2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi review
June 14, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi spec. R review & road test
“I’m not that interested in what the WRX/STi purists think about the new WRX STI. They as a group do not like change. The 2008 weapons grade STi Spec.R is probably the most complete performance package for under $65,000 bar none”
Model Tested:
- 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi spec. R – $64,990 (RRP)
Performance, handling, brakes, Recaro seats, new looks (Anthony)
New looks (Alborz), lack of exhaust note, no option for DSG style gearbox
CarAdvice Rating: 
by - Anthony Crawford & Alborz Fallah – Photography by Anthony Crawford
Anthony - When I planted my right foot into the throttle of the first Subaru WRX I ever drove, back in 1994, I would have done back flips, had I had the talent to perform such physical manoeuvres. I didn’t, so I just smiled – a lot.
But then I got busy with work and ended up with an SV5000, the first Australian sedan to have 200kW under the bonnet. It was a great car, but it didn’t go around corners like a WRX.
Some years later Subaru started preparing ‘super’ versions of the WRX in the guise of the WRX STi. Now, this was a car I aspired to, but the price increase of around $20,000 over a standard REX, meant that I had to either get a new job, or sell our home (unit actually).
Again, fate stepped in, and I was offered a mint 1981 Porsche 3.0 911SC, for less than a song. Still no STi but then, that was probably a good thing, given the car’s impending dark times.
Subaru’s finest tarmac weapon, had risen to newfound notoriety, as the best getaway vehicle ever made. The “Ram Raiders” as they were known, endorsed the WRX STi, with more successful escapes than the police had cars.
It’s also the reason I had lost interest in acquiring what I considered the Holy Grail of affordable super cars. Chances are, you would be pulled over by the boys in blue, every time you took the car out for a drive. That’s something I didn’t need.
Crash cut to 2008. Some would argue that Subaru have gone way too pedestrian with the design of the new WRX. Not me. It’s a hatch, so it’s got practicality on its side and performance wise, its still a very quick car, into and out of corners.
Tags: Subaru Impreza WRX, Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Just as a side note. Having had the chance to drive the Spec.R STi and Audi S3 around a race track, the S3 feels far more sorted and composed.
The power delivery is far more civil and it feels more purposeful at the limits.
The STi is an impressive car though, but I think there’s better out there for around the same price. We also also yet to see the Evo X – which I’m sure will ruffle a few feathers.
I bet the S3 wasn’t nearly as fast though, it goes without saying.
You pay premiums for the name and expensive interior.
I’ve got no problem with the looks of the STi, until the price is mentioned. I guess I’m getting old. I just want something that looks different to a hotted up cheap car when spending 3x the money.
I think I’d take the S3 for that reason alone. I don’t mind if it’s a fraction slower.
I’d definitely have the Audi S3
I was reading about it in motor recently, and they were criticising the way it looked… which may be the case, if the a3 hatches were common, but how it is, it looks european, have a brilliant interior, and good all around dynamics.
I still wouldn’t pay 70,000 for a hatchback though.
The STi is too xpensive
OK….OK….this looks good! hmmmm…decision time…??
good review, the question is will there be a proper sedan variant in the near future…
nice car though i’d get the MY06 over the MY08.
Whos Skoda Roomster in the background is that?
Anthony and Alborz, great review.
The styling is definitely an improvement over the cooking version WRX.
Totally agree with the R-spec being the weapon of choice – the BBS rims definitely suit the car, while Subaru’s 5 spoke rims come up short – they simply do not. Yet to test the difference in seats, so ill take your word for it.
I think the anti launch policy would be revised if you increased the launch point to about 6000 rpm!
BMWsauberF1 – Subi already do a 4 door WRX variant for the American market – I cant see why this could not be modified by Sti in the same way the hatchback is.
ill take a mkv R32. over a S3 ! STI looks cheap. $70000 what a joke.
Its main rival; the new Lancer EVO MR appears to offer alot more for your money -not to mention the more agressive sportier looks of the Mitsy
Stop complaining about the lack of the pathetic out of sync boxer sound from the wrx sti. a balanced boxer shouldn’t sound as thrumpy as the old model does with the poxy aftermarket exhausts that everyone seems to fit to their cars. the new model is such a leap forward from the old one if only in this regard.
a good motor will always sound balanced and sing – like V8’s from the aston, Maserati,Ferrari and surprisingly the cobra v8 302 and the merc 6.2amg motor.
boxers that are balanced that sound great are the porsches and worked air cooled (not standard) vee dub motors.
the tuning of the exhausts is critical and the firing sequence must be balanced to make the motors sound great.
I believe that these things were changed on the last model liberty and the current impressa to balance and make the motors sound potentially beter and run smoother. they can also be tuned to be quieter to be more refined and also pass restrictive sound legislation that cars all over the world must now pass.
Whilst the sti is a leap forward i think i would still buy an audi s3 in preference if only for the sheer class of its interior and potentially better resale.
It looks ok but is too expensive for me.
A nice car but really going to struggle against the knockout blow of the 135i priced at $71,000 and substantially quicker and more upmarket.
I just can’t wait till the first time some would be boy racer in their STI/EVO/S3/Grey Import lines me up at the lights and thinks to himself, watch me fry dad,mum and the kids in their family sedan, only to be shown a clean pair of heels(unless they are dropping the clutch at 5000revs and really know how to drive)by me, mum & the kids in our new automatic G6E Turbo. The game really has changed, hasn’t it.
Joe, you dont even need a Turbo to do it, most of them don’t know how to change gears properly!
I dont think anything has been posted on this website about the MY08 wrx sedan unless i might have missed it. I’d never seen what the sedan looks like so I googled it, and I have to say i was shocked by what i saw. It was almost as if i was starring at the rear end of a daewoo lanos… poor effort by Subi
as most said, the 70K price tag is the ONLY knock back.
Euro models you do know Australians pay the extra 5k for the badge.
Yes, nice cars, but overpriced also.
but if the STi was around 55K… it wouldnt be a contest….
Id take the STi over the EVO X anyday… heck the EVO IX over the X also.. just for its raw-ness..
i would consider spending a little extra for the bmw 135i. if maintenance cost of the evo10 and the bmw135i is about the same.
i think the evo10 looks more mature than the sti. it just does.
I am beggining to prefer this over the boy racer previous version but i’d rather spwnd my money on something else. Its to impractical for me.
Good review CA. Whens the video stuff gonna happen.
Iam on Aborz’s side 100% on a negative look. You can tweak and pump out the guards but the pure DNA (i.e. the look on eye) is still bland and unsporty as too Camry and plain! Stuns me how some dont see this!
Adam. The 135i will cost you substantially more than 71K to drive away. Secondly, where do you get substantially quicker. It would struggle against the STi. And you are comparing a 2 door coupe to a 4 door sedan.
Joe. Mate have you being twiddling your fingers along a dashboard? You are in dream land if you think your Bord G6E turbo old-man-matic will do anything to this vehicle at anything, much less the lights – with or without a clutch being dumped. Don’t even try and compare handling characteristics. The G6E is nice and soft, just like their drivers. Save yourself the embarrassment. Nothing has changed. Ford and Holden continue to struggle.
I agree with Alborz that teh STi looks somewhat boring. I agree that the Mitsu Evo X has a far more aggressive look. The Audi S3 and BMW 135i are two doors with the impracticality that brings for some people. The interior of the STi is a disappointment, esp for the price.
However, the practicality of the STi four door hatch is undeniable and for those with occasional family duties. Drop those rear seats and you have loads of room if you need to carry a bigger load from time to time. Then take it up the old Pacific Hwy for a fang. Not to mention that you could actually take this car to a race track of a weekend and not look the complete dill. For mine, that and the Subaru badge, definitely gives it the edge over the Mitsu and for practicality it beats most other cars to which it has been compared.
As good as it may be it still looks like a $15K Daewoo from 1998.
Are car has to look at least half decent
Looks is good. As others have said price is the killer… for every car in Australia really, but even more so for this vehicle. What do they go for in American… like $45k or something!?
For US$45K in the USA you can get a 335i Coupe… We pay AUD$110K.
For US$70K you can get an M3 with the works… We pay AUD$160K with an options list.
Flying High you obviously haven’t done much drag racing have you. In a straight line there are plenty of cars (with less power and slower recorded mag times) which would eat the STi. Don’t embarrass yourself by making dumb doof doof boy comments. It’s about how an engine makes it’s power and where the torque lays. These engines have proven to be weak and make bugger all under 4000 rpm. Most Magna’s would see off an STi at the lights unless you do a 6,000 rpm dump. How many 6,000 rpm dumps will this subby take before somethings gives? 2 or 3? Put your money where your mouth is, buy an STi for $70K on road and start dumping the clutch like that just to get a 5.5sec to 100K’s time. The GE6 Turbo A6 does low 5’s all down long without breaking a sweat or anything else on the car you moron.
Back to the STi itself. The interior is crap. Little European hatches under $30K have a better looking, feeling and functioning interior than this thing does. Even a Mazda 3 has a better quality interior than the STi. Just not acceptable for a $70K car. You can have a hard fast drivers car without having to have a cheap shite interior. The Europeans have been doing it for years, it’s about time the Japs got with the program.
Cars are first and foremost transportations, not race cars. The interior look, feel and function play just as an important part as the way it goes. After all you spend your time in the car. Back to the way it goes, the STi didn’t even make Motors performance car of the year final cut this year. Subby have missed the mark with this car by a long shot. Only a blind clown would buy this thing over other cars on offer from Germany for the same money and performance.
Yes I did drive one of the first evaluation models, blue R Spec at Tynan I think (the Sutherland Subby dealer) back in Feb. Mate it was crap. Didn’t feel all that fast, interior was crap, the recaros uncomfortable, and the car just looked and felt like a nasty cheap hatch. Check out the front grill up close when you go look at one. You tell me if you can justify a car costing as much as this thing does having such a cheap piece of plastic for a grill.
Get over it subby lovers, it’s over and in a big way. The game HAS MOVED ON since 1994. 2.0L or 2.5L (in this case turbos) have been surpassed and left for dead by the competition.
I’ll give the first WRX’s and EVO’s of the 90’s that much. They woke up the sleeping giants in other manufacturers to pull the finger out, and they have done so and moved the competition on!
Flying High: The fact is, the 135i RRP is $71k and the STi RRP is $65k. If someone goes an options everything up on a 135i then thats up to them, but it is a pretty well specced car without options.
So there’s a $6k difference between them before onroads, and I’m sure after onroads including an extortionate dealer delivery (which Im sure would be par for the course with BMW), the difference would still be
(dunno why it truncated my message)
… would still be 300kw from just downpipes, boost and ECU remap.
It’s in another league to the Subaru, and this is coming from someone who has never owned a BMW but have owned (and loved) two WRXs.
OK I give up, all my posts are being sliced and diced!
John. You must have sucked one VB too many to come up with the load of shite in your post. The STi requires no dump of clutch to get quality Ford GE6 eating performance. Try taking a G6E Turbo round a corner at pace. And getting noted in Motor (or Wheels) magazine is hardly a credential. Ford and Holden are the last companies on this planet that can talk about quality of anything inside or outside of the car. So get your beer gut back into your boof head mobile and move on.
Flying High – Im going to go out on a limb here, and say if you dont give the Sti a big launch off the line it would get eaten by a XR6T – they simply lack the low down torque to get moving without boost. I should know, I own a turbo 4wd Subaru. Its shameful being eaten by a V6 VN until boost comes on if you simply drive off the line. 6000rpm changes that in a big way. And asides from the standard clutch, the Sti should hold up to launches all day long – the R180 rear and 6 speed are much stronger then the 5 speed and R160 rears of old WRX\’s.
As for handling, no chance in the world the Ford will hold a candle to the Sti.
1800kg verus 1500kg, 4wd versus RWD… game over so to speak.
What is wrong with you blokes?? you say you would prefer changing gears through paddles, are you kidding me!! you have more controls with paddles?? mate you will never have the same control than you will with a proper manual box, because you know exactly what gear the car is in and how it behaves/reactes is totally up to you! and how fast you want to shift, plus you actually feel more part of the car and the driving experience, anything else is just an excuse for laziness.. Good on subaru for sticking with a real gearbox for real drivers who want real control and feel of driving..
OSU – not sure how much time you have had on track with a DSG or better known as a twin clutch box with paddles, but I can assure you, they are quicker into and out of corners which allows more focus on your driving line.
And yes, that includes those who can heel and toe with the best of them.
It’s probably the reason F1 went that way some years ago too.
John – i stopped reading your post when you said “Most Magna’s would see off an STi at the lights unless you do a 6,000 rpm dump”. Yeah right!! The subbie would blow the doors off a magnadore.
Alborz \ Anthony – can caradvice suss out from Subaru when they are going to update their transmissions (to DSG, CVT, or similar) – it’s been far too long for them to keep bashing out the old 4 speed auto. (I heard a rumour it could be CVT or DSG in the new Liberty due out towards the end of next year). I have a manual 99 WRX, looking to update to a new ‘DSG like’ Subaru model.. still waiting!
Had a good play in the STI at Docklands at Melbourne last week and agree with most that the $ asked is too much for the quality offered. Cheap plastics, ugly dash layout and instruments, OK Recaro seats but not great, tinny sounding doors and the $2 grille is crap. Funny enough, the Gal at reception also announced that consumers in general, don’t like the new look Impreza, thats also the general opinion of those at Docklands she says. But I agree with most others here, a better and more classy finish may pull a few buyers back, but until then, it’s not worth the dough.
I drove the Sti and BMW 135i on the same day.
There is now a BMW 135i in my garage after 6 WRX/Sti.
^ Says it all… good choice. What age group you in Quivive? If you’re older than 38 years, then I think plenty of us have moved on because of the cheap standard finishes Subie offer, compared to those in the Euros.
Hey Guys, all that I said was that I look forward to a straight line contest from the lights with my G6ETurbo. If I had wanted to blow away an STI etc. around corners or a racetrack, I would have got an FPV F6. And just imagine, if I was as serious as some Suby punters and spent the same type of money as some do, on all of the good bits and peices, on an F6!! The line up of 10/11 second XR6 Turbo’s on You Tube is almost endless.
It is not fair for Aussie buyers to be spending 71K on the new STI. It is steep. If you consider the exchange rates now from Yen to AUD, the car translated over should only cost 34K for the full spec R.
Plus the people with their ocean liners for cars or what do you call those Ford G6E what? Don’t embarass yourselves with those comments. Please..
I am all the way with Flying High.
I doubt whether Taka,Flying High etc., have read the current issue of Motor Magazine where, during round 1 of the 2008 Performance Car of the year contest, included in the top 9 were both the WRX STI Spec R and the G6ET’s less luxurious twin, the XR6 Turbo.
Around Lakeside Raceway, with Warren Luff driving both cars, the best time that the REX did was 1.02.9secs compared to the XR6 Turbo at 1.03.6secs. That’s a whole 0.7 secs better for the REX, and this is against the XR6, let alone the F6.
Yes, the G6ET looks the goods to me, and it’s Australian!
P S I forgot to mention the winner of round 1, the Porsche 911 GT2, did the lap in 58.5 secs, and it’s RWD.
Warren is a good bloke and excellent driver but isn’t he sponsored by Ford?
Hey Anthony, are you suggesting that Warren Luff drove the XR6T at full pace and then took it easy on the other 8 cars, especially on the Rex? If that is what actually happened, I wonder if he gets invited back by Motor for the next round.
No mate, Warren is the consummate professional but he does know Fords inside and out.
Hey Joe. Despite their best efforts there is no question that both Motor and Wheels magazine have a certain, shall we say, bias, in their reporting. Its a given and they know where their bread is buttered. And some of the people who work there really are numb nuts. But we digress.
Excellent that Ford achieved those numbers with the mighty big motors in their cars. Ignoring the porsche post as it is not relevant comparing a 2 door coupe to a 4 door hatch.
It would have been interesting to see however the results with a wet track. There is no argument that the bulky Ford would find itself in some difficulty achieving anywhere near those figures. And in the real world, it rains.
But great that Ford produce the 6 cylinder Turbo. If I was looking for a bigger car I would probably go something like that – but for a largely one or two person daily commute comparing the STi to a big Ford is apples and oranges.
Hey you guys, I think the Ford / Holden market is totally different to the Sti/Evo/BMW owner. If you like high performance cars that can go, stop and corner you would buy an Sti or an Evo (just look at Targa / Duttons rallies, etc results. If you something comfortable with plenty of straight like grunt buy an G6ET, ER6 Turbo or Clubsport. I’ll take the Sti personally, put on some semi slicks, Pagid pads, Sparco seat and then have some fun on the weekends, then still cruise down to the shop to get the milk and bread through the week.
Thats kinda funny, because i drove a 135i and an 08 sti on the same day as well…
and i have the Sti in my garage. I really hope you drove the Sti in S# mode with the traction control off, because it really, really transforms the car.
Of course when negotiating the price, i walked away with my Sti with the navigation/tint/mats etc 63k drive away(not an r spec)…and bmw would not budge an inch off 78k drive away with zero options.
oh and as far as the “Most Magna’s would see off an STi at the lights unless you do a 6,000 rpm dump”, thats just plain idiocy.
I shared a house with a freind who had a manual 3.5v6 magna last model released…and he was often left behind by my astra turbo. Needless to say my new sti leaves my old astra behind easily, and i wouldnt even bother comparing it to the magna.
(book time 1/4 mile for the magna is 15.45, and i have seen slips showing the 08 sti being a 13.2-13.3 second car)
I dont know where everyone is pulling 70k for the STi. Just bought standard spec (as i’d prefer my own choice of after market wheels) for 63k on the road. A 135i on the road is 80k, thats a 17k difference in price. Thats a huge chunk of money especially since the 63k was already a big ask.
There is no doubt in my mind the new sti is great. I don’t mind the looks but buying one is a different story. I wouldn’t in other words.
Even though a 135i would set you back around $80k by the time it gets on the road, it’s about $10-15k more than the sti. My thoughts are the 135i is well worth the extra money. It’s just personal preference when it comes to these cars, because when you think about it, the sti is no bad thing!
Ps. it’s funny how some people have to get their opinions across to other by abusing them (hinting at John).
Also, anyone who actually knows a bit about cars will know the sti would be able to handle quite a bit more than 2 or 3 clutch dumps. I’m not saying it won’t do damage but definitely not in an instant.
In regards to the Sti vs FG Turbo, easing the clutch off an sti will not leave it in the dust considering the revs in a turbo will pick up fast. Don’t forget the FG is quick too, so the winner of a traffic light drag (which would end in about 200m) would most likely be whoever got moving first.
Same R32… one day in my old WRX MY03 got blown off at the lights…bugga.. me decides that’s it… i upgrade to the new STI… same R32 on a different day of the regular commute… no contest the STI blows the R32 away… and as for Beemers… they’re such small, really… small cars!! I almost feel embarrassed for the punters that are parting with the 80k…
Blitza, you got beaten by a r32 in an MY03 wrx? I hope you mean GTR and not a VW hahah. Cause you would be a crap driver if you lost to a VW in an MY03 (and disrespecting the other WRX owners)
PS i just bought my MY08.. and its not as quick but I love it even more.
Boost-Juice…he he like your work… shame you only got the MY08 WRX… get the STI next time it’s worth the extra dough. Can’t understand the EVO X crowd .. Sube STI’s got loads more class… and aggression… i’d rather the EVO IX if that was the only choice … less girly lookin’
Boost-Juice…he he like your work… shame you only got the MY08 WRX… get the STI next time it’s worth the extra dough. Can’t understand the EVO X crowd .. Sube STI’s got loads more class… and aggression… i’d rather the EVO IX if that was the only choice … less girly lookin’
@Victory
You say the winner of the traffic light drag race is whoever is in front at 200m. Thats way too far! There might be another set of red lights @200m.. the winner is hardest to launch and sustain it for 5sec MAX were talking on public roads here!
I an a big fan of the subaru Impreza WRX STI. And even if I am just 14 yrs old I liked the 2009 hatchback version than the past versions. I liked it because it looks cool hot and new and I would like to buy one when I am in college. And for a price that is 2,400,000.00 It is better to chose the STI than the new Evolution X because it is not that common and it looks more cool.