new car, is a wrx right for me?

[Sinister]

Thanks for the replies.
I would certainly love a STI, the only reason i haven't pulled the trigger on it is because i am worried about insurance costs. Thanks for informing me on the 2008's and 2009's. I still probably would prefer a different year still because of the bland exterior compared to other years. I am a very patient person (working on it anyways) so i will make SURE to get a good STi if i decide to go that direction, because i understand that many may have been thrashed my there owners.

Im sure this has been asked over 100 times, and i've even read a few of them, but lets go over it again! is the STI really that much better over the wrx? I had someone PM me with some useful information about the differences, but i want to see if there are other reasons. I know the obvious differences: brakes, more HP, suspension, but is there more? thanks!

It is THAT much better if you plan on modifying it, racing it, beating on it, abusing it, or if you are the kind of person that really will push the car to it's limits. Otherwise... no. It's not.

[DSfriscoe]

It is THAT much better if you plan on modifying it, racing it, beating on it, abusing it, or if you are the kind of person that really will push the car to it's limits. Otherwise... no. It's not.

Im not sure if im that guy or not. I heard that the wrx's 5-speed can only hold 350hp? Is this true?

[etnpnys]

Im not sure if im that guy or not. I heard that the wrx's 5-speed can only hold 350hp? Is this true?

Lol - if you plan on getting your stock WRX up to 350HP, you need the STI. You're asking the wrong questions.

Have you driven anything yet?

[Sinister]

Im not sure if im that guy or not. I heard that the wrx's 5-speed can only hold 350hp? Is this true?

So you have to keep in mind that whenever subaru owners are talking about horsepower, we're talking about "Wheel" horsepower... or horsepower as it's transmitted to a dynamometer. A stock WRX from 2006 (my year) had 230horsepower from the factory. In actuality it was estimated to be from 180-190 Wheel Horsepower. My current 430Wheel Horsepower is estimated to be between 510 and 540 horsepower at the crank.

And there is no guarantee as to how much power a stock drivetrain can handle. The WRX one handles less than the STi one. But in 2008, they improved the gears, and there are people with a lot of HP on stock trannys

[etnpnys]

So you have to keep in mind that whenever subaru owners are talking about horsepower, we're talking about "Wheel" horsepower... or horsepower as it's transmitted to a dynamometer. A stock WRX from 2006 (my year) had 230horsepower from the factory. In actuality it was estimated to be from 180-190 Wheel Horsepower. My current 430Wheel Horsepower is estimated to be between 510 and 540 horsepower at the crank.

And there is no guarantee as to how much power a stock drivetrain can handle. The WRX one handles less than the STi one. But in 2008, they improved the gears, and there are people with a lot of HP on stock trannys

I work in Hollywood... there's a lot of people out here who stalk trannys...

[Sinister]

heyoooo

[Rambo]

I work in Hollywood... there's a lot of people out here who stalk trannys...

[etnpnys]

lol I had to say it.

[DSfriscoe]

lol I had to say it.

didn't get it till i re-read it a few times!

Back on topic. Im guessing that i will be fine with a WRX, as i don't think i have a 500whp beast in mind. I know that this may not always be true, but generally, is the newer the year, the better it is? Because i like the look of a 2005 wagon, but i know of many issues that come with older wagons that are fixed in later years. Thoughts?

EDIT: other thoughts. Does the 2003-2005 wagon handle the same as the 4-door? Is there a noticeable difference that would make someone more performance oriented want the 4-door over hatch, or vice versa? Thanks

[mycologist]

didn't get it till i re-read it a few times!

Back on topic. Im guessing that i will be fine with a WRX, as i don't think i have a 500whp beast in mind. I know that this may not always be true, but generally, is the newer the year, the better it is? Because i like the look of a 2005 wagon, but i know of many issues that come with older wagons that are fixed in later years. Thoughts?

EDIT: other thoughts. Does the 2003-2005 wagon handle the same as the 4-door? Is there a noticeable difference that would make someone more performance oriented want the 4-door over hatch, or vice versa? Thanks

The slightly narrower track is not going to be noticeable. Some had a small rear sway bar which can be swapped for the 20mm sedan one or replaced with aftermarket - everything else that matters for handling is the same. The wagons have a higher top speed by a slim margin.

[DSfriscoe]

The slightly narrower track is not going to be noticeable. Some had a small rear sway bar which can be swapped for the 20mm sedan one or replaced with aftermarket - everything else that matters for handling is the same. The wagons have a higher top speed by a slim margin.

alright, thanks for the reply. I will update if i have anymore questions(shouldn't be long), or an update to the car search.

[STI*NG]

I hope you can handle the responsibility that goes along with having a fast car. I know that when I was a teen I couldn't.
Even 30 years later, I still have my moments, but the difference is my judgement of when and where I have indiscretions. I had to take my bike off the street because I couldn't be responsible with something that fast, and the track is a much safer place for being stupid. Remember that when the urge hits.
I just bought an 09 STi and it s a fun car, but very fast and can get you into trouble by the time you leave second gear.
Good luck with your purchase and whatever you buy, be safe.

[DSfriscoe]

I hope you can handle the responsibility that goes along with having a fast car. I know that when I was a teen I couldn't.
Even 30 years later, I still have my moments, but the difference is my judgement of when and where I have indiscretions. I had to take my bike off the street because I couldn't be responsible with something that fast, and the track is a much safer place for being stupid. Remember that when the urge hits.
I just bought an 09 STi and it s a fun car, but very fast and can get you into trouble by the time you leave second gear.
Good luck with your purchase and whatever you buy, be safe.

alright, thanks for the reply. I dont think i have given you guys the full story when i comes to my experience. I have been driving my parents BMWs ( 5series, m series, x5) until i was able to get my own car, so i am familiar with a fast car. I already know i can handle it, i just have to be careful not to do anything stupid, which i know i wont.

EDIT: i read this over after posting, and it almost seems like im bragging, which was not the goal. I was just saying that those cars are just as fast, if not faster than the wrx stock.