subaru STI winter driving

vlocci · 07-21-2005, 07:45 AM

I'm considering re-shuffeling the car fleet a bit, and am contemplating getting away from my hated SUV and into a Subaru STI as a daily driver of sorts. An older pickup will take care of around town heavy hauling, trips to the lumber yard, and trailering the 930.

I drove a used STI 4 door yesterday and walked away impressed by its manners and performance. I'm 30, could care less about what the car says about me and can deal with every 18 year old trying to be my best friend.

Only question is does anyone actually drive one through the winter. I'm in Boston, and fight the occasional decent snowstorm. Sure it is 4WD, and I'll add a set of winter tires on steel rims, but the low ground clearance and "peaky" turbo puts me on guard. Cant say I've ever seen one during the winter months, but then again I never paid particular attention. The 20 year olds around here that drive them seem to think of them as exotics, not worthy of seeing rain of snow.

Anyone have any experience with winter driving a STI (or WRX for that matter) around town? The sadistic side of me is actually looking forward to some frozen lake autocrosses, but this has to be a psuedo daily driver first and foremost.

Thanks in advance

Vin

RallyJon · 07-21-2005, 08:06 AM

Of course--the STI is the best "winter-beater" ever.

Before the STI I had an Impreza RS with viscous front and center LSDs. I also have an Audi S4 Avant with Audi's Torsen center diff + electronics AWD system. Before that I've also owned older Audis with locking diffs and an AWD Celica rally car with viscous and plate-type diffs.

The STI's AWD system is just incredible in snow and ice. It is completely separate from the ABS system, unlike the S4, so you can modulate traction with your left foot on the brake. With all three differentials limiting slip, it puts the power down very effectively. The STI's ground clearance is only low compared to an SUV. It has more clearance than the Audi. One more thing--lesser Subarus have a somewhat twitchy ABS system that can overreact in snow and ice. The STI has a much better tuned system that let's you get much closer to the edge before it disables your brakes entirely.

The one area where the Audi system excels is if you drive a lot without paying attention. It's very active and will shut you down immediately if you start sliding. That's a big benefit when driving home on a wintery night after a big dinner and a few glasses of wine.

In my opinion, the STI is a teriffic winter car for an enthusiast driver.

vlocci · 07-21-2005, 09:08 AM

Jon

I think you may have sold me on the STI. Do you run winter tires on it, or get by with all season rubber?

RallyJon · 07-21-2005, 09:17 AM

I use Nokian WRs in the winter. If you're IN Boston, you can get by with a winter-biased all-season tire like the WR. If you go out where it's less plowed, you might want a real snow tire like the Nokian RSI.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-21-2005, 10:26 AM

Is it a good winter car?! Don't you watch WRC?

That's the ULTIMATE winter car. It might actually let you have fun, my wife's 4Runner has the worst set of electric nannies that I have ever seen, the only way I can have any fun is to lock the center diff, which disables the traction and stability control. Damn technology..........

vlocci · 07-21-2005, 12:18 PM

Thanks to both of you guys, looks like I'm going car shopping this weekend.

Any drastic differences between model years (04/05) worth noting?

david.avery · david.avery's Garage

Got one too, bought just in time for snow. I had to take the car to get new shoes immediatly, there was 5" of slush when I picked it up.

I had hankook WR icebears, this is the most amazing car in the winter EVER. Adjust the tourque split to 50% and CHARGE. I atually have more fun in the snow with this car than in the dry with the 911!

I also owned a 2000 S4, and find the manners and performance of the STI a big upgrade.

The boy racer image is a downside, I'm 36, and if I was cruising for 18 year old girls (which I am unfortunatly doing less of lately

) this would be the ultimate car. Another plus, if you are willing to abuse the clutch drivetrain, you can rocket off the line while the average V8 sheds a few thousand miles from their tires.

vlocci · 07-21-2005, 12:42 PM

How does the "regular" wrx stack up to a STI? Seems like there are many more to choose from out there, at a pretty big price difference.

I'm still leaning STI, but the cheap side of me keeps coming out.

RallyJon · 07-21-2005, 12:48 PM

The AWD system in the regular WRX is much less sophisticated than the STI. Basically, it's a fairly sloppy viscous coupling in the center and rear with an open front diff. The reaction time of the VCs is pretty slow, but once you get the wheels spinning they lock up OK. Also, the regular WRX has an ABS system that is known to be slow to recover once actuated.

gavinlit · 07-21-2005, 05:38 PM

There was a link to a vid posted somewhere on this board (will try to find it). Featured a couple of guys in finland/norway(??) driving their rex on snow road, which was no big deal, but they then took it into a field which was about wheel deep in snow. Watching the thing plough through snow like a 4wd was pretty funny. Will definitely sell you on the winter driving concerns.

david.avery · david.avery's Garage

04's don't come with Stereos, and some other minor things I think. I would have bought an 04 holdover, they were really the same car (as far as I know).

stuartj · 07-21-2005, 06:32 PM

Performance wise, the STi is a big premium (plus the giant wings and granny swallowing scoops-naff- etc) over the WRX, which is a pretty pdamn impressive bit of kit, especially for the bucks.

Stuart

03 WRX
964