2015 WRX vs. FR-S/BRZ

[brzaapi]

HAHA. I LIKE IT.

[echo419]

DO IT!

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by Philly758

I want to want an STI so bad, but I can't get myself to trade in my BRZ. I test drove an STI and it was fun, felt like a lot more car, but the seats/driving position is what kills it for me. I feel like I am sitting in a corolla. There is nothing exciting about it. The seats and driving position in the BRZ are awesome.

I do love the BRZ and have done a fair amount of mods on my own (vortech, springs, exhaust, bushings, stuff). I like working on cars and working on this car. But my job has been crazy, I live in a condo without a garage and need to drive 30 min each way to my brothers garage where all my tools are to accomplish anything. The STI would be sweet and not need much, just a tune and maybe some wheels if I went with the base model. That would fit my current living situation so much better.

Do you think the benefits of the STI outweigh the awkward bench seat/driving position?

#firstworldproblems

It's a compromise but it's not difficult to manage.

My first car was a Honda that I modded (and I had it until 2003 after a buddy with an NSX crashed into it), and after dealing with law enforcement, smog checks, reliability issues, etc., I wanted something that I wouldn't really need to mod. A few years down the road (and after driving a few other cars that were spares that my parents weren't using), I ended up with an Evo. Obviously the Recaros are way better than the STI's, but other than that, your gripes with the current STI are present in my Evo IX.


That being said, the pros far outweigh the cons. Having owned a coupe for a number of years prior to that, I understand what you mean, but it was never that big of a deal to me. I've managed to keep the car bone stock (which amazes some people), but I went this route so I didn't have to mod and deal with the potential headaches mentioned previously. Plus I generally have lived in places that don't have a garage anyway (or if they did, it wasn't a situation where you could store a bunch of stuff in it), so tinkering with the car was something I knew I wouldn't be able to do like when I was a youngin living at home.


Four doors is awesome. Sure, maybe it generally doesn't yield the sexiest lines, but I'm not trying to win any contests. It's just so much more practical, and I really don't see myself owning another coupe for a while. Plus I used to hate moving my seat (and then re-adjusting it) every time I had a third occupant.


Side note -- would you consider the WRX over the STI? That's where I'd put my money between those two.

[Philly758]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Side note -- would you consider the WRX over the STI? That's where I'd put my money between those two.

I would definitely consider the WRX, but I'm trying to avoid the road I went down with the BRZ as far as mods. STI is a beast stock which is appealing.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

If that's your main concern between the two, I'd say just get the WRX. This is coming from an Evo owner who has driven both the WRX and STI. I don't feel like there's that big of a difference between them in terms of power and acceleration (and there really hasn't been since 2009). I really like the WRX's new motor. There was an article within the past year about their dyno results, and I think the WRX was pretty much superior in terms of torque -- in both peak and curve. And then its gas mileage is a good amount better, if you care. I just can't trust the STI's motor -- I personally know more STI owners who have had engine issues than I should.

[tahdizzle]

I fully agree with That guy.
the EJ is such a dated motor. I would pick up a WRX over an STI without a second thought.

[Ashikabi]

20XX Supra. Dilemma solved

[DeeezNuuuts83]

If it were dated but still awesome, I wouldn't mind. But it has had more than its share of issues and doesn't have a high ceiling for modding potential either (at least not without spending a lot of money).

[xxBrun0xx]

Originally Posted by Philly758

I want to want an STI so bad, but I can't get myself to trade in my BRZ. I test drove an STI and it was fun, felt like a lot more car, but the seats/driving position is what kills it for me. I feel like I am sitting in a corolla. There is nothing exciting about it. The seats and driving position in the BRZ are awesome.

I do love the BRZ and have done a fair amount of mods on my own (vortech, springs, exhaust, bushings, stuff). I like working on cars and working on this car. But my job has been crazy, I live in a condo without a garage and need to drive 30 min each way to my brothers garage where all my tools are to accomplish anything. The STI would be sweet and not need much, just a tune and maybe some wheels if I went with the base model. That would fit my current living situation so much better.

Do you think the benefits of the STI outweigh the awkward bench seat/driving position?

#firstworldproblems

Something worth noting: A lot of people on this forum (myself included), traded their STI's in for BRZ's. If you don't need 4 doors, you'd be nuts to go the other way. While you might enjoy your test drive, the power gets old quick, and that's the only aspect the STI beats the BRZ in. Enjoy your BRZ, save your money, and when you eventually reproduce, get a 4 door.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

In all fairness, it's not as if people didn't go the other way either.

[tahdizzle]

... The idea of people on this forum going both ways...

[echo419]

Originally Posted by xxBrun0xx

Something worth noting: A lot of people on this forum (myself included), traded their STI's in for BRZ's. If you don't need 4 doors, you'd be nuts to go the other way. While you might enjoy your test drive, the power gets old quick, and that's the only aspect the STI beats the BRZ in. Enjoy your BRZ, save your money, and when you eventually reproduce, get a 4 door.

F that! NO KIDS FO LIFE!

[thill]

Originally Posted by xxBrun0xx

Something worth noting: A lot of people on this forum (myself included), traded their STI's in for BRZ's. If you don't need 4 doors, you'd be nuts to go the other way. While you might enjoy your test drive, the power gets old quick, and that's the only aspect the STI beats the BRZ in. Enjoy your BRZ, save your money, and when you eventually reproduce, get a 4 door.

There are other advantages to the STI besides power. AWD is a real advantage for many people who live in in-climate environments. The STI also offers a ton of performance for the money outside of just 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. It has very good lateral acceleration, braking, etc. It's kind of a swiss knife in that it is practical to haul people, is a solid daily driver, and you can take it straight to the track.

The 2015 WRX/STI made huge improvements in terms of handling and driver feel vs the previous generation. And while I agree that the BRZ/FR-S has a much better seating and cockpit layout for the driver, I really don't feel like either car gives up much in terms of handling and drivers feel.

Also you can make some pretty impressive power in the 2015's with just adding a tune and some simple bolt ons. It doesn't take much.

[AznBRZer]

Originally Posted by echo419

F that! NO KIDS FO LIFE!

For those that want them, kids are one of the greatest joys in life.