The automotive industry has sustained a considerable sea-change over the past decade or so, with cars slowly becoming more predominantly electronic rather than mechanical in nature. This has been done to make them easier to live with on a daily basis, as well as make them suitable for the range of new features that need electrical components to function.While vehicles are more connected and slick than they have ever been, the negative is that these advancements have made them less intuitive than older, more mechanically minded machines.This is bad news for those who love driving, as cars have become continuously more disconnected and less engaging. One of the key drivers of this is the switch to electric power steering, rather than using a hydraulic-driven setup. Luckily, you can still buy a used modern sports sedan with such a system. The 2021 WRX STI Was One Of The Last Sports Sedans To Feature Hydraulic Power Steering Collecting Cars While focused sports cars like the Lotus Emira still utilize hydraulic steering, the system has been eradicated from more practical sports sedans, meaning the used market is the best place to look should you desire one. The most modern specimen you can find is the 2021 Subaru WRX STI, which was discontinued that year. The model followed on from the legendary Impreza WRX STI, which was offered between 1992 and 2014.Subaru elected to split the historic names up, with the Impreza instead being repositioned as the brand's sporty hatchback model, which is still in production to this day. Meanwhile, the range-topping performance sedan version was now known simply as the WRX STI. Like WRX STI fans had become accustomed to, the 2014 model came with a rumbling turbcharged flat-four Boxer engine, an engaging six-speed manual gearbox, as well as a commanding tuner-style bodykit. Notably, it was also the last sports sedan to feature a good old hydraulic power steering layout. The WRX Met Its End As The 2020s Got Underway Subaru Much of the reason for various new technologies reaching modern road cars comes as a result of more stringent rules and regulations that they need to meet to be deemed roadworthy. One of these, specifically the one demanding cars to only emit a certain level of emissions, rang the death knell for the trusty WRX STI. Its EJ257 Boxer engine was simply too unclean for the ever-tightening emissions regulations used worldwide, and Subaru had to develop a new one to keep the STI alive.Sadly, with electric and hybrid powertrains becoming more prominent, the Japanese marque felt that the investment simply wouldn't be worth the short amount of time the new engine would be offered. As a result, it took the difficult decision to retire the WRX STI model entirely, with the model exiting production off the back of a special Final Edition version. Crucially, it also marked the end of hydraulic power steering being used in sports sedans, which is a pretty seismic shift in hindsight. Hydraulic Steering Offers More Driving Feel For Gearheads Collecting Cars The importance of "driving feel" cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to feeling the car under strain. While hydraulic power steering works by using a powered pump that fires hydraulic fluid into a cylinder when the steering wheel is turned, affording the feeling of the wheels turning through the wheel, an electric setup is vastly different. The wheel isn't directly connected to the front wheel assembly, and it instead sends a signal to a separate system that communicates how far the steering wheel has turned, which tells the wheels to turn by the same amount.This rids it of crucial feedback, such as the various vibrations being transmitted through the wheels and suspension, and makes it more difficult to feel exactly how much grip the front wheels have. This is particularly crucial on a public road, where you'll want to feel when the grip level changes as the road surface alters. Sadly, despite robbing the driver of extra feeling from the front end, an electric system offers several advantages that have led the industry to prioritize it. Electric Steering Boosts Efficiency Porsche As automakers focus on making their vehicles as efficient as possible, electric power steering offers a clear benefit. It needs fewer moving parts to function, and doesn't rely on the engine to power the pump. Not only does this put less strain on the engine, boosting reliability, but it also means the unit uses less fuel. As an aside, the electrically operated setup means that modern safety systems that use the steering can be combined more easily.Focused drivers don't care about these advantages though, as while electric power steering can offer more precise steering, it lacks in feel. This is crucial when pushing a car to its limit, as it's less likely to do something unpredictable. Plus, the sensation a well-sorted hydraulic steering system provides is unmatched, and makes you feel like you're more at one with the machine. There's More To The WRX STI Than Its Old-School Steering Setup Collecting Cars Of course, there is plenty more to get excited about as far as the WRX STI is concerned. For starters, its 310-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four and six-speed manual transmission combo will get it to 60 mph in comfortably under five seconds. This rapid acceleration is partly made possible by the vehicle's Symmetrical all-wheel drive system, which can share the grunt around each wheel in real time to maximize traction. It even comes with torque vectoring, which works in the same way to help enhance cornering grip, allowing you to hug apexes tighter under power before understeer forces you to wash out.The aluminium double wishbone suspension is also finely tuned to ensure the WRX STI feels like a proper sports car when pushed, as is the powerful Brembo braking package. Beefier six-piston front and twin-piston rear calipers are used to get the car stopped on a dime, while enlarged ventilated discs are also brought to the party as enhancements over the components used on the standard WRX. And you get all this in a practical four-door sedan with a sizable trunk, which comes loaded with comfort-boosting equipment like automatic climate control, heated Recaro seats, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The WRX STI Has Held Its Value Well Subaru Given the WRX STI went out of production half a decade ago, it goes without saying that the only way you'll get one in 2026 is by trawling the used market. Interestingly – and likely due to it being the last version of the legendary model – the 2021 WRX STI can't be had for much less than its original MSRP of $37,245. Higher mileage examples can be picked up for around the $25k mark with a clean title, so a decent bargain can be found, as long as you ensure the car has been well looked after throughout its life. Keep a mental note that this is a WRX, so it's likely to have been given a good thrashing by its owner.If you want a lower mileage specimen, budget for well north of $30,000. Realistically, you won't find a 2021 WRX STI at the moment for less than $33k, which puts it awfully close to its original starting price. Rare examples with delivery mileage are actually exceeding their initial value, and they'll likely keep going up in worth as they get on in age. Find yourself a decent example that has been well-looked-after and comes bundled with good history, and you may find that you could sell it for more than you purchased it for in years to come. While you wait, you can enjoy the benefits of the last sports sedan with a good 'ol hydraulic power steering setup.Sources: Subaru.