Welcome to Club! I'm sorry to hear about your experience. My experience with the FA24F is that it feels a lot like every other modern turbocharged 4 cylinder. I believe that the powerband makes the car feel slower than it actually is. In reality, the FA24F should be making every pony that the FA20F made plus a little extra everywhere in the rev range.

Was the 2018 modified?

 

It only had a Borla cat back which maybe added a few hp but the boost felt much more available in the lower rpms. I haven't pushed it past 4k rpms during the break in period so I'm hoping I'll notice a difference once that's over. I know with a tune the FA24 is doing awesome things but I'll probably wait until the initial warranty is up. Overall I'm super happy with the car apart from that. Even the look has grown on me over the VA.

 

The VA feels faster than it is, especially 2nd and 3rd gear in boost. The VB feels as fast as it actually is. Both have roughly the same acceleration at any speed. In theory the bigger, lower boost engine has a wider torque plateau but the different gearing and slightly higher curb weight negates this.

 

Ah that may be what I'm feeling. It does seem a little less exciting in lower gears.

 

It's a much more mature and overall refined car than the VA. The peakiness of the FA20 combined with the softness of the VA chassis made it feel more "exciting", even though it isn't faster or better handling than the VB.

 

The handling definitely feels significantly better. But yeah I'm terms of the power I'm hoping it's the the different power band and the rest is just in my head.

 

VB handling is more "grown up" than VA, not sure if it's measurably better.

 

We would have to define "handling."

The added chassis rigidity adds to cornering performance to some measure.

The added weight reduces to some measure.

None of the above matters if the car isn't sitting on good rubber.

 

Yeah true, on factory tires the skidpad and slalom numbers for both cars are very close. So there's little to no objective improvement. Subjectively it feels less "squirmy" and more willing to turn in. VA wanders on highway, fights turn-in, then understeers before all 4 wheels let go. VB feels more willing to turn. Degrees of difference, not huge. And most of the VA's issues can be corrected with less than 2.5k in bushings, braces, alignment and front struts.

 

I never drove a VA WRX but I'm coming from a VA STI as a current VB owner. Due to the VB's more refined powerband it can feel slower than it actually is. In reality, its quicker than my STI in most situations. From all the youtube videos I've seen, VB's blow the doors off a VA WRX. I would wait until your break in period is done and reassess your opinion then

 

It's easier to speed up without downshifting and revving out the engine. Not exactly quicker. I'd like to see these videos where a car with the same acceleration and lateral grip "blows the doors off" lol.

 

Va vs VB WRX quick youtube search. I've yet to see a VB lose to a previous gen WRX. Also, what point are you trying to make with your first sentence?

 

Everyone feels the need to justify their purchase.

 

Everyone feels the need to justify their purchase.

Yep lol.

Va vs VB WRX quick youtube search. I've yet to see a VB lose to a previous gen WRX. Also, what point are you trying to make with your first sentence?

Numbers say otherwise. The first point is torque curve being higher at lower revs and part throttle on FA24. That reduces need to downshift for passing.

 

I have owned both a 19 and now a 23. I think you are feeling the difference in the stock tunes. To me the VA was more responsive at partial throttle. VB feels more linear when applying throttle below 4K.

If you decide to tune the VB I am seeing about 30 more HP and TQ on 93 compared to my VA.

In other words my VB on 93 tune puts down numbers like my VA on E30.

Congratulations and enjoy.