WRX or STi?
 

I have thought it over and workd out all the pros and cons and came to the conclusion that I need a Subaru.

I am torn between a WRX wagon and the STi sedan. The STi choice is obvious. The WRX wagon is so the dog can come along and not have to sit on someones lap. If the STi wagon was available here this would be a no brainer!

So do I go for the "utility" of the WRX wagon and plan for some upgrades, or spend it all in one place on the STi?

What to do.....:confused:

How big's the dog? And does he/she get carsick?

STi, and better get a few fire extinguishers, Mr. Safety. :)

STI and then down the road....

http://www.xcceleration.com/sti.gt35.race2.kit.htm

I think fire extinguishers come standard...

The dog is 70 pounds and LOVES car rides. This car will serve as our family daily driver.

I have been thinking the same.
The problem is that the WRX is pretty much entirely different running gear to the STI, different trans (6 vs 5), more limited slip diffs, different brakes, suspension, and the engine.

From owners: Is the wagon really have appreciably more utility?

Also, do they have a STI wagon in other markets? I know that they have a STI Forester (320 hp I think could be 340 or something).

Well since I can't shut the dog in the trunk the wagon does offer me more utility. I think in Europe and Japan they have the STi wagon. I know the WRX is completely different than the STi but there is still alot of aftermarket support for the WRX to make it quite a rocket.

Are there any good WRX forums? I found one but seems to be alot of BoyRacers.

I personally would get the WRX.

If you do get an STI, get the silver rather than the gold rims (a free option), and get out a sawsall and cut that ridiculous wing off the back. Remove all the STI badging, then sit back and enjoy smoking people at stop lights.

Have you considered the Legacy GT wagon? I am personally looking at picking up a Legacy GT sedan right now. They have the same block and head as the STi, but is just detuned a little bit... by flashing the ECU they can easily get up over 300 hp for less than a grand. I don't know if you have done the research into tuning the Subaru's, but here is a good place to start http://www.cobbtuning.com/main.html

Personally it is a no brainer for me to make sure the car has the 2.5L engine instead of the 2.0L engine. I like the nimbleness of the Impereza body, but that is about it... the legacy is much more comfortable and practical for every day use IMHO. Are you planning on modding this car for track/street use or just using as is? The legacy gt w/ stick is just as fast as the wrx stock, but handles a little worse due to the larger size. The weights of the wrx and legacy are surprisingly similar though... just a thought.

I have the wagon, am trading it in ASAP. Traded my WRX sedan for it, never should have.

I say I will leave it as is but I think we all know better. Since the 911SC is my wifes and she plans to make it all girly the Scooby will be my fun car. But it also has to be the reliable family car. I like the wagon for taking the dog with us and so forth but I also like the STi because it rocks. I personally like the black with gold rims. How far can you go with either car and still remain streetable?

If you haven't already, you should drive both cars. The STI has a much stiffer suspension, which you may or may not prefer. There's also a substantial price difference, plus perhaps discount and incentive differences. There's also the Saab 9-2X Aero variant of the WRX to consider. There's also a WRX STI Limited coming out soon. Also click on 2007 link on Subaru home page...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1147552760.jpg

shawn..my younger brother is a new car salesman for a little rock subaru. he won't try to sell you a car, but might answer more questions you'd have about them. he just sold a hot one of those last week for around 33k i think. if you're interested in getting his opinion on some of it, shoot me a pm and i'll pass along his e-mail and/or cell number.
ryan

Ryan,
i may just do that once we get settled in. I think I am leaning towards the WRX wagon after reading the first four pages here.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1001789&page=4&pp=25

Evo>STI

Good point. I may have to look into that option as well.

If the STi seats fold, you could always fold one side down, have the dog put half its body in the trunk and the other half on the folded seat, it is like a built in crate. My dobie loved that set up when i had an Integra.

there is a mitsu dealer in Cali that sells evos for a great deal cheaper than anywhere else..loaded evo mr was like 31500 out the door. I had an evo, I work for the company that makes the spt exhausts, i have driven all the wrx versions. Evo is still my choice. It is just a more aggressive car steering wise and it quite a bit more agile I think. Either way you can't go wrong. The sti rocks.

The wagon has *****ty suspension and handles like crap for the price, IMHO.

Be sure to drive it first. I was really (badly) surprised how the '04 wagon handled compared to the '03 sedan.

Here is the best of both worlds....same engine as the STi...just detuned but still 250hp enought to beat up on Audi A4s and avail. as a 5speed or an Auto (same tranny used in the G35 Infiniti)....I have driven one extensively and absolutely LOVE IT....call it the STi Wagon if you will.

http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/gt2/concept/imgs/w4.jpg

Yasin