Yesterday i had a hour to kill since my wife was getting her hair done. So i popped on in at the local Subaru dealership to give the STI a spin. I wanted to see what was all the hype about these cars, why so many people love these AWD rockets.

I'll skip all the boring stuff and get into the meat and potatoes.

I test drove a the Rally color blue STI with the gold BBS rim package. For starters , i must say this car is not attractive at all. The current one looks a little mature from the previous model , but the new tribeca air plane facia doesn't do the car justice. The two wing treatment is a bit to boy racer-ish, but then again,this car suppose to be a rally car, so maybe those wings serve a purpouse?
I love the 17" BBS wheels on the car, very nice touch , takes your eyes away from the disfunctional lines of the body.

Well hopped in and the noticed how bland the interior cabin was. The shiney silver center console was doable , the nobs looked functional and easy to use,i really liked the speedo cluster. Very easy to read, and the arrangement of the guages were well placed. The two tone seats were just as comfortable as the RX-8, maybe a bit snug than the RX-8, which is understandable for the G's that you would be pulling in the car.The shifter seem a little notchy , maybe because it was still new and hadn't been broken in properly.

Turned her on and the motor came to life, sounded like a "bubble machine" at idle.Sounds much better when the throttle is blipped. The sales guy told me to take it easy but have fun! And boy i was! :)

Pulled out and nailed it, instantly the STI took off! The tach shot to 7k rpm in a heart beat, instantly putting you back in your seat! Gawd i miss torque! :tear:
I love my 8 , but something being thrown back in your seat while the engine is at full song puts that smile on your face! The car feels very confident and has enough power to scoot in and out of traffic without rowing the gears. The turbo kick comes in pretty smooth too, lag seems minimal.

The sales guy told me to turn into this abandon parking lot, he called it his test ground. He told me to do some figure 8's and take the STi on some high speed turns. The car was on "tarmac" mode, i did my first figure 8 in second gear. The STI was sticking like glue!Didn't bother to look down to see how fast i was going, but i pushed her till i heard the tires screeching, the sales guy was holding for dear life! LOL! In coming out of the figure 8 high speed i let off to see if the back end would come out.....it did, but a little bit , and nothing that was overwhelming , nothing that easily getting back on the gas couldn't handle.

I would go to one end of the parking lot and nail it and slalom around the light poles, the car just stuck like glue! The STI is very easy to drive and like the 8 , you feel like you can pull of any manuever in the car. I didn't get to do any hard launches, but even from a roll , the car has kick.

Overall impression:
This is my first AWD car i ever driven, its very diffrent from driving a FWD or RWD car. The AWD makes the car feel very neutral, which makes the car feel like it can't slip or mess up. Which could be a good or bad thing, for the person who likes to push it to its limits.

I see why people like the STI or EVO, there fun cars to drive, not very demanding of you and does what it suppose to do best, HAUL ASS AND HANDLE like its on rails. I think i see myself probally having more fun in the dirt with this car than anything else, after all its a production rally car!

You could see where most of Subaru's funding or focus went into this car, the motor and the suspension for the STI. Its almost sad to have so much fun out of this little beast then to get out and look at the ugly body.It waters down the experience in a heart beat! Instantly you start thinking how cool it would be if you could swap bodies , say with a RX-8 ,or a S2000 , etc and still have that power, handeling combo.

Would i buy one? If i had more garages, this way i could add the STI to my collection. Would i buy one over the 8? Nah, the power and ther handeling combo is very attractive to an enthusiast like me, i rather have a stylish and unique ride.
6 years ago i may have jumped all over this car, because power and more power was priority 1 in my book. Now that i am older, i rather have a balance of style,looks,power, and handeling.

But for the enthusiast at heart who's main focus is power and handeling , Subaru serves a hot dish of STI for you! Enjoy!

nice review man test driving cars is fun huh

i'd pick an evo over an sti..something about the sound of that boxer engine..its very annoying...

Thanks for the review man!

Good review. I feel the same way. You've gotta respect the car for it's performance attributes but I couldn't drive something that hideous.

Well in late 07 or early 08 you should get your wish, nice exterior and interior with some refinement and great power/handling in the Evo X. Any of you going to the NY autoshow will have a chance to look at it first hand.

Also check out Edmunds.com/insideline for a peak at the S-AWC on a snow cover course.

great review im trading my 8 right now....... :lach:

I just bought an 06 STI a couple weeks ago. Lots of fun, but makes me appreciate what a NICE car the RX-8 is. The looks have grown on me, but I just think the RX-8 is one of the best-looking cars currently available, and tough to compete with.

Well in late 07 or early 08 you should get your wish, nice exterior and interior with some refinement and great power/handling in the Evo X. Any of you going to the NY autoshow will have a chance to look at it first hand..
Refinement, IMO, will ruin the spirit of the EVO. Yeah, great, more coushy smooshy smurfs will buy one if it has heated seats, and supple leather, and automatic yada yada. But, that's not what the car is about.

Since we don't get them in Canada, I for one am looking forward to taking ike up on his offer

Sure BlueEyes, if you come down here, I'd be happy to let you drive my Evo as much as you like. You're the best!

See that, it's in writing folks. I'm holding him to it.

Nice review. Everything you said about the STI is in line with everything I've ever read about it.

As a rally fan (and fan of rally cars) I can dig the STI and EV0 but I find RWD drive cars a little more fun to drive in everyday use. With the RX-8 it seems you can have some fun w/o getting near the limits of the car (or outside the limits of the law :suspect: ). Neck-snapping torque always = fun though.

I would like to take a STI or an EVO on some gravel roads/rally-like stages where you could really get a feel for these rally beasts and try some typical rallying techniques as I would quickly loose my license trying to have fun with it on the streets.

Refinement, IMO, will ruin the spirit of the EVO. Yeah, great, more coushy smooshy smurfs will buy one if it has heated seats, and supple leather, and automatic yada yada. But, that's not what the car is about.


I agree 100%. These are raw beasts with performance the #1 priority and that's what makes these cars apealing to their fans.

I agree 100%. These are raw beasts with performance the #1 priority and that's what makes these cars apealing to their fans.


I am going to have to disagree......but not completely. I don't think adding optional content will ruin the car......it will just add another dimension that was previously missing. The guys that still want a bare-bones rocket can still order one with no optional content and get the car they always wanted. However, the folks that like the performance of the current EVO but pass and buy something else with more content might stay with the EVO X. I never understood anyone putting down companies for offering optional content.......you don't HAVE to get the extras if your not interested in them......but why not have the content for those that are willing to spend the $$$ ??

In an ideal world, sure you could pick and choose options as you see fit. However, mainstream car makers producing cheaper cars rarely do this. They offer "the package". You want a nice stereo, you have to get package A with leather, sunroof, HID's etc. You want a folding rear seat, get package B with blah blah blah. That's the way it is with the Rx8, too. As far as I can tell, they just put things most people want into a package with a bunch of crap you don't want so that you have to shell out mo money. If they do offer a barebones package, great. But, I don't see it happening. A long list of standard features is what appeals to the majority. And, the majority pays the bills.

Good point.

In an ideal world, sure you could pick and choose options as you see fit. However, mainstream car makers producing cheaper cars rarely do this. They offer "the package". You want a nice stereo, you have to get package A with leather, sunroof, HID's etc. You want a folding rear seat, get package B with blah blah blah. That's the way it is with the Rx8, too. As far as I can tell, they just put things most people want into a package with a bunch of crap you don't want so that you have to shell out mo money. If they do offer a barebones package, great. But, I don't see it happening. A long list of standard features is what appeals to the majority. And, the majority pays the bills.


Very true.....i like the way Nissan offers the 350Z packages, you can get the bare bones Z(still with the 287 or 300HP?) or you can get the fully loaded GT version with all the bells, whistles and flash, or the hard core track version with more focus on performance.

In an ideal world, sure you could pick and choose options as you see fit. However, mainstream car makers producing cheaper cars rarely do this. They offer "the package". You want a nice stereo, you have to get package A with leather, sunroof, HID's etc. You want a folding rear seat, get package B with blah blah blah. That's the way it is with the Rx8, too. As far as I can tell, they just put things most people want into a package with a bunch of crap you don't want so that you have to shell out mo money. If they do offer a barebones package, great. But, I don't see it happening. A long list of standard features is what appeals to the majority. And, the majority pays the bills.


That's an import thing......Ford still allows you to pick and choose between options. Go build a Mustang through Ford's website......you'll see that you can add every item as a single option. Go build a Solstice though Pontiac's website....same thing. Perhaps this is one area that the foreign companies need to benchmark the American ones.

But......seeing as the EVO is an import (which tends to package content), I can see your frustration with Mitsu adding content to the EVO.

I feel your review was right on, but come on its really not bad looking...can you honestly say this car is hideous?

^ not hideous.....but definitely 2 Fast 2 Furious !!

Thanks for the review

^ not hideous.....but definitely 2 Fast 2 Furious !!

Everybody is too quick to reference Fast and Furious but these cars are a product of their rallying heritage and would still exist and look like this whether that over stereotypical movie series existed or not.

I think it's functionally ugly in a way a Jeep Wrangler is. The car is not hideous but it's definately not beautiful. It can't be acused of looking boring though.

I feel your review was right on, but come on its really not bad looking...can you honestly say this car is hideous?

not hideus at all, quite mean looking. sometimes when a car is so great, you just tend to try hard to find a reason to justify not having one.

not hideus at all, quite mean looking. sometimes when a car is so great, you just tend to try hard to find a reason to justify not having one.

Actually no. Honestly, I think the car looks awful. The front looks worse now than it did before IMO. I can afford one but I can't get over the exterior. To each his own as looks are subjective. There are plenty of people that hate how the RX8 looks. Enough said.

I feel your review was right on, but come on its really not bad looking...can you honestly say this car is hideous?
Definitely not so hideous from flattering camera angles.

Back when I only knew of the STI by reputation, I too, thought it was a hideous creature. I liken it to a partially alluring female with a crooked nose. If ye gaze upon her countenance from near-straight angles, your penile make become delighted...but when seen from anywhere but...her illustrious image is destroyed. However, when I realized that I could actually have one, I found myself succumbing to my lust of of the beast, becoming obfuscated, and began digesting a hoard of lies and halve-truths which lead me to conceptualize that 'thing" as sweet fair maiden that I would woo with my pocket book. Alas, my sweet Melissa, born of rotary design, has healed my obscured vision, making bittersweet reality my one and only love. A beast that STI is, and a beast it shall remain, powerful yet hideous.

Back when I only knew of the STI by reputation, I too, thought it was a hideous creature. I liken it to a partially alluring female with a crooked nose. If ye gaze upon her countenance from near-straight angles, your penile make become delighted...but when seen from anywhere but...her illustrious image is destroyed. However, when I realized that I could actually have one, I found myself succumbing to my lust of of the beast, becoming obfuscated, and began digesting a hoard of lies and halve-truths which lead me to conceptualize that 'thing" as sweet fair maiden that I would woo with my pocket book. Alas, my sweet Melissa, born of rotary design, has healed my obscured vision, making bittersweet reality my one and only love. A beast that STI is, and a beast it shall remain, powerful yet hideous.

That's what I meant to say :lol:

Everybody is too quick to reference Fast and Furious but these cars are a product of their rallying heritage and would still exist and look like this whether that over stereotypical movie series existed or not.

I think it's functionally ugly in a way a Jeep Wrangler is. The car is not hideous but it's definately not beautiful. It can't be acused of looking boring though.


The STI is a product of their rallying heritage......but it's not a rally car...it's a production road car. I can see the purpose of the giant wing for rally race prepped cars......but for driving to and from work?? In normal driving conditions, the big wing and big hood scoop only make the car look like a boy racer (like those of Fast and Furious movies). I think that STI Limited (another thread) is a great step at removing the Fast and Furious parallels one can't help but see. The hood scoop should have been removed as well.....or at least redesigned.

Actually no. Honestly, I think the car looks awful. The front looks worse now than it did before IMO. I can afford one but I can't get over the exterior. To each his own as looks are subjective. There are plenty of people that hate how the RX8 looks. Enough said.
sorry it my comment came across kind of rude, no pun intended. i was just trying to reference that "looks" is a subjective matter.

That's what I meant to say :lol:
Shit changes when you can have something that you hated on for so long. You learn to appreciate and learn to love....sometimes for worse. It ain't pretty...it never was. But damn does that bitch move!! It's like bein real horny and all you have access to is that one broad from work that you been pushin off your nads for the past 6 months. You say shit like, "umm..she don't look that bad" YOU PURPOSELY look for things to like about her, so you can justify engaging in coitus. And after you do it, and it was great, all of a sudden, "i never knew she was this pretty."

The pussy-trap nevar fails.

Same damn story, different chapter.

The STI is a product of their rallying heritage......but it's not a rally car...it's a production road car. I can see the purpose of the giant wing for rally race prepped cars......but for driving to and from work?? In normal driving conditions, the big wing and big hood scoop only make the car look like a boy racer (like those of Fast and Furious movies). I think that STI Limited (another thread) is a great step at removing the Fast and Furious parallels one can't help but see. The hood scoop should have been removed as well.....or at least redesigned.

Big wing probably not exactly needed but I doubt they put it on there just for looks (because it's ugly). These bits are actually functional on these cars but I see your point.

"Aero tweaks come at the expense of looks--or is that vice versa? The new airplane-inspired front fascia is said to be slipperier and more efficient, which allowed a smaller hood scoop to be fitted. A new STI-specific roof vane spoiler borrows the Evo MR trick of pulling the airflow down against the rear glass to allow clean air to act on the rear wing, thus increasing its effect. No word on how much extra downforce is made, but we assume it's up from the previous 2005 STi's 50 pounds at 100 mph."--Motortrend.

The little things on the top of the Evo are said to keep it more stable as well.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0512_wrx_evo13_s.jpg
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0512_wrx_evo21_s.jpg

Big wing probably not exactly needed but I doubt they put it on there just for looks (because it's ugly). These bits are actually functional on these cars but I see your point.

"Aero tweaks come at the expense of looks--or is that vice versa? The new airplane-inspired front fascia is said to be slipperier and more efficient, which allowed a smaller hood scoop to be fitted. A new STI-specific roof vane spoiler borrows the Evo MR trick of pulling the airflow down against the rear glass to allow clean air to act on the rear wing, thus increasing its effect. No word on how much extra downforce is made, but we assume it's up from the previous 2005 STi's 50 pounds at 100 mph."--Motortrend.

The little things on the top of the Evo are said to keep it more stable as well.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0512_wrx_evo13_s.jpg
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0512_wrx_evo21_s.jpg


I have no doubt that the wing and all that other shit come into play at high speed......but only a professional race driver will feel the difference. I am confident that they put this crap on to make it 'look' like the rally version (which actually needs them) and not because they needed it for stability while cornering in the mall parking lot.

The STI is a product of their rallying heritage......but it's not a rally car...it's a production road car. I can see the purpose of the giant wing for rally race prepped cars......but for driving to and from work?? In normal driving conditions, the big wing and big hood scoop only make the car look like a boy racer (like those of Fast and Furious movies). I think that STI Limited (another thread) is a great step at removing the Fast and Furious parallels one can't help but see. The hood scoop should have been removed as well.....or at least redesigned.

~Can you please elaborate on how it's not a rally car? The car is perfectly capable of going off road, and doing what it's made to do ( I would know I do it all the time). Yea I do drive my car to work but it's my daily driver, so i have no choice. Should we make the assumption that jeeps and suv's arent actually off road vehicles, yet all the cladding thats put on them is actually just parts tacked on for looks? My point is, yea not everyone uses the car for its initial intent, but it's still rally car non the less. And I have to say i find your fast and the furious comment a little ignorant. These cars have looked as they do for years before fast and the furious was even thought about. personally i find that the fake vents on the rx8 seem a little fast and furious, as they searve no real purpose. I am in no way trying to spark a fight, i love both cars, hense the reason i've owned them both. I just find your comments a little ignorant.

Good review. Ofcourse a car (#) that performs so well is going to attractive those who know about it. But in most cases, your "average" person looks at them and say umm ok and turn off into another direction. Both the STi and Evo have that look. Most people will remember it as the car that was very fast but very ugly. Its a car that's here today and gone tomorrow. Doesn't have a classic good looking body that people will remember. You're right if only Subaru (#) and Mitsubishi (#) both put some design efforts into them. I know a lot of their design comes from it being a rally car (#). But don't you think it would have been a little smarter if they implemented some sexy exotic sports design into them? Dealers wouldn't be able to keep them on the lot if that were the case.

And like I've said before, the little bit of more performance the STi and Evo give you over the RX8 doesn't make up for its lack of quality and design(inside and out). I want to like them but I cant. :dunno:

Actually, it doesn't look half bad. Much better then the previous.

Atleast the 06's look better than the previous models. But thats not saying much.

... personally i find that the fake vents on the rx8 seem a little fast and furious, as they searve no real purpose. I am in no way trying to spark a fight, i love both cars, hense the reason i've owned them both. I just find your comments a little ignorant.

I would think you are a little ignorant as well, since the the vents on the rx8 are functional, not fake.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=71141

~Can you please elaborate on how it's not a rally car? The car is perfectly capable of going off road, and doing what it's made to do ( I would know I do it all the time). Yea I do drive my car to work but it's my daily driver, so i have no choice. Should we make the assumption that jeeps and suv's arent actually off road vehicles, yet all the cladding thats put on them is actually just parts tacked on for looks? My point is, yea not everyone uses the car for its initial intent, but it's still rally car non the less. And I have to say i find your fast and the furious comment a little ignorant. These cars have looked as they do for years before fast and the furious was even thought about. personally i find that the fake vents on the rx8 seem a little fast and furious, as they searve no real purpose. I am in no way trying to spark a fight, i love both cars, hense the reason i've owned them both. I just find your comments a little ignorant.


I know the STI and EVO are built to resemble rally cars.....but I've watched rally racing on tv, there is no way you are going to bomb a turn in the gravel road the width of the car at 120mph in your stock STi. That doesn't mean you can't take your STi on a rally course.....but without extensive mods, you are not going to hit the speeds necessary to actually benefit from the wing. Yes, stock Jeeps and SUV's are not 'off-road' vehicles....they just resemble them......and the plastic skid protection is for looks. Can a Jeep be modded to actually be a great off-road vehicle.....yes.....but so can a Miata. We are talking about stock looks and abilities.....the STi/EVO do not need giant wings for street use. The wing is there for a certain 'look' and that 'look' happens to have been copied by every other import racer. I know the EVO and STi had a certain look before the F&F movies......but they didn't always have the giant wing made famous by the F&F movies. The STI Limited is a step in the right direction.....IMO.

Giant wing was made famous by the racecars these cars are based on which was necessary in the development of the rally cars as a boxy sedan shape is not very stable or slippery aerodynamic-wise. A car needs stability when it's flying.

http://www.7extrememotorsports.com/wrc/photos/subaru_impreza_16.jpg

There may be a select group of F & F followers that may be into these cars strictly because of the movie (I don't remember seeing a WRX in F & F), but there are probably ten times as many people that know what these cars are about and where they came from long before the movie ever existed.

It's always been common practice for parts used on race cars to make there way to production cars anywhere in the world for function, looks, and promoting sales.

I am confident that they put this crap on to make it 'look' like the rally version (which actually needs them) and not because they needed it for stability while cornering in the mall parking lot.

Actually, it's just the opposite... to use these highly functional aero components on the WRC cars, they HAVE to be on the production car. They aren't allowed to make any bodywork changes above a certain point on the car. So, I have them on my car in order for professional drivers to get their downforce, and try to win championships.

...and I'm ok with that.

...there are probably ten times as many people that know what these cars are about and where they came from long before the movie ever existed.


Yep. The Skyline GT-R, the EVO, and the Subaru. For years, the three cars that we couldn't get in the US, and now two of them are here, and one is coming soon.

It's a really good time to be in the market for a sports car in the US.

Ya know, after covering up the big "pig snout" part of the grill in the pictures with my thumb, the new STi is actually a kind of sharp looking car. If they'd just take out that stupid middle part that disrupts the flow of the front end, they could have a reasonably classy looking car (not $30k classy, but since a 2.5 RS base starts around $20k, it would be nice for its class). Why that big ugly snout needs to be there is beyond me - take it away and I'd have a much easier time owning one.

Actually, it's just the opposite... to use these highly functional aero components on the WRC cars, they HAVE to be on the production car. They aren't allowed to make any bodywork changes above a certain point on the car. So, I have them on my car in order for professional drivers to get their downforce, and try to win championships.

...and I'm ok with that.



Well if that is the reason then I can understand that. The Domestics had to do similar production runs of race-engine equip'd production cars to use a certain engine in Nascar. I find it strange though that Subaru and Mitsu are the only ones that have to make this production requirement. I have seen plenty of Peugeot, Lancia, Ford, etc rally cars in rally races with giant wings and their production models don't have giant wings......how are they exempt?

Yep. The Skyline GT-R, the EVO, and the Subaru. For years, the three cars that we couldn't get in the US, and now two of them are here, and one is coming soon.

It's a really good time to be in the market for a sports car in the US.


Are they sports cars or rally cars? make up your mind.

Are they sports cars or rally cars? make up your mind.

Rally is a sport. A car is a car so a rally car is a sports car.
:fart:

Rally is a sport. A car is a car so a rally car is a sports car.
:fart:


Well, then 'sports car' can include just about everything. Nascar racing is a sport so that means the Taurus and Fusion are 'sports cars' too. The F-150 & Ranger are raced in off-road and Craftsman Truck which are sports.......so they must be 'sport trucks'. The Focus is used in rally racing.....so I guess that is a 'sports car' also. The Crown Vic was raced in Cannonball events, which is a sport.....another 'sports car' for Ford. Wow, Ford only makes a few cars/trucks that are not 'sports cars'.......who knew. :icon_no2:

Actually, it's just the opposite... to use these highly functional aero components on the WRC cars, they HAVE to be on the production car. They aren't allowed to make any bodywork changes above a certain point on the car. So, I have them on my car in order for professional drivers to get their downforce, and try to win championships.

...and I'm ok with that.

~good point, I forgot to mention that

Well, then 'sports car' can include just about everything. Nascar racing is a sport so that means the Taurus and Fusion are 'sports cars' too.

We can all agree that an STI and EVO are closer to the rally cars they are based on than a Taurus and Fusion are to the Nascars they are supposed to be based on, can't we?

Conclusion is all these EVO fins (aka vortex generators) and the tiny roof spoiler works in conjunction with the big wings at the back so the car land on the rear wheels when they go airborne.

The new STI fascia looks better in my opinion than the previous bug-eye or teardrop headlights. Just take a good look at the base model without all the add-on kits and lips and its decisively looks more refined. Then again, the best looking one is still the pre-bugeye version.

We can all agree that an STI and EVO are closer to the rally cars they are based on than a Taurus and Fusion are to the Nascars they are supposed to be based on, can't we?

From what I've seen of actual rally cars through in-car cameras.......I don't think the production STi/EVO is any closer to the race version than the production RX8 is to the tube frame/carbon fibre body GT racer version.

But if it makes you feel better about your car and the ridiculous wing to think you have a actual rally car.....then more power to you.

But if it makes you feel better about your car and the ridiculous wing to think you have a actual rally car.....then more power to you.

The first thing I would do if I bought one of those cars would be to take the wing off - I'm not a wing man. My point is the wing doesn't exist on that car because of Fast and Furious movies. Why did those movies ever come out...

The first thing I would do if I bought one of those cars would be to take the wing off - I'm not a wing man. My point is the wing doesn't exist on that car because of Fast and Furious movies. Why did those movies ever come out...


I agree with you on that......I don't think the wing is there because of the movies either. But because of the movies, the giant wings are now considered rice more than rally.

I like that, "I'm not a wingman". :)

Actually, it's just the opposite... to use these highly functional aero components on the WRC cars, they HAVE to be on the production car. They aren't allowed to make any bodywork changes above a certain point on the car. So, I have them on my car in order for professional drivers to get their downforce, and try to win championships.

...and I'm ok with that.

Uh, no. All that has to happen to meet WRC requirements is to have 25k road going sedans and a number of kits to transform them to WRC cars. Subaru could make do with just a regular Impreza to meet those requirement.

Did you ever see a Hyundai Elantra that was as powerful as the STi? Right, you didn't because it wasn't a requirement for them to have one to be able to race in the WRC.

The STi/Evo exist only to be sold as another car in the lineup and has nothing to do with WRC requirements.

Are they sports cars or rally cars? make up your mind.

Heh. It's not up to me actually. I think of rally cars as a subset of sports cars, but that's just my opinion.

I agree with you on that......I don't think the wing is there because of the movies either. But because of the movies, the giant wings are now considered rice more than rally

Agreed.

Uh, no. All that has to happen to meet WRC requirements is to have 25k road going sedans and a number of kits to transform them to WRC cars. Subaru could make do with just a regular Impreza to meet those requirement.

Did you ever see a Hyundai Elantra that was as powerful as the STi? Right, you didn't because it wasn't a requirement for them to have one to be able to race in the WRC.

The STi/Evo exist only to be sold as another car in the lineup and has nothing to do with WRC requirements.

I should have been more specific. I was referring to P-WRC Group N cars. My understanding was that those cars were showroom specification, road-legal cars, and that the only modifications allowed were rollcage, harnesses, and underbody protection of gas tank etc. for running on dirt and rocks.

I'm by no means an expert on the various regs in WRC, though - I could be wrong about this.

Uh, no. All that has to happen to meet WRC requirements is to have 25k road going sedans and a number of kits to transform them to WRC cars. Subaru could make do with just a regular Impreza to meet those requirement.

Did you ever see a Hyundai Elantra that was as powerful as the STi? Right, you didn't because it wasn't a requirement for them to have one to be able to race in the WRC.

The STi/Evo exist only to be sold as another car in the lineup and has nothing to do with WRC requirements.

That hasn't always been the case and the STI and Evo exist in the first place solely because of homologation.

I should have been more specific. I was referring to P-WRC Group N cars. My understanding was that those cars were showroom specification, road-legal cars, and that the only modifications allowed were rollcage, harnesses, and underbody protection of gas tank etc. for running on dirt and rocks.

I'm by no means an expert on the various regs in WRC, though - I could be wrong about this.


Good point.. Forgot all about the other groups..

These threads are always fun. You get a great review at the beginning and then 4 pages underhanded compliments and mindless dribble from the haters. It would be nice if people actually knew something about the history of the STi before regurgitating bits of negative info that may or may not be true...

1.) The STi exists as a result of WRC homogolation rules
2.) F&F hit theaters about 10 years after the first STi hit Japanese showrooms
3.) Petter Solberg's rally car began it's life as a production vehicle
4.) The STi line has been a well built and reliable vehicle for 15 years
5.) RX-8 production will cease long before STi production

These threads are always fun. You get a great review at the beginning and then 4 pages underhanded compliments and mindless dribble from the haters (plus a few pages of those trying to defend the car and quoting it's rally heritage, and stating how much better it is than anything with 4 wheels). It would be nice if people actually knew something about the history of the STi before regurgitating bits of negative info that may or may not be true...

1.) The STi exists as a result of WRC homogolation rules
2.) F&F hit theaters about 10 years after the first STi hit Japanese showrooms
3.) Petter Solberg's rally car began it's life as a production vehicle
4.) The STi line has been a well built and reliable vehicle for 15 years
5.) RX-8 production will cease long before STi production
6.) Not many people actually care.

You forgot some stuff... :)

You forgot some stuff... :) Hmmm witty. Although I think your own insecurities have got the best of you. Nobody with an Evo negatively compared it to an RX-8 in this thread. And people do care. It got 4 pages of replies in less than 24 hours. You clicked on the thread too. Or did you think a thread titled "Test drove a '06 STI:Enthusiast Impression (showthread.php?p=1324233#post1324233)" would be about something else?

These threads are always fun. You get a great review at the beginning and then 4 pages underhanded compliments and mindless dribble from the haters. It would be nice if people actually knew something about the history of the STi before regurgitating bits of negative info that may or may not be true...

1.) The STi exists as a result of WRC homogolation rules
2.) F&F hit theaters about 10 years after the first STi hit Japanese showrooms
3.) Petter Solberg's rally car began it's life as a production vehicle
4.) The STi line has been a well built and reliable vehicle for 15 years
5.) RX-8 production will cease long before STi production

Amen :angel: That sums up the whole thread in 5 lines. Now why can't we have WRC coverage in America :dammit: ?

Now why can't we have WRC coverage in America :dammit: ?I feel your pain brutha. After the first petition got 65k signatures they started this one...

http://www.petitiononline.com/svsn/petition.html
(http://www.petitiononline.com/SpdTV/petition.htm)

I feel your pain brutha. After the first petition got 65k signatures they started this one...

http://www.petitiononline.com/svsn/petition.html
(http://www.petitiononline.com/SpdTV/petition.htm)

Count me in... :smiley_12

Hmmm witty. Although I think your own insecurities have got the best of you. Nobody with an Evo negatively compared it to an RX-8 in this thread. And people do care. It got 4 pages of replies in less than 24 hours. You clicked on the thread too. Or did you think a thread titled "Test drove a '06 STI:Enthusiast Impression (showthread.php?p=1324233#post1324233)" would be about something else?


There's your problem. You assume everyone with an Rx-8 is insecure about their car when someone mentions the godly STI or Evo. People "don't care" about the so called Rally heritage behind the cars, how long some version of the car has been in production, etc. I never said that no one cares about a review of a test drive.


Btw, :) = humor, ie said in jest, lighten up, not everyone hates your car. :) (see there it is again)

Aye, I don't hate the car, but you guys (Steiner and Ike) are definitely getting quite defensive about your cars (in a thread based on a positive review, no less). I'm not insecure with my car - in fact, I definitely prefer NOT having such a raw car as a daily driver - but I'm seeing some shades of the pot calling the kettle black with you guys.

Most of the general population will see the STi and Evo as a hopped up kid's car, not for its rally heritage or performance value. I think everyone here already understands what it is, but some still see it as a hopped up econocar and that's really not far from the truth. They're both, after all, tuned up versions of economy cars.

Again, I don't hate the car, but I think you're interpreting some widespread public preception as insecurity with one's own car and are in turn showing a bit of insecurity yourselves.

Sorry, I suppose it's more with Steiner and Eric. I'm just calling it as I see it. I wouldn't imagine this would be such an issue if they weren't getting so wound up by a couple haters. I'm sure you know I rarely enter these kinds of threads since I don't see all the boasting about one's car to be necessary. Sure, a couple of the 8 guys are doing the same, but I'm seeing it on the other side as well.

There's your problem. You assume everyone with an Rx-8 is insecure about their car when someone mentions the godly STI or Evo...No, not every RX-8 owner. In fact very few of them. It's just easy to pick them out in threads like this where other cars are being discussed. Take from that what you will, but when I see a thread about test driving a GTO, M3 or 350Z it peeks my interest as an enthusiast if it's well written and somewhat objective. When somebody's first impulse after reading a car review is to defend their own car it hurts my eyes to read.

Aye, I don't hate the car, but you guys (Steiner and Ike) are definitely getting quite defensive about your cars (in a thread based on a positive review, no less). I'm not insecure with my car - in fact, I definitely prefer NOT having such a raw car as a daily driver - but I'm seeing some shades of the pot calling the kettle black with you guys.I don't know how you managed to take my my comments as defensive. First of all I don't own a Subaru STI. Second of all, all I did was post 5 facts I thought to be relevant for the discussion. After that I posted a link to an online petition. I know how these threads about better performing cars always go in here. It's always the same people who blurt out 5 word sentences designed to flame the discussion. Then we spend 3 pages apologizing for them and sorting out the so called "fanbois" from the real enthusiasts. A few RX-8 owners say nice things about the STI and visa versa. Then one of the fanbois gets verbally abused by an owner of his same car for being either "intolerant", "misinfored", or all of the above. I guess it's how the left hand cleans the right online. It's the MO of car message boards. Has been for the 10 years I've been posting on them. I'm sure it will be for the next 10 also. Some people just have an unusually strong connection to their car. Maybe if they felt and defended their wives in the same way our divorce rate wouldn't be 50%+.

Sorry, I suppose it's more with Steiner and Eric.

What the hell??? I haven't even posted in this thread!
Again, as I posted in the other thread, I only respond when idiot RX-8 owners open their big mouths and start saying stupid things. 9291150 hasn't posted in here, so nothing that stupid has been said yet.

Maybe if they felt and defended their wives in the same way our divorce rate wouldn't be 50%+.

:rofl:

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to flame. Just pointing out that it seems like the STi/Evo camps are digging their heels in a bit more than they notice.

Also, I seem to be mixing up threads a bit. My bad.