for 30 minutes before I finally bought it. I like the sleeper look. VB looked the same for over 7 years so it was nice to get a change
I had a Blobeye STI, VA WRX and now drive a VB WRX. My VB is just as fast as the STI with a fraction of the mods and it's easier to live with by far. Plus the peaky power band of the STI makes it feel slow unless you're beating on it. As long as you're not shooting for 450+ HP the VB is the way to go, no question. Also with a couple cosmetic mods it looks great. Even with the cladding and rear bumper.
I own a blob eye STI, and a VB Wrx... the Blobeye feels special where teh VB doesnt, but i wouldnt want to daily the blob, its just a mess, with so many noises and creaks and vibrations. Its an amazing weekend car, and I wont part with it, but the VB is way way faster (both are equally modded), more comfortable to daily, and gets better gas miliage, its just not as "special".. people ask to take pics of my Blobeye Sti, its an 05 btw. the best year ever produced in North America...i get a thumbs up once in a while in my VB, and people ask what color my wheels actually are. They are inbetween blue and purple... lol
sold my VB but many of my VB friends were just like you, only talk about HP numbers and compare that to STI for drag racing. But STI is about HANDLING. There's a reason Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2023 rated VB WRX so poorly and VB recorded the slowest ever lap, that in 2024 Subaru recommended they don't run the VB WRX and instead to use BRZ and Airslayer. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB.
STI has never been about drag racing like the VB WRX always mention how much HP they make for going straight line. In fact even the STI owners who don't track or canyon or rally their car wouldn't understand, but the STI is about HANDLING, it's the reason the entire drivetrain from front to center to back is completely different than WRX. While WRX is good value and uses front open diff and rear open diff from Crosstrek and Forester, AWD performance cars like the EVO, STI, GTR, GR Corolla all have front LSD, center DCCD/AYC/ATTESA diff, and rear LSD. Sure WRX will handle fun for a daily no doubt and "good" enough those that daily. EVO, STI, and GTR are for track/handling.
The VB handles really well on the track. My car is stock power and suspension, and I’ve put up pretty much the same lap times compared to a VA STi and GRC. The difference in handling isn’t as dramatic as people make it out to be.
that is an interesting point, considering its setup to understeer really badly from the factory... if the car was about handling they would have fixed that. Dont believe me? just drive a BRZ, or a CTR... both those cars handle way way better than an STI of any generation. you can make an STI handle well, but that wasnt subarus only focus. It is supposed to be a well rounded car. Its not setup as a track warrior, or a drag car. its setup to be a daily driver. The VB wrx is also not about drag racing, its actually more catered toward handling than the sti, and a lot of people say the VB handles better stock to stock, and i tend to agree. The corolla has a shit center diff that overheats on track an puts the car in limp mode.. its also pretty much maxed on power. The Evo is also known to have a weak transmission, although the Evo 10 out handles almost everything out there, including the coveted CTR. GTR isnt in the same league as any of these cars. Its on a totally different level, with porches etc. But its even known to have issues with understeer. Lastly the STI stopped having a mechanical dif in 2018(?) and it was then controlled electronically like the torque vectoring system, which was also found on the VA wrx. The only car you didnt mention was the CTR, which is actually designed as a dedicated track weapon. It out handles and performs all of the cars you mentioned (cpt maybe the evo 10, and excluding the GTR) and is faster on track than any of them, but it has a huge achiles heel, it over heats.. So, you can say the this car or that car is more sorted, but the truth is they are all production "sports inspired" cars and not true sports cars. You wanna know how you can tell? does it come with adjustable toe and trailing arms? Caster adjustment? etc... No the STI does not come with any of that. It has the same bolt style adjustment as the VA WRX, as well as the VB WRX. the only real dif between the STI and the VB WRX is the EJ... the STI trans is more robust, but the gearing isnt that far apart. Best of luck
@@juanticimo engineer from Subaru himself at the Willow event old us why new VB WRX doesn't handle well, he said they used front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Crosstrek SUV, that is why identical. If you like VB handling, the Crosstrek or Forester would be a good choice because it will hold more for you. Glad the GR Corolla exists, with front LSD, center active diff, and rear LSD just like the EVO, STI, GTR.
Austin, have you driven a late model STI? The engine was updated towards the end of it's life (around 2018 or 2019). I don't know if the tuning was different, but the engine itself was improved and I know that a lot of people said it was a big difference over the earlier STI models. I had a 2019 model and thought it drove pretty well, although it wasn't what I was looking for at that time in my life (which is why I got rid of it). I haven't driven a VB WRX yet, so I don't know how they would compare to me.
You are talking about the RA block in the 2019 forward.. It wasnt a substantial gain in HP, I think 10.. and in a car that heavy, you wont even notice it, not to mention youd have to look at a dyno graph to even see where that power is. It could be very specific over 5-6k rpm range, which you will never notice.
great comparison! I think the VB is a great, fun daily driver, aside from the short gearing, but I don't mind that much. Slap an STI transmission in and then we can have fun with it like the STI guys have without having to worry about the engine(just a joke, don't come after me lol) :p
Oh, so just spend another $7k on a car that most buy because they're cheap price to afford to begin with? Might as well have bought a GR Corolla or Civic Type R that will at least be collector and hold value. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB.
the vb has a better engine and the sti has a better transmission. the vb has a stiffer chassis. the looks of the vb grow on you, especially after some exterior mods.
I like the new VB engines, but I love the 2015 to 2021 body style. I can't stand the vb body style. Maybe I can engine swap a vb engine into my 2016. I personally don't like the subi rumble, but then again I am a muscle car kind of guy and have a borla exhaust with equal length headers on my 2016 wrx that makes it sounds almost like a v8.
I think the VA looks dated already. The GR chassis in hatch form was always the best imo... those fender flares are sweet. I think the VB looks better than the VB, esp modded. Maybe a stock VA looks better than a VB, but once you slap on some wheels and lower it, those bulgy fenders on the VB slay the VA, and its camry like rear end.
VB engine is nice but that is the only thing it has going for it, that's why you ever only hear VB owners talk about HP numbers and drag racing. Miss the good old STI which was about handling and track and canyon. those saying people hate the VB for no reason other than looks, but the poor handling performance is key. There's a reason Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2023 rated VB WRX so poorly and VB recorded the slowest ever lap, that in 2024 Subaru recommended they don't run the VB WRX and instead to use BRZ and Airslayer. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB.
There's a reason Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2023 rated VB WRX so poorly and VB recorded the slowest ever lap, that in 2024 Subaru recommended they don't run the VB WRX and instead to use BRZ and Airslayer. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB.
@@Gonin60 for reals, only other Honda I wanted was NSX, pre-covid I found a few under 100k miles for $35-40k but was waiting for them to hit $30k, now post-covid they are near $100k.
When people start talking about modding these cars, people always say the STI is much better than any standard WRX for making power mainly due to the transmission, but for some reason forget to mention you can buy a VB WRX, and put your own STI transmission and have a hell of a car. Someone is selling an STI transmission near me with 100000km for $2400 CAD. This comes complete with the special diffs, driveshaft, everything you need for your own STI. While the old EJs have a much larger aftermarket, they are just too dated, and extremely expensive to get any power out of it. The total cost of buying a VB and swapping the transmission + tune will probably be cheaper than buying an STI and having to work with the old engine. The new VBs handle incredibly and have almost zero body roll, and various sources that drive and review cars for a living (such as Throttle House and TheTopher) said the TR WRX handles better on the track than the STI. If they finally come out with a VB that has the STI transmission, it would be one of the best 4 cylinder platforms on the market
People might says but tuners says hands down if you want a 400whp daily driver fa24 if you want more power ej but that because of 20 years of development in parts an tuning
@lucian7182 sure but again that comes down to the power your trying to make you have todo larger injectors an fuel pumps on an ej way before you have todo anything fuel related on the dit engines
funny, love the VB part, "it's a inexpensive fun car and daily, but don't need a STI but wait let me spend a few thousand more and put STI parts in". less than 1% of the VB in world have STI transmission. reason VB has front open diff and rear open diff straight from Crosstrek and Forester. The performance AWD like EVO, STI, and GTR enjoy FRONT LSD, CENTER DCCD/AYC/ATTESA diff, and rear LSD.
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This video proves you're an honest guy because I've owned a 2019 STI and a 2021 STI as well as a 23 VB WRX and I agree with you 100% the STI is a special car but the VB WRX is a lot more fun to drive and in many ways is a better car, I wish Subaru would make a new STI using the VB platform but give it the STI looks and and STI transmission, and of course more power.
Thanks man! They really had a chance to build on the VB with an STI variant. Would have loved to see the golf r, type r, etc go up against a new STI version.
There's a reason Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2023 rated VB WRX so poorly and VB recorded the slowest ever lap, that in 2024 Subaru recommended they don't run the VB WRX and instead to use BRZ and Airslayer. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB. Telling people to spend $7k on used STI transmission, should've just gotten a used STI to begin with, or a new GR Corolla or Civic Type R like I ended.
Rented a VB Wrx off of Turo and was impressed how great the car was around town. Only complaints was the shifter, it had an STI short shifter but still didn’t feel great.
I also found the stock exhaust too quiet.
Yep I agree on all fronts
The VB is like that ugly person who asks you out on a date and at first you say no because they aren’t your type. However they’re so persistent and continue to ask you on a date and finally decide to give them a chance. Then you randomly fall in love and realize personality matters. This is how the car was for me when I finally decided to test drive. I wanted to back away from the VB because it was so ugly but because it was a WRX I gave it a shot and I honestly love it. I think I test drove it for 30 minutes before I finally bought it. I like the sleeper look. VB looked the same for over 7 years so it was nice to get a change
@@Ohmywrx very well said and couldn’t agree more!
I had a Blobeye STI, VA WRX and now drive a VB WRX. My VB is just as fast as the STI with a fraction of the mods and it's easier to live with by far. Plus the peaky power band of the STI makes it feel slow unless you're beating on it. As long as you're not shooting for 450+ HP the VB is the way to go, no question. Also with a couple cosmetic mods it looks great. Even with the cladding and rear bumper.
Very well said!
I own a blob eye STI, and a VB Wrx... the Blobeye feels special where teh VB doesnt, but i wouldnt want to daily the blob, its just a mess, with so many noises and creaks and vibrations. Its an amazing weekend car, and I wont part with it, but the VB is way way faster (both are equally modded), more comfortable to daily, and gets better gas miliage, its just not as "special".. people ask to take pics of my Blobeye Sti, its an 05 btw. the best year ever produced in North America...i get a thumbs up once in a while in my VB, and people ask what color my wheels actually are. They are inbetween blue and purple... lol
sold my VB but many of my VB friends were just like you, only talk about HP numbers and compare that to STI for drag racing. But STI is about HANDLING. There's a reason Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2023 rated VB WRX so poorly and VB recorded the slowest ever lap, that in 2024 Subaru recommended they don't run the VB WRX and instead to use BRZ and Airslayer. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB.
That STI is a tricky one to shift. It took me a while to adjust to it. I dig the outro brother
Thanks man!!
STI has never been about drag racing like the VB WRX always mention how much HP they make for going straight line. In fact even the STI owners who don't track or canyon or rally their car wouldn't understand, but the STI is about HANDLING, it's the reason the entire drivetrain from front to center to back is completely different than WRX. While WRX is good value and uses front open diff and rear open diff from Crosstrek and Forester, AWD performance cars like the EVO, STI, GTR, GR Corolla all have front LSD, center DCCD/AYC/ATTESA diff, and rear LSD. Sure WRX will handle fun for a daily no doubt and "good" enough those that daily. EVO, STI, and GTR are for track/handling.
@@zombielivesmatter7294 I never said it was about straight line speed. I just mentioned I liked the way it pulls compared to the STI
The VB handles really well on the track. My car is stock power and suspension, and I’ve put up pretty much the same lap times compared to a VA STi and GRC. The difference in handling isn’t as dramatic as people make it out to be.
@@xtrekrex good feedback
that is an interesting point, considering its setup to understeer really badly from the factory... if the car was about handling they would have fixed that. Dont believe me? just drive a BRZ, or a CTR... both those cars handle way way better than an STI of any generation. you can make an STI handle well, but that wasnt subarus only focus. It is supposed to be a well rounded car. Its not setup as a track warrior, or a drag car. its setup to be a daily driver. The VB wrx is also not about drag racing, its actually more catered toward handling than the sti, and a lot of people say the VB handles better stock to stock, and i tend to agree.
The corolla has a shit center diff that overheats on track an puts the car in limp mode.. its also pretty much maxed on power.
The Evo is also known to have a weak transmission, although the Evo 10 out handles almost everything out there, including the coveted CTR.
GTR isnt in the same league as any of these cars. Its on a totally different level, with porches etc. But its even known to have issues with understeer.
Lastly the STI stopped having a mechanical dif in 2018(?) and it was then controlled electronically like the torque vectoring system, which was also found on the VA wrx.
The only car you didnt mention was the CTR, which is actually designed as a dedicated track weapon. It out handles and performs all of the cars you mentioned (cpt maybe the evo 10, and excluding the GTR) and is faster on track than any of them, but it has a huge achiles heel, it over heats..
So, you can say the this car or that car is more sorted, but the truth is they are all production "sports inspired" cars and not true sports cars. You wanna know how you can tell? does it come with adjustable toe and trailing arms? Caster adjustment? etc... No the STI does not come with any of that. It has the same bolt style adjustment as the VA WRX, as well as the VB WRX. the only real dif between the STI and the VB WRX is the EJ... the STI trans is more robust, but the gearing isnt that far apart. Best of luck
@@juanticimo engineer from Subaru himself at the Willow event old us why new VB WRX doesn't handle well, he said they used front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Crosstrek SUV, that is why identical. If you like VB handling, the Crosstrek or Forester would be a good choice because it will hold more for you. Glad the GR Corolla exists, with front LSD, center active diff, and rear LSD just like the EVO, STI, GTR.
Austin, have you driven a late model STI? The engine was updated towards the end of it's life (around 2018 or 2019). I don't know if the tuning was different, but the engine itself was improved and I know that a lot of people said it was a big difference over the earlier STI models. I had a 2019 model and thought it drove pretty well, although it wasn't what I was looking for at that time in my life (which is why I got rid of it). I haven't driven a VB WRX yet, so I don't know how they would compare to me.
Hey! I have driven both some of the newer and older ones. Still kind of disappointing imo
You are talking about the RA block in the 2019 forward.. It wasnt a substantial gain in HP, I think 10.. and in a car that heavy, you wont even notice it, not to mention youd have to look at a dyno graph to even see where that power is. It could be very specific over 5-6k rpm range, which you will never notice.
great comparison! I think the VB is a great, fun daily driver, aside from the short gearing, but I don't mind that much. Slap an STI transmission in and then we can have fun with it like the STI guys have without having to worry about the engine(just a joke, don't come after me lol) :p
Haha thanks for sharing!
I know a guy who had his long block replaced in his vb at 45k miles, he was stock. At the end of the day they are still Subaru engines.
@@lucian7182 they are but the cases against the EJ with issues are far more than any VB iMO
Oh, so just spend another $7k on a car that most buy because they're cheap price to afford to begin with? Might as well have bought a GR Corolla or Civic Type R that will at least be collector and hold value. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB.
@@elsicario7359 Good for you man, Type R's are sweet
I want a manual transmission car that can go to a track and have a surf board thrown on top...there's not much else out there
Sounds good
the vb has a better engine and the sti has a better transmission. the vb has a stiffer chassis. the looks of the vb grow on you, especially after some exterior mods.
Fair points
I like the new VB engines, but I love the 2015 to 2021 body style. I can't stand the vb body style. Maybe I can engine swap a vb engine into my 2016. I personally don't like the subi rumble, but then again I am a muscle car kind of guy and have a borla exhaust with equal length headers on my 2016 wrx that makes it sounds almost like a v8.
Nice! I agree on the looks of the new VB
I think the VA looks dated already. The GR chassis in hatch form was always the best imo... those fender flares are sweet. I think the VB looks better than the VB, esp modded. Maybe a stock VA looks better than a VB, but once you slap on some wheels and lower it, those bulgy fenders on the VB slay the VA, and its camry like rear end.
VB engine is nice but that is the only thing it has going for it, that's why you ever only hear VB owners talk about HP numbers and drag racing. Miss the good old STI which was about handling and track and canyon. those saying people hate the VB for no reason other than looks, but the poor handling performance is key. There's a reason Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2023 rated VB WRX so poorly and VB recorded the slowest ever lap, that in 2024 Subaru recommended they don't run the VB WRX and instead to use BRZ and Airslayer. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB.
Are you going to review the '24 TR?
If I can get my hands on one yes. I do not agree with the price of the car compared to its competitors and it has lost my interest tbh
There's a reason Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2023 rated VB WRX so poorly and VB recorded the slowest ever lap, that in 2024 Subaru recommended they don't run the VB WRX and instead to use BRZ and Airslayer. when I found out VB WRX uses front open diff and rear open diff with brakepad torque vectoring straight from the Forester and Ascent SUV, it all made sense, and why they're so different than performance AWD like the EVO, STI, GTR, that run front LSD, center (SAYC, DCCD, ATESSA), and rear LSD. So glad sold the VB, now running Civic Type-R and it is 100x better than VB.
Type r is no joke
@@Gonin60 for reals, only other Honda I wanted was NSX, pre-covid I found a few under 100k miles for $35-40k but was waiting for them to hit $30k, now post-covid they are near $100k.
When people start talking about modding these cars, people always say the STI is much better than any standard WRX for making power mainly due to the transmission, but for some reason forget to mention you can buy a VB WRX, and put your own STI transmission and have a hell of a car. Someone is selling an STI transmission near me with 100000km for $2400 CAD. This comes complete with the special diffs, driveshaft, everything you need for your own STI. While the old EJs have a much larger aftermarket, they are just too dated, and extremely expensive to get any power out of it. The total cost of buying a VB and swapping the transmission + tune will probably be cheaper than buying an STI and having to work with the old engine.
The new VBs handle incredibly and have almost zero body roll, and various sources that drive and review cars for a living (such as Throttle House and TheTopher) said the TR WRX handles better on the track than the STI.
If they finally come out with a VB that has the STI transmission, it would be one of the best 4 cylinder platforms on the market
Well I’ll be excited to see lots of people swapping in STI transmissions. Haven’t seen or heard of many doing it.
People might says but tuners says hands down if you want a 400whp daily driver fa24 if you want more power ej but that because of 20 years of development in parts an tuning
@@JoshDillon-lm3hwit’s also easier and cheaper to upgrade fueling with port injection vs direct injection.
@lucian7182 sure but again that comes down to the power your trying to make you have todo larger injectors an fuel pumps on an ej way before you have todo anything fuel related on the dit engines
funny, love the VB part, "it's a inexpensive fun car and daily, but don't need a STI but wait let me spend a few thousand more and put STI parts in". less than 1% of the VB in world have STI transmission. reason VB has front open diff and rear open diff straight from Crosstrek and Forester. The performance AWD like EVO, STI, and GTR enjoy FRONT LSD, CENTER DCCD/AYC/ATTESA diff, and rear LSD.
My gf likes the vb more 🤷♂️
@@BigDomDefoort there ya go!