Subaru WRX to Kia Stinger - anyone make this switch?

[DrJiggles]

I'm thinking about trading in my 2016 Subaru WRX for a Stinger GT2 at some point in the next few months. I've basically had a WRX in my life for the past 15 years - but now I'm getting old, am starting a family, and have creakier bones, hence the switch.

I live near NYC so wed do get some snow, I'd get the AWD Stinger for sure. Has anyone made a similar switch and loved/regretted it? How does the Stinger AWD handle in the snow? Pros/Cons?

 

[Tonkabob]

I had a 2015 WRX and traded for the gt2 awd. Never the slightest regret.
Plan on at least a set of sway bars. The Stinger is much softer even in sport and the sways make it just right. (Still softer than the wrx but handles better with the 80% rear bias) While your at it add an ecu tune and they get crazy fast.

 

[Christopher A Herman]

I had a 2003 WRX wagon I bought new that I drove almost 16 years and 226k miles. I had a Cobb Access Port, full 3" Turbo XS turbo back exhaust, Thermal Research muffler and catless uppipe. It was fast and got great mileage--the best vehicle I ever owned until now. I waited and waited for Subaru to do something with the WRX. My 03 was at least as fast and got better mileage than the brand new ones--other than no wagon available, I hadn't seen a ground-breaking change in the WRX in 16 years (and I was tired of shifting--I guess I'm old). I researched the Mustang GT Premium and the Stinger. The Stinger GT1 AWD was just about the perfect fit for all the reasons stated throughout the forums. So, In December I ordered my Stinger and in January i sold my good old WRX to a rally crosser. I have no regrets.

 

[PxbVic]

Several Subaru's to KIA convert, I've had a 1993 Subaru Liberty (Legacy in USA) RS Turbo, a 2002 WRX STI, then I had a Subaru factory mongrel, it was a 2007 Liberty (Legacy in US) GT-B Wagon from the factory with a WRX STI EJ257 236KW engine and close ratio 6 speed STI Manual.

I had Subaru check the VIN and engine numbers and it was factory assembled like this, it appeared it was a one of a kind. I loved all the Subaru's but particularly the Liberty, it was completely unique, a factory error that slipped through the cracks. It was written of January 5 2019 (RIP) I replaced it with a 2019 Stinger GT rear wheel drive (Same as a rear wheel drive GT2 in USA). I'm a total convert. It's so sad Subaru lost their way, but so glad Kia made the Stinger.

I honest believe if you like a car with character, and come from a Subaru background you will love the Stinger. It's just that good.

And the Eibach sway bars complete the package I put them on 2 months ago, hands down if you do nothing else to the Stinger, do the sway bars it really sorted out the chassis.

 

[Ozstung]

Went straight from a Wrx to the 3.3 gt top spec.
Impressions, went from a bland interior to a much more luxurious surrounding. Deliver of power smooth and effortless rather than violent and rushed.
Weight of the Stinger very evident, fix sports mode. Handling a bit unfair here the Wrx with white line sways and end links was like a body part you just pointed it and it went without any roll. Fuel economy almost identical, not bad considering the 450kg + difference. I hoping to get the same reliability as the Subaru, 13 years with only a new radiator to mention. Stinger should take me to my 70's unless fuel becomes to expensive or extinct.

 

[Tonkabob]

And after a year and a half I still look back at the Stinger as I walk away. The 2015 wrx was ok but always just a bit off on the looks. I Second the interior - is far nicer in the Stinger but i am in a gt2 wich runs 10k more than my wrx limited.
Main place the wrx excells is in body rigidity.

 

[GenesisG70]

I have a friend who did that, personally when i think about subaru reminds me of a typical nature loving dog loving person who lives in Oregon who likes boring looking cars with cheap plastic interiors.

 

[kdrab206]

Came from a 2013 WRX Limited w/ STI short shifter and exhaust. We were putting too many miles on my wife's car because the family couldn't fit comfortably in the WRX. Kids and wife both complained about how loud the car was. I guess I just got used to all the road noise and the exhaust note. I drove 1.5 hrs to gt my Stinger. On the ride home I couldn't believe how quiet it was compared to the Subaru.

After a couple months of owning the Stinger I couldn't be happier. It is way faster that the WRX and much more comfortable. When I'm not driving it like I stole it, you get great gas millage. Tons of cargo room. I can keep going

Trev

 

[Gleis25]

I had a 2014 WRX with an intake, catback, and Cobb AP. I’ve also had a 17 WRX premium that I recently traded for the 19 Stinger GT AWD. Absolutely no regrets and love everything about the Stinger. Interior, comfort, and performance all top the WRX in my opinion. I enjoyed the WRX and it was a fun car too. Can’t comment on the Stinger in the snow as this coming winter will be my first in it.

As for performance, had two WRX’s try me since getting the Stinger. One with at least an exhaust and Cobb ap. The second was Cobb stage 2 (intake, full exhaust, tune)
I messed with the first guy stock and I pulled on him and gapped him. For the second guy I had an intake, exhaust, and chip on the Stinger. Pulled on him hard from the start and was gone
More reason I have zero regrets and love the Stinger

 

[Manaz]

I had a Subaru factory mongrel, it was a 2007 Liberty (Legacy in US) GT-B Wagon from the factory with a WRX STI EJ257 236KW engine and close ratio 6 speed STI Manual.

I had Subaru check the VIN and engine numbers and it was factory assembled like this, it appeared it was a one of a kind. I loved all the Subaru's but particularly the Liberty, it was completely unique, a factory error that slipped through the cracks.

The STI 6-speed gearbox was the standard manual for post-FL 4Gen Liberties, but the EJ257 was a lucky inclusion for you! The GFC was either here or arriving at the time, there were a lot of variations in the Liberties at the time - there are reports of different flywheels across the same model cars, etc.

A crying shame it was written off. Were you a member of club.liberty.asn.au?

My Liberty is a MY09 (last of the 4Gens) GT Spec.B else can with the 5-speed auto. I wanted a manual (the previous car was), but my wife doesn't drive manual.

Mods on the Liberty - 4pot brakes from a Nissan 350Z/Skyline GTS-25T, silicon turbo intakes, upgraded turbo (VF52, same as the EJ257 would have I suspect), Process West TMIC, Pierburg 3port boost controller, 3" Invidia downpipe with wastegate divider, 3" TCP mid-pipe and OEM TbSTI mufflers. Interior, I replaced the McIntosh stereo and amp with a Pioneer double-din headunit and Audison AP8.9bit amp.

Just over 200kW at the wheels at 18psi, limited mostly by concerns over the auto gearbox.

A fun car, but the Stinger will be a great replacement.

 

[Angel]

I'm thinking about trading in my 2016 Subaru WRX for a Stinger GT2 at some point in the next few months. I've basically had a WRX in my life for the past 15 years - but now I'm getting old, am starting a family, and have creakier bones, hence the switch.

I live near NYC so wed do get some snow, I'd get the AWD Stinger for sure. Has anyone made a similar switch and loved/regretted it? How does the Stinger AWD handle in the snow? Pros/Cons?

The Stinger eats WRX for breakfast.........The only thing you will regret is not doing the switch and running into Stinger on the street. If i were you buy a used Stinger with low miles so you can save some money.

 

[DrJiggles]

Awesome its great to see that people loved the stinger even after their experience with a Subaru. Do any of you live in the northeast? Would the Stinger suffice as the only household car for folks who live in regions where it snows? My WRX's have always been fantastic in the snow, wonder now the Stinger would fare in comparison.

 

[twig2121]

I have an 03 WRX that's modified to make similar power as the stock 3.3 Stinger...but is much lighter (only 3000lbs) and highly agile with the short wheelbase. WRX has a larger turbo, injectors, CAI, 3" exhaust and Cobb pro-tune dyno'd before and after the modifications to confirm power increases. I was the original owner and have 200k mi - it's a great car but that vintage is small inside so the kids aren't very comfortable. I love the warble sound that's unique to subaru and has a LSD in the center AND rear of the car which is predictable and fun in the snow.

Stinger is awesome for our fun family car. The long wheelbase makes it a comfortable cruiser and after modifying the WRX, it was natural modifying the stinger right away and it's now plenty fast. I do miss driving a manual, but the stinger's transmission is impressive. It is nice to have low-end power with the stinger which you use all the time with its larger displacement and twin scroll turbos. The whole family likes the stinger and no regrets...but I still have both cars!

Both are good vehicles IMO, but you get more value with the stinger (more car, more power and about the same price after discounts)

to answer your question - I do live in the NE (PA), but haven't driven the stinger in the snow yet (sorry). It won't be as balanced as the subaru's symmetric AWD, but I'm sure it'll get you where you need to go (I like to get the car sideways in the snow...it is a rally car after all)

 

[AdamNZ]

My last car was a 2017 WRX Limited 6MT with a Cobb j-pipe, HKS cat-back exhaust, Process West VertiCooler and pipes, EcuTek tuned to 300hp at the wheels, Whiteline sway bars and positive shift kits bushings, Eibach springs, Perrin shift stop and brass bushing, Boomba short shifter plate, Raceseng weighted shift knob, Group N transmission mount, front lip, rear diffuser, Rally Armor mudflaps, tints, rear window spoiler, CoPlus LED tail lights, WedsSport wheels and PS4 tyres.

My 19 Stinger GT is a lot faster in a straight line, and much nicer inside. It also feels a lot heavier. Even with Whiteline sways and links on the Stinger, the WRX was much more planted around corners. I have a RWD, which can be a little tail-happy, and in the wet I miss the grip of AWD and the way the WRX just stuck to the road like glue. Power delivery is really different: the WRX was good but inconsistent from about 2000-5000RPM and then fell on its face with the factory tune, but the Stinger gets up and goes from about 1500RPM and just keeps hauling thanks to a monster wall of torque and the extra two gears. Most of the things I was trying to fix on the WRX are already fine on the Stinger, so its (non power) mods will be limited.

Sometimes I miss the manual transmission in the WRX, but it was a real love/hate relationship. I spent a *lot* of time trying to improve it and never felt happy with the way it felt, or the rev hang. The WRX has a great aftermarket and tuner community, but the fact that a cheap JB4 or RaceChip alone gets you a bigger power bump in a Stinger 3.3 than all of my bolt-ons and several tunes shows how much potential is there, and that you can add a lot of power without worrying about blowing up the engine or transmission.

My Stinger interior is also quiet: like the inside of a bank vault, while my WRX always had little rattles behind the dash speakers, or in the doors, or around the map light to track down in the cold. On the other hand, no-one asks for more when I say I drive a Kia while the WRX would really get people talking. The WRX is also super simple to work on if you wanted to wrench yourself, and I put on most of my parts in the garage with no mechanical experience.

One area where the Stinger might actually be worse is paint quality, as hard as that is to believe. I always thought Subaru paint was the worst, but I think Kia has them beat.

 

[Christopher A Herman]

Awesome its great to see that people loved the stinger even after their experience with a Subaru. Do any of you live in the northeast? Would the Stinger suffice as the only household car for folks who live in regions where it snows? My WRX's have always been fantastic in the snow, wonder now the Stinger would fare in comparison.

I live in SW Iowa and took delivery of my '19 Stinger GT1 AWD with staggered 19" wheels/tires January 27, 2019. I had a set of Blizzak WS80's mounted on 18" Enkei TFR wheels ready for the dealer to put on before I drove it home in single digit weather. After a 6" snowfall I took the car into town early in the morning (I live on a rural gravel road) before anything was plowed and drove around up and down some pretty steep hills with lots of stop signs on those hills. I don't recall having one slip or slide--I didn't baby the car but also didn't drive like a nut, just according to the conditions. I drove the car daily in all kinds of winter conditions and had no problems. It isn't my old '03 WRX (also had Blizzaks and was like a mountain goat), but I have complete confidence in it. The Stinger has surprising ground clearance, also. If I remember right it is at least 5"--I measured it to make sure my undercarriage pressure washer attachment would fit under it, which is around 5".

 

[turboAWD]

I went from an '05 Legacy GT with bnr16g + fuel + injectors + TMIC + DP to a Stinger AWD. The AWD isn't quite as good (although I'm in NorCal, so I don't need it - I just want it to avoid spinning tires on dusty / bad roads and in the wet), but the power is more than the LGT on its best day, more predictable, and the shifting is way better than the stock 5EAT. The space is a bit less (I had the wagon), but manageable. I paid about the same for my GT1 AWD as an STi Limited (considered an STi, but when I needed a car in June, none available near me without the wing, and wife doesn't drive stick).

Had a SUPER fun trip to Tahoe and back - it just LOVES to go, and that's stock, before I add a jb4.. Suspension obviously needs an upgrade, much like the LGT (had Konis on it + Cobb sways), but they JUST released a new module to do electronic adjustments / tuning of the OEM adjustable suspension. May be able to tune your suspension any way you want, which is always what I wanted - super hard for track days, nice and soft for the family, and in between for daily..

 

[PxbVic]

The STI 6-speed gearbox was the standard manual for post-FL 4Gen Liberties, but the EJ257 was a lucky inclusion for you! The GCF was either herr or arriving at the time, there were a lot of variations in the Liberties at the time - there are reports of different flywheels across the same model cars, etc.

Hey Manaz you are correct of the most part, You're Subaru kung-fu is strong , but it does get strange with mine.
My October 2006 MY2007 Liberty GT-B was one of 40 wagons delivered to Australia along with 40 sedans. These were the very first 40 of each with the 2.5ltr EJ255.

Of each of the 40 sedans and wagons 30 were 5 speed automatics that were de-tuned from 196KW to 186KW to protect the auto. 10 Sedans and wagons were delivered as you state, with the STI 6 speed manual and the 196KW EJ255 engine. No manuals were ever delivered to Victoria only NSW and WA according to Subaru.

My wagon was one of the 10 wagons and it was one of only 4 in silver from the very first batch, it was delivered to Scuderia Veloce Motors in Rosewood Sydney where I bought it from and drove straight home to Victoria.

I scoured the earth for a manual Liberty wagon back then it was 7 months old with 10,000km and was a leased vehicle returned, as the first owner traded up to a 2007 STI Liberty wagon that came out mid 2007 in the first STI batch, but these also had the EJ255 engine @ 205KW.

My car had the EJ257 236KW WRX STI engine and had a factory installed set of JDM developed rally sport 6 speed close ratio gears in it not just the STI 6 speed gearbox.

It also had a clutch physically the same as the WRX STI clutch, with the recessed flywheel and near flat pressure plate, but it had a 1100kgf pressure plate assembly that cannot be purchased as a part from Subaru, the replacement part is the standard 950kgf heavy duty WRX STI clutch with recessed flywheel according to Subaru.

As far as I know the other early 6 speed manuals did not have this clutch assembly but had the heavy duty flat flywheel clutch assembly, but over the years I only saw 1 other GT-B Liberty clutch and the flywheel was flat.

I'm not sure about the Liberty STI clutches I've never seen one. As you state there were several clutch and flywheel assemblies in 2007 to 2009 Liberty GT-B's and STI's.

I had the details traced back to Japan by STI Docklands Melbourne in 2009 and they advised the car was unique, as far as they could find out, no other was built this way.

I still shed a tear for this car today.

A crying shame it was written off. Were you a member of club.liberty.asn.au?

No I wasn't, I did read a bit on there, but I was way to busy back then for forums I've slowed down a bit these last 5 or 6 years.

 

[usagi]

Traded in my 2011 sti hatch for a stinger gt2 awd. no regrets, i knew well ahead of time what i was getting into.

the sti is a pocket rocket, the stinger is a fast boat.

sti is definitely more nimble, but not faster. the sti beat me up over the years and i wanted a more comfortable DD with modern features. a 4 hour highway drive in the STI would leave me fatigued and ears ringing from the road noise. in the stinger, that same drive is no big deal at all - the miles melt away and i end the drive without fatigue and without ringing ears.

with the sti you're paying for the drivetrain and not much else. there is no doubt the sti will destroy a stinger in every low traction scenario - 2 LSDs and a DCCD will easily outperform two open diffs every time. plus the fact the stinger is about 800lbs heavier. STI would beat my stinger 0-60 but you would have to do a super violent launch in the STI and risk breaking something.

there is not a day that goes by that i don't love driving the stinger. many people suggested i'd dearly miss rowing gears all the time but I really don't. the stinger transmission shifts so quickly it almost feals like a DCT. and so smoothly that I don't miss a manual at all.

i also don't miss the STI turbo lag.

 

[Stinger19]

I traded in a 2017 sti limited for my gt2. It's everything that the sti was lacking, and almost all the best parts. My wife and I road trip a lot. The comfort and mileage won her over. The power, looks, and cargo room grabbed my attention. I have yet to regret. I made the switch 5 months ago. The hardest part was explaining the KIA badge to my v8 domestic demographic in our car club. They've seen the tail lights enough to respect it now.

 

[Gargamel]

I Traded my Volvo V70 Classic (Last ever built version) for my stinger. Got way more than i thought i would.
Next week i'll head down to autobahn for a week..