2017 Subaru WRX STI Review - Is The Impreza's Last Hurrah Worth Buying? 

The perfect family car for the person that doesn’t want a family car.

Loved the "herald's the imminent arrival of a moron" line. Always makes me laugh.

I think the worst thing to happen to these cars was losing the WRC connection. Also their old rival the Evo, it was like an arms race back in the 90s with one brand gaining an edge & then you'd get the retaliation. Once all that stopped that was it for these types of car. It's not like 300bhp cars fell out of favour but I don't think people were willing to put up with the rally bred downsides of cheap interior, heavy fuel usage & lots of servicing in the Mitsubishis case.

It pains me when someone gets a WRX/WRX STI and they lower them when they have possibly one of the best suspensions of their time.

The unmistakable exhaust note of an Impreza.... Just gorgeous if you recall these hitting the market all those years ago. This is a car brand that originally sold its car via farm machinery showrooms. They haven't moved on much but there is a charm about them.

Great review, matches my experience perfectly, I owned 2 of these, both were 100% reliable which is more than I can say regarding friends Golf R's - VW still seems to have this strange and undeserved reputation for reliability. Loved both of mine and used them for business and pleasure but ultimately found them too noisy and therefore tiring to live with on long motorway trips. Not all that quick, regularly struggled to keep up with a Leon Cupra on my daily commute - until the wet and wintry winter came along, and then the Leon got left behind...

This thing must be so fast because of all of those stickers!

The magic is exactly why I own this shape STi. With some light breathing mods they really wake up 👌 Great video 😎

I own a 2016 STI in Australia. You were spot on with the review. I test drove other cars, sure some were faster, but also less involving. I have a stainless turbo back Invidia exhaust and an EcuTek remap and it really brings it to life. The engine note, the manual gearbox, the over the top wing, it’s what is all about for me as what is my weekender car. Plus it is modern so I have had zero reliability issues which is important for me as I don’t have the time or patience to deal with older cars.

Perfect analysis of the brand from 1:24 to 2:01

In 5 years of ownership the only thing that has gone wrong with my 2009 Legacy 3.0R Spec B (the STI for grown-ups) has been a duff battery. I don't care that it's thirsty and costs more to tax than to insure - it's the best car I've ever owned, but then I'm not a well-off bloke who can afford fancy stuff.

Great video. US 2019 has about 350crank HP (287awhp dyno) (Type RA with fixed pistons, other stuff is all forged). Light and custom suspension, wheels, rotors makes it much quicker to 60 mph. (rumors of 4.1s if you drop the clutch....have no way to confirm this) So much fun...and that is really a good thing. Mechanic loves it (versus BMWs he specializes in...). And it is not that expensive compared to say an M3....or 911 base....or even a cayman. And it looks great filthy and used.

So basically this car is now super competent in handling, does well in markets where fuel is not expensive as England, and has a wonderful retro vibe, with a good sound and lots of tuner support. That must be why they sell heaps of these still in Canada and cold weather US states, ya?

Have a 2015 WRX. Hwy MPG is 32-35. They are fun in the Pacific Northwest in Oregon and Washington. Turbo lag is huge. But it's fun. I call mine Dexter and his drag name is Amber Dextrous when she get's an attitude.

My fav is the Hawkeye. They look stunning!

I have a 2013 WR Blue STI hatch that I will never let go just because it is a car you get very emotionally attached to. It's hard to give it up, because you can drive better cars, own better cars but you're always thinking about your subbie.

A new Jm video - that’s a great start to my Sunday

I still love the original GC8 impreza turbo. It looked right, sounded right, went right and the handling was amazing, even to this day.

In the USA, north east in particular, these are everywhere, for 28k you can get a base wrx or for 38k you can have an sti, the golf R is marked up to around 50k so they are a far better value.

You're very productive and I thank you for that 😋

I would go for a older model. They are lighter

Spot on James. I had a 2010 WRX STi PPP putting out 340 bhp. Loved it but the engine went pop twice. Fixed once under warranty and second time I had to pay. Your video still has me hankering for one.

Great video James👍🏻...... the Subarus of old were my noughties favourite cars along with the Evos (don’t forget these cars were pushing out sub 5 to 60 and anything up to 400hp 20 years ago ), I wish I’d bought an RB5, P1 or EVO 8 and kept it, insurance was always a problem then (being a bit younger😬). They definitely led the pack then but the new Breed of 300+ hp cars from the Germans have made the modern day Scoobys very dated .. which is a shame on one hand .... But if you want old school mechanical feel and sound and can live with the low rent interior then .....sign me up 😀

Let's go! Happy Sunday

Do wish the Evos were still around...

A quote from Top Gear Africa special I picked up there ?? When Clarkson said “ the sound and imminent arrival of a moron “ When Hammond arrived in his Subaru lol

I would buy it just for the sound alone. Love it

Great video James. Love the scripting of your shows and they’re improving all the time. Whether that’s down to lots of research beforehand or whatever, your ability to drive and deliver great one liners, as here, with the ‘arrival of a moron’ comment are brilliant. Your reviews are always honest too, something that can’t always be said of some of the channels on here.

Love my 2020 STI mods definitely made the car super exciting

I had a Subaru Legacy Spec B for years it was a very good car with the silky smooth 3.0 flat 6 engine,I think you would like how they drive.

In 2000 in Scotland for weekend blasts to go mountainbiking etc our dream car was either the hatch sti or the mega specced out old shape Foresters. Epic!

If you're going to get one of these, get a JDM import - much stronger 2.0L engine, and probably totally rust free, even in older models. Oh and you will pay far less road tax :)

Owned an original version since 2003. It did everything a family needs. Daily duties, Holidays, Shopping, Tip runs, Baby seats, Prams and Sickness (the driving may of induced that). I retired it from family duty in 2013 and its now my garage queen. It is well and truly part of the family. I often thought about jumping in a newer version 2015-2017 variety, but my current daily RS280 Cup Megane just seems to of moved the game on a couple of notches (if you can look past the Reno badge, which has been the biggest challenge 😉)

A brilliantly balanced and objective review and you even got a clarkson quote in there 😂 I’ve had 3 classic and one blob STi but sold the last one ten years ago. I keep looking at these but very hard to justify against what is available for the same money. I’ve specced up a 400bhp build a few times so it would be competitive with modern stuff but the bhp per £ is pretty poor when compared to tuning options for other performance cars. The final killer is that the reliability of that engine although I wonder how much it would cost to import a JDM 2.0? Great analogy about an old album played through a new hi-fi system though.

300bhp Scooby with a boot, ton of stickers and 4wd ..what’s not to like 👍🏾🍰😎🇯🇵

How does the feeling of this compare to the GR Yaris? That car has to be the spiritual successor - WRC, 4wd, good but not awesome power, nice gearbox, meh interior! (obviously the Yaris is smaller/lighter, so doesn't suit as a family car in the way this does.)

One of biggest regrets, was parting with my 05 plate 2L WRZ with PPP. I had it from new and ran it for 10 faultless years. MPG was circa 23. 0-60 was mid 4's. Such a joy to drive and sure footed in all weather conditions, including snow.

That Top Gear reference was gold.

The value proposition of this car changes with the times. There’s a reason why they didn’t drop the EJ ... they’d have to add the god awful electric steering and all the junk ... when I drive my 2020 sti It reminds me of my friends FD rx7 or my other friends Evo 8 or my other friends s2000... but I have CarPlay and a back up camera ... you get my drift ? It’s a modern day throwback ... for now

Would look a lot better without the graphics

The STi's coil-overs make all the difference from the more "puddingy' WRX. The STi is in a different class. My 2012 is approaching 130,000 miles and I had two WRXs before it - I drove my bug-eye for 160k miles and my hawkeye for 180k. I agree that the seats in the original bug-eye were the best - you weren't going anywhere in them! And I agree the car is relatively slow. The Subaru drivetrain chews up 25% of its quoted power and torque, from the base Impreza up to the STi. Only 75% makes it to the wheels. You've got to have an exhaust and a tune to make it stand up to a Golf R or equivalent. And to get that noise! All three of mine were modded but I never experienced the engine or gearbox fragility that I hear you and other people talking about. Maybe I just lucked out with my cars. The rubbish economy comes from the gearing. At 75mph you're doing about 3,000rpm instead of about 2,000rpm in a modern car. That's a huge difference. A couple of nits to pick - what you're talking about there (and other reviewers do it too) is boost threshold, not turbo-lag. They're not the same thing. (Break out your old copies of CAR with LJK Setright.) Turbo-lag is the delay in throttle response you get with a turbo engine even after the revs are up high enough to where the car makes boost. Normally aspirated cars don't have it. Every turbo car does. Some more than others of course. The various 'pre-spooling' systems that some advanced turbo cars have are designed to eliminate it as much as possible. And the DCCD does NOT shuffle the power around! It says it right in the STi's manual. A GT-R may well do that, but all the DCCD does in an STi is control the amount of lock-up between the front and rear axles. It's a traction thing for extreme conditions like mud or ice. An STi will have traction in conditions where a WRX won't. When it's fully locked (set to Manual, all the way +, it even says "Lock" in the little display) it's like putting an old Land Rover, 4Runner or pick-up truck into 4wd. The axles are locked together but you better not go round tight corners in the dry like that. I have no idea where this widespread belief about moving the power to the rear came from. I imagine somebody just tried to come up with an answer instead of asking Subaru or reading the manual. At this point I think reviewers are just cribbing off each other because nobody ever says that they can really feel the difference. They would certainly feel the true effect of winding up the axles in a dry car park going in a circle. You can feel the difference on a tight twisty dry road between Auto - and Auto +. I invite owners to try it. Yes I know I'm a fan-boy but I just turned 60 and I still love my Scooby. Young at heart and long may it continue..!

I had a May 2000 WRX many years ago. The first day I got it I found a dirt road to get sideways on and it was wonderful. Somewhat jinxed though, with hail, thieves, and a drunk driver making the insurance no longer affordable. I still miss it.

In contrast to the UK Subaru has had a remarkable growth spurt and turnaround in the States these last few years. To the point where they are having trouble keeping up with the demand and something like 60% of all Subaru's sold worldwide are now sold in the USA. The Crosstrek, the Outback and the Forester seem to get the lion's share of the sales but even the WRX is still popular and there are a couple that I see around town here where I work on an almost weekly basis. That being said, the current gen WRX is rather long in the tooth at this point and the successor should be coming out either this year or next and I am very keen to see what Subaru does with it.

I had both an sti and an evo 8 in the 90's . amazing cars for their time now however i am 50 and they are too thirsty, too expensive to maintain and you sleep with one eye open and a bat next to your bed (never good) still i miss those times. i often think about buying a scooby as a weekend toy.

I sometimes wish I still had my Subaru Legacy with it's lovely 2.0 flat 4, that certainly was a good daily car with loads of room in the back and plenty of umph when you wanted it although the Saab 9-5 Estate gave it a run for the money, it's always nice to know you have something extra under your right foot when you need a quick getaway from the lights

Love that! "Revisiting an old album on a new stereo". I drove a blob eye the other day, had fun in that. Would love to drive one of these.

I own a stock grey 2017 WRX STI without the stickers. I agree with your review. However, I still surprise many modern vehicles. Moreover I know I am better in the corner and in adverse weather conditions.

Love my 2005 WRX.

Excellent review. I had a nearly new 'estate' turbo as a cash alternative company car in 1998. Loved it initially but crazy servicing costs and a wicked thirst meant I wasn't too unhappy to see it go at three years old.

5:05 cheeky Top Gear reference

I remember my old 2003 WRX wagon (sorry, I'm 'murican) and it will always be a car to remember, but at some point I had to grow up, and part of growing up and being mature means you have to give up driving a WRX.

Just bought a blob eye STi and loving it

The stickers suit it really well IMO

I'm glad you did this, I had a classic (1999) in 2002 with the EJ20 and loved it to bits. I was sensible for a while and bought a 2014 Manual Golf R 2 years back and even with a Stage 1 it leaves me feeling numb when i drive it, its all over too quick unless you're prepared to do silly speeds. The scooby may not be as quick and refined by todays standards but it has that 90's charm still and the noise of that lovely flat 4. I've actually been thinking of selling the Golf and getting into one of these but the EJ25 puts me off. With 90s charm comes 90s unreliability, its a shame a lot of the classic STI V and VI have have all gone rusty!

Thanks James. That model was briefly on my list as a daily, but it really is not suited to city driving, and my opportunities to enjoy its particular cocktail of old-school involvement are limited, so it didn't make the cut

I thought we were mad for the Subaru in the UK but the Americans seem to love them, saw loads when I was there last. Seems crazy as rallying is virtually unknown!

Nice review. Looking at getting one myself bud. I think I'll pull the trigger. I've got an evo v as a toy but I need a daily

Thanks J. It does seem this car just stopped developing compared to competitors.

My father owns Number 16/150 of the Final Editions and he said it’s a slight upgrade from the stock 2015+ wrx sti

It’s crazy..they’re super popular here in the US..( north east)..every 5 th car is an Outback..

For me over here in the states, I was torn between a WRX (non STI) and a Mustang Ecoboost (wanted a 4cylinder turbo car). I ultimately went with the Mustang due to the interior being so much nicer and luxurious in the Ford, the insurance being cheaper, the used market being cheaper, and the Mustang not requiring Premium gas. I always love seeing a WRX on the road, but ultimately I don't think i'd ever buy one.

Good review. I like how descriptive the explainations are. I've watched quite handfuls of james reviews on porsche as well, james have entertaining decriptions of car especially the NSX gem of a supercar story was so well told so impressed with the NSX I daily the 2015 WRX and loving every moment of it so I understand James feeling on this WRX Sti. Migrated fr Acura Integra for 8yrs. The WRX is a special car performance AWD sedan. I am keeping the WRX and planning to buy the 2022 BRZ over the GR86 which the later is more drift and track focused. and 981 or 718 gts4 a later time.

I had the STi 280 bhp in the heydays of grey import from Japan, I soon realised that being a petrol head can induce poor finances so I placed my passion for car on the ice and put my money to work. Nice car but I rather spend my money on commodities and drive my e86! All the same nice review👍

This car was on my radar when I was starting to grow tired waiting for my GR Yaris. It’s a real bargain and I needed the space and some old school excitement. Despite ordering a GR I am no fan of new cars, preferring the analog mechanical variety. Not bothered by mpg and taking into account the above it seemed a good choice. My nerve held and didn’t act on impulse and hope to take delivery of the GR in the next 3 weeks. One day the Impreza itch will be scratched.

When insurance costs went crazy that really killed the sales

not a flex but I got 45mpg from hypermiling. On a daily i get 30ish Mpg. Its simple thats what I love, just raw feels. Just maintain it and it will take care of you. Pushing 45k on mine rn with 5k oil changes.

I used to be a great fan of this brand starting in 1996 with an Impreza turbo 2000, then a wagon in 1998. I then put my name on the waiting for the first UK sourced STi (WRX STi type UK) in 2002 which had the 300 bhp Prodrive upgrade added. I briefly moved to a Legacy diesel (what was I thinking?) and got a used 2005 WRX blob eye. That was my last Subaru. What killed it for me was the running costs: fuel (21 mpg in STi), insurance but mainly servicing (particularly parts prices). The demise of Subaru’s involvement in WRC was also a major factor. This last version of the STi was arguably the best (ignoring limited run specials such as P1 and 22B) but I couldn’t put my money behind that old, fragile EJ25 engine.

Good review. It’s a shame that Subaru failed to develop their cars. Perhaps they should have spent less on stickers and more on R&D.

Mines a daily love it and its my forth subaru 🤙

JayM. WRX died off Downunder with McRae, Richards and Bourne R.I.P. etc ! Everything mentioned is true to form, in the end it feels like a £20K car new ? V.

My daily is a 350HP 2004 WRX. Yes had our troubles but I love it to death..

Jay'emm i invite you too try the new regular wrx without the rs parkage. It's a blend of old and new schools and i just think it's the greatest car you can get right now for less then 50k cad ( i'm from canada ) just try it you might enjoy it alot.

I’ve actually considered one of these, partly for nostalgic reasons and that sound which is still there by the sounds of things. I just know I’d have to modify it though, without knowing too much about this model it would need a better head gasket and an extra 100hp I think.

Hi JayEmm. I've become a recent binger of the videos on your channel. Could you please review an E60 BMW 550i MSport. I've got one and would love to hear where it lies on the spectrum of cars you've driven. Cheers!

I wonder what the STI Cosworth hatch are like? They were really expensive when new, but have probably come down a lot in price now. You'd think Cosworth would have made the engine more robust and reliable and not just upped the power. These newer ones just look bland and seem to lack the character the old ones had. The 22b, P1 and RB320 will always be the most desirable ones.

Still miss my 1997 one I had in the proper blue! Always made you worry about how light the doors and boot lid were. Engine was great but the rear diff started to get noisy after 80k so I sold it.

You are wrong about the 2.5, it works perfectly, even thrashed as long as you service regularly. American versions had a poor build quality.

Unreliable??! Maybe if you buy 'tuned' cars from less than reputable types. Stock, there is very little that goes wrong. I had a forester XT Turbo for 15 years, only ever needed servicing and tyres. Absolutely superb.

I'd be interested to see Jm's impressions of the standard WRX of the current generation, assuming that one can be found over in the UK.

Sorry, for me the "ultimate" Impreza is the little known 1996 "Catalunya Edition". All 200 of this very limited car were sold in Black Mica. I was working for a dealership at the time who had the Subaru franchise, and in all the years I worked there, I only ever saw one in the showroom, and I can't recall ANY coming back in for even so much as a service. Super rare and probably worth a small fortune now.

I own a 2016 2.0 WRX (not an STI) 272 BHP that I'm about to part ways with very soon... and I feel I will miss it. What's the point of this car? I think to get you from A to B through X, Y and Z's. It is the Last of the Mohicans or rather the Last Samurai. It provokes you to take it to the twisties, brake late, throw it in a curve just on the limits of grip and then catapult you to the next with ferocity but also a sense of security. Yes, other cars are more modern to the point when you just sit your ass in, hit the accelerator and see big numbers... to later brag about how fast you went in a straight line, but (A) you don't feel anything - you're enveloped in a coccoon, (B) the curves are a good merit of skills. Once I had Mustang 5.0 sitting on my ass, but as soon as serious curves started, it was left behind in dust.With Subaru, you work this car and you get rewarded. Rasply engine note, quad exhaust with real pipes, no idiotic soft limiter or fake speaker sound inside (it's bloody noisy anyway), heavy clutch and brakes, stiff suspension, very engaging... My wife hates it for all the reasons that JayEmm has mentioned as drawbacks, but My Little Daughter loves it when we take the Subaru for a spin and give it some beans or go a little sideways. She was only 4 when I sat her on my lap and she was turning the steering wheel, making 10 km/h micro-donuts. Yes, in the world of political/corporate correctness I want to be incorrect. and I'm sure that it's one of those moments when I am the Coolest Galactical Dad to My Princess. We get lots of handwaves and light flashes from other WRX owners... I'm sure I won't get any of those when we get into a sensible 272 BHP Audi A4. God, I will sincerely miss this car! Thank you, Subaru for being the Last One Standing and for all the wonderful moments. I hope that the next gen will be wisely designed to keep its spirit. And thank you, JayEmm, loved the review and the car! These decals can stay :-)

Where did it all wrong eh? I’d still have one in a heartbeat tho. JDM spec C

Always a great video, thanks.

Great review as always! Keep it up JM!

Honesty is a quality of yours, you don’t hold back. Porsche 911 v Cayenne video proof.

The best thing about this car is the sound

Hi James, I was wondering have you ever done a review on an Evo. Great channel, looking forward to the next video. Take care.

Don’t know what sales are like in the rest of NA but Canadians LOVE Subarus! I can’t believe their brand is almost dead in the UK! Great vids, I’ve been subscribed for quite awhile now. You’re a great addition to my fave YT creators, keep on going!

The proper blue subaru imprezza,gold wheeled FOUR door rally preped 800 bhp was the best car i have ever owned, i was that moron you could hear coming home, things you did 25 years ago, but i hate with a passion the hatchback

Thanks for the Vid' James do you like it more than the Bugeye you had? except for the engine rebuild and the stickers/decals?

My brother had one. Misses it now of course. I drove it and it went like stink, handles great, and nothing much around beats that sound. Very popular in NZ. Maybe it's our crap roads! If you want them to last, they (like any other car) needs to be serviced regularly and appropriately. Maybe that means daily!! :)

I had a wrx back in early 2000s , I loved it A few years ago I had a look at o e of these later cars There was no way I could justify it Performance is less than a golf r but the running costs are huge Terrible fuel economy Shocking road tax Also refinement is not good at all They still have character though and they sound great with a decent exhaust

Come to Japan... they’re ten a penny, as are Subarus in general.

I used to have the hatchback Impreza STi '08 before I crashed it recently due to grip mismanagement during heavy downpour ;( It was an ass to maintain that EJ257 and too heavy for daily driving. But it felt charming; the sensation I get from driving it was, for the lack of better word, _raw._ It was only the car and me - nothing else in between. Now I have the recent Swift Sport, a light and fun car which I have been eyeing for a long time because I wanted a light and zippy car. Back in my mind, though, I wanted to feel that rawness again.

8:20 a rather cocky "let's see if she still has got some of the old magic" *proceeds driving a rally monster carefully and respectuflly through the public road. "Yes, she does!" LMAO. love you James.

It so marvellous I must say that xx

I used to work for Subaru in the mid 2000’s. Great memories. I did consider buying one of these final models but I’ve read constantly that the ride is atrocious. And I’m getting old and grumpy.

The Subaru sounds awesome, dare I say - just like a Porsche Cayman! 😉

Considering something like this with this kind of power: which car is the most reliable and cheaper to run/maintain? I don't care about the age, just keen to know your thoughts.

It sounds like a yobbo is approaching and i love it!