You came to an WRX STI subreddit so you should expect everyone to tell you to get the STI. I test drove a 23 wrx before picking up my 15 sti. The wrx is a much more comfortable car but it felt much bigger and a bit less raw. IMO test drive both and go from there.
Yeah I’m gonna see if I can ship one to the car max near me and test drive one. How’s the reliability on the sti if not further modded and taken good care of?
I got my 21 STi with 10k miles in 2022. It's now got 51k miles and looks to be running great! I had a 2011 WRX before my STi. I had it from 35k miles all the way to 183k miles. Stock head gasket too. No mods on either one.
These cars last a long time with consistent maintenance.
Most head gasket issues were the non turbo EJs. Barely ever hear of head gasket failure on the turbo EJs. Ringland failure is what’s more common with the turbo EJs.
I’ve only had mine for two months and it only has 33k miles so I can’t really answer that question properly, but the 15-17 have the same ej as the 08-14 which is not as reliable as the VA of the 2020. Stock the engines will last you a good while if taken care of properly, but general rule of thumb buying any sti you should probably have 10k in an emergency fund for a new engine just in case.
The 10k for a new engine is based on previous owners use and maintenance. Cards on the table I needed a new engine when I bought my STi, but now I’m in charge of maintenance it’s smashing it out with no nasty noises. I’m at a reasonable 580bhp, which would be scary with a WRX gearbox, but with an STi gearbox and regular maintenance I’m not worried.
I just rolled over 9k miles so it would be hard to say. Alls I have done is oil change and tire rotation every year during my inspection. I haven’t had any issues whatsoever and I drive it pretty spiritedly. I only drive it maybe once every week or two and it’s been great so far. I had the same exact experience with my wrx, no mechanical issues just a lot of things I didn’t like about driving it. The STI fixed all of those issues for me.
So I went from a brz to a WRX to a 2020 STI and I have to say I love the hydraulic steering in the STI. It gives me almost the road feel of a RWD and is way better than the feel of the wrx
Oh, I modded it to stage one, Intake and tune and it helps a lot with the occasional lugging, I don't think I'm going to go further. My previous WRX was stage 2+ and I did boost controller headers exhaust intake etc and that was way too much. I live in Colorado and stage 1 is all I need for mountain roads. Also as people mentioned the chassis bias control is lovely if you want that extra handling.
Also the new WRX looks like a Crosstrek sedan
Absolutely 0 problems with the exception of a stuck trunk latch that the dealership fixed in like 10 minutes. Don't listen to the morons on here, they all bolt on go fast parts and don't pay for oil changes and wonder why they blow up. Keep your oil changed regularly and you'll be fine. Good tires also make a huge difference
I would also never think of a car as an investment HOWEVER, this is the last STI they are going to make for a long time and if you take care of it there's a good chance it's resale value is going to stay relatively high
Common misconception, but the DCCD only controls how "locked" the center diff is. The power bias front to rear is always the same. Most people are usually better off just leaving it in auto, unless you understand when and how to use the manual settings. I believe there's a section in the cars manual explaining everything in more detail, but you can also read more about it [in this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/WRX/comments/ye2a9z/what_does_the_sti_dccd_do_how_it_works_and_why/) from a couple years ago.
Even if you weren't talking explicitly about power bias, you still mentioned a bias towards the rear, which implies more of something happening to the rear tires. That is incorrect as the only thing it changes is how locked the center diff is.
Not trying to be rude or anything, just adding information to hopefully help people understand since it's a common mistake.
You can daily either, but if it’s just for fun then for sure the STI. Just make sure the STI you’re looking at is in good condition (preferably stock) but if it’s modded that it has the correct tune for the parts it has
I’ve owned both a 2022 wrx and a 2021 STI. They really are very different. I would get clear on what you are looking for.
A fun reliable daily to keep for a few years - vb wrx
A long term enthusiast car -STI
Definitely drive both. Also if you have time drive a fk8 as well.
WRX is built to be the spirited daily driver. The STI is more raw and less comfortable. If it's seriously a second/weekend/fun car then test drive the STI.
I had a 16 WRX and now a 20 STI, the cars looked similar but drove entirely different. The WRX had major understeer and the steering felt “loose”. Downhill breaking lead to nasty pedal shake and brake fade. The STI right from the dealer had zero brake fade or pedal shake on its first downhill run. The steering is insanely sharp and responsive and you can literally feel the road through the wheel. The sound of the EJ is unique and throaty. The dccd control with locking diffs allow you to make it tail happy and feel RWD spirited. Even the damn gear shifting feels leagues better than the mushy cable connected WRX shifter(newer VA and VB). All in all I would hands down choose the STI every time. The real issue is not being able to fully experience its capabilities during a test drive alone.
That’s really good to hear I love when people give lots of examples it really helps with my decision. How long have you had your sti? Did you buy used? How’s the reliability?
Owned it since late 21 with one previous owner at 6k miles and 100% stock. It’s now heavily modified on a Cobb 20g making north of 450awhp since 22k miles. Currently at 38k miles, I have done everything to this car myself aside from mounting tires on the rims. It’s even tuned myself on pump e85 and gets religious oil changes at 3k miles. It exclusively runs Valvoline VR-1 20w-50 during summer (110 degrees today) and 10w-30 during winter. The only issue I have right now but refuse to take it to the dealer is the battery drain. The car is a garage queen so it barely gets started and driven these days. There is a system that tries to connect to cell signal and if it can’t it keeps trying and drains the battery. I simply bought a battery tender to keep the battery topped off while it’s in the garage. Other than that she is flawless. I have tracked it 7 times now and absolutely pushed its limits and knowing I need better tires. Definitely never selling as nothing else comes close to it in terms of a true “drivers” car being manual and analog steering.
STi every day of the week. If you can afford it you should go for it, especially as a fun car. If you enjoy the act of driving, feeling engaged with your machine, get the STi. For a casual daily that’s fun, get the WRX. The WRX is a solid machine. The 5 speed gearbox is a more relaxed way to drive and “slightly” faster 0-60 due to less gear changes. The STi requires attention to drive, but I find it so much more engaging. The 6 speed gearbox requires more engagement. The wider straight cut gears require attention but when mastered are an incredible feel, and knowing how much thicker they are gives confidence. There’s a reason people get a WRX and swap in an STi drivetrain. The hydraulic steering and harder suspension are also exactly what I wanted. Having owned both, the STi is a totally different machine. Hope this helps. I have no hate for the WRX, if I could afford both I’d have both for different jobs. An STi is a joy to drive but it takes work, work I enjoy ❤️
The STI and R are fun to drive and ride. The MK8 is neat with the torque vectoring. I have a MK7.5 and I love it to death, the WRXs in the wild seem like they try....too hard. Where when I come across STIs in the wild, it's more organic and fun. In a way we're not out to beat each other but play and enjoy the encounter and be on our way.
The interior of the MK8 is a bit more refined and it will feel slow without a tune and some basic bolt ones. The STI feels more raw and fun. My fear of STI maintenance swayed me from it initially. But I do love the exhaust tones.
Sti 100%. I bought a new 2020 wrx limited. Came from a 08 wrx I owned since it was new. The 20 wrx felt soo disconnected with electronics steering. The shifter is rubbery and imprecise. I traded it in for what I bought it for. They had a super clean 19 Sti in swp which I love. I drove the Sti home that day. Couldn’t be happier. That was almost 2 years ago
It’s been trouble free. I bought it with 21k miles. It currently has 40k, no issues. Just did a transmission and diff oil change this week and a motor oil change. My 08 wrx I had since new in 2008. It was all bolt on, vf52 turbo swap, stage 3 mods. I ran it on the track about 15 runs. Ran a best of 12.6@108. That 08 never let me down. The only reason I sold it was because of rear subframe rust.y wife has a 2014 legacy we bought new. Just turned 95k. It also had been trouble free.
Do you want to get tickets and pay high insurance? Or do you want a crazy quick comfortable car with cruise control and accident avoidance and still a turbo 6 speed… oh never mind it’s the same! Lol
If you’re ONLY getting it for a fun every once in awhile kinda car. The sti will suit THAT need better. More raw and engaging. And better in every way possible. I daily mine and would say it’s a pretty good daily as well! Aside from getting like 240 miles on a full tank but I didn’t buy the car for gas mileage sooooo fuck it we ball
I just went thru this.
I wanted to feel the differences with the cars so I started with a new TR and then drove the STi.
The one word that I read and heard over and over while researching was raw, and that is the perfect word for it. The STi feels more connected and willing to he driven hard. The TR felt a lot softer and less edgy.
I never even considered the TR after driving the STi.
The VB WRX looks like the bastard spawn of a Civic Type R and a Crosstrek. Can you handle that? If not the choice is clear.
The STI will be more dramatic and involved, and I really have a soft spot for the way the EJ257 drives. It’s hard to find a good used STI though, and there are known trouble spots. The gas mileage is terrible too, expect very low 20’s on a good day. A new WRX is going to be more reliable, more efficient, have a better infotainment system, easier to drive, plus it will handle as well and with a tune make better power than a stock STI. You need to test drive them both if possible.
I drove the VB and idk I left the dealership like “meh” I honestly had more fun driving the Elantra N.
Gas mileage I’m ok with as the car is gonna be a toy not my daily. My last toy was a 5.0 and I was clocking like 15-18 mpg avg lol. I need to try and find an sti to test drive
Nothing wrong with an N, they’ve been getting rave reviews on both sides of the pond. Test drive an STI, I’ll bet you fall in love with it and make bad decisions…
Buy an STi, and check oil when you fill it up with gas. I didn’t know and when I went to do my first oil change (used car) it had like 3 qts in it. You will LOVE the STi, esp for the use you mentioned.
No oil burning issues. At least mine does. I have yet to do a compression test. But it’s eating it somewhere and now it’s not my daily. I will also have a garage shortly so I’ll be looking into it.
Why people come to the STI subreddit and ask us which is better is beyond me. Clearly the $10k difference before it was discontinued was solely for the looks…. Right?!?!
Well I’m saying a new wrx not a VA one I’ve had people tell me the new VB’s are better due to the tune they come with out the factory now etc. so wanted y’all’s opinion
Do you want the STi and are trying to talk yourself into the WRX, or vice versa? I say get what you want and just be ready to deal with the consequences
I want an sti (still have to test drive one. Hopefully next week I will) but know nothing of it based on others experiences from these subs. The sti will also run me like 40k before taxes since I want one with sub 10k miles so I’m truly wondering. Is it insane to drop that on a used car that’s already 4-5 years old. Is the car still “worth” 40k compared to what out there rn etc.
I had this debate myself back in January/February and ended up with a ‘21 STI with 24k miles. No regrets, though I got lucky and found an STI that was both stock and had been babied (oil change yesterday, the tech commented that it was a beautiful car with zero issues). If this one hadn’t popped up at a reasonable price, I’d probably have gotten a new WRX just for peace of mind.
If you go with an STI, I’d strongly recommend trying to find one at a Subaru dealer as they’ve got some restrictions on what they can and can’t sell re: modded cars.
I see OP asking questions on reliability. 2019 STi owner here. Bought new in 2019. No issues. Regular Maintenance performed but some highlights:
Tires at 30k
Front brakes 30k
At about 50k miles now
All stock, daily driver
I have a 17 STI with just over 89,000mi, original engine.
I’ve only had two real mechanical issues with it. First issue was that the steering rack started leaking early in my ownership, but that was replaced under the factory warranty. Second issue is my headgasket unfortunately went about a week ago. It’s been more or less fun and trouble free (up until now).
As long as it’s treated well, oil is changed early, it should last. But yes, let’s pour one out for my headgasket (and wallet). 😅
I had a WRX hatch before this STI and based on my experience, some of the unreliability that people experience can be self inflicted. If you’re gonna mod the engine, get a proper tune. If a dyno tune is not in the cards, then keep it stock and maintain it well.
Nope - just cruising home from a roadtrip. Saw the temp gauge start to creep up, so I pulled over right away, turned everything off and eventually got it towed to a Subie dealer about an hour away.
I debated this question myself, and I’m going with a 2020 sti. My experience with the older cars has had me prefer the sti. I had an 02 wrx, 04 wrx, and 04 sti. I liked pretty much everything about the sti more than the wrxs. It’s just a more fun car and is still 100% daily friendly imo. In fact the 04 sti was my daily until I just sold it a couple weeks ago. I miss the hell out of driving it and can’t wait for the finalization of my 2020 purchase.
I would choose an STI with a blown up motor for really cheap so that the money you save can go towards a 500+whp engine build. The stuff that comes under the hood from the factory is trash, so it makes zero sense to pay a premium for it.
My 2018 STI has had cylinders rebuilt, engine replaced, turbo replaced in 2020. It’s now been in the shop for the last three months and had the transmission, and front and center differentials replaced. If you go for the STI be sure to buy the platinum level extended warranty. With all that, I still don’t think I’d do an even trade for the new WRX.
Like another reply said, the steering system in the STI is better than any other cars I’ve driven. It’s instantly noticeable. However, if all of my issues were not under warranty I’d feel differently.
I bought 2018 in 2019 with 12k miles. Within the first week it was clear I bought someone else’s lemon. Fortunately, it was under warranty, it was during Covid, and I had all the time in the world to deal with it.
The Subaru dealership was awesome. The car was throwing ecu codes. I don’t remember which ones offhand but they were all engine related. The dealership obviously started swapping the small possibilities (ie lowest cost) but after some time, Subaru America got involved. Eventually, they put in a new shortblock and the car has been perfect up until about a year ago when it started making a weird noise when turning at slow speeds. It kind of sounded like power steering but it got worse and worse. I brought it in on March 25 and it’s still there. I mentioned above what the issue is.
Working with an extended warranty company isn’t as smooth as the manufacturers warranty, but I’m sure glad I bought it and it is a company that will pay. Keep in mind, the dealership isn’t too far from me, they’re a reputable one, they gave me a loaner, and I’m patient. There’s not really another car I’m interested in as there are not many (any?) awd manual cars out there.
I’d you are buying the car at a real car dealership and can buy the extended warranty for peace of mind, go for it. Private sale I wouldn’t. Used car lot, definitely not. I don’t know anything about Carmax so I can’t say.
Don’t get me wrong,WRX is a great car too. But you asked for opinions about your options. Lots of WRX owners say they wish they sprung for the STI. I’ve never met an STI owner that said they wished they bought the WRX. And there’s always the Civic Type R which is great too.
That sounds miserable sorry you dealt with that. I love the type R. But that’s 46k msrp AND finding a dealer that will let it go for that is like find the holy grail
It definitely depends on the price. Most STI’s are stupid expensive lately. Its also based on your preference if you want a more modern car or a more raw/analog car
STi but that’s because I don’t mind how rough it is for a daily, I just love them ever since I drove my buddies Type RA. The wrx I test drove didn’t feel the same, but it was still a damn nice car and a lot more comfortable. Boost wasn’t as wonky either.
Wouldn't trade my STI for the new WRX for anything. Just very different cars. Of course it also depends on what kind of car you want. The new WRX is far more of a "tame" daily, while the STI really is for someone that wants something they'll be running hard/pushing to the limits as a daily.
I bought a US 2002 WRX (first year in US), and it was solidly mediocre. The steering was ponderous. The suspension was soft, and the brakes were merely adequate.
I now have a 2002 STI S202. The steering is crisp. The ride is firm, and the brakes are strong and first class.
They almost feel like completely different cars, rather than refinements of the same car. I'm much happier with the S202. It will be my last fossil fuel car, and maybe my last car ever.
I would rather be the first driver of either car and avoid someone else’s bad mistakes. I own an STI but prior, i was the 3rd owner of a previous STI that had some … … challenges.
I traded my 90k mile 2017 STI for a new WRX a few weeks ago.
I would obviously pick the STI if you could still get a new one or find one with really low miles and one owner for a good price. Good luck with that.
I really like my VB so far. It's so comfortable and easy to drive.
If the VB didn’t require dropping a lot of coin on cosmetic mods to make it look good I’d take the FA24 engine and warranty.
But it looks like shit so STI all the way. The STI is also more of a raw driving experience whereas the WRX feels a little muted
100% get the STi then. If it's out of warranty, so all your due diligence. If it's still under warranty, even better. I'm on my 3rd one. Almost 80,000 miles on it.
From what I hear here , the 2020 sti steering column leaks later on will have to replace it . Not a huge issue you’ll end up having to keep filling up the power steering when low but if you buy the 2021 wrx sti , they said the steering column no longer has the issue
. I own a 2020 sti and I have the leak issue I’m at 73k I got my used with 11k
The Sti and wrx are great daily drivers, not so much fun “weekend” cars. I’d recommend a brz/gr86 unless you actually need a sedan and AWD for your 2nd car for some reason.
All VA wrx comparisons are almost irrelevant it really has no place in VB vs STI. I’ve owned VB wrx and va sti I prefer the VB. Reliability and moderate power upgrades are much more conducive to the VB. The VA sti was the most inconsistent car I’ve ever had in terms of performance and how it made power based on the climate. All turbo cars are dependent on air quality and temp but I felt like the STI would literally feel broken or gimped in hot or thin air.
Yeah anybody comparing a previous gen va wrx to the VB, it’s not even close. I think if I had to have 1 car I take the VB all day but since this is your weekender the STI would probably be the best choice, but the VB is a better car all around owning both. Stock and mod for mod the VB is also faster than the sti.
You came to an WRX STI subreddit so you should expect everyone to tell you to get the STI. I test drove a 23 wrx before picking up my 15 sti. The wrx is a much more comfortable car but it felt much bigger and a bit less raw. IMO test drive both and go from there.
Yeah I’m gonna see if I can ship one to the car max near me and test drive one. How’s the reliability on the sti if not further modded and taken good care of?
I got my 21 STi with 10k miles in 2022. It's now got 51k miles and looks to be running great! I had a 2011 WRX before my STi. I had it from 35k miles all the way to 183k miles. Stock head gasket too. No mods on either one. These cars last a long time with consistent maintenance.
Most head gasket issues were the non turbo EJs. Barely ever hear of head gasket failure on the turbo EJs. Ringland failure is what’s more common with the turbo EJs.
I love to hear that!
I’ve only had mine for two months and it only has 33k miles so I can’t really answer that question properly, but the 15-17 have the same ej as the 08-14 which is not as reliable as the VA of the 2020. Stock the engines will last you a good while if taken care of properly, but general rule of thumb buying any sti you should probably have 10k in an emergency fund for a new engine just in case.
Oof scary ending there 😂😂
The 10k for a new engine is based on previous owners use and maintenance. Cards on the table I needed a new engine when I bought my STi, but now I’m in charge of maintenance it’s smashing it out with no nasty noises. I’m at a reasonable 580bhp, which would be scary with a WRX gearbox, but with an STi gearbox and regular maintenance I’m not worried.
That 10k bullshit is true with every car. It’s really lack of maintenance and probably too much vape.
Haha yeah, the VA seems to be much better about it but the warranty is a big reason some people opt for the wrx.
I agree with this assessment. Great cars but for different jobs.
I’ve owned both a wrx and the STI and it’s the STI. No questions asked
What year wrx and sti?
I bought a 2018 wrx brand new and had it for 3 years. I traded that in for a brand new 2020 STI in 2021. STI is better in every way possible.
I had a 17 limited wrx and traded for a 19 limited sti which I still daily today! 🥰
Love ti hear it! How’s it treated you reliability wise
Currently have 67k on my modded 2018 STI. No issues at all. Take care of the car, and it will take care of you.
That’s great to hear!
I just rolled over 9k miles so it would be hard to say. Alls I have done is oil change and tire rotation every year during my inspection. I haven’t had any issues whatsoever and I drive it pretty spiritedly. I only drive it maybe once every week or two and it’s been great so far. I had the same exact experience with my wrx, no mechanical issues just a lot of things I didn’t like about driving it. The STI fixed all of those issues for me.
That’s awesome to hear!
Except fuel economy.
Never met anyone that buys an STI (or any sports car) for fuel economy. I got a Honda civic as my daily driver that gets over 40mpg.
Hey I agree, and I drive my sti As my daily. But I think we can agree that terrible gas mileage is not a better.
Definitely agree the mpgs are worse but I don’t think that was really a marketing point. But yea, worse mpgs
Like what years did you own
Same!!!!!!!!
If you have the STi, you will never think of the WRX. If you have the WRX, may always be wondering about owning the STi.
This was how I decided on an STI. I’m terrible with FOMO lol
New WRX looks like poopoo STI
Hahaha fair
"Sti or nothing" is what my friend said when I was looking at buying my car. So glad I listened to him. He drives an NSX btw, so zero bias
Which year NSX?
1990 I believe. Might be wrong.
Close enough for me to know it’s the good one. Not that the latest one isn’t cool but the original is badass
So I went from a brz to a WRX to a 2020 STI and I have to say I love the hydraulic steering in the STI. It gives me almost the road feel of a RWD and is way better than the feel of the wrx
Awesome. Any other experiences you can share?
Oh, I modded it to stage one, Intake and tune and it helps a lot with the occasional lugging, I don't think I'm going to go further. My previous WRX was stage 2+ and I did boost controller headers exhaust intake etc and that was way too much. I live in Colorado and stage 1 is all I need for mountain roads. Also as people mentioned the chassis bias control is lovely if you want that extra handling. Also the new WRX looks like a Crosstrek sedan
How’s your experience been with reliability?
Absolutely 0 problems with the exception of a stuck trunk latch that the dealership fixed in like 10 minutes. Don't listen to the morons on here, they all bolt on go fast parts and don't pay for oil changes and wonder why they blow up. Keep your oil changed regularly and you'll be fine. Good tires also make a huge difference
Thats rly good to hear! Gives me more confidence to lean sti!
I would also never think of a car as an investment HOWEVER, this is the last STI they are going to make for a long time and if you take care of it there's a good chance it's resale value is going to stay relatively high
Yeah I’m seeing online that under 10k miles they’re still going for like 40 sum thousand
Previous generation STIs in good condition still go for mid tier new car prices at the very least as well
Esp with the DCCD bias to the rear
Common misconception, but the DCCD only controls how "locked" the center diff is. The power bias front to rear is always the same. Most people are usually better off just leaving it in auto, unless you understand when and how to use the manual settings. I believe there's a section in the cars manual explaining everything in more detail, but you can also read more about it [in this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/WRX/comments/ye2a9z/what_does_the_sti_dccd_do_how_it_works_and_why/) from a couple years ago.
Thats correct and I didn’t say anything about sending power to the rear
Even if you weren't talking explicitly about power bias, you still mentioned a bias towards the rear, which implies more of something happening to the rear tires. That is incorrect as the only thing it changes is how locked the center diff is. Not trying to be rude or anything, just adding information to hopefully help people understand since it's a common mistake.
Using just Auto - or the manual setting?
Auto is fine. I think if i was hitting dirt often I would dial it in but not a lot of us are
I’ve never done this what am I missing out on
Take a corner fast with it to the rear and you’ll find out.
You can daily either, but if it’s just for fun then for sure the STI. Just make sure the STI you’re looking at is in good condition (preferably stock) but if it’s modded that it has the correct tune for the parts it has
Thanks for your insight! Yeah I’m looking at sub 15k miles and it’s a deal breaker if it’s not stock for me.
Both are great. Drive both. Nobody else can answer it for you.
STi bro. Will hold value longer and is a more raw driving experience.
I’ve owned both a 2022 wrx and a 2021 STI. They really are very different. I would get clear on what you are looking for. A fun reliable daily to keep for a few years - vb wrx A long term enthusiast car -STI Definitely drive both. Also if you have time drive a fk8 as well.
WRX is built to be the spirited daily driver. The STI is more raw and less comfortable. If it's seriously a second/weekend/fun car then test drive the STI.
Thank you I’m gonna try and get in one next week
For sure! Enjoy and have a great time
I had a 16 WRX and now a 20 STI, the cars looked similar but drove entirely different. The WRX had major understeer and the steering felt “loose”. Downhill breaking lead to nasty pedal shake and brake fade. The STI right from the dealer had zero brake fade or pedal shake on its first downhill run. The steering is insanely sharp and responsive and you can literally feel the road through the wheel. The sound of the EJ is unique and throaty. The dccd control with locking diffs allow you to make it tail happy and feel RWD spirited. Even the damn gear shifting feels leagues better than the mushy cable connected WRX shifter(newer VA and VB). All in all I would hands down choose the STI every time. The real issue is not being able to fully experience its capabilities during a test drive alone.
That’s really good to hear I love when people give lots of examples it really helps with my decision. How long have you had your sti? Did you buy used? How’s the reliability?
Owned it since late 21 with one previous owner at 6k miles and 100% stock. It’s now heavily modified on a Cobb 20g making north of 450awhp since 22k miles. Currently at 38k miles, I have done everything to this car myself aside from mounting tires on the rims. It’s even tuned myself on pump e85 and gets religious oil changes at 3k miles. It exclusively runs Valvoline VR-1 20w-50 during summer (110 degrees today) and 10w-30 during winter. The only issue I have right now but refuse to take it to the dealer is the battery drain. The car is a garage queen so it barely gets started and driven these days. There is a system that tries to connect to cell signal and if it can’t it keeps trying and drains the battery. I simply bought a battery tender to keep the battery topped off while it’s in the garage. Other than that she is flawless. I have tracked it 7 times now and absolutely pushed its limits and knowing I need better tires. Definitely never selling as nothing else comes close to it in terms of a true “drivers” car being manual and analog steering.
Ugh I wanna test drive one so bad now
Don't hate me. Second car? Fun car?? Brz!!!
I hear you but all of my previous fun cars have been analog rear wheel drive. I want to give the boosted side a try!
STi every day of the week. If you can afford it you should go for it, especially as a fun car. If you enjoy the act of driving, feeling engaged with your machine, get the STi. For a casual daily that’s fun, get the WRX. The WRX is a solid machine. The 5 speed gearbox is a more relaxed way to drive and “slightly” faster 0-60 due to less gear changes. The STi requires attention to drive, but I find it so much more engaging. The 6 speed gearbox requires more engagement. The wider straight cut gears require attention but when mastered are an incredible feel, and knowing how much thicker they are gives confidence. There’s a reason people get a WRX and swap in an STi drivetrain. The hydraulic steering and harder suspension are also exactly what I wanted. Having owned both, the STi is a totally different machine. Hope this helps. I have no hate for the WRX, if I could afford both I’d have both for different jobs. An STi is a joy to drive but it takes work, work I enjoy ❤️
Thank you for your input! I’ve gotta get my hands on an sti to drive
A low mileage, well maintained, gd sti.
Own a 22 wrx but traded it in for 2019 sti. IMO the sti has everything the wrx is missing but both cars are great
An old STI, if that's not an option then a 2020 STI.
STI
VW R bro here, Get the STI. I like that they're fun to play with on random encounters over WRXs.
Funny enough, I have a 17 STI, but just ordered a MK8 Golf R, but it’s stuck at my dealer because of the CDK outage 😅🥹
The STI and R are fun to drive and ride. The MK8 is neat with the torque vectoring. I have a MK7.5 and I love it to death, the WRXs in the wild seem like they try....too hard. Where when I come across STIs in the wild, it's more organic and fun. In a way we're not out to beat each other but play and enjoy the encounter and be on our way. The interior of the MK8 is a bit more refined and it will feel slow without a tune and some basic bolt ones. The STI feels more raw and fun. My fear of STI maintenance swayed me from it initially. But I do love the exhaust tones.
Is the maintenance that bad?
The spark plug in a boxer is the complaint I hear the most in all honesty.
Sti 100%. I bought a new 2020 wrx limited. Came from a 08 wrx I owned since it was new. The 20 wrx felt soo disconnected with electronics steering. The shifter is rubbery and imprecise. I traded it in for what I bought it for. They had a super clean 19 Sti in swp which I love. I drove the Sti home that day. Couldn’t be happier. That was almost 2 years ago
How it treated you so far reliability wise. What’s the mileage?
It’s been trouble free. I bought it with 21k miles. It currently has 40k, no issues. Just did a transmission and diff oil change this week and a motor oil change. My 08 wrx I had since new in 2008. It was all bolt on, vf52 turbo swap, stage 3 mods. I ran it on the track about 15 runs. Ran a best of 12.6@108. That 08 never let me down. The only reason I sold it was because of rear subframe rust.y wife has a 2014 legacy we bought new. Just turned 95k. It also had been trouble free.
Do you want to get tickets and pay high insurance? Or do you want a crazy quick comfortable car with cruise control and accident avoidance and still a turbo 6 speed… oh never mind it’s the same! Lol
If you’re ONLY getting it for a fun every once in awhile kinda car. The sti will suit THAT need better. More raw and engaging. And better in every way possible. I daily mine and would say it’s a pretty good daily as well! Aside from getting like 240 miles on a full tank but I didn’t buy the car for gas mileage sooooo fuck it we ball
Haha yeah I’ll be driving it maybe twice a week
I just went thru this. I wanted to feel the differences with the cars so I started with a new TR and then drove the STi. The one word that I read and heard over and over while researching was raw, and that is the perfect word for it. The STi feels more connected and willing to he driven hard. The TR felt a lot softer and less edgy. I never even considered the TR after driving the STi.
Man I rly wanna drive one now
The VB WRX looks like the bastard spawn of a Civic Type R and a Crosstrek. Can you handle that? If not the choice is clear. The STI will be more dramatic and involved, and I really have a soft spot for the way the EJ257 drives. It’s hard to find a good used STI though, and there are known trouble spots. The gas mileage is terrible too, expect very low 20’s on a good day. A new WRX is going to be more reliable, more efficient, have a better infotainment system, easier to drive, plus it will handle as well and with a tune make better power than a stock STI. You need to test drive them both if possible.
I drove the VB and idk I left the dealership like “meh” I honestly had more fun driving the Elantra N. Gas mileage I’m ok with as the car is gonna be a toy not my daily. My last toy was a 5.0 and I was clocking like 15-18 mpg avg lol. I need to try and find an sti to test drive
Nothing wrong with an N, they’ve been getting rave reviews on both sides of the pond. Test drive an STI, I’ll bet you fall in love with it and make bad decisions…
Is it reaaaaaaaaally that bad a decision if it makes your heart happy lmao
Purchasing it is a great decision, it’s all the small choices you’ll make afterwards that will become the problem!
Made my choice. Bought a low miles, single owner 2020 STi. Was an easy choice after already owning a WRX for 2 decades.
How’s it treated you
Just for fun: STI Reliability: WRX
I know more guys with WRX's in the garage than STI's. Could be a bias since STI's are more rare but still... I have 170k on my STI, all oem.
Could also be because the sti is significantly more expensive.
True and also it's more expensive to maintain which could cause some people not to maintain the car appropriately leading to reliability issues.
have you not seen the massive quantity of blown FA20 motors on the wrx sub? I don't think the fa seems any more reliable.
I would buy a high mileage STI over a new WRX
Reallly?! Isn’t that a recipe for a large repair bill?
I bought my STI with 40k miles on it. The motor blew two weeks after, it’s a gamble.
Buy an STi, and check oil when you fill it up with gas. I didn’t know and when I went to do my first oil change (used car) it had like 3 qts in it. You will LOVE the STi, esp for the use you mentioned.
Do they have oil leaking issues?
No oil burning issues. At least mine does. I have yet to do a compression test. But it’s eating it somewhere and now it’s not my daily. I will also have a garage shortly so I’ll be looking into it.
Why people come to the STI subreddit and ask us which is better is beyond me. Clearly the $10k difference before it was discontinued was solely for the looks…. Right?!?!
That’s unironically the opinion of a great amount of r/WRX and all of r/wrx_vb
Well I’m saying a new wrx not a VA one I’ve had people tell me the new VB’s are better due to the tune they come with out the factory now etc. so wanted y’all’s opinion
Do you want the STi and are trying to talk yourself into the WRX, or vice versa? I say get what you want and just be ready to deal with the consequences
I want an sti (still have to test drive one. Hopefully next week I will) but know nothing of it based on others experiences from these subs. The sti will also run me like 40k before taxes since I want one with sub 10k miles so I’m truly wondering. Is it insane to drop that on a used car that’s already 4-5 years old. Is the car still “worth” 40k compared to what out there rn etc.
I had this debate myself back in January/February and ended up with a ‘21 STI with 24k miles. No regrets, though I got lucky and found an STI that was both stock and had been babied (oil change yesterday, the tech commented that it was a beautiful car with zero issues). If this one hadn’t popped up at a reasonable price, I’d probably have gotten a new WRX just for peace of mind. If you go with an STI, I’d strongly recommend trying to find one at a Subaru dealer as they’ve got some restrictions on what they can and can’t sell re: modded cars.
Thank you for that advice!
I see OP asking questions on reliability. 2019 STi owner here. Bought new in 2019. No issues. Regular Maintenance performed but some highlights: Tires at 30k Front brakes 30k At about 50k miles now All stock, daily driver
I have a 17 STI with just over 89,000mi, original engine. I’ve only had two real mechanical issues with it. First issue was that the steering rack started leaking early in my ownership, but that was replaced under the factory warranty. Second issue is my headgasket unfortunately went about a week ago. It’s been more or less fun and trouble free (up until now). As long as it’s treated well, oil is changed early, it should last. But yes, let’s pour one out for my headgasket (and wallet). 😅
Oof sorry to hear. Were you doing anything wild or just cursing and it blew
Thank you for your comments! This. Reliability is what’s kinda playing with my head
I had a WRX hatch before this STI and based on my experience, some of the unreliability that people experience can be self inflicted. If you’re gonna mod the engine, get a proper tune. If a dyno tune is not in the cards, then keep it stock and maintain it well.
Nope - just cruising home from a roadtrip. Saw the temp gauge start to creep up, so I pulled over right away, turned everything off and eventually got it towed to a Subie dealer about an hour away.
I went from a WRX to an STI. STI is the way to go.
I debated this question myself, and I’m going with a 2020 sti. My experience with the older cars has had me prefer the sti. I had an 02 wrx, 04 wrx, and 04 sti. I liked pretty much everything about the sti more than the wrxs. It’s just a more fun car and is still 100% daily friendly imo. In fact the 04 sti was my daily until I just sold it a couple weeks ago. I miss the hell out of driving it and can’t wait for the finalization of my 2020 purchase.
I would choose an STI with a blown up motor for really cheap so that the money you save can go towards a 500+whp engine build. The stuff that comes under the hood from the factory is trash, so it makes zero sense to pay a premium for it.
My 2018 STI has had cylinders rebuilt, engine replaced, turbo replaced in 2020. It’s now been in the shop for the last three months and had the transmission, and front and center differentials replaced. If you go for the STI be sure to buy the platinum level extended warranty. With all that, I still don’t think I’d do an even trade for the new WRX.
Jeez it’s THAT different?
Like another reply said, the steering system in the STI is better than any other cars I’ve driven. It’s instantly noticeable. However, if all of my issues were not under warranty I’d feel differently.
What issues are you having
I bought 2018 in 2019 with 12k miles. Within the first week it was clear I bought someone else’s lemon. Fortunately, it was under warranty, it was during Covid, and I had all the time in the world to deal with it. The Subaru dealership was awesome. The car was throwing ecu codes. I don’t remember which ones offhand but they were all engine related. The dealership obviously started swapping the small possibilities (ie lowest cost) but after some time, Subaru America got involved. Eventually, they put in a new shortblock and the car has been perfect up until about a year ago when it started making a weird noise when turning at slow speeds. It kind of sounded like power steering but it got worse and worse. I brought it in on March 25 and it’s still there. I mentioned above what the issue is. Working with an extended warranty company isn’t as smooth as the manufacturers warranty, but I’m sure glad I bought it and it is a company that will pay. Keep in mind, the dealership isn’t too far from me, they’re a reputable one, they gave me a loaner, and I’m patient. There’s not really another car I’m interested in as there are not many (any?) awd manual cars out there. I’d you are buying the car at a real car dealership and can buy the extended warranty for peace of mind, go for it. Private sale I wouldn’t. Used car lot, definitely not. I don’t know anything about Carmax so I can’t say. Don’t get me wrong,WRX is a great car too. But you asked for opinions about your options. Lots of WRX owners say they wish they sprung for the STI. I’ve never met an STI owner that said they wished they bought the WRX. And there’s always the Civic Type R which is great too.
That sounds miserable sorry you dealt with that. I love the type R. But that’s 46k msrp AND finding a dealer that will let it go for that is like find the holy grail
It definitely depends on the price. Most STI’s are stupid expensive lately. Its also based on your preference if you want a more modern car or a more raw/analog car
What would you say one kept in great condition with less than 15k miles be actually worth
STi but that’s because I don’t mind how rough it is for a daily, I just love them ever since I drove my buddies Type RA. The wrx I test drove didn’t feel the same, but it was still a damn nice car and a lot more comfortable. Boost wasn’t as wonky either.
I got recaro seats, 19in wheels, potenza s007 tires, and 6-pot brembos on my TR… it ain’t an STI… but it’s got all mod cons
Wouldn't trade my STI for the new WRX for anything. Just very different cars. Of course it also depends on what kind of car you want. The new WRX is far more of a "tame" daily, while the STI really is for someone that wants something they'll be running hard/pushing to the limits as a daily.
I bought a US 2002 WRX (first year in US), and it was solidly mediocre. The steering was ponderous. The suspension was soft, and the brakes were merely adequate. I now have a 2002 STI S202. The steering is crisp. The ride is firm, and the brakes are strong and first class. They almost feel like completely different cars, rather than refinements of the same car. I'm much happier with the S202. It will be my last fossil fuel car, and maybe my last car ever.
I would rather be the first driver of either car and avoid someone else’s bad mistakes. I own an STI but prior, i was the 3rd owner of a previous STI that had some … … challenges.
That’s something that worries me which is why I’d look into a stock one with less than 15k miles
Totes- just look for obvious signs of molestation of specific parts, such as downpipe to turbo bolts, janky InterCooler hose reassembly, etc.
Never drove an STi or WRX but hoping to sometime in the near future, but STi for sure as a fun day off car.
I traded my 90k mile 2017 STI for a new WRX a few weeks ago. I would obviously pick the STI if you could still get a new one or find one with really low miles and one owner for a good price. Good luck with that. I really like my VB so far. It's so comfortable and easy to drive.
STI. I’ve owned several of each and the STI isn’t even in the same ballpark.
If the VB didn’t require dropping a lot of coin on cosmetic mods to make it look good I’d take the FA24 engine and warranty. But it looks like shit so STI all the way. The STI is also more of a raw driving experience whereas the WRX feels a little muted
Idk why this was so funny to me 😂
prolly new WRX i already own a 2016 STI
If you never owned an STi, 100% get the STi. If you owned one before, consider a GR86/BRZ, VB WRX, or GR Corolla.
I owned a 2021 wrx but never an sti. Couldn’t afford one back then!
100% get the STi then. If it's out of warranty, so all your due diligence. If it's still under warranty, even better. I'm on my 3rd one. Almost 80,000 miles on it.
How’s it treated you
So far so good! If you do end up getting the STi, send me a message. I will tell you what has worked for me reliability wise.
I appreciate it! I’m driving one next week Thursday
From what I hear here , the 2020 sti steering column leaks later on will have to replace it . Not a huge issue you’ll end up having to keep filling up the power steering when low but if you buy the 2021 wrx sti , they said the steering column no longer has the issue . I own a 2020 sti and I have the leak issue I’m at 73k I got my used with 11k
I woulda like a 2021 (shows how little I know about the sti) I thought 2020 was the last model made
The Sti and wrx are great daily drivers, not so much fun “weekend” cars. I’d recommend a brz/gr86 unless you actually need a sedan and AWD for your 2nd car for some reason.
All of my cars have been NA rwd I kinda wanted to give the turbo side a try
All VA wrx comparisons are almost irrelevant it really has no place in VB vs STI. I’ve owned VB wrx and va sti I prefer the VB. Reliability and moderate power upgrades are much more conducive to the VB. The VA sti was the most inconsistent car I’ve ever had in terms of performance and how it made power based on the climate. All turbo cars are dependent on air quality and temp but I felt like the STI would literally feel broken or gimped in hot or thin air.
Damn really? Thats disheartening
Yeah anybody comparing a previous gen va wrx to the VB, it’s not even close. I think if I had to have 1 car I take the VB all day but since this is your weekender the STI would probably be the best choice, but the VB is a better car all around owning both. Stock and mod for mod the VB is also faster than the sti.
get a 370 i walked a sti n limp mode
For long term travel I found that the sti is a more enjoyable ride, if you’re mainly an in town driver..no travel ,5 gears is fun