- Hello internet. I am Sam.
And today, we're here to answer the question
is an STI worth it over a WRX?
Lots of Subaru talk here about
two of their most iconic trim levels or platforms
depending on the years you're looking at.
But before we jump into the debate,
be sure to swing at fitmentindustries.com
and take a look at our gallery.
We have a ton of Subarus in there.
Ranging from slammed cars to rally cars,
to crazy drag strip cars.
We got everything in there.
The WRX and STI are both absolutely iconic
both on the street but also for racing.
You can find these all-wheel drive beast
tearing up the back roads and rally stages
such as Colin McRae's absolutely legendary
1994 Prodrive Impreza.
These cars will go faster at dirt and snow
and some of you will ever go on pavement
and I'm not getting it at all.
WRXs and STIs are also no stranger
in racing trim on paved surfaces, though.
You'll find some insane build on drag trips
doing some insane 60 foot second times
with their all-wheel drive systems.
Believe it or not.
You'll also find these Subarus converted
in rear-wheel drive doing some drift action
such as the Team Orange Impreza.
That has to be one of my favorite Subarus
outside of Colin McRae's rocket ship.
Not as exciting, but very important though,
that you'll find these cars between daily driver duty
all over the place.
But are especially appreciated in climate
such as our very own, here in Wisconsin,
where we get snow, sweet, rain, ice,
everything that gets thrown at us.
And it's ideal for a car such as a WRX or STI.
And you know what folks?
I've actually been looking at these Subarus
since I'm kind of interested
in maybe picking one up in the fall.
So we've got two three letter Subarus to talk about here.
Let's get started with the WRX, first.
The WRX, in WRX stands for World Rally eXperimental
and first hit the car scene in 1992
based off of the Impreza.
It was really a trim level at this time of the Impreza,
back then before a lot of you were born
but in 2014, that WRX became its own thing
with the unique chassis in Subaru's lineup.
I'm the biggest fan of the Impreza based versions
prior to 2014,
even though the technology in 2014 is way,
way further than lightyear.
I like the older ones because honestly,
I just like old JDM cars but that's just me.
Anywho. We didn't even get some
of these original versions in the USA
and started getting the cool three letter Subarus
like the WRX in 2002.
That's 10 years of sick Subarus that we didn't get.
I just think about that.
That's like half of probably your life.
So, there's a lot going on here
with the different generations
and Dakota said I can't tell you everything about them.
At some point, I really wanted to, and like,
let us know in the comments
if you wanna get really nerdier stuff.
We can do that at a later time.
There's also a lot of eye balls going on here.
Sounds kinda weird, right?
But, throughout these Subaru generations,
we get the bug eye.
We get the blob eye and we got the hawk eye.
So yeah, a lot of eye things going on here.
A lot of nomenclature.
Real quick, though,
the intent of WRX was to be a faster,
sportier version of the Impreza,
made to go rally racing.
That's the scariest form of racing in my opinion,
Those guys are crazy.
They're like just blowing by trees
like 1,000,000 miles an hour.
Each version of a WRX got increasingly better,
more nimble and faster.
Then it got its own body style like I said before
and departed from the Impreza.
We're a little heavier now with the WRX
than the original WRX
but we're also making almost 270 horsepower here in the USA.
But wait Sam, you can talk about the STI.
You just talked about the WRX.
You're right. So let's talk about the STI.
STI stands for Subaru Technica International
and it's pink because pink is just super cool.
You know what they do besides having fun
with the color pink?
They go frickin' racing, boys and girls.
Colin dropped some STIs doing race car right here.
(car revving)
(rock music)
When you order steak rare, it can be a little pink.
You know what else is rare and pink? STI badges.
Because they don't make as many of these as other Subarus.
Its hang got some cool WRX, STIs back in 1994
but like most things we didn't get any cool pink badge STIs
on our Subarus until 2004.
The 22B is an absolutely epic car
and we just didn't get that here.
But I'm not mad.
I'm just disappointed at the new Subaru
and everyone else that did this to us.
We kind of covered
how the WRX is a better version of the Impreza.
And I'd say the STI is a better version of the WRX.
The STI follow the WRX as an upgraded trim level
of the Impreza then became its own chassis
with a WRX at the same time in 2014,
like I said before.
The biggest difference though you'll see
from the WRX and STI is going to be power output.
The latest WRX and STI generation
have about a 37 horsepower difference
with the STI getting a few more ponies.
The styling across the model of the years
has also been a little bit different
and much more aggressive with the STI.
They get some absolutely killer rally inspired wings
on the STI versions.
Transmissions. Gotta talk about this,
also have difference with the STI
getting something that's a little bit stronger
than the glass compared to what some describe
as WRX transmission, at times.
The breaks in the STI are also a little beefier.
What isn't beefier on the STI is the weight.
The STI went a little bit on a diet
and it's lighter weight compared to WRX.
The STI also carries that weight a little differently
with some upgraded suspension.
I know. I'm being super duper generic here
and it's because I can't make an hour long video.
If you guys want some specifics on the cars,
hop on over the interwebs,
do a little bit of research,
you'll find a ton you can nerd out over there.
By the way, Subaru said they aren't going to make the STI
with the new super ugly WRX body style.
Then with the market for used WRX and STI go a little crazy.
So let's talk with the market
and let's talk about money, baby.
I did some research.
I brought up used car prices
on the 2014 and up WRXs as and STIs.
Why didn't I look at some of the OG models?
Well, those cars are kind of a mix
of super nice examples or absolutely super shit boxes.
I'll be honest.
Plus, most of y'all searching on our website
seem in favor of the 2014 and up model years.
You guys must have more money than me, fricking rich kids.
Anyways. So here are my findings
after finding 10 WRXs and comparing those to 10 STIs.
I tried to find similar years and mileage as I could.
So I also did a nationwide search
which is a much different result than here in the Midwest.
Anyways, after my research,
the STIs I found were about
1/2 year newer on average with 16,000 less miles.
The STIs compared to WRXs
were also about $8,000 more on average.
I was shocked in this price difference.
Mostly because the Midwest STIs are fetching
a much higher premium, about $11,000 more on average.
Looking across the whole USA changed that quite a bit.
So, isn't an STI worth it over WRX?
We give it a few differences. Talked about the price.
For $8,000 more? I'd say,
I guess? But just barely.
Prices on STIs continue to climb
since Subaru said they aren't going to make a new STI.
I really feel like this $8,000 difference
is going to climb especially by the time
you watch this video.
Yeah. There are horsepower differences
and drivetrain differences between the two
but the overall driving experience.
Isn't that crazy of an experience?
Yes, it's different. I know.
But it's not like crazy, crazy different.
Let me end this with my super honest opinion.
If you're looking to get just a good daily driver
that's fun to drive and modify a bit?
I don't think the STI is worth it over the WRX.
Looking through our gallery.
A lot of you guys, honestly,
throw the same coilovers, tires and wheels
on each of these cars.
That's what will make the biggest difference
in driving experience.
I said before that I'm really thinking
of getting one of these cars later in the year.
And I'm honestly looking at the WRX over the STI.
The STIs will probably appreciate more
if Subaru truly kills a special version, as we know it.
I'm a car guy like most of you.
And I know that I'll tinker with a car
and change out a lot of the parts that make the STI
a little bit better.
Also, the STI insurance is gonna be a little bit
more than the WRX and parts are a little bit more expensive.
I'm a car guy like most of you.
And I know that I'll tinker with the car
and change out a lot of the parts
and make the STI a little bit better.
The STI also is gonna cost
a little more for an insurance
and the parts are a little bit more expensive.
I truly appreciate you guys watching these videos.
And be sure to swing by at fitmentindustries.com
to see how everyone has their STIs, WRXs
set up in our gallery.
Equipped with the absolute
coolest wheels, tires, and suspension.
Thanks again guys. I'm Sam. Peace.