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12-05-2012, 12:02 AM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 318280
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Trading WRX for STi...
I am sort of feeling like trading my 2012 WRX for a 2013 STi. Please do not start another debate, we all know it is simply a preference or money matter.
My question is to those of you who've traded a 2011-13 WRX for a 2011-2013 STi since I have seen a few posts where people did this. 1. What made you decide to do it? 2. Are you glad you did? 3. Comparing the 2 cars in daily driver fashion, what pros and cons did you notice after owning both? 4. Did you really see the 2mpg decrease? My reasons are for the 6 speed's durability and I just feel like I should have gone hatch so it would be a good time to go STi. Just curious here as I see tons of posts on trading earlier years but not much on the 2011+ and would like some opinions from those who've owned both. Thanks!
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Last edited by Plasmabluewrx; 12-05-2012 at 12:11 AM. |
12-05-2012, 12:09 AM | #2 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 327767
Join Date: Jul 2012
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Sherman, Tx
Vehicle:2014 WRX Hatch DGM |
I drive a WRX and I think you are making a great decision! Everything on the STI is built a little stronger and it should last you a while. The only thing is the suspension is a tad bit stiffer but you will get used to it. Good call!
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12-05-2012, 12:21 AM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
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Sorry I didn't trade from a WRX to my STI but I just wanted to throw in I love my hatch. You will not be disappointed. I also doubt you will really see a major change in the MPG.
Also you will want to create a new screen name . Hope this doesn't become a debate and you get some good feedback. |
12-05-2012, 12:52 AM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 309636
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Baltimore, MD
Vehicle:2015 STI LE WRB on Gold! |
I know I'm going to be in the minority with this one, but... My friend has a PBP stock '11 STI base sedan with no mods (yeh I know, even stock exhaust), and I have a '12 PBP WRX Limited sedan with Stage 1, SPT exhaust and a STI rear sway bar... I've driven his car around town and it's nice but I personally don't feel the need to trade up. As a daily driver, I like the better ride and less shifting with my WRX, but honestly they're both very livable on a daily basis.
Yes I know, with supporting mods the STI is the better car, but then again I'm satisfied with my WRX. I get around the same gas mileage as my WRX when I drive his STI... He gets even better because he drives like a granny. Last edited by nightdown fox; 12-05-2012 at 01:01 AM. |
12-05-2012, 12:53 AM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 248151
Join Date: May 2010
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2013 STI Ice Silver Metallic |
I went from a 2010 WRX to a 2013 STI and I'm not sure what the differences are between the '10 WRX and the '11 WRX's are (other than the obvious body and exhaust changes)' but I couldn't be happier. The handling difference is night and day. This STI feels like a sports car compared to my WRX. The 6 speed is so much more solid and precise feeling compared to the WRX. Stock power feels about the same or a little less, but the stage 1 OTS Cobb flash has been amazing. I don't understand why some people say they didn't notice much of a difference after flashing on their STI's. I do know Cobb has made some tweaks and managed to get a bit more out of the new tunes. It now feels much more powerful than my WRX was. Oh, and you can turn hill start assist off (though I think I read that you might be able to do this now on the '13 WRX's). The breaks feel quite a bit stronger in the STI, also, but I guess that's obvious with the Brembos.
The one and only con, I'd say, is the gas mileage so far has been about 5mpg worse, even when I'm driving it very "nicely." This is me comparing to a 2010 WRX, so I guess it may be a bit different than you would experience coming from a 2011. |
12-05-2012, 01:17 AM | #6 | ||||
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 313217
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Vehicle:2013 STi Sedan Stg 1 Plasma Blue Pearl |
I recently traded in my 2011 WRX for a 2013 STi and I'm very happy with my decision.
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1) First and foremost was the 6 speed transmission. The 5 speed transmission as "robust" as it may be, was just so disappointing. I'm wanting to slowly build the car up and I knew that I'd have to do a 6 speed swap eventually. I figured I might as well get a brand new six speed with a 5 year warranty, wait on mods until the warranty is over. 2) The Brembos. No, I don't need them. They're more just a bling thing at the moment. But I wanted them, and I might as well get them new. 3) Forged 18x8.5 BBS wheels designed for the vehicle. Also, the 5x114.3 pattern. Seems like all the nice looking aggressive wheels come with this lug pattern. 4) All the little bells and whistles that come with the STi. Things like the turn signal lights on the side view mirrors, the STi cluster/steering wheel, the DCCD, the wrinkle red metal intake manifold, and other little things. Quote:
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12-05-2012, 07:15 AM | #7 |
Add Lightness
Moderator Member#: 13699
Join Date: Dec 2001
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NESIC
Location: Hopkinton, MA
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For you guys who traded, can you put a number in your post what it cost to do the trade. I'm aware of what the cars cost new and the differences that can be out there if WRXs are in good supply and STis not so much. When I was looking (a year ago) because of the ability to negotiate on WRXs at that time and not on the STi, I saw $10k differences. What you guys actually paid is a far more accurate number, though.
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12-05-2012, 08:44 AM | #8 | |
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12-05-2012, 09:43 AM | #9 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 248151
Join Date: May 2010
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2013 STI Ice Silver Metallic |
Quote:
The dealer had my 2013 ISM STI Base on the lot, it just came in and still had plastic on it (7 miles on the odo). The only options it had was wheel locks, door moldings, compass/dimming mirror and floor/cargo mats. They had it listed for a hair under $36k. The surprising bit was, before we even talked money, they came out with a sheet telling me what they would give me for my WRX as well as knocking $1k off of the STI. I expected them to not budge on the STI price at all. The only reason I can think of as to why they did this was because I'm a USAA member and after I had already contacted my dealer about the car and started the process, I had filled out a form on USAA's website to "find a car." They "found" this STI for me and sent the dealer a mail saying I was interested (even though I had already been working with them on it). USAA claimed the car should be roughly $1k less than the dealer listed. The dealer got this e-mail from USAA and preemptively started explaining why the price was higher than what USAA showed, even though I hadn't even asked them about it yet (they said it was higher because of the options). Anyways, once the "numbers" sheet came out, they had it with $1000 off. That was great! I was going to try to get them to knock it down $1k anyway and expected to get laughed at. This was the only STI in the state (and I've only seen one in the state since). Maybe a pro negotiator could have brought them down a bit, but I'm certainly not one of those guys. These cars are hot and I imagine they have no problem selling them for what they ask. So, moral of this story is... if you can find a "car finding" service online (or if you're a member of USAA) they can possibly get you a discount on the WRX/STI if they can find it. |
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12-05-2012, 09:50 AM | #10 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 248151
Join Date: May 2010
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2013 STI Ice Silver Metallic |
One more thing about the difference between my 2010 WRX and my new 2013 STI. The stock exhaust on the new STI sounds aftermarket. I don't know if the 2011/2012 WRX/STI exhausts are the same, but this sounds great.
I rolled up to a meet a few weeks ago and the guys there were asking what exhaust I had. I explained it was bone stock, they were pretty surprised. My neighbors and wife hear me coming through the neighborhood before they ever see the car coming. Again, maybe all 2011+ WRX/STI's sound like this, but I've been around a few and didn't notice their exhaust sounding so "deep." I feel no need for an aftermarket cat-back, I love the stock exhaust sound. |
12-05-2012, 10:07 AM | #11 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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Location: Pasadena, MD
Vehicle:2015 WRX Limited Ice Silver Metallic |
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12-05-2012, 10:13 AM | #12 |
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12-05-2012, 10:19 AM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 248151
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Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2013 STI Ice Silver Metallic |
Hah, you know... I was actually thinking of checking that closer last night. I know it wasn't listed as an option, so I didn't pay for it, but I should look closer to see. It should be stamped "SPT" on the side of the exhaust tips, right?
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12-05-2012, 10:21 AM | #14 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 226227
Join Date: Oct 2009
Chapter/Region:
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Location: MOFOKIN BOAT >>League City, TX
Vehicle:2012 WRX STI LMT PBP - purple? |
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12-05-2012, 10:29 AM | #15 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 248151
Join Date: May 2010
Chapter/Region:
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Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2013 STI Ice Silver Metallic |
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12-05-2012, 10:29 AM | #16 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 309636
Join Date: Feb 2012
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Location: Baltimore, MD
Vehicle:2015 STI LE WRB on Gold! |
This.
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...oh. Well then. Weird, because they haven't changed exhausts. Take a pic/vid! |
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12-05-2012, 10:37 AM | #17 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 248151
Join Date: May 2010
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2013 STI Ice Silver Metallic |
Here's a quick pick I have of it already. Not exactly a close-up, but you can see them (and appear stock). I'll take some closer pics and get a video of the sound today.
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12-05-2012, 10:40 AM | #18 | |
Scooby Specialist
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Location: West Haven, CT
Vehicle:2011 WRX 2002 Corvette Z06 |
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12-05-2012, 10:44 AM | #19 |
Scooby Specialist
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region:
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Location: Baltimore, MD
Vehicle:2015 STI LE WRB on Gold! |
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12-05-2012, 10:47 AM | #20 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 248151
Join Date: May 2010
Chapter/Region:
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Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2013 STI Ice Silver Metallic |
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12-05-2012, 09:28 PM | #21 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 316517
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Portland, ME
Vehicle:2012 WRB WRX Hatch TP Stage III & ELH |
To be honest, I was rather unimpressed with my WRX at stock, with that vague, sloppy, "held-together-with-ham-sandwhiches" rubbish. After upgrading the sway bars and nearly a dozen different drivetrain & handling bushings/mounts/inserts however (some necessary on the STi as well), the car is radically different from stock. It completely transformed the car into a solid brick of engine with wheels. Whether you're on stock power or full turbo swap, you're missing out if you never ate your vegetables...
Now I really want to drive one of the newer STi's and see how it compares to my lightly modded 2012 WRX. I definitely don't need the brakes (I'd probably drive more recklessly if knew I had them to 'rely' on ). The lower gas mileage and the stiffer ride would both kind of suck for Maine. I would like the DCCD, the wider wheels at stock, the crisper transmission and the insane resale value though. No idea how both roads would have played out for me in the end in terms of time, money and actual enjoyment, but so far I'm happy, optimistic about future mods, and learning a lot by doing the upgrades with my own hands. At the end of the day, I'm just thankful to even be driving a WRX and able to pay for it and all of my other fun at 24. Maybe 6-7 years from now I'll sell it as-is and pick up the latest and greatest STi So to anyone who has a WRX and is disappointed, go to town on it with the less glamorous, more functional mods. There's much improvement to be made. You won't regret that. Last edited by blehhh; 12-05-2012 at 10:06 PM. |
12-05-2012, 11:07 PM | #22 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 318280
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Lol no problem. I admit I was curious if you had a SPT. I know the 2012 STi I looked at was pretty loud and my stock WRX exhaust was very deep, aka dronefest.
Thank you for all the sincere replies first off! Well it appears that most of the traders are quite pleased with the change. I guess the more I think about it, the more I realize I want the brakes( read bling), wheels( easy to clean and look good in gloss black), and I prefer the suedeish material over leather. The more I look at the differences I can't even figure out why I went WRX. Looking at the price difference some of you paid I might have to just mod this one. Ill see what my research shows. I have found some incoming STis so maybe I can work a good deal. |
12-05-2012, 11:16 PM | #23 |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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Yeah I've debated modding the suspension. I know there's a lot to be gained from a tic bushing/bars package but I think for me it's just more the whole package. The trans/ seats/ brakes/ wheels/ dccd/ just the whole enchilada. I think another part of my thought process is while its easy to make a WRX much better the STi has lots of the function and will retain its value better.
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12-06-2012, 12:01 AM | #24 |
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I recently just did this with my 2011 wrx limited. I lost quite a bit on depreciation due to an accident but.. I do not regret it a single bit! I absolutely love the STi, it fixed all the problems I had with my WRX. I even feel like the plastics are softer touch (even though this is probably only because its new). The STi is a completely different car, modding my wrx would have still left me with a wrx. The car simply feels like it is of better quality, my speakers in the STi sound much better than the WRX did also, not sure how the Stock HU is better than the nav I had in my wrx but there you have it. If you can afford it, go for it.
Last edited by mattw278; 12-06-2012 at 12:07 AM. |
12-06-2012, 09:30 AM | #25 |
Scooby Specialist
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Location: Portland, ME
Vehicle:2012 WRB WRX Hatch TP Stage III & ELH |
I probably could have afforded the STi, but it just didn't seem like the responsible decision for me at this point in my life. I'd feel guilty about it on so many levels.
I would also still be needing/wanting to upgrade a huge amount of the STi's parts:
And like with anything, if you do have the time and money, a WRX can be modded into something waaaay beyond any bolt-on STi; just ask xluben Last edited by blehhh; 12-06-2012 at 09:52 AM. |
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