Topic: First Drive: 2011 Subaru WRX & WRX STI

[HeliDriver]

At first I thought nobody in their right mind would buy a 2011 STI with all the upgrades the regular WRX got for 2011, but on closer inspection it seems like the STI's extra little tweaks have made for a much improved car. Maybe Subaru has finally got the STI's handling dialed to where it can compete with the Lancer Evo?

And I've also heard many positive things about the STI's six-speed gear box. The advantage isn't so much the extra cog, but rather the improved throws and feel overall.

[HeliDriver]

FYI - for all the bad flak the STi has received for it's handling feel, it did beat the Evo (the one we get here not the 350HP one) around the Top Gear Test Track.......

I guess you're thinking of this test: http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-evo-x-vs-wrx-sti_169396.htm ?

Wow. That wasn't flak the STI was taking for its handling -  that was an all-out nuclear attack!

[JB]

The '11 WRX looks great but as usual Subaru Canada has overpriced it compared to the U.S. models. The U.S. 5 dr Premium (middle model in the U.S) is listed at $27,995 plus $720 for delivery. The Cdn. 5 dr is listed at $33,395 (not sure if delivery is included) - why the big difference? And why is the 5dr $900 Cdn more than the 4dr?
I'll be looking for a WRX next year and a trip to Buffalo, NY may be well worth the savings provided the warranty will be not be an issue.

I currently drive an '08 Jetta GLI. The VW dealer (no warranty issues) installed a Revo chip for $600 that provides a very satisfying increase of approx. 50 HP and 50 ft. lbs. of torque.

[rrocket]

The '11 WRX looks great but as usual Subaru Canada has overpriced it compared to the U.S. models. The U.S. 5 dr Premium (middle model in the U.S) is listed at $27,995 plus $720 for delivery. The Cdn. 5 dr is listed at $33,395 (not sure if delivery is included) - why the big difference? And why is the 5dr $900 Cdn more than the 4dr?
I'll be looking for a WRX next year and a trip to Buffalo, NY may be well worth the savings provided the warranty will be not be an issue.

I currently drive an '08 Jetta GLI. The VW dealer (no warranty issues) installed a Revo chip for $600 that provides a very satisfying increase of approx. 50 HP and 50 ft. lbs. of torque.

So what's your point?

VW is guilty of the SAME thing.  In USA, Jetta starts at $17,735.  In Canada, $22,175.

And you can chip a WRX too.

Your point, again??

[johngenx]

The press has forgotten the pricing issue, so no makes are dropping Canadian prices.  Toyota dropped the price of the 2009 Corolla pretty dramatically in Canada compared to the 2008, but has slowly been increasing it, increasing the Can/US gap again.  Subaru Canada basically told consumers to pound sand and pony up if you're Canadian.  It's one reason we've never bought a new Subaru.

[Spec5]

The press has forgotten the pricing issue, so no makes are dropping Canadian prices.  Toyota dropped the price of the 2009 Corolla pretty dramatically in Canada compared to the 2008, but has slowly been increasing it, increasing the Can/US gap again.  Subaru Canada basically told consumers to pound sand and pony up if you're Canadian.  It's one reason we've never bought a new Subaru.

I'm sorry I might have missed it but how exactly is Subaru a worse offender than other manf. for the whole US/CAN pricing issue?

[JSCC]

Pricing was about 1:1.4 when the Canadian $ first hit par back in 2008?
Now the prices have came down to around 1:1.2 with the Tribeca still at 1:1.3

[PlanB]

  It's one reason we've never bought a new Subaru.

It is the reason why I bought a used Subaru.

Seriously, every manufacturer has different pricing, Subaru is no better/worse. 

[johngenx]

Subaru is not the worst, never said that.  There are a bunch of reasons why we have bought one new car in the last 13 years...

1. The pricing of the Freight/PDI charges has been going up by huge amounts constantly, and adds a significant cost to the car.  $1500-over $2000?  Get real.  The charge for our Corolla was $1100 (now something like $1500...!) which was right on the edge of what I was willing to pay.

2. Thanks to inflated pricing in Canada, our depreciation is huge.  Canadians just don't buy $30K used cars, so most $25K+ cars fall in value ridiculously fast.  Used Subarus are a bargain compared to new thanks to that.  If a Forester was $22K to start instead of $29K, it would hold its value better.  The Corolla, in 2009, was priced very aggressively (close to US, actually), meaning low depreciation.   Okay, it makes more sense financially to buy used, but in this case, we take a smaller hit buying new.

3. "Document fees."  $400-$1000 I have to pay to buy from you?  the right off!!  The Toyota dealer had no such fees, and it was another reason why we decided to buy new with the Corolla.  The Honda dealer shows me an $18K Civic that has $1500 in PDI and $500 in doc fees, and suddenly it's a $20K car plus taxes.  That is over 10% on top of the $18K.  Yeah, I know, concentrate on the "out the door" price, but I HATE starting from a much higher position.  Everyone pays more, that's the way it is.

[toolatecrew]

The press has forgotten the pricing issue, so no makes are dropping Canadian prices.  Toyota dropped the price of the 2009 Corolla pretty dramatically in Canada compared to the 2008, but has slowly been increasing it, increasing the Can/US gap again.  Subaru Canada basically told consumers to pound sand and pony up if you're Canadian.  It's one reason we've never bought a new Subaru.

I'm sorry I might have missed it but how exactly is Subaru a worse offender than other manf. for the whole US/CAN pricing issue?

honestly I have not gone model fvor model and looked at how subaru compares overall to others. BUT I do understand why its particularly irksome on the WRX.

The cheapest WRX in the US works out to 26 157 (Canadian).  That is actually CHEAPER by a few $100 than a 2.5i Limited in Canada. In the US one of the fastest Sport compacts out there (probaly the fastest) with AWD is available for the same price as a mid line economy car in Canada.

In Canada the cheapest WRX is 32495. We are talking nearly a 25% difference. We are talking about going from the mid 20k market to the 30K plus market. Frankley that's just too big a jump to justify in any way.

From my perspective I would easily stretch another 2K or so over what I paid for my used GTI to get a 2011 WRX ..that's how small the price difference is due to Subaru Canada's stranglehold on the Canadian market.

[lebowski]

Despite Subaru's irksome past pricing antics, one must give them credit for how they've priced the 2011 STI sedan: just $1600 more than a loaded WRX. That's a screaming deal, and a record low for an STi, if memory serves. Then again, as someone else mentioned, who buys these cars new, anyway? Harsh as this sounds, if you insist on buying a new Subie, then you deserve to get hosed a little

[DockMan]

Harsh as this sounds, if you insist on buying a new Subie, then you deserve to get hosed a little

 

[lebowski]

Harsh as this sounds, if you insist on buying a new Subie, then you deserve to get hosed a little

 

Really, no offense was meant - of course I wouldn't wish for anyone to actually get hosed. Let me rephrase my previous post: Subaru's are so reliable and so well-built, that it makes sense to save some dough and buy one that's been lightly used, as one would still be assured a reliable and problem-free car.

[DockMan]

I'm just messing with you. My purchase decisions are not, in any way, dependent on your opinions, and I see your point.

[lebowski]

I'm just messing with you. My purchase decisions are not, in any way, dependent on your opinions, and I see your point.

Of course, I wouldn't begin to imagine anyone's purchase decisions are based on my opinions, thanks. Hope you enjoy your WRX.

[saint_satan]

I prefer the out-going styling but I seem to be saying that a lot these days about almost everything.  I must be getting old.

By-the-By - I was watching a guy on You Tube change the plugs on the 2.5 H4.  Definitely not for the casual do-it-yourselfer.  The battery, windshield washer reservoir, breather and a whole lot of stuff came off before you could even try and get at the ignition coils.

I do the plugs on my Jeep 4.0 and my wife’s civic and I wouldn’t even attempt it for the Subie.

Great ride though - an all-season sports car.  Truly one of a kind.

The worst offender for U.S - Canada price differential is probably Suzuki.  Runner up on freight charges goes to Toyota.  Subies have been pretty decently priced this last model year.

[huota]

Apparently, the sedan is much more torsionally rigid than the hatchback, which has enabled the lower rear suspension, thicker sway bars, harder strut etc. mounting points and stiffer suspension. Result: less understeer. I think the sedan will prove to be a big improvement over the "old" design.

[safristi]

...How is it that each year ALL CARS.....are stiffer (Torsionally Rigid!!!)..by now they ALL should be BLOCKS of GRANITE............i don't BUY IT,,,,,or the E Mails for such products.....

[Spec5]

...How is it that each year ALL CARS.....are stiffer (Torsionally Rigid!!!)..by now they ALL should be BLOCKS of GRANITE............i don't BUY IT,,,,,or the E Mails for such products.....

lol so true - they must have been made out of noddles 10 years ago.

[Roy]

Apologies for posting on an older thread but I am debating between the WRX or STI.  I don't think the Ltd is worth what you get on the WRX so the difference for me is the $5500 difference between the base WRX and STI.  DCCD, brake system, wheels, and +power worth it?  DCCD = more long-term maintenance headaches? 

Is the daily (non-track) driving experience of the STI better than a WRX?  I am thinking not.

In terms of price both are priced very well, but Subaru Canada gets it back in the interest rate.

Tough for the EVO MR to now compare in Canada being priced +$10k more than the STI.  The GSR is also priced equivalent to the top level STI.  Given both companies interest rates and the styling in and out for both are close to par for me, either EVO is looking very over priced on paper.