Topic: 2015 WRX STi and 2015 WRX

[Guest]

Post content deleted at request of original poster.

[johngenx]

I've had some good seat time in the 2015 STi and completely agree.  The chassis is finally up to (and far beyond) the engine.  I also wrote that I thought the car could easily handle a large power infusion with no mods - it's a giant leap forward from previous STi chassis'.

The DCCD system alone to me is worth the price of admission.  The other stuff is a bonus.

[johngenx]

how much better the 2015 model is compared to the 2014.

The interior is improved.  I wish there was a hatch - and I hate the wing - I'd order a base model.  It still looks aggressive with flares, etc, etc.  Lots of "STi DNA" in there.

I was a little "meh" at first about the engine carry-over - then I drove it hard.  The old STi was fun, no doubt, but it always felt to me like the chassis was matched to the engine, maybe even not quite there.  Now, the new chassis is far beyond the engine in terms of capability, meaning you can put every one of those 305hp to use.  Corner exit speeds can be ridiculously high now thanks to being able to put the power down.  The previous model was kind of "back it in" to the corner and then try to put the power on as much as you could.  The new car allows you to shoot for the apex and then get all over the power as you exit.

The 2.5L is old compared to the 2.0L, but has one major advantage in my books: a well developed and cost-effective tuning market.  The 2.5L can be beefed to 400hp with little effort -and with the new car, no need to spend big bucks trying to get the chassis to work.  It's done.  Add power and go.  Go very, very, fast.

[Weels]

I need to try the STI.  Minus the wing
The WRX I drove last year was plenty quick, but the lingering feeling I had with it was that the manual box felt a bit fragile. No worries with that in the STi it would appear.

[johngenx]

I usually don't care wing or no wing, but the wing-less car to me has a more "purposeful" and clean look.  Personal preference.  I also didn't like it filling the rearview.

[johngenx]

In reference to the test in the other thread with the Golf R, I think those guys missed the boat on the torque vectoring and DCCD.

They turned everything off and then dialed the DCCD to the rear cause they thought the car was understeering.  To make the 2015 drive exactly like the 2014, that's what you do.  It's an exciting way to drive - with the back end loose - but not the fastest.

You drive the 2015 differently.  The 2014 didn't have the precision and front axle grip that the new car has.  The way through a bend in the previous car was to go in, add too much steering, get the car to pitch ("back it in") and then when the front is pointing at the exit of the corner, straighten the wheel and punch it.  The 2015 CAN be driven like that, but it's not the fastest way through the bend.  Now you can trail brake a bit to set the outside front, apply power smoothly and as the front end hunts, the torque vectoring becomes your friend.  After you clip the apex, keep your foot in it and the vectoring and AWD together will find every last bit of grip.  You're not coming out with the tail hanging out, but you're coming out with a LOT more exit speed.

I took a ramp marked for 40  - that I am right at the limit in the Miata at 100 - at 120 in the STi and it was PLANTED.  Jumping from a 2014 to the 2015, the car might feel a little boring cause you're not having to see-saw the wheel through every tight corner.

The friend that owns the 2015 I drove moved from a previous gen STi and he gushes about the difference in chassis capability.  He's also one of the best amateur drivers I know - he's really, really fast.  No matter which car he brings to the Auto-X, he's posting the lowest times.  (including in his bone-stock 116hp 1990 Miata)

[Layne]

I have often thought that I should have gone for the STI.....