the "Official" word on the STi from SOA

Cool Hand · 09-05-2001, 03:04 AM

Dear Mr. Kato:

Thank you for visiting the Subaru Web site and for your continued interest in Subaru products. We are sorry to hear about your '00 Impreza 2.5RS. We hope that you were not seriously injured in your accident.

Subaru is considering the feasibility of an STi version of the WRX for future model years. But, we do not have any definite plans at this time. If an STi version of the WRX becomes available in the United States, it would probably not be for a couple of model years. Since we are just beginning to market the WRX to the US consumers, it is too early to confirm the likelihood of offering an STi version in the US.

Even though magazine articles state that the STi version is coming to the US, the decision to bring the STi here has not been officially established yet. The magazines were a little premature with their 'announcement.' It was based on our statement at a press event that if the WRX is well received by the US buying public, we would look seriously at marketing a US version of the STi.

We appreciate that you took the time to contact us. I will forward your suggestion to offer an STi version of the WRX in the US to our Product Planning Department for their review and consideration. Thanks again!!

John J. Mergen
Subaru of America, Inc.

Stoopid MOMO · 09-05-2001, 03:58 AM

In a nutshell: Duh. I think everyone knows the STi will come sooner or later but the WRX has only been available for 1 MY so it aint happening tomorrow. I just hope they continue to improve the RS.

AudiGuy · 09-05-2001, 09:01 AM

The guy at the dealership I go to said it was coming over in either 2003 or 2004.

orbit03 · 09-05-2001, 09:59 AM

ibtl.

Fish · 09-05-2001, 10:04 AM

pretty much what we knew..

atleast they didn't hit you with a form letter.

dear Mr (insert name)

we are happy to see you intrest in the (insert product)...... blah.

JGard · 09-05-2001, 10:35 AM

basically the same thing they've been saying since the WRX first came over. in a couple years, if the WRX sells well enough, the STi will come.

of course, then there's the people who have actually already seemed to have put a down payment on these cars. heh, talk about a good bamboozling salesman...

bluesubie · 09-05-2001, 11:55 AM

What's an STi? I've never heard of it.

Dennis

Raxy · 09-05-2001, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fishguy
pretty much what we knew..

atleast they didn't hit you with a form letter.

dear Mr (insert name)

we are happy to see you intrest in the (insert product)...... blah.

Isn't the response given above the form letter regarding the STi. I've seen a couple people in the past post that exact letter.

imprezawrxsti.com · 09-05-2001, 02:45 PM

That's a new form letter though- I remember it being a lot shorter and sweeter when I emailed them about March-April. I don't have the response anymore, but it went something like this:

Dear Mr so and so

SOA currently has no plans to bring the STi to the United States. However, I will forward your request to our....

Sincerely

So and so

So the tune is changing a bit- and I think it is for the better.

JJ
www.imprezawrxsti.com
All STi, All the Time

danc · 09-05-2001, 02:52 PM

Except for the first paragraph, that is the form letter. It changed earlier in the year from it's not coming to the current form, so that was a good thing, but nothing has changed since. Just rest assured...next year as a 2003 model.

Fido · 09-05-2001, 09:31 PM

It was slightly customized...At least they took the time to say something about the accident.

mh_WRX · 09-06-2001, 05:42 PM

Check here for a post I just made about this subject.
Club WRX Message Thread . See what having a few friends in the right places and a willingness to buy a few rounds of beer accomplish.

One correction, the 350Z should have said Pre-Production.

I also want to restate that this info was received 3rd hand, so don't take it as gospel.

have a Good one,
MH

imprezawrxsti.com · 09-06-2001, 07:52 PM

Hmm, maybe the same one that has been seen in Colorado:

Let The Hunt Begin!!

JJ
www.imprezawrxsti.com
All STi, All The Time

mh_WRX · 09-07-2001, 09:07 AM

Could be if they are testing, CO is a great place for altitude testing.

Everyone, start carying your camera's around!

09-05-2001, 03:04 AM	#1
Cool Hand Scooby Newbie Member#: 245 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Maui, HI Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon Aspen White	the "Official" word on the STi from SOA Dear Mr. Kato: Thank you for visiting the Subaru Web site and for your continued interest in Subaru products. We are sorry to hear about your '00 Impreza 2.5RS. We hope that you were not seriously injured in your accident. Subaru is considering the feasibility of an STi version of the WRX for future model years. But, we do not have any definite plans at this time. If an STi version of the WRX becomes available in the United States, it would probably not be for a couple of model years. Since we are just beginning to market the WRX to the US consumers, it is too early to confirm the likelihood of offering an STi version in the US. Even though magazine articles state that the STi version is coming to the US, the decision to bring the STi here has not been officially established yet. The magazines were a little premature with their 'announcement.' It was based on our statement at a press event that if the WRX is well received by the US buying public, we would look seriously at marketing a US version of the STi. We appreciate that you took the time to contact us. I will forward your suggestion to offer an STi version of the WRX in the US to our Product Planning Department for their review and consideration. Thanks again!! John J. Mergen Subaru of America, Inc.

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09-05-2001, 03:58 AM	#2
Stoopid MOMO Scooby Newbie Member#: 8731 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Myrtle Beach-Soccastee, SC Vehicle: 1997 Jeep GC Limited 15 variations of "Bronze"	In a nutshell: Duh. I think everyone knows the STi will come sooner or later but the WRX has only been available for 1 MY so it aint happening tomorrow. I just hope they continue to improve the RS.

09-05-2001, 09:01 AM	#3
AudiGuy Scooby Newbie Member#: 1865 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA	The guy at the dealership I go to said it was coming over in either 2003 or 2004.

09-05-2001, 09:59 AM	#4
orbit03 Scooby Specialist Member#: 2300 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Erie, PA, USA Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX Banana Pudding	ibtl.

09-05-2001, 10:04 AM	#5
Fish RIP Sirkbac Member#: 869 Join Date: Feb 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Nashua NH Vehicle: 1987 GPZ-750 TURBO 90' MX-5/02' Protoge 5	pretty much what we knew.. atleast they didn't hit you with a form letter. dear Mr (insert name) we are happy to see you intrest in the (insert product)...... blah.

09-05-2001, 10:35 AM	#6
JGard Pooptastic Member#: 1904 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Salem, MA Vehicle: 2009 WRX Premium 5dr 1991 Mazda Miata	basically the same thing they've been saying since the WRX first came over. in a couple years, if the WRX sells well enough, the STi will come. of course, then there's the people who have actually already seemed to have put a down payment on these cars. heh, talk about a good bamboozling salesman...

09-05-2001, 11:55 AM	#7
bluesubie Scooby Specialist Member#: 767 Join Date: Jan 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: N.J. Vehicle: 04 FXT	What's an STi? I've never heard of it. Dennis

09-05-2001, 02:45 PM	#9
imprezawrxsti.com Scooby Newbie Member#: 9581 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2004 STi Blue/Gold 00 Impreza RS, BRP	That's a new form letter though- I remember it being a lot shorter and sweeter when I emailed them about March-April. I don't have the response anymore, but it went something like this: Dear Mr so and so SOA currently has no plans to bring the STi to the United States. However, I will forward your request to our.... Sincerely So and so So the tune is changing a bit- and I think it is for the better. JJ www.imprezawrxsti.com All STi, All the Time

09-05-2001, 02:52 PM	#10
danc Visiting NASIOC Timeout Member#: 3816 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Portland, OR, USA	Except for the first paragraph, that is the form letter. It changed earlier in the year from it's not coming to the current form, so that was a good thing, but nothing has changed since. Just rest assured...next year as a 2003 model.

09-05-2001, 09:31 PM	#11
Fido Scooby Specialist Member#: 1867 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: New Jersey	It was slightly customized...At least they took the time to say something about the accident.

09-06-2001, 05:42 PM	#12
mh_WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 9481 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Want to drive on a racetrack? Vehicle: just PM me for more	Check here for a post I just made about this subject. Club WRX Message Thread . See what having a few friends in the right places and a willingness to buy a few rounds of beer accomplish. One correction, the 350Z should have said Pre-Production. I also want to restate that this info was received 3rd hand, so don't take it as gospel. have a Good one, MH

09-06-2001, 07:52 PM	#13
imprezawrxsti.com Scooby Newbie Member#: 9581 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2004 STi Blue/Gold 00 Impreza RS, BRP	Hmm, maybe the same one that has been seen in Colorado: Let The Hunt Begin!! JJ www.imprezawrxsti.com All STi, All The Time

09-07-2001, 09:07 AM	#14
mh_WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 9481 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Want to drive on a racetrack? Vehicle: just PM me for more	Could be if they are testing, CO is a great place for altitude testing. Everyone, start carying your camera's around!