Not gonna comment on the used car prices (because lazy), but your new information is off unless you're not in the US. The MSRP for a base WRX is $25,595 and an STI starts at $34,095. And unless by "fully loaded" you mean "ordering every possible random accessory sold at the dealership", the limited trim adds more like $3.5k for both, not $6k. And both are still on sale for 2012.

 

my numbers came from building both online last August, and I did add most of the SPT accesories. Also, my numbers include all fees associated with buying the car rounded to the nearest thousand.

 

I just traded in my 2011 STi Sedan with 13,500 miles on it. Got $30,500 on trade which was spot on what KBB said. Original tires too LOL, I was not about to replace those pricey tires just to trade it in. Not bad considering I paid $34,000 out the door a year and a half ago. So if trade was $30,500 you can imagine what the resale pricing will be in order for the dealership to turn a profit.

Replaced the STi with a 2012 Pilot EX-L AWD with DVD entertainment system, moonroof, and reverse camera. Paid $33,800 out the door all said and done. Sticker was $38,500 . Now we are all Honda again with an 07 Accord to round things out.

 

How did you like the STi? Was it fun? How about the shifter/clutch? Steering?

If I get one the first thing that has to go is the altezza tail lights, god they are awful.

 

and

One thing about awd - it will make you look like a great driver because it does so much for handling. Just point and shoot and the awd - especially the systems in the WRX/STI and the EVO - do the rest.

If you're understeering, you're probably trying to drive it like a rwd car and not an awd car.

 

I'm sure you've already seen them, but there are overlay kits for the tail lights that are pretty in-expensive. I've thought about it, but I'll probably wait a little while. The tail-lights don't really bug me against the blue.

 

I had the sedan so it didn't have the altezza style lights. Shift and clutch feel was excellent. The car tended to understeer quite a bit which took some getting used to after the S2k. It was a ton of fun and had way more power than I could ever use around town, so in my case the car was way under utilized. Even though I had the Cobb accessport flashed to stage 1 by a qualified tuner, whoever picks that car up will get an STi that almost never saw redline. Sadly I was never able to drive it the way it was supposed to. It was mostly a commuter and garage queen.

 

My main reason for moving to an STi was family. I couldn't think of a better car that was more fun and practical at the same time. It's been a blast so far. There are a few things I miss about the S2000, but I'm extremely happy I made the switch. I've been in an S2000 for the last 7 years. And being a bigger guy(6'1" 200 lbs.), it's a treat to have some more room. Plus, it's nice having a more livable car. I take it just about everywhere. Whereas with the S2000, I would never let it leave my sight in a parking lot, etc.

We have the hatch. I can fit my wife, my 10 month old son(rear facing), and two medium sized dogs in this thing, while blowing past just about every car on the road. I think that's pretty badass. Although, this isn't our primary family/dog hauler, we have a '10 Pilot for that.

 

Ive been driving a MY11 WRX since last october. I haggle pretty hard and paid 26k for it new, the used prices on those cars kinda forced me to go new. I couldnt see paying 1-2 less or even the same as new for a car that was driven just past the break in period. I also know there beaten on almost always and mods can easily lead to problems in the wrong hands.

As far as driving goes, at first I felt like my AP1 was so much better. Now though, given a few months to get to know the ins and outs I feel like the car is much easier and funner to drive at its limits. All the understeer issues seem to be pre 2011, I've pushed the car past the tires limits and it always breaks in the rear first. But really IMO the car seems more neuteral than my S and the limits are close enough between the two to be negledgible. The S still feels more special to drive, but at this point I feel that there both equally fun. Low end torque tho is a godsend for daily driving tho.

This is just my opinion tho, I still have the AP1, Im not being biased toward either. I really think there both as fun to drive as each other, just in different ways.

I would steer clear of used though.

 

I'm sure you've already seen them, but there are overlay kits for the tail lights that are pretty in-expensive. I've thought about it, but I'll probably wait a little while. The tail-lights don't really bug me against the blue.
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Yup, I did read about the overlay kits, that is most likely what I would do. I think the more contrast there is, the less I find it ugly. So I agree with the blue exterior it wouldn't bother me as much.. Lighter colors that altezza style lights just look tacky IMO