Not really a "versus" so much as my thoughts after having owned both.
I bought a 2016 WRX Premium with the idea that I wanted something I could take both on ski trips and autocross. First time every buying new, but given how well these cars hold value pulled the trigger. Didn't get the STI because I wasn't planning on tracking so it didn't seem worth it, plus the FA20DIT seemed better for daily/road trip car. Earlier this year, traded in the Rex for an F80 M3.
-- WRX --
The bad:
- Interior quality is way better than the older gen, but still has a way to go. The whole Starlink and head unit is just crap. Stereo is mediocre.
- The inferiority of the shifter vs. the STI is noticeable. I got the short throw, that made it overall a fun box to row.
- Understeer: Not really a fair criticism, if you're buying this car you know what you're in for but still very noticeable on a track
- Brakes: Hated the feel, put on new pads, SS brake lines, which helped a bit but still very disappointing. Actual performance was pretty solid
- Torque: It has no torque till you get on the turbo a bit which is fine on backroads but a PITA in traffic.
The good:
- Driver touch points: The wheel, shifter, handbrake are all excellent in both feel and ergonomics. I honestly think the Subaru wheel shape/size is as good as it gets till you get into really high end cars like Porsches
- Gas mileage: Never thought I'd see 35mpg in a Subaru
- Turbo: I know turbo lag isn't supposed to be good but honestly the car had a certain 'playfulness' to it above 2500 rpm even when not wringing it out in the higher rpms
- Design: I loved the look of this car. Still stare when they go by.
- Agility/Chassis: For a sedan of this size/weight it was surprisingly agile, esp. on autoX. You had to account for the understeer, but the way the car handled was fantastic IMO
- All weather performance: This is why you buy a WRX, I drove it in the mountains in winter, on a track in the rain, every kind of road condition imaginable and it was composed and predictable even close to the limit.
- Clutch: I just thought it felt great, and a few other BMW CCA instructors that drove it said the same.
Overall I loved this car, managed to put almost 30k on it in 18 months. Added front sway bars, stage 1 tune, and aforementioned brakes. The main reasons I got rid of it:
1. I started commuting more, the lack of torque off turbo was annoying in traffic, as was the noise/stereo
2. I started tracking, and realized I really wanted to try something RWD
3. To get the car where I wanted would have meant suspension, brakes, stereo, exhaust. Going stage 2 means I'm out of warranty if there's some kind of engine issue.
I looked at the Focus RS, STI, and Golf R as those cars would have been incremental improvements in all the categories I was looking at, but ultimately opted for the M3 for a couple reasons
1. White with carbon trim and LED headlights looks amazing
2. RWD
3. Interior, ride, stereo are just in another league other than maybe the Golf R
4. With just pads and fluid it's track ready. Most of the other cars do reasonably well but do end up needing mods to manage temperature issues/heat soak.
-- M3 --
The bad:
- Consumables: Everything is basically 2-3x what I'm used to paying for the WRX. Luckily regular maintenance is covered for almost 3 years so I really only need to manage my track expenses
- Sound: When you think 425hp you imagine a glorious exhaust note. This is not the case with the stock exhaust (It's better on comp pack cars, but still). I put on the M performance exhaust which sounds and looks amazing (white car with Carbon fiber tips!)
- No more Subaru wave! With a WRX it's likely the person's an enthusiast, with the M there's a lot more non enthusiasts so no one seems to wave.
The good:
- RWD: If there's snow on the ground, I miss my WRX. All other times, I'm finding I like RWD more
- Engine: This car is all about the engine. 425hp, and 406 lb-ft (with most torque available at 1850rpm!) means that I have had to completely relearn throttle control
- Toys: I don't have the fancy HUD or cameras but adjustable throttle, steering, suspension, exhaust valves makes it really fun to change the car's personality for different scenarios
- Interior: With the exhaust and aggressive tires it's not particularly quiet, but still has more of a 'cocoon' feel, and the Harman/Kardon is great
Having driven a bunch of cars I'm really starting to appreciate how great of a job Subaru did with the WRX engine/chassis. I honestly wish they had a semi-luxury brand (like Acura) because I think their chassis/engine with a bit nicer interior would blow everything else away under $50k. I drove a 328Xi loaner and frankly it was a disappointing POS. Other than a marginally better iDrive and interior, it had worse steering, worse braking, worse everything frankly.
tl;dr I should have probably bought an STI instead of the WRX in the first place but loving the M. WRX is a spectacular all rounder and driver's car for it's price point (and a few above frankly).
I bought a 2016 WRX Premium with the idea that I wanted something I could take both on ski trips and autocross. First time every buying new, but given how well these cars hold value pulled the trigger. Didn't get the STI because I wasn't planning on tracking so it didn't seem worth it, plus the FA20DIT seemed better for daily/road trip car. Earlier this year, traded in the Rex for an F80 M3.
-- WRX --
The bad:
- Interior quality is way better than the older gen, but still has a way to go. The whole Starlink and head unit is just crap. Stereo is mediocre.
- The inferiority of the shifter vs. the STI is noticeable. I got the short throw, that made it overall a fun box to row.
- Understeer: Not really a fair criticism, if you're buying this car you know what you're in for but still very noticeable on a track
- Brakes: Hated the feel, put on new pads, SS brake lines, which helped a bit but still very disappointing. Actual performance was pretty solid
- Torque: It has no torque till you get on the turbo a bit which is fine on backroads but a PITA in traffic.
The good:
- Driver touch points: The wheel, shifter, handbrake are all excellent in both feel and ergonomics. I honestly think the Subaru wheel shape/size is as good as it gets till you get into really high end cars like Porsches
- Gas mileage: Never thought I'd see 35mpg in a Subaru
- Turbo: I know turbo lag isn't supposed to be good but honestly the car had a certain 'playfulness' to it above 2500 rpm even when not wringing it out in the higher rpms
- Design: I loved the look of this car. Still stare when they go by.
- Agility/Chassis: For a sedan of this size/weight it was surprisingly agile, esp. on autoX. You had to account for the understeer, but the way the car handled was fantastic IMO
- All weather performance: This is why you buy a WRX, I drove it in the mountains in winter, on a track in the rain, every kind of road condition imaginable and it was composed and predictable even close to the limit.
- Clutch: I just thought it felt great, and a few other BMW CCA instructors that drove it said the same.
Overall I loved this car, managed to put almost 30k on it in 18 months. Added front sway bars, stage 1 tune, and aforementioned brakes. The main reasons I got rid of it:
1. I started commuting more, the lack of torque off turbo was annoying in traffic, as was the noise/stereo
2. I started tracking, and realized I really wanted to try something RWD
3. To get the car where I wanted would have meant suspension, brakes, stereo, exhaust. Going stage 2 means I'm out of warranty if there's some kind of engine issue.
I looked at the Focus RS, STI, and Golf R as those cars would have been incremental improvements in all the categories I was looking at, but ultimately opted for the M3 for a couple reasons
1. White with carbon trim and LED headlights looks amazing
2. RWD
3. Interior, ride, stereo are just in another league other than maybe the Golf R
4. With just pads and fluid it's track ready. Most of the other cars do reasonably well but do end up needing mods to manage temperature issues/heat soak.
-- M3 --
The bad:
- Consumables: Everything is basically 2-3x what I'm used to paying for the WRX. Luckily regular maintenance is covered for almost 3 years so I really only need to manage my track expenses
- Sound: When you think 425hp you imagine a glorious exhaust note. This is not the case with the stock exhaust (It's better on comp pack cars, but still). I put on the M performance exhaust which sounds and looks amazing (white car with Carbon fiber tips!)
- No more Subaru wave! With a WRX it's likely the person's an enthusiast, with the M there's a lot more non enthusiasts so no one seems to wave.
The good:
- RWD: If there's snow on the ground, I miss my WRX. All other times, I'm finding I like RWD more
- Engine: This car is all about the engine. 425hp, and 406 lb-ft (with most torque available at 1850rpm!) means that I have had to completely relearn throttle control
- Toys: I don't have the fancy HUD or cameras but adjustable throttle, steering, suspension, exhaust valves makes it really fun to change the car's personality for different scenarios
- Interior: With the exhaust and aggressive tires it's not particularly quiet, but still has more of a 'cocoon' feel, and the Harman/Kardon is great
Having driven a bunch of cars I'm really starting to appreciate how great of a job Subaru did with the WRX engine/chassis. I honestly wish they had a semi-luxury brand (like Acura) because I think their chassis/engine with a bit nicer interior would blow everything else away under $50k. I drove a 328Xi loaner and frankly it was a disappointing POS. Other than a marginally better iDrive and interior, it had worse steering, worse braking, worse everything frankly.
tl;dr I should have probably bought an STI instead of the WRX in the first place but loving the M. WRX is a spectacular all rounder and driver's car for it's price point (and a few above frankly).