2015 WRX vs. FR-S/BRZ

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

I was referring to widespread mainstream usage

Don't get much more mainstream than Toyota...

[slowbrz]

Chased a new STI down the mountain the other day and was on him the whole time. If this was the older STI, he wouldnt be able to keep up. The new STI is easily the best STI so far.

If I lived in a colder environment and had kids I would probably be driving a WRX instead of a BRZ.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Or maybe the guy didn't feel like being an ass hat and wasn't pushing it on a mountain. Is that at all possible?

Don't get me wrong. I bet it was fun though. Which mountain road?

[slowbrz]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Or maybe the guy didn't feel like being an ass hat and wasn't pushing it on a mountain. Is that at all possible?

Don't get me wrong. I bet it was fun though. Which mountain road?

He was driving more aggressively than I was (going on the other side of the road) - palomar mountain

[DeeezNuuuts83]

It sounds like he was just a bad driver if he's going to the other side of the road!


I've never driven there... maybe I'll give that one a shot. Looks fun.

[ckim]

I just had a kid 4 months ago and I'm tempted to trade in my '99 M3 and '13 BRZ for a '15 STi. We also have a '14 Impreza wagon in the family.

Pros for the STi (assumptions, I haven't driven one yet, only a '15 WRX):
- quieter (more sound deadening);
- less rattles;
- 4 doors;
- more room;
- more practical (can fit a child seat in the back);
- more torque/power;
- stock stereo is not as crappy.

Cons:
- turbo lag;
- it's not RWD;
- I'm guessing it's not as fun in the twisties.

I want an STi but I loooove my BRZ. They need to come out with a turbo Impreza wagon again so I can trade in the '14 Impreza.

[richardM]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

It sounds like he was just a bad driver if he's going to the other side of the road!


I've never driven there... maybe I'll give that one a shot. Looks fun.

Uh.. they pave both sides for a reason....

[DSOmegaX]

Originally Posted by ckim

I just had a kid 4 months ago and I'm tempted to trade in my '99 M3 and '13 BRZ for a '15 STi. We also have a '14 Impreza wagon in the family.

Pros for the STi (assumptions, I haven't driven one yet, only a '15 WRX):
- quieter (more sound deadening);
- less rattles;
- 4 doors;
- more room;
- more practical (can fit a child seat in the back);
- more torque/power;
- stock stereo is not as crappy.

Cons:
- turbo lag;
- it's not RWD;
- I'm guessing it's not as fun in the twisties.

I want an STi but I loooove my BRZ. They need to come out with a turbo Impreza wagon again so I can trade in the '14 Impreza.

As an owner of a '15 WRX and have extensively driven an STi, I can tell you that rattles are on par or more compared to my BRZ. Its all part of Subaru ownership haha. Since you have a kid, I would recommend the WRX over the STi as the ride quality is very harsh for daily driving; the car was designed for track and it really shows when you drive it on normal roads.

[ckim]

Hmm... not sure I'd be able to give up the BRZ for a non-STi? Would you say the ride in an STi is harsher than in a BRZ?

Maybe it's because the suspension in the Impreza wagon is so soft. Or maybe it's because it barely has any miles on it (2.5k vs. 8.5k in the BRZ), but the Impreza is suuuper quiet. Not luxo quiet, but still, very comfortable and quiet compared to the BRZ.

[tahdizzle]

I'm pretty sure the EJ engine is at the end of its lifespan. We'll see what the next gen STi uses (hopefully a DI 2.5)

[continuecrushing]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

I'm pretty sure the EJ engine is at the end of its lifespan. We'll see what the next gen STi uses (hopefully a DI 2.5)

seriously. I kept thinking this years ago, but the the "new" STi would get announced-with the same engine haha.

[srt4evah]

Originally Posted by ckim

Hmm... not sure I'd be able to give up the BRZ for a non-STi? Would you say the ride in an STi is harsher than in a BRZ?

Maybe it's because the suspension in the Impreza wagon is so soft. Or maybe it's because it barely has any miles on it (2.5k vs. 8.5k in the BRZ), but the Impreza is suuuper quiet. Not luxo quiet, but still, very comfortable and quiet compared to the BRZ.

I can offer this tidbit of info regarding the new WRX:

Compared to the 2014 model, the chassis is 41 percent torsionally stiffer in the 2015, and the front spring rates are increased 39%, the rears 60%.

The 2015 base WRX suspension and handling is vastly improved over the 2014, and while the STI may hold an advantage still, the gap is much narrower than in the past.

[thill]

Originally Posted by srt4evah

I can offer this tidbit of info regarding the new WRX:

Compared to the 2014 model, the chassis is 41 percent torsionally stiffer in the 2015, and the front spring rates are increased 39%, the rears 60%.

The 2015 base WRX suspension and handling is vastly improved over the 2014, and while the STI may hold an advantage still, the gap is much narrower than in the past.

Well the same changes apply to the STI. I daily drive a 2015 WRX and recently got some seat time in the STI. I noticed a few things. The manual gearbox in the STI is better than the WRX even with the short shifter. The STI shifter is rod actuated vs cable actuated, and I liked the feel better.

I will say this though, I prefer the engine in the WRX to the STI. The WRX feels more responsive in day to day traffic thanks to the twin scroll turbo.

The STI also has a tighter steering rack and is not electronically assisted so you get better feedback. If you add in the better brakes and the diffs, the STI makes sense for someone who wants that much more performance, but you are spot on, the new WRX is a huge improvement over the previous gen in terms of having a more firm suspension. Handling feels much better.

If the STI gets a new engine I would consider trading my WRX in on it, but the WRX makes a better daily driver for me.

[DSOmegaX]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

I'm pretty sure the EJ engine is at the end of its lifespan. We'll see what the next gen STi uses (hopefully a DI 2.5)

Originally Posted by Shutter

seriously. I kept thinking this years ago, but the the "new" STi would get announced-with the same engine haha.

The 2015 STi in Japan actually uses an FA20 at 305hp. So I would assume they will be bringing that over next year for the rest of the markets