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What is the Difference in the WRX and the STI?

3.7K views 36 replies 22 participants last post by  donmei  
#1 ·
Hi everyone, I am a new member here, and joined to ask this question, and in the future become a more active member. Im looking into buying either a WRX or STI in a few months. I know that the STI is a lot faster then the WRX, but what makes it this way? Did Subaru just throw a bigger turbo into a WRX and call it an STI? The reason why I ask is, if the differences are as simple as a bigger turbo, the I would just buy a WRX and put in a bigger turbo myself. Thanks in advance for the information.
 
#3 ·
Ooof. Where does one begin. try going to Subaru.com to do research on the models, there you'll be able to see all sorts of differences listed.

The STi has a larger displacement motor, 2.5L compared to 2.0L WRX, a bigger turbo, VVT, bigger IC, better springs/shocks/swaybars, big brembo brakes, better seats w/pseudo suede interior, BBS rims, more aggressive front body work, 6 speed transmission, DCCD, etc etc etc.
 
#5 ·
#6 ·
Oh ok, some of those things I knew about, but i had never payed attention to the 2.5L vs. 2.0L. I would say that is a big difference that couldnt be easily changed aftermarket. The one thing that I don't want in the STI is the huge spoiler...does the WRX spoiler bolt in the same holes as the STI one? If so I would want to swap it out if I get and STI.
 
#7 ·
RE: cobbs ver 1.04 map management software issuses.

lgnd4u2nv said:
Oh ok, some of those things I knew about, but i had never payed attention to the 2.5L vs. 2.0L. I would say that is a big difference that couldnt be easily changed aftermarket. The one thing that I don't want in the STI is the huge spoiler...does the WRX spoiler bolt in the same holes as the STI one? If so I would want to swap it out if I get and STI.

no there are many holes...i plugged mine up but you can get a cf trunklid or trade out to a wrx...theres many sti wannabe posers on wrxfanatics and nasioc
 
#8 ·
RE: Re: RE: A stupid question, but it

lgnd4u2nv said:
Oh ok, some of those things I knew about, but i had never payed attention to the 2.5L vs. 2.0L.
If you are into modding, the biggest advantage the WRX STi has over the WRX is the expensive 6spd tranny. Apparently the tranny is nearly bullet proof, in terms of holding power, whereas the 5spd in the WRX begins to suffer around the 300whp mark.
 
#9 ·
RE: Cusco Turbo Heat Shield

. . . and if you love wagons. . . . then you're limited to the WRX.

However. . . there IS a local guy around here who swapped an ENTIRE STi drivetrain into his pre-facelift WRX wagon. Don't know how much it cost him, but that ish is FAST. . . and it's a wagon! :lol:
 
#10 ·
Isn't a new 6spd STi tranny almost $6000usd (or is it $4k?). Factor in the complete front and rear end, engine, and holy crap why not just buy the STi and get a hitch & trailer. Then again that wagon must fly and be a real sleeper...lol.
 
#11 ·
RE: what kind of intake is this

TOTAL sleeper . . . with an awesome aftermarket front bumper, though. Super clean.

I think he got the vast majority of the parts from a totalled STi, locally. Otherwise, I don't see how someone could spend the money. Next time I see him (might be this Saturday) I'll get the full story. ;)
 
#12 ·
RE: Re: RE: Where can i get one of these??

I agree...night and day. I went from a '00 Integra Type R to an '03 WRX (lightly modded) to an '05 STi. The STi is almost like a cross between the ITR and a WRX, but with LOTS more power. Well worth the extra dough. Go STi or go home. JK. :p Honestly though I could go on and on. The STi has so much torque it almost doesn't feel like it has a turbo. I never notice any lag and the power is instant. 8) x's 100000000000000000000
 
#13 ·
good and evil.

btw, i'm shocked nobody flamed you for doing absolutely ZERO background on the car before asking such a dumass question in here. let me be the first. freaking amazing.
 
#14 ·
lgnd4u2nv said:
Hi everyone, I am a new member here, and joined to ask this question, and in the future become a more active member. Im looking into buying either a WRX or STI in a few months. I know that the STI is a lot faster then the WRX, but what makes it this way? Did Subaru just throw a bigger turbo into a WRX and call it an STI? The reason why I ask is, if the differences are as simple as a bigger turbo, the I would just buy a WRX and put in a bigger turbo myself. Thanks in advance for the information.
I have owned both... there is no comparison, really.

The WRX is nice for what it is, but it is built NO WHERE near the strength, build quality, or as good of durability of the STi.

The WRX is a good daily driver. The STi is a better weekend track car.

- dow
 
#15 ·
I have also owned both. Here's what I tell people who ask me this question. The bodywork is the same, everything else is different. Different powertrain,brakes,suspension,interior...

The two cars are very different. Completely different under the skin. If you like the WRX, then you will love the STi. You could make some changes to a WRX to make it as fast and nimble as the STi, but there are so many other things like larger axles, larger brakes, 6-speed tranny (which is MUCH better than the 5-speed in the WRX), larger clutch, DCCD, VVT, larger displacement closed deck block, different heads, sodium filled valves, hollow camshafts, larger alternator, different steering rack and the list goes on and on.

Jeff
 
#16 ·
Re: RE: Re: Our Latest Brake Pad Testing Report

BruceChapman said:
btw, i'm shocked nobody flamed you for doing absolutely ZERO background on the car before asking such a dumass question in here. let me be the first. freaking amazing.
:lol: Dontcha know it's easier to let somebody else do the dirty work?

Anyway, I've owned both, and I think the STI should realistically cost twice as much as the WRX for what you get. It's a totally different car and better in so many ways I wouldn't even know where to start. And it's only what - $7-8k more than a WRX? What a bargain.
 
#17 ·
RE: Re: RE: Re: STi -> Evo

The best things are the technical things mentioned in other posts, Sodium Filled Valves (Sodium melts at operating temperature and carries heat away) DCCD, Hollow Cams, Semi-Enclosed block, no up-pipe catalytic converter,, Variable Valve Timing,. Really not the same car other than chassis and body.
 
#18 ·
Intristing...Hi guys my Name is George. Im new to this forum. and im planing on buyin STi soon. Yea i read what all u guys said. haha perty True Night and day, daily driver and weekend car haha. Well my question is.

How much do i realy need for the down payment and how much did u guys put in and how much r u guys paying monthly?
 
#19 ·
Hi George, welcome to our little corner of the web. There are better informed people around hear on that subject than I am, so I don't want to mis-inform you. Personally, I owe nothing on my car as I paid cash.


"Really not the same car other than chassis and body". Not totally true, I think. I remember something about the chassis for the STi receiving extra welding as compared to the WRX. That is where the WRX chassis becomes an STi chassis. I'm going on memory, so I might have it wrong.

Please correct me if I have it wrong, I'm still learning too.

Jeff
 
#20 ·
I can't believe nobody's posted about the drivetrain differences.

The STi has a SureTrac gearless limited slip up front, DCCD, and most importantly, in the rear, is a mechanical clutch type limited slip. Which is what is more responsible for giving STi owners that glorious on demand throttle off/on oversteer that the WRX doesn't have.

The WRX has cruddy viscous LSD all around. Reacts too late. And to replace the WRX diffs with Cusco or Kaaz units would be more expensive than just buying an STi in the first place.
 
#21 ·
RE: FS: TurboXS Short-Ram Intake $75!!!!

dowroa said:
The WRX is nice for what it is, but it is built NO WHERE near the strength, build quality, or as good of durability of the STi.

- dow
I noticed this also. The build quality on my '05 STi is so much more superior to my '03 WRX. You can tell even when you shut the doors. It feels MUCH more solid on the STi. Weird, but you get what you pay for. The STi is worth the extra dough.
 
#23 ·
RE: HaHa Check out this thread, it has 500,000 views

Impresive-G said:
How much do i realy need for the down payment and how much did u guys put in and how much r u guys paying monthly?
That's really up to you. Downpayments for a car range from anywhere from nothing to a large portion of the car. The main questions you need to ask are 1) what monthly payment can you afford and 2) how much interest are you willing to pay?

You can get terms anywhere from 24 months to 72 months to pay off the car. If you're going to do 72 months, that'll make your monthly payments pretty low, but of course you'll be paying more interest since it has more time to compound.

If you're on a tight budget and don't mind paying a little bit more in the long run to get what you really want, then go for a low down payment and a long payment term, but realize that you'll be paying more interest over time. If you've got cash that you can give up, then go ahead and put a lot down and choose a shorter term.

I personally put 13k down and am in the middle of a 48 month term, which has monthly payments of about $450 with 3.15% financing. My reasoning was that i don't like being in debt by a large amount or large period, and I wanted a monthly payment that didn't stretch my budget. So I waited until I had the money saved up before getting the car.

I recommend you run a few numbers, like what your payments would look like for a 36, 48 or 60 month terms if you put down 0k, 2k, 5k, etc. Most banks and car research sites (including subaru) will have payment calculators you can use.
 
#25 ·
Oh god. I just tried to search on an old post re this. but I'll give it a try here

Engine
bigger 2.5l vs 2.0l
variable valve timing
bigger turbo
catless up pipe
227 hp vs 300 hp.
Cool STi seats
Gauges with center tach and shift light and beeper
Climate control
Driver Controlled Center differential (with rear biased power)
6 speed transmission
17 inch bbs wheels with super performance tires vs crappy 16 in with all season radials
Huge Brembo Brakes vs basic subaru brakes
STi steering wheel
STi short shifter
Better rear limited slip diff (can't remember details)
Limited slip front dif (wrx has open front diff)
fancy pedals
fancy trim ring around shift boot
big wing
big hood scoop
side sills
deeper front spoiler

Botom line is that if you are thinking of spending 5K modding a wrx (about the difference in price) then you are better off just buying the STi, since you could not even come close to duplicating it for the same money.

Don
 
#26 ·
RE: Re: RE: HaHa Check out this thread, it has 500,000 views

Oh yeah,

Impressive G. I used to be a finance manager at a Subaru dealer. PM me and we can discuss. If you tell me what you have to put in for a down payment, and how your credit is, I can make some assumptions about what the car will cost and give you payments for different terms, like 48, 60 and 72 months.

Don