check out the new 06 in black.....wow, so much of an improvement :eek:


http://www.iwsti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31174&page=1&pp=20

I never noticed the tail lights before. Don't like those, but the rest is an improvement IMO.

I still cannot stand that wing and hood scoop, they just ruin it for me.

I'm impressed. I really like this, but wish the taillights were a bit less altezzaish. Overall I think this is a nice follow up to the STi.

Not nearly as good looking as the 8, and the wing is totally absurd/ugly.

Still, a big improvement over the previous STi.

Now, if Subaru were really smart, they would make a Legacy STi to compete with the G35 & BMW 330i. It would be faster than both. Subaru would have to upgrade the interior & suspension to beat the competition, but that could be done & still keep the car cost-competitive.

Why they don't do this is a total mystery to me.

cue Ike in 3....2....1.....

Front looks terrible. Front 3/4 isn't bad, but it looks like a Mazdaspeed Protege. The rest is better aside from those rice looking taillights and the wing.

Headlights look nice. Thats the only compliment its getting from me. :D

grille..
headlights..
half-spoiler..
tailights....


awful!!!!! the 04-05 models were by far the best looking imprezas ever. still no style whatsoever to it, and way to boy racerish for me..but the car had a muscular look to it. this car looks like a joke.

beautiful and Impreza--oxymoron. Still is a badass car though--definately wouldn't call it beautiful though.

dam that thing is ugly...i mean i still like the car (only for what it can do)..kinda like that girl in high school that was ugly but she sure could $uck a good .......hahah

The front of the car looks better than before. You just have to rip off that ugly blue emblem sitting in the middle of the center grille. And why the hell do you need to have THREE STi stickers on the front of the car?

The '06 in black looks a lot better than any of the other '06 colors I've seen. I think it makes the hoodscoop and new front fascia less pronounced.

Fast as $hit and looks just like it too! :)

Looks awesome def an improvment over previous years.

That is just Yuck, and people think the RX is nasty

for crying out loud Subaru, LOSE THE PINK STi LOGOS!!!!!

I looked at getting one of those prior to my 8, I thought they looked a little to young kid car for my taste though. They are REALLY fast though. Ugly or not they earn respect for thier speed.

STi's have a presence on the road and it's awd demands respect. i think its beautiful. power is beautiful ;)

is that a second spoiler right above the rear window?

is that a second spoiler right above the rear window?
It is. Can't remember what they're calling it right now, but it supposedly creates an additional 20lbs of downforce at 100mph in the same way the "Vortex Generator" on the Evo MR does.

for crying out loud Subaru, LOSE THE PINK STi LOGOS!!!!!


I dont know which is worse: the fact that the logo is pink or that the car has 5 of them.

The front reminds me of an Edsel

I'm sorry to say, I like the old '05 better. What's with the big snout fashion trend these days? First Audi, now Subaru, and it seems Mitsu is going that way as well. Just not my cup of tea.

I too admire the performance of the STi and EVO, just can't see myself driving one.
Check that, wouldn't mind driving them at all, just can't see myself being seen getting in or out of one (if I were 10 years younger it would be a different story). And my wife would refuse to be seen in it as well. Everytime my wife sees one she says "why not just strap a book shelf to the back of your trunk?".

But to be honest, I secretly covet the EVO, wouldn't mind getting an EVO IX. I just know my wife would laugh me out of the house. Youth does have its advantages, if only I were in my 20's again.

You know, I was just thinking to myself..."What the STI really needs...is another spoiler!". Yeah!

You know, I was just thinking to myself..."What the STI really needs...is another spoiler!". Yeah!

How long until the ricer versions of that goofy thing start popping up on civics...?

^yeah a different spoiler would help.

But the basic problem is the car looks like the work of some high school kid who got his mother's econobox sedan and stuck boy racer stuff all over it. To non enthusiast, that's likely exactly what they're thinking when they see 'em.

The hood scoop isn't too too bad but that wing is hideous.

How long until the ricer versions of that goofy thing start popping up on civics...?

Lots of Civic hatches have them, but that was before the STi. Now I'm sure the sedans and coupes with be all decked out - I expect to see three and four spoilers on every Civic from here on out! :D

I went to dealer to see them in person. The pics did nothing for me. I liked my 04 STI better until I saw it in person. WOW. The STI isn't known for it's looks, but they are improving on the looks. I think the new STI looks GREAT, esepcailyl in black. You have to see it in person. It's more agressive, and less econoish, although I could live without the wing and altezza lights. The WRX will be the same, without the wing and the fancy taillights, so that right there is a great choice if looking to buy a new car. They are slowly making the interior better as well. It now has a detuned STI engine in it, being that ut's 2.5 instead of 2.0. I have to say, this is certainly better then my 04, although all the upgrades are basically cosmetic, and nothing performance.
As for people comparing the STI to an RX8. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP DOING THAT. ;) This is a souped up Impreza, not an originally designed sports coupe. If it did look as nice as the RX8, then the RX8 would be a total failure. Compare the Impreza to other economy sedans on the market, and then tell me if it's ugly or not.

Compare the Impreza to other economy sedans on the market, and then tell me if it's ugly or not.

STi is ugly within its market.

WRX looks are average or slightly above in its market.

Legacy really surprised me with its refinment and power (w/ optional engine), doesn't look too bad either.

STi is ugly within its market.

WRX looks are average or slightly above in its market.

Legacy really surprised me with its refinment and power (w/ optional engine), doesn't look too bad either.


That is a good objective opinion. With the 06 model, I think the Impreza 2.5 is now well above average in it's market, and the WRX is a little above average. The STI is an Impreza being compared to cars in it's price segment, and it's simply gonna take a bashing, because it's still an Impreza anyway you slice it. I don't think it's fair to compare looks based on the price, anymore then I think it's fair to compare performance for the price. You are not paying for looks, you are shelling out the big bucks because of it's performance. I guess regardless of how it shoud be, price is always gonna be the deciding factor in looks and performance. The RX8 takes the same beating because of it's lack of performance against cars in it's price range, so the STI will get that same abuse in looks. :)

"WRX will be the same, without the wing and the fancy taillights"
Viking, i could have sworn i saw the same taillights on the wrx? correct me if im wrong

STi is ugly within its market.

WRX looks are average or slightly above in its market.

Legacy really surprised me with its refinment and power (w/ optional engine), doesn't look too bad either.
Your right, I actually like the new Legacy GT.

check out the new 06 in black.....wow, so much of an improvement :eek:


http://www.iwsti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31174&page=1&pp=20


Needs more STi badging... 6 is not enuf!! :rolleyes:

The 06' is definitely NOT an improvement. The front end is uglier, the rear tailights are uglier. Now, more than ever I would go for an EVO (new IX is coming out).

The 06' is definitely NOT an improvement. The front end is uglier, the rear tailights are uglier. Now, more than ever I would go for an EVO (new IX is coming out).


We all will have our own opinions, but as an Impreza owner, I think it looks nicer. I didn't think so by pictures, but in person I was sold on it. The rear taillights are a love/hate thing, but could easily be replaced. If anything, I think this car looks more similiar to an EVO then it did before.
Audioslave, I think you are right on the taillights on WRX. The interior has been upgraded, and to me definitely looks better. A complete redesign is due for the 2008 model, and we may see a 2 door coupe. When I compare the latest Impreza redesign starting with the bug-eyed WRX, I see it getting better and better in looks, but naturally there will be people who disagree. :)

The A-10 Warthog of cars.

with my first impressions of the 06.... i absolutly HATED the changes


but after seeing those pics of the black one.... they r not too too bad



(doesnt it kinda look like a hyndai???)

looks like a subi ass raped an alfa-romero :confused:

i noticed the fog light covers r still there on the front bumper.... i wounder how the fogs will look like.... or how the car will look like w/o the covers and have fogs turned on.... wounder if they will use those huge fogs or small round ones like the wrx uses?

I still cannot stand that wing and hood scoop, they just ruin it for me.


But both very functional:
http://www.iwoc.co.uk/images/my2002/stiukq20.jpg

still, for me, the best ever Subaru (looking and handling) will be the legendary P1....
2 doors, titanium exhaust (special edition), old fashioned looks but still great... much better than the pumped 22B, the RB5 and all other Imprezas...

I know of the 22B, but what's the "P1"? I've never even heard of it.

What I don't understand is why do they still use a fart cannon? Wouldn't a dual exhaust like the RX-8 or a lot of other cars look better than a side-ways angled mortar launcher?

Fix the interior, exhaust, put a sleeker spoiler (not a house) on the back, and I would approve.

Subaru doesnt use a "fart cannon" and nor is it sideways, its the owners who decide to add the 5' exhaust and tilt it sideways.

06 STi looks fuckin' horrible. The new front end.. the boring bumper, the ugly ass dual wings.. and the ricey Altezza taillights. Please flush this abomination!

And I used to be a big Subaru fan.. I LOVED my GC8 w/ STi V motor... and my wife's WRX. Heck, even the 2004 STi wasn't too bad if you could get past the 4 door part. But now? Those ugly ass Alfa inspired front ends have lost Subaru at least 2 long time customers, and quite possibly more.

Yuck.

they need to call in mazda designers to reshape that horrible rear :D

I know of the 22B, but what's the "P1"? I've never even heard of it.

'Prodrive 1' at the side of the rear wing it wrote P1.
It was a grey import from Japan in the UK, back then when I lived there. you still hear subaru fans talk about it...
if you can find Tiff Needell's 'Burning Rubber' video in the 4wheel drive part he uses a P1 to do the tricks... here are some pics from the vid...

'Prodrive 1' at the side of the rear wing it wrote P1.
It was a grey import from Japan in the UK, back then when I lived there. you still hear subaru fans talk about it...
if you can find Tiff Needell's 'Burning Rubber' video in the 4wheel drive part he uses a P1 to do the tricks... here are some pics from the vid...
Very cool. I'm guessing it was produced somewhere around '94 - '96 judging by the Evo VI they put against it in the comparison. Learn something new everyday. ;)

Hey IKE, you asked me to post pics when i got my 06 STi. Just got it today, what a difference from my 04. Here they are, sorry if the quality is bad, their from my camera phone...i'll be taking some soon with my digital

Hey IKE, you asked me to post pics when i got my 06 STi. Just got it today, what a difference from my 04. Here they are, sorry if the quality is bad, their from my camera phone...i'll be taking some soon with my digital


Congrats man. I want to trade my 04 STI in for a new one, but it's a daily beater, so it's financially not a smart move. Enjoy it, as no doubt the car has improved greatly on appearance. It simply looks so much better then the 04-05. :)

Thanx alot! Yea i loved my 04 but there are so many enhancements to the handleing, suspension, and road/interior noise, It also feels like the engine is alot smoother. Not to mention the interior actually feels like a $30K car. I'm very happy with my purchase, enjoy your ride, i know you will :)

Awesome lookin car there murph, be sure to post some higher res pictures if you can.

Thanx alot! Yea i loved my 04 but there are so many enhancements to the handleing, suspension, and road/interior noise, It also feels like the engine is alot smoother. Not to mention the interior actually feels like a $30K car. I'm very happy with my purchase, enjoy your ride, i know you will :) Is the steering noticeably improved or is there just less body roll. There's a debate on the STi forums about that subject I'm wondering what you think, haven driven both now.

Did the quicken up the steering rack too?

They have def quickeded up the steering rack. compared to the 04 the handleing is alot tighter, less body roll and the suspension feels alot softer absorbing more of the shock (if that makes any sense). The handleing feels alot more connected. overall the build quality feels amazing, I'm very impressed with this car, it's just so solid. I feel like its well worth the $30k + price. There is also alot less road noise that enters the cabin. I actually like this interior as much as I did in my rx8. I felt the 04 was more bare bones and almost gocart like, where as this car is clearly a race car meant to be a daily driver. Inside and out, this car is amazing, i'm very happy with my purchase (i'm really excited about this car if you couldn't tell)

They have def quickeded up the steering rack. compared to the 04 the handleing is alot tighter, less body roll and the suspension feels alot softer absorbing more of the shock (if that makes any sense). The handleing feels alot more connected. overall the build quality feels amazing, I'm very impressed with this car, it's just so solid. I feel like its well worth the $30k + price. There is also alot less road noise that enters the cabin. I actually like this interior as much as I did in my rx8. I felt the 04 was more bare bones and almost gocart like, where as this car is clearly a race car meant to be a daily driver. Inside and out, this car is amazing, i'm very happy with my purchase (i'm really excited about this car if you couldn't tell)
You're not the first '06 owner to comment on the interior noise. I'm tempted to drive one just to see how it compares to the '04 and '05 model.

"GoKart-like handling" in a Subaru?

I think I just threw up a little... go drive an Elise.

"GoKart-like handling" in a Subaru?

I think I just threw up a little... go drive an Elise.


~Have you ever even driven an STi? And i didnt say "gocart like handleing" i just said the car was "gokart like"

~Have you ever even driven an STi? And i didnt say "gocart like handleing" i just said the car was "gokart like"
Well if you didn't say it I will. The STi does have go-cart like handling. If somebody doesn't know that then they haven't been in one before. It may not handle like a 2000lb Elise or Miata, but those are roadsters designed for nothing else but handling. In every other aspect they are completely impractical for daily driving.

The STi has sharp handling, but it doesn't have any sort of a gokart feel at all. If you're saying it does, then you obviously haven't driven a Miata. It's a totally different feeling.

The STi has sharp handling, but it doesn't have any sort of a gokart feel at all. If you're saying it does, then you obviously haven't driven a Miata. It's a totally different feeling.
^^^^

...It may not handle like a 2000lb Elise or Miata...

True, which is why I wouldn't really put it into the "gokart" category. It still feels too heavy to achieve that feeling, even if the handling is amazing. (and for the record, the RX8 fails to achieve that feeling too)

The STi has sharp handling, but it doesn't have any sort of a gokart feel at all. If you're saying it does, then you obviously haven't driven a Miata. It's a totally different feeling.


Comparing handling of my STI to my S2000, and my previous RX8, I'd say the S2000 feels more go cart like. I've driven a Miata, and that is definitely go cart material. I can't imagine an Elise. The STI and RX8, no way. Nonetheless, the STI is a superb handler like the RX8. I wouldn't call it go cart like though. However if you haven't driven a lightweight roadster, I can see why you'd call it that.

Comparing handling of my STI to my S2000, and my previous RX8, I'd say the S2000 feels more go cart like. I've driven a Miata, and that is definitely go cart material. I can't imagine an Elise. The STI and RX8, no way. Nonetheless, the STI is a superb handler like the RX8. I wouldn't call it go cart like though. However if you haven't driven a lightweight roadster, I can see why you'd call it that.

Exactly. You need that super lightweight, tossable feel to really get it into that "gokart like" category. I agree that if you haven't been in one of those nimble little roadsters, it'd be easy to call the STi or RX8 "gokart like", but it becomes infinitely harder after you've actually been in one of those little cars.

However, with the S2000, I still think it has a bit of a heavy feel, even for a roadster. I think the handling feels a lot like the RX8. I'd classify it as almost gokart like.

I've driven go-karts (woop de doo), I'd rather be driving my 8. :D

wow who would have thought one word could have sparked such a debat. I really wasnt even talking about just the handleing...i meant it in the sense that the car was just so bare bones and simplistic like a gokart.

Fast as $hit and looks just like it too! :)

I've got to be honest with you guys, the 8 is not signifigantly better looking than the STI. The wing, and hood scoup aren't for everyone, but it's still a good looking car.

I remember when I owned the 8 looking at it and thinking wow what a beautiful car. I would detail the hell out of it and take it for a ride, thinking I was driving the best looking car on the planet.

Now that I don't own the 8, I'm not as impressed with the looks. The 8 is full of funky, and very questionable lines and angles. The car is so busy that it often seems to get in its own way. Jermy Clarkston makes the same comments on Top Gear, and I remember thinking is he nuts, but now I can see what he is talking about.

Moral of the story? Realize that looks are very much subjective, and when you make a statement like "looks like $hit" you actually should be saying "I think it looks like $hit."

I've driven go-karts (woop de doo), I'd rather be driving my 8. :D

You've driven the wrong karts then. To compare any of these cars in handling to a proper kart is laughable. You want the most fun on 4 wheels on a racetrack a shifterkart kart will make you pretty bored with just about every road car there is. Really the Miata is just as poor a comparison as an STi or Evo, mainly because you don't get the kick in the pants, and that's half the fun of karts. All the cars mentioned have stunning handling yet they don't even compare to a kart. On the other hand when you say "go-kart like" I can find something in all of them that would justify that statement.

In other words, the STi probably has about as much in common with a kart as the Miata does. Unless we're talking about those silly karts at the local batting cages, then the Miata certainly has more in common ;)

Pskull coverd the rest of what I had to say. Also, grats again Jmurph, the car looks great!

One of my buddies told me shifte karts pull sustained later force of 3 g's. Is this true?

One of my buddies told me shifte karts pull sustained later force of 3 g's. Is this true?

I've heard that claim before, and having raced them I'd believe it. 3 g's sustained may be a touch on the high side but it's not far off. 3 g's peak is probably more like it. In short they're the closest thing the average person will ever get to a Formula 1 type ride.

Not nearly as good looking as the 8, and the wing is totally absurd/ugly.

Still, a big improvement over the previous STi.

Now, if Subaru were really smart, they would make a Legacy STi to compete with the G35 & BMW 330i. It would be faster than both. Subaru would have to upgrade the interior & suspension to beat the competition, but that could be done & still keep the car cost-competitive.

Why they don't do this is a total mystery to me.

They are in JDM. A STi Forester and Legacy are due out as well as some other special model.

I've got to be honest with you guys, the 8 is not signifigantly better looking than the STI. The wing, and hood scoup aren't for everyone, but it's still a good looking car.

I remember when I owned the 8 looking at it and thinking wow what a beautiful car. I would detail the hell out of it and take it for a ride, thinking I was driving the best looking car on the planet.

Now that I don't own the 8, I'm not as impressed with the looks. The 8 is full of funky, and very questionable lines and angles. The car is so busy that it often seems to get in its own way. Jermy Clarkston makes the same comments on Top Gear, and I remember thinking is he nuts, but now I can see what he is talking about.

Moral of the story? Realize that looks are very much subjective, and when you make a statement like "looks like $hit" you actually should be saying "I think it looks like $hit."

~ I totally agree with you... I loved my 8 more than anything when i had it, but now that i don't I see all quirky things others pointed out. Some people hate the looks of the STi and hey thats fine thats their opinion. I honestly love the looks. Even though some bash it for its outrageous looks (spoiler, scoop) I know they still at least respect the car because of what it can do. But it's worse when a car has questionable looks and a lack of performance. :rolleyes:

'06 looks better but I'd still buy an Evo... any Evo. please dont start flaming me now, because I have many reasons to believe this.
I like the STi, love the 'boxer sound' and most of all, respect it. But in all magazines (especially british), track times and any other tests of comparison, it comes second... I dont know why, never driven either, maybe a guru can explain me. all the editors love the evo? maybe... in the track the difference in lap times is big enough to make you wonder -whole seconds!
I know in the US the STi is on steroids making 300hp compaired to euro spec, but there are some very powerful versions of the evo too, like the FQ320 and FQ340.
hell, even in the Rally Acropolis Super Stage, that took place in Athens, in front of 65,000 people, all subarus lost compared to evos... it was clear that understeer was a big problem, but still I expected something better. fans tried to blame it on drivers that were showing off, but I think that's a lame excuse...
please feel free to comment:)

'06 looks better but I'd still buy an Evo... any Evo. please dont start flaming me now, because I have many reasons to believe this.
I like the STi, love the 'boxer sound' and most of all, respect it. But in all magazines (especially british), track times and any other tests of comparison, it comes second... I dont know why, never driven either, maybe a guru can explain me. all the editors love the evo? maybe... in the track the difference in lap times is big enough to make you wonder -whole seconds!
I know in the US the STi is on steroids making 300hp compaired to euro spec, but there are some very powerful versions of the evo too, like the FQ320 and FQ340.
hell, even in the Rally Acropolis Super Stage, that took place in Athens, in front of 65,000 people, all subarus lost compared to evos... it was clear that understeer was a big problem, but still I expected something better. fans tried to blame it on drivers that were showing off, but I think that's a lame excuse...
please feel free to comment:)

Going around a track with equal drivers, the EVO will win, no doubt about it. Fact of the matter is, the cars are very very very close, and 99% of the population couldn't drive either car well enough to take advantage of the extra handling capabilities the EVO has.

Performance aside the STI is a far better everyday driver. The interior and the ride is much more refined. The STi’s all wheel drive system is much better in bad conditions, in other words the STI is better in snow and rain. Finally, the EVO takes a lot more rowing to get it moving, as the STi can be driven quickly without pushing it up to redline due to the extra torque of the 2.5.

Although I can’t back this one up, I just don’t trust Mitsu. I keep hearing stories about Mitsu going out of business, and about warranty nightmare, and EVO reliability. Performance is the ultimate goal of sports cars, but to me the small gains of the EVO are not worth the other stuff. If not handling as well bothers you that much you can drop a 1000 beans, and make your STI handle better than an EVO.

Going around a track with equal drivers, the EVO will win, no doubt about it. Fact of the matter is, the cars are very very very close, and 99% of the population couldn't drive either car well enough to take advantage of the extra handling capabilities the EVO has.

Performance aside the STI is a far better everyday driver. The interior and the ride is much more refined. The STi’s all wheel drive system is much better in bad conditions, in other words the STI is better in snow and rain. Finally, the EVO takes a lot more rowing to get it moving, as the STi can be driven quickly without pushing it up to redline due to the extra torque of the 2.5.

Although I can’t back this one up, I just don’t trust Mitsu. I keep hearing stories about Mitsu going out of business, and about warranty nightmare, and EVO reliability. Performance is the ultimate goal of sports cars, but to me the small gains of the EVO are not worth the other stuff. If not handling as well bothers you that much you can drop a 1000 beans, and make your STI handle better than an EVO.

You want the best all around car you get the STi, you want to most potential and the best handling, you get the Evo. The things that pushes the STi ahead in my book are...

Subaru > Mitsubishi as far as customer support, safety, reliability, quality of dealerships, and general non douchebaginess ;)

The STi has a nicer interior and things like cruise control and climate control.

The STi is a more comfortable ride, it's also less laggy (better around town).

The Evo steering is great, when you're on the track. It can be downright scary if you're a little groggy in the morning and on your way to work.

The HP potential of the Evo is great, but the STi isn't far behind and is catching up month by month.

Can't really fault either choice, but as someone that drives a lot of miles the STi is just more appealing.

You want the best all around car you get the STi, you want to most potential and the best handling, you get the Evo. The things that pushes the STi ahead in my book are...

Subaru > Mitsubishi as far as customer support, safety, reliability, quality of dealerships, and general non douchebaginess ;)

The STi has a nicer interior and things like cruise control and climate control.

The STi is a more comfortable ride, it's also less laggy (better around town).

The Evo steering is great, when you're on the track. It can be downright scary if you're a little groggy in the morning and on your way to work.

The HP potential of the Evo is great, but the STi isn't far behind and is catching up month by month.

Can't really fault either choice, but as someone that drives a lot of miles the STi is just more appealing.

Got to drive my brothers EVO RS, the steering is so precise and the response is not comparable to anything I've ever driven. So quick and yes it can be very scary :eek:

Got to drive my brothers EVO RS, the steering is so precise and the response is not comparable to anything I've ever driven. So quick and yes it can be very scary :eek:

The '06 STi is nearly as good but not nearly as scary IMO.

The '06 STi is nearly as good but not nearly as scary IMO.
I'd love to drive one. Never driven a wrx let alone an STI. I wish more of my friends had nice cars :p I really am coming to like the new STI a lot, I guess I need to find someone who owns one and get them to let me have my way with it. :D I heart teh torque.

The '06 STi is nearly as good but not nearly as scary IMO.

~Ike your right about the handleing... The 06 feels like it has improved drasticly over the 04s. with that aside, at high speeds the car is no longer "bouncy" and all over the place like it was before. This car is so stable and the handleing just gives the driver such a connected feel to the road.

nice comments;)
as for the power the evo can put out, I remember when the evo club here in my country went to the dyno... the weakest car made easily 310hp while the average was 360hp out of 11cars:o damn, those things are really powerful...
oh yes and I agree with the interior, the STi is much better, but I'd never buy a car like that for the interior:p

nice comments;)
as for the power the evo can put out, I remember when the evo club here in my country went to the dyno... the weakest car made easily 310hp while the average was 360hp out of 11cars:o damn, those things are really powerful...
oh yes and I agree with the interior, the STi is much better, but I'd never buy a car like that for the interior:p

The EVO engine has been around for a long time, and therefore has a ton of cheap modifications. Turbo back, larger turbo, and ecu tweek will do wounders. I'm not familiar with the cost of these things on the evo, but you could probably do it under 4 grand easily.

The EVO engine has been around for a long time, and therefore has a ton of cheap modifications. Turbo back, larger turbo, and ecu tweek will do wounders. I'm not familiar with the cost of these things on the evo, but you could probably do it under 4 grand easily. You can do it for under $1K if you really wanted to. To make it legal, streetable and reliable you'll need to spend at least $2k though.

Better pics of my 06

the interior is so much better than the last model... and definately much much better than the evo lol
hey your shift knob needs turning;)

I just drove the new STi today and could easily see myself in the STi as a daily driver.

The take-away from the STi is that it is ALWAYS pulling. It pulls at 2750 rpm, it pulls at 4000 rpm, it pulls at 6000 rpm (apologies to the salesperson that asked me to keep it under 5000 rpm) It pulls like the 8 does at 6500+ rpms, but it does it all the time.

The model I test drove had the "short shifter" option, and although not as precise as the 8, was not a huge drawback. The handling was great, definately on par with the RB set-up I have.

The car looks significantly better in person than it does in photos. The wing just looks like crap no matter which way you look at it. (WRX is much better)

I was totally impressed with the car's demeanor and performance. But I thought to myself...if I were to consider selling the 8 and the resulting financial hit I would take, versus investing the difference (the hit) in FI (Hymee, Greddy, Petit et. al.) and having a car that was "all show" and had the "go" to match, the 8 wins hands down IMHO.

If I had to start from scratch, then it would be a more difficult decision.

...The take-away from the STi is that it is ALWAYS pulling. It pulls at 2750 rpm, it pulls at 4000 rpm, it pulls at 6000 rpm (apologies to the salesperson that asked me to keep it under 5000 rpm) It pulls like the 8 does at 6500+ rpms, but it does it all the time...

in my country we call it 'turbotorque' if there is such a word :rolleyes:
...or better 'turbo-derived-torque' ;)

the interior is so much better than the last model... and definately much much better than the evo lol
hey your shift knob needs turning;)


It's prettymuch the same as last years model... It just cracks me up when people talk about the various Impreza interiors, if you listened to people on the net that don't own the car you'd think it was made out of old milk cartons. Bottom line is it's a decent looking interior that is made very well, 30k miles and nary a rattle here. Oh, and everything is placed just right (save for that extra cupholder :rolleyes: ), Everyone that gets in my car and reads internet forums, the first thing they say is, this interior is pretty nice I don't know why people say it's so bad.

It's prettymuch the same as last years model... It just cracks me up when people talk about the various Impreza interiors, if you listened to people on the net that don't own the car you'd think it was made out of old milk cartons. Bottom line is it's a decent looking interior that is made very well, 30k miles and nary a rattle here. Oh, and everything is placed just right (save for that extra cupholder :rolleyes: ), Everyone that gets in my car and reads internet forums, the first thing they say is, this interior is pretty nice I don't know why people say it's so bad.

It gets ripped on because the STI is an expensive car, with a basic interior. People expect more, and just don't throw it in their brain that the interior is the same as the cheap affordable Impreza RS, with only fancy things swapped out to add touch. Overall, it's still a decent interior. If you compare it to cars like RX8, G35, R32, ect ect, then of course it looks cheap and lame, because compared to those it is cheap and lame. :) I saw an 06 STI, and the interior has improved over my 04 quite a bit. The different door panels, console, ect ect, really added changed my view, and I have to say I think the interior is very respectable. I like it a lot more then my 04.

I've sat in my friend's 04' (& actually drove it). No way could you describe that interior as nice. It is several grades below the RX8. Tradeoffs in every car. That being said, I have seen the inside of the new Subies quite a bit better (still a bit below the Rx8, but much improved). Obviously it uses it's R&D $ on other things (AWD, more hp, etc). Got to hand it to them though, I wish Mazda would come out with more hp to compensate. A real 255 hp 2 rotor would be appreciated.

the new rally car looks good...
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/09/imprezawrc06_06.jpg
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/09/imprezawrc06_11.jpg
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/09/imprezawrc06_09.jpg

It looks as if it's a good deal lower to the ground than the earlier version :confused: . It looks good nonetheless, too bad I don't get the speed channel. I can only watch rally occasionally on like ESPN2 or something like that.

I don't have cable, it's a pisser. I have to order the seasons on DVD. I have a lot of DVD's now!

I don't have cable, it's a pisser. I have to order the seasons on DVD. I have a lot of DVD's now!
Nice, however I have zero dollars to spend on DVDs. I need to win the lottery or something because this is lame right now. Almost any money I make goes towards my car. Stupid college and your not letting me work more hours. :p I'd love to actually attend a rally race, I think that would be one of the coolest forms of racing you could see first hand.

I would love to go to one too. I don't think I could be one of the people standing on the sides of the road though.

I would love to go to one too. I don't think I could be one of the people standing on the sides of the road though.
Scared, eh? I think I might stand a few feet away though as well. :p

scared? me? ummm, yeah...:p
http://www.motorpride.com/5thelement/video/badrallycrash.wmv

Ouch, that looked less than fun. Hope everyone was ok. I guess I'll be standing lots of feet back. :p

It's prettymuch the same as last years model... It just cracks me up when people talk about the various Impreza interiors, if you listened to people on the net that don't own the car you'd think it was made out of old milk cartons...


no it's not. I'm not saying all this because of some photos on the net....
saw it in person. a friend of mine had the '04 (which got totaled) and now his '05 has the same interior as the '06 you get in the states. the interior is much better than the previous model, everyone sees that...

no it's not. I'm not saying all this because of some photos on the net....
saw it in person. a friend of mine had the '04 (which got totaled) and now his '05 has the same interior as the '06 you get in the states. the interior is much better than the previous model, everyone sees that...

The '05 and the '06 interior is almost the same, if not exactly the same. What part of me saying it's almost the same as last years model did you not understand?

The '05 and the '06 interior is almost the same, if not exactly the same. What part of me saying it's almost the same as last years model did you not understand?

I understood everything you said, but I wrote it wrong. Let me rephrase. When I said 'previous model' I meant the '04 ...and I was compairing the interior of the '04 model with the one the '05 and '06 models get, which I like more. that's all, my mistake:)