Made my drama on the FRS side, want some Subaru expertise and feedback.

[chanomatik]

Hush, brew! If anything I'm overqualified to answer! I'm waiting for him to ask me why I went from a 2005 STI to a Forester XT then to a 2011 WRX instead of a 2011 STI and then to a BRZ.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Because STI is fat. Because STI gearing blows. Because racecar?

[alrashwa]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

Hush, brew! If anything I'm overqualified to answer! I'm waiting for him to ask me why I went from a 2005 STI to a Forester XT then to a 2011 WRX instead of a 2011 STI and then to a BRZ.

hah, trying every flavor of the Subaru Buffet?

[brewksy]

Seriously, though, chano is right - the BRZ is a great package and in the area of driver experience, outclasses the WRX and the STI by a long shot. The STI and WRX are not good stand-ins for a BRZ because they're very different packages. You're right, Subaru's cars are very distinctive from each other in a lot of ways and they hit a lot of different markets with their line-up so unless you're looking for a car that is vastly different than the BRZ, I'm not sure Subaru would be your best choice.

[jimbobrand]

Does your car not qualify as a "lemon" under your state lemon laws? It sounds like you got one of those rare cars that's just going to have problems from the factory no matter what is done to it and if you push hard enough they should replace it with a different one.

[Turbowned]

^^ this ^^

I feel like you could/should just get another one, and hopefully your problems would be solved. There are plenty of people out there with zero issues from their cars...

[Admiral Ballsy]

Originally Posted by brewksy

The STI package (HB) is perfect for someone that wants performance, utility, AWD safety, AND reliability.

Only thing its missing is efficiency. It would have been absolutely perfect for the space I just filled with a BRZ, but 17/23MPG is just atrocious for a 2.5L four. Unless it's got like 450 horsepower.

Although I will say that Car and Driver's long-term test car gives me plenty of pause on the reliability front.

[gmookher]

WRX
the other one is severely lacking in comparison

[Dave-ROR]

Have you considered using the lemon law on your car (I didn't read the other thread so maybe you already covered that?)? If so, why not try another one?

I have an early BRZ and outside of leaking taillights mine has been working great. Mine does have chirps after the HPFP was replaced but it doesn't bother me that much.. 15,500 miles or so on mine. Occasional idle dips but not enough to stall, etc.. :shrug:

It's not a perfect car but the driving experience allows me to ignore those little items.

[DanoFA20]

Originally Posted by Z3D

Now don't bash me for not convincing you to stay with Subaru but...

After reading your posts on the other side I would say a brand change might be a nice change of pace for you. I don't really know your exact budget but it sounds like you might like a BMW 135i. They can be had used for a pretty good deal and most of the used ones have had major problems sorted out (read:calipers). Try and find one of these and take a spin. If you like speed, that 135i will blow you away.

I hope this helps you!

problem with the twin turbo 1 and 3 and 5 series is the turbos had problems the waste gates have problems unfortunately the cars arent that reliable, i worked at a euro shop for over a year that my cousin owned and we had over 50 of the turbo bmws come in with soo many issues.

they drive good and have good power but the issues they have arent worth it IMO

[Draco-REX]

I'm planning to sell my STI.. '07, 27k miles, unmodded engine, only stage 1 tune. Full suspension done. Back-road beast. $28K.

OT: I've owned 4 Subarus and all have been great cars. They have their ratle issues, but they've been ultra reliable with only the Legacy having some minor quibbles that I sorted out for dollars. Granted, I haven't owned a GR Impreza, so I can't comment on how those are. My BRZ is #195 and it hasn't had any CELs, the taillights are fogging now (I'll replace or mod in the spring), I had the blown third brakelight (replaced on my lunch brake for free), and it has the chirp (I don't mind it), but those are minor and the car has been dependable and tremendously fun.

However, confidence is key. If you don't have confidence in your car you won't be happy with it. So if you feel you should look elsewhere for your needs, then go for it. No use being tied to something that stresses you out.

[alrashwa]

However, confidence is key. If you don't have confidence in your car you won't be happy with it. So if you feel you should look elsewhere for your needs, then go for it. No use being tied to something that stresses you out.

This is really what it's all about for me. I am eligible for the lemon law, which allows me to choose between replacement or buyback in Washington state. So I'm gonna go for the buyback, because it gives me more options. At that point, I can wait to see what the 2014 model FRS/BRZ will offer and also get another chance to shop around.

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Because STI is fat. Because STI gearing blows. Because racecar?

2005 STI is not fat! You take that back!

Originally Posted by alrashwa

hah, trying every flavor of the Subaru Buffet?

Basically, I realized that I wasn't going to utilize the STI for its true purpose: The track. We don't have tracks up here in Alaska, we have autox courses. My STI was my daily driver and it was overkill. Not enough amenities, utility or respectable MPG to justify my keeping it. It was SUPER fun, though! I miss it for that. It was just raw.

When it came time to choose between the 2011 WRX or STI, I decided that I really just wanted a competent daily driver with enough luxuries to keep me happy. The sunroof was my favorite feature of my Forester and I just knew I had to have it in the WRX! The STI Limited was just way overpriced even if I could justify using it as a daily driver.

I do think that everyone should own and STI at least once just to say they have. They are good cars, but I think they're more status than anything and I think they're gradually losing their status.

That's why I'm excited for the next gen WRX/STI. I'm hoping the STI will become exclusive once again.

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

However, confidence is key. If you don't have confidence in your car you won't be happy with it. So if you feel you should look elsewhere for your needs, then go for it. No use being tied to something that stresses you out.

I love this line because it's so true. When I got the shift fork fixed on my WRX in September, it was actually smoother than when I drove it off the lot. That's because I didn't know any better and was told that the WRX is just quirky. After driving the car around for a while, I almost fell in love again, but my confidence was really shot. It was like I was cheated on by a super hot girlfriend. hahaha

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

2005 STI is not fat! You take that back!

I was talking about the new one. We all hail the 2005 as the best STI ever. With 2004 being the mutated, inbred brother.