Hi folks,

I have a 98 R that's been the most amazing car I've ever owned. But with almost 150k miles I think I'm ready for something new.

I've driven probably 15 new cars and most just aren't, well, fun to drive. But the '11 WRX and STI seemed like a good fit and fun to drive.

I was curious about other ITR owners who have or moved to WRX/STIs.

In particular anyone who's moved to the '11 WRX. Thoughts post-purchase?

Thanks folks for your comments in advance!

Steve

 

One word: push.

In all seriousness, I have not driven a WRX or STi but I have heard good things about the 2011 WRX (such as it is actually better than the STi) so you can't go wrong. However, in a compo done by Road & Track, the 2011 EVO X SE beat the 2011 STi on both asphalt and off road, but we know how Mitsubishi works in compo tests.

 

Umm... Have you driven the '11? Sti or WRX? Both felt (to me) much better than previous years.

Steve

 

I found that the WRX/EVO is nothing like the ITR driving experience in any shape or form. If that's what you are expecting, you won't find it.

As far as new cars that offer something close to that, the Mazdaspeed3 and Civic Si are about the closest.

 

Complete apples to oranges, not even remotely similar cars.

 

I'm not saying they're similar, but I am looking for comparisons, especially from those who have a new WRX.

The most important part of a car is "fun to drive", and sadly very few cars I've test driven would fall into that category - most are WAY to disconnected from the road.

The wrx didn't seem bad, and of course it's got awd which is nice.

I can't find ANY cars similar to the "feel" of the type-R. Can you?

Steve

 

^ not without buying a WRX or STi or EVO and completely gutting it (which would be pointless). Or buying a track car such as a lotus (which is impractical for the streets).

I think the ITR is the last car we'll see that can do both street driving AND competitive track days with NO modifications and still have that "fun to drive" experience that's bearable on a daily basis. S2000 comes close but if you are of a larger build, there will be much discomfort.

 

My 2009 Mazdaspeed3 is decently close to capturing the feeling of my ITR. Aside from the turbocharged motor, the Speed3 has just enough 'rawness' to make them feel very similar in nature.

What you're finding with cars like the EVO and WRX is that heft (weight) and other "refinements" have made them feel disconnected from the road.

If you haven't, take the Speed3 for a testspin. Personally, I don't like the newer ones as well as the originals, but they are still cars that'll remind you that they are fun to drive.

 

My '08 Civic SI is a good comparison to my ITR. They're both fun to drive and "raw". As many have said they're aren't really many (if any?) cars like the ITR. In other words, don't sell yours!

 

I did drive the mazdaspeed 3 and liked it, but it had a pretty "cheap" interior and I didn't feel to drawn to it for some reason..

The '11 WRX and STI actually felt MORE connected to the road than many of the other cars I've driven, which is why I'm considering them. Sorry about the confusion if you thought I was saying they are disconnected. I also live in new england and the AWD seems like a nice feature for winters. Plus it is freakin' fast.

Steve

 

You find the Mazda interior cheap but don't feel the same about the EVO/WRX? For the money of the EVO/WRX, I think their interiors are horrid. But, that's not why folks buy these cars, is it?

And for reference, the 94-01 Integra interiors were pretty bland in their day.

What else have you driven? If you're looking for an ITR replacement, you're not going to find it.

 

Civic SI - light and nimble, but not enough low end grunt
BMW 1 - For some reason - just too big and heavy feel for me, even though it's freakin fast.
Mazdaspeed 3 - Liked it, but cheap interior feel and for some reason didn't feel drawn to it - don't know why.
Mini Cooper S - fun, but that whole center-mounted speedo and other quirks just didn't do it for me. Also no local dealers for repairs.
'11 STI - Liked it a lot. Power is pretty peaky however. Suspension quite nice. 6-spd was good too. Road feel nice. Expensive compared to WRX.
'11 WRX - Similar in feel to STI, but bit more rubbery 5-spd (can be fixed), and a bit less connected through suspension (also can be improved cheaply). Very quick and holds the road like crazy.
VW GTI - maybe it's the german feel thing I don't like - it just didn't grab me.

I drove at least a few other cars but they don't pop into my head at the moment.

I guess what I'm really asking is, have any ITR folks bought the '11 WRX or STI and what do they think post-purchase?

Steve

 

this. There's a reason why EVO-UK magazine had the ITR on its list of 10 greatest cars of all time and not the EVO or STi

 

so far the only car I've drove that has rivaled that feel was a E36 M3.

Honestly standards will not allow companies to make cars as raw as they used to. My only suggestion is to keep the ITR for what it is and then pick up a second car that excels in the areas where the ITR lacks.

 

I have not driven the new STi, but it looks good, I like the front end and rear, but not my cup of tea.

I think the ITR comparable will be a lotus Elise or Exige. Used one can go for $25,000 and they seem to be easy to maintain and inexpensive to drive hard.

 

Unfortunately I really want only 1 car. The R is my daily driver, and it works fantastically for that purpose (it's just getting long in the tooth). The elise or exige won't satisfy that in new england winters. ;)

Steve

 

I drove the new sti and can not see what the big deal is. Lots of money for something you need to drop more $$$ to feel fast. The evo 10 felt quite a bit better power wise.The throttle response in the honda is alot better .

 

I'm not sure i get what you mean about having to add $ to "feel fast". The WRX and STI are incredibly quick right out of the gate, and to be honest, I don't need 305HP that the STI has. I don't need sub-5 second 0-60 although both the WRX and STI have that.

I do like the suspension feel and 6-speed however on the STI a bit more than the WRX. I just don't think I can justify the price difference.

The throttle response isn't bad on the WRX, but it's worse on the STI (IMO). And the type-r is GREAT throttle response.

Steve

 

My B18cR is in a eg,compared to the sti,the sti felt slow to get going and heavy.Sti power was at 4500 rpm or so.

 

Now I see. Yes the STI takes a lot of rpms to go nuts.

The WRX has much more power down low, and more quickly after throttle application as I felt it.

Steve

 

you could drop weight in the itr and then be just as fast as an expensive sti(refuring to itr civics and k20 egs running 13s ans 12s 1/4 mile times)(power to weight) and save all 30k or w/e and still get better mpg and not drive a car with a "sti" haha.


As stated above there isnt a replacment for the ITR and i am biest since i hate turbo lag.(STI was borring (to me) driving around town)

Seems like you made up your mind though.

 

I'm not looking for anything "faster" than the ITR, just as fun as the ITR (cornering feel, tranny feel, road-feel, suspension).

Not really. I was asking for comments from folks who've moved to the WRX/STI to get their post-purchase comments (regrets, DO IT, good or bad thoughts on their decision). I keep going back and forth between the WRX/STI and keeping what I've got.

 

Either way the STi is an awesome car and even awesome'er if you live up north.

 

The new 2012 Laguna Seca Boss seem's like as close to a PURE track/street car as anyone could get nowadays...simliar in execution to the Acura R.....but also apples to oranges....FWD to RWD. But this new Stang is supposed to be pretty pure in function and form for a new car from the dealer.

 

Thanks. It does seem like a great car about as close to a track car as you can get reasonably.

But even if it were a PERFECT car I don't think it would stand up to new england winter driving. So RWD is unfortunately out of the question.

Steve