[DeanStevenson]

We have a TDI wagon for road trips and hauling stuff along with an old NA Miata for fair weather days. We've been looking for another fun car. The BRZ is a logical choice because it can handle DD as well as autocross days. We were ready to buy.

We went to a local dealer to check out colors and trim levels. We looked at a White Premium BRZ. We test drove a Dark Gray Limited BRZ. We liked the Limited more so it was down to color. They had both in stock.

The sales person came back out to where my wife and I were looking over the Gray Limited we had just driven. We related that we were minutes away from a final decision.

The rest of this I cannot explain.

I asked if they had a 2015 WRX in stock. They had just one left. I thought "why not take it for a short drive while we discuss and choose the BRZ color?"

We drove the same loop we had with the BRZ. Our discussion of which color for the BRZ trailed off as I dipped into the boost. The WRX felt surprisingly good but I said little. We pulled over at the same spot we had swapped drivers in the BRZ. My wife came around the back playfully mimicking the exhaust with a "blub, blub, blub." I asked her to rev it when she climbed in the driver's seat. The BRZ sounded good, but this sounded great.

She drove sedately for a bit but once she was comfortable, she pushed down the accelerator. Swoosh! And then there it was, a huge grin quickly formed across her mouth. I busted out laughing. She started laughing. We did the loop again.

When we returned to the dealership we pulled behind the gray BRZ and just in front of a white STI someone had just purchased. No one was around. We stood back looking at the three of them as we admitted to one another that we both liked the WRX much more than the BRZ. Our salesperson returned and we asked about WRX availability. The salesperson went back inside to find out.

My wife pointed at the STI and asked "why do you keep looking at that one?" I explained the differences in the STI versus the WRX ending with "some reviewers say if you can only afford a WRX, don't drive the STI because you'll want one."

She replied, "get one."

[bluespecv03]

Sounds like a good woman right there!

[angelos]

I am all about RWD, MT, light weight... but if I already had a miata in the garage (any generation), I would walk right past the ToyoBaru to a WRX/STi as well. Far more appealing of a car with the new model changes and good complement to the roadster you already have.

[SleekBlackBeauty]

So, are you going to get one?

[x_25]

So we will want pictures of the new STi when you get it.

[90RedinFL]

As they say, torque sells cars !

[brimble]

Having driven both, I have to agree that they are very much an apple and orange. The BR-Z is fine; it handles well and offers some grins. The WRX (and STi) are in another category altogether. Their particular advantage is that on snows, they are great cold-climate winter cars! But the fun-level is higher year-round, and -- gee, honey, a practical four-door with a usable back seat!

I've not driven the new STi. I found the ride in the previous generation car to be a little punishing, and actually preferred the regular car, especially given the price differential. But either way, go for it, and grin all the way home!

[BetweenMiatas]

Now that he's moved up in the world to a BMW, I've taken over Dear Husband's 2002 WRX wagon. After driving it all winter, the Miata feels bog-slow. That turbo acceleration is addictive!

Does this mean you will be able to dump one of your "regular" cars?

[Myah's Daddy]

Now go drive a Focus ST

[Paolo.Leviste]

Nice!

You've obviously won the jackpot with your wife!

[Pwain]

Same story here. Went to buy a BRZ to replace our 2000 V6 Mustang, came back with a WRX.

18 months and 30,000 miles later (yikes, I know...) we haven't regretted the choice.

[sclark]

That's awesome!

[Draxx]

Now go drive a Focus ST

That what I did, now I own one. Love it.

[Skip Cannon]

I drove the Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Fiat Abarth, and every other hot hatch I could find and was about to go with the Fiesta ST. Then I stopped by the Subaru dealer to try out an Imprezza wagon as I really wanted more room to haul stuff.

The Imprezza was nice but too sedate after all the hot hatches. The salesman tossed me the keys to a 2014 WRX sedan. In about two blocks the contest was over. I ended up with a 2014 WRX hatch and am totally happy with the car. I didn't drive an STi because I knew I would want one but also knew that the WRX would be better for what I really needed.

The sedan I drove had the optional SPt catback exhaust and sounded great. The hatch I bought had the stock exhaust and was too quiet. The hatch now has the SPt exhaust and a great sound.

[Lanny Chambers]

Hey Skip, is it much quicker than your old wagon?

[Skip Cannon]

Originally Posted by Lanny Chambers

Hey Skip, is it much quicker than your old wagon?

Which old wagon are you referring to? 2002 WRX, 2005 Legacy GT 5M wagon, 2011 Suzuki SX4 Crossover to name the more recent ones.

It is definitely faster than the 150 hp Suzuki and probably faster than the 2002 WRX but I'm not sure about the Legacy GT. The two Subies had Cobb reflashes, I haven't got around to doing one on the new WRX. Its been too long since I drove any of the other Subies to really say.

[Greasyman]

Originally Posted by Lanny Chambers

Hey Skip, is it much quicker than your old wagon?

The 2002 is listed at 14.2, the 2015, 13.7 in the quarter mile. There's no time for the 2014. Not that much quicker, but the newer car is probably stronger throughout the rev range. http://www.zeroto60times.com/Subaru-0-60-mph-Times.html

[DeanStevenson]

Originally Posted by bluespecv03

Sounds like a good woman right there!

Agreed.

Originally Posted by SleekBlackBeauty

So, are you going to get one?

Yes. I was told that I would be making the purchase or my wife would do it without me.

Originally Posted by x_25

So we will want pictures of the new STi when you get it.

That's a fair forum-jockey challenge, but I freely admit that I can't bring myself to step up to the STi. If it were a $4k difference then yes, no problem, but we're talking an $8k gulf between the two.

Originally Posted by BetweenMiatas

Does this mean you will be able to dump one of your "regular" cars?

I love both of the cars we have now so we'll be keeping both. We're trying to decrease the miles on the NA by adding another fun car to the mix. We will never sell the NA.

Originally Posted by Paolo.Leviste

You've obviously won the jackpot with your wife!

I agree! The thing is, when she told me to get the STi if I wanted it, she meant it.

[rsa]

Originally Posted by DeanStevenson

That's a fair forum-jockey challenge, but I freely admit that I can't bring myself to step up to the STi. If it were a $4k difference then yes, no problem, but we're talking an $8k gulf between the two.

$8K - $4K = $4K . . . only a $4K difference.

[DeanStevenson]

I'm still a little shell shocked at the switch from a BRZ to a WRX, so during our hike this morning I pressed full court to see what other vehicles my wife might consider. They ranged from a used Porsche Cayman to a MkVII GTI and she shot them all down for a myriad of reasons. I could tell she was serious about the WRX. She really liked it.

The one reservation that was hardest for me to overcome is . . . I'm a hatchback guy. I love the practicality and usefulness of them. I love the challenge of fitting large items in them.


So I relayed this last reservation, this last objection to going ahead with the WRX purchase. Her reply was "if they come out with a hatchback in a year, you can trade this one in and get it. You told me WRX's have great residual value didn't you?" Game. Set. Match.


The plan is to get a base manual WRX in White. If we could get whatever we wanted, we'd probably go with the upgraded speakers, the add-on tweeters, and the center armrest. I suspect we'll go with whatever is on an incoming car rather than wait two months on an order.

Anyone have any advice on what to add to a WRX? Can't most (all?) of the port installed options be added after delivery?

[Lawrider]

Congrats. Do the STI short-shift kit, seems like a must buy.

Keep in mind the new STI still has the old EJ257 in it, whereas the WRX now has the new turbo 2.0 FA.

Personally I feel the STI is a lame duck since at the refresh in ~3 years, it will get a hotter FA, and I suspect that the STI will move up to 350hp, the WRX to 300hp at that point. I also think the hatch will make it's introduction then...but that first refresh might be 4 years away.

I am sure the aftermarket will provide some unequal length headers for the new FA'd WRX to get that rumble back.

I am very tempted to get a 16' WRX (wait for the 15' bugs to get worked out). On my list of about 5 vehicles to consider.

[chackoc]

Originally Posted by DeanStevenson

Anyone have any advice on what to add to a WRX? Can't most (all?) of the port installed options be added after delivery?

I got my WRX in 2004, so my experience might not have any relevance to option selection now, but the three I went for were Short Shifter, Extended Armrest, and Auto-Dimming Mirror. All 3 I would recommend without reservation (though admittedly I never tried the long throw shifter.)

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by DeanStevenson

I'm still a little shell shocked at the switch from a BRZ to a WRX, so during our hike this morning I pressed full court to see what other vehicles my wife might consider. They ranged from a used Porsche Cayman to a MkVII GTI and she shot them all down for a myriad of reasons. I could tell she was serious about the WRX. She really liked it.

The one reservation that was hardest for me to overcome is . . . I'm a hatchback guy. I love the practicality and usefulness of them. I love the challenge of fitting large items in them.


So I relayed this last reservation, this last objection to going ahead with the WRX purchase. Her reply was "if they come out with a hatchback in a year, you can trade this one in and get it. You told me WRX's have great residual value didn't you?" Game. Set. Match.


The plan is to get a base manual WRX in White. If we could get whatever we wanted, we'd probably go with the upgraded speakers, the add-on tweeters, and the center armrest. I suspect we'll go with whatever is on an incoming car rather than wait two months on an order.

Anyone have any advice on what to add to a WRX? Can't most (all?) of the port installed options be added after delivery?

The upgraded speakers (Kicker) are a port or dealer installed option. Personally, I'd get something other than them; for the price, you could put an amp and decent speakers in.

I was looking at the mirror with homelink, center armrest, and I think that's it.

[mrybczyn]

Interesting change of mind.

I'd go for the BRZ, you already have a large car. The mash on the go pedal is only entertaining the first 100 times. After that, you'd enjoy the miata-coupe nature of the BRZ more, I wager.

[MX5/XJ6]

Originally Posted by mrybczyn

Interesting change of mind.

I'd go for the BRZ, you already have a large car. The mash on the go pedal is only entertaining the first 100 times. After that, you'd enjoy the miata-coupe nature of the BRZ more, I wager.

Disagree. ....quicker is only entertaining EVERY time.