WRX TR vs. WRX STI

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some of you may know subaru is starting a new impreza model called the WRX TR which stands for tuner ready. for a baseline of $25,000 you can get the WRX stripped down "enthusiast" fashion and get a four door saloon with the 230 hp turbo/intercooled 2.5 litre. it has nice factory performance options available for instalation, like the STI short throw 6 speed, boost gauge, performance exhaust, and a nifty rear diff. protection plate. all this can be had for like 27 thousand. similar upgrades like the diff. plate and exhaust can be had for 35 thousand on the STI

what do you think?

for an extra 8 - 9 grand would you get the STI? or the TR?

or would you get an evo? :rolleyes:

check it out and build your own to determine!

build a TR and STI and compare
 
I'd go with the TR for sure, as a daily driver it would be much more livable, I am sure WAY much more than the EVO and with the left over dough, well, could do alot with that.
 
Anything Subaru > Anything Mitsubishi

I'd take the base TR and use the extra $8~9k and add so much performace that it would be faster than the STi.
 
TwinTurboJay
Acutally, screw both of them, Id much rather have the Forester XT.


a forest xt jay? and JCE, good call, but i was thinking people would want the giant wing, BBS wheels, large brakes. but with 9 grand to spend, that could be had.
 
TwinTurboJay
Acutally, screw both of them, Id much rather have the Forester XT.

Actually I would probably agree with you as long as it's the Euro spec model. Like the one that Fifth Gear did in a shootout vs the STi. But you've got to admit that the differential control on the STi is quite an awsome thing--I'd be in RWD mode 100% of the time. :sly:
 
TR all the way, as the proud owner of a 2.5TS, there is no need for fancy dials to twiddle, the AWD does a good job putting the power where you need it without any input. Also, I think 230 hp would be much more livable than 300 hp.
 
STi all the way if you can afford it. If not, the TR is a nice option....
 
Uhhhh pre-retarded-grill STi I must say, I love them. But now that they have the stupidest looking grill on the market I would have to get an EVO, which is equally as good.
 
Its easier to get big power out of a base evo so evo all the way baby. Oh and reliability kinds gets screwed with imprezas when running 380+ bhp.
 
Well, I have to admit that the price point is pretty nice. I would rather go with that then the STi if I only had one car.
 
BlazinXtreme
Uhhhh pre-retarded-grill STi I must say,

This is precisely the reason why I would take the TR model and spend at least part of the $8k on the previous gen's front fascia. The new face is just too ugly.
 
I would go with the STI. I'd end up procrastinating modifying the TR so much that it'd never get done.


And the new face is pretty!
 
They sell grill kits to get rid of the Alfa Romero looking thing on the front.
 
BlazinXtreme
They sell grill kits to get rid of the Alfa Romero looking thing on the front.

Good! Subaru's are ugly enough without a grill like that....
 
Subaru would love to have the new STi grill look as good as an Alfa's.
 
if youre gonna dump any large amount of power into it id say go w/ the sti. better diffs, stronger tranny (tho subaru has come a long way w/ the standard wrx transmissions.) but even still 6 speed > 5 speed.

if youre lookin for a car to have a little fun in with, put an exhaust on, due a tune, and be done w/ it, the TR is a very nice option
 
I've been saying for years that, given the choice, I'd buy a WRX and spend the rest on upgrades. That extra 10 or so grand give you a car that can keep up with an STi in the straights and kill an STi in the corners.
 
I'd take a Baja over them, swap out the heads and get some bolt ons for it.......out of those 2..Probably the TR....
however at the end of the day it'll still sound like a damn subaru....bleh
 
lots of people are talking about forward facia conversions.. that interesting. that would be a fun way to fool all but the absolute elite subaru cronies.

many are also saying they could beat a STi with the extra bank.. i think you could downright whoop it. if you are seriously wanting to beat the STi with this base, im sure it can be done with the sacrifice of comutability. get a good tune, get r compound tires on lighweight rims, get STi adjustable suspention components, and get yourself some torsional load crossmembers. :)
 
If I had to pick a Subie: Probably the STi, as I want to be able to drive the car on a daily baisis since I just spent $30K on a new car...

If the Mitsu was a choise: I would go for the Mitsu in a heartbeat, much better car IMO. Although the model I want, the MR, is a bit more expensive brand-new, I can probably pick up a used model for a decent price...

What I would really do: Not buy either, head over to the Pontiac dealer, and buy a GTO. Higher quality, more comfort, and I don't look like an extra in the "Ferrst an Furrrious" movies...
 
Pontiac and higher quality than a japanese car ? oh well... I don't know :D
Concerning the EVO: much matter is not true, watch the BMI reviews and comparisons, it's more a matter of personal preference than performance.

Oh and concerning speed : The STi is not just a WRX with some more horse power, many many parts are different ... so I'd say that you can get as fast or maybe even a little faster than the STi with the TR for the same money, but one thing is certain imo : The Sti will last longer and will be the more balanced car AND if you plan to increase the power and performance even more, the STi is the better base and will in the end be cheaper and again last longer. ( For example 350 - 450 hp and a huge torque increase, so many WRX componets are just not made for that kind of power, wheras most STi components should survive eben in longterm )
 
if speed is what your looking for, why not get the TR and transplant the STi motor? with half the money i save, i figure i could hook that up.
 
Motor swaps aren't cheap so you would be looking at spending the extra 8-9 grand to do it...it would be easier to buy an STi.
 
BlazinXtreme
Motor swaps aren't cheap so you would be looking at spending the extra 8-9 grand to do it...it would be easier to buy an STi.

yes, when you swap between models. swapping between trim levels isnt as big of deal. all the motor mount cross members and braces are virtualy the same. the olny difference would be to modifly the radiator flanges and transmission recess aft the strut brace. got a sawsall and a TIG welder? ive read about it being done in little more than 6 hours in Sport Compact Car magazine. (not includng most electrical connections and throttle adjustment) thats if your good.
 
You still have to deal with trying to get a new motor to run and work right, and if you did it yourself and assuming you have just a basic garage and normal tools you are looking at quite a project. It would be far cheaper and easier just to buy an STi. The engine alone would run you a couple grand I would guess, plus the metal you'll need to fab stuff up, and all the software. Not to mention you'll have to figure out how to make it all work together.

I've helped with motor swaps before, they are by no means easy.
 
its true.. its not easy. and your right in saying its tough to get the engine running like its in the new car it came in. i was speaking just for the sake of argument to see what people might say. im sure i dont have the skill and patience to perform a swap. some might though. and it would be awesome to own a WRX that could run with an STi for less, or at most the same amount of money. the only reason the swap would start to cost STi territory is if you make mistakes that require more time, parts and tuning. when it comes down to it, if you are good, you can make a TR of even a standard WRX competitively quick for thousands less than its big brother. but that option is reserved for a wrench head, and not the person who gets his satisfaction from buying a shelf super sports car.
 
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