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sundaydoug

Monkey
Jun 8, 2009
609
271
Subaru's turbo engines are ancient technology. Plenty of other modern small high horsepower awd vehicles out there that get much better fuel mileage. But they are also a fair bit more expensive. Not to mention modern Subarus have all the styling and charm of a Toyota.
I've got a bone stock 2012 STi hatchback daily driver, fuel economy isn't noticeably worse than a WRX (I've had both), but then again people that drive these cars don't generally care.

I'd also disagree that style and charm are lacking. Style of course is subjective, but this car certainly has charm and personality. Everything about this car is geared towards performance, there's very little creature comforts. Some people really like that imbalance. On really cold days the plastic interior is a symphony of rattles until the car gets warmed up. You're basically paying $35K for a badass drivetrain, big brakes, suspension, and a proven (albeit "ancient") power source. It's honestly a pretty stellar car.

Really unfortunate that they did away with the hatchbacks though, but I'm happy to have what I consider the holy grail of Subarus.
 

Westy

the teste
Nov 22, 2002
54,241
20,022
Sleazattle
I've got a bone stock 2012 STi hatchback daily driver, fuel economy isn't noticeably worse than a WRX (I've had both), but then again people that drive these cars don't generally care.

I'd also disagree that style and charm are lacking. Style of course is subjective, but this car certainly has charm and personality. Everything about this car is geared towards performance, there's very little creature comforts. Some people really like that imbalance. On really cold days the plastic interior is a symphony of rattles until the car gets warmed up. You're basically paying $35K for a badass drivetrain, big brakes, suspension, and a proven (albeit "ancient") power source. It's honestly a pretty stellar car.

Really unfortunate that they did away with the hatchbacks though, but I'm happy to have what I consider the holy grail of Subarus.
I thought that era of WRXs were rather attractive. The new ones look like someone beat a corolla with an ugly stick then installed a body kit.

Can't say my 2007 model was attractive but it at least had a quirky charm. However the seats were terribly uncomfortable, I was in physical pain after a few hours and I had to learn how to double clutch to downshift the damn thing. I replaced it with a GTI that I have driven across country 5 different times perfectly comfortable, and I would even sleep in the car. The GTI may not be as fast but is hands down a better every day car.
 

sundaydoug

Monkey
Jun 8, 2009
609
271
IThe new ones look like someone beat a corolla with an ugly stick then installed a body kit.

I replaced it with a GTI that I have driven across country 5 different times perfectly comfortable, and I would even sleep in the car. The GTI may not be as fast but is hands down a better every day car.
Can't argue with that, the 2015+ WRX styling is weak. The STi is a little better, but the obnoxious wing still kills it for me.

While I was looking for hatchbacks I looked at Golf R's as well. Never owned a VW, but a buddy of mine had a few (I think 3?) R32s and loved them. Performance seemed comparable to the STi and reviews all said that the R was a great combination of comfort and performance. There was one review in particular that praised the Golf R but said something about it not being as "violent" as the STi. After years of driving overly boring company cars that sold it for me.
 
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Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,855
9,560
AK
Subaru's turbo engines are ancient technology. Plenty of other modern small high horsepower awd vehicles out there that get much better fuel mileage. But they are also a fair bit more expensive. Not to mention modern Subarus have all the styling and charm of a Toyota.
This.

The twin-scroll on my BMW would make full torque at around 1400 all the way to redline. Compare that to the WTF rev to 2800 to start making any-torque and full above 3K subaru-version. The thing is they DO use twin-scrolls in Japan on the JDM subaru stuff there, but they just continue to screw over the US auto market. It's really the same damn turbo, just closer to the exhaust valves with the twin scroll. Not freaking rocket science. Apart from when they INTRODUCED cars like the STI, WRX, LGT, FXT, etc., these cars have sucked more and more each year as other stuff has improved. One of the worst was the 2008 "WRX", which was simply a re-baged Impreza GT. Subaru even put out literature that said almost word for word, "Don't compare the HP of our cars to others, compare the 0-60 time". Why? Because the standing 0-60 time is a function of a 5K clutch-drop, which guarantees a decent time, while the rolling-60 and various passing times show how it doesn't hold up against the more modern stuff.

A friend at work wanted to sell me his STI when he got bored with it, with few miles, but I just couldn't. If it was a brand new blue 2005 STI, yeah, that'd be a cool car, but paying so much for something that hasn't evolved? No way.

Subaru is kind of painted into a corner with engine placement, but they refuse to really make the cars exciting or competitive these days. The WRX should be 300hp min, the STI should be 400, should be 8 or 10 speed autos or DCTs, should be using twin-scroll turbos on each side, front-mount intercooler, etc.

I have a soft-spot for the WRX/STIs, but I have to admit Golf R, Focus RS>STI
 

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,855
9,560
AK
I've got a bone stock 2012 STi hatchback.
The 2008 STI style is the last STI that I liked. The 2010 WRX went to the same widebody style, which was a good move. When both of those cars became available in sedan form though, blech...Those cars were obviously MEANT to be hatchbacks. Once you've had the hatchback, you realize how dumb the sedan version is. Here's less space for nothing! (I had the 2004 WRX Wagon, which was an awesome combo of space and fun). The newest body style is totally WTF? The improvements are so marginal that it begs why do such a big redesign with so little to offer? Hell, I'd be happier if they went back to the 2004. How cool would it be to be able to buy a brand new 2004 STI? :)
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,942
13,135
Portland, OR
still a miata tho... miata = pinto
There are folks who say they are fun to drive because they are a good power:weight. My mom had a Triumph Spitfire that while gutless, was a blast in the twisties for the same reason. It wasn't Miata ugly, though.