[DarkerBlitz]

Hello, thought I'd give a quick "about me". My name is Eric, I'm 21, and I'm from New Jersey. I've been lurking the forums for over a year now trying to decide which car is best for me. I graduate this summer, and am hoping to get hired at where I am currently interning. Best case scenario, between my 09 Civic EX and the pay I am expecting, I will have enough money by October to put a down payment on a new car, including registration, insurance, etc. and have enough money put aside to pay 6 or so months of insurance and car payments.

After more than a year of research and wishful thinking, my problem boils down to this: which model wrx do I buy? By October I expect Subaru to have announced the 2013 models, so I am going to say hypothetically they are exactly what I have been hoping for and around the same price range.

Based on current prices and features, I'm not sure which model I want. I do love my sunroof, but heated seats are not really my thing. For the price difference, I'm not quite sure it's worth it from base to premium. I'm not a fan of leather seats though, so I'm not interested in the limited.

The STi is an entirely different scenario. I'll have to wait longer to get it, or risk not having a few months for a safeguard. The 6speed transmission and extra horsepower and other goodies may make it worth my while.

What I'm asking is for your input. I'm definitely getting a wrx, I made this decision over a year ago. It's definitely going to be a hatch because that's my taste, and I either want it in black or wr blue pearl and I want the short throw shifter. I am open to pretty much anything else.

So what do you guys think? Give me some insight.


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[Drews]

We can't give you insight on something you've already decided.

 

[rage-wrx]

So you have decided on a base/pemium OBP/WRB hatch.

 

[DarkerBlitz]

We can't give you insight on something you've already decided.

So you have decided on a base/pemium OBP/WRB hatch.

I haven't decided if I want a base/premium or take a jump and go for the STi. I can definately afford both, one would just take longer to save up for. I want to see what people who have owned WRX/STis for a while think about their cars and if they are happy with the decision they made and why.

 

[Ingo]

You'd probably be fine with a base wrx. you can hop it up after some time to anything you want. That is motor, suspension, stereo... as you want/have money/need. I happened to buy a modified, used. Probably not really a smart move, but at least it seems to be well done. This thing has some balls. And it started out as a regular wrx. So the higher HP numbers can be fitted in later, seems to go up to almost 500 crank HP. Even the factory sti can not keep up with that. So I'd say a base wrx is a good starting point. You could look up my tread "my intro", at the early entries, where I'm trying to find out what I got... afterward it kinda goes all over the place.

 

[DarkerBlitz]

You'd probably be fine with a base wrx. you can hop it up after some time to anything you want. That is motor, suspension, stereo... as you want/have money/need. I happened to buy a modified, used. Probably not really a smart move, but at least it seems to be well done. This thing has some balls. And it started out as a regular wrx. So the higher HP numbers can be fitted in later, seems to go up to almost 500 crank HP. Even the factory sti can not keep up with that. So I'd say a base wrx is a good starting point. You could look up my tread "my intro", at the early entries, where I'm trying to find out what I got... afterward it kinda goes all over the place.

Thank you for your input. I am looking up your thread now.

 

[Mikie13]

Sounds like you should get a WRX with a sunroof but no heated seats.

I'd wait for the 2013 to come out...we don't know if it is going to change looks or anything, considering they just updated the base Impreza (never know with Subaru), that way you can base your decision on what you like better.

 

[DarkerBlitz]

Can I get a wrx with sunroof and no heated seats? I didn't see it as an option on the base, and the heated seats come standard on the premium.

And I'm waiting on the full announcement of the 2013s. There are so many rumors going around that I'd feel really dumb buying a 2012 if the 2013s are better cars for about the same price.

 

[Ingo]

Right on. The new impreza has decidedly more legroom in back... if that makes it into the wrx, you might really prefer the 2013 model...

 

[DarkerBlitz]

I've heard rumors from a few sources saying that Subaru may be dropping "Impreza" from the 2013+ WRX and STi names, so I'm not sure. Has there been any updates to whether or not that is true, or is it still just a rumor?

 

[michaelwfox]

If I could afford either one I would get an STi lol. Why not get the best when you can. They can still be good DDs from what I've heard. Go grab a base STi and see if they can option in a sunroof!

 

[Drews]

If you're buying new and not going way beyond stage 2, the STI is the better buy. If you're looking at motor builds and all that jazz, the WRX is the better choice. The STI is a better platform for simple bolt-on mods, but once you get to a certain point the line between which is better becomes incredibly blurred.

 

[DarkerBlitz]

If I could afford either one I would get an STi lol. Why not get the best when you can. They can still be good DDs from what I've heard. Go grab a base STi and see if they can option in a sunroof!

I guess what it comes down to is how much I want to spend. I've seen people do some awesome things with the WRX, and not so great things with the STi. It's a double edged sword. The insurance will be much higher on an STi (I have a clean record... for now), and I'm just not sure if I'm up to the extra money. I want to know that it will be worth it in the end to dish out the extra money for the STi.

If you're buying new and not going way beyond stage 2, the STI is the better buy. If you're looking at motor builds and all that jazz, the WRX is the better choice. The STI is a better platform for simple bolt-on mods, but once you get to a certain point the line between which is better becomes incredibly blurred.

Any mods that I will be making will be for autocrossing. I have yet to do it, but it sounds like something I could easily get into. I drive a Civic right now, so I will not be trying it out any time soon, lol.

 

[Mikie13]

Can I get a wrx with sunroof and no heated seats? I didn't see it as an option on the base, and the heated seats come standard on the premium.

And I'm waiting on the full announcement of the 2013s. There are so many rumors going around that I'd feel really dumb buying a 2012 if the 2013s are better cars for about the same price.

You could always just not turn on the heated seats...or pull them out and sell them and put something aftermarket in. You'd probably recover half your cash at least by selling new seats.

Right on. The new impreza has decidedly more legroom in back... if that makes it into the wrx, you might really prefer the 2013 model...

I don't think he's going to be driving from the back seat often

I've heard rumors from a few sources saying that Subaru may be dropping "Impreza" from the 2013+ WRX and STi names, so I'm not sure. Has there been any updates to whether or not that is true, or is it still just a rumor?

I too have heard this as well...which may point to the differentiation in the body styles. Considering they just flared the body back out for the 2011s, I'd think they'd roll with it for a little longer on that chassis and perhaps only do some subtle styling changes like the 06-07 WRXs/STIs did...

 

[DarkerBlitz]

You could always just not turn on the heated seats...or pull them out and sell them and put something aftermarket in. You'd probably recover half your cash at least by selling new seats.


I too have heard this as well...which may point to the differentiation in the body styles. Considering they just flared the body back out for the 2011s, I'd think they'd roll with it for a little longer on that chassis and perhaps only do some subtle styling changes like the 06-07 WRXs/STIs did...

I know I could not turn them on, but paying for a feature that I'll likely never use seems kind of... Let's say "dumb" for a lack of a better word. Yes, I could take them out and sell them, but meh. Lol.

I'm not really sure what to expect for the 2013s, but hopefully they won't change the body style too much. Or get rid of the hatch. I like the way they look just the way they are.

 

[Drews]

Any mods that I will be making will be for autocrossing. I have yet to do it, but it sounds like something I could easily get into. I drive a Civic right now, so I will not be trying it out any time soon, lol.

If you're looking for a car that you want to auto-x, a WRX/STI would not be on the top of the list. Miata.

 

[DarkerBlitz]

No. Just, no.

I want a WRX/STi, and I may go autocrossing from time to time for the hell of it. I have friends that go all the time.

 

[BigDaddyRex]

To be the old guy here ... a common mistake people make right out of school is to overspend on things - especially cars. Reading your description of financials suggests that you can afford the WRX, and are trying to decide if you should stretch for the STI. My answer is a flat out simple "buy the WRX". For what most enthusiasts need the WRX has it in spades, and it will put you in a better position financially. These cars also hold their value very well, so if your financials are stronger in a year or two you could easily trade in and upgrade without a significant hit. Too many younger buyers are "car poor". It will impact other choices like living spaces, travel, beer money, hookers, blow ... etc.

 

[zax]

If you're looking for a car that you want to auto-x, a WRX/STI would not be on the top of the list. Miata.

Miata is AutoX king. Hands down.

 

[DarkerBlitz]

To be the old guy here ... a common mistake people make right out of school is to overspend on things - especially cars. Reading your description of financials suggests that you can afford the WRX, and are trying to decide if you should stretch for the STI. My answer is a flat out simple "buy the WRX". For what most enthusiasts need the WRX has it in spades, and it will put you in a better position financially. These cars also hold their value very well, so if your financials are stronger in a year or two you could easily trade in and upgrade without a significant hit. Too many younger buyers are "car poor". It will impact other choices like living spaces, travel, beer money, hookers, blow ... etc.

Awesome advice. Thank you for this.

Miata is AutoX king. Hands down.

I strongly dislike the Miata, and I'm not looking to be an AutoX king. It's just something to do from time to time for fun.