12.8's on a stock STi is very easily accessable. The only thing the car needs is a good DRIVER. It is very hard to launch a AWD vehicle. On the Subaru boards STi owners that are slower than 13.4 get ragged on bad. Stock WRX's are in the low 14's. The WRX and STi are totally different cars. STi has 100% different drivetrain, lighter windows, no radio, 100 whp more, brake system, exhaust system, turbo, I/C, I/C water sprayer, rear spoiler, front spoilers, hid headlights, hoodscoop, no fold down center console in back, stiffened chassis, no underbody coating, steering wheel, gauge cluster, shift light, seats, lighter BBS wheels, bridgestone racing tires, steering ratio, all suspension components. The spoiler is dual plane. One plane is effective at 80 mph and the other starts to work at like 115. The tranny is really cool. It is very strong compared to the 5 speed in the WRX, and it has Driver Controlled Center Differential. DCCD will allow power displacement up to 35/65 and can do 50/50 lock up. When under full acceleration if it is in auto mode it gets confused and becomes rwd for a few secconds. With the I/C water sprayer, two winsheild washer nozzles aare placed in the intercooler scoop and spray a fine mist over the I/C at the touch of a button. A FACTORY SHIFT LIGHT!
That is so cool. I am selling my 03 WRX for an STi. You gotta give some respect to a vehicle that can light up 4 tires. I have alot more info, but I will stop taking up the page.
Nick