What is the Best Generation WRX/STI? Differences and Changes Throughout the Years.

We are covering it! What exactly is the best WRX or STI? well we are going to review the major changes from year to year between the generations and determine is there actually a best year STI that has been made? I mean Ive got my person bias of which years I think are the best but what about everything as a whole?

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

[carlcarl]

This is the *exact* video I've been needing for the last few years. Thank you ever so much!

[InputLavelle]

The 2019+ STI comes with the RA shortblock so you can't really go wrong there. Not to mention all the updates/upgrades over the years on top of that. Looks are debatable but reliability really has only gone up over the years by improving parts.

[deadlydave]

The best performing STI ever made is always the "next" S20x car. Outright performance, I'm not sure any production Subaru ever made can best the S209. The most valuable and arguably the coolest are the 22Bs. The dark horses are the wagon and hatchback models. Super practical, and there are few modern AWD/turbo/manual alternatives. Bonus cool points always go to imported early WRXs, or swaps. Those that know what they're looking at always appreciate them. To everyone else, they're nearly invisible.

The current gen is a startlingly good package for a single car owner. But just doesn't quite float the boat for some folks with a 2nd car to DD. Take my moaning with a grain of salt, as I used to own a Baja Turbo. So my sense of style is bizarre.

[Berserked]

Fell in love with the hatchback STI. Thanks to Evan Shanks lol. But ended up settling with a 06 WRX. My pride and joy

[RipStikSnypercal]

GC8 gotta love living in Canada & 15 year import law

[mathewromero]

I love this channel! You have good knowledge and energy that makes it fun to watch and I always look forward to the new video's. I have also driven a few different Sti chassis over the years, but I defiantly agree that the GD model's are one of the best. I've had my WRB 04' Sti for 9 years now and even though it's had some issues I still love it.

[Kichizo_DJ]

The blob eye sti is my favorite look but of course nothing stands out more then the 22b! I got a 03 Wrx Wagon love it wife likes it, daughter loves it. I hope she can drive it one day. I just I can afford to keep it alive for another 13-14 years cause she makes 2 next month!

[BamBoosted]

11-14 GR wide body is my favorite Sti have and 19 Sti and miss my 2014 WRX

[HavokStrifeX]

Owned a GD, have a GR now. I get why people would like the GD more, but I'm way happier with what I have now.

I have a '13 widebody, which became a dealbreaker once I became aware of its existence. But, I like the look of it more, way better seats, way better trans, a bit more power out of the 2.5, cooler gage cluster, and I do enjoy the heated seats and what little other tech it has.

And having owned a wagon and now a sedan, the difference is completely cosmetic. I was all about the wagon for storage at first, but you can't really get any more height in the wagon, since the hatch window is on such a drastic angle. If anything, the sedan trunk is at least 6 inches longer. Found that out when I tried to put the oem mat from the bugeye in the GR. Thought I could save 100 bucks there, way too small.

But, the biggest thing is growing up. I have a daughter now, who I did not have when I had my bugeye. So I'm a huge fan of the safety and reliability of the newer model. I mean, not the my bugeye was unreliable by any stretch, but it was pushing 200k by the time I sold it and I was replacing parts left and right. At this point the age of a GD is going to become a real problem, especially considering how people put them up for sale at such unrealistic prices. Spun bearing and quarter rust, 5k firm, don't lowball me, bro.

[minusmartin]

my favorite gem has always been the blob eyed because you could just tell it was raw and one to one. so if i was seeking a car to have fun with and throw around, i’d get that one. but if i was looking at amenities, i’d get this latest gen (like my 2017 limited) because they REALLY stepped it up when it comes to that.
when i get about half ways into paying this car off, i want to get an 05 wrb

[spl]

One the GC8 and of course the Blob Eye. GR wide bodies are amazing looking aswell. Being in Canada I wanted to import a clean GC8 as my daily but ended up finding a great deal on a 2013 STI Sedan so I went with that instead, very happy with my choice its such a beautiful looking car.

Have owned it for about 3weeks now and I love it, can already tell its going to burn a hole in my pocket lmao.

[bradwhite]

There are so many people saying the 05 sti bolt pattern is 5x100 and others saying 5x114. I finally get a definitive answer. Thank you!!!

[JasperW-ij]

I’m wondering which year started having an auxiliary port on the interior? just want music

[JeffDrumm]

So my 08 hatch is tuned and the difference between Sport and Sport Sharp is that the Boost levels have been mapped differently. The sport sharp has a much higher boost level

[a]

I had an 05 STi and it was fun. On stage 2 it was just snappy brute power and awesome exhaust sound. My 2016 WRX is nice and cushy..very solid feeling..quiet, but lacks that snappy brute power I'm used to. Oh well..ill just put a big stereo in it..lol.

[bruceholinight]

Bugeye for me, simple lines but the 1995 Gc8 Ra is still my favorite 2600 lb ! Lot's to choose from here in Canada, have a 2003 with complete STI swap ! After 2003 JDM STI swaps are a little harder to swap because of ecu issues ! VF 39 90% chance of cracking ! Some of the ej207 imports have put out 320 hp stock in my area, mostly version 8 !

[TheSphynx]

Wait... hold up... I thought the VA STI had an EJ257 not the FA20... am I wrong? My '15 STI has the EJ

[alexb]

My favorite is the blob eye and hawk eye. I own an 05 so u know what I like lol

[miggydizon]

Bro this is really helpful on my preparation for a wrx. Excited to change platform!!! More power to you

[Mike_]

Best video on older/used STi specs ever. Thanks!