Only thorough test I've seen of an '06 WRX was from an English mag (got it at home, can't remember the name) from last month. Pitted the WRX hatch vs. the new GTI, and hot-hatch versions of the Focus, and Vauxhaul Astra I think it was.

Was slightly faster than the GTI, similar to the others, but lost points for a cheap feeling interior, being noisy and ride quality. It was rated last, Focus 1st and GTI 2nd.

Best thing to do, test drive it!

 

Thanks for all the advice guys; my first mod is going to be the SPT exhaust system. I almost got it worked into the price of the car bout felt I couldn't get a good deal and decided just to buy it straight out when I get it in a month or two. Also at that time I will drop in either a Green Filter or the STI air element, I was told I will get 10whp from this, let me know if I'm being fed crap ( I didn't think so? ) that is a far as intake I'm going. I've found some great mod lists to follow and with your guys help it makes it very easy Ike I also came VERY close to purchasing a 06 EVO RS the same day and the dealership let me take it for as long as I wished....lets just say at the end of the ride I was figuring out how much I could get a stereo at Best Buy for. I have an entire new respect for those cars, it was an unreal drive and we ended up too apart on $$$$. But I wanted something a little lower key still with turbo and AWD. The car just feels solid, substantial or something it's hard to describe, I'm not sure because I trust it or I feel it will be reliable and won't let me down?? (RX-8 never did either) As of now with 121 miles I'm addicted to the turbo rush it's a blast and sounds great! (I drove 65 they had to trade the same car but a Limited model to a dealer in Mass near the RI boarder) I figured instead of 2,500 for a moon roof heated seats and leather I could spend less and get some mods I wanted. I fish and scuba dive almost every day a week and was tired of being a freak about my interior. Anyway guys sorry for the long post, Thank you all for the info and advice now and over the past two years, take care of those awesome 8’s!!

I forgot, Edmunds did a pretty comprehensive test on a 06 TR and got some good numbers, 5.5 to 60 and a 14.2 if I remember right.

 

Owners are getting high 13s with the '06 model.

 

My cousin just picked up an 06 sti, it has the same wing as the one pictured above. Much better then the shopping cart handle/naked trunk alternatives.

 

If it came with that wing it's most likely not an STI and is a WRX.

 

Didn't a limited version of the STi with leather, wrx wing etc go on sale recently? Maybe that wasn't North America.

 

That's still on the horizon, and it doesn't have the WRX wing.

 

It has a smaller wing though right?

EDIT: I guess this is it. I kinda like that wing

 

DO the standard wrx's have the little dial for front/rear diff settings? What about the water injection button, his car had both.

 

it has the exact same wing as the car above (post 5), not this pic.

 

car also has blue (look to be recaro or sparco) suede seat things. And i think it has foglights. And i'm pretty sure it says STI on the seats...

 

WRX and WRX TR do not have the DCCD (diff dial) or the Intercooler sprayer. You friend has an STi. Some dealerships will let you swap decklids from a WRX to your STi if you aren't fond of the big wing...

That picture (post #33 and #35) looks like a STi S204 (limited edition model) and I highly doubt that any dealership in the states would have a car on their lot with the wing on it. $$$$

 

It is an S204. I assumed that was the model with the leather that's coming out. Apparently not. I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.

 

No. The STi Limited is the new model. 800 units in Titanium and White only.

 

Ahh, I see. Thanks.

 

The Limited will have:

- Black perforated leather interior
- black door cards and carpet
- fog lights
- New v-limted front lip
- New rear lip spoiler
- New Enkei wheels
- Black painted brembo calipers
- Sunroof
- New stereo w/aux input
- individually numberd xxx/800

...can't think of anything else off the top of my head

[edit] forgot heated seats

 

The 06's look good in silver. I always thought silver on the pre-face lift models was the worst colour.

 

He must have swapped with another owner or had a very nice dealer that did it for him.

Blueeyes, the S204 is a higher performance model that we don't get in North America.

 

Yeah, I just read that. I got all messed up the day I saw those pics about the STi hatch. I started searching around the internet half reading things looking for more info. That'll teach me.