[type59]

hello everyone. im fairly new to the world of subaru. im planning on getting a 04 or 05 wrx and i have a few questions. whats the difference between the sti and regular wrx. i know the sti is more performance and such. but does that make a difference if i plan to mod it anyways? like if i swapped stock suspension parts with sti parts, would it handle the same and so on. thanks everybody.

[overdose]

you'll have spent +10k over the cost of a sti to make it 75% as equipped as one, i had a wrx they're gay... upgrade.

[RSVCHAD]

Originally Posted by overdose

you'll have spent +10k over the cost of a sti to make it 75% as equipped as one, i had a wrx they're gay... upgrade.

WOW!!!!

[520]

To make a wrx a sti it would require lots of time money and patience. Might as well just get the sti without any hassle and you will have your warranty plus a great tranny. IMO go with the sti and then mod that after you get used to the power.

Edit: Keep comments about other member's intelligence to yourself.

[KarlSTI]

Depends on what you want. There are WRX's spankin some STi's in autox with the right upgrades and driver skill....I have the STi and love it but the WRX is a very nice car and if the STi is out of budget then you can make a stinking mean WRX as time and money allows.....

[Ben]

I had an 02 WRX sedan, then an 04 STI, then an 04 WRX wagon, then an 05 STI , and I can tell you that no matter how hard you try to make a WRX an STI, it just never really works. It would take A LOT of time and well over 10 grand to really convert it.

The main things you get with the STI (obviously a VERY summarized list) over the WRX:

Bigger turbo / bigger intercooler
Brembo brakes
6 speed transmission
Better suspension
Nicer looking gauge cluster / some interior pieces

The list goes on, but there is just something special about the STI that you won't find on a spec sheet. I can definitely tell you that a modified WRX feels like a modified WRX; not an STI. That's the real problem.

Then again, don't listen to me. I took a perfectly good STI and completely tore it apart and destroyed it by most people's standards, so I am a bit crazy I guess .

[RSVCHAD]

Originally Posted by type59

hello everyone. im fairly new to the world of subaru. im planning on getting a 04 or 05 wrx and i have a few questions. whats the difference between the sti and regular wrx. i know the sti is more performance and such. but does that make a difference if i plan to mod it anyways? like if i swapped stock suspension parts with sti parts, would it handle the same and so on. thanks everybody.

If you are speaking to the 2006 model specifically, the difference between the two models has been significantly reduced over the previous two years. Mainly you are gaining better suspension components like springs, sway bars, shocks, Brembo brakes all around, a larger turbo and intercooler tuned for more power, Forged BBS wheels with aggressive tires, a close ratio 6 speed tranny with user adjustable center differential, HID headlamps, a quicker steering rack (I beleive), a unique interior and a big wing. What have I left out?
I beleive you will have to nab anything suspension related for a WRX of any year from a 2004 model STI. Everything else should be interchangeable.

[overdose]

you'd be one heck of a behnchode to go for the plunge, although the 06 brings the two worlds much closer, it's still outweighed... get the STi once and for all... and well eh check out a EVO IX too :P

[STimo]

Go for the STI. Hands down it is a WAY better car for not that much more. It also has way more potential if you ever plan on modding. It will also hold it's value better.

[overdose]

All the people that spent $28490428 "converting" their WRX to STi or above spec are going to be pissed when we all get 08 hatchbacks when they come out without rolling a ton of negative equity.

[Phoenix45]

If you want the performance of the STi, the only way you are going to get it, is with a STi. To "upgrade" a WRX, just won't cut it. As for the expense, basic economics 101 = you will never get a better price, on a new car, or options, then when you get it from the factory. You can get all the "upgraded" turbo, intercoolers, suspension, etc... But you have already paid for it once when you bought your WRX. Now you take it off, throw it away, and pay full price to replace it with "STi" parts? A very expensive way to go.

[Chris05STi]

I was looking at the 2005 WRX and the 2005 STi, loved both, but really fell over for the STi, I figured it this way: For the amount of mods/$ to get the WRX to where I would want it, the STi would be way better and warrantied......and be cheaper than the mods it would take the WRX to get it to the STi deptarment....so save the money/time/frustration and get the STi. Plus the WRX gearboxes (From what I heard) aren't that great.....its better to have the good ole STi 6spd tranny!

[type59]

thanks for the advice everyone. guess ill just save even more for my seat in my sti. =T

[XxSCAxX]

for me the STi was the simple choice. if i was buying a new car, i wanted the top model. and, obviously, the STi > WRX.

[STimo]

TRUST ME. Save and get the STI. Once you have enough cash you will be alot happier driving the STI>WRX. I have driven both and the quality of the STI over the WRX is really amazing for what the price difference is. The interior IMO is way nicer. Everything in the STI feels very smooth and strong. The WRX is a good car, but it just feels a little sloppy to me.