2017 onwards WRX sti
Discussion
Will hopefully be in the market for a new car soon after lockdown thinking generally hot hatch but keep getting drawn back to the WRX STI.
I am hoping the pistonheads knowledge base would be able to help me with a few questions...?
Are they really only £150 to tax like autotrader suggests?
Depreciation seems none existen, 2017 cars don't seem to be much cheaper than 2019 cars. Is that right or is short supply just masking true values?
Do they get nicked a lot? Hot hatch theft seems to be really on the up. Just wondering if Subaru are suffering too.
What's the ride like compared to other hot hatches? Reviews are really mixed...
Sorry for all the questions, so hard to get bafeel for a car when you can't even see one let alone drive one!!
Thanks
DRG
I am hoping the pistonheads knowledge base would be able to help me with a few questions...?
Are they really only £150 to tax like autotrader suggests?
Depreciation seems none existen, 2017 cars don't seem to be much cheaper than 2019 cars. Is that right or is short supply just masking true values?
Do they get nicked a lot? Hot hatch theft seems to be really on the up. Just wondering if Subaru are suffering too.
What's the ride like compared to other hot hatches? Reviews are really mixed...
Sorry for all the questions, so hard to get bafeel for a car when you can't even see one let alone drive one!!
Thanks
DRG
BlueStreak said:
Yep, if registered after April 17 then its £145ish RFL. Suspension is fairly firm, from driving a few hot hatches last year I would say less firm than a Megane but more firm than an i30N, if that helps.
That is very useful! Thanks. Find myself with a lot of want. Magazine reviews weren't great but look at anyone actually driving one on YouTube and they seem to love them...philwhite said:
My wife has one and they're fantastic cars, but they aren't for everyone.
As previously mentioned, the suspension is firm and it certainly feels more setup for track use rather than blasting down B road. But I don't find it an issue as a driver, although passengers do sometime complain.
It does quite lousy MPG (mid 20's) and has quite a small tank, so be mindful of that too.
The EJ25 engine does have a poor reputation for reliability some of which is justified, if you're planning on modifying for power you really need to budget for a forged rebuild (about 6k typically). The stock 300bhp really is the limit on these engines. All that being said what the engine lacks in reliability it more the makes up in character, it's a hugely fun driving experience and makes a fantastic noise. Be mindful though that this engine has an old school power delivery, with a big slab of boost hitting at around 4,000 rpm. If you're happy with the delivery and enjoy working the excellent gearbox, it's a very rewarding drive. Just don't expect to be able bury the throttle in any gear get instant boost like you would in a Golf R or modern twin-scroll.
The AWD system is a work of pure wizardry, it can deliver complete traction in almost all conditions. But it is extremely sensitive to tyre wear, as soon as you have even the slightest amount of uneven wear the AWD system will throw a wobbly - although this hasn't happened to me yet, it's common to need to replace all four tyres at the same time.
Can't comment on security or thefts. They're extremely rare cars and not exactly inconspicuous either, so I would say less likely to be taken than their German equivalents but that hasn't stopped me worrying.
Thanks Phil. Very helpful. Unlikely to mod for power, 300bhp really is enough for British roads and I am no track god either.As previously mentioned, the suspension is firm and it certainly feels more setup for track use rather than blasting down B road. But I don't find it an issue as a driver, although passengers do sometime complain.
It does quite lousy MPG (mid 20's) and has quite a small tank, so be mindful of that too.
The EJ25 engine does have a poor reputation for reliability some of which is justified, if you're planning on modifying for power you really need to budget for a forged rebuild (about 6k typically). The stock 300bhp really is the limit on these engines. All that being said what the engine lacks in reliability it more the makes up in character, it's a hugely fun driving experience and makes a fantastic noise. Be mindful though that this engine has an old school power delivery, with a big slab of boost hitting at around 4,000 rpm. If you're happy with the delivery and enjoy working the excellent gearbox, it's a very rewarding drive. Just don't expect to be able bury the throttle in any gear get instant boost like you would in a Golf R or modern twin-scroll.
The AWD system is a work of pure wizardry, it can deliver complete traction in almost all conditions. But it is extremely sensitive to tyre wear, as soon as you have even the slightest amount of uneven wear the AWD system will throw a wobbly - although this hasn't happened to me yet, it's common to need to replace all four tyres at the same time.
Can't comment on security or thefts. They're extremely rare cars and not exactly inconspicuous either, so I would say less likely to be taken than their German equivalents but that hasn't stopped me worrying.
Edited by philwhite on Friday 5th February 12:10
My Evora S is probably no more economical than that. I just don't calculate the mpg then I can't worry about it.
Edited by drgoatboy on Wednesday 10th February 12:48
SparrowHawk said:
do it.
Thanks Sparrowhawk. I ended up going in a different direction altogether. I test drove a 2018 car, liked the look, the space inside, engine note.
I didn't like the terrible ride, the exceedingly light accelerator, high clutch bite point, very short 1st and 2nd gears, the feeling of sitting very high in the car.
Any combination of those I could have lived with but all together it was a bit much. The ride in particular was a deal breaker, my kids would have thrown up for sure!
Maybe I was spoiled with my Evora...
The other nagging doubt was the current prices, they have shot up, crazy numbers, can't see how a 3 year old scooby has only dropped 19%. I had a nagging feeling the bubble would burst and there would be a sudden drop in values.
Maybe I am wrong, only time will tell. (This is true of all Subaru right now, even the much hated WRX hatch is are up at £12-14k for a well used version, they couldn't sell them new 10 years ago and you could pickup pre reg for not a lot more)
It's a shame. I really fancied one, but it just wasn't for me.
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