So that just happened - Went BRZ to STI

[Kimsey47]

Well, a jump that I didn't think I'd be making any time soon or at all happened today... I was taking my BRZ in for a 60,000mile service and as I was pulling in I saw a DGM 2016 STI on the dealer's used car lot. I looked up the price while checking in and thought, "If they gave me X amount for my BRZ and took X amount off their sticker, then that could happen!"

To make a long story short they did exactly what I hoped! So! I wanted to take a moment to say thanks to everyone on the forum for the fun times, the crazy times, and for all the information made available here. I really enjoyed my BRZ during the time I had it, and know it will be car I will miss dearly down the road. It was an amazing car and a great experience! As for now, I'll enjoy having some more power and can better suit the needs of my family.

Sincerely,

Kimsey

[ryoma]

keep us updated on how you like the STI a few months down the road after the honeymoon period

[AlphaMotorsports.ca]

Enjoy the new car! I'm sure your feedback will be much appreciated for other people thinking of the same switch.

[softgrip]

Sorry for your lapse of judgement ;P

Nah just kidding. Seriously the STis are an amazing piece of kit!

[Kimsey47]

Thank you all! I don't plan on leaving this forum completely... I really enjoyed my BRZ so it will be nice to maintain a method of great information on the platform, and also see what people have to say about the newer models as they roll out.

So far I can say that the STI (at least the one I bought as its the first I've had the pleasure of driving) seems very raw, and I mean that in a good way! The power is impressive, the ride is sporty and a bit harsh but not painful, and the car is loud! The noise isn't really all Subaru's doing though, as the prior owner had put a Nameless catback on the car thats much louder than the resonated Perrin my BRZ had... I haven't decided if I'll maintain the exhaust due to it being louder; however, coming from the opposite side of the spectrum I can say that it is pretty darn fun hearing that boxer engine rumbling!

As for personal preference? So far I do favor the STI over the BRZ. Of course the cars are completely different; however, I have always had a love for sports sedans. They can be fun, haul a family and friends around when needed. My BRZ basically eliminated the ability for my family enjoying opportunities to go on a spirited drive with me, or at a minimum just take my car instead of my wife's! So really its the practicality that the BRZ lacked (and I understood this when buying it) to prevent me from keeping it indefinitely like I initially hoped. It did always maintain the RWD Integra feel that I fell in love with though!

Finally, and I don't know if others will relate; but my BRZ caused me a lot of anxiety to drive. It just seemed to be invisible to the people who needed to see it, always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (especially with road debris), and had some annoying quirks that I felt I shouldn't have had. The main annoyances being the tails fogging up, and my drivers side weather strip folding up every now and then when putting the window up. It may have been a majority of things that were my own mental blocks that prevented me from fully enjoying the car, but I can say when it was on a lonely twisty road it was a blast! I've not had the STI a full 24-hours yet but I don't feel the anxiety at all like I did the BRZ. I hope that feeling is maintained! Perhaps I couldn't adjust to the more claustrophobic interior of a pure sports car? HAHA

[beat1]

I only wish you the best with the engine. The 2.5L is a old motor that for some reasons Subaru still put in the STI, the MPG is horrific and not sure if they revised the latest years of the EJ25 but lot of ringland issue on cylinder #4 and #2 happened in the past. Other than that its a amazing car.

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by beat1

I only wish you the best with the engine. The 2.5L is a old motor that for some reasons Subaru still put in the STI, the MPG is horrific and not sure if they revised the latest years of the EJ25 but lot of ringland issue on cylinder #4 and #2 happened in the past. Other than that its a amazing car.

Yeah, the MPG hit is going to be something I'll have to get used to. Where I averaged about 31.5 over the life of my BRZ I can already say it looks like I'll be averaging around 18-22; however, it is fun as hell at the moment so hopefully that doesn't become too annoying! HA!

I know they've had issues in the past with the engine so perhaps its a gamble of sorts. I felt that they would most likely have sorted out those problems after using it so many years, and I haven't heard any complaints recently so fingers crossed! If they do have issues I'll just play the disease card in the means of, "As long as I don't know I have it, the longer I'll live." Or in this case, the car will live!

[Summerwolf]

Well, at least you traded the most depreciating Subaru model for the least depreciating Subaru model.

[DarkSunrise]

Congrats on the new car! Having owned an STI in the past, there is something fun about having an all-purpose AWD sport sedan (or in my case, hatch) that you can haul family/friends in. That said, you'll be back

[olsonpg]

pics or it didn't happen

[FX86]

you fucked up man

[pinski]

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

Finally, and I don't know if others will relate; but my BRZ caused me a lot of anxiety to drive. It just seemed to be invisible to the people who needed to see it, always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (especially with road debris), and had some annoying quirks that I felt I shouldn't have had.

You just perfectly summed up how I feel. For some reason, this car gives me a little anxiety, and I don't know precisely why.

Congrats on the new ride! Did you have anything to part out, or trade in the car as it was?

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Well, at least you traded the most depreciating Subaru model for the least depreciating Subaru model.

Hah, no joke. His STI will still be worth $30k in six years with 85,000 miles on the clock.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by pinski

You just perfectly summed up how I feel. For some reason, this car gives me a little anxiety, and I don't know precisely why.

Congrats on the new ride! Did you have anything to part out, or trade in the car as it was?



Hah, no joke. His STI will still be worth $30k in six years with 85,000 miles on the clock.

If you have a 6 year old car with 85K on it you are not driving enough!

[Misfire]

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

Yeah, the MPG hit is going to be something I'll have to get used to. Where I averaged about 31.5 over the life of my BRZ I can already say it looks like I'll be averaging around 18-22; however, it is fun as hell at the moment so hopefully that doesn't become too annoying! HA!

I know they've had issues in the past with the engine so perhaps its a gamble of sorts. I felt that they would most likely have sorted out those problems after using it so many years, and I haven't heard any complaints recently so fingers crossed! If they do have issues I'll just play the disease card in the means of, "As long as I don't know I have it, the longer I'll live." Or in this case, the car will live!

Sadly the EJ257s still have the ringland issues. I'm coming from a '14 STI and I had anxieties about it probably the same way as you did about the BRZ. Fear of engine issues took some of the fun of driving it away for me.

From my research here are some things to alleviate some of the gambleness of that engine.

• Get off the stock map, it is garbage. Cobb is a good start, pro tune is best.
• Air Oil Separator. These engines have lots of blow-by, oil in the intake can lead to detonation = bye bye ringlands.
• Fuel line mod. Could cause lean condition at high RPM. Cobb has a tech write up on it: http://www.cobbtuning.com/2008-sti-f...ical-overview/
• Oil pick up tube. Long standing issue with all EJ motors, cracked pick up tube starves the engine of oil = no beuno. Killer B makes an upgraded unit.

Basically the name of the game is do everything you can to reduce detonation. ie. Try not loading the engine up under 2500 RPM in a higher gear.

Or, you could just go forged internals and not have to worry about it as much. Not saying that it would become immune from detonation, just the ringlands wouldn't be the failure point anymore.

Not trying to scare you with any of this, just wanna make sure a fellow Subie bro is informed.