Other notable services: At around 12,000 miles, I visited two dealers on three occasions to diagnose a hard start dilemma. Come to find out, my fuel regulator failed to maintain pressure. And at 24,000 miles, technicians replaced the STI's rear differential cover due to a gasket failure (covered by warranty). One word of caution: Be sure to hand tighten your lug nuts before torqueing. I mistakenly stripped two wheel studs twice.

2015 BMW M3 2015 Subaru WRX STI launch edition

Our garage has welcomed a number of performance vehicles over the years, but none had a personality as audacious, involving, and versatile as that of the STI. Even our now-gone $78,000 2015 BMW M3, whose four doors, dual-clutch transmission, and low-displacement turbocharged engine made it amenable to tracks days or grocery store runs, wasn't as engaging or as comfortable as the $38,190 Launch Edition. Both, however, enjoyed free regular maintenance for the duration of their basic warranties. The STI made me work hard to play hard. I dug that. And when it was time to go to the market, I didn't have to deal with a clunky dual-clutch gearbox. I had a standard-issue rearview camera, too.

I can't remember how many times people asked me, "How do you like it?" over the course of my yearlong loan. But I do vividly recall one of my responses: "Driving the Subaru STI every day is a laborious yet easy, maddening yet enlightening, painful yet stupendously pleasurable experience. I love it."

More on our2015 Subaru WRXSTI Launch Edition:

Arrival
Update 1: Subaru Gets Its First Checkup…and a Scratch
Update 2: Road trip? Sandstorm? Deluge? Bring it!
Update 3: The Good Ol' Weekend Swap
Update 4: Suparu, Meet Baden Gonzalez
Update 5: 12,000-Mile Service and Some Minor Cosmetic Surgery
Update 6: Some New Shoes and a Pinch of STI Lore
Update 7: The Hard Starts
Update 8: Snow Day and an Extended Crank Quick Fix
Update 9: Say Hello to Three Point Oh

Our Car
SERVICE LIFE	12 mo / 26,359 mi
BASE PRICE	$38,190
OPTIONS	None
PRICE AS TESTED	$38,190
AVG ECON/CO2	20.3 mpg / 0.96 lb/mi
PROBLEM AREAS	Rear differential gasket, fuel pressure regulator
MAINTENANCE COST	$0 (4-oil change, inspection; 2-tire rotation)
NORMAL-WEAR COST	$0
3-YEAR RESIDUAL VALUE*	$22,150
RECALLS	None
*Automotive Lease Guide data

2015 Subaru WRX STI (Launch Edition)
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT	Front-engine, AWD
ENGINE TYPE	Turbocharged flat-4, alum block/heads
VALVETRAIN	DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT	149.9 cu in/2,457cc
COMPRESSION RATIO	8.2:1
POWER (SAE NET)	305 hp @ 6,000 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET)	290 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
REDLINE	6,700 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER	11.1 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION	6-speed manual
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO	3.90:1/2.95:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR	Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO	13.0:1
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK	2.5
BRAKES, F;R	13.0-in vented disc; 12.4-in vented disc, ABS
WHEELS	8.5 x 18-in, forged aluminum
TIRES	245/40R18 97W Dunlop Sport Maxx RT
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE	104.3 in
TRACK, F/R	60.2/60.6 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	180.9 x 70.7 x 58.1 in
TURNING CIRCLE	36.0 ft
CURB WEIGHT	3,376 lb
WEIGHT DIST., F/R	59/41%
SEATING CAPACITY	5
HEADROOM, F/R	39.8/37.1 in
LEGROOM, F/R	43.3/35.4 in
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R	55.6/54.2 in
CARGO VOLUME	12.0 cu ft
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
0-30	1.5 sec
0-40	2.4
0-50	3.4
0-60	4.9
0-70	6.3
0-80	8.1
0-90	10.4
0-100	12.8
PASSING, 45-65 MPH	2.7
QUARTER MILE	13.4 sec @ 102.4 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	105 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.93 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	25.2 sec @ 0.75 g (avg)
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH	2,400 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL	Yes/yes
AIRBAGS	Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, driver knee
BASIC WARRANTY	3 yrs/36,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY	5 yrs/60,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE	3 yrs/36,000 miles
FUEL CAPACITY	15.9 gal
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON	17/23/19 mpg
ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY	198/147 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	1.01 lb/mile
REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB	21.6/24.9/23.0 mpg
RECOMMENDED FUEL	Unleaded premium

2015-Subaru-WRX-STI-Launch-Edition-AdvanRacing-GT-wheels