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In brief, 05 looks better (IMO), 06 looks worse and is a little heavier(IMO), 07 has throttle response issues due to having new ECU, they also have a turbo with a larger waste gate and better flowing cylender heads. Oh ya, 07 looks like 06. There are others but I forget. Search them out.

 

What about 04'? Your better off just doing a search, this subject has been discussed many times.

 

What about 04'? Your better off just doing a search, this subject has been discussed many times.

I tried, but I don't know what key terms to use... way too broad of a result...

So the 07's you can't get the Cobb AP upgrade for it yet?

 

05 STI has more power to the rear then 06, which is more fun for kicking the tail out, but the 06 STI is more planted, like on rails. 06 STI is more aerodynamic and has a quicker acting DCCD, plus improved syncros also. Avoid the 07, IMO.

 

05=Best year ever

 

05=Best year ever

05 as some advantages over the 06, but 06 has some advantages over the 05.

05 vs. 06 = DRAW

 

05=Best year ever

:tup:

 

05=Best year ever

True dat:tup: :tup: :tup:

 

05 STI has more power to the rear then 06.

No, they just changed horsepower ratings in '06.

 

05 STI has more power to the rear then 06, which is more fun for kicking the tail out, but the 06 STI is more planted, like on rails. 06 STI is more aerodynamic and has a quicker acting DCCD, plus improved syncros also. Avoid the 07, IMO.

agree and disagree..

Start here
<a href="http://www.iwsti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24963">Differences 04 vs 05</a>

Then here
<a href="http://www.iwsti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29240">Differences 05 vs 06</a>

Finally
06 vs 07, no official thread but.. 07 has different Turbo, new computer, Cobb hasnt made an AP for it yet, has longer gearing for improved "gas mileage" and better in the quarter-some say better in AutoX as well, 07 has some hesitation problems at first but seems to get over it quickly after break in, 07 seems to be making more power on a tune for some people (see the thread of topspeeds tuned 07 on an Ecutec I believe.. somewhere on NASIOC.. Im not searching for it cause I dont wanna and I am sorta tipsy:lol +There are a good handful of threads here on the 07.. run a search on that and you will find the results you are looking for.

If I had my choice of 04-07.. I cant settle on just one. I like my 06 for obvious reasons. I prefer Aspen White to the new Satin white, 05=hot and really aggressive scoop, 06-07 more agressive front end/headlamps IMO. I would love to keep my 06 with the upgrades the 07 have, but only if they(07) can make more power going to stage 2 than a standard 06. I wish my 06 wasnt heavier than an 04, but I dont know if there is really a difference as I have never driven anything but my 06

Bottom line, what are your priorities.. any STI you cant go wrong with again IMO. If price is an issue older=cheaper, 07 seems to be more mod friendly for power and as we all know 08 is heavily anticipated.. choose as you will

 

I am anticipating the 08 for sure.

 

IMO 07 is the best - best looking and most power. Just wait for AP.

 

Im not sure on this but doesn't the 07 STI have a smaller rear sway and some non aluminum suspension bits? The rear sway is really no big deal since basically everyone gets an aftermarket one...

 

SOA has said that the ap to fix the ECU on the 07 is coming. Should be here in a month or so. Then it should have a more smooth boost. But if your waiting 8 months anyway just be one of the first with a 08. Congrats on such a hard choice

 

No, they just changed horsepower ratings in '06.

The torque split was changed which is what I think was referred to regarding more power to the rear wheels.

 

I have always liked the looks of the 04 and 05, a little more so with the 05 because of the wider wheels which to me is noticable. However, I never thought they were as sleek as the Evo so I was going to purchase an 06 MR over the 05 STi. About a year ago when I was in Japan I kept seeing S204's and instantly fell in love. I would have bought an 07 but they don't come in Aspen White. I would love to have the longer gearing in the 07 and the supposedly more power but I have not yet been able to comfirm that. I really dislike the 07 fr and Rr lights and I have also heard but not confirmed they have a shorter wheel base.

I am a bit biased but I prefer the more aggressive design of the 06 and 07. If I were to choose again between these two it would be tough. I feel if you prefer slightly better handling get the 06' and if you prefer slightly better acceleration get 07'. I actaully prefer a little more acceleration but that is canceled out because I really do not like the 07 satin or Escalade white.

 

Im not sure on this but doesn't the 07 STI have a smaller rear sway and some non aluminum suspension bits? The rear sway is really no big deal since basically everyone gets an aftermarket one...

Yes, the STI rear sway is 19mm for 07. The whole thing about the steel vs. aluminum was concerning the front lower arms. Subaru Drive mag printed that the STI got steel lower arms for 07. That has been proven incorrect at least for the 07's that people have verified, myself included. There is speculation/rumor that maybe the 07 STIs will eventually get steel lower arms when the aluminum runs out. But again, that is only Inet rumor.

IF the 07 is able to produce more power via simple bolt-ons vs. pre 07 STIs, then it would be easier to address suspension issues vs. power issues so I would go after the 07, again assuming the 07's have this capability. Only time will tell when tracks start opening up in early spring.

Whatever the case, any of the USDM STIs should not disappoint.

 

No, they just changed horsepower ratings in '06.

Actually Moderato is right. The torque split on the 04/05 was 35% front/65% rear, 06 it was revised to 41% front/59% rear. It was 07 that they used to new SAE rating which put the 07 at 293hp, but was still the same as the previous 06 rated w/ whatever the old system was at 300hp.

 

The torque split was changed which is what I think was referred to regarding more power to the rear wheels.

Wouldn't 06+ send the same amount of power to the rear because the DCCD settings are still the same? I know that the split is different while in AUTO, but in manual mode from LOCK to OPEN aren't the settings uchanged?

I think 05 and 07 have the best of both worlds. It comes down to personal prefrence when choosing between the two. The 06+ look has grown on me, but I prefer 04/05. I like the 04/05 for cosmetic reasons, but the 06 gave me a better driving feel.

 

Wouldn't 06+ send the same amount of power to the rear because the DCCD settings are still the same? I know that the split is different while in AUTO, but in manual mode from LOCK to OPEN aren't the settings uchanged?

No they arent actually.

 

How many effing times has this been covered? IBTL :lock:

 

05=Best year ever

05 = WINNERS

 

Something no one has mentioned yet is the issue of safety features. For 2006 and 2007, they have implemented "smarter" frong airbags meaning dual stage, dual threshold that deploy based on weight and distance from steering wheel, etc. Thus there is a little passenger airbag "on/off" light right next to the clock.

Also, the '06 and '07 have the added rear vane spoiler and underbody diffuser. Plus, the '07 has the added bonus of that aux port (which i dunno about since I have an '06) and MP3 playback which is something I definately which I had.

Finally, they decided to take off the "WRX" logo off the trunk of the '06 and '07. Now its just "STI" with a capital "I"...They took off the big "SUBARU" and added their little starry emblem and moved the word down to the lower left in smaller letters.

Oh, and they apparnetly added those STI emblems to the wheel caps that do stand out a bit for the '07 year.

You can't get Aspen White with Silver rims anymore (on the 2007) as you used to be able to for every other model year.

 

Yes, the STI rear sway is 19mm for 07. The whole thing about the steel vs. aluminum was concerning the front lower arms. Subaru Drive mag printed that the STI got steel lower arms for 07. That has been proven incorrect at least for the 07's that people have verified, myself included. There is speculation/rumor that maybe the 07 STIs will eventually get steel lower arms when the aluminum runs out. But again, that is only Inet rumor.

IF the 07 is able to produce more power via simple bolt-ons vs. pre 07 STIs, then it would be easier to address suspension issues vs. power issues so I would go after the 07, again assuming the 07's have this capability. Only time will tell when tracks start opening up in early spring.

Whatever the case, any of the USDM STIs should not disappoint.

Discontinued use of aluminum is for body panels only, correct me if I'm wrong. They'll still use aluminum for suspension components.

 

Well, they are all STIs so I think they are all good.

If I was to begin again though, I would definitely pick 05 WRB just because I like their look over mine. I do like undercarrige diffuser and things like that but front end is just teh n00b.