ISF vs new WRX STI
#31
#32
This particular WRX has slightly built block (pistons, rods, bearings, reworked heads and valvetrain), a bigger turbo, and a 6MT swap as the major stuff. These engines are incredibly easy to build up and it's astounding how much power they'll hold once you build them up just a little bit. All things considered, it's pretty dang cheap for the performance in return. All in (including the car), he's in for around $25K.
9.5@151mph, 1.56 60 foot
9.5@151mph, 1.56 60 foot
#33
That thing would suck *** to daily drive in traffic compared the luxury of a Lexus. Actually, with the exhaust straight out of the turbo it would not be passing any emissions test so no bueno on daily driver in most large cities, plus one piece of road debris and kiss that impeller goodbye.
#37
#39
#41
Luxury
While the STI is a blast to drive( my brother had one and I seriously contemplated getting one), I love having the combination of an absolute animal as well as a luxury cruiser.. When my father first rode in the IS-F his first words describing it was "executive barge meets hooligan hotrod." that sums up perfection in my book.
Yes the Sti might be nimble but at the end of the day it's really about what you want to feel when you get in the car. A boy racer/rigid ride or a little more subdued sleeper with that level of panache and luxury.
Yes the Sti might be nimble but at the end of the day it's really about what you want to feel when you get in the car. A boy racer/rigid ride or a little more subdued sleeper with that level of panache and luxury.
#42
I don't want to make it seem like I am posting this just because I am plugging our RR-Racing/Penske coilovers... BUT, comparing stock for stock, certainly the STi will feel like a much more nimble car, but the ISF benefits much more from suspension tuning than the STi. Our RRR/Penske setup combined with our USRS **Transforms** the car like nothing else. It becomes more precise, more balanced, and more fun than an STi.
Only disadvantage of an ISF is the lack fo manual tranny.
Rafi
Only disadvantage of an ISF is the lack fo manual tranny.
Rafi
upgrade to 042 steering ECU! Had suspension mods (coil overs, LCA bushing from figs, sold links in rear, all together)
even with mods (and tire and wheel upgrade ) steering felt artificial and numb.
042 steering ECU on my 2010 (stock model is 040) steering is a revelation!! Direct, immediate, no numbness, EXCELLENT FEEL AND FEEBACK.
had all the suspension mods and the OLD ECU largely MASKED THE FEEL OF the improvements.
only whith the new steering ECU could I realize and FEEL the benefit to steering that all the suspension mods had wrought.
if you mod suspension and you have an 08-11 this is MUST DO MOD, if you want to enjoy what the car is really capable of.
#43
I had a brand new 06 STI that I took from stock, all the way to 530whp on Dyno Dynamics dynamometer and it wasn't anything as some would say that all you need is Turbo and Engine to get it above 400whp. You need to consider tons of other supporting mods. IC, Injectors, Fuel Pump, Cooling then you might start running into backpressure issues, so headers, uppipe etc. etc. it was never ending. I loved the car and actually wife shed a tear when I was selling it, but at that power level, it was nothing like the ISF. It's a money pit! Also it helps a lot if you learn how to ECU Tune, that'll save you lots of time and money.
Maybe one reason why I left Evo and STI scene was because of never ending modding bug and lust for more power, but it was getting pricey quick, going to a race track I'd be afraid for IC pipes blowing off or something else going bad, I would haul tons of tools with me to allow me to quickly service it if something non-major happened. Stock suspension was also meh and without any nannys it wasn't very forgivable car on the track.
I moved on to ISF and the V8. I like instant throttle response, I love the reliability factor and that I don't need to worry about it when I track it. All in all, I would probably not get a new WRX/STI, but get a 04-10 WRX/STI hopefully cheap and leave it for the winter fun as the STI, especially with Locked Diff and Blizzaks was a tank in the snow.
Maybe one reason why I left Evo and STI scene was because of never ending modding bug and lust for more power, but it was getting pricey quick, going to a race track I'd be afraid for IC pipes blowing off or something else going bad, I would haul tons of tools with me to allow me to quickly service it if something non-major happened. Stock suspension was also meh and without any nannys it wasn't very forgivable car on the track.
I moved on to ISF and the V8. I like instant throttle response, I love the reliability factor and that I don't need to worry about it when I track it. All in all, I would probably not get a new WRX/STI, but get a 04-10 WRX/STI hopefully cheap and leave it for the winter fun as the STI, especially with Locked Diff and Blizzaks was a tank in the snow.
#45
I recently drove the WRX STI while in the process of buying a car. It was certainly fast, had a manual transmission, but all I could hear was very loud road noise on the test drive. Turned me off. On top of that it looks like a 12 year-old designed it For 38-40K it looks cheap and I'd really rather keep my ISF.