Review: Subaru WRX Sti, SuperCar Killer
Wednesday February 18, 2004
Wouldn't it be fun to dust off those fancy Ferraris and Corvettes with a compact 4-door sedan costing a little over thirty grand? Our test driver Robert Bowden says you can do it in a 300 hp Subaru WRX Sti, which rockets from 0 to 60 in a mere 4.6 seconds and sells for just $30,995. This has got to be the performance bargain of all time, and that includes those muscle cars from the last century. What's more, writes Robert, the WRX Sti is a comfortable sedan that's easy to live with and has the added advantage of all-wheel-drive. It took a few years for eager North Americans to push Subaru into bringing the rally-winning car here, but the Sti was well worth the wait.
Incredible performance car. Many would argue that the Mitsubishi Evo 8 or the Evo MR are better. The Sti just looks more Professional and more rally inspired. The Evo has more the carisma of a street tuner with more aggressive lines and front end, and carbonfiber accents. I own an Sti, an 05′, I love it. First full day I had it, it felt like I was driving a diesel truck, with the engine being so noisy because of the turbo spool up. I have had My STi for over a year now, and I am trying to save up to customize it a little. The interior is very nice and is made of lightweight materials that are approprietly utilized. The car handles very well, even when you give it hell, you can easily make a correction. Handling is key. One sales guy at a Pontiac dealership said that the GTO could out handle the Sti. Not true at all. I’ve driven the GTO. Its heavy, its long, the steering is loose. It also comes on quite strong during acceleration. Also, GM couldn’t be innovative enough to design an engine specifically for the GTO. They gave it a Vette motor. Same with the Caddy CTS-V. Short wheelbase, light weight, properly tuned suspension, and responsive steering are all factors of great handling. The Tires on the Sti are abit of a downfall. Not the best grip in the world. I switched mine for Pirelli Mud/snow tires and they are awesome. Drove it in a blizzard. I was able to steer into any skid that I ran into.
The transmission is lots of fun. It includes a clutch starter which allows the driver to only have to depress the pedal slightly, enough to engage gears. I think it shifts much better that way. I have fiddled with the Differential a little; adjusting the steering and trying to notice a difference. Maybe at higher speeds I would. It probably wouldn’t be wise to toy with it in rain, snow or icey conditions. I’ll admit, I have raced a few people in it, and in that it is very useful. People may laugh cause its a 4 cyl scooby, but it is a WReX that will reach 152 mph, full go.
The STi is for the serious performance enthusist. Though it is safe and civilized, it is not a family car, mediocre gas mileage; not an economy car!. It rides well, but as a Subaru, it is rugged, and you can feel the terrain you are on down to the last speck of gravel. This is not a toy for “The Young and the Wreak less.” This is the real deal!