2015 WRX vs. FR-S/BRZ

[Sideways&Smiling]

Hope you don't regret it when a new STI comes with a new engine. I can't imagine it will be that long from now.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling

Hope you don't regret it when a new STI comes with a new engine. I can't imagine it will be that long from now.

I hear rumors of 2017

[raven1231]

Rumors are shit...if we have learned anything from this site its that.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by raven1231

Rumors are shit...if we have learned anything from this site its that.

My sources are generally a *little* bit more reliable than the internet.

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Any reason you took the STI over the WRX this time around?

After building 2 Nissan 240's, a WRX, and an FRS, I've kind of grown tired of spending so much time and money building up cars. Also, I originally wanted an STI when I got the WRX, but there were none of available and I just talked myself out of it saying things like "I don't need 6 gears" "I don't need the DCCD" "I don't need brembo brakes". And yes, I don't NEED them, but after owning the WRX for 6 months, I started to regret settling for less. I decided to make sure that I got what I really wanted this time around. Color, trim, options etc.

The STI is something that I can keep pretty much stock for a good while and still be perfectly content. It already has nice wheels, good brakes, good suspension, nice interior etc. When I saw and drove the new WRX, I could instantly come up with like 10k in parts I wanted to add: Wheels/tires, brakes, shifter bushings, and other misc. items.

The new WRX is a BARGAIN and I still think it's actually better value than the STI. For under 30k, it's such a well rounded car and I'd recommend the WRX before recommending the STI to anybody honestly. Only reason why is because I know I want to keep mine mostly stock and just enjoy daily driving and occasional track days.

I'm moving back to California next month and WSIR is only 2 hours away from where I'll be. So, a simple brake pad and fluid change is all I'll be looking at doing in the near future.

Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling

Hope you don't regret it when a new STI comes with a new engine. I can't imagine it will be that long from now.

Call me crazy, but I really like the EJ. I know a lot of people hate it, but I still love it. Maybe it's because I don't care to make a lot of power with it, while others feel very limited by it compared to engines like the 4G63 and 4B11. I like the power band more than the FA too. The EJ is a bit more peaky, but the FA seems to fall on its face a little bit in the top end.

Obviously, gas mileage isn't as good but if you put the car into "I" on the SI-Drive and drive normally, I've seen people still yield around 30mpg combined on the street.

Plus, I know what to expect with the EJ platform. The FA motors seem to be doing okay, but time will tell. People are having some clutch and transmission issues already though. However, once Subaru gets it buttoned up and makes some slight changes here and there, I'm sure the FA will be an absolute killer of an engine.

I won't regret it though because whenever they do decide to do it, it's going to be a new engine, meaning the car will surely have it's hiccups. It'll probably be a year or two after that until they have everything sorted out I think.

You have to ask yourself sometimes "how long do you keep waiting for the next best??"

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

After building 2 Nissan 240's, a WRX, and an FRS, I've kind of grown tired of spending so much time and money building up cars. Also, I originally wanted an STI when I got the WRX, but there were none of available and I just talked myself out of it saying things like "I don't need 6 gears" "I don't need the DCCD" "I don't need brembo brakes". And yes, I don't NEED them, but after owning the WRX for 6 months, I started to regret settling for less. I decided to make sure that I got what I really wanted this time around. Color, trim, options etc.

The STI is something that I can keep pretty much stock for a good while and still be perfectly content. It already has nice wheels, good brakes, good suspension, nice interior etc. When I saw and drove the new WRX, I could instantly come up with like 10k in parts I wanted to add: Wheels/tires, brakes, shifter bushings, and other misc. items.

The new WRX is a BARGAIN and I still think it's actually better value than the STI. For under 30k, it's such a well rounded car and I'd recommend the WRX before recommending the STI to anybody honestly. Only reason why is because I know I want to keep mine mostly stock and just enjoy daily driving and occasional track days.

I'm moving back to California next month and WSIR is only 2 hours away from where I'll be. So, a simple brake pad and fluid change is all I'll be looking at doing in the near future.

That's actually precisely what we did with our WRX! Our reasoning was identical to yours, except in our case, it was "why get a STI when we're gonna effectively remove all the STI bits except the trans and diff?"

- BBK
- Coilovers
- LSDs
- J pipe + exhaust
- AP + Tune
- HIDs
- Upgraded oil cooler

For a bit under 10k, we have a completly innocent looking sleeper, minus the single exhaust.

I've debating putting the stock catback back on.

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

That's actually precisely what we did with our WRX! Our reasoning was identical to yours, except in our case, it was "why get a STI when we're gonna effectively remove all the STI bits except the trans and diff?"

- BBK
- Coilovers
- LSDs
- J pipe + exhaust
- AP + Tune
- HIDs
- Upgraded oil cooler

For a bit under 10k, we have a completly innocent looking sleeper, minus the single exhaust.

I've debating putting the stock catback back on.

Exactly!! Lol.

The WRX is a killer car, and gives so much bang for your buck. If I wanted something to modify heavily, I would have opted for the WRX most likely, but I just want something that I can leave alone and enjoy owning lol.

A lot of the stuff I've seen that I liked were all JDM or STI add ons. The front lip, strut brace, rear fog light etc. Just simple things.

I will probably add something like RCE yellow springs and a nice set of wheels though in the somewhat near future. No rush though as I actually really like the OEM wheels on this thing.

My first purchase I think is going to be paint correction and opticoat once I get to California. Probably a clear bra on the front half of the car too.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

Exactly!! Lol.

The WRX is a killer car, and gives so much bang for your buck. If I wanted something to modify heavily, I would have opted for the WRX most likely, but I just want something that I can leave alone and enjoy owning lol.

A lot of the stuff I've seen that I liked were all JDM or STI add ons. The front lip, strut brace, rear fog light etc. Just simple things.

I will probably add something like RCE yellow springs and a nice set of wheels though in the somewhat near future. No rush though as I actually really like the OEM wheels on this thing.

My first purchase I think is going to be paint correction and optical once I get to California. Probably a clear bra on the front half of the car too.

When you're out here, take a ride in our car before actually modding your STI. You may change your mind on a lot of things; we've had quite a few 2015 WRX/STIs come through.

[jflogerzi]

Compared to the FRS how much more comfortable and more importantly road noise compared to the new WRX's?

[thill]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Compared to the FRS how much more comfortable and more importantly road noise compared to the new WRX's?

It is more comfortable and quiet. But you sacrifice some driving feel and being connected to the car. If you jump from an FR-S into a WRX, they are very different cars in terms of the cockpit and amenities.

[EAGLE5]

Does the STI have a stronger transmission and differential?

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Compared to the FRS how much more comfortable and more importantly road noise compared to the new WRX's?

The WRX is noticeably more plush and quiet on the road. I have limited time in that car so I don't quite remember the road noise and comfort in detail.

The STI is more raw though, so the ride comfort and noise isn't as "luxurious" (for lack of a better word), however it's still more quiet and more comfortable than the FRS was.

Originally Posted by thill

It is more comfortable and quiet. But you sacrifice some driving feel and being connected to the car. If you jump from an FR-S into a WRX, they are very different cars in terms of the cockpit and amenities.

Yes. The WRX isn't as connected. The fantastic gearbox and hydraulic steering in the STI makes it quite a bit better though. The steering has a nice weight to it and is very quick.

The FRS is still the more driver connected chassis though, given the controls and size/weight.

[Veloist]

So for a long time I've wanted a BRZ/FR-S after selling mine in 2014. I started working last month and I'm in the market for either the BRZ or the WRX but I already know what I'm leaning toward more and why.

The WRX is a fantastic car for its price. Here are some of the characteristics of the WRX I like over the BRZ.

The clutch catch point:
The WRX has an amazing catch point feedback and it makes it easier to drive smoothly. The BRZ on the other hand, I can't really feel the bite. The BRZ's catch point is also much more higher. It took me 1 block to find the WRX's catch point and there was none of the "it'll take me a while to get used to the clutch" feeling. This is true for the both the WRX and STI.

The acceleration:
There's something about being pushed back a bit to your seat through the power of the car. It makes me giggle. That's all I'll say.

The sound:
I like the sound of the WRX better. There's a tamed growl that has a rough hum as if it's asking to be pushed to a roar. The BRZ has a raspy growl, but when the car is being pushed its like its telling you "I can't go any more."

Heavier steering:
This one is a little strange. When parking, the steering wheel is heavy from the start, I like this because it's like driving a car without power steering. The steering has great feel when cornering. The BRZ is might be more connected to the road, but the steering is a little lighter.

Here are the features I like about the BRZ.

The intimate interior:
Everything is close to you, and it feels like a cockpit. The interior fits me like a glove, and the seats are way better than those in the WRX because they hug me so much better and the bolsters are little more extended. WRX can't lay a finger on the BRZ in terms of interior intimacy.

Being low to the ground:
Despite having the same ground clearance, the BRZ allows you to sit low to the ground. It's a unique feeling and when paired with the desirable intimacy of the interior, it's what makes those who love to drive appreciate it.

Forward visibility:
Sitting in the driver's seat and seeing through the wide windshield and seeing the two wheel arches is a key, signature characteristic for these cars. It makes me more focused on the road, thus more connected. Can't get that feeling in the WRX because basically there's too much head room.

Notchy gearbox with short throws:
Another signature element discussed from the birth of these cars. It makes me feel so connected to the transmission and thus the whole car. Shifts are fast and the feeling of putting the car into any gear is so rewarding when it clicks into gear.

That feeling:
When you do a 90 degree turn in the city, or tackle a hairpin, and everything you expect to happen (the approach, entrance, and exit), happens. The car is FUN to control, and part of that is because there's not too much power going into the wheels that forces you to take it easier because you're on public roads.

So the thing is, I would own both if I could. The one I would own first if I had an opportunity to own today, tomorrow, or next week...would be the WRX.

The number one reason why is because I'd like to get a car I can have fun in almost all the time. When it rains or I have 4 people with me, I don't have to leave the BRZ at home. That's the number reason why.

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Does the STI have a stronger transmission and differential?

STI has a MUCH stronger transmission/drivetrain. It's pretty much bulletproof, provided you aren't retarded and try running 50:50 lock everywhere on your daily commute.

Also, the wrx has open front and rear differentials paired with a viscous center differential. The STI uses a helical front differential and a Torsen rear differential paired to an electronically controlled center differential (DCCD)