Still holding out for a new WRX STI? The tS may be the closest you’re going to get. (If it helps, tS does stand for “Tuned by STI.”)
Like the BRZ tS, the WRX tS promises a little bit more–more handling, more brakes, more performance.
Still holding out for a new WRX STI? The tS may be the closest you’re going to get. (If it helps, tS does stand for “Tuned by STI.”)
Like the BRZ tS, the WRX tS promises a little bit more–more handling, more brakes, more performance.
If it's anything like the BRZ tS, the WRX version should be a hoot to drive.
The short version of my review: I could happily live with this car.
The end.
Okay, a little more.
The last WRX we had felt a little soft. Didn’t have that WRX attitude. Time marches on, right? At least we have the memories.
The WRX tS reminds me of those earlier WRX models–more crispness, more of an edge. (And if a regular WRX just needs tires, brakes, suspension and a few bolt-ons, then use this as your template.)
The seats, by the way, feel perfect. Just the right amount of bolster along with grippy covers. Oh, and the blue looks way cool IRL. They don’t get uncomfortable after a bit of time in them, either.
Speaking of time behind the wheel, not much wind noise. For something you could happily autocross/track, it also makes a competent highway hauler.
The driveline reminds me of Subarus past: good pull along with a touch of lag. Solid shifter. Love that Subaru has kept the lock-out ring. Call me nostalgic.
The current WRX is bigger than past ones. I’m okay with that: big trunk, usable back seat.
Photo from a weekend morning drive, with more to come. 
Saw a white one last month when we were car shopping for the better half. Those wheels are awesome in person. It looked pretty sharp. I'm still torn on the squared off wheel wells though.
In reply to z31maniac :
It’s kinda like a GMT800 truck, right?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Now that you mention it...
The squared-off wheel wells don’t really bother me. They did at first but now they’ve grown on me.
I have nits to pick, but the overall vibe here is that this is a considerable upgrade on track from the base version. Like, almost shockingly so considering it's just bolt-ons. There's still a few things it struggles with just because of its basic architecture, but the on-track performance is far more market-appropriate and in-line with its competitors.
Is this the thread where I admit that I have been looking at WRX ads? Figure it’s also competitive in STH...
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Can confirm sth competitiveness, with just coilovers, rt660s, and almost no camber a base wrx was within a couple tenths of a top national STH competitor. A little extra low end power, rear sway bar, and an aggressive alignment would make a very good package.
In reply to mhaskins :
Yup. Kinda like our GTI but with a bit more Subaruness.
In reply to z31maniac :
I took one look at the wheels and thought: Wow, those would have to go.
I've noticed that all of the photos I've seen of the car have shown the driver's side, so I also worry that they look different depending on what side of the car you're looking at. Like the GTI wheels that could've just been perfectly cromulent 5 spokes and avoided the issue. No, instead they rake backwards on the driver's side and forwards on the passenger side.
These wheels didn’t bug me too much, but I do hear you. A solution? TE37 all things?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Can't go wrong with the TE37.
I'd suggest the RPF1, but I think this WRX would benefit from a chunkier wheel–maybe something rally-inspired from Sparco?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I'm partial to the BBS RK style wheels, myself. Colin may a point about the Sparco options, though.
Colin Wood said:In reply to David S. Wallens :
Can't go wrong with the TE37.
I'd suggest the RPF1, but I think this WRX would benefit from a chunkier wheel–maybe something rally-inspired from Sparco?
I think I'm one of the few that doesn't really like TE's. I'll take the Volk CE28N every day and twice on Sunday over the TE. I settled on Advan RSIIIs for the BRZ, because at $600/wheel already kind of spendy, the Volks were like $910/wheel.
In reply to z31maniac :
Those are fightin’ words around here. :)
Okay, not really, I love that people have their favorite wheels. Some Gram Lights would look pretty sweet on a WRX, too.
I'm glad to hear this car is improved over the base WRX we had a few years ago. I really wanted to like that car but it just didn't feel up to par with other cars in its class. Sounds like they stepped it up like they did with the BRZ.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I think I'm just a multi-spoke kind of guy vs 5-6. I also looked at the Work DR10.
I'd really, REALLY like to get a set of 18" BBS Super RS for the BRZ, but I haven't been able to find any centers in 5x100.
In reply to z31maniac :
We all have our jam, right?
We saw a bunch of WRXs at Subiefest (shocked, I know) and that got me thinking about something like this. 
I love that everybody that's commented so far seems excited about the up-spec WRX, and the biggest point of contention is what kind of wheels should be on the car.
That's called arguing at the margins, and it's not uncommon among enthusiasts/geeks/pedants on any topic.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Bronze on blue. Classic.
DO IT!
One thing I did notice when looking at it, the stock wheels seem REALLY close to those big Brembo's up front.
I’ve driven more than a few WRXs and had a few live with me. I was even at the U.S. media intro for the first one. (Trivia note: Part of it was held at the FIRM.)
Something about my time with this one got my thinking that maybe it’s time for another WRX.
In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :
The funny thing is that the WRX tS isn’t that radical. It doesn’t get more power. It doesn’t get a special gearbox.
But it does show how well the car (still) reacts to a few common mods: brakes, shocks, footprint.
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