#subaru #WRX
Well.. it had to be done. Also I have no clue how this ended up being 35min long. Anyways here are 5 things I hate about this car after almost 3yrs of ownership. Enjoy this episode and let me know if this is truly helpful in your next car purchase or if I’m completely exaggerating and being dramatic! 2021 Subaru WRX STI… does it live up to my high school dreams?
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The 2021 STI is still basically on 2004 STI standards. So unfortunately comparing a 2021 STI to a Kia Stinger or a newer Mustang GT is like comparing those new cars to the 2004 STI. The STI was a beast when it came out, it just didn't keep up with the power increases of its competition. Subaru still honoring a decades old gentlemen's agreement for horsepower.
Good news is there's decades of do's and don'ts for this platform. If you have some money and want to modify the car it is a lot of fun and very rewarding.
The reliability is and isn't an issue. The car has some weak points. But most cars do when modifying them. Keep it stock and you're fine. When you start to modify you need to do it in a specific way. Install a new oil pick up and keep the power under a certain amount on the stock block. Don't listen to internet haters and Donut media. These cars are not a ticking time bomb.
You either love the car and want to modify it or you had your fun and it's time for a new platform. But don't just get rid of the car because the internet said so my man.
After owning it for a couple years and you're bored then you should either modify the car and make it drive better and faster or sell it for a different platform. A GRC or a Stinger would be cool but you'll get bored of that too eventually…… See a pattern? We are car people. These things happen.
Love the car and make it yours ❤
I vote keep it but I'm biased
I also started to get bored with my STI after daily driving it for 2 years. Then I started modifying it and fell in love with the car again. Little things go a long way with this platform. I'm currently at 310 WHP and 340 WTQ and it's great. It will hold me over a couple years so I can save up for a forged short block and supporting modifications to make more power safely.
The info in this video is very much opinion and I would add mis/uninformed opinion, at times(per his own admission). About the only item I would agree with (as a driving enthusiast) is purchasing a used VA or any “popular” enthusiast car can be a gamble. To many poorly cared for vehicles owned by folks that lament Honda reliability, which I have taken to mean capable of withstanding poor ownership practices.
If this video resonates with you, a Camry or Accord may be a better option. They may not be “sexy” but will be fast enough to keep you happy and built well enough to withstand any missteps in ownership.
You need to put a nice exhaust on it !!! nameless 4” or 5” and you will enjoy the car way more, get ur self another daily and preserve the sti you will enjoy it more when you drive it
02 WRX = 230k, 04 WRX = 100k, 08 WRX = 166k. Same EJ. All tuned, modded. Have taken 16 hours, 12 hour, 8 hour road trips with them, no problems. Stop worring about it if theres nothing to worry about. The only thing I do with it more than my other cars is regularly checking the oil level while waiting for the gas to fill up. The EJ definitely consumes oil. All of mine have. If you don't, you're going to run into low oil pressure and take out the motor.
some thoughts:
subaru is a good platform, same with other brands, a few mods will make it alot faster and that tune really helps
reliability should be just fine as long as you aren't modding it through the roof or tracking it without supporting mods, if you ignore all the hate subarus are actually one of the most reliable cars out there as long as you take care of them.
same rules apply to bogging (floor it in 4th or 5th at 2k) other cars, if you give it more fuel when it cant spin any faster to get more air… it's normal, I suggest getting an automatic if it is an issue, or just don't floor it in upper gears at sub optimal speeds
maintenance is the same with other cars too, if you beat the life out of it you have to check and change more often, its not that bad, oem coolant lasts freakin 137k mi (according to subaru)
I love my nameless performance axleback, anything that doesn't delete the resonator should have minimal drone and be reasonable noise level
the sti is more enthusiast oriented and allows for more connection though the car, if you want a people friendly suabru, the legacy gt and the outback xt are quiet, very nice and good power numbers for what they are
overall I think that you seem to be asking everything from a car; low maintenance, high performance, high reliability, loud, quiet. I don't think the sti i right for you I recommend leaving the sti or Subaru in general. problem is, you want everything, if you go and get an evo like you want you will have all the same issues if not more because it will be modified.
I had the same feelings when I owed my sti hatch. I always babied it and never truly pushed it because I was scared I would blow and engine. Traded it in for a grc and never looked back. The ej is overrated by Subaru enthusiasts.
Great points!
I'm still on the fence between a 2021 STI and 2024 BRZ tS…I'm checking out the STI this weekend, it has about 38k KMs, going for 39K CAD (clean Carfax). I was leaning towards the STI because of the AWD and practicality (although I live in Toronto, the Winters haven't been too bad compared to other parts of Canada), but came across a deal on a 2024 BRZ tS with only 5.5K Kms going for 37K CAD (a dealer demo).
Literally got the same car my friend I’m at 20k miles it was one of the best choices made after losing my evo it’s perfectly reliable and crazy sporty but I’ve modded mine and only getting crazier from there. I hope your car treats you well as mine and keeps on staying reliable
If you ever look into exhausts, definitely get the cobb or any of the hks offerings. I find they are the perfect OEM+ finish looking exhausts with no drone and enough tone to make them fun! Not too loud at low RPMS, and open up when you push it. Had an STI and got rid of it for similar issues but i modifed the piss out of it and my anxiety was through the roof lol. 420 whp on E85 and and did everything right mod wise. STill had small issues such as startups being way too rough, suspension was a tad too rough, and constant coolant leak from all the heat expanding the hoses. Was not worth it on a daily driver. Went to a second gen BRZ with just an intake and e85 pro tune with a HKS axleback and have no regrets. Nice and quiet with more than enough power to have fun with. Peace of mind is worth it
I’ve been torn between getting one of these STi’s since it’s been a dream car of mine since middle school or getting FK8 type R since I’ve pretty much always owned Hondas or a new Hyundai Elantra N which seems to make the most sense all the videos I see online praise the Elantra and it comes with a crazy good warranty
People talking about reliability likely have never owned a Subie. Or, they did poor mods on it. Look after the car with regular maintenance and if modding, get an intake/exhaust then a pro tune. Leave the access ports to the amateurs.
Time to say goodbye and get a reliable daily. The CTR or GRC, or even the new WRX VB would be better for you.
You don't seem to be a "modder", so you need the right package from factory. A beater car would help bring back the special feel of the STI.
To keep the car longer, you will have to get the right modifying parts to help cancel the negatives or make it more liveable. An exhaust is expensive, but easy to install and shouldn't void the warranty.
Good luck on your journey, the more cars you buy, the closer you will get to the right car for you. But it comes down to who we really are, not who we think we are.
Time to sell for a 3 row suv or gtr. No in-between
I have the same car in the same color! I have the cobb titanium 3" catback exhaust part# 515140. I highly recommend it. It sounds great inside and outside the car without being too loud and it has no drone.
Least favorite thing about my 13 WRX hatch is the interior quality rattles and creaks everywhere!