? The two are comparable and the main point is still true, WRXs respond just as well to mods as the RA. I can post proof of that if you like but I'm not going to waste my time if it's just going to get deleted again. Funny that the stuff dissing the WRX remains...

 

I think you can get more out of the RA with basic mods. But the difference in stock power would put them neck to neck, as the WRX has a good 30hp on the RA stock.

I think everyone agrees that if you're looking to do some mods, go with the RA. If you're going to stay stock, go with the WRX.

 

No, not everybody agrees. The two cars produce comparable results mod for mod. A tune and an exhaust adds big power to both. Both are receptive to turbo swaps, both are receptive to suspension work, etc. Neither really has an advantage. Getting 300+ HP out of each is easy.

Cali, Subaru revised the 5-speed after 02-03. The 04-07 transmission was better, not great though, while the current one has been beefed up even more. It's still nothing compared to the Evo 5-speed, which seems to be bulletproof but it seems pretty comparable to the TC-SST gearbox.

 

If you're going high hp I actually would start with the STI.. my buddy's got a (07) wrx built motor upgraded turbo and all.. waiting because he's held back by the transmission, which he wants to swap in an sti trans for.. not to mention the axles, center diff, rear diff. if you're gonna go that far what's the point to start with a wrx? May be cheaper but you'll end up paying for more than you would if u started at sti. If it's cuz you can't afford an sti now why dont you wait another year, or even see how the new wrx/sti turn out? prices will drop all around once they come out

Also, he blew his motor cuz of those very same ringland issues plaguing many of those cars. Even built those motors don't withstand to too much craziness. Not saying this cuz I'm a fan of the RA, just going by what my very close friend has been through with his wrx.


^ I guess much of this is irrelevant because you're looking at new subies and RA. weighing pros and cons, I would def go with the wrx. RA in sportback form was always appealing to me but I'd rather have a traditional manual trans


and you should really specify what you're using the car for - I just went with high hp cuz someone else mentioned it up above

 

I'd go Evo if I wanted big power, not worth dealing with the various Subaru idiosyncrasies.

 

I don't get the point in these threads. there's nobody out there that is completely 50/50 on Mitsu vs Subaru. emotionally they lean towards one or the other already, they just need someone to tell them "yes get it"

 

my deciding point was the all wheel drive. My fiance occasionally drives my car. When she wants AWD for snow.....she can click snow. unlike the subaru where she would have to turn the dial "self set" the power difference from front to rear. I'm sure theres other guys here that would love that option. End of the day, they are both sick cars and you'll be happy with either one. Its just going to be the small things that matter to YOU.

 

I totally agree that the WRX is a VERY capable car once put into the hands of a competent tuner, the data points are really unnecessary because we all should know by now that the two are in the same class/category, otherwise these discussions wouldn't keep popping up. The transmission is going to be the limiting factor on both cars once reaching for the higher levels, it just seems less likely to break on the RA with all the advances being made and new parts/tuning techniques being discovered, but I'd almost guarantee it's cheaper to fix the manual tranny on the Subie when/if it does happen. Plus, the Subie has just that, a manual transmission.

I personally chose the SST for daily-driveability, and the Ralliart for overall appearance. That was really my deciding factors. Had this just been a weekend toy or something like that, I very well may have ended up with the WRX.

My gripe is that I just don't feel that the STI or Evo should come into play here because, sure, with enough power adders, you can compete with them (in a "lesser" vehicle) in some form or another, but to add up to each vehicle's overall performance level, it would have been better off waiting a year and avoiding the lower trim submodel.

In regards to posts being deleted, I didn't fully read, nor delete them myself. I always feel that both sides should be heard, regardless of opinions, but the Evo/STI stuff is the reason they were removed, I believe. I will modify and restore the posts if possible.

 

There both good cars, I have tracked my 2009 RA vs 2010 WRX (1/4 mile) and we were dead even. Althought the WRX has a bit more HP the RA has the twin clutch which is faster when shifting so it makes up for the HP difference.

I test drove both cars when i was trying to decide between them both and it came down to the seat. They both have racing seats but I found the WRX's seat to be too soft and didn't quite hug you as nice as the RA. When it comes down to it your gonna spend alot of time in the seat so I choose the one I liked the most.

As far as modding, I would say there pretty even for stage 1-2, but both have there own weak and strong points when going past stage 1-2. The TC-SST RA tranny is a bit tricky when tuning but Bryan aka Razorlab is doing some amazing things for it for free.

With that all said I love my RA and with Bryan doing his great work it was like I fell in love with my RA again... if you can do that lol

but check out this thread, its kind of long but the frist 10 pages and last 10 pages will give you the jist.

Cheers

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/09...t-basemap.html

 

That is one thing I really dislike about the WRX, the seats. The Recaros in the RA are so much nicer. Not sure why Subaru gave us benches in the front compared to real performance seats.

In the end, it really boils down to personal preference. Both cars have good sides and bad sides. However, I think it's about time we put to bed this idea that WRXs, and other Subarus, don't respond well to mods. That dogma has been thrown around on here for years and it's been wrong essentially the entire time. I think the RA has enough good qualities to make it unnecessary to spread misinformation to justify wanting or owning one.

 

Not a fan of either camp, but I'm curious, is that really true? My buddy has always seemed to have a harder time picking up power compared to my car. I'm not saying it doesn't respond to modification well, but it wont pick up power from, say upping the boost + a tune would on the evo - will it?

 

That's a bit off-topic. You can do a search for "AMS STI" or something to that effect to see the information for yourself. I'd rather not get into it here since this is about the current generation RA and WRX.

 

But I actually am I love both cars and I just can't decide which I would rather spend the money on there's various reasons why its such a toss up for me each car has something I like about it it's just trying to make the decision on what one is what I'm gonna spend money on

 

If you ask RA owners what they'd buy, of course they'll say RA, unless they have buyers remorse. Same goes with WRX owners. You'd be better off posting this question on an SRT-4 forum or some other neutral group.

 

To be honest, I really did think that the RA had better gains with basic things like tune, exhaust, etc. But I suppose I'm wrong. Didn't mean to spread bad info on here.