Topic: Test Drive: 2014 Subaru WRX STI Tsurugi Edition

[CanuckS2K]

What wrong with the STI's interior?

1. Cheap hard plastics that creek and rattle during temperature and humidity changes.
2. Worst audio system ever.
3. Low quality materials.
4. Average seats for a performance car.
5. Dated styling.

I haven't listened to the STi's audio system, but I always thought that the S2000's was the worst ever. 

[Snowman]

What wrong with the STI's interior?

1. Cheap hard plastics that creek and rattle during temperature and humidity changes.
2. Worst audio system ever.
3. Low quality materials.
4. Average seats for a performance car.
5. Dated styling.

I haven't listened to the STi's audio system, but I always thought that the S2000's was the worst ever.

The S2000 is bad but the STi was brutal.

[rrocket]

I haven't listened to the STi's audio system, but I always thought that the S2000's was the worst ever.

I drove an S2000 with speakers in the headrest.  Sounded OK.

Is that an option or is it aftermarket?

[CanuckS2K]

I haven't listened to the STi's audio system, but I always thought that the S2000's was the worst ever.

I drove an S2000 with speakers in the headrest.  Sounded OK.

Is that an option or is it aftermarket?

I don't have the headrest speakers, but they are OEM. 

[rrocket]

I haven't listened to the STi's audio system, but I always thought that the S2000's was the worst ever.

I drove an S2000 with speakers in the headrest.  Sounded OK.

Is that an option or is it aftermarket?

I don't have the headrest speakers, but they are OEM.

Oh ok..that must make quite a bit of difference having the speakers by your head with the top down...

[CanuckS2K]

I haven't listened to the STi's audio system, but I always thought that the S2000's was the worst ever.

I drove an S2000 with speakers in the headrest.  Sounded OK.

Is that an option or is it aftermarket?

I don't have the headrest speakers, but they are OEM.

Oh ok..that must make quite a bit of difference having the speakers by your head with the top down...

Even though the audio system in the S2000 sucks @ss, it's never bothered me as I typically have the music off entirely.  If I was driving the new IS350 or Q50 and the sound system sound like that it would be a different story.  I've considered upgrading all of the speakers in my S2000 (including the headrest speakers), but after thinking, it's just not that important to me in this type of car. 

[Threader]

What other car on the market now offers similar performance and practicality for that price (aside form its evil shadow twin Evo)?

then again, perhaps that's a sign of demand... just not that many people in this market - most of them are jumping over to 320i xDrives and A4 quattros...

Yeah, but going from a STi/Evo to an A4 or 320i is like saying Im sick of this tequila, I think I will have some of this grape drink. I dont know of anyone I know whos has a WRX/STi/Evo who would be looking at some weaksauce Euro status mobile.

+1 Especially if you've tweaked it 50% Mo Pow

[PJ]

The lack of refinement was the cause of my divorce with the WRX/STi after 10 years. I would of happily paid $50k for an STi with some upscale features and an interior. Going down scale never is a good strategy in the end IMO.

I think going upscale would be a mistake. The whole point of the WRX is it's a tough little economy car with race car hardware.   It's not meant to be an Audi, BMW or other old mans car. 

It does need updating though.  I think they should keep the legend alive by dropping a few hundred pounds and adding about 100hp for the WRX and 200hp for the STi.    It needs to be the dream car for young people again.

[rrocket]

^^So a 505 HP STI??   

[Snowman]

The lack of refinement was the cause of my divorce with the WRX/STi after 10 years. I would of happily paid $50k for an STi with some upscale features and an interior. Going down scale never is a good strategy in the end IMO.

I think going upscale would be a mistake. The whole point of the WRX is it's a tough little economy car with race car hardware.   It's not meant to be an Audi, BMW or other old mans car. 

It does need updating though.  I think they should keep the legend alive by dropping a few hundred pounds and adding about 100hp for the WRX and 200hp for the STi.    It needs to be the dream car for young people again.

I don't disagree with what you are saying but you can add refinement to the STi without additional weight. Providing options or a more upscale model would attract more potential buyers.

[PJ]

^^So a 505 HP STI??   

Why not?   The STi is the extreme version and 305 HP just isn't extreme these days.  I see no reason why you can't get that kind of power from a turbo 2.5 when your charging $40k for a compact car.

[Snowman]

^^So a 505 HP STI??   

Why not?   The STi is the extreme version and 305 HP just isn't extreme these days.  I see no reason why you can't get that kind of power from a turbo 2.5 when your charging $40k for a compact car.

I think 350-370 for $50k is the right answer. Pushing a 2.5l beyond that is going to be a challenge from a reliability and cost prospective.

[PJ]

^^So a 505 HP STI??   

Why not?   The STi is the extreme version and 305 HP just isn't extreme these days.  I see no reason why you can't get that kind of power from a turbo 2.5 when your charging $40k for a compact car.

I think 350-370 for $50k is the right answer. Pushing a 2.5l beyond that is going to be a challenge from a reliability and cost prospective.

Nah. Not enough power.  $50k is too much money for that amount of power in an economy car.  They need to try harder.

[rrocket]

^^So a 505 HP STI??   

Why not?   The STi is the extreme version and 305 HP just isn't extreme these days.  I see no reason why you can't get that kind of power from a turbo 2.5 when your charging $40k for a compact car.

I think 350-370 for $50k is the right answer. Pushing a 2.5l beyond that is going to be a challenge from a reliability and cost prospective.

Nah. Not enough power.  $50k is too much money for that amount of power in an economy car.  They need to try harder.

Well even with that meager 305HP, it's about as quick to 60 as cars with much, much more power.

That being said...I was in a tuned EvoX...just a flash and exhaust mind you...and it was incredible.  It was the 380HP kit from Vishnu.  0-60 in 3.9 seconds.

[Snowman]

^^So a 505 HP STI??   

Why not?   The STi is the extreme version and 305 HP just isn't extreme these days.  I see no reason why you can't get that kind of power from a turbo 2.5 when your charging $40k for a compact car.

I think 350-370 for $50k is the right answer. Pushing a 2.5l beyond that is going to be a challenge from a reliability and cost prospective.

Nah. Not enough power.  $50k is too much money for that amount of power in an economy car.  They need to try harder.

Never see that amount of HP from 2.5 offered by the factory for under $50k. Dream on.

[rrocket]

Never see that amount of HP from 2.5 offered by the factory for under $50k. Dream on.

Yea...that's why I was laughing at the 505HP STI.

[johngenx]

The internals required for production level reliability of 400hp from 2.5L are expensive.  We're not talking about building a modded "might blow up" engine, but one that can handily make 200K while being driven like it was stolen.  Then we need a driveline that can handle it.  And the chassis.  And so on.

[PJ]

You're all trying so hard to think of why you can't do it and not how to do it.  You would all do very well in big companies. 

350 would be fine from the regular WRX but the STi needs more wow.  Much more.  Just because the turbo engine they put in regular people movers doesn't make that kind of power doesn't mean a premium car like the STi can't have one. 

I think Suburu can do it but likely they won't try either.  The competition doesn't have that much power so why should we?   What's the point in trying to be better?

[rrocket]

You're all trying so hard to think of why you can't do it and not how to do it.  You would all do very well in big companies. 

350 would be fine from the regular WRX but the STi needs more wow.  Much more.  Just because the turbo engine they put in regular people movers doesn't make that kind of power doesn't mean a premium car like the STi can't have one. 

I think Suburu can do it but likely they won't try either.  The competition doesn't have that much power so why should we?   What's the point in trying to be better?

Some of us (like me) work in automotive engineering.  Some of us (like me) have built crazy engines.  Some of us DO know what we're talking about, believe it or not.  I mean...hey...I'm all for you thinking big.  And I'd love to buy a car with the specs you're tossing around.  I think it's great.

But you want to have a car that's 500+ HP and that the kids can still think of as their dream car?  Oh..and for no more than $50K.  With a nice interior.  And an AWD system and driveline that can stand up to such power and the abuse that will come with it.  With full warranty, of course.  And that will last beyond the warranty (hopefully).

Sure, it can be done.  But not for $50K, that's for sure.

Please share with me how it can be done since you seem to have the answers.  I'm all ears, and I'm always eager to further my knowledge in engineering.

[Threader]

No way 505 HP! Most don't even know how to handle 305 responsibly 

Anyhow to go higher than 400 reliably with only 2.5 liters and 4 cylinders you are not going to do it with cast pistons. Subaru would never use forged pistons so as everyone is saying dream on.