2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi review
June 14, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
But a car like the WRX STi Spec R can bring out the devil in you, like no other. Let me explain.
There’s a small roundish metal dial labelled “SI-DRIVE” just behind the six-speed shifter. You have three engine map settings to play with here, Intelligent (I) for smooth and economical driving, Sport (S) for all round performance and Sport Sharp (S#) which the press release describe as “Truly dynamic engine performance”.
That is way too dull a description of how just one little twist to the right, transforms this car.
If there were ever a “launch” competition for stock standard production cars up to $100,000 I can assure you, the STi would be undefeated. This car is rocket ship quick off the mark, as all four tyres put one hundred percent of the power down, without a hint of traction loss. It just launches like no tomorrow.
If you are on the throttle, and coming into a corner, there’s some slight body roll. Don’t worry about it. Turn in hard like you’re committed and the STi will hold the line perfectly and sort it all out for you.
Directly behind the “SI-DRIVE”, there’s another very interesting bit of technology, which is labelled “C-DIFF”. Subaru’s acronym for this is the DCCD (Driver’s Control Centre Differential). By moving the lever up or down, you can control the torque distribution between front and rear axles.
There is no doubt that were you to track the car or even a little rally driving, you might want to familiarise yourself more with the characteristics of each available setting. We, on the other hand, left it in auto mode, with no complaints.
If I had one gripe with the STi, it would be the lack of a truly purposeful exhaust note. While Subaru have produced a high performance car you can live with 24/7, I’d like a little more of that ‘tuned’ boxer burble from the quad pipes.
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.