2.5L WRX or 2.0L WRX STI

[dubbed]

If you had to choose out of a new WRX with a 2.5L engine + 5-speed manual or an older WRX STI with a 2.0L engine + 6-speed manual, which would you choose and why? (Both roughly same km and price but the STI is older shape.)

[sleg]

Go for the sti, I had a wrx and only so much you can do to get power out of it, before you need the STI stronger internals.

[Blitzen]

Old shape STI... The new WRX's are as ugly as a Mk6 Golf...

[tim_sugar]

Yea go the STI, ive had 4 wrxs and got one of them to 220kw atw and still blew the sti gearbox up, fragile cars when its not all sti running gear and alot of power. Also the STI 2.0ltr comes with much stronger internals than the 2.5.

[dubbed]

Thanks gents. I'm considering a 2003-05 STI or later model WRX (not the current shape). I like the idea of winding up the boost in an STI and not worrying much about anything else but wouldn't mind focusing on handling.

I just heard the STI can be a pig to drive in traffic because of the clutch. Can anyone comment?

[Stephy]

We had a forester with sti wrx guts and my friend had a 2004 (i think) sti, for me, yes they were both pigs in town. But... the cars handled almost as well, if not a touch better than the gtr on the wonderful winding roads we have here. Why don't you take one for a test drive in traffic and see if you like it? (if that is the majority of driving you will do)

[REXman]

I grew up with japanese turbos, and I disagree about the STI being a pig in traffic. The car is fine.. it does not feel like a V6 at 1500rpm, thats a given. (but obviously it doesnt feel like one at 5000rpm either).

They still use the 2L in Japan, its cause of emissions we get the (lesser)2.5L.

Also on the 3G WRXs - the pistons are actually the exact same part number as the ones found in the same model STIs .

If your going second hand either way, get the STI no doubt.

gearbox is tougher and offers you a sixth gear, the engine internals are tougher, brakes are much better, bigger TMIC with SPRAY, interior is nicer.. some models you can even adjust the differential.. I'll stop there