2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI | Full Test | Edmunds.com
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We know you. If someone tossed you the keys to a spanking-new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI for the weekend, you'd make a beeline for the nearest winding road leading into the mountains. So would we.
The STI has grown up, you should too. LMAO love that last comment. My favorite car hands down.
I used to hate the hatchback look, but i've definately grown to love it. The back end looks really stout and argessive, and I think the dovetail roof-line with the subtle lip spoiler looks much better then the sedan with an over-sized rear wing. The hatchback is also much more practical in terms of a daily driver, with more generous cargo space then the sedan.
Now if I only had $35-grand....
i can't believe he pulled that first one back holy shit, i thought he woulda spun out for sure, amazing driving and engineering
"The STi has grown up, you should too..."
-InsideLine
Although I'm an STI enthusiast, I wasnt the biggest fan of their new hatch back style when they first came out....Until my friend bought one and introduced me to a whole different side of the STIs. All he did was drop the car 2 inches, tinted the windows and added a nice red pinstripe around the rims and I fell in love. Great cars as is but just a few minor touches brings out that ferocious look in it.
I just saw my first one today and it looked sweet. The media images don't really do it justice. I was impressed, it's a beautiful car and it looks fast.
I have been a Subaru Impreza WRX STI for 5 years but this i see a lot has change and i like it.
It is way more beutiful in person and when i took it for a test drive, my mind was blowin about how much faster and how much more usable it was...now i love em more then ever and i am looking forward to buying one soon.
agreed, that's why I'm on my second STI, it's a year round sports car when you have cold snowy winters!
"The STi has grown up. You should too." Awesome closing statement I agree 100% all you blogger trolls hate elsewhere.
The STi have grown up. You should too. Love that line
You are correct that they didn't make them for the US market until 2004, however they started making them for the Japanese market from 1992 onwards.
Australia got some special edition STi models around 1999.
I seriously want one of these. I have a 2007 Spec V which is a bad ass car itself but I want this STI even more.
I agree. For one reason or another, it can look pretty handsome when you can see one with your own eyes.
The new hatchback design is all about achieving a lower POLAR MOMENT OF INTERIA which makes the car more competitive in Rally racing... Shorter overhangs mean quicker direction changes and makes the car less prone to hitting objects when making turns/drifts/etc.... The practicality is just icing on the cake.
All 4WD systems are RWD when the transfer case is not engaged so you don't have to always have both front and rear diffs on. This saves wear and tear and fuel. With AWD, you can't just switch it to all RWD so it's always active. 4WD is mainly for trucks, with 4LO you can crawl over steep hills no problem due to lower gearing
The AIM of the new car is to be more COMPETETIVE IN WRC (hence the switch to a "Citroen-like" hatch design), not to appeal to ricers who think big wings on a sedan = fast. The fact that an "older crowd" (who can generally "afford" to own the car) being more interested is just icing on the cake. It has grown up where it counts, yet performs better than the outgoing model. I'd say that's a good thing.
to sum it all up...4WD makes both axles spin at same speeds. AWD= active all the time, but rear wheels only get more power when needed.
Quoted from a P-WRC website: "The new WRX STI Group N has been tested over the same courses as the current STI Group N and times show better performance from the new model. Part of the reason is the 3-mode SI drive and multi-mode DCCD have computerized controls, which allows nearly infinite combinations depending on rally conditions. Weight distribution has been improved, rear overhang reduced, and the roll center of the car has been optimized." I'm sure they know what they're doing. ^.^
Yet another video that is best left to Top Gear. I dont think mom n dad are gonna be pickin up an STI by the edmunds review.
It's good to see an evo owner that isn't a punk... I respect the evo but I agree with you, I think the STi wins this round(2008).
That is the first thing I thought of when I saw the design change.... That was an awesome car and was crazy fast during the Group B days....
i agree with this guy. i absolutly hated the exterior of the car when i first seen it on the internet but when you get the chance to see the car in person you will think it would be a no non-sense, middle finger in the air type of ride. The body lines just give out that feeling when your looking at it. Now imagine what its like when you drive it.
you know i once thought the same thing till i saw one in person. I looks NOTHING like a ford focus, just because its a hatch. All hatches look similar. But side by side this looks completely different!! I LOVE IT!! Its a monster compared to a little focus...
I saw a red '08 STI at the grocery store in Edgewater, NJ yesterday with some older guy driving it! Didn't know these were for sale already! Looks quite nice in person, I must admit. Much nicer than the standard WRX, but I wish they made it in the sedan version.
This video is for the 2008 version. Try looking up the new 2009 model.
With 2009, Subaru went back to hardcore racing, designing and building it before they pulled out of the World Rally Championship last winter. It's still a hatchback, but it's much sharper and meaner.
Truly the spiritual successor to the Lancia Delta Integrale.
Many, many people have stock 6MTs with well over stock power. It's all in how well you actually know how to shift.
love the 2008 sti. People who complain about the new hatch style in general can't even afford one.
I gotta say I hated that they were changing the body style to a hatch, but its really grown and i gotta say its very nice looking in person
I used to not like this car but... I will be getting one next week!
I'm a family man so I had buy the bigger Subaru Forester, however, it will crawl the walls with the right tires. Perfect car for my eastern Canadian climate.
Listen to that grip.
Tire squeels even on gravel!
Nightskast22, I agree with you. I went to the dealership with the same mindset. I used to own a 2002 WRX stg 1 and a 2006 R (which was a BIG mistake) but I can safely say that the new rexie makes greater cars look lesser cars. Trust me, test drive 1 yourself. I own a 08 WRX now and can't say how happy I am with the performance. And as far as the looks are concerned, all my mates who drives rexies, GTRs and VL commodores recons they are hot in person. Can't wait to get to stg 1 or maybe 2.
Thanks for your inane input, the six speed is designed to handle 300 Hp period. Subaru design specs are for over 100,000 miles of use, even just 350 Hp will not handle the long term stresses incurred.
this Impreza definitely more focusing on daily day driving, kids, big suitcase and long way home
it's not mean it's forgetting on the speeding track, it sure not...
this new Impreza is great in it own way.....
The brembo's are still there... It just now has STi badged caliper covers now instead of the gold brembo badged ones. It actually only slightly bigger than the older ones but braking is alot better now. 60-0 in 106ft compared to 115ft from last model.
I have the 08 STI and my bro has the 09 WRX premium. I'm quite surprised how the 09 handles, and is almost as fast as mine. I have a stage 1. If not for that, our cars would be equal in acceleration. When it comes to mods, the STI gets bigger hp gains when the same mods are compared to the WRX. If you can't afford the STI the 09 WRX is still a great car! If you want a practical, fast car, get the 09 WRX. If you want bragging rights, plan to get lots of mods get the STI.
For anyone interested, the new Impreza WRC for 2008 has been confirmed ahead of schedule to participate on 05/28/08 at Greece... The team says that the car is already outperforming their previous 2007 WRC car and that they're confident it will be more competitive. Read the article at WRC site for more details. ^.^
I was disappointed by looks; but when I took a ride in one of these it was great. Next year Subaru is going to change the STI's looks again, so I'm glad about that.
@Rtype1000 yeah, things are more expensive. But higher octane gas is generally more expensive as well.
I HATED this car when I first saw it. But now I am INLOVE with it. I actually intend to buy one. I love how its now practical, but still has sport too it.
Group N WRC homologation spec STi uses a JDM EJ20 2.0 Boxer w/ Twin Scroll turbo found in Japan only. That 2008 Group N STi uses the same "fugly" chassis/body as the US and UK spec , and is generally faster and more stable than the older "sedan" impreza Group N spec it replaces.
my friend just got the new wrx, and it is way better than all old ones and buy far better than the evo x !!!
i liked the evos better, but now i have to say - imprezas are much better!!
it is more powerefull and the handling is remarkable!!!
I just bought one too! I so happy! Got an amazing deal too!! 5K off MSRP and 0% financing!!! The new 09s are coming in and they wanted to rid of the 08s left they had fast. I got a silver one :D
the WRX actually benefits from modifications more than the STi, considering the STi is just an upgraded WRX itself if you put the same upgrade on each car it will be a huge leap for the WRX but only a slight one for the STi
congrats on the purchase. Get an aggressive alignment setting, an Accessport, and go Stage 1 asap... Good stuff you will not regret it ^.^
im a honda guy but this is the shit right here ill definitly rock this one
Fuel capacity for the 2008 STi is 16.9 gallons.... I was averaging about 20mpg with a mix of city/highway (mostly city).... This is with SI Drive on "Intelligent" setting. Strictly highway, I was able to get close to 28mpg.... ("I" mode) However, the gas light comes on when you are down by 12.3 gallons. (approx 260-270 miles). Utilizing all 16.9 gallons, you should be able to get at least 340 miles out of the car....
Actual homologation special for WRC car is JDM Spec C Impreza that has 2.0 engine.
The GRB STi is a "Group N" Homologation car. Mainstream WRC (formerly Group A) only requires the Impreza, like Ford's Focus and Citroen's C4/Xsara...
wow this model beats the newer one at everything!
ECU is different, so it's tuned to take the gas that's available. Out east where I am, 93 is the highest you can normally get, though some stations sell 94. I've not seen higher, unless you buy a bottle of tolulene. :)
I've driven a 500 WHP STi with a stock 6spd, holds just fine. (Granted the clutch has been replaced) Stop over on nasioc, it's where all the cool Subie kids hang out, that's probably why you don't know.
The improved stopping performance is probably largely due to the much increased tire width from GD STI's 225 to this GH STI's 245.
we need more evo owners like you man. cheers
1:03 wtf? that's sand where does that tire sound come from?! :D
@PantstofryPWNZ True but by a small margin. In my country 95 octane is 1.320 € , 100 octane is 1.333€ .
It is not much diference price. The bigest part of fuel prices are taxes. You in USA have much lower taxes then we have in EU.
And there is price difference in fuel. Not by octane level.
LP
The twin scroll set up of the EJ20 makes up for the narrower torque curve it gets... Plus it has more complicated tubing than the single scroll the 2.5 comes with... Pretty much just slightly different methods to achieve the same goal... When it comes to modding though... The EJ25 is the way to go IMO....
i love hatchbacks and this is the car for me
you have to love the sound of a Impreza nnice and low, not a whiny scream
i have the 2011 model JDM and i love it is very fast handels really well and very good on gas too plus it also makes a good family car too so its really the best of all worlds even AWD with over ride its one car i would reccamend to anyone its a pleasure to own and very pleasing and proud to drive
yes there is. they just presented it in the new zealand performance car magazine. Its comming out soon. look it up must be some where on the net look it up
I did not like it at first as well but it growing on me quick!
Love the old look, did not care for the HUGE spoiler though, really blocks the rear view. This is more practical looking.
Has the sleeper look, kinda.
Keep in mind that that a 2009 WRX STILL slaloms below 70MPH, and STILL has a skidpad of below .90g... When it comes to modding, the STi is a better choice simply because of a stouter 6spd, DCCD, Si Drive, Dual AVCS, more rigid chassis, and a wider stance. If all you care about is 0-60 and 1/4 times, (in which case, the STi is STILL faster - 4.5 0-60 w/ 13.3 sec 1/4 mile), then the WRX should be enough. But an enthusiast knows that there is more to a car than just 0-60 acceleration.
i went to see one in Singapore yesterday and its a great car.
I like it. Reminds me a little of the Lancia delta integrale. And that was one of the best rally cars of all time
I agree. I LOVE how the new STi looks and its advantages is just icing on the cake! I always ask GDB/A STi sedan owners what advantages PERFORMANCE-WISE the Sedan body has over the new Hatchback, and they can't say anything valid... In the end, the only thing they keep saying is that it doesn't look good, boy-racer, fast, etc lol
My new ones a hatch('09). Much better than my older '07 in every way
You can get the new STi on some dealerships at lower than invoice price... It's not that expensive... But the MS3 is a really good car for the money. However, being a FWD, the 280ft lb induced torque steer hampers its cornering ability, even more so when its torque is raised up even more through modding.... Definitely a nice "from a roll" drag racer that will surprise alot of higher end cars on straightaways. With that said, I really wish Mazda put AWD on the MS3 to take advantage of its power.
Are you sure you're not the one being ignorant??? Subaru actually had a sales increase for January 2009 by 8% compared to the other auto manufacturers. New body Impreza sales were up by 22% since October 2008. Google search it.
the STi has other sweet features over the WRX from styling to function... I definitely agree with you tho. I got the STi not for bragging rights but the little extras are "neat". both are awesome cars. i just went stage 2 and wow .. it's just that much better.
btw you don't need synthetic on this car... You can continue to use dino oil to your heart's content. Also, as long as you are consistent on your maintenance schedule, the car should be no problem. Anyway, though it is no prius, the car's mpg is decent for a base $35k low 13 second car.
My friend has an 04' STI. He has never drag raced it (on a track) nor auto crossed it. I am sure there are tons of people just like him that own them and don't take them to competitive events. Thus negating the need for all the extra bells and whistles offered in the STI vs the WRX. If you think thats clueless thats your own conclusion ;-).
i understand what you are saying...i wish there was a sedan version too...or maybe a new coupe which would bee cool...but personally the proformance is more important for me
Yes the 2009 WRX makes 265hp now, Goodbye to the STI sales! 90% of those who buy either a WRX or STI will never road race them, and all of the expense of the custom suspension goes to waste. At least they recognized that and increased the HP of the WRX.
DUBAI IS GROWING EVRY DAY sunny!!!
im fairly certain that the japanese version has only a 2.0 litre as opposed to the USA's 2.5 litre, so it will obviously rev harder
there still BBS rims.. and there are still brembo brakes and the sti logo on the intercooler didnt make it any faster, and if you want better power, you'd convert it to a front mount and get a little bit bigger intercooler.
The STI limited edition with the JDM suspension package and thicker stabilizer bars it $32,999
@jorammak minimum in europe is 95. but both 95 and 98 octane are available in any petrol station....
It looks just like a Regular Ford Focus.
Should bring back the 2004 Body style and make Everybody Happy.
According to Petter Solberg, and people/tuners who have driven them both in track events as well as auto x, they say that the hatchback design is an overall improvement over the sedan. But what it really comes down to is "does it matter"? All it takes is money to make one car faster than the other... Both designs are already fast enough for the public to worry about any minimal improvements the new car might have over the old. Buy which ever looks good in your eyes and call it a day.
Although I should state I absolutely love my 2004 wrx wagon. :)
search in youtube abouth the EVO X and the 6 speed automatic gearbox..it's amazing how the car go backwards very smooth..the older evo or the impreza need to tap the pedal and release very fast because the car accelerates like a torpedo.
i like the 2007. the last one before this new look. but it grow on you. like, i didn't like it at first, but i do now.
Subaru as a "Manufacturer team" is leaving WRC along with Suzuki, but Subaru homologated vehicles will still actively participate in all forms of Rally... WRC (Adapta Subaru team), P-WRC (Toshi Arai and others), Rally America (Ken block/Travis Pastrana), etc....
Playing Mad-libs is awesome!
The older model has the same body style as a neon (sedan) lol i saw one today(neon) and it had a big wing just like the old sti
@Kminatz basically that i liked the new body style. but i made the mistake of asking, "now where can i get $40,000..." if you look through the comments you can see how many people responded. it got annoying opening my inbox, just to see "job" or "career" so i removed it.
@HammerSlammerThrash
It's not likely you're gonna replacing everything, but just replacing the stock exhaust system with an aftermarket and increasing the boost from the stock 14 PSI to 16 PSI should get you around the same HP as an STI, if not more.
I will keep my MY07 JDM Spec C anyday of the week!
The new STI is the a lot better den da old one in per formance and handling! It is a better car but yes the older sedan is a great style but trust me you will grow to LOVE IT! I did! Trust me i no i work for Subaru! im a tech @ the dealership in south jersey. dey are fun to drive. they are lighter more power n torque n even faster den last year model! well worth it!
I think it looks great. I'm gonna buy a 2011.
I love it
I want it
practical with performance
I prefer the hatchback especially with those taillights
also keeping it out of WRC is the 2.5L engine... Rally rues state a 2.0L is the max displacement. So I have no idea why they made it look fugly.
i made a mistake in a part it should be but withOUT low range gearing.
ok, now 4WD.
there are 3 different types....Part-Time, Full-Time, and Permanent 4WD.
When activated, both front and rear axles are physically locked to each other and have to spin at the same rate. This becomes a problem when turning on sufficiently high friction surfaces. Examples: Suzuki SUVs, most 4WD pickup trucks, cheaper SUVs.basically, you can just google it if you want to, for better explaining, i did tht.
I don't know why but I like the looks of this more than the old sti. Although the older one is a lot meaner the 2008 looks strong, but in a different way if that makes any sense?
I LOVE the hatchback!
Sure this design is lighter/better for rally, but oh yeah, Subaru left the rally scene.
And guess what, some of us WANT the extra room in the trunk (such as me, who WANTS a wagon). I have a 2004 WRX Wagon, it has the same exterior dimensions as the 2009 WRX 5-door, but loses about 20cubic feet of trunk space. The trunk is wider, but shorter (I pulled my wagon up to an '09 5 door to compare).
I WANT A NEW WRX WAGON. I really hope they offer one soon.
I really like the front...which they don't appear to have touched all that much, but the roofline needs to go, for sure.