First Drive: Subaru Impreza WRX STi

[monmendoza]

I have always wanter a car with sports car like performance and this year, I finally took the plunge. I was looking at different brand of cars and I finally settled down with an STI because I believe that its price is very good compared to its performance. I requested Motor Image Philippines to replace the rear wing spoilers with more subdued spoilers of the WRX and they happily obliged. I was not charge extra for it. I felt that the wing spoilers was too "bagets" for my age( early forties). I got my car last week and I immediately notice the power difference of the STi. The ride was stiff so I check the air pressure and viola it was way above the recommended tire pressure of about 32psi. In fact it was almost at 50psi for all the 4 tires. Maybe they do this before shipping the car from japan just in case it gets stored for a long time. When I adjusted the tire pressure to factory recommended 32 psi and the ride was better. I have noticed that when I drive at higher speeds, the ride becomes much better. In fact I like the ride at speeds higher than 30kph. I also like the feel of the handling. You can really feel the road. I already like the feel of my rav4. the sti has better road feel.
I had the chance to see the power of the sti when I overtook a 7 truck convoy going up to antipolo. It happened too fast that I was amazed at its acceleration. For those who regularly drive to antipolo following a convoy of slow trucks, you would probably feel the frustration of not being able to overtake. The Sti was fast.
Last sunday noontime, I invited a friend and brought the sti to Nlex. Traffic was very light and I overtook a BMW 325i while running at about 130kph. I waited for it and he took the bait. He overtook me again running at about 150kph. I followed him until our speed reach 215kph. When it was clear that he was no longer going or unable to increase his speed, I overtook him again and finally reach a speed of about 240kph. I have never driven faster that 170kph before. This is my speed record and you know what, the car was more stable at 240kph than my rav4 at 170kph. In fact, I was more confident controlling the sti at 240kph than my rav4 at 170kph.
Compared to a regular imprezza, the sti lacks some of the features I wish was included but was not included. Considering that it is priced P600K more. One is the moonroof. I wish it has a moonroof. The Foglights is also not standard. It only comes as an option. Well you can't have them all.
Although people say, that it is impractical to have a very fast car in MMLa, I think the STi will be very usefull when you overtake in the highway. For those trying to overtake when going to Baguio or Vigan would know what I mean. Sometimes it gets very frustrating when you are following a convoy of trucks and you can't overtake because you vehicle lacks the power.
In general I was very happy of my choice. The interior has very good feel of luxury. I was glad, the seats was not made of leather, as I find leather seats easy to slide. Aircon was very very cold and stereo sounds was more than adequate.
I think the STi is a very good value for the money. In holland, I saw them selling the STi with "subdued" spoilers and silver instead of gold wheels for US$52K. And a limited edition STi in the US again with "subdued" spoliers and moonroof goes for much higher than in the Philippines. I am almost sure the price of the STi here will go higher after multi image completed its introductory offer. Warranttee is only 1 year at 20000Kms. unlike the forrester xt and the WRX which are both 3 years and 60000kms. Well again something that you have to pay for performance.

[monmendoza]

Additional pictures of the STi

[the josh]

Congrats on your purchase! Hataw na!

[monmendoza]

more Additional pictures

[GerardTagayty]

waaaaa! i want one! :sigh: nice thinking on the rear spoiler sir! dapat nibigyan ka nila ng discount pa. hehehe!! i find it din a little too rice rockety with that huge spoiler (im not a big fan of rear cariton handle like spoiler) i like your better! congrats on the new toy! :D im sure youre loving it!

[artpogi]

wow cool! congratulations!

There's no question that on open roads it is one hell of a performer, I just want to suggest, why not use it as a daily driver for, let's say three or a couple of weeks, and try to pass thru severe traffic of manila everyday and let us know how it is as a daily driver.

[Horsepower]

The reverse ring is a wise feature.

[HyBrideVo]

Congrats on the purchase! Enjoy the drive...Be ready for some noticable understeer and slight turbo lag..Overall it's a ***y car :clap:

It doesn't have an alarm? That's unusual.. Most Subies have OEM alarms installed with the remote especially the STI.



AWD > FWD

[wren]

congrats! pero owner ka na, dapat tama na spelling mo...it's impreza.

JK, just giving you a hard time...jealous kasi ako eh. enjoy!

[170kphlang]

just to correct another thing sir its motor image hindi po multi image..
and just another piece of advice specially in nlex not because you have a powerful car means you need to bait or intimidate others to race you and reach far more than 150kph, your putting yourself and others in harms way