Opinion: Early STI Models Are Entering Collector Status

They don’t make them like they used to. Now in all fairness newer vehicles such as the new WRX models, or even Tesla’s (divorced from the owner’s own decisions), have creature comforts that make the vehicle more comfortable to drive. Most new vehicles, even in entry-level form, will have a large infotainment screen that will have a nice backup camera, lane switching assist, LED lighting, and a nice sound system to make the daily commute a little more enjoyable. Most importantly, all newer vehicles have better safety features in terms of side and curtain airbags.

Yet despite all of these options and luxuries, it almost dilutes the overall driving experiences from a visceral angle. Even America’s Chevrolet Corvette known for having a brute of a V8 in the front of a car struggles to do a burnout in the base model C8 because the engine now sits in the middle, and there isn’t even a manual transmission option due to how fast dual-clutch automatic transmission technology has advanced. Those with a mullet and Pit Vipers often find themselves in a conflict of interest because brother, how do we do a burnout? Like the C8 Corvette, it started with the R35 GTR, the Ferrari 458, and then other manufacturers were on-board in developing lightning-quick automatic transmissions that put these cars in faster 0-60 and ¼-mile times. These cars were also paired with equally advanced traction control systems to help get the power to the ground.

As exciting as it was to see, all these cool cars hit the markets with an abundance of power and speed, still there was one main ingredient that was missing. And that was a manual transmission. At least Porsche was still offering a manual option in their street legal race cars such as the GT3, GT4, and various 911 trims, but it wasn’t until the MK5 Supra released, the micro-aggressions in the automotive enthusiast community over boiled when the people wanted a proper MKIV Supra replacement, and instead Toyota gave us the BMW. After anger, denial, and eventually acceptance subsided, enthusiasts on social media soundboards, YouTube, and message forums demanded a manual transmission. Soon, Toyota would provide the market with a GR Supra in a limited manual transmission option.

Point being, and with the proverbial middle-aged fist rage, all these modern sports cars and fast luxury sedans with all of the engine, transmission, and suspension advancements made anyone feel like a professional race car driver at their local track. And why not? These are great advancements in the evolution of a sportscar. You are hard-pressed to find a car that puts the power to the tires like what a new Porsche 911 Turbo S can do. The New Corvette ZR-1 can reach a top speed of over 230 MPH in factory production skin which is staggeringly impressive because those performance numbers can only be found in 7-figure hyper cars.

But…, there’s always a little bit of a thing here. Ever drive one of these cars and you want to turn the AC on, but you must navigate through the screen while squinting your eyes while you’re driving, and you can’t figure anything out. And then you’re touching the wrong icons on the screen which brings up a google review on a restaurant that you’re passing. And then you need to turn the radio down so you can be more aware, and you do the same thing? Next, you’re cursing at the car calling the manufacturer every name in the book like Ralphie’s dad when he fights the furnace on A Christmas Story? For many of us, we just want a damned button or a knob. And for many of these cars, there is a process to engage launch mode because you must hold x button down for 3 seconds, turn the nav knob to settings, make sure the engine temps are at least 168°, hold the brake and rev to 5k then release. And if you want to do it again you need to watch a tutorial online or read the owner’s manual which no one does anymore.

The thing is, all of this advanced tech, all of the driving aides, all of the lightning-fast automatic transmissions and 0-60 times under 3 seconds kind of takes away from the overall driving spirit of the car itself. It’s like you don’t even need driving talent anymore. The “soul” as many would say is akin after driving an EV. Sure, a Model S Plaid can do consistent ¼-mile timeslips in the low 9-second range, but you’re not rowing through gears, you’re not smelling burning oil and burning rubber, and your ear drums are getting blown out. And that’s the reason why your old uncle still has that 68’ Camaro tucked away under a cover in his garage next to those 1980’s Playboy’s with a blower sticking 3 feet out of the hood.

 

21 years ago, when Subaru released the STI for US markets, it was Subaru’s answer to the Mitsubishi Evolution released just a year prior in 2003. Both absolutely wonderful cars, although the Evo retained its value more simply because the legendary 4G63 engine is objectively better when it comes to making more power. Although there have been EJ builders who have built the EJ25 to make 1XXX power, the examples are far fewer. But both cars had their pros and cons. 21 years ago when World Rally Cross racing was a fascination among the SpeedVision channel for those of us who could remember, and all of the articles in Sport Compact Car and Turbo Magazine highlighted the wins, the perils, and the grueling nature of rally racing. And a darned Subaru was doing it.

Watching or reading about the Subaru WRX race through rally events through mud, snow, and insane jumps with Colin McRae behind the wheel gave us really something to look forward to. A few years earlier when owners were able to get their hands on a WRX, this gave the automotive aftermarket a canvas to start making go-fast parts for it. COBB Tuning was in full overdrive developing the Accessport among other awesome upgrades to make the WRX a better overall driving experience.

2003 was a very exciting year for the sport-compact scene. A year after the WRX was released, Mitsubishi debuted the Evolution for US markets, and the car came standard with their purple-accented Recaro seats which was a home run. It came standard with Brembo brakes which was a home run, it had Xenon lighting which was huge for the early 2000s, and it was a turbocharged all-wheel drive sedan that could comfortably seat 4 people. At the same time, Nissan released their newly designed Z-car with the 350Z that had a naturally aspirated 6-cylinder with optional Brembo brakes, and in both automatic and a 6-speed manual transmission, and Infinity released the more luxurious version with their G35. And then Subaru released the STI, and it was glorious.

Debuting in the most popular color, the World Rally Blue 2004 Subaru STI came with Subaru’s infamous EJ25 engine that made 300 HP and went 0-60 in just under 5 seconds. Like the Evo, the STI included Brembo Brakes, and factory-issued BBS wheels.

When compared to the Evo, the STI received a very unique blue interior with suede Recaro seats, blue carpet, and blue accents throughout that was only exclusive for STI models:

And on the exterior, the STI also received an exclusive larger rear wing, and a larger hood scoop.

 

The 2004 Subaru STI got straight down to business, but had the right ergonomics in the interior to make you feel special. The seating position staring down the hood over the scoop made you feel confident in your driving abilities. With the Brembo brakes, the 6-speed manual transmission and the “DCCD” center differential setup for the all-wheel-drive system, it was certainly a special car that made the purchasing decision between the STI and the EVO for those lucky enough to be in that market, very difficult.

 

 

 

And after the 2004 STI was released, it was off to the races with enhancements, little tweaks here and there, just before body and chassis changes with the GR and GV models, followed by the final VA version with Subaru currently in limbo if the STI will ever be released again. But just like the Porsche 911, every evolution of the model grew bigger. A 2004 STI next to a 2021 STI definitely has their differences and proportion sizes.

 

THE DEFACING

As time moved on, naturally new and exciting models would drive the sales and the values of previous generations down. That is why many enthusiasts who wanted a certain car won’t buy it brand new and will purchase the car a year or so later when the dust and excitement had settled. As Subaru continued to evolve the WRX, Nissan released one of their best models ever, which is the R35 GTR. Naturally, this drove sales and the value down for the 350Z especially when the 370Z debuted. Today, it’s hard not to see a 350Z or G35 on the road without it’s front or rear bumpers, mismatched wheels and tires, and the most obnoxious hacked exhaust system. These cars fell victim to the younger drivers who wanted something to try and drift or just to be loud for the sake of being a pick-me girl on the road.

Now early model WRX and STI examples experienced their own fate for a good amount of time. Plasti-dip, rep wheels, started and then gave up halfway wrap jobs, vape clouds, Monster Energy stickers, vape, phallic shift knobs, lack of engine maintenance, blown engines leaving projects outside to sit for extended periods of time before being sold. Vape, tilted wheel trend on slammed suspension scraping the pinch welds on the ground. Idiots standing on the hood and roofs for stupid gram poses. Idiots stretching a 205 tire across a 10” wide wheel with 100psi of air pressure on an all-wheel-drive rally inspired vehicle. Vape, bazooka style exhaust systems. ‘Stay Humble, Send Nudes, or Savage’ banners across already cracked windshields. And then more vape.

 

 

WHY 2004-2007 SUBARU STI VALUES ARE ON THE RISE

Because there were a large number of early-model STI models that fell victim to untasteful mods, neglect, unfinished projects, riveted body kits, or part-outs, clean examples whether they have high miles or not are starting to go up in value. Examples that still have a full interior, still retain the stock wheels, brakes, and without a large amount of engine mods are now getting the attention of collectors or enthusiasts who want that connected feeling again through a proper car with a manual transmission, without a large infotainment screen. Where owners can easily turbo the knob to adjust the climate, to turn the radio on or off, and can focus more on the road and on the performance. Yet this is also true for clean examples of the 350Z and especially the Mitsubishi Evo that rocketed in value.

This 35k mile 2005 model sold not too long ago on Bring A Trailer for $59,500 as a clean unmolested example.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE: THE AUTHOR IS OLD

They just don’t build them like they used to be right. So, which would you rather have? A 2022 WRX that has styling cues from a Honda Accord, or a ‘classic’ STI where late legends such as Colin McRae and Ken Block drove to light fires under our driving spirits? Well, if you’re in the market for a clean blobeye, or hawkeye STI, perhaps you should narrow down your time because like stonks, these are investments we can enjoy that will bring both happiness while running and heartache when they aren’t. If you are lucky to find yourself a clean example, be a good steward of the car whether you have short-term ownership or if you take it to the grave with you. Make sure you perform all of the required maintenance, keep the interior clean, make sure the exterior is paint-corrected and ceramic coated, and go out and enjoy the experience.

 

TOO LONG, NO READ

The author is a middle-aged man who although agrees that it is the best value in the turbocharged all-wheel-drive market, can’t figure out how to navigate through the large touch screen. So, he thinks that old STI’s are going up in value because of it.