WRX owners? Questions...

[Kadarin]

Hi All,

I have this idle thought in my head of getting rid of the '08 M3 and replacing it with a WRX or STI hatchback (can't stand the sedan, but the hatchback is growing on me). This would knock my car payment in half and would give me a benefit of being able to take my car up to Tahoe in the winter for skiing/boarding. Sure, I could buy a cheaper AWD/4WD, but I happen to like fast cars... So I have a couple of questions:

Based on your experience, how well does the car handle snow? Internet reviews seem to indicate that it handles snow quite well, but have any of you had any issues with chain controls? I'm guessing that I would just put on full snow tires for the winter if it looks like I'll be going up a lot.

Any preference for the base WRX vs the STI? I test drove both today, and liked the STI better in that it had more power (though the base was no slouch at 265hp), the 6 speed xmission, tighter suspension, better seats, etc.

The audio system isn't that great. The internets suggest replacing the head unit with aftermarket, and adding a sub. Do I go that route, or go with the factory "media hub" option? How about GPS? I'm probably going to have to research what exactly is available on the aftermarket that can be installed in this car, if I decide to go this route.

Thanks for any insight! I'd also like to hear if you simply enjoy the car in general.

 

[DivideBYZero]

As a former Subaru owner I would suggest you check the cost of servicing for the STi. My e46 M3 is cheaper to run that my WRX was, but then I had the older verison that needed servicing every 6mo or 6k miles...sometimes that meant 3 services a year.

I would suggest always to go for the STi. Teh 6 speed alone is worth it, plus you'll want the power.

 

[tontod]

I was thinking of an STi also. However, I live in Boston and with the roads not being that great, would the ride be extremely uncomfortable?

 

[StageLeft]

As a former Subaru owner I would suggest you check the cost of servicing for the STi. My e46 M3 is cheaper to run that my WRX was, but then I had the older verison that needed servicing every 6mo or 6k miles...sometimes that meant 3 services a year.

I would suggest always to go for the STi. Teh 6 speed alone is worth it, plus you'll want the power.

Were you just unlucky? It's a cheaper car from a brand with among the best for reliability and probably there are more STIs on the road than M3s.

It will do fine on in snow. Other than an exotic, really, what AWD cars won't do well in snow? Considering Subaru has strong representation in rally it's no surprise it's probably the go-to brand when somebody says "I want a vehicle good in the snow".

I'm glad they got done with the last gen STI with its stupid whale tale, looked freaking embarrassing.

 

[compman25]

I had an 02 WRX when we lived in Utah and then here in eastern WA. In Utah it did fine in the snow with Toyo Proxies, and last yr here in Spokane we had 8' of snow and it never had any problems. Great all around car other than being a little small inside.

 

[NutBucket]

When you pass chain control in Suby they'll wave you right through 99% of the time. Good thing too since I know I'd kill the front fenders being lowered and all. Get good tires and snow is breeze. Just for reference, I run high-end all seasons and haven't had a problem. If you go a lot then snow tires may be a good investment.

Stock stereo sucks so just plan on going aftermarket for something good. Any double-din unit will fit. You'll need to source a bezel from Japan since the stock stereo is slightly wider than a standard hu.

Just so you know, apparently the standard WRX is faster 0-60 than the STI. At least this is the info in magazines. I can't say first hand since both of our cars are '05s.

 

[StageLeft]

Just so you know, apparently the standard WRX is faster 0-60 than the STI.

Can't you bump the WRX on horsepower pretty cheaply anyway? Either one is going to haul pretty well as it is.

 

[NutBucket]

Yes, but stock vs stock the WRX is faster. Its because the STI is two shifts to 60 whereas the WRX is one, at least as I recall.

 

[StageLeft]

Yes, but stock vs stock the WRX is faster. Its because the STI is two shifts to 60 whereas the WRX is one, at least as I recall.

So the STI still owns it in 0-55

 

[Kadarin]

When you pass chain control in Suby they'll wave you right through 99% of the time. Good thing too since I know I'd kill the front fenders being lowered and all. Get good tires and snow is breeze. Just for reference, I run high-end all seasons and haven't had a problem. If you go a lot then snow tires may be a good investment.

Stock stereo sucks so just plan on going aftermarket for something good. Any double-din unit will fit. You'll need to source a bezel from Japan since the stock stereo is slightly wider than a standard hu.

Just so you know, apparently the standard WRX is faster 0-60 than the STI. At least this is the info in magazines. I can't say first hand since both of our cars are '05s.

Thanks for the reply...

For audio, I'm guessing then that the best option would be to go aftermarket, and get GPS and media hub capability from the aftermarket as well. I'll have to research what's available there and see if it's worthwhile. Having good sound and music in the car is pretty important to me.

0-60 time isn't that important so long as the car itself has a reasonable amount of power. I like the idea of the STI because it has a larger intercooler, better transmission, and more power out of the box. If I mod it (it is possible, since mod parts are much cheaper for this car than for the '08 M3), the STI will probably be a better starting point. Most likely I'd put an exhaust on it and call it a day, however.

For winter use, I'd invest in a set of full snow tires and maybe an extra set of rims for them. I've spent a lot of time in the snow this past winter and have seen the value of them first hand. One of the main goals for this car is to have the versatility to go to the snow without having to get an SUV. The other goal, of course, is to lower my monthly car payment...

I'm also open to other suggestions for vehicles

 

[MJinZ]

The new WRX is newer than the STI so it is faster. Unless they updated the STI for this year, in which case the STI would be faster.

 

[NutBucket]

Honestly, I think the biggest performance difference you'll see with winter vs. all season is ice performance. Snow performance is mostly a function of tread IIRC. At least that's been my experience.

 

[EightySix Four]

Honestly, I think the biggest performance difference you'll see with winter vs. all season is ice performance. Snow performance is mostly a function of tread IIRC. At least that's been my experience.

Rubber does not stick to snow very well, so winter tires have deeper tread to help break ice and for snow to accumulate in the tread spacing helping grip when driving over other snow. Most low profile all seasons have pretty poor snow performance if there is any significant build up and their compound is usually considered to hard for cold weather.

 

[Zap]

Based on your experience, how well does the car handle snow? Internet reviews seem to indicate that it handles snow quite well, but have any of you had any issues with chain controls? I'm guessing that I would just put on full snow tires for the winter if it looks like I'll be going up a lot.

Just get the right tires. I don't have a WRX, but my Mazdaspeed 6 is AWD. With "studless" snow tires I've gone through snow that was deeper than the ride height of my car with no problems. With new all-seasons, an inch or two was not a problem.

With AWD you basically can accelerate better. AWD does not help stopping on snow, and maybe helps minimally in cornering. In snow, proper tires are more important than AWD.

Any preference for the base WRX vs the STI? I test drove both today, and liked the STI better in that it had more power (though the base was no slouch at 265hp), the 6 speed xmission, tighter suspension, better seats, etc.

The STI seems to be the same, just more. I'd say go for it if you think it would still be enough of a payment savings over your M3.

what AWD cars won't do well in snow?

The AWD car with the wrong tires for snow?

Only time I ever went into a ditch was in my Mazdaspeed 6 (which is AWD) on the original Bridgestone Summer performance tires.

Can't you bump the WRX on horsepower pretty cheaply anyway? Either one is going to haul pretty well as it is.

Yes, there is probably an extensive aftermarket for these things, ranging from simple intake/exhaust stuff to void-your-warranty engine chips and bigger turbos.

Yes, but stock vs stock the WRX is faster. Its because the STI is two shifts to 60 whereas the WRX is one, at least as I recall.

This is exactly why the WRX is faster than the WRX STI in 0-60.

 

[EightySix Four]

The WRX is as fast as the STi in the 1/4 mile too. The difference is in the twisties.

Linky

 

[Kadarin]

Yes, there is probably an extensive aftermarket for these things, ranging from simple intake/exhaust stuff to void-your-warranty engine chips and bigger turbos.

Not to mention that the aftermarket also has cylinder heads and short/long block assemblies as well. IIRC you can buy a long block for a price similar to what you would have to pay for a high end titanium exhaust (Amuse, for example) for the M3.

 

[Demo24]

Hi All,

I have this idle thought in my head of getting rid of the '08 M3 and replacing it with a WRX or STI hatchback (can't stand the sedan, but the hatchback is growing on me). This would knock my car payment in half and would give me a benefit of being able to take my car up to Tahoe in the winter for skiing/boarding. Sure, I could buy a cheaper AWD/4WD, but I happen to like fast cars... So I have a couple of questions:

Based on your experience, how well does the car handle snow? Internet reviews seem to indicate that it handles snow quite well, but have any of you had any issues with chain controls? I'm guessing that I would just put on full snow tires for the winter if it looks like I'll be going up a lot.

Any preference for the base WRX vs the STI? I test drove both today, and liked the STI better in that it had more power (though the base was no slouch at 265hp), the 6 speed xmission, tighter suspension, better seats, etc.

The audio system isn't that great. The internets suggest replacing the head unit with aftermarket, and adding a sub. Do I go that route, or go with the factory "media hub" option? How about GPS? I'm probably going to have to research what exactly is available on the aftermarket that can be installed in this car, if I decide to go this route.

Thanks for any insight! I'd also like to hear if you simply enjoy the car in general.

a)does quite well in snow/ice. I have shit all seasons on mine for the winter and it still handles the stuff very well. With the STI you can play around with the power going to each end, but on a normal wrx its 50/50, meaning it's kind of tail happy in the snow. Predictable though and if you have the space, just stay on the power and it will pull you out of it. I've gone up some rather steep icy hills before and I was spinning the wheels like crazy, but I made it up without a problem. Was tons of fun too!

B) Get the STI. I have a WRX, and though I love it and the wagon usability, I still wish I had an STI at times. The STI is a much better platform to start from and trying to make the WRX like an STI is just going to end up costing too much. The transmission is worlds better, as are the brakes, suspension is pretty similar but most change it anyway. Also this generation fits some pretty wide tires under those fenders!

c) Don't bother with the factory audio stuff, not going to be worth it. Also GPS you'll have to add yourself.


The real question is can you live with the severe reduction in quality? The BMW is going to feel a lot nicer to drive, be more comfortable, and overall just be a nicer vehicle to drive. With the STI your going to have a cheap interior, cheap paint, and a not so quiet ride. Sure, it's going to be a hellva lot of fun if you set it up properly, just very much the opposite of what you own now.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I'm going to offer a bit of a dissenting opinion.

The STi is the better sports car out of the box, no doubt. BUT, there are a few things to consider:

*The STi will definitely be bumpy on bad roads.

*While the 6-speed would definitely be better on a road course or even auto-x, for normal street driving it just means more shifting. Plug the gear ratios & tire size into a gear calculator, you'll see where your shift points will be. Cruising RPM on the highway should be about the same between the two. The STi 6-speed does have front/rear power split control and a front LSD, so it will pull out of corners better.

*The money you don't spend on the STi can be spent on modding the WRX. The WRX will hit 300WHP pretty easily, with an exhaust & tune (not sure if fueling upgrades are required). You can also tune the suspension to your liking - I'd suggest Bilsteins, (maybe) STi Pink springs and a set of sway bars for a compliant, but flat handling suspension.

Again, the STi definitely has the edge and the biggest thing you lose between the two is the transmission. That is practically cost prohibitive to reproduce in the WRX, especially on a new model.

Maintenance will cost more on the STi. Four-piston brakes and 18-inch tires are more expensive than the two-piston brakes & 17-inch tires on the WRX. Might also use different plugs, etc that need to be changed more often. All Subaru turbo engines have a 3750 mile oil change interval.

This is a great site that has nearly every detail you could want on current and past Subaru's: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/wrxsti2010.html

 

[fbrdphreak]

The real question is can you live with the severe reduction in quality? The BMW is going to feel a lot nicer to drive, be more comfortable, and overall just be a nicer vehicle to drive. With the STI your going to have a cheap interior, cheap paint, and a not so quiet ride. Sure, it's going to be a hellva lot of fun if you set it up properly, just very much the opposite of what you own now.

This is very true. Especially about the paint and road noise. I picked up my 06 Legacy GT in Michigan and drove it back to NC. Within a week of having it in NC, it seems every errant pebble on the highway had left its mark on the front bumper and leading edge of the hood. And by "mark" I mean you see gray primer. Road noise is REALLY bad too, especially with 18-inch high performance tires. Interior space should be comparable to your M3 though, maybe a bit less.

 

[T2urtle]

is the newer model WRX cheaper to insure then the older one? I think its the same and for that reason alone i do not want to go the WRX/STI route. I guess coming from a M3 to a STI is more of lateral move in terms of insurance rates but from a G35x to a WRX is almost double. That alone put me off the WRX bandwagon. It will always be a car that i want and i would imagine perfect for most. a WRX hatch once you get over the looks its a VERY functional car being roomy and AWD. Almost no reason to get anything else, unless your towing godzilla out of the water.

 

[rdp6]

I drove a friend's last gen STi (think it was a '05 model) once. Don't know the performance figures, but I remember he said he had some performance mods. Don't know what maintenance issues / costs were / are.

I do remember this: That was the fastest I have ever driven from the University of Akron to Kent State and back. Also, I couldn't help but smile the rest of that day. Also, that was nearly 4 years ago and I still remember it. I really would like to have one of those, but my wife would be really pissed off if I got one because I really like driving and she is a bad passenger in MT cars.

 

[Zap]

I really would like to have one of those, but my wife would be really pissed off if I got one because I really like driving and she is a bad passenger in MT cars.

Learn how to shift smoother! :awe:

 

[rdp6]

I think my main problem is doing the 1-2-4-6, winding it up a bit (maybe 4.5K in 1 & 2, and 3.5K in 4). Takes a while for the synchros to do their thing and I am not terrific at rev matching. I lose a lot of revs in between gears, so often there is a terrific sensation of forward acceleration when the clutch catches. VAG 2.0T is nice =)

 

[RGUN]

is the newer model WRX cheaper to insure then the older one? I think its the same and for that reason alone i do not want to go the WRX/STI route. I guess coming from a M3 to a STI is more of lateral move in terms of insurance rates but from a G35x to a WRX is almost double. That alone put me off the WRX bandwagon. It will always be a car that i want and i would imagine perfect for most. a WRX hatch once you get over the looks its a VERY functional car being roomy and AWD. Almost no reason to get anything else, unless your towing godzilla out of the water.

From my research the STI is cheaper to insure than the WRX.

 

[RGUN]

Not to mention that the aftermarket also has cylinder heads and short/long block assemblies as well. IIRC you can buy a long block for a price similar to what you would have to pay for a high end titanium exhaust (Amuse, for example) for the M3.

That must be one seriously expensive exhaust..... Because believe me an aftermarket longblock is no cheap proposition.

Also regarding modding the WRX - unless things have changed in recent years the 5 speed trans cant take much added power without spitting out teeth. Get the STI if you want to modify it to make power. If you start modding it, message me so I can let you know when to stop.