I was the exact same way, I drove my car stock for probably about 3 weeks and then I got the access port in the intake. Definitely a huge difference. Hopefully within the next year I'm going to get an aftermarket intercooler, JP pipe and switch to a stage two tune.
I have a 2015 WRX and you're not driving it right - get it in 1st or 2nd gear, gas it to 4500 rpm, shift and there's plenty of torque throughout the power band after that. You have to get the turbo spinning big time before getting into another gear. It took me about 5,000 miles to get the hang of it - be safe.
@@jfielder8656 What are 0 - 60 times on a stock tune 2015+ WRX? I own a 2019 and while I adore the car, I have a hard time believing it's 5.5ish seconds. The car is quick, but it feels slower than my 2011 128i 6MT which did about 5.7 seconds 0 60.
I’m 18 and just upgraded to a 2018 wrx. Before I drove a 2009 civic ex, there was a hugeee power increase (obviously) which is what I was looking for. Hope this helps anyone that was wondering.
@@jonathanb1987 If you plan on modding the car the Sti EJ engine is a bad choice it can’t even handle as much power. But yes if you are not modifying the car the sti is better.
@@AJTurbo yeah I don't plan on modifying it. Too many people mod them and don't enjoy the car the way it was supposed to be. Not all fun is straight line speed. If you try to find older unmodified STIs they fetch a premium. Also, with the way electric cars are going to be pushed, it will be a "relic" with a manual gearbox and hydraulic power steering in the world of electric cars.
Everyone who sort of babies it during the break-in gets disappointed in the same way. The way the car falls flat is almost unacceptable. Subaru doesn't let you really test drive it, and everyone thinks the car will pull at least decently all the way; until they are 1,000mi in, and then it's too late. It needs a tune, and that means losing the warranty.
Man, I'm in this process myself. I absolutely adore the car in so many ways, but I definitely want more power. Problem is, I don't trust turbocharged engines and bought an extended warranty from the dealer. I never buy warranties, but this one was cheap enough and it makes me happy to know that I can fix my baby for the next decade whenever I need to. I'm thinking about getting an exhaust and intake...warranty should be safe there.
This is a known issue. To prevent knock it pulls timing quite a lot. Lowering the ignition temps helps. 2-3 gallons of E85 cleans up the tune ALOT. It even adds some power without the warranty killing access port.
@@MrNathanchatterton you cannot exceed an E30 mixture or you can have a problem. I traded in the WRX over a year ago so I can't comment on it now. Do some additional research. there are a lot of people doing it without messing up their engines. Your Market May vary.
@Nathan Chatterton yep I've been doing it here and there for about a year now 3 gallons of e and the rest full with 91 could definitely feel the difference
Just bought a 19 brand new drove it off the lot with a dozen miles on it and my peak boost is 21.5 Someone's out raising the boost on these things before they're sold or straight from factory to show what it can get up to.
It is a boost surge in the WRX. I have one if you really get on the gas and let off at 4k the car will surge the boost up to above 20lbs. Stock it does not make over 20psi
Shouldn't have been disappointed. You're looking for STI performance, but you're not driving an STI. That WRX that you're driving does exactly what it says it should do. Plus... you still have to learn how to drive it correctly. It definitely has a lot more to give then what you're getting.
It’s definitley the stock tune. I’ve got an aftermarket intake and turbo-back exhaust with a dyno tune and the car completely wales up, ~300hp, power dip mostly gone, no rev hang and sounds so good.
Dude, you da man! I was laughing so hard during this in appreciation for your honesty. I bought one about 6 months and have been noticing all these downfalls of a stock tune. I just couldn’t put it to words but this video describes it all. I will definitely be upgrading to stage 1. Appreciate the review.
I find my 19 is all go once in 3rd gear. You can tell the ecu map keeps the throttle very tame until you're moving. Going from 91 to 94 really helped that rpm dip at 4000.
Power dips right in the middle. It picks up again after 4500-5000 rpm. Had a similar reaction until I drove it more. If you can keep it at 5000+ it feels a lot better
It really suprises me. I had a stock 02 WRX and that damn car had nothing under 3000 rpm and after that it pulled alll the way to redline. Damn regulations!
You also have to understand they're small turbochargers, which always have quicker spool times, then they fall flat at high rpms. It's the same thing with my Mazdaspeed3, which is surprisingly quick being front wheel drive stock.
Ya this is a known issue with the stock WRX. High end just drops like a bucket of led. Still fun, but a bit disappointing. If you don't care about the warranty/don't have crazy power goals you can turn this thing into a beast quick. And for a cheaper price than the STI stock would have cost. Tune it and get a grimmspeed, 3 port EBCS. Those two alone will help a lot, if you want to really add power than a new down-pipe and cat-back. Cold Air intake, a bigger inter-cooler and a pitch-stop bracket will have you looking at around 310 WHP. Flex fuel kit and boom close to 350 WHP. All bolt-ons.
The stock tune was weird and really inconsistent. Sometimes it made power to redline, sometimes it just fell after 4k. Even if it made the power it was really choppy and struggled to keep boost from fluctuating. It's not that the car is slow, it just runs poorly with the stock tune and doesn't feel like it's going fast. Plus the stock tune was prone to knocking, which would make it pull timing way too often and it'd lose even more power and it felt like driving a corolla. I definitely recommend at least a stage 1 tune if you aren't going to do any other mods.
Sergi Rodas I think you'll be pleased with the MA performance stage 1 tune. I reccomend it. I was... until i decided that i needed MOAR powah, and opted to do thier stage 2 package. Now its a little mini monster.
When you buy a Subaru and you don't know shit about it. WRX is low end power, STI is top end power. You're not gonna be surprised by power in a WRX when you been driving it for 1000 miles already.
it doesnt fall on its face after 4.. the stock tune alwayd pulls timing a re adjusts it-self. do a pull to 6700rpm and youll see after 5000 it picks up again. stock tune is def not the best but this engine pulls to redline AFTER 5
I live in Ventura County where it is usually cold. I'm talking temps in the 60 to 70 degree range. My WRX pulls very hard if I get on it and I have already driven mine for 9k miles. I have a 2017 premium and I know the fall on your face feeling it tends to give off if you just jump on it. I have had some great hard pulls with over boost regularly and I am happy with the power. I have peaked at 22PSI boost and it is most likely due to the cooler temps in my area. I also didn't buy my WRX for it to be fast since I am a mustang guy so all things considered I am very happy with my daily. Maybe if this wasn't meant to be your daily, but your race care you should have purchased the STI, not worth the extra 10K IMHO.
FYI Wrx and Sti engines are already “broken in” during production., you don’t have to wait to a certain mileage before you launch them after you buy it
wrong .It still needs many more mile before everything beds in completely .Youd be pretty dumb to redline the car hard up everyday after you buy it brand new
Not sure why all the down votes here. Your assessment is 100% correct. I had a 2015 WRX and, from the factory, it had the same garbage tune. You spend all that time being ginger with it, basically feeling all it has to offer in the low end. You think it'll be a BAMF when you finally get to give it the beans, then you finally mash it and find out oh.... the torque curve falls of Mt Everest. That said... open up the FA20DIT's ability to bring air In and blast it back Out, give it a solid tune, and it'll give you a pretty nice linear pull all the way to the red. Stage 2 on these is pretty decent. I went to a 2018 STi later on and the Stage 2 WRX was just a tad faster than the STi stock, and had a very similar power curve to the STi. Also got way better MPG than the STi :P
I just got a 2019 wrx about 6 months ago i have 4k miles... i realized flooring it in this car does nothing. I shift into second and slowly get it up to about 3k then start wailing on it lol. Never flooring it fully tho
@@davidkang1277 ayy nice bro! i upgraded to a 2021 sti yall. Never did get the WRX tuned, but let me tell you that transmission makes all the difference👌
I’ve test drove both the WRX and The STi before the purchase and end up going with the STi. The WRX was just not up to par and felt like I was just driving a Camry or something along that line. The STi felt more engaging and raw from the get go. The STi genuinely put a smile on my face vs the WRX did not and I don’t want to be in a situation of “damn I should have gotten the STi”. I have my STi for 8 months now and don’t regret a minute of it.
@THE KongMan - That's what happened to me. I bought a 17 WRX and after a couple of months I wished I had gotten the STi. So, I ended up trading it in for a STi and I don't regret it. The clutch feels better, the gearing is better, and the sound is AWESOME!!! But I did like the turbo kicking in at 2500 RPM with the WRX.
STI is purely cosmetic. If i wanted to spend "STI money" id get a BMW 335i or 2018 Mustang 5.0 and smoke the shit out of the STI. Subaru is smoking crack if they think a 15 yr old motor that has ringland problems is worth $45K. To each their own i guess..
k20a2toofast4u You sir are wrong by simply saying it’s purely cosmetic. Just like saying the civic Si is the same as a civic EX, all they did was added some ivtech stickers to it. Lol Sure there are many cars out there that will smoke an STi all day long, but the STi works for me and Camaro SS 1LE and Mustang 5.0 doesn’t (just to name a few). BTW you can get an STi for about $35k not $45k just saying. #teamringland lol
THE KongMan ive done my research before getting the my car. (For me) an sti doesnt justify the price and performance. A new base sti with tags, titles ect ect blah blah is around $39K just shy of $40K or at $40K not $35K.
To be fair...the car is only making slightly over 200hp to the wheels. There's alot of parasitic loss. AWD also doesn't have the same "seat of the pants" feel as a FWD or RWD car. My STi always felt slower than my 2005 IS300, but it wasn't.
That's the thing no one tells you about a stock sti, they feel pretty tame even if you're going fast as hell. Hence the turning culture so it feels fast when you're going really fast
these wrx with 268hp can easily be upgraded with simple tunes and bolt ons that doesnt cost an arm or leg. plus i feel the FA20 motors are abit more reliable compared to the EJ... my opinion.
Huh??? Awd cars feel way more seat of the pants feel. Every shitty fwd car i owned (civic si, gti, st) all sucked ass launching. Quick on some rolling pulls if thats what you meant but I finally went for a m240i xdrive modded to 500 crank and its launch is DISGUSTING. Rwd is best for goofing off and track but awd is ultimately the way to go.
I have driven the 2018 and it's fast. You sound like you had unrealistic expectations it's not a Nissan GTR it's a rally car ment to shredd dirt roads.
I have an STI now and the STI was a lot more satisfying off the lot. I came to realize many people say after a good tune the WRX is much better and it definitely was. I eventually went stage 2 and its a whole new world
Ditto on getting an AP to get rid of the loss of power, Rev hang and make boost more consistent. I know you shouldn't have to do this on a brand new car but the stock tune blows. I flashed my 18 1500 miles in. No regrets.
Should’ve bought an STI I test drive both each twice and fell in love with the ejs torque and the stis upgrade options that come standard also got a sweet deal on the limited
Get any b58 vehicle with awd…its a insane amount of a jump. Came from a wrx and felt the same way you did. Im sitting at 500 at the crank with bolt ons mostly and awd…running mid 11’s. Best was 11.4
i went in my friends 2019 wrx and a 2016 mustang gt and the pulls are not even comparable lmfao haha idk i gotta test drive a sti still but im leanin towards v8 big time
For everyone talking about how their peak boost was around 19 when they got it off the lot, dont forget every car goes thru a test AT THE FACTORY. There's a good chance your dealership didnt rip the car, its probably a factory test thing they do to make sure everythings running properly
Well I mean.. what were you expecting? It’s a 2.0l turbo powering all 4 wheels.. I’m thinking that’s about 230 to the wheels? It’s not a supercar. I’m not trying to troll but just saying it how it is.
Ryan Schwinghammer i wasn’t expecting it to be super car fast but wasn’t it expecting to just completely poop itself after 4K. I tuned it now tho and definitely much better
Ryan Schwinghammer yes. Just stage 1 (stock, no mods) tune. Makes a huge difference. Will be uploading a video soon. Instead of it slowing down at 4K, it holds the power and keeps boosting until red line
Sergi Rodas Awesome. I figured that would help a lot. I had a 15’ STi and did the stage 1 with the COBB accessport and it made it like a whole new car. I don’t know why subaru uses such a conservative tune from the factory. Sold that car and now regret it. Getting a WRX this time though.
I recently bought a 2020 wrx premium, and I think the same after 4k rpm. Car has 28k miles but I still like the car. My first manual vehicle. Until I run the warranty out I wont be doing any power mods of course. This is why I have my 2008 donkey dick cammed g8 to enjoy for fast af boi moments.
If anything, videos like this should have a lot more likes than dislikes, so that the manufacturer (in this case Subaru) could notice this video (and ones alike) and actually give heavy spec bumps in the next generation of the WRX and STi models.
I’ve had several cars and they were several different brands in my life so far and I remember my dad told me when I started modding my first car, he said son you can have fast you can have cheap and you can have reliable but you can only really have two of the three....one of the most accurately true statements I have heard over the years playing in the car world...
My 2020 also fell on it's face at 4k rpm. These only have 220HP, they lie and say 272, but that's to the crank, not the real wheel! HOWEVER, I paid about $5,000 (including labor) for #1 Cobb access port, #2 Perrin CAI, #3 Grimmspeed catted J-Pipe, #4 Nvidia Q300 exhaust #5 TGV / EGR delete , #6 Mishimoto top mounted intercooler, #7 Perrin charge pipe , and lastly #8 A pro tune. Now it gets 307HP at peek, TO REAL WHEELS! & it pulls all the way to 7k red line! Oh ya! This is what I expected from factory. I may upgrade turbo and flex fuel, but NEVER more than 400HP in the FA20 motors or they will blow! I might not upgrade turbo and flex because I want it to last, but at least now it's fast th-cam.com/video/hyPuivMXzkc/w-d-xo.html
I highly recommend tuning the car; the FA motors respond really well to mods and you'll enjoy the car a lot, lot more. Stage 2 WRX is faster than a Stage 2 STI just to put into perspective
Kian Palmer yeah I’m excited to do some power mods to the car. I got my access port today. A lot of people are taking my reaction to a stock WRX the wrong way. It truly is very slow on the top end. Fun on the low end tho
I bought the cvt wrx a bout 5 months ago and honestly it’s not as bad as any of these TH-cam reviewers say, listen it does fall off a bitbut you feel it re peak in book after about 5500-6k rpm so for the half second that you find yourself « out of boost » It’s not that bad from what I’ve heard just bring it to a reliable tuner and fix the stock tune on the écu that’s the only issue
Personally I don’t have an issue with it it’s very reliable I’ve beat the living shit out of this thing for 5 months and the only thing I’ve have to changed was a couple pcv valves on thé turbo
I noticed the same thing with my car after break-in. However, it seems now that the car pulls hard again after 5k. There's more of a dip at 4000. The pull after 5k has seemed to increase as I've gotten further from the break-in period.
To use a tool, appliance, instrument, software, car, ... you need to learn how to use it. The WRX does not tell you how to drive it. You have learn it. I can't believe all the responses here who used the wrong rev range to try and pull a fast time. Your car has has a twin scroll turbo. It works differently at low and high rpm ranges. In stock form, for low-end performance with good fuel economy in start-stop city driving, the turbo makes 2000-4000 rpm work for you. The low rpm part of the twin scroll shines. It gives you responsiveness, acceleration and good fuel economy. This vid is so funny because you pulled in the economy rpm range. 😂 What did you think was gonna happen? To turn a stock WRX into an animal on your rolling start you needed to push in your clutch, floor it to redline, and quickly, smoothly release the clutch into second while your revs are high while mashing the pedal to the metal. My stock 2015 WRX is an animal from 4500-6500 rpm. This is the high rpm range of the twin scroll where power and torque is maxing out. In a stationary or rolling run, when you launch from 4.5K+ rpm you have a stock animal on your hands. Even better on a tune. Twin scrolls at high rpm are their performance mode. If I want to smoke a car on a stopped or rolling start I dial up redline and choose the appropriate gear then choose the brutality of my release. Can't believe I had to teach you how to drive.
Im running Cobb Big SF intake with enhanced heat shielding, OTS stage 1+ tune on accessport, invidia R400 catback, cobb LF bypass valve, and a gallon of E85 per full tank of 91.....no pro tune yet and this car is insane in my opinion. It is doing what I want for now.
I feel your pain. I bought a 2018 wrx to have a fun 4 door winter car that also fits my kido because I dont drive my mustang in the winter and I have been so disappointed. I cant believe how slow it is. My wife's Toyota Highlander smokes my 18 wrx. Its so sad and embarrassing. Dont even bother taking on any soccer moms in any v6 sedans or suvs because they will laugh at you. Not to mention the rev hang from 1-4th gears is atrocious. It makes the car impossible to shift quickly when accelerating. The service manager at my dealership stated if enough people make official complaints about the way the car is hopefully Subaru will do a ecu update. Unfortunately he said that no one ever does because its all young kids that buy this car and the first thing they do is throw a tune on it and then they void their warranty. Im just too worried to do the same because there has been plenty of issues with my 2018 already at only 3500 miles.
Anthony Choueiry it’s pinging and having acceleration rattle, started at 800 miles sadly, went in the first month to get it checked out and finally checked it out at 6 month after talking to the GM
Sounds almost exactly like my stock automatic 2009 civic coupe dx when I sorta rev like that at 1:46 in vid. Thought stock wrx with quad exhaust would make a difference but nvm 🤔 Little note: I may not know much about the wrx so I may be wrong about the general Wrx’s exhaust sound
They’ve definitely lost the DEEP boxer rumble. It’s there but to me just sounds different (I’m guessing because of the dual exhaust they have now causing a slight quieter tone)
I would always first test drive a car. Because of the test drive I decided to buy my first 2004 wrx. And after a friend let me test drive a jdm sti v5 I was very impressed and I bought a v5 1999 one month later.
Just to note. If you redlined once or twice let's say at 250 miles. You would be fine you can't be dumping the clutch or redlieing for most of the break in that's when you are most likely fucked later on.
Disregard the thumbs down. The WRX honestly is slow. If you go stage 2 it'll feel great and fix everything. It's still cheap compared to an sti but it shouldn't be neccessary in the first place.
Yeah I think a lot of people just took this video the wrong way. Obviously I know the potential this car has but from the factory, really not all that quick. Still love it though
My first choice of car was wrx, after test driving it and then test driving a new maxima SR , I bought the Maxima SR and I'm so much happier. Wrx is still a great car, good luck and enjoy!
I broke my car in so well, then the dealership put an extra quart of oil in and ruined my engine. Now i drives like any other pos wrx. Ive had 2 dealers drive it and they say its fine. Pisses me off I have no low end or top.
I had a 2018 WRX and the WRX dose fall on it's face, power wise. That's why I traded it in for my STI. I have to rev it out to 4k before the power comes on but it is what I prefer. The WRX is the perfect blend of daily driving, fun around town, and fuel efficiency (I do miss the fuel efficiency). The STI is for people who want a more raw and analog drivers car.
My 2019 wrx doesn't seem that way at all, pretty opposite actually. Mines like barely any low end power but up in like 4-5000 RPM it goes pretty good. but it has 91k on it so maybe as you get more miles you'll notice a difference?
all the people complaining and im here driving a stock paint peeling 2008 mazda 3. Yall all sound spoiled. Yes ive driven fast cars but my god you all sound like you expect a stock car to float off the concrete lol.
I spent a few grand on mods and an e-tune and its still not as fast as I like. Its a great car and it definitely can put a smile on my face but after putting the money in and having it for 2 years, i would have rather not put the money in it
Damn when you were saying that’s not what I was expecting, I was thinking you were genuinely surprised in a good way :(
i know:/
I know I'm pretty randomly asking but do anyone know of a good place to watch new movies online ?
@Ira Lennon Try FlixZone. You can find it on google :)
@@iralennon7233 I so
That’s exactly how my reaction was! I have a catless j-pipe, intake, and Cobb stage 2 tune now. It feels real strong now.
I was the exact same way, I drove my car stock for probably about 3 weeks and then I got the access port in the intake. Definitely a huge difference. Hopefully within the next year I'm going to get an aftermarket intercooler, JP pipe and switch to a stage two tune.
my stage 2 wrx moveeeeeed bro. the fa20 is so underrated. shit moves bro
just gotta get off that terrible stock map…
Have you had it pro tuned?
@@cameronsheckler1519 yes, it was pro tuned by JRtuned out of P&L motorsports.
I have a 2015 WRX and you're not driving it right - get it in 1st or 2nd gear, gas it to 4500 rpm, shift and there's plenty of torque throughout the power band after that.
You have to get the turbo spinning big time before getting into another gear. It took me about 5,000 miles to get the hang of it - be safe.
PLANET OCEAN I’m on a stage 1 tune now which helped a lot but i appreciate the feedback!
@@SergiRodas No prob - drive safe bud
I agree. I shift from 1st and second at 4000 rpm. 3rd through 5th redline pretty smoothly after that. Its pretty fun to drive once you figure it out
@@jfielder8656
What are 0 - 60 times on a stock tune 2015+ WRX? I own a 2019 and while I adore the car, I have a hard time believing it's 5.5ish seconds. The car is quick, but it feels slower than my 2011 128i 6MT which did about 5.7 seconds 0 60.
Lol a lot of ppl get a car do these pull n say wtf lol dnt rlly know how too drive
I’m 18 and just upgraded to a 2018 wrx. Before I drove a 2009 civic ex, there was a hugeee power increase (obviously) which is what I was looking for. Hope this helps anyone that was wondering.
18 and “upgraded to a 2018 wrx” ?? Your parents bought for you? Lolll
@@bigtark6787 must be nice..
@@bigtark6787 nah it’s called a job and a great deal… I’m 18 and just bought a 2019 WRX without mommy’s credit card… give people a break man
@@levimartinez6312 *A job and no rent or food you have to cover. Man I miss living under my parents' roof. 85 bucks a fill up in my sti is no joke.
@@asp1346 very valid point.. I pay everything on the car (gas, insurance, maintenance) but yes I do live with my parents so that’s a great point
I had the EXACT same reaction. I waited patiently with my 2017 to properly break it in. Little did I know that 60% throttle and
This is the reason I bought my STI. Just wait until you are no longer upside down on it and sell it or trade it in.
@@jonathanb1987 If you plan on modding the car the Sti EJ engine is a bad choice it can’t even handle as much power. But yes if you are not modifying the car the sti is better.
@@AJTurbo yeah I don't plan on modifying it. Too many people mod them and don't enjoy the car the way it was supposed to be. Not all fun is straight line speed. If you try to find older unmodified STIs they fetch a premium. Also, with the way electric cars are going to be pushed, it will be a "relic" with a manual gearbox and hydraulic power steering in the world of electric cars.
This car stock tune is the worst thing it has. After an E-tune I didn’t recognize my car.
Shinte Him hey! How did you E-tune it?
Did a tune fix the issue? I’m thinking of getting a 2015+ WRX and I wanted to know if a tune will make the car more fun…
@@ronishsharma2989 From what I hear that is the case.
Accessport + drunkmann tuning 91 flash and go tune 😇
Car is tuned to meet emissions and last as a daily driver.
Unknown User that is a sad freaking truth. I wanna have a car that is fast but can still be reliable but that dream will stay a dream.
That's justa trash subaru ..
@@johnjerizlopezignacio3891 golf r
@@UrbanLegend911 lmao
Everyone who sort of babies it during the break-in gets disappointed in the same way. The way the car falls flat is almost unacceptable. Subaru doesn't let you really test drive it, and everyone thinks the car will pull at least decently all the way; until they are 1,000mi in, and then it's too late. It needs a tune, and that means losing the warranty.
Man, I'm in this process myself. I absolutely adore the car in so many ways, but I definitely want more power. Problem is, I don't trust turbocharged engines and bought an extended warranty from the dealer. I never buy warranties, but this one was cheap enough and it makes me happy to know that I can fix my baby for the next decade whenever I need to. I'm thinking about getting an exhaust and intake...warranty should be safe there.
@@misterjiggles5041 you need a tune with an Intake or you run lean, just get an exhaust.
This dude gotta be paying nearly $100 in gas in 2021
Let's go Brandon
This is a known issue. To prevent knock it pulls timing quite a lot. Lowering the ignition temps helps. 2-3 gallons of E85 cleans up the tune ALOT. It even adds some power without the warranty killing access port.
So wait you mix e85 with your 91 and it won't fuck the engine up?
@@MrNathanchatterton you cannot exceed an E30 mixture or you can have a problem. I traded in the WRX over a year ago so I can't comment on it now. Do some additional research. there are a lot of people doing it without messing up their engines. Your Market May vary.
@Nathan Chatterton yep I've been doing it here and there for about a year now 3 gallons of e and the rest full with 91 could definitely feel the difference
Never went above 4k RPM yet peak boost is 21.7
haha oooooookay, buddy.
Just bought a 19 brand new drove it off the lot with a dozen miles on it and my peak boost is 21.5 Someone's out raising the boost on these things before they're sold or straight from factory to show what it can get up to.
joseph fiannaca i got22.4 on mine
@@chetmanley610 Usually the techs up the boost to tear it up a few miles as a "test run" when these cars get to the shop.
The WRX builds peak boost below 4k RPM. The STI builds it's peak boost after 4k
It is a boost surge in the WRX. I have one if you really get on the gas and let off at 4k the car will surge the boost up to above 20lbs. Stock it does not make over 20psi
Shouldn't have been disappointed. You're looking for STI performance, but you're not driving an STI.
That WRX that you're driving does exactly what it says it should do.
Plus... you still have to learn how to drive it correctly. It definitely has a lot more to give then what you're getting.
It’s definitley the stock tune. I’ve got an aftermarket intake and turbo-back exhaust with a dyno tune and the car completely wales up, ~300hp, power dip mostly gone, no rev hang and sounds so good.
Dude, you da man! I was laughing so hard during this in appreciation for your honesty. I bought one about 6 months and have been noticing all these downfalls of a stock tune. I just couldn’t put it to words but this video describes it all. I will definitely be upgrading to stage 1. Appreciate the review.
I find my 19 is all go once in 3rd gear. You can tell the ecu map keeps the throttle very tame until you're moving.
Going from 91 to 94 really helped that rpm dip at 4000.
I just bought a 19 and 1st and 2nd are not that great but 3rd is the boost I was looking for. 5.4 0-60 is good for me.
@@alix4802they updated the 2019 sti, it’s more powerful below 4k rpm
Power dips right in the middle. It picks up again after 4500-5000 rpm. Had a similar reaction until I drove it more. If you can keep it at 5000+ it feels a lot better
Let's see speed and rpm not your exhaust 😒
Or gas pump
It really suprises me. I had a stock 02 WRX and that damn car had nothing under 3000 rpm and after that it pulled alll the way to redline. Damn regulations!
my 18 acts like this... she moves.
You also have to understand they're small turbochargers, which always have quicker spool times, then they fall flat at high rpms. It's the same thing with my Mazdaspeed3, which is surprisingly quick being front wheel drive stock.
I remember feeling the same way on my first pull. Excited to mod it next summer.
Every new wrx should come w a Cobb😂
Ya this is a known issue with the stock WRX. High end just drops like a bucket of led. Still fun, but a bit disappointing. If you don't care about the warranty/don't have crazy power goals you can turn this thing into a beast quick. And for a cheaper price than the STI stock would have cost.
Tune it and get a grimmspeed, 3 port EBCS. Those two alone will help a lot, if you want to really add power than a new down-pipe and cat-back. Cold Air intake, a bigger inter-cooler and a pitch-stop bracket will have you looking at around 310 WHP. Flex fuel kit and boom close to 350 WHP. All bolt-ons.
It depends what dealership you go to, those bolt on mods aren’t suppose to interfere with warranty as I read.
Only 350..
@Sasha how much whp ur car make? Be honest 😂
@@Safsejv-ih2ss how much hrsprs your whip putting down?
@@streakskills544 frl
Pull out of a gas station and get on it quick and shift fast, it will feel like a rocket. Get on it way earlier
The stock tune was weird and really inconsistent. Sometimes it made power to redline, sometimes it just fell after 4k. Even if it made the power it was really choppy and struggled to keep boost from fluctuating. It's not that the car is slow, it just runs poorly with the stock tune and doesn't feel like it's going fast. Plus the stock tune was prone to knocking, which would make it pull timing way too often and it'd lose even more power and it felt like driving a corolla. I definitely recommend at least a stage 1 tune if you aren't going to do any other mods.
Sanzer already got an access port. Just got to upload the stage 1 tune
Sergi Rodas make a video now with the stage 1 map lol
go ahead and get the MAPPERFORMANCE stage 1 tune. Way better than the cobb BS
mr G might have to try it out! Thanks
Sergi Rodas
I think you'll be pleased with the MA performance stage 1 tune.
I reccomend it.
I was... until i decided that i needed MOAR powah, and opted to do thier stage 2 package.
Now its a little mini monster.
When you buy a Subaru and you don't know shit about it.
WRX is low end power, STI is top end power.
You're not gonna be surprised by power in a WRX when you been driving it for 1000 miles already.
If wrx is weak for you, then buy a gt-r... that's it!
Yup. That's how it is
Most honest review I have seen yet. I have one and he is 100 percent correct. But I love it. 😁
The amount of dislikes on the video are people who can’t handle the truth haha
@@SergiRodas Nah, it's because you did 2 whack ass 2nd gear pulls and had your mind made up that WRX "Dont make power after 4k"
First and second gear redline, 3-5 pull until 5k and that should help your pulls
Exactly.
it doesnt fall on its face after 4.. the stock tune alwayd pulls timing a re adjusts it-self. do a pull to 6700rpm and youll see after 5000 it picks up again. stock tune is def not the best but this engine pulls to redline AFTER 5
F S it pulls but the boost goes down which causes it to feel like its momentum slows down a lot going into the top end.
You’re good bro $3.5 for a gallon, now it’s $5
I live in Ventura County where it is usually cold. I'm talking temps in the 60 to 70 degree range. My WRX pulls very hard if I get on it and I have already driven mine for 9k miles. I have a 2017 premium and I know the fall on your face feeling it tends to give off if you just jump on it. I have had some great hard pulls with over boost regularly and I am happy with the power. I have peaked at 22PSI boost and it is most likely due to the cooler temps in my area. I also didn't buy my WRX for it to be fast since I am a mustang guy so all things considered I am very happy with my daily. Maybe if this wasn't meant to be your daily, but your race care you should have purchased the STI, not worth the extra 10K IMHO.
You don't need to pluralize RPM, it's already plural.
MazerRackhamX lol revolutions per minutes.
When you abbreviate it is no longer considered plural.
R’sPM
I can say 1 RPM but it isn't plural lol
I think either way is correct
FYI Wrx and Sti engines are already “broken in” during production., you don’t have to wait to a certain mileage before you launch them after you buy it
wrong .It still needs many more mile before everything beds in completely .Youd be pretty dumb to redline the car hard up everyday after you buy it brand new
Not sure why all the down votes here.
Your assessment is 100% correct. I had a 2015 WRX and, from the factory, it had the same garbage tune. You spend all that time being ginger with it, basically feeling all it has to offer in the low end. You think it'll be a BAMF when you finally get to give it the beans, then you finally mash it and find out oh.... the torque curve falls of Mt Everest.
That said... open up the FA20DIT's ability to bring air In and blast it back Out, give it a solid tune, and it'll give you a pretty nice linear pull all the way to the red. Stage 2 on these is pretty decent. I went to a 2018 STi later on and the Stage 2 WRX was just a tad faster than the STi stock, and had a very similar power curve to the STi. Also got way better MPG than the STi :P
I just got a 2019 wrx about 6 months ago i have 4k miles... i realized flooring it in this car does nothing. I shift into second and slowly get it up to about 3k then start wailing on it lol. Never flooring it fully tho
AK 47 this is what i do everytime, works like a charm. Flooring it is like drinking a liter of water in secs.
Stock tune also feels like you're at full throttle about halfway down....stage 1+ and the throttle response is much better.
@@davidkang1277 ayy nice bro! i upgraded to a 2021 sti yall. Never did get the WRX tuned, but let me tell you that transmission makes all the difference👌
I call my 17 the John Deere, damn thing doesn't make power above 4k.
I’ve test drove both the WRX and The STi before the purchase and end up going with the STi. The WRX was just not up to par and felt like I was just driving a Camry or something along that line. The STi felt more engaging and raw from the get go. The STi genuinely put a smile on my face vs the WRX did not and I don’t want to be in a situation of “damn I should have gotten the STi”. I have my STi for 8 months now and don’t regret a minute of it.
@THE KongMan - That's what happened to me. I bought a 17 WRX and after a couple of months I wished I had gotten the STi. So, I ended up trading it in for a STi and I don't regret it. The clutch feels better, the gearing is better, and the sound is AWESOME!!! But I did like the turbo kicking in at 2500 RPM with the WRX.
STI is purely cosmetic. If i wanted to spend "STI money" id get a BMW 335i or 2018 Mustang 5.0 and smoke the shit out of the STI. Subaru is smoking crack if they think a 15 yr old motor that has ringland problems is worth $45K. To each their own i guess..
k20a2toofast4u You sir are wrong by simply saying it’s purely cosmetic. Just like saying the civic Si is the same as a civic EX, all they did was added some ivtech stickers to it. Lol
Sure there are many cars out there that will smoke an STi all day long, but the STi works for me and Camaro SS 1LE and Mustang 5.0 doesn’t (just to name a few). BTW you can get an STi for about $35k not $45k just saying. #teamringland lol
THE KongMan ive done my research before getting the my car. (For me) an sti doesnt justify the price and performance. A new base sti with tags, titles ect ect blah blah is around $39K just shy of $40K or at $40K not $35K.
k20a2toofast4u that is what I meant about $35k before fees
To be fair...the car is only making slightly over 200hp to the wheels. There's alot of parasitic loss. AWD also doesn't have the same "seat of the pants" feel as a FWD or RWD car. My STi always felt slower than my 2005 IS300, but it wasn't.
That's the thing no one tells you about a stock sti, they feel pretty tame even if you're going fast as hell. Hence the turning culture so it feels fast when you're going really fast
these wrx with 268hp can easily be upgraded with simple tunes and bolt ons that doesnt cost an arm or leg. plus i feel the FA20 motors are abit more reliable compared to the EJ... my opinion.
My 06 Sentra Spec-V feels like it would have torn my wrx apart.
Huh??? Awd cars feel way more seat of the pants feel. Every shitty fwd car i owned (civic si, gti, st) all sucked ass launching. Quick on some rolling pulls if thats what you meant but I finally went for a m240i xdrive modded to 500 crank and its launch is DISGUSTING.
Rwd is best for goofing off and track but awd is ultimately the way to go.
I wanted to be boring an bought a 2012 Camry SE instead.
2012 jetta se for me 😂
Felt the same way when I first got mine, then got an accessport for it and it changed it completely.
Such low rev shifts. Do u even shift bro
boost comes back after 5K rpm. it just looses peak torque at 4K. Its pretty common for FB20.
fast enough to go to jail quick but not fast enough to feel excited
I have driven the 2018 and it's fast. You sound like you had unrealistic expectations it's not a Nissan GTR it's a rally car ment to shredd dirt roads.
I have an STI now and the STI was a lot more satisfying off the lot. I came to realize many people say after a good tune the WRX is much better and it definitely was. I eventually went stage 2 and its a whole new world
Totally agree bro, it was like I had a brand new car after I got my first E Tune, stock tune is horrible😎💪🏽💯
Ditto on getting an AP to get rid of the loss of power, Rev hang and make boost more consistent. I know you shouldn't have to do this on a brand new car but the stock tune blows. I flashed my 18 1500 miles in. No regrets.
I’m at 1400 miles and I’m doing the stage 1 tune today! Excited to see what kinda of difference it makes. Thanks!
Sergi Rodas the cobb tunes are decent but there's better ones out there so I'll be going with MAPerformances tune eventually.
Donald Johnson I’ll look into it. I’m sure any of those is better than stock tune though lol
Should’ve bought an STI I test drive both each twice and fell in love with the ejs torque and the stis upgrade options that come standard also got a sweet deal on the limited
I’ve got one now
Just found ur video I have both cars you talk about and I agree WRX falls on its face focus just keeps going
Get any b58 vehicle with awd…its a insane amount of a jump. Came from a wrx and felt the same way you did.
Im sitting at 500 at the crank with bolt ons mostly and awd…running mid 11’s. Best was 11.4
I’m watching this in 2022, where it costs 65$ for 12.5 gal on 87 ☠️
have to agree my 16 feels slow after 4/5rpm has no pull at all .Compared to say a s15 which feels like a slingshot
Quick enough to get you a ticket lol that's for sure
every dyno shows that 3.5 to 4k is peak and its pretty much flat and torque falls massively
You need to be in 3rd gear for the good stuff. Second is to get to 22 mph to 3rd shift at 25. 3rd gear is the money shot.
Do some runs in a 5sp Impreza, you'll feel much better after that
Lmao the pull on lee highway (29) I have gotten pulled over like 3 times for pulls in my EVO
i went in my friends 2019 wrx and a 2016 mustang gt and the pulls are not even comparable lmfao haha idk i gotta test drive a sti still but im leanin towards v8 big time
those cars arent even comparable lol
$50 for 15 gallons lol that’s cheap in canada
Come to NC. I fill up my tahoe with 22 gallons for around $50-55 US regularly
Its shy of 80$ CAD on 94 to fill from empty empty. Gets great milage even when pushed
🇨🇦 I laughed as well
For everyone talking about how their peak boost was around 19 when they got it off the lot, dont forget every car goes thru a test AT THE FACTORY. There's a good chance your dealership didnt rip the car, its probably a factory test thing they do to make sure everythings running properly
my stock 2017 wrx shows 22.4psi. Why does everyone else have 19psi?!
@@joshuadeloach1676 your a/c was on ;)
@@zlendabz4975 it shows that on or not
@@joshuadeloach1676 you can reset what the peak hit
@@joshuadeloach1676 i think it can reach 24psi
Well I mean.. what were you expecting? It’s a 2.0l turbo powering all 4 wheels.. I’m thinking that’s about 230 to the wheels? It’s not a supercar. I’m not trying to troll but just saying it how it is.
Ryan Schwinghammer i wasn’t expecting it to be super car fast but wasn’t it expecting to just completely poop itself after 4K. I tuned it now tho and definitely much better
Sergi Rodas good to hear! I’m think about buying one next spring. Did you use the accessport with COBB?
Ryan Schwinghammer yes. Just stage 1 (stock, no mods) tune. Makes a huge difference. Will be uploading a video soon. Instead of it slowing down at 4K, it holds the power and keeps boosting until red line
Sergi Rodas Awesome. I figured that would help a lot. I had a 15’ STi and did the stage 1 with the COBB accessport and it made it like a whole new car. I don’t know why subaru uses such a conservative tune from the factory. Sold that car and now regret it. Getting a WRX this time though.
A stock WRX will dyno at 192whp on most dyno's. Which is why, I built the snot out of my WRX and now push 400whp. Totally different car at that point.
I recently bought a 2020 wrx premium, and I think the same after 4k rpm. Car has 28k miles but I still like the car. My first manual vehicle. Until I run the warranty out I wont be doing any power mods of course. This is why I have my 2008 donkey dick cammed g8 to enjoy for fast af boi moments.
If anything, videos like this should have a lot more likes than dislikes, so that the manufacturer (in this case Subaru) could notice this video (and ones alike) and actually give heavy spec bumps in the next generation of the WRX and STi models.
The Cognitive Dissonance of the Subie kiddies is amazing. You guys don’t realize this huge money pit has tricked you all
Ron Lawson that was the saddest comment I've read in my whole life.😢
You probably drive a focus rs
I’ve had several cars and they were several different brands in my life so far and I remember my dad told me when I started modding my first car, he said son you can have fast you can have cheap and you can have reliable but you can only really have two of the three....one of the most accurately true statements I have heard over the years playing in the car world...
It's over $4 a gallon for 87 in California.
My 2020 also fell on it's face at 4k rpm. These only have 220HP, they lie and say 272, but that's to the crank, not the real wheel! HOWEVER, I paid about $5,000 (including labor) for #1 Cobb access port, #2 Perrin CAI, #3 Grimmspeed catted J-Pipe, #4 Nvidia Q300 exhaust #5 TGV / EGR delete , #6 Mishimoto top mounted intercooler, #7 Perrin charge pipe , and lastly #8 A pro tune. Now it gets 307HP at peek, TO REAL WHEELS! & it pulls all the way to 7k red line! Oh ya! This is what I expected from factory. I may upgrade turbo and flex fuel, but NEVER more than 400HP in the FA20 motors or they will blow! I might not upgrade turbo and flex because I want it to last, but at least now it's fast th-cam.com/video/hyPuivMXzkc/w-d-xo.html
I highly recommend tuning the car; the FA motors respond really well to mods and you'll enjoy the car a lot, lot more. Stage 2 WRX is faster than a Stage 2 STI just to put into perspective
Kian Palmer yeah I’m excited to do some power mods to the car. I got my access port today. A lot of people are taking my reaction to a stock WRX the wrong way. It truly is very slow on the top end. Fun on the low end tho
2018s are like almost a second slower for some reason. Also you needed a stage 1 tune.
I bought the cvt wrx a bout 5 months ago and honestly it’s not as bad as any of these TH-cam reviewers say, listen it does fall off a bitbut you feel it re peak in book after about 5500-6k rpm so for the half second that you find yourself « out of boost »
It’s not that bad from what I’ve heard just bring it to a reliable tuner and fix the stock tune on the écu that’s the only issue
Personally I don’t have an issue with it it’s very reliable I’ve beat the living shit out of this thing for 5 months and the only thing I’ve have to changed was a couple pcv valves on thé turbo
I noticed the same thing with my car after break-in. However, it seems now that the car pulls hard again after 5k. There's more of a dip at 4000. The pull after 5k has seemed to increase as I've gotten further from the break-in period.
To use a tool, appliance, instrument, software, car, ... you need to learn how to use it.
The WRX does not tell you how to drive it. You have learn it. I can't believe all the responses here who used the wrong rev range to try and pull a fast time.
Your car has has a twin scroll turbo. It works differently at low and high rpm ranges.
In stock form, for low-end performance with good fuel economy in start-stop city driving, the turbo makes 2000-4000 rpm work for you. The low rpm part of the twin scroll shines. It gives you responsiveness, acceleration and good fuel economy.
This vid is so funny because you pulled in the economy rpm range. 😂
What did you think was gonna happen?
To turn a stock WRX into an animal on your rolling start you needed to push in your clutch, floor it to redline, and quickly, smoothly release the clutch into second while your revs are high while mashing the pedal to the metal.
My stock 2015 WRX is an animal from 4500-6500 rpm. This is the high rpm range of the twin scroll where power and torque is maxing out.
In a stationary or rolling run, when you launch from 4.5K+ rpm you have a stock animal on your hands. Even better on a tune. Twin scrolls at high rpm are their performance mode.
If I want to smoke a car on a stopped or rolling start I dial up redline and choose the appropriate gear then choose the brutality of my release.
Can't believe I had to teach you how to drive.
1:30 Claims it his first pull yet the peak boost reads 21.7....?
Im running Cobb Big SF intake with enhanced heat shielding, OTS stage 1+ tune on accessport, invidia R400 catback, cobb LF bypass valve, and a gallon of E85 per full tank of 91.....no pro tune yet and this car is insane in my opinion. It is doing what I want for now.
I feel your pain. I bought a 2018 wrx to have a fun 4 door winter car that also fits my kido because I dont drive my mustang in the winter and I have been so disappointed. I cant believe how slow it is. My wife's Toyota Highlander smokes my 18 wrx. Its so sad and embarrassing. Dont even bother taking on any soccer moms in any v6 sedans or suvs because they will laugh at you. Not to mention the rev hang from 1-4th gears is atrocious. It makes the car impossible to shift quickly when accelerating. The service manager at my dealership stated if enough people make official complaints about the way the car is hopefully Subaru will do a ecu update. Unfortunately he said that no one ever does because its all young kids that buy this car and the first thing they do is throw a tune on it and then they void their warranty. Im just too worried to do the same because there has been plenty of issues with my 2018 already at only 3500 miles.
cypresschino believe me I have a 18 brz and it’s pinging and detonating already, trading it in for a wrx maybe
Anthony Choueiry it’s pinging and having acceleration rattle, started at 800 miles sadly, went in the first month to get it checked out and finally checked it out at 6 month after talking to the GM
Btw it’s 91 premium
Only car I recommend granny shifting on
what about double clutching like you should?
Sounds almost exactly like my stock automatic 2009 civic coupe dx when I sorta rev like that at 1:46 in vid. Thought stock wrx with quad exhaust would make a difference but nvm 🤔
Little note: I may not know much about the wrx so I may be wrong about the general Wrx’s exhaust sound
They’ve definitely lost the DEEP boxer rumble. It’s there but to me just sounds different (I’m guessing because of the dual exhaust they have now causing a slight quieter tone)
It’s awesome in an STI because that’s where the fun starts.
My Stage 2 WRX bugeye with a clutch slipping problem beaten newer STI. It's not what you drive, it's your driving.
I would always first test drive a car. Because of the test drive I decided to buy my first 2004 wrx. And after a friend let me test drive a jdm sti v5 I was very impressed and I bought a v5 1999 one month later.
Maybe he should check the stock tune hp next time😐
Just to note. If you redlined once or twice let's say at 250 miles. You would be fine you can't be dumping the clutch or redlieing for most of the break in that's when you are most likely fucked later on.
Disregard the thumbs down. The WRX honestly is slow. If you go stage 2 it'll feel great and fix everything. It's still cheap compared to an sti but it shouldn't be neccessary in the first place.
Yeah I think a lot of people just took this video the wrong way. Obviously I know the potential this car has but from the factory, really not all that quick. Still love it though
U should prolly just down shift to first to second don’t gun it at 2k rpms
Pulls timing just like the Hyundai 1.6T and 2.0T. Glad I got a new Stang GT.
And that's why I got the STI 😆👌
Is the pull actually good? Like does it throw u back and actually goes fast? Cause I’m trynna get me a sti as well
You’re supposed to wait till 1000 miles?…
Whats your reaction to gas price now?
Sad my Saab 95 only 290 hp puts new subis to bed 😂😂 guess you should up the stock boost from 0 psi
Just ap and intake. Night and day
Subscriber number 700!!! 😎
Jose Guerrero thanks man! Appreciate it
Gotta know the rpms. It’s not strong 100% of the time, but it has its great rpms
Did you not test drive one? Hit the canyons or do some autocross. If all u want to do is drag race then add more power and/or u bought the wrong car..
I’m actually stage 2 now and loving it. The car is great and after some mods to open the car up more it’s a huge difference
@@SergiRodas awesome!
My first choice of car was wrx, after test driving it and then test driving a new maxima SR , I bought the Maxima SR and I'm so much happier. Wrx is still a great car, good luck and enjoy!
Lol I go down that street all the time that road is so fun to drive down
I broke my car in so well, then the dealership put an extra quart of oil in and ruined my engine. Now i drives like any other pos wrx. Ive had 2 dealers drive it and they say its fine. Pisses me off I have no low end or top.
Wow, I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve heard so many stories of dealers just breaking and ruining things. It sucks
You are so wrong. I have a 2017. Drive it how it's meant to be driven. Mountain road, revs high, third and fourth gear. Amazing.
The car is a good back road driver. How can i be wrong about going straight and flooring it and seeing it’s not quick on a stock tune.
I had a 2018 WRX and the WRX dose fall on it's face, power wise. That's why I traded it in for my STI. I have to rev it out to 4k before the power comes on but it is what I prefer. The WRX is the perfect blend of daily driving, fun around town, and fuel efficiency (I do miss the fuel efficiency). The STI is for people who want a more raw and analog drivers car.
21’ Premium feels sluggish, nonetheless, still pretty quick and fast. I love my Klara! 🚘 ❤❤❤😂😊😅
My 2019 wrx doesn't seem that way at all, pretty opposite actually. Mines like barely any low end power but up in like 4-5000 RPM it goes pretty good. but it has 91k on it so maybe as you get more miles you'll notice a difference?
all the people complaining and im here driving a stock paint peeling 2008 mazda 3. Yall all sound spoiled. Yes ive driven fast cars but my god you all sound like you expect a stock car to float off the concrete lol.
I have a stock 05 STI and nothing pulls all the way through all the gears just about
I spent a few grand on mods and an e-tune and its still not as fast as I like. Its a great car and it definitely can put a smile on my face but after putting the money in and having it for 2 years, i would have rather not put the money in it