Being a kid again: A WRX, and the moding/tuning culture.

STiguy

Sorry for the late reply, I am a big subaru guy and have owned tons. You are spot on with your analysis. I have had 3 STis and a ONE WRX

I ordered a 2016 STi new in what was (back then) considered the purest spec. Zero options except for the performance exhaust upgrade. I passed on the short shift kit because the standard STI trans was great and I didn't trust the port to correctly install it after seeing a friend who had a WRX months prior have port installed options fail.

That was my first. I only had driven old (stock) Mitsubishi Evo's prior so during my time with the STi......well let's just say I was disappointed being I waited my whole life to get the STi....and I knew something was off

Fast Forward a few years later I got an 05 All stock besides a day 1 installed HKS catalogue exhaust (Catback) and my 2016 STi I bought new was gone. I got the 05 dropped off on a Sunday evening and by Friday at 9am the 2016 was traded in. Not even kidding...it's that big of a difference. Additionally Data readings a track rat friend took for me out of my own curiosity (I don't beat my cars) found the 05 to be substantially faster in all high way and low gear acceleration testing.

I could write a book, but I am one of the more knowledgeable people regarding these STis - to the point where some of the newer US Subaru corp management contact me with questions and inquiries on my thoughts - on a fairly regular basis. We have met at some of the big Subaru shows and remained friendly since.

In Late 2007 Subaru gave the contract to a new piston supplier....so the reliability and ringland punching bag jokes the car world throws on Subaru's is near 100% due to that. Most 08s to 09s had seriously defective engines. Emissions required changes that started in late 06 and where very bad by 08 MYs caused the engines to become ticking time bombs when modified....anyways

04-07s are the best , and the 05-06s are the pick of the bunch from a performance perspective. They just are true rally cars for the road that do everything you expect them to and are more of a raw drivers car.

Don't ever drive a 03-06 Evo that is stock or well sorted. It will ruin you! They are unbelievable cars.

impalla62ss

I have a '22 do you have any experience or knowledge of the short shift mod?

chichi

was always jealous of the WRXs

we peons back in the day had the Mazda 323 AWD

Flatfoot

Way late to this party… but here goes.
I bought an ‘04 STI new in late 2003 when they first arrived at the dealer’s showrooms. I finally found a deal at MSRP, whereas many dealers were asking for a significant premium over MSRP, which I simply wouldn’t accept. The car was blue with silver wheels, and I was blown away by them being delivered with what effectively was R compound tires.

First track day with the STI was at Lime Rock in March of ‘04, and it was a day with both dry and wet sessions. My STI was the only one there. I quickly took to its driving dynamics and had a blast on the circuit, which was just about ideal for the STI. By ideal I mean that Lime Rock is fairly tight and somewhat technical, and with only one long-ish front straight where the higher HP cars could get by. In the wet, there weren’t many faster cars at that early date.

The stock STI’s secret weapon was its cornering ability. You could dial out any 4WD corner entry understeer by entering the corner fast and trail braking right down to the apex. The car reacted so well to that. Then its ability to slingshot from the apex out with all four corners scratching and growling for traction was a revelation for me. Still makes me smile today.

Niko, I took my STI in a very different direction from what you are planning. I made no mods to the car aside from better brake pads, tire changes and frequent fluid changes. Nothing. Instead I decided to devote any upgrade dollars being considered to doing more track days. I guess you could say I was developing the nut that holds the wheel (smile).

A set of dedicated Blizzack tires/ wheels for winter driving made the car nearly unstoppable in anything up to bumper height snow. Truly a rally car for the street.

I drove 30 odd track days at numerous circuits in the 3 years I owned the car. Fond memories of the STI, for sure. I then traded it in on an ‘06 Evo IX MR, the Subie’s arch rival. I got a great residual value on the Evo deal, with the STI being unmodified, even after disclosing it was track driven.

Below a photo of me and my oldest son in the STI at Pocono East in July of 2005. I was giving him all my speed secrets id learned. In my mind’s eye, I can still see that hood scoop wiggling about as it was driven hard.

Flatfoot

Way late to this party… but here goes.
I bought an ‘04 STI new in late 2003 when they first arrived at the dealer’s showrooms. I finally found a deal at MSRP, whereas many dealers were asking for a significant premium over MSRP, which I simply wouldn’t accept. The car was blue with silver wheels, and I was blown away by them being delivered with what effectively was R compound tires.

First track day with the STI was at Lime Rock in March of ‘04, and it was a day with both dry and wet sessions. My STI was the only one there. I quickly took to its driving dynamics and had a blast on the circuit, which was just about ideal for the STI. By ideal I mean that Lime Rock is fairly tight and somewhat technical, and with only one long-ish front straight where the higher HP cars could get by. In the wet, there weren’t many faster cars at that early date.

The stock STI’s secret weapon was its cornering ability. You could dial out any 4WD corner entry understeer by entering the corner fast and trail braking right down to the apex. The car reacted so well to that. Then its ability to slingshot from the apex out with all four corners scratching and growling for traction was a revelation for me. Still makes me smile today.

Niko, I took my STI in a very different direction from what you are planning. I made no mods to the car aside from better brake pads, tire changes and frequent fluid changes. Nothing. Instead I decided to devote any upgrade dollars being considered to doing more track days. I guess you could say I was developing the nut that holds the wheel (smile).

A set of dedicated Blizzack tires/ wheels for winter driving made the car nearly unstoppable in anything up to bumper height snow. Truly a rally car for the street.

I drove 30 odd track days at numerous circuits in the 3 years I owned the car. Fond memories of the STI, for sure. I then traded it in on an ‘06 Evo IX MR, the Subie’s arch rival. I got a great residual value on the Evo deal, with the STI being unmodified, even after disclosing it was track driven.

Below a photo of me and my oldest son in the STI at Pocono East in July of 2005. I was giving him all my speed secrets id learned. In my mind’s eye, I can still see that hood scoop wiggling about as it was driven hard.