I wanna get a STI....but....

4876 Views 25 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Gymkata, Mar 6, 2010

FBTO

Discussion Starter · Feb 17, 2010

Hi Guys. I know this is a Lexus forum, but being a previous ISF owner, I thought I could come here to bounce off some thoughts. I am considering buying a 2010 Subaru WRX STI. (My first Subaru) But I am just not 100% sure if it is the best car for me. Also, after reading some of the long term test, the STI seems to take a bit of a beating.

I am basically looking for a fun car, that has a MANUAL tranny. Can fit my young kids (6 and 4) in the back seat once in a while. 4 wheel drive is nice, but not a must. I could do rear wheel drive. Might do a 1 or 2 track days a year. Just wondering if there are any other cars to consider before pulling the trigger on a STI.

Other options?
335xi? (A bit overpriced compared to the value)
EVO X (Not really crazy about the looks)
Golf GTI (Front wheel, and not that strong)
G37x (Too many of them)
Audi A4/S4/S5 (A bit pricey and questionable reliabilty)
Merc and Lexus (No manual)

What other cars are out there that are/can be as fun as a STI? I am so in love with the White/Gold combo. But just don't know if the car is worth the $45k Canadian price tag? In that price range, (plus or minus $5k), what else is available?

Altough I can afford the above listed cars, the pricey ones might not be the best use of my money.

I sold my Lexus ISF last year, and although I loved the power and luxury, I missed the manual tranny.

Any advice?

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

Jeff Taylor

· #2 · Feb 18, 2010

Maybe Peleg can jump in as he just sold his STi. I had a 02 WRX (non-STI) and it was a lot of fun. However, it was a bit rough around the edges. It had a lot of rattles, the stereo wasn't very good and I had clutch judder problems with mine. I'd definitely take a long test drive and make sure you will be happy with it. They definitely aren't luxury cars.

Good luck,

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS F

infinus

· #3 · Feb 18, 2010

what about a 4 door M3 with a manual tranny? or a 335i and toss on a chip and an exhaust? Older m5? You have plenty of options. I personally am not too fond of the looks on the new evo's and STI's I much prefer the previous models.

2URGSE

· #4 · Feb 22, 2010 (Edited)

Jeff Taylor said:
Maybe Peleg can jump in as he just sold his STi. I had a 02 WRX (non-STI) and it was a lot of fun. However, it was a bit rough around the edges. It had a lot of rattles, the stereo wasn't very good and I had clutch judder problems with mine. I'd definitely take a long test drive and make sure you will be happy with it. They definitely aren't luxury cars.

Good luck,

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS F

OP:

I had a 2004 STi, which was the first USDM STi, it was also the lightest in terms of curb weight (3260 lbs). Those cars are a lot of fun in terms of grip and power. The AWD is awesome, especially in wet conditions.

Power wise, the new models got more reliable turbochargers (the old ones had a faulty designed wastegate, which used to crack), the 300 horsepower factory stuff is just the beginning, with an ECU, downpipe, fuel pump and tune you'd be just about 400 bhp on a car that weighs about 3350 lbs.

The transmission is great and can handle a lot of torque.

The STi (2008 and on) did change quite a bit from what I had. The interior got better, the ride a tad more supple. I will say the factory seats suck balls, I upgraded mine with a pair of RECARO's from an 03 Evo, so if you're serious about cornering, consider this one of the best mods.

Compared to a Lexus ISF, the STi might be equal or less as far as rear seat room. The interior as whole will not be as spacious, the materials will not be as good, might have more rattles here and there.

Engine wise, you get half the displacement and half the cylinders, however the gas milage will be about the same as an ISF. Reason for that is the engine is turbocharged and those snails like to suck in a lot of air and demand alot of fuel from the ECU. Ofcourse that car only takes premium fuel.
On the freeway in 6th gear, 80 MPH you'll be doing about 3500 RPM's. The engine does not sound or behave like a typical 4 cylinder, the turbo kicks in very very quickly and the engine has a sweet torque curve down low. Like I said, with a Stage 2 pro tuned package (About $2000 at the most), you'd have enough power to play with a car like the ISF down low, and walk away from IS 350's, bmw, mustangs etc.

The brakes are great, Brembo 4 piston up front, 2 piston in the rear. I upgraded the lines and fluid.

On the inside, DEFI gauges for boost and oil pressure and a NAV system add up a lot to this car.

Best thing to do is go drive one, and then jump on www.iwsti.com, I have a lot of friends there who will be happy to give you their opinions.

See less See more

2URGSE

· #5 · Feb 22, 2010

The 335i 4 door is a good choice, probably better than the STi in terms of luxury. Not sure how reliable they are.

Upgrade wise, with a Dinan ECU and exhaust, the car is transformed from a 300 bhp/300 torque into a 390 bhp and 420 lb-ft, and that's before you custom tuned it. I feel that car will blow the new M3 in a straight line because of the torque. (turbos create lots and lots of torque) Rumors have it BMW is going in the turbo direction with the next gen M3 and M5.

There's not much space left in the engine compartment, so the turbocharges in the 335i can't be swapped out for larger ones, but at least you get a factory twin turbo, with Dinan stuff that won't void the warranty.

You can also go with a 335x which has AWD.

2URGSE

· #6 · Feb 22, 2010

The new Evo X is another choice, but like you said the styling is subjective. (The older Evo 9 was even more "wild" than the 10 in terms of looks, and also had the 4G63 iron cast block, 2.0L turbo engine that takes 20 lbs of boost from the factory!!!)

Power mods are the same like with the Subaru: ECU, downpipe, fuel pump and a tune and you're at 400 horsepower and just about the same amount of torque, the car becomes a rocketship.

Their transmissions are iffy though and the dealer support isn't that great either, so that car would be last on my list.

They are however, some of the best handling cars in the world out of the box, the factory recaro seats blow away almost any other seat, including the ones in a Porsche GT3 that I sat in and felt like a joke.

phlabrasca

· #7 · Feb 22, 2010 (Edited)

I heard the performance chips for the 3 series will destroy the longevity of the vehicle, if so, complete garbage. If you don't mind the harshness of a stick, then the STI seems fine. A friend of mine had an STI in high school which he drove me home daily in, and I absolutely hated the harshness as a passenger.

I also tend to think the STI is for the younger generation, lots of kids in high school were driving WRX's / EVOs.

I suggest going with a 3 series.

2URGSE

· #8 · Feb 22, 2010

phlabrasca said:
I heard the performance chips for the 3 series will destroy the longevity of the vehicle, if so, complete garbage.

They did have an issue with overheating when they first came out, I believe a more capable engine oil cooler resolved it.

Safely increasing the boost, fuel, timing etc. (which what the ECU does) should not destroy the life of the engine as long as you do the maintenance on time and not abuse the crap out of the car. (like starting it up in the morning and red lining it before the oil pressure builds up)

If the OP intends to look into a modded 335i, best thing to do is jump on the BMW forums and ask those guys, they will tell you stright up.

When it comes to Subaru, many guys went over 100K miles with a Stage 2 STi and had no issues.

FBTO

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 22, 2010

Thanks to everyone on the feedback, it is greatly appreciated!! I have decided to wait until I find the right deal on an E92 M3 manual. Let the hunting begin!

Best of luck!
FBTO

hahaha

· #10 · Feb 22, 2010

hold out for the f

then we can go racing
lol

2URGSE

· #11 · Feb 23, 2010

FBTO said:
Thanks to everyone on the feedback, it is greatly appreciated!! I have decided to wait until I find the right deal on an E92 M3 manual. Let the hunting begin!

Best of luck!
FBTO

This reminds me of folks who were STi owners, sold and got into the Lancer Evo. (AKA "went to the dark side") Heck, there are even ones who did that and later came back and bought a second STi.

There's nothing wrong with it of course, I think it's pretty cool trying other cars.

My best friend is looking forward to his E92 as well.

Please share your experiences, it's always fun to read.

ISFastBigA

· #12 · Feb 23, 2010

I would highly recommend a BMW got a roommate with and 09 M3 and it is so bad ass! It is the DCT tranny so dont know about the manual. Also the 335's dont take very much to be right with a stock M3 e92 style. Look on the bimmerforums.com and you will have good luck.

2URGSE

· #13 · Feb 23, 2010

I will say the new M3 looks beautiful, especially the bulging hood, I really dig that.

FBTO

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 25, 2010

Peleg said:
This reminds me of folks who were STi owners, sold and got into the Lancer Evo. (AKA "went to the dark side") Heck, there are even ones who did that and later came back and bought a second STi.

There's nothing wrong with it of course, I think it's pretty cool trying other cars.

My best friend is looking forward to his E92 as well.

Please share your experiences, it's always fun to read.

I still do love the F, and miss mine every day. I was spanking M3's all day long at the drag strip. It is an awesome car!! But since I am out of it, might as well give the m3 a try. Almost found a deal on a c63, but didn't want another auto.

Who knows, if there is ever a manual F, I will be back. Or maybe a supra!!! 2012/13/14??

oarngemig

· #15 · Feb 26, 2010

I had an 04 and an 07 STI. That's how much I loved my Subies. I still have an Evo 7 which I use for the tack. If you want a track car, the Evo 9 is the way to go. But overall value for money the Sti is hard to beat. Engine is so flexible and sturdy. Watch it with the 08s, bearing on piston 4 were at times deffective.
Get a good used 07, (the hatch is just not as iconic as the 0ld shape and the ride is too soft for me) and put in a JDM 6 speed tranny, reflash the ECU, get large dowpipes, exhaust and pipercross filters, and you'll have a blast. I was doing 403WHP with no internal mods, and the car was good for a daily driver.

Good luck which ever way you go.

ISFastBigA

· #16 · Feb 26, 2010

The power dome is awesome! I would say the fronts of the new M3's look better than the F's but the back of the F looks alot better than the new M's. I mean lets be honest...how many times will they really see the front of the car anyways?

Peleg said:
I will say the new M3 looks beautiful, especially the bulging hood, I really dig that.

2URGSE

· #17 · Mar 1, 2010

The STi was fun, it was light, handled really well and I was able to squeeze another 70 hp and almost 100 lbs-ft out of the engine and the stock turbo without much modifications, that's the power of turbocharging.

On the other hand, I turned 30 and my body started telling me it wants to drive something comfortable. That and there's always a chance getting stopped by the Police for no reason, and it happened to many STi owners.

The Supra is another great car, I just don't want to shell 40K on a car that has no warranty, and the parts are very expensive, but the styling is timeless and so is the car.

FBTO

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 2, 2010

Ok, F that!!! I am back! M3 is waste of money. I miss my F. I am not bugging my dealer for a good deal on a 2010! Too bad all the dealers on this site are from the USA. I need a good Canadian Dealer to give me a 2010 well below MSRP. The prices have gone up since my 2008!

At least the rates have dropped. With a $4500 security, I can get a four year lease for 2.1%.

Screw BMW and M3!

Jeff Taylor

· #19 · Mar 3, 2010

FBTO said:
Ok, F that!!! I am back! M3 is waste of money. I miss my F. I am not bugging my dealer for a good deal on a 2010! Too bad all the dealers on this site are from the USA. I need a good Canadian Dealer to give me a 2010 well below MSRP. The prices have gone up since my 2008!

At least the rates have dropped. With a $4500 security, I can get a four year lease for 2.1%.

Screw BMW and M3!

So was the dealer the problem, or the car? My local dealer wouldn't let me drive the M3. The Lexus dealer let me take out the F I bought twice (albeit it was a used car rather than new).

I used to have a 525i and loved the car but hated all of the dealers here in town. They acted as though I should be privileged that they would even work on my car. The Lexus service experience is definitely miles ahead.

Good luck with your purchase.

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS F

FBTO

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 3, 2010

I can get an M3 to drive if I want, but after considering the cars, I still think the F is the best option out there. And an LSD on the 2010 will help my track times. The features and quality on the F kills anything I can get from the M3.

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

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