I was curious at what people thought as the STI as a daily driver compared to the new WRX. I'm just looking at my future options. I drive 60 miles a day in stop and go traffic and I know the STI kinda sucks down gas and only comes in a manual. I would love to get a manual but I worry with the WRX because I have very little experience with a manual and I keep reading about WRXs and their 2nd gears. So tell me what you think

The new wrx transmission is stronger, shouldnt be a problem, and if you look at the milage rating of both cars your only loosing 1-2 mpg with the STI, personally i would get the sti(which i am in 45 days as the car is being ordered today!) but get whatever car makes you happy!

I drive about 50 miles round trip in my STi and wouldn't trade it for anything. I average 21-22 mpg but keep in mind about 60% of my driving is highway. The "glass" tranny in the WRX is 95% due to abuse, idiots, morons, etc. The WRX is a great choice as a daily driver.

it's hard to say right now. the new wrx is getting the new tranny on the auto(the one that's in the forester XT), and will be WORLDS of difference bet/ the current version. not to mention the new engine and power. i'd go legacy gt, though. more power, room luxury, style. nice smooth ride. quiet. then again, the new wrx auto will have a better epa rating... most folks i deal with that don't go sti go lgt. had one just yesterday do the same.

Forget the auto WRX. Subaru didn't have the common decency to offer some kind of sport shift. Just for that I hope they don't sell a single auto.

I've had my STi for three months. I've put 13,000 miles on it. My father has had his WRX for five months. He's put 5,000 miles on it.

STi as daily? You betcha ;)

I drive 50+ miles daily round trip. I've had my '04 STi for over 2yrs now, racked up 55k in that time. For the first year I had the Subaru I was using an '02 Passat as a daily driver.......I missed the STi too much during those commutes and sold it. I've not regretted that decision once. HTH.

I was curious at what people thought as the STI as a daily driver compared to the new WRX. I'm just looking at my future options. I drive 60 miles a day in stop and go traffic and I know the STI kinda sucks down gas and only comes in a manual. I would love to get a manual but I worry with the WRX because I have very little experience with a manual and I keep reading about WRXs and their 2nd gears. So tell me what you think
I have owned both.

The WRX is FAR superior for DD than the STi.

Why? Everytime I get into a WRX, the Trip ODO is sitting at ~250 at 1/2 tank. In an STi, you are out of gas -- period.

As far as comfort, once again, the WRX > STi.

However, for me, I love the STi WAY more overall than the WRX AS A CAR. Of course, my STi is becoming a race car, and I now commute with the wife as her car's effective range is about double the STis with normal commuting. Oh yea, and I dont care about all that comfort BS :)

Just choose what you want, but realize the results. You WILL NOT kill a WRX tranny unless you are abusing it or adding too much power to the car.

- dow

I daily drive my STI an average of 90 miles a day and I am getting around 25 mpg average. I love the car and everything about it.

In your position I'd get a 5EAT Legacy GT, personally.

R

I was curious at what people thought as the STI as a daily driver compared to the new WRX. I'm just looking at my future options. I drive 60 miles a day in stop and go traffic and I know the STI kinda sucks down gas and only comes in a manual. I would love to get a manual but I worry with the WRX because I have very little experience with a manual and I keep reading about WRXs and their 2nd gears. So tell me what you think


Ok, as a current STi owner and a former WRX owner.... Both cars are great for everyday driving, and what I mean by that is that, they are both somewhat comfortable riding, and smooth enough to be easily manageable. However, the STi does involve a lot more shifting than the WRX. It's not just the 6-speed over the 5-speed, but because the ratios are much closer in the STi, you're been getting somewhat of a workout in traffic. Ride is also a little harder in the STi, but not as abusive as say the Evo.

Second, when you talk about "the new WRX", is that reference to the 2006? The only reason I ask is that, not many of us have had a chance to drive it and give you a fair comparison there. I can tell you that if you really want an automatic, you can only get it in the Premium Package WRX as they will no longer offer automatic in a regular WRX. Otherwise, the 2005 WRX is a great little car, not a horsepower freak like the STi, but will get you from A to B a lot quicker than some Corolla.

The safety and reliability of the two cars also doesn't hurt much. However, if you are not absolutely sure about your driving skills in regards to a manual transmission, then you might want go ahead and get the automatic (if it makes you feel more comfortable), or hey, just practice driving with a stick.... My thoughts

I drive mine everyday. :) :)

I like my auto right now for traffic, but I always get that stick bug, but again I do not know if the tranny is the WRX has been fixed or not and I worry about that with my little experience with a manual

Forget the auto WRX. Subaru didn't have the common decency to offer some kind of sport shift. Just for that I hope they don't sell a single auto.
+1 :furious:

I own a 2005 WRX .. Daily Drive it everyday 100+ miles .. Not to work but just driving around and down the shore ... In 4 months i had 12,000 miles .. The tranny isn't glass unless you abuse it ... I know some kids with broken WRX trannys because they launch/peel out(try) every day like 50 billion times. This is my first manual car... Go to a driving school 4 hours = $120 ... for manual lessons.. got into my car rarely ever stalled again. Manual will become an unvoluntary response within a month of driving... You will love your choice with a manual WRX ... I'm from NJ, due to vandalism crimes i did not get an STI .. but since your from Texas i would say go for it ... my 0.02 -Ricardo

I don't mind my STi as a daily driver, AS LONG AS THE ROADS ARE IN REASONABLE SHAPE. On beaten up roads, the STi can be pretty tiresome. It's a harsh ride. It's also tiresome to work the manual in traffic with the STi.

Sometimes I wish I got the Legacy 2.5GT for the daily drive, but once I hit open road or back roads, it's STi all the way.....glad I got it.

You have to decide what the trade-off that your willing to live with is.....do you want that performance when the roads open up, or do you want the comfort? I chose performance over comfort.

I recently drove a Legacy 2.5GT (automatic) and it was quick. It's funny, because it felt quicker than the STi! :confused: I'm positive that it wasn't, but probably felt that way because it was so much smoother. I couldn't even hear the car running. The engine was as smooth as butter. Excellent car!

I was daily driving my STi up to this week, I bought a beater. I was communting about 80 miles round trip per day. I did not buy another car because the STi was uncomfortable as a daily drive, just ran across a good deal that made a good daily drive and I can keep a few miles off the STi. Some complain about the ride in the STi, but not me, you buy a performance car for "the performance" there will be compromises. I personally find a manual transmission refreshing in traffic, it give me something to do. The clutch effort in the STi is not bad.

I think the new '06 WRX is a great deal and I would have to strongly consider it. I also really like the LGT for its combination of performance and luxury. If you want to buy an all out performance car that you can daily drive, buy the STi.

Mike

An STI is a natural daily driver. It's small, has good visibility and AWD. It's not a high priced exotic you have to worry about. I've driven many much worse cars as daily drivers: 65 Dodge drag hemi, 94 Viper, 35 Chevy and the list goes on.

What's best is to testdrive both, the WRX (manual and auto) and the STi. You'll see the difference for yourself. The EVO's ride is even more harsh than the STi. If money is no issue, I say get the STi. Personnally I don't like auto, or sportshift for that manner. The family car is an auto, and while it is comfortable and easy to drive in downtown traffic, it's horrible when it comes to driving "feel".

To sum up, I'm gonna quote Jay Leno on driving an automatic car:

"Argh! That's like having a mistress who can cook. You're not going over there to have dinner..."

Been daily driving my STi since Dec. 20th, 2003. It's so much fun to drive that you'll be kicking yourself for even considering a WRX.

Having owned both, I agree with Dowroa about gas. My STi is much more sorted for suspension than my WRX was though, the STi is nowhere near as bouncy as the WRX on v7 spec C struts and Prodrive springs now that I have higher than stock spring rates. The STi is my DD for now, but a beater civic is looming in my future if gas prices continue to flirt with $3/gal. :( I've managed to secure the keys to an 02 2.5 RS and we'll see how that does at the pump.

If I did not have a STi, I would have gotten the Legacy GT!!! That is a nice fast car.

Learn how to drive a 5spd, fuel economy is better than an auto.

After commuting with the STi, I'd have to say the 2006 WRX makes more sense. Its significantly cheaper, you get the 2.5L motor with AVCS, insurance rates are for sure much lower, and the suspension is most likely tuned softer. Did I mention the suspension is stiff, as in your going to have to make sure your passengers don't get sick in your car. Think twice if your wife/girlfriend rides with you alot.

If you get bored in the future, slap on an upgraded turbo, exhaust, etc., tires and you've got yourself a mini STi.

I was curious at what people thought as the STI as a daily driver compared to the new WRX. I'm just looking at my future options. I drive 60 miles a day in stop and go traffic and I know the STI kinda sucks down gas and only comes in a manual. I would love to get a manual but I worry with the WRX because I have very little experience with a manual and I keep reading about WRXs and their 2nd gears. So tell me what you think
If you're worried about such things, get an automatic outback.

i drive mine 28 miles a day in town to work. sti's aren't as harsh as the reviewers make them seem. i average 20.5 mpg and thats primarily in the city, driving somewhat aggressively

montrealevo,

My understanding is you live in Montreal ?

Go on the Montreal-subaru-club.com and go one the forum. If you ask, maybe a lot of person can give you a ride .. ;)

What's best is to testdrive both, the WRX (manual and auto) and the STi. You'll see the difference for yourself. The EVO's ride is even more harsh than the STi. If money is no issue, I say get the STi. Personnally I don't like auto, or sportshift for that manner. The family car is an auto, and while it is comfortable and easy to drive in downtown traffic, it's horrible when it comes to driving "feel".

To sum up, I'm gonna quote Jay Leno on driving an automatic car:

"Argh! That's like having a mistress who can cook. You're not going over there to have dinner..."

After finally graduating from school, my 200 hp 06 civic si I can honestly say that I am a little on the disappointed side when it comes to my STI. I commute to work about 90 miles a day (mostly highway) even on a smooth new road the car just doesn't seem happy cruising along, it has do a little bounce all the way home. For $27,000 I'm almost wishing I bought an 01 M3 like my girlfriend. I'm by no stretch of the imagination a BMW guy and I don't think that any snow will be coming down in the south to really use the AWD. If your thinking about getting an STI please make sure you drive one on the freeway at cruising speeds and not just grin ear to ear when you take it for a spin around the block. And please don't worry about the that dealer isn't real happy that your running miles up on his car because he "gets so many tire kicker kids coming around." I know what the car it made for (I'm test car engineer that loves to enjoy my car) but i also know what an M3 is made for, shame on me for thinking that the car would smooth on a normal stretch of highway. (The stereo is pretty sorry too) Maybe when I change the tires out the ride quality will improve. Thanks for listening -Disaapointed in my dream car :(