USAToday reviews the 2004 WRX STi

Scott L · 05-10-2003, 02:39 PM

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...5-08-sti_x.htm

(video available)

At 5.1 sec 0-60 and 13.8 in the quarter mile it's a little slower than I though it would be (with a blown 2.5L I thought it would crush the latest Evo) but it's still a little speed demon. Though with a $31.5k price tag it puts the STi against cars with similar performance so I'm guessing I will see even less STi's on the road than the already small amount of WRX's I see now.

Do you guys like the styling of the new model? The guy in the video says "it's very fast, very ugly, very expensive." I guess that's debatable but I actually like the big round headlights of last year. *ducks*

Dillon Poole · 05-10-2003, 03:01 PM

The front end looks almost like a cross between the Sentra and a Corolla. I'd kill to have one but if it was the STi and the Evo...I'd take the Evo in a heartbeat, I just dig its styling more, I still like boxey (sp?) looking cars over overly curvy cars.

Philip_G · 05-10-2003, 03:56 PM

boy I just don't care for those new headlights. I like my bug eyes.
However, sooner or later some HS kid is going to total mommy and daddys new STi and I'll be all over the engine and trans like white on rice

it's also worthwhile to note, in the case of the current car and driver the cars were within .1 of each other, but the cars were not tested on the same day, nor at the same track. YMMV.

Chuck C · 05-10-2003, 07:10 PM

Quote:

At 5.1 sec 0-60 and 13.8 in the quarter mile it's a little slower than I though it would be

well what do you expect...it's missing four cylinders

David Preston · 05-10-2003, 08:57 PM

I personally have a Z28 but I also love the WRX and Evo. I read about all cars not just american. Just think what it would do if you put a little tuning in it. You can probably increase performance significantly with a boost controler. Also keep your eyes on the new neon it will be a turbo car to. It will run 13's in the quarter. But if I had to chose it would be the WRX.

**HTF Ads**

Philip_G · 05-11-2003, 12:16 AM

the SRT-4? they're already out there. Aside from traction issues (that much hp in a FWD??) they seem to be damn quick. Nasty insurance rates I'm sure. Not that my WRX is cheap

Scott Wong · 05-11-2003, 12:16 AM

I am currently leasing an '01 Lexus IS300.... my lease is up in ten months and I will seriously think about the new WRX STi. I want to wait and check it out in person. Not sure if I'll be able to handle the styling of it. There are certain places it just looks... well... odd. But 300 horsepower? 300 ft-lbs torque? *faint* That is to die for.

It would run circles around my IS300.

Scott.

Philip_G · 05-11-2003, 12:25 AM

Scott, why don't you hook up with someone in your area and drive a used WRX first, maybe it'll give you a better feel for the car. New cars always drive beautifully, take a used one out. I have an idea the straight WRX will give your is300 a run

from what I understand the '04 seats are a bit wider, a few cosmetic things, and of course the STi has the 2.5 litre, which we'll see if it's as good as the tried and true 2.0
hopefully the paint is a bit better and the transmissions hold up to some abuse.

Andrew W · 05-11-2003, 05:01 PM

We have the WRX wagon. It's my wife's car but I get to drive it sometimes. It's monterously fast and the only use for another 75HP would be to make a serious attempt to get yourself arrested for street racing.

The thing I like most is that the stupid SUV drivers in TX think it's just another mini-wagon until they try to cut you off and you blow past them. You can be three car lengths ahead in an instant. And if you really need to accelerate, you can downshift to 4th!

Philip_G · 05-11-2003, 05:25 PM

Quote:

The thing I like most is that the stupid SUV drivers in TX think it's just another mini-wagon until they try to cut you off and you blow past them. You can be three car lengths ahead in an instant. And if you really need to accelerate, you can downshift to 4th!

that turbo spooling is sweet, sweet music isn't it?

I'm still debating the extra 75 HP, for 1500 bucks or so I'm thinking I can be DARN close to stock STi performance, maybe I'm dreaming.. of course that same 1500 on an STi would go much further... we'll see...