With no current gen STI and the potential transition to EV the VB is gonna age like a fine wine.

I hated the vb when they first released pics. I test drove civic si, gti, Elantra n and gr86. I saw a vb sitting on the lot and was surprised how good I thought it looked in person. Test drove it and signed the paperwork right after. This car has been a dream for me personally. Just perfect. I love the cladding now and it’s unique. It puts me an a good mood on my commute. Glad I found your channel 🍻

I own a 2022 VB it has been an unreal experience getting my car to look and feel like I knew it could. Its such an amazing motor, and to not just be another "sti" on the road was another reason I bought it.

Current base VB owner and also owned 2 VA STI's in the past. You made a good decision. STI's are special, but buying used is such a gamble for a long term daily driver. I was so paranoid of my STI blowing up (as a 2nd owner) that i sold it before the warranty expired. I do miss it sometimes but never again as a daily driver unless i could be the original owner

The vb wrx is a great daily. As a sti owner, the sti was a better choice for me.it's more a time capsule for my inner younger jdm fan. What other jdm car up to 2021 could you buy with a return stlye fuel system, hydraulic quick ratio power steering, close ratio stong gear box, and a freaking emissioned air pump. Suburu literally sold us 2004 tech till the last sti. So, for me, im very familiar with the platform this was my reason for buying the sti.

Always wanted a WRX for over 20 years and would keep talking myself out of it. I work for Toyota and Seriously considered the GR86 or the GR Corolla. Did not want to wait on a Manual GR86 and Did not want to pay for the GR Corolla price Tag. Test Drove the my 2022 Saphire Blue WRX and was hooked. I too wanted an STI and realize they stop making them. Saw that the power was the same across all of the trim levels so I got the Base. Purchased some Blue wheels to compliment the paint and got Blue Tint, Spoilers Window and Trunk along with a Color Match Vortex Generator. Man I feel Like I am driving one of my Matchbox or Hotwheels from when I was a Kid. I love my VB!!

Nice video ! This is what I was talking about 👏

Excellent video! I would have gone the same route if in your situation! Test drove one and it is impressive! I'm blessed that I have a daily/work vehicle and my 20' VA Sti is my weekend car so i can enjoy it fully! It's surreal that I got the dream car I wanted as a child and I don't think I'll ever let it go. The raw driving experience keeps me in love when I step in it. I'll pass it down to my future kid!

I was looking for a new car with manual transmission, but was scared I would ruin it since it’s been years since I drove manual. Ended up getting a 2023 WRX and I gotta say it actually is an easy to learn manual car. I struggled less than with any other manual I drove. Keep getting compliments on the orange color. Hopefully one day I can pay it off and trade it in for the STI we are all waiting for if not it’s staying in my driveway for sure.

I own a 2024 Limited WRX and I absolutely love this car. Compared to the last gen WRX, it rides a lot smoother, is a lot quicker, road noise is kept to a minimum, and the cladding definitely grows on you. I told a buddy of mine when they first released that people would fall in love with this new generation of WRX's and I was right. I've been so many people mod these cars and add a lot of power in them with very little mods to do so. I've owned mine now for a month and every time I get into it, I feel so happy that I made the right choice in getting one. Same friend that owns a last gen WRX loves seeing my car and how good it looks with just a few cosmetic mods. He was skeptical with the new design but it has since grown on him as well after seeing them in person.

I had a 2019 VA, got rid of it when my daughter was born for a manual crosstrek. After a few years I missed having a car with power so I just got a VB and holy hell does it feel so much better than my VA did. The power band is just full of power

I own a 2019 STI. Never tuned it and the only engine mods are an IAG AOS and cylinder 4 cooling mod. Has only 19k miles so it’s not a daily driver. I think about selling it because I drive it so little and the insurance has increased to a point where I wonder if it's worth keeping. Love the car though, it's a very fun car to drive.

My 23 vb is exactly that. A new clean slate, with no mods. Ideally, if subaru made a sti in the new platform i wld have gone for that. It is what it is. I do wish i have brembos on mine, but the joys of a jdm car is the aftermarket support. I can eventually get one 😂

Planning on getting a WRX in the future. Pay off current and save some money for a heavy down payment. Excited for sure

I wanted a wrx or sti for awhile drove a few generations bug eye heavily modified but needed a clutch i could tell on test drive at a dealership, drove a older sti i love the older sti but i test drove a 22 wrx and was impressed with how the car felt , its a really as you said a very great everyday car

I built my vb based on the jdm sti package that was in the intro video , trying to make it into the sti that coulda been

I went with a 2023 WRX Sport last year and have loved it since. It’s my first manual car and I literally drove it off the lot and home I was that confident with the clutch right away. Of course stalled it a couple times stopping at intersections but don’t we all starting out 😂

I own a 23 VB premium. I never considered a WRX or STI because of my size, 6’2” with a 6’7” wingspan. I just don’t fit well in most. I work on the docks and get to drive pretty much every make & model of new common cars and a crazy amount of imports 25 years or older (imports need to be 25 yrs old in the USA compared to 20 yrs up in Canada). So every once in a while I drive a car onto or off a ship and really enjoy some aspect of driving it and then get out and check to see what model & trim level it is. This is what put the VB WRX on my radar but it still wasn’t on my short list. I started eliminating cars off my short list for various reasons, like the challenger & chargers because they get stolen so often in my area. Slowly the WRX started to make more sense and I’m one of the few that liked the looks of it early on including the cladding. The main reason I went with it in the end is because I have the option to put a small lift on it, and haul my bikes more easily up some forest roads. The reason I went with the 23 premium has to do mostly with my size. I really really wanted the TR and waited for it to come out. I also hoped 2024 would bring better color options. Due to my height and preferred seat angle (based on my preferred nice weather driving, arm on open window sill) I preferred not to have a sunroof due to the lower interior roof. I actually rub my head when looking over my left shoulder at blind spot. The 2024’s all came with the eyesight which takes up so much of the top of the windshield. I truly don’t get why more people don’t complain about the eyesight unit being so huge. It’s always in my peripheral vision and worse when first car in line at stop lights. So I went with a left over new 2023 at a big enough discount I didn’t bother haggling. My hopes are to get a big brake kit (unless I lift the car and can’t fit them on the smaller wheels). Get as much of the limited & above suede interior pieces (already got the extended armrest) and aftermarket front seats. I don’t like the feel of the cloth seats, don’t like that they are limited adjustment seats also. I also hope to get seats that sit at least an inch lower in the car. ~~~~ So far I’ve really enjoyed the WRX. It’s pretty fun to drive. I fit in it pretty decently for a small car. I have been having fun buying none powertrain parts for it. Maybe get a bit more aggressive when I get closer to the warranty ending. But I know the option is there.

Good choice, I liked the vb the first time I seen it, once I drove it I was convinced, I’ve now tuned with bolt ons and it’s super fun to drive for a daily…

Good review bro. Personally, my favorite WRX STi is the 2014 WRX STi hatchback, but I have to admit that the VA chassis was a big improvement on ride quality, sound deadening and interior quality. The absence of the hatchback option was a huge disappointment but I understand why the hatchback variant wasn't produced.

For most folks I recommend the WRX. If it's your daily driver/ use it on longer trips, it is smarter financially. Especially now save up a fat down payment to avoid these wild interest rates. Plus it will outdrive most folks abilities for a long time stock. You can then use the money you saved to customize it with better suspension, decor, etc. After the warranty is out, then you can mod the engine, tune it, etc and gain considerable power. The reason I went to the STI after owning my WRX for several years was because I could afford it and it's not my daily driver anymore. I got a good deal pre-pandemic on an 18 STI so I am lucky. You are paying for the brake package, suspension, better tranny, etc and it is worth it for a performance car. The STI was my dream car for over 20 years now (damn I feel old saying that). I drive it a couple times a month and have added some mods making around 365 to the wheels. Have fun with your cars, and to those folks dreaming of getting one some day, just keep working hard and saving. I promise it pays off.

Good explanation of your reasoning Sepp. It’s a reality that as technology advances it drips its way into Subies often at a different rate to other manufacturers. For a company with such an impressive WRC history and development background they are very conservative. I still love my VA STi over the VB garden variety for its mechanical properties but I remain grateful that the WRX exists in some form that resembles the original for whatever time remains on the analogue concept. Long live ULH and 6SM 🎉

Great discussion. I went with a 2020 STI bc of the aesthetics and what seemed like a core focus on the driver enthusiast. I’m curious how the auto braking feature works on a manual. Does it kick you out of gear automatically somehow when it auto brakes? Or the system just ‘yolo’s’ it and doesn’t worry about stalling the engine out from the sudden reduction in rev’s as it brakes?

gonna be test driving a VB tomorrow😁

Got my VB for the exact same reasons as you. Pretty hard to find a clean STI with low miles. I said I wasn't going to tune mine for a few years. One Black Friday sale later and I am pushing 350whp :)

Truly enjoyed this ... subscribed to prove it!

I bought myself a VB WRX a week and a half ago. I bought it because it's a turbo car it's cheap compared to something like a GR Corolla the tuning potential and because it's AWD

Welcome to the VB fam! I got one because AWD, safe, daily driver and a ton of tuning potential. Only thing this car lacks is brakes, but the TR solved that. Enjoy your vehicle and thanks for posting!!!

I'm in your exact same original position wanting the VA STI, low mileage, unmodded mechanically, one owner 2019+ but here Down Under prices are not just crazy but stupid crazy. In 2022 when the VB landed I didn't like it and now seeing some modded exteriors I'm liking it more and more and even planning to test drive one. Still not a fan of the super-large infotainment screen in them though but we'll see what way I go. Whatever I get will purely be a weekend fun car and not intended as a daily.

I've had my base 2024 VB for a few months now.... I really, really like it, but I still desire a hatch STI.

Got my VB at the tail end of December ‘23. Brought my ‘17 WRX in for a balance/rotation. Asked how much they would give for a trade-in, and the guy asked me if I wanted to test drive a ‘23 WRB Base. Night and day difference, and my ‘17 was lightly modded and tuned (GS jpipe, GS BPV, GS BCS, Mishimoto Intake, Drunkmann tuned). I was genuinely surprised at how well the power came on and how well the car handled. A week later I brought her home 😂

I think the new VB handles better than the STI. That being said the STI puts the power down better, especially hard on the gas coming out of tight corners. No more STI’s with a warranty available and the VB is WAY easier to add power too. Any one ever look into what it takes to get 325 to the wheels in a STI? I did, then bought a VB.

replying to comment about sti having front lsd center dccd diff and rear lsd and wrx only having open front diff and open rear diff. in intial d there is a episode where the takumi ae86 like the sti has lsd and itsuki ae85 like the wrx has no lsd but guess what the good driver takumi drove the ae85 and still beat someone. don't believe me look up ae85 vs silvia race, that shows it's up to driver that can win even without lsd.

I have a 22 ceramic white GT. Don’t give me wrong. I got the card looking great but now the new TR came out. I definitely want to trade in. There’s just something about a manual that is rewarding to drive. Unfortunately, unfortunately when I was buying, this was the only option I had and I desperately needed a car.

Both fun cars..can’t go wrong wit any…but if ya gunna make power go wit the sti …but it’s gunna COST ALOT

As much as people want to complain about the VB, sometimes buying a new car that no one has modified or drove rough is nice. The odds are that 8/10 used STIs have been altered or beaten by someone who just wanted to squeeze more power out of it. Either way, enjoy your vehicle. I upgraded my car to a VB early last year and still love it. It's comfortable, peppy, and doesn't look as bad as people say. Also, it's a beast in autocross. Would i have loved an STI Trim for the VB, yes, but Subaru is in the business of making money, and their best selling vehicles are the outback, forester, etc. This WRX has the same engine as the xt outback and the accent 🤣. They're trimming the fat and looking at how they can keep these vehicles and save money, so, sharing components makes sense for them.

OWNED 2 STI'S (GR) AND OTHER WRXS AND TO BE HONEST, BESIDES THE TRANS/LSD'S I FEEL LIKE THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST CAR OVERALL. MY STI'S WERE STOCK AND MODDED SO IVE TRIED MAKING A TRULY UNBIASED COMPARISON..WITH A LITTLE SUSPENSION MODS ETC ITS JUST CRAZY HOW WELL THESE CARS RESPOND..HANDLING IS CRAZY. ONCE I DO THE STI DRIVETRAIN SWAP ILL BE GOOD TO GO

Are the recaro's comfy?

It's almost the "same power" but the VB dynos at subaru's advertised crank HP. Also, stock for stock a vb wrx keeps up with/slightly beats a va sti.

You made the logical choice and as you stated, trying to find a used VA STI that’s not been all loaded up with a bunch of non-original mods would be nearly impossible.

For me, my decision was very payment driven. The Jetta GLI with cloth seats has 84mth finance for $570 MSRP.. And Subaru has 81% residual on a 24 month lease for the base model... which is nearly unobtainium.... Well, I got lucky and found a base WRX in stock and leased for 2 years for $530. So basically... do I want a Jetta GLI finance for 7 years? Or 6 year old Civic Si with 100000km financed for 5yrs or a 2 year lease on a base WRX??? Uhhh... New Car Lease please... Because Used Subarus' cost WAAAYYY too much money lol ? If I need more than 25,000km per year... I can't be financing it for 7 years anyway - it would be 350,000km by the time it was paid off...

VB is a good car but the STI is just superior in every single way aside from fuel economy and probably reliability

I saw the price and im good

If your building for track and power the STI is hands down better. The transmission is in a whole different class. The vb transmission is pretty weak. If you just want to slap some basic bold ons and go in a straight line the vb I'd solid but if you want to really build a car the STI is that car. I also want to add tge 2024 wrx having eyesight is one of the dumbest things ever. Subaru eyesight is horrible and having it on a wrx is a huge mistake. It makes me 100% avoid buying one in the future.

Had a 2005 sti sold it bought i bought a motorcycle and now i just bought the vb just coz they offered me 0% apr and 5k discount on the vb

I bought a 2023 WRX because I really really hate the eyesore and nanny crap. I'm convinced the people that hate on it haven't driven one.

The VB is the best WRX ever. Could have been the best STI ever too. But it is what it is. The car seriously only needs the STI diffs and gearbox to be perfect.

Paid 45k for my 2020 STi used. No regrets.

Sti is way fun!

i'm selling my stock 2018 WRX STI Limited. Are you or anyone you know in the market? It's only got 32,000mi. No accidents. just maintained and loved. Never launched it and never raced it. I have it posted on FB Marketplace.

Appreciate both cars, ... There is a reason we have WRX and STI , for daily WRX for me.. And only premium trim anything goes over 38k it doesnt make sense to me bc STI is there with better drivertrain and charcter to drive. For truck usage STI only . Looking for straight line fast car, gtfo from here you are in a wrong house bobby ... Unless you have built a scoobie for roll...$$$$ Stay humble in your seats and play with l the size if your sheet .. Happy boosting !

Naaa broo the sti price is going up lol…a sti wit 5k on the dash is going for 54k lol

Your first car may be my last car

... you're getting worse fuel economy than my 6.2L pushrod V8

L where’s the marinara maotzeralla matiniansotlwralleall mari oats motzletaasl

Eh, both are big, fat and boring. Should have just gotten another GD or a hatchback. I'd consider the new VB if they came factory with 400hp and if they fixed the ugly body with a better, sti body kit, and sold it for $40k

I don't own a VB WRX. Why? Because it's ugly as hell