Living With the Subaru WRX STI | A Realistic Commuter? Let's Drive to Work and Find Out

[@colleenricafort9974]

Always proud of what you do. I love you, hubby! 😘

[@BamBoosted]

I’ve got a 2019 STI making 450whp with 396tq on E85 I’ve bought it brand new and I freaking love it she’s now sitting at 75k miles and not once had any issues. I daily drive her, I track it and drag the car. I definitely keep up with the maintenance.

[@onsite_nate]

glad to hear all is well. sounds like most things are blown out of proportion 👌🏼

[@botcrack]

I had a 2010 sti Hatch that I used as a mini van for a while lol (3 kids). And as a moving van. I had one of those dorky Katana handle shift knobs, it was so damn tall. It came up just under the height of the infotainment/radio screen, it was goofy as hell but I loved it.

[@onsite_nate]

If it has a large rear opening and can easily have strollers/scooters thrown in the back sounds like a mini van to me haha

[@Hey_Sneezy]

As the owner of a 06 STi with an hour commute (2 hours in total) it’s been a great car. It’s 90% stock with basic built ons and a pro tune. Comfortable car to drive, and it just glides at 65 to 75mph. Put it in cruise and just chill with an audio book or some tunes. Love my Subaru, great car and if you keep on the maintenance it’ll last forever.

[@onsite_nate]

dang almost 20yrs later and it’s still going strong. why can’t my Honda be like this 😂

[@strobos4215]

2021 STI stock, hated low rpm drone. With Nameless Performance muffler delete got rid of that annoyance, car feels lighter and more responsive. Definitely recommend! I also wanted taller sidewalls, so went with APEX 18s and 255/40/18 tires.

[@onsite_nate]

I’ll definitely look into this setup 💪🏼 thanks for the suggestions!

[@AntilleanConfederation]

Lmaoo. The weight you saved on a muffler delete you added with the bigger wheels and tires. Lmaooo

[@misael1396]

@@AntilleanConfederationyou say that like it’ll be such a noticeable difference 😂 pretty sure the apex are lighter than the stock wheels

[@psycholis]

255/40/R18 is such a great size. Really fills out the well on the VA. Went with Enkei PF09 with the same size tire.

[@fuzzau]

This car is far more practical than many people realize, 5 seats, can carry plenty of cargo and has room for a roof rack. The main downsides are insurance and mpg. If you keep stock and you definitely should if it is a daily, it should be fairly reliable as long as you keep up with maintenance. Plus at 300~hp is plenty to have fun but not so much its overwhelming

[@onsite_nate]

yeah man, I love the fact they kept the middle seat in the back and didn’t replace it for cup holders 💀 mpg is forsure a bummer. and yes that is the plans to keep this stock and reliable as much as possible. Thanks for watching 🙏🏼

[@sirchad7339]

This car has everything i need ❤❤ i'm thinking about getting one

[@onsite_nate]

nice man, hopefully I could help with your decision there’s so many choices!

[@michaelochoa5171]

I recommend the JDM STI exhaust kit. You can order through Japanese retailers. It is the same system that is found on the S207.

[@SonikJesus]

Not worth the price, shipping, and import fees. It sounds almost like the stock exhaust as well.

[@onsite_nate]

is this the same as the STI performance exhaust?

[@AntilleanConfederation]

Not worth the money. Best exhaust system for this car is the tomei titanium.

[@michaelochoa5171]

No, the STI performance exhaust for USDM is D441SVA100. The JDM STI (S207) exhaust is STPKG40VV011. I like the JDM STI exhausts because they are tuned by the engineers at STI. A little louder than stock. But nothing super annoying like other brands. Down side is the price. But personally I feel it is worth the investment.

[@awsomejoe8580]

for exhausts with no drone, I would recommend the AWE Touring, or the Invidia q300. The q300 is quieter compared to the awe touring.

[@onsite_nate]

another point for these two exhausts, thank you sir. both seem to have distinctive sounds too

[@Tsujin_Cham_Shi]

I have a Cobb SS 3" cat-back. You get the boxer rumble... very low (bass) grunt on low end and a satisfying rumble on boost above 3,500 rpms. I highly recommend it. Consider it as OEM plus. Looks stock but you get a bit more rumble. No drone too. P.S. I also work in healthcare and I daily my STI. And I also call my STI a Gundam.

[@onsite_nate]

Even tie between the Cobb ss and AWE touring. Cobb is def OEM plus, and more subtle cold start. You hear of any drone developing after a few years?

[@Tsujin_Cham_Shi]

@@onsite_nate No drone at all. I had the AWE Tuning Track Edition catback as my first mod. Enjoyed it for about a year and a half. Decided to try out a more gentleman-like exhaust with the Cobb SS.

[@MloVisual]

I work as an aircraft mechanic. My budget is in the WRX market. Which is cool with me as long as it's the rally blue . I'm only interested in the 2019-2021 models. The new gen just looks unappealing. But the STI was always at the top of my list. Just can't justify the cost right now.

[@onsite_nate]

hey man I totally agree with you, this generation WRX/STIs are the one I grew to love. Would totally swing a WRX especially if it's just the daily. Having the STI is just a cherry on top and like I said, for my case, complete overkill ! Good luck with your find

[@BDA0531]

I can understand getting a used VA STI but used VA WRX? I understand the looks are polarizing but the VB is quite literally better in every objective category than the previous gen WRX. I would highly consider at least test driving it before knocking it for its looks. Used WRX/STI’s are a gamble without warranty..

[@MloVisual]

@@BDA0531 you're probably right. Still, the new wrx are still out of my budget. Also for Me, personally, I don't want to throw money at a car that I never thought looked good- regardless how it drives

[@BDA0531]

​@@MloVisualUnderstandable. I would definitely try to get a warranty if you end up getting a used WRX. Lots of people tune it then return to stock before selling

[@stevekim578]

LOVE MY 2020 STI (STAGE 3 BUILT)!!!

[@onsite_nate]

nice man! I’ve always been tempted/curious 💀

[@stevekim578]

@@onsite_nate My Neighbors loves me : } cause it's so loud.

[@fadmap9676]

As an ex 2018 STI owner.... a v6 camaro could never touch my STI lol. Those loud slow pos were a walk in the park. My STI stock held up neck and with v8 chargers, v8 camaros, some v8 mustangs, all older v8 mustnags were easy. The only v6 NA that ever kept up with my sti was a 2020 lexus is350 F sport which had the same HP as the STI and awd too... do i miss my sti.. sometimes.... what i didnt like is everyone always wanted to race on my daily commute. Even those pos obnoxiously loud trucks Hispanic dudes like ricing out even just sitting in a fast food line theyll rev their junk yard cars at me.. that was the most annoying thing about dailying an STI for me at least.

[@onsite_nate]

yeah man I get this at least once a month. One time at a gas station, I had a passenger princess coming out of an accord saying he’d race for me pink slips. For me personally, probably the worse part of owning this car.

[@JLWalker101]

This is one of my biggest complaints about having mine as well your trying to have a nice relaxing time but you get harrassed by chargers civics and everyone else that wants nothing more than to ruin your day when you just want to enjoy a drive

[@SRTGerry]

Hell yeah everyone and they grama wants to race

[@orchadork2]

I daily a 2013 stage 2+ wrx hatch and I work as an AEMT on the Ambo. Also going into PA school this coming year. I love my little hatch! Like you said I have thought of seling it thinking it isn't worth it, but I always come running back to it sinc eit is such a fun and engagin car. It also keeps me awake partially due to how raw the cars are compared to common traffic.

[@onsite_nate]

what's up man! congrats on your PA school acceptance, you'll crush it especially with that AEMT experience. Also love the hatch, if I could find a mint example that'd be my second choice. this is my struggle always as a daily but every time I see one on the road I get so excited so I figured that says something. thanks for the watch!

[@orchadork2]

@@onsite_nate I love it, i also live out in Vegas mechanically it is mint, but it is on a adf lift with gravel coils, has a catted downpipe (stock got clogged), tomei exhaust, cobb intake, stage 2+ protune, and a wrc replica wing. My friend and I built it during my 4 years in undergrad and he used it to go overlanding. He ended up putting it up for sale and I culdn't see it go, so i ended up buying it.

[@AbhishekSharma-ch8fu]

Check out AWE touring. Very Minimal Drone with High Revs but classic rumble otherwise. They also have AWE track edition with Different axle back( Which you can switch) but it's super loud and with a lot of drone. Check out few clips. I'm super happy with touring.

[@onsite_nate]

nice man I think that’s my third choice, but everyone’s been mentioning it quite often. have you compared or cross shopped it with the q300 or Cobb ss?

[@AbhishekSharma-ch8fu]

@@onsite_nate I heard q300 before buying Awe, I found q300 just a bit louder than stock especially lower RPM. Cobb SS definitely has a unique sound to it, but never heard it live. Was looking for it as well but the price 👀

[@FromPlsNerf]

lol I had daily a 17 STI for 3.5 years I put a super heavy stage 1 HD clutch and super light flywheel in. It was pure comedy going to the tire shop because they could not drive the car without stalling it 10 times. Literally. I got used to it and loved every mile. Traded for a VB WRX at 90,000 miles

[@onsite_nate]

nice man. yeah this clutch will stay OEM for me. How’re you liking the VB platform?

[@FromPlsNerf]

@@onsite_nate Well its not as fun as an STI but probably a better daily. More comfortable. With the light flywheel and catless r400 on my STI, it felt so open and responsive. The VB stock feels restricted and laggy if that makes sense. It will get there. I got it a month ago I did wheels, tint, and paint matched fender flares.

[@silverwave010]

It's funny how this vid popped up on my timeline, I'm trying to decide between a 2019 CTR and a 2018 STI base model haha. In Texas, it's mainly insane t-storms, floods, and tornadoes, but nothing else really, so I keep pondering if I should go the STI route or not. I owned 2 VA WRXs, and the surprise issues with these subies left me a lil more jumpy with them in general, but man do I miss those drives home in the AWD. They weren't the fastest, but still loads of fun, especially from the occasional spirited drives. So now it's just between FWD and AWD. one with better gas mileage while the other has a better sounding exhaust(subie rumble ftw)

[@onsite_nate]

thank god the KZbin algorithm actually helps haha. Good choices for sure, CTR would be a refreshing change and feel like an entirely new car, plus way better gas and id assume reliability. but STI has the cooler sounding motor, beefed up transmission and improved handling compared to the WRX. I’d say go for whichever car you’ve been dreaming of getting longer 💪🏼 can’t go wrong with either

[@Cats_Are_Scary]

I have a 2020 STI as my daily driver. For me, it’s not to fun to drive the car at low speeds. The STI loves high RPMs. I still wouldn’t change cars for just about any other car in its price range. Love my STI

[@onsite_nate]

nice man. hoping that feeling never changes 🙏🏼

[@Timlikescars89]

You can get GR Corollas for near MSRP. If you want a circuit edition tho, that's a bit more tricky.

[@AntilleanConfederation]

STI has a superior AwD system. And the Corolla motor is not any better than the ej257. The STI has more room in the interior too.

[@onsite_nate]

Nice man, glad to see the dealers slowly coming to their senses haha. For me it's definitely a consideration if this Subaru gives me issues (knock on wood)

[@urbanizeddreams]

Let me give you some advice. I had purchased 3 different Fujitsubo exhaust that I tried throughout different summers. They are one of the quietest exhausts and have ZERO DRONE! That being said, after 2-4 months I always go back to the stock exhaust. The Fujitsubo is quieter during idle, since it removes the factory drone....but as soon as you start to drive, you hear the exhaust and it's louder regardless of how quiet they try to make them. The quietest option is stock....especially on the highway and city driving when your picking up speed. They sound great, but it gets old fast....for me anyways....and you seem like your similar to me in regards to what you want from a car. So my advice would just to stay stock. ~ Also, I don't daily mine, nor do I drive it in the winter since I'm in Canada....and I get tired from aftermarket exhausts and always go back to stock. I don't know how people can daily with aftermarket exhausts haha.

[@onsite_nate]

ah shoot. This is exactly my fear haha. For sure something to consider, once I have enough space to neatly store this OEM exhaust maybe then i'll give it a try cause I can totally see myself going back and forth cause im pretty indecisive and annoying. Thank you for sharing, this one really helps!

[@ronmk2495]

Do you guys think its worth it to get a Hawkeye STI or just get an evo 9? I just cannot decide between both which would be the perfect "drive to work car" with the occasional "fun" on the go.

[@AntilleanConfederation]

Drive both and see what you like more. Evo seats are more aggressive and that might be a problem for long drives.

[@onsite_nate]

I think both in mint examples, the EVO 9 will be more pricey and definitely more hard to come across. Terms of reliability, each has its own issues that definitely needs its own video to explain haha. Ideally drive both to compare, but from my experience it's hard to come across an EVO 9 for sale let alone see them on the road. Good luck!

[@tianchris022]

I daily a 21 STI and work as an RN in Canada. So I totally get the vibe of the driving therapy it gives getting off work especially on a Saturday night shift where the roads are basically dead. I would highly recommend the invidia q300 cb exhaust. It brings out the subie rumble really well without it being too loud or cause a headache especially after a 12hr shift. Otherwise, everything you said was pretty much spot on with my experience with this car as a daily.

[@AntilleanConfederation]

I think the tomei is the best choice for the STI and the VB wrx.

[@onsite_nate]

nice! car people in the medical community. The Invidia Q300 is actually my top pick with the Cobb SS, something subtle which I know Invidia is known for. I've had it on my RSX back then, loved it the first two years since it didn't drone but afterwards the drone came on. Wasn't sure if this was an RSX thing or exhaust thing where the drone eventually gets you haha. Nonetheless thank you so much for your input! always happy to meet car medical people

[@tianchris022]

@@onsite_nate yeah np! I did debate between those two exhausts actually. The cobb i heard is slightly louder. But i went with invidia because it has 4” tips compared to the 3.5” from cobb which fills the exhaust cut outs perfectly.

[@tianchris022]

@@AntilleanConfederation perhaps from a performance and weight savings standpoint. But definitely not for a daily driver. It does sound nice but after a week or two of daily driving it, the sound will get old and annoying really fast.

[@BDA0531]

@@AntilleanConfederationTomei sounds good but it can be a bit much for some people

[@teddygunzbarno2102]

I had a 2019 Sti limited 10k miles full bolt ons just sold it and I’m mad at myself and depressed 😢

[@alexbruski]

Getting kinda close to a macan with it being a do it all family fun car

[@onsite_nate]

don’t get me started now

[@goodtogo12345]

what RPM do you normally shift gear?

[@onsite_nate]

I try for just 6200 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@goodtogo12345]

@@onsite_nate are you sure it wont hurt the engine?

[@kingrick4420]

get a hatch and you have enough room for a great dane=P love the video! I got a 2011 hatch so I could fit my dogs lol but I get wanting a newer car with a warranty

[@onsite_nate]

see my problem is I’m going to see how usable this car is with a newborn 😅 otherwise Tesla Y it is

[@kingrick4420]

I also wanted to add I get 23mpg mostly back country roads no traffic and some in town driving. jb400 turbo, equal length headers, and aos. making 370/330 with a protune. I can't wait to take it down to nyc to see my fiancé's family I think I can get the mpg up to 25 on the highway lol

[@kingrick4420]

@@onsite_nate no kids here, but I have a 150 lb great dane and a 20lb mutt lol. gl with the newborn! honestly the newer sedans seem to be decent for space! I just needed the hatch Zeus the great dane barely fits as it is. he prefers the fiance's crv..

[@ikhantax1701]

Just curious, why didn't you go for a lancer evolution?

[@onsite_nate]

availability, modern interior, and warranty. otherwise I’d love to have an evo

[@DurktheDiggler]

What of tired to you have? If don’t mind me asking?

[@onsite_nate]

Tires? Believe these are the Yokohama Advan Sport V105

[@DurktheDiggler]

@@onsite_nate Awesome! I appreciate that! I’ve been looking into new tires and have been a bit indecisive as of late. Anyways, keep up the videos! I look forward to more of them! 🤙🏾

[@momoknows]

what settings are you in that you got 22 psi in boost I max at 19.5

[@onsite_nate]

honestly I thought mine was also at 19.5 too, I haven’t touched a thing 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tamwoof]

bro, i was thinking the same thing! ive never been able to get more then 18. 5 in mine while living in Chicago

[@BodegaRay]

Algorithm just algorithm again, I wanted one of these since college and couldn’t get it, now im torn between this and the is350 F-Sport

[@BodegaRay]

Q50 Red Sport is a honorable mention

[@onsite_nate]

all good choice, think most of it depends on whether you want to live with a manual car. can’t speak much for the IS or Q50, but I know many people love their STI and would never get rid 👌🏼 thanks for stopping by

[@AntilleanConfederation]

Get the Tomei expreme. No dorne, sounds deep and you will save a ton of weight just from doing that.

[@onsite_nate]

This car actually came with the Tomei Ti-Expreme. Sounds amazing but way loud for my liking haha. Probably because it was the titanium. I'll definitely give a look into the SS expreme thank you

[@AntilleanConfederation]

@@onsite_nate that’s odd. My stock exhaust was more drone prone than the tomei.

[@teddygunzbarno2102]

Man please if u can hold onto that car forever dying bread

[@onsite_nate]

almost every STI owner has told me this haha. no plans as of now 👌🏼

[@teddygunzbarno2102]

@@onsite_nate u have to atleast get a 3inch catback

[@teddygunzbarno2102]

@@onsite_nate the new vbs might not have brembos but overall it’s a great car I’m gonna put brembos on it just bigger rotors on front and slap it on