DETROIT AUTO SHOW: STUD or DUD — Is The 2015 Subaru WRX STI Going To Have You RUNNING To Your Dealer Or Are You NOT Interested?

I don't care for the stud vs dud options, so I will create my own, and that is 'retro'...the WRX has returned to its roots from the design, to the color selection...right down to the gold wheels.

To each their own but I'd hardly call it retro.

It's clearly an evolution to a more mature product, which is — of course — a good thing.

Think of it like the SRT Viper. Purists will complain but at the end of the day the car will still perform and have the same character as before.

It needs a 5th door and to loose that high school wing. There are a lot of other cars I would like to have for $40k.

I think I've figured out where Subaru is going with the STI, at least for the moment.It has a more upmarket interior.The body is stiffer, the suspension is more sophisticated. Other than the rear wing(which I think may be a delete option in the future), Subaru is going after the BMW 2 series market.The base WRX is to challange the 228 I. The STI is to challanege the 235 I. Subaru advantage less money, the best AWD system for it's price range, 4 drs, and similar power.On the face of it you would have to say that Subaru is probably competative. Even the CVT tranny in the WRX has gotten a good write up.Think about it. Also I would be surprised if the CVT tranny does not eventually end up in the STI over time.The WRX has gotten generally very good reviews in terms of it's performance and handling. The STI might be just a scotch belwo the 235 I in straightline performance. However I'm betting that on a winding road and STI might be able to run away from the Bimmer.

Good point, but I will say that the Subaru never chased BMW in this department. The WRX and STI Imprezas have always been rally-inspired vehicles whose purpose was speed then everything else.

Now it has "grown up," which is a welcome sign for some.

Let me also add to the list Audi A3 and Audi S3, Mercedes CLA and CLA AMG.I think it's competative. The Evo is becoming obsolete. The STI offers similar straightline and perhaps even better handling now.However the EVO has an econocar interior and less rear leg room than Subaru.

I'd rather have a Golf R for the same money. It's much more refined and subtle. I outgrew the huge wings, scoops and bulges several years ago. I'm sure it drives great and sounds great, but the looks are just so-so. The Lancer Evo was better styled.

I hear you.

The Golf R is a good car but depending on my needs it would be a toss up because the performance will be great on the Subaru.

Not interested in a $40K Corolla with a Super Beetle engine. Better performance can be had for less and more enticing performance for the same price point.

The Golf R is probably a very good vehicle. However it is so refined and subtle it's car of obscurity. It has no style what's so ever.In fact that's VAG's problem. Austere teutonic styling can only sell so much. I've said for years that they need to bring back the Scirocco for the money they are going to charge for the R.Yes they are the VW faithful in the US but it's not going to even get them to 400,000 cars a year unless they break out of the Teutonic doldrums. Great for Europe but does not translate to the US.Compared to the Golf R even the base WRX looks like a "party animal".How about bringing in Seat and just call them the Spanish VW.VW needs a design reset.