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03-20-2010, 06:10 PM | #1 |
Driving Sports TV Staff
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Vehicle:2004 WRX |
2010 STI Special Edition Track Test
2010 Subaru STI Special Edition
Track Tested, Driver Approved Ryan Douthit, Driving Sports TV Click to view the full video review. Subaru official STI SE info page. NASIOC STI SE News Thread. At the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru introduced a new special edition of the 2010 Subaru STI. It was called, simply enough, the Special Edition. Recently, I finally had a chance to drive the production version of the new SE on the Streets of Willow. But before we get into the driving, let's look at what makes this edition so "Special." It's all about handling: Suspension has been lifted from the Japanese-market spec-C, a 1-millimeter thicker rear sway bar, stiffer rear bushings and stiffer springs: 16-percent stiffer under the nose, 29-percent stiffer in the aft. Wheels, too, have been copied from the JDM model, which look great against the Aspen White body, but they sport the standard 245/40SR-18 Dunlop summer treads. Sounds expensive, doesn't it? Don't worry, this Special Edition is actually less than the standard STI. Seriously. $32,900 and it's yours. That's $2000 less than the standard 2010 STI and only $1000 more than Mitsubishi's Ralliart Sport Back. How was Subaru able to bend the JDM-enhanced reality-distortion pricing model? It made some cuts in the stuff any track buff will surely not miss: the AC controls go old-school, with a standard knob replacing the automatic system; HID headlights are downgraded to halogen projectors and the stereo rewinds to the 2005 model year with a single CD head unit pushing four speakers. If Subaru hadn't provided me a list of these downgrades, I probably wouldn't have noticed. Not on the track, at least. The drivetrain is unchanged from the standard STI. The already-potent turbo-charged 2.5-liter boxer motor puts out 305-horsepower and 290-ft-lbs of torque. This time tested and tuner-approved powerplant is attached to Subaru's six-speed manual transmission with a driver-controlled center differential and all the usual go-fast goodies. I've always liked the new hatchback version of the STI. Yes, even the hatchback styling. But, considering its potential, it was too softly sprung for tarmac. This new Special Edition's Spec-C suspension treatment fixes that issue, nicely. Since this was a press event, with two cars for 10 drivers on a single sunny day in the California desert, we didn't have the time to run hard number tests. But the overall impression was quite positive. The enhancements strike superb balance between capability and everyday drivability - without the need of costly aftermarket suspension upgrades. (Great! Leaves budget for power adds.) On the limit, the car behaves much more balanced, with a touch more twitch in the tail - just enough to inspire. It's still not a Porsche GT3, though, so don't expect it to corner like it's "on rails." Conversely, it won't bite you in the ass when you let your guard down. Around town, it's just as easy to drive as any STI. This is really how the car should have been delivered in 2008. Though, better late than never is certainly welcome. Some may gripe that the power output should have been increased, but I will disagree, especially at the lowered price point. The stock power is very well suited to the setup and, for those that do want more, a Cobb Accessport and some aftermarket pipes will continue to fill the aftermarket need. The 2010 Subaru STI Special Edition will be available in dealers soon. The first 125 unnumbered, unsigned and unplaqued editions will be available exclusively in Aspen White. After that, it will continue to be available in standard STI colors for as long as people want to keep buying them. Subaru STI SE Track Test YouTube Excerpt:
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Last edited by ricochet; 03-20-2010 at 06:42 PM. |
03-20-2010, 06:20 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
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Location: Durham, NC
Vehicle:2016 Subaru WRX STi 2004 Subaru Imprza RallyX |
Good production value... but there isn't anything there.
Thanks! - dow |
03-20-2010, 06:41 PM | #3 |
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I want to test drive one..
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03-20-2010, 06:52 PM | #4 |
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NWIC
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Vehicle:06 STI & 13XT WRB |
If you want to get into a new STI for less money this is a great car...but some of the stuff given up is hard to justify especially if you are wanting to buy this car for a DD/weekend warrior car.
Great trim level! |
03-20-2010, 07:14 PM | #5 |
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it didn't really give up anything except the nice and fancy ac control was downgraded to manual ones like the older models, the fancy stereo is downgraded to a basic single cd/am/fm unit with just four components instead of having separate tweeters and the underseat subwoofer, and the headlights aren't HIDs. The only thing that is even really "given up" is some headlight performance, sound performance, and now you can't be lazy and have to adjust your own ac. To me, these SMALL inconveniences are worth $2000. Especially since it upgrades alot of other things in return...sounds like a deal for anyone driving their sti as it is intended to be used. You don't have to be a track whore to demand the best out of your vehicle. AND, when the dealership tells you, "You can have a better handling car for $2000 less, but you have to give up a small amount of sound performance, lighting performance, and ac convenience," that sounds like a deal to me. Just my opinion though...
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03-20-2010, 07:21 PM | #6 |
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Trade the little bells and whistles for suspension prowess.... I'm game!
Nah really. Wheres the total list of downgrades? Either way I'm glad they're finally bringing a bit of the Spec C to USDM market. |
03-20-2010, 07:26 PM | #7 | |
Driving Sports TV Staff
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Kirkland, WA
Vehicle:2004 WRX |
From the official Subaru web site:
Quote:
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03-20-2010, 07:42 PM | #8 |
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Sounds like a sweet deal to get a better handling STI out of the box! Thats the one i'd pick if I were going to get a new STI
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03-20-2010, 09:06 PM | #9 |
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Jesus, you guys are so dry, uninspiring, unfunny, and boring.
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03-20-2010, 09:28 PM | #10 |
Review Crew
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i LOVE that subaru is ditching some of the unnecessary tech in favor of lightness and cheapness. that's the thing that endeared them to me in the first place.
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03-20-2010, 09:46 PM | #11 |
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the fact that they are actually reducing the cost of a vehicle that they know is going to be demanded by their fans is pretty cool. It shows that they actually listen to their followers. Obviously, they are a business, and profit is pretty much the sole goal; however, Subaru has shown that they can put that extra profit aside even though they know that most everyone would pay the extra money if they decided to make it more expensive.
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03-20-2010, 11:51 PM | #12 |
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Vehicle:2003 07STi,03,07 STi SWP/ WRB/UGM#239 |
I want one! All the things they took out I can do without except the HIDS
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03-21-2010, 02:53 AM | #13 |
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Vehicle:2002 WRX Wagon Midnight Black Pearl |
I would LOVE to have one! Only problem is that the wife would shoot me between the eyes with a BB gun if I did! Oh well, I'll just have to dream and continue to enjoy my 2.0L of 2002 turbocharged AWD goodness!
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03-21-2010, 04:09 AM | #14 |
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Straight from Cars 101 (http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/wrxsti2010.html):
Special Edition (SE) model ADDS to STI 1mm thicker rear stabilizer bar Stiffer rear sub-frame bushings Front springs- upgraded, retuned front springs- 16% stiffer Rear springs- upgraded, retuned front shocks- 29% stiffer Charcoal 18 x 8.5" 14spoke alloys (JDM WRX STI spec C) replaces 5 spoke Headlights- Halogen replaces HID CD single disc player withg 4 speakers replaces CD changer with 10 speakers Manual AC controls replaces Climate Control Painted outside mirros replaces painted outisde mirrors with built-in turn signals Special Edition (SE) model DELETES from STI Power adjustable headlight aiming HID headlights (replaces with halogen) CD changer (replaces with single disc CD player) 10 speakers (replaces with 4 speakers) Climate control (replaces with manual controls) Turn signals in the body colored mirrors (replaces mirrors with turn signals) Hope that helps! Pretty awesome upgrades vs. downgrades if you ask me. |
03-21-2010, 09:27 AM | #15 |
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Vehicle:2004 EJ257 VF37 51E w/ TypeRA Roof Vent & Lip |
The 2004 STi is more Spec C than this. I'm still rocking my stock 223,000 Watt sound system.
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03-21-2010, 11:25 AM | #16 |
Scooby Newbie
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MWSOC
Location: Southside of Chicago
Vehicle:2010 STI SE Aspen White |
I love mine!
Nice to see some exposure on the car but I want to see a true comparison of a STI and a STI SE...as well as a WRX I am so tired of reading these magazines questioning why by an STI so they can find out. |
03-21-2010, 12:35 PM | #17 |
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Vehicle:2015 WRX Limited WR blue |
so..all I have to do is deal with is adjusting the AC myself? I think I can live with that :P lol
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03-21-2010, 12:52 PM | #18 |
Scooby Newbie
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Vehicle:2010 STI SE Aspen White |
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03-21-2010, 01:55 PM | #19 |
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i'm a fan. its about time subaru is offering the US market jdm goodies. they said it in the press realease, 125 in aspen white and then they will keep making them in all colors as long as people buy it. its a test from SOA, whether its worth it to offer cars like this.
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03-21-2010, 02:42 PM | #20 |
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Vehicle:1993 Impreza L 1.8T Lotus Storm Titanium |
it would have been sweet if they offered 125 in AW and 125 in JBP. mmm
Last edited by imprezaL2345; 03-21-2010 at 03:22 PM. |
03-21-2010, 05:08 PM | #21 |
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Vehicle:2018 STi White |
Wow this looks great! Not a big deal loosing some of the standered amenities, i would totally buy one of these!
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03-21-2010, 05:11 PM | #22 |
Review Crew
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I am also a fan of mechanical controls over electronic any day. I wonder if I can "downgrade" to a cable-operated throttle too??
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03-21-2010, 05:54 PM | #23 |
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I like it - and that's the first time I've been able to say that about a Subaru in a good while.
Although I don't think it's the quantum leap in performance that SOA seems to be trying to portray it as, but regardless, I'm all for stripped content/cheaper models. Take the stereo out completely, give me manual windows and door locks, etc. I'm all for it. As Subaru has done in the past - this is probably a soft release of sorts for cars that could be yet to come depending on the success of this model. (Cough) (Cough) Spec C. |
03-22-2010, 12:16 AM | #24 |
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Vehicle:15 Mustang GT All subies gone |
ive got a deposit on one of last 2 aspen white SE's in jersey
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03-22-2010, 12:17 AM | #25 |
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