2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI | Full Test | Edmunds.com

[@g8spikyhair]

Although I'm an STI enthusiast, I wasnt the biggest fan of their new hatch back style when they first came out....Until my friend bought one and introduced me to a whole different side of the STIs. All he did was drop the car 2 inches, tinted the windows and added a nice red pinstripe around the rims and I fell in love. Great cars as is but just a few minor touches brings out that ferocious look in it.

[@yoimer06]

The STI has grown up, you should too. LMAO love that last comment. My favorite car hands down.

[@mitchkramah]

I used to hate the hatchback look, but i've definately grown to love it. The back end looks really stout and argessive, and I think the dovetail roof-line with the subtle lip spoiler looks much better then the sedan with an over-sized rear wing. The hatchback is also much more practical in terms of a daily driver, with more generous cargo space then the sedan. Now if I only had $35-grand....

[@yellowbusguy]

I just saw my first one today and it looked sweet. The media images don't really do it justice. I was impressed, it's a beautiful car and it looks fast.

[@SlashsSon101]

i can't believe he pulled that first one back holy shit, i thought he woulda spun out for sure, amazing driving and engineering

[@Ez.Here0]

I have been a Subaru Impreza WRX STI for 5 years but this i see a lot has change and i like it.

[@qutip14]

It is way more beutiful in person and when i took it for a test drive, my mind was blowin about how much faster and how much more usable it was...now i love em more then ever and i am looking forward to buying one soon.

[@JOHNNYGIX]

agreed, that's why I'm on my second STI, it's a year round sports car when you have cold snowy winters!

[@javonpryce]

The STi have grown up. You should too. Love that line

[@happytyler41892]

"The STi has grown up, you should too..." -InsideLine

[@KhakiMan2010]

"The STi has grown up. You should too." Awesome closing statement I agree 100% all you blogger trolls hate elsewhere.

[@AdrianJSClark]

You are correct that they didn't make them for the US market until 2004, however they started making them for the Japanese market from 1992 onwards. Australia got some special edition STi models around 1999.

[@shinobi594]

The new hatchback design is all about achieving a lower POLAR MOMENT OF INTERIA which makes the car more competitive in Rally racing... Shorter overhangs mean quicker direction changes and makes the car less prone to hitting objects when making turns/drifts/etc.... The practicality is just icing on the cake.

[@neuspeed79]

I just bought one too! I so happy! Got an amazing deal too!! 5K off MSRP and 0% financing!!! The new 09s are coming in and they wanted to rid of the 08s left they had fast. I got a silver one :D

[@shinobi594]

That is the first thing I thought of when I saw the design change.... That was an awesome car and was crazy fast during the Group B days....

[@JOHNNYGIX]

All 4WD systems are RWD when the transfer case is not engaged so you don't have to always have both front and rear diffs on. This saves wear and tear and fuel. With AWD, you can't just switch it to all RWD so it's always active. 4WD is mainly for trucks, with 4LO you can crawl over steep hills no problem due to lower gearing

[@shinobi594]

The brembo's are still there... It just now has STi badged caliper covers now instead of the gold brembo badged ones. It actually only slightly bigger than the older ones but braking is alot better now. 60-0 in 106ft compared to 115ft from last model.

[@AgileMJOLNIR]

I seriously want one of these. I have a 2007 Spec V which is a bad ass car itself but I want this STI even more.

[@scoobeydoooo]

Nightskast22, I agree with you. I went to the dealership with the same mindset. I used to own a 2002 WRX stg 1 and a 2006 R (which was a BIG mistake) but I can safely say that the new rexie makes greater cars look lesser cars. Trust me, test drive 1 yourself. I own a 08 WRX now and can't say how happy I am with the performance. And as far as the looks are concerned, all my mates who drives rexies, GTRs and VL commodores recons they are hot in person. Can't wait to get to stg 1 or maybe 2.

[@shinobi594]

Quoted from a P-WRC website: "The new WRX STI Group N has been tested over the same courses as the current STI Group N and times show better performance from the new model. Part of the reason is the 3-mode SI drive and multi-mode DCCD have computerized controls, which allows nearly infinite combinations depending on rally conditions. Weight distribution has been improved, rear overhang reduced, and the roll center of the car has been optimized." I'm sure they know what they're doing. ^.^

[@speacialperson12345]

to sum it all up...4WD makes both axles spin at same speeds. AWD= active all the time, but rear wheels only get more power when needed.

[@Pantstofri]

@Rtype1000 yeah, things are more expensive. But higher octane gas is generally more expensive as well.

[@Vacardi]

you know i once thought the same thing till i saw one in person. I looks NOTHING like a ford focus, just because its a hatch. All hatches look similar. But side by side this looks completely different!! I LOVE IT!! Its a monster compared to a little focus...

[@shinobi594]

Group N WRC homologation spec STi uses a JDM EJ20 2.0 Boxer w/ Twin Scroll turbo found in Japan only. That 2008 Group N STi uses the same "fugly" chassis/body as the US and UK spec , and is generally faster and more stable than the older "sedan" impreza Group N spec it replaces.

[@shinobi594]

For anyone interested, the new Impreza WRC for 2008 has been confirmed ahead of schedule to participate on 05/28/08 at Greece... The team says that the car is already outperforming their previous 2007 WRC car and that they're confident it will be more competitive. Read the article at WRC site for more details. ^.^

[@m3trooper]

I saw a red '08 STI at the grocery store in Edgewater, NJ yesterday with some older guy driving it! Didn't know these were for sale already! Looks quite nice in person, I must admit. Much nicer than the standard WRX, but I wish they made it in the sedan version.

[@Siper2]

ECU is different, so it's tuned to take the gas that's available. Out east where I am, 93 is the highest you can normally get, though some stations sell 94. I've not seen higher, unless you buy a bottle of tolulene. :)

[@Siper2]

Many, many people have stock 6MTs with well over stock power. It's all in how well you actually know how to shift.

[@Rtype1000]

@PantstofryPWNZ True but by a small margin. In my country 95 octane is 1.320 € , 100 octane is 1.333€ . It is not much diference price. The bigest part of fuel prices are taxes. You in USA have much lower taxes then we have in EU. And there is price difference in fuel. Not by octane level. LP

[@shinobi594]

The twin scroll set up of the EJ20 makes up for the narrower torque curve it gets... Plus it has more complicated tubing than the single scroll the 2.5 comes with... Pretty much just slightly different methods to achieve the same goal... When it comes to modding though... The EJ25 is the way to go IMO....

[@sti302man]

we need more evo owners like you man. cheers

[@rally411tv]

Yet another video that is best left to Top Gear. I dont think mom n dad are gonna be pickin up an STI by the edmunds review.

[@zxcv1234vcxz]

This video is for the 2008 version. Try looking up the new 2009 model. With 2009, Subaru went back to hardcore racing, designing and building it before they pulled out of the World Rally Championship last winter. It's still a hatchback, but it's much sharper and meaner.

[@fixinhondas]

I did not like it at first as well but it growing on me quick! Love the old look, did not care for the HUGE spoiler though, really blocks the rear view. This is more practical looking. Has the sleeper look, kinda.

[@shinobi594]

congrats on the purchase. Get an aggressive alignment setting, an Accessport, and go Stage 1 asap... Good stuff you will not regret it ^.^

[@OGSTEFAN]

yes there is. they just presented it in the new zealand performance car magazine. Its comming out soon. look it up must be some where on the net look it up

[@shinobi594]

The GRB STi is a "Group N" Homologation car. Mainstream WRC (formerly Group A) only requires the Impreza, like Ford's Focus and Citroen's C4/Xsara...

[@shinobi594]

Fuel capacity for the 2008 STi is 16.9 gallons.... I was averaging about 20mpg with a mix of city/highway (mostly city).... This is with SI Drive on "Intelligent" setting. Strictly highway, I was able to get close to 28mpg.... ("I" mode) However, the gas light comes on when you are down by 12.3 gallons. (approx 260-270 miles). Utilizing all 16.9 gallons, you should be able to get at least 340 miles out of the car....

[@nixter1nixter1]

Thanks for your inane input, the six speed is designed to handle 300 Hp period. Subaru design specs are for over 100,000 miles of use, even just 350 Hp will not handle the long term stresses incurred.

[@rocketpunch12210]

The improved stopping performance is probably largely due to the much increased tire width from GD STI's 225 to this GH STI's 245.

[@KhakiMan2010]

It's good to see an evo owner that isn't a punk... I respect the evo but I agree with you, I think the STi wins this round(2008).

[@RayHarrison1978]

I like it. Reminds me a little of the Lancia delta integrale. And that was one of the best rally cars of all time

[@Rojo12689]

@Kminatz basically that i liked the new body style. but i made the mistake of asking, "now where can i get $40,000..." if you look through the comments you can see how many people responded. it got annoying opening my inbox, just to see "job" or "career" so i removed it.

[@HonsFF13]

I have to agree with 360mmSpider and say Before u say anything about the look of the new hatchbacks, go look at one first (up close(. At first it was meh by just looking at pictures. But then i saw one and i was astonished! They are sexy and the video says they have a monster hood scoop but it looks small on video but its big :D. Im so intoxicated by that car im actually looking to buy one soon But my favorite sti/wrx is 02-11 :P love them all

[@Atheismrulez]

@HammerSlammerThrash It's not likely you're gonna replacing everything, but just replacing the stock exhaust system with an aftermarket and increasing the boost from the stock 14 PSI to 16 PSI should get you around the same HP as an STI, if not more.

[@NailStrafer]

I agree. For one reason or another, it can look pretty handsome when you can see one with your own eyes.

[@neuspeed79]

I have the 08 STI and my bro has the 09 WRX premium. I'm quite surprised how the 09 handles, and is almost as fast as mine. I have a stage 1. If not for that, our cars would be equal in acceleration. When it comes to mods, the STI gets bigger hp gains when the same mods are compared to the WRX. If you can't afford the STI the 09 WRX is still a great car! If you want a practical, fast car, get the 09 WRX. If you want bragging rights, plan to get lots of mods get the STI.

[@Marine475]

Actual homologation special for WRC car is JDM Spec C Impreza that has 2.0 engine.

[@jbhc123]

there still BBS rims.. and there are still brembo brakes and the sti logo on the intercooler didnt make it any faster, and if you want better power, you'd convert it to a front mount and get a little bit bigger intercooler.

[@speacialperson12345]

nice, love STI's. is it the hatchback model? or the sedan type one?

[@Vizcaio]

@jorammak minimum in europe is 95. but both 95 and 98 octane are available in any petrol station....

[@shinobi594]

You can get the new STi on some dealerships at lower than invoice price... It's not that expensive... But the MS3 is a really good car for the money. However, being a FWD, the 280ft lb induced torque steer hampers its cornering ability, even more so when its torque is raised up even more through modding.... Definitely a nice "from a roll" drag racer that will surprise alot of higher end cars on straightaways. With that said, I really wish Mazda put AWD on the MS3 to take advantage of its power.

[@evanescent03]

the STi has other sweet features over the WRX from styling to function... I definitely agree with you tho. I got the STi not for bragging rights but the little extras are "neat". both are awesome cars. i just went stage 2 and wow .. it's just that much better.

[@elektrostacija]

my friend just got the new wrx, and it is way better than all old ones and buy far better than the evo x !!! i liked the evos better, but now i have to say - imprezas are much better!! it is more powerefull and the handling is remarkable!!!

[@etnies88]

I used to not like this car but... I will be getting one next week!

[@Dance1617]

I gotta say I hated that they were changing the body style to a hatch, but its really grown and i gotta say its very nice looking in person

[@shinobi594]

The AIM of the new car is to be more COMPETETIVE IN WRC (hence the switch to a "Citroen-like" hatch design), not to appeal to ricers who think big wings on a sedan = fast. The fact that an "older crowd" (who can generally "afford" to own the car) being more interested is just icing on the cake. It has grown up where it counts, yet performs better than the outgoing model. I'd say that's a good thing.

[@bheypuor]

i agree with this guy. i absolutly hated the exterior of the car when i first seen it on the internet but when you get the chance to see the car in person you will think it would be a no non-sense, middle finger in the air type of ride. The body lines just give out that feeling when your looking at it. Now imagine what its like when you drive it.

[@shinobi594]

Playing Mad-libs is awesome! The older model has the same body style as a neon (sedan) lol i saw one today(neon) and it had a big wing just like the old sti

[@shinobi594]

I agree. I LOVE how the new STi looks and its advantages is just icing on the cake! I always ask GDB/A STi sedan owners what advantages PERFORMANCE-WISE the Sedan body has over the new Hatchback, and they can't say anything valid... In the end, the only thing they keep saying is that it doesn't look good, boy-racer, fast, etc lol

[@z1003]

i understand what you are saying...i wish there was a sedan version too...or maybe a new coupe which would bee cool...but personally the proformance is more important for me

[@speacialperson12345]

i made a mistake in a part it should be but withOUT low range gearing. ok, now 4WD. there are 3 different types....Part-Time, Full-Time, and Permanent 4WD. When activated, both front and rear axles are physically locked to each other and have to spin at the same rate. This becomes a problem when turning on sufficiently high friction surfaces. Examples: Suzuki SUVs, most 4WD pickup trucks, cheaper SUVs.basically, you can just google it if you want to, for better explaining, i did tht.

[@shinobi594]

Subaru as a "Manufacturer team" is leaving WRC along with Suzuki, but Subaru homologated vehicles will still actively participate in all forms of Rally... WRC (Adapta Subaru team), P-WRC (Toshi Arai and others), Rally America (Ken block/Travis Pastrana), etc....

[@evelluchia]

i have the 2011 model JDM and i love it is very fast handels really well and very good on gas too plus it also makes a good family car too so its really the best of all worlds even AWD with over ride its one car i would reccamend to anyone its a pleasure to own and very pleasing and proud to drive

[@Infantry1stLt]

How would it perform with the 98 Octane fuel over here in Europe? Even better?

[@t436]

SI drive... and or auto settings on dccd. He went quickly thru it to decipher which system he meant. Either way I wonder if they tracked it in sport sharp mode.

[@Soberglitch]

the WRX actually benefits from modifications more than the STi, considering the STi is just an upgraded WRX itself if you put the same upgrade on each car it will be a huge leap for the WRX but only a slight one for the STi

[@shinobi594]

btw you don't need synthetic on this car... You can continue to use dino oil to your heart's content. Also, as long as you are consistent on your maintenance schedule, the car should be no problem. Anyway, though it is no prius, the car's mpg is decent for a base $35k low 13 second car.

[@shinobi594]

is it silver? and does it have a "Zerosports" front end?

[@OLDMANBADGER]

i went to see one in Singapore yesterday and its a great car.

[@elkayem]

Listen to that grip. Tire squeels even on gravel!

[@shinobi594]

According to Petter Solberg, and people/tuners who have driven them both in track events as well as auto x, they say that the hatchback design is an overall improvement over the sedan. But what it really comes down to is "does it matter"? All it takes is money to make one car faster than the other... Both designs are already fast enough for the public to worry about any minimal improvements the new car might have over the old. Buy which ever looks good in your eyes and call it a day.

[@oldfashionedwrx3574]

they are fine stock, I know a person who owns a wrx sti hatch gun metal gray with 120,000 km's they brought it new no issues and it gets thrashed really hard. I haven't met anyone with blowing engines because I don't hang around dumb people who don't service/look after it. I think modding is stupid in my opinion as they are fast enough stock, if you want faster get a v8. stupid people bring them to the 1/4mile and put giant turbos on them. yes the 2l is tougher but 2.5 is so underrated.

[@Glen000]

im fairly certain that the japanese version has only a 2.0 litre as opposed to the USA's 2.5 litre, so it will obviously rev harder

[@shinobi594]

Yea, I was amazed that they were able to net a pretty fast 72 mph slalom with the crappy Dunlop SP600's... The JDM STi's are using RE050's and are right up there with the EVO's in terms of handling... Not bad for a car that doesn't need Super Active Yawn Control lol

[@shinobi594]

I think it looks better than the Sedan... Especially the bugeye. Could you tell me what performance advantage you say the sedan has over the hatch in which situations?

[@Slept-on-one]

stupid question here- why is it a 5 door? isn't it four? is the trunk door a fifth door or something?

[@AboveInShadow]

search in youtube abouth the EVO X and the 6 speed automatic gearbox..it's amazing how the car go backwards very smooth..the older evo or the impreza need to tap the pedal and release very fast because the car accelerates like a torpedo.

[@liveonthereartire]

also keeping it out of WRC is the 2.5L engine... Rally rues state a 2.0L is the max displacement. So I have no idea why they made it look fugly.

[@gyrenejoe]

...Which is available in 2 or 3 gas stations only :P I'm talking about regular pump gas. Japan and Europe measure octane with the RON method which is higher than the US's AKI method by .95 = 98 RON Octane (Japan, Europe) = 93.1 AKI Octane (US) So US pump gas is not that far off.

[@roossi]

1:03 wtf? that's sand where does that tire sound come from?! :D

[@seph95]

38-39k with everything loaded, but i would get the base STi, because all the extras such as navigation, and others add weight to the car, and i would be using it for Auto X, and less weight is always bttr...

[@marasani]

I was disappointed by looks; but when I took a ride in one of these it was great. Next year Subaru is going to change the STI's looks again, so I'm glad about that.

[@shinobi594]

Keep in mind that that a 2009 WRX STILL slaloms below 70MPH, and STILL has a skidpad of below .90g... When it comes to modding, the STi is a better choice simply because of a stouter 6spd, DCCD, Si Drive, Dual AVCS, more rigid chassis, and a wider stance. If all you care about is 0-60 and 1/4 times, (in which case, the STi is STILL faster - 4.5 0-60 w/ 13.3 sec 1/4 mile), then the WRX should be enough. But an enthusiast knows that there is more to a car than just 0-60 acceleration.

[@shinobi594]

The JDM 2.0 is a better engine out of the box... but once modding comes into play, the 2.5 has the advantage... Plus with such minimal difference in hp/tq, its not worth swapping in an EJ20 over the EJ25, just for the higher redline and twin scroll turbo....

[@wrx240sx]

love the 2008 sti. People who complain about the new hatch style in general can't even afford one.

[@MickandNick]

i like the 2007. the last one before this new look. but it grow on you. like, i didn't like it at first, but i do now.

[@styng88]

I've driven a 500 WHP STi with a stock 6spd, holds just fine. (Granted the clutch has been replaced) Stop over on nasioc, it's where all the cool Subie kids hang out, that's probably why you don't know.

[@topgun8910]

The STI limited edition with the JDM suspension package and thicker stabilizer bars it $32,999

[@kingjed15]

i ordered mine i take delivery on 14th March its awsome i test drove one 2 weeks ago i had an my04 brand new and had to chop it in in 05 for work got an audi quatro 2.0 god i missed the scooby so i ordered another lol only difference in the drive than the MY04 i find is the steering was a lot lighter but the power man yipeeeeeeeeeee the steering will only take a couple of hours flight time to get used to it lol

[@stevetheflower]

04,05 stis will always be my fav :D

[@octane520]

i love hatchbacks and this is the car for me

[@inhuman216]

the SAWC of the evo X looks more promising as well as the paddle shifters of the MR version

[@respekted]

Where did you get this info? I think they'll go with direct injection on the current 2.5 unit before they put a heavy H-6 on the car. This will ruin the handling.. .even more understeer.

[@rockkyman]

this Impreza definitely more focusing on daily day driving, kids, big suitcase and long way home it's not mean it's forgetting on the speeding track, it sure not... this new Impreza is great in it own way.....

[@tamadrummer21]

I love it I want it practical with performance I prefer the hatchback especially with those taillights

[@NiSToKy787]

What do you guys think... BLue one with gold w or white one with gold w.???

[@viper689]

I think the clear altezzas look good on the darker color STi's, but not the whites and silvers...

[@irishtimothy]

I'm a family man so I had buy the bigger Subaru Forester, however, it will crawl the walls with the right tires. Perfect car for my eastern Canadian climate.

[@beepandbop]

I really like the front...which they don't appear to have touched all that much, but the roofline needs to go, for sure.