SHO vs. WRX: Is there even a debate?

[SRT82ECOBOOST]

I have been battling on Motor Trend's website against a bunch of Subaru loyalists as I compare the SHO to the WRX and its STI brethren. It is tough to make people believers of this car or to think you would cross shop the two vehicles, but I did. When you are looking for an entry price in the mid $30's, AWD and a turbocharged engine, you options are very limited, and the SHO and WRX STI fall in place together from where I stand. Personally I would not drive a WRX as I see way too many of them on the road driven by 20 year old kids. That combined with every vehicle I have owned, it is relatively easy to beat on those cars from a dig and it is even worse from a roll. I left the debate on Motor Trend with this video:
2013 Subaru WRX vs Ford SHO

[black99lightning]

Regular WRX nothing to write home about.  The STI is a much better car than the WRX as far as performance.  Neither would I cross shop.  STI has a much bigger upside performance wise, but you'll never get the size and comfort.

[EcoPowerParts]

Long term mod to long term mod for HP the Subi get's the nod as of right now, they can be made to be much better road and 1/4 mile cars currently.
I'd rather have an EVO though

[Joleat]

Personally, I wouldn't cross shop the two. I'm not saying there aren't individuals who do; I just wouldn't. While they may be similarly priced, I don't see them as competing vehicles. The WRX is marketed more toward a younger crowd, while the SHO is seen as a performance sedan for a more mature crowd. Obviously, there is some overlap in their capabilities, but they're primarily designed for two different types of consumers. Due to its size, the WRX may not be the most suitable vehicle for a sporting family that enjoys travel, but the SHO offers a more refined and spacious cabin that would be a great fit. The SHO, while possessing impressive performance, doesn't quite have that raw feel that an STI has. Therefore, it may not appeal to the 20-something who wants to "feel" the road. There will be SHOs that are faster than WRXs and there will be WRXs that are faster than SHOs. It's all about how much money you have and where you want it to take you.

With all that being said, I'm 27 and I drive an MKS. There will always be exceptions.

[IHeartGroceries]

I don't see a comparison here.

The WRX is a hopped up, compact econobox. Its 5 speed gearing allows it to perform similarly in a straight line to its STi counterpart. It is otherwise very substandard as a refined, comfortable, well equipped automobile.

There is no denying the performance (potential) of the STi. Even out of the box, other than in a straight line, the SHO can not hang in any regard to road performance.

However, the STi is rough, noisy, unrefined, raucus and uncomfortable. It is a boy racer.
It is a sweet palette for brute performance. But comfort goes out the window.

The SHO is a much more grown up experience. I cross shopped both the EVO and STi. I've always been a fan of both platforms. But, comfort and adult appeal won over the lust for unadulterated performance.

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[TSS]

I don't see cross shopping much either.  I would not worry about a non STi WRX either.

[yowen]

I don't see a comparison here.

The WRX is a hopped up, compact econobox. Its 5 speed gearing allows it to perform similarly in a straight line to its STi counterpart. It is otherwise very substandard as a refined, comfortable, well equipped automobile.

There is no denying the performance (potential) of the STi. Even out of the box, other than in a straight line, the SHO can not hang in any regard to road performance.

However, the STi is rough, noisy, unrefined, raucus and uncomfortable. It is a boy racer.
It is a sweet palette for brute performance. But comfort goes out the window.

The SHO is a much more grown up experience. I cross shopped both the EVO and STi. I've always been a fan of both platforms. But, comfort and adult appeal won over the lust for unadulterated performance.

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This. I rode in a Subaru for about on hour the other day and the road noise was brutal! I  imagine you could get used to it. But I sure prefer my SHO on longer trips.

[thatsmrgimp2u]

Eh... A friend of mine with a Cobb ots tune only went 13.6... Wrx is no slouch, and they have a lot more aftermarket support than we do.

I'd much rather have a SHO for the above listed reasons, but shrugging them off as "econoboxes" is a bit silly. Subarus have rock solid power trains and they hold value much better than most other manufacturers.

Don't mind me I'm just pissed that an axle seal went out on me already...

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[Needmoreboost]

Full size luxury sport sedan versus a compact sport sedan?  Not a lot of similarities in my book.  New their not even in the same pricing category. Motor Trend forum.  LOL

[DJE624]

Motor Trend forum.

Fixed it for ya.

[mjhpadi]

I've never been overly impressed with either car, besides being fast they don't offer much, I think the Subaru's don't have a very nice interior and are (as others stated) overpriced econoboxes...but they are quick.  Just as a side note, I had a friend who was car shopping last year and was very disappointed with Subaru after looking at others...felt most of the line lacked the class of most other cars.  And this wasn't a guy who is a real car guy.

[DJE624]

Two different animals to me. But, then again, I wouldn't trade my SHO for anything with a sticker under $50K.  (Except maybe a GT500)

[jcl78]

Ah, a thread just for me, I have owned both. My 2009 WRX was tuned with a stage 1 tune, pushing 270AWHP / 290AWTQ, and it was fast. 3300lbs. It would hang with RS4's and other fast beasties, but the seats were horrible, it was very tin can feeling, the 5 speed was like a rowboat in vaseline. Under 3000RPM was pure econobox dead spot until it his boost from the VF-52 turbo. I loved the car for what it was, but it is not a solid luxury car like the SHO.

[REDSHOCGO]

I do not see a comparison between the two. The SHO is a full size sedan with all the creature cmforts while the WRX is an economy sedan. I would have never cross shopped these. I did however cross shop the G37X and the SHO as both are a luxury sedan with AWD. However even the G37x is a tad bit smaller. As for overall performace the STI has teh leg up with more aftermarket performance support

[futat2]

Funny topic, I don't really care for the STI to much, so I was at a store last week and a guy parked next to me in a STI. I got to talking to him for a few minutes about his car. Nothing negative or positive really. I did tell him that Ive never cared to much for the STI and his reply was that I was just jealous and could not afford one, I should just stick with my Taurus. Needles to say I chuckled got in my car and left.