7 Reasons Not To Buy The 2016 Subaru WRX STI

7 Reasons Not To Buy The 2016 Subaru WRX STI. The Subaru WRX STI is an amazing car, but it does have its disadvantages. The engine (EJ257) is dated, tracing its ancestry back to 2004, with total horsepower relatively unchanged. All of the power is on the top end, there's fairly significant turbo lag, and the fuel economy is terrible. Cargo space and the fuel tank are smaller than the previous generation's hatchback, and with the new WRX performing almost equally well on the street, it's hard to justify the extra expense. Most importantly, with the 2016 Ford Focus RS around the corner, it's promising more power, less weight, and an equivalent price. Certainly worth checking out before writing a $40k check.

Related Videos:

And don't forget to check out my other pages below!

To help create more videos, check out my Patreon page!

NEW VIDEO EVERY WEDNESDAY!

[tommieboi]

Not sure why u got so many thumbs down just stating facts. I have a supra twin turbo and I can give u 20 reasons not to buy it lol. Until u actually own one u don't know what all the negative aspects are of a car.

[VDub]

nobody buys an STi for its fuel mileage

[Toastmaster_]

I think the STI has been so "stale" because it hasn't had any legitimate competition in years. The new Focus RS I think will finally push Subaru to give a damn.

[enthusiast]

Admittedly its time for subaru to upgrade the engine in this car. That being said I would still buy this car as is. This is a drivers car

[sgt.nuclear]

Is it just me who prefers the look of the old Subaru Imprezas over the other newer subaru's?

[Digitalfiendscom]

As someone who has owned an '05 STi, an '08 STI, and an '09 WRX, I've got to say that this video is pretty spot on.  In '03-'04 there weren't many cars out there at the STi's price point (excluding the EVO) that could touch a STi in terms of performance.  The '05 STi came out with a slew of improvements over the '04 that really made it "the" car to have and I absolutely LOVED mine.  My '08 was much more usable than my '05 but had lost a bit of its punch (heavier, longer gear ratios vs the '05) and while I really liked that car, I must admit that I was starting to long for better seats, interior materials, and performance for my $45k CDN.  I tracked both cars and upgraded them to stage 2+ power levels (plus suspension improvements), so they were certainly used as intended! Around the same time my wife got an '09 WRX and acceleration wise, it was nearly every bit as quick as my '08 when it was stock, but still lacked the strong brakes, handling, and great 6spd transmission.  What I find so disappointing is that the new STI is still virtually the same car as my '05!  Yes the chassis is stiffer, the power curve a little more refined, but it still has pathetic fuel economy,  interior noise, mediocre seats, and cheap materials.  The rest of the world has moved on (including the WRX) yet the STI remains relatively stagnant.  It's still a good car, especially with the price drops over the years, but the STI has a LOT more competition out there than it used to and, at least for me, it's harder to justify buying one now than even just 8 years ago.  I still love my Subaru's (have a Forester now instead of an STI) but my next performance car may very well be from another brand.

[alfredoperez]

All people talking about cars and comparing them, and me...What a beautiful road. Greetings from México.

[future]

They need an FA25. When the old WRX went from 2.0 to 2.5L things got serious. An FA25 making ~350-400HP in the STI would help defend it against the likes of the Focus RS and Golf R. If this thing has an EJ beyond next year it will be dead in the water.... only the most dedicated Subie fanbois will be able to rationalize it.

[darthfunkninja]

Enjoyable honest review. Don't let people with internet rage worry you. Your opinions seem to be based on solid facts, data, and first hand experience.

[TurboDiesel-zfph]

17 mpg that's amazing compared to 7 mpg city on my 87 suburban

[griffinmackenzie]

--buys race car--
--complains about fuel economy--

[ixgenesis]

Somehow i still decided to buy one right after this video 🤣

[MattMaranMotoring]

Great points Jason! Very true about the STI. The old sound of these is great but the new WRX definitely seems like the more compelling choice for all of the reasons you mentioned. And judging by the end of the video it sounds the the Focus RS offers all the things you're looking for Jason...do I sense one in your future? :D

[michaelfischer]

This dude is spot on. I recently owned a 2015 STi for the last year+. I loved the car but there were a few things that ultimately made me sell it.

What I didn't like: The gas mileage is terrible. I was in the 16.xx mpg for a lot of the time. A newer engine could address this. The car is weak until 3000rpm with the turbo lag. The wind noise/road noise is terrible. Long highway trips on holidays were annoying. The base sti Enkei rims had paint chips/cracks on almost all four rims. The hood alignment seemed off, I could see engine components just by peeking at the right angle. I had the short shifter and when pair with the gear ratio's, it just never seemed to be in the right gear. The car is always ready to go 100% which can be good or bad. You do get noticed more with the wing. I got pulled over for 3 speed violations in a year. The car does not like going the speed limit. My insurance went way north. Living in Texas, I felt like I was wasting the AWD with all the long straight roads. Moving back to Minnesota would have been way different. I did have to replace all four tires because of AWD after one became flat from a nail. Most other people will hate driving with you! My girlfriend and family were always saying my car made them sick. There's a lot of neck jerking going on. Then there's the $600 payment, if you finance it be prepared. Added all up, car = rent/house payment for many people.

What I liked: It's an extremely raw car that loves to be pushed like all the reviews mention. The grip made me feel like a better driver than I really am. The rumble from the boxer is great. It has great hydraulic steering. The dark gray metallic paint was great when waxed and paired with window tint.The LED headlamps were awesome at night. The base WRX has halogen. It has an amazing transmission. My is300 5speed is garbage compared to the 6mt in the Sti. What an awesome gearbox that is the epitome of bulletproof. I thought the build quality was excellent all around except for the hood alignment. The Subaru drivetrain feels like it will last forever. It has extremely good resale value. My Subaru dealer gave me a fair trade price. Other dealers who don't know about Sti will try to screw you in my experience. You can't put a price on fun factor, and this car was loads of fun. A car you glance back at every time you leave it.

If I was to do it all over, I would have got a hatchback if they offered it. I should've bought the WRX but test drove the Sti first. I will definitely consider another if they bring a Hatchback 2.0 FA Sti to the states. The VW Golf R looks great from the inside, but I wish VW had a better reliability track record and also that it had real Quattro instead of the FWD based Haldex.

[TheCluelessNub]

I think you did a great job on this video. It's very hard i find to find drawbacks or negative factors of a car when you like or enjoy it so much. Definitely good input! Also wanted to mention the camera changes you did to split both the face and drivers seat was a really good touch! Gives you something different to look at and to see what you're actually driving! Great video as always, keep it up!

[gilnamur]

Love your video, especially the ones that you explain the mechanics behind it! I have a question about the STI, I heard they are going to come out with a new engine next year, is that true?

[corvxnite]

All these reasons are the exact points (minus road noise, which I didn't notice to be a huge problem) are the reasons I went with 16 WRX over an STI. Sure I sacrificed a half litre of displacement, but that low-end torque is amazing. The FA20DIT is an awesome platform to work with

[Phatcat]

I wanted to buy an STI... My wife said "don't say that around the kids"... I bought a WRX... Women know everything!!!

[gipstetz]

Great video. Thanks so much for the honest review of your car. Very helpful. Please keep posting your honest opinions. Some people just can't handle the truth. Thanks again. You have a great channel.

[bennett]

great video, thanks for taking the time and effort to put this together. keep it up!