Subaru people - 11' WRX owners?

[Bimmerman325i]

Any reason our not considering the sti?

WRX is $10k cheaper and has 99% of the performance. The upgrades you get with the STi are really only noticeable/worth the cost on track.

[Bimmerman325i]

Yeah.....2011 WRX is a damn nice car for the money. Almost too good. Mykal would hit the boost in 2nd gear after the turbo lag.....scream....then let off because she was scared. It was classic.

I put the deposit on the Abarth. I guess I can only make the decision when it's released. However, hearing more and more about the new WRX's make it a very hard choice.

It is a great car for a DD, and would make an epic snow car. How'd you like the wrx's handling?

[blefevre]

WRX is $10k cheaper and has 99% of the performance. The upgrades you get with the STi are really only noticeable/worth the cost on track.

This. I'd rather take the gearing in the WRX for normal driving. I drove a STI and on the street there is no noticeable difference in the center diff settings.

It is a great car for a DD, and would make an epic snow car. How'd you like the wrx's handling?

Handling was typical of a decent awd car. I could find myself getting into more trouble with the silly amount of grip of awd. Taking a sharp turn in second gear with the pedal floored is fun.

I was only disappointed in the amount of height from rear floor/seat back to roof when the seat was folded down. I doubt my dog can stand up. I'm not sure why it is so high up. They have a non-full size spare in the trunk, but still seems rather high.

[Bimmerman325i]

This. I'd rather take the gearing in the WRX for normal driving. I drove a STI and on the street there is no noticeable difference in the center diff settings.

In real-world acceleration the normal WRX is quicker anyway.

Handling was typical of a decent awd car. I could find myself getting into more trouble with the silly amount of grip of awd. Taking a sharp turn in second gear with the pedal floored is fun.

I was only disappointed in the amount of height from rear floor/seat back to roof when the seat was folded down. I doubt my dog can stand up. I'm not sure why it is so high up. They have a non-full size spare in the trunk, but still seems rather high.

Yea, they're fun cars, especially after a pair of sway bars and springs.

As far as roominess goes....maybe it's to do with fuel tank or chassis rigidity? Subarus aren't known for having stiff chassis until the current Impreza appeared, so that might have something to do with it. Totally spitballing though.

[325ix]

I was just curious. I had read that the biggest difference was in the body and chassis. The sti is much stiffer and these things can't be added to the wrx.

[blefevre]

I was just curious. I had read that the biggest difference was in the body and chassis. The sti is much stiffer and these things can't be added to the wrx.

Interesting. I've never read that, but I have never looked either. That doesn't bother me though as it won't be raced/tracked.

[clarkkey594]

I was just curious. I had read that the biggest difference was in the body and chassis. The sti is much stiffer and these things can't be added to the wrx.

That simply is not true. I am fairly certain that they have the same unibody now and even the same fenders and exhaust. They are slowing becoming the same vehicle minus the fancy gadgetry/brakes and tranny for the WRX.

[Bimmerman325i]

That simply is not true. I am fairly certain that they have the same unibody now and even the same fenders and exhaust. They are slowing becoming the same vehicle minus the fancy gadgetry/brakes and tranny for the WRX.

Clark is right. Sti is no more stiff than wrx or impreza now, never has been actually. Sti difference is 6spd, front and rear lsd, dccd, 5x114.3, better brakes (brembos), different 2.5l engine and turbo, likely different suspension bushings, different interior.

[colorado_cabrio]

the sti has the trick diff computer to boot. Still i'd buy the wrx.

[clarkkey594]

the sti has the trick diff computer to boot. Still i'd buy the wrx.

that's called the dccd, david referred to it in his post.

[325ix]

http://www.modified.com/features/modp-1011-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti/viewall.html

Maybe they are clueless people but, looks like some different chassis bits to me.
6th paragraph

[blefevre]

I hate vague articles. Lol.

[Bimmerman325i]

This is the first i'm hearing of it, and considering the article's tone and content....i'm calling bullshit. Any strengtheners present are likely an underbody x-brace that is easily retrofittable. Higher tensile steels is so vague as to be meaningless, not to mention a production nightmare.

[lambo]

This is the first i'm hearing of it, and considering the article's tone and content....i'm calling bullshit. Any strengtheners present are likely an underbody x-brace that is easily retrofittable. Higher tensile steels is so vague as to be meaningless, not to mention a production nightmare.

Another source, third paragraph under subtle tweaks: http://www.insideline.com/subaru/imp...rst-drive.html

Car and Driver alludes to it, although it is vague...second paragraph from the bottom: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

[Bimmerman325i]

Nope, not buying it. Buddy at flatirons tuning (subaru rally prep and performance shop) said the base chassis is identical from sti down to impreza as it always has been, with identical stiffness. That applies for the current GR wagon/sedan chassis as well. If the sti is stiffer it is due to bolted on braces that you easily could retrofit between models, not due to differences in the chassis.