Have a v70R looking for a replacement

**hewinutah** · 09-02-2011 04:08 PM

Hi everyone!

Well as the title says I have a Volvo v70r, 6sp manual, etc. It's now 5 years old and I am thinking about replacing it with a WRX or STI.

If I go subaru, I'm leaning towards the WRX, less boy racer looking.
I test drove a new WRX today and it was nice, the seats don't hold you like the R's but still good. The power seemed good, especially 3k rpm and up. All in all a nice car with good power and handling.

So my question would be to anyone who has had experience with both to chime in and give me their opinion.

Also is the STI really worth the extra 8-9 grand? Is it cost effective to upgrade a WRX (tune, brakes, exhaust) to get closer to 300hp?

What about cargo room? I know it wont be as much as my current wagon, but how is it for a family of 4 and road tripping?

THANKS!

Pic of the current ride

**yamaha_rider619** · 09-02-2011 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by hewinutah

Also is the STI really worth the extra 8-9 grand? Is it cost effective to upgrade a WRX (tune, brakes, exhaust) to get closer to 300hp?

What about cargo room? I know it wont be as much as my current wagon, but how is it for a family of 4 and road tripping?

Yes it is worth the extra cost for an sti if you plan on modifying the car in the future. STI's come with many extras with the added horsepower. Like the 6 speed manual, dccd, brembo's, etc.

Cargo room is rather small in the sedans. Your family will fit fine, but the trunk doesn't hold all that much, but it is like any other sedan.

***RayfieldsWRX*** · 09-02-2011 05:41 PM

Welcome to the forum!

The "Is the STI worth it" question has been bounced around here since the 2004 introduction of the USDM model, and is still actively debated. Most here will say that the difference was once huge, but not so much at this point. Dyno pulls with both cars suggest that the outputs of them are not as different as Subaru would like people to believe. Both are easily modifiable for more power, but the STI comes with a more "trackish", tight suspension from the factory. Whether or not that is a good thing will be up to the individual driver.

See if you an drive them back-to-back to judge; our opinions are just, well, opinions. STI owners here will suggest that there is no substitute, WRX owners will say that their car is a better day-to-day vehicle, which can be upgraded to near STI performance for not-that-much money. I don't know squat, since I own neither in it's most recent incarnation.

My older, 2002 WRX wagon does great for secondary family duty, but I wouldn't want it as our sole hauler. We do a lot of camping, week-long trips, etc, and our van suits that kind of thing much better.

**lordgrinz** · 09-02-2011 05:58 PM

I can't speak for the 6 speed in the STI, but I would avoid the 5 speed that comes in the WRX, the transmission/clutch/gearing combination is about as bad as it gets.

**hewinutah** · 09-02-2011 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by lordgrinz

I can't speak for the 6 speed in the STI, but I would avoid the 5 speed that comes in the WRX, the transmission/clutch/gearing combination is about as bad as it gets.

What makes you say the 5 speed is that bad?

**lordgrinz** · 09-02-2011 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by hewinutah

What makes you say the 5 speed is that bad?

2nd and 3rd gear are just too high, and the clutch is lifeless, its almost like the 5 speed was an afterthought. They should throw the 6 speed in the WRX, if nothing else, it would at least make manufacturing easier. I have come to the conclusion that this transmission and clutch are the worst setup I've driven in years.

**turb0** · 09-02-2011 09:27 PM

I have driven both the Volvo t5 for 6 months and owned both WRX with a 5spd and STi with a 6spd.
The STi is going to be the closest match to the Volvo. And if you bought a WRX with the 5spd coming from a 6spd. You might regret it down the road.

The STi is a better package for you and your family since you live where it snows. The front diff is a lsd, while the wrx is an open diff. As far as modding, Both wrx and the STi are the same. Unless you go rotated turbo. Then the stronger 6spd will come into play. You can buy an STi with a wingless trunk. So you do not need to have the boy racer look. And my personal thoughts are that the STi has a better finish and feel when you sit inside the car and play with the controls. Once again not trying to slam a WRX, But Volvo's have a nice finish. You would be kicking yourself later if you bought the WRX, as over the 1st six months you would be feeling like you downgraded yourself coming off the Volvo. The WRX limited are nice, But then you have the 5spd and open front diff.

**turb0** · 09-02-2011 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by lordgrinz

2nd and 3rd gear are just too high, and the clutch is lifeless, its almost like the 5 speed was an afterthought. They should throw the 6 speed in the WRX, if nothing else, it would at least make manufacturing easier. I have come to the conclusion that this transmission and clutch are the worst setup I've driven in years.

There are parts you can remove in the clutch line system to help with the clutch feel. And as far as 2nd and 3rd. That depends on the year of the car and your power output.

**turb0** · 09-02-2011 09:30 PM

What are you going to do with the wagon? Also if your kids are 5- 15 years old. You will score playground points if you drop your kids off and pick them up in an STi.... This can be very important in play circles at school.

**06scoobyrex** · 09-02-2011 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by lordgrinz

I can't speak for the 6 speed in the STI, but I would avoid the 5 speed that comes in the WRX, the transmission/clutch/gearing combination is about as bad as it gets.

The drivetrain is a bit different then your average car, but what subaru is considered to follow the normal car design? The WRX'STI are a completley different animal from most "simular" types of cars out there... All it takes is some getting used to and then its second nature and you dont even think about it while driving... I love the uniqueness of the car, its a great perfomer that I can drive any day of the year especially in Utah snow which is world famous for having the best conditions for sking & snowboarding...

As far as the 5speed is concerned, it is anything but weak more so in the new ones... Being a full time awd car gives it heaps of grip and the added masive amounts of torque these cars produce is amazing...

***RayfieldsWRX*** · 09-03-2011 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by turb0

The STi is a better package for you and your family since you live where it snows.

Unless he's participating in snow rallies, I doubt that the difference will be important for him. My older WRX performs admirably in snow.

And my personal thoughts are that the STi has a better finish and feel when you sit inside the car and play with the controls. Once again not trying to slam a WRX, But Volvo's have a nice finish. You would be kicking yourself later if you bought the WRX, as over the 1st six months you would be feeling like you downgraded yourself coming off the Volvo.

This is interesting. I've never seen anything to indicate that there is a difference in build or material quality between the two cars; they feel quite the same to me inside when I've visited the dealer. Both are on a cheaper plane than the Volvo's, most likely.

I've always been fine with Subaru's 5-speeds, but then I learned to drive in cars that were more vintage and finicky.

Also if your kids are 5- 15 years old. You will score playground points if you drop your kids off and pick them up in an STi.... This can be very important in play circles at school.

This explains a lot! I guess once my mom dropped me off in that orange, 1972 AMC Gremlin, my social status was cooked for good.

**lordgrinz** · 09-03-2011 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by 06scoobyrex

The drivetrain is a bit different then your average car, but what subaru is considered to follow the normal car design? The WRX'STI are a completley different animal from most "simular" types of cars out there... All it takes is some getting used to and then its second nature and you dont even think about it while driving... I love the uniqueness of the car, its a great perfomer that I can drive any day of the year especially in Utah snow which is world famous for having the best conditions for sking & snowboarding...

As far as the 5speed is concerned, it is anything but weak more so in the new ones... Being a full time awd car gives it heaps of grip and the added masive amounts of torque these cars produce is amazing...

I just find 2nd gear to be horrible, you slow down to a slower speed, and 2nd is to high, yet 1st is to low. 3rd gear isn't much better, and the clutch has nothing going on for more than half the pedal travel. Its really just seems like they never thought it thru, like lets just slap anything into this car and sell it.

**EJ257** · 09-03-2011 08:28 AM