2021 Subaru WRX STI R Spec Review

[@paulcarmichael7892]

Just bought one today, we traded the wifes MY15 WRX, one of the first manuals in Brisbane we were told when we got it, for a pearl white STi Spec R. Our 6th WRX but our first STi, looking forward to it :D At 49 I want a flying armchair, not a go kart.

[@gaycarboys]

Subaru will be pleased to hear it. It was so much trouble to get this can, then we got stuck with it! the musical chairs of Covid. But i think they're spectacular. I have the Golf MK8 in a few weeks, only a GTI, but i'll be interested to see how they compare

[@paulcarmichael7892]

@@gaycarboys I'm sure it will be more refined and with better kit, finishes etc... Not sure how important that is to me and the STi is comfortable enough and noticeably easier to drive than our WRX which I didn't expect. It's absolutely good enough for me, it's not meant to be an executive car after all :) Planning to keep this one for many years.

[@gaycarboys]

i can see a lot of years of fun. BTW, Have you ever had a throw-out bearing go?

[@paulcarmichael7892]

@@gaycarboys Not had any of our Scoobs break down (this will be number 6) or need any work other than an aircon compressor siezed on a bug eye. Current WRX has been ours for 7 years and it hasn't missed a beat, everything has been faultless and we are up to 116k km. It's not driven hard, it's the wifes commute car on the highway twice a day, but it's on the original clutch. Much stiffer clutch pedal operation in the old one than the new STi was the first thing I noticed.

[@gaycarboys]

Is that right? I noticed the clutches are different from car to car of the same model. Not sure why that is. They're made to be driven hard of course, but and easy life is great for resale;)

[@zero6eleven]

In 4 years of ownership, I never once had cause to use the blindspot assist button in my WRX. The simple steering wheel buttons were great though. Never really had to think about what I was doing when using them. The ones in my new Golf are overly complex & require a lot of concentration to do simple stuff, like skipping to the next track & changing the speed on the cruise control. Even after 2 months & nearly 5000kms

[@gaycarboys]

one would hope the new button layout will become familiar enough. muscle memory should have kicked in by now but old habits are hard to change. Pretty colour though;)

[@SpiroTwo]

Pretty sure you test drove a sti premium, not a spec r, the spec r comes with Recaro seats and no seat memory, or electric lumbar support, I know as that's why I bought the premium, secondly the blind spot monitor is in the mirrors themselves not near your feet, I presume the button you mention is to turn it off. Also the spec r has suede inserts not full leather like you test drove

[@gaycarboys]

difficult to say. we still have it as we've been stuck with it because of lock down. we know the Subaru people very well so will ask, but they told it is was an R Spec. We'll check again

[@SpiroTwo]

@@gaycarboys no worries, doesn't really change the review, the only real difference between the R and the premium is that the rear wing is an optional extra on the premium, the premium misses out on the Recaro branded seats but gets full leather, 2 person seat memory and electronic lumbar support on the drivers side

[@phonicfrog_]

@@gaycarboys it's definitely the premium and not Spec R. Recardo seats with suede/leather vs full leather. Not much else different though. I own a spec r STI and absolutely love it

[@ctsurg3206]

I agree with Chris. This is the premium version and you have either been wrongly informed or the Subaru person doesn't know the difference between the two variants and the standard STI. The recaro seats are an obvious standout for the STI spec R. But minor differences doesn't change the overall function of the STIs...they are an amazing vehicle to drive

[@dpeze421]

"Reasonably Extreme" 😂

[@bzd16b]

Im buying one tomorrow. I'm not even going to test drive it

[@gaycarboys]

i don't think you'll be disappointed.

[@jlortiz26]

What about running cost?

[@gaycarboys]

you won't find running costs in any of our reviews beyond the caped price service options if available. there are too many variables. EG age for insurance, distance travelled, finance costs, taxes, tolls etc etc. at best, running costs are a guess, no matter who does them

[@davidm6975]

Fuck me change gears

[@gaycarboys]

I feel your pain