nosubstitutec4s

so this weekend i got to drive both the rx8 and a wrx, so i figured i would share my impressions with you all.

First, the RX-8. This car was amasing. When i first started driving, i kinda felt like the throttle was alittle touchy, because going into first i had it way up at 3500rpms, but i got it back to normal for the rest of them. This car is very easy to drive. the ride is excelent, grip is excelent, and road feel is perfect, althouhgi i wish there was alittle less boost in the power steering. The breaks felt very strong and stopped the car very nicely. The tach was in the perfect position for watching it out of the corner of my eye for pulling off those rev-matched 3-2 down shifts. Now for the gripes; i wish there was alittle bit more head room and side visibility, but thats about it.

With reguards to the torque, it felt plenty torquy off the line, and was extremely linear with its increase in power.

Now for the WRX. Going in, i had high hopes for this car. I had heard great things about its power and grip. I was somewhat disapointed. Now i knew in advance that the wrx wouldnt be as smooth as the 8 in power gains, but holy cow it was pathetic. Off boost, there was NO power. i could put my foot all the way down to the floor in 1st from low rpm's and i thought that a hyundai elantra would be quicker than this. around 3500 rpm the boost comes on, and it really starts to fly. The ride is harsher and has more lean than the 8, but its a sedan so its allowed to have its faults. i felt that the 8 had more grip than the wrx, but i wasnt pushing it to 10/10's, so the limit handling might be better b/c of the AWD.

All in all, i was impressed with both cars, but the 8 was the car i couldnt get the grin off my face after driving it.

sti_eric

Which 8 did you test drive? A manual 8 with the GT package is closer in price to an STi than a regular WRX. I would think those two would be the ones that would be cross-shopped. MSRP for a base WRX is less than the MSRP for a base auto RX-8. Have you test driven the STi? Totally different experience from the WRX. I suggest you take one for a test drive and post your thoughts on that.

Since you really, really seem to like the RX-8, I've got a good deal for you. I'll trade you our top-of-the-line, mint condition, 600 mile RX-8 for that litte old C4 in your sig.

nosubstitutec4s

sti_eric, your good. how's you know its a c4s? believe me, if my dad would give me his car, id take it and run. but he hasnt. the rx8 i drove was a silver gt with spoiler/ appearence. the wrx i would get would be closer to 28, b/c of options/accessories. The reason im not considering an sti is because theres too much power. As you can probably guess, the difference in price between the cars (32 sticker for the 8 v. 28sticker for the wrx) isnt really an issue, but rather the driving excitment/performence is a huge issue, and all things considered, the rx8 is just more fun to drive. ive never driven an sti, nor do i have any desire to (not because i dont like it, i just know that i'd never be able to get in an 8 after driving that monster of a car ever again)

shaolin

You know on the WRX more power is the turn of a **** away right? Well, you do have to buy a little tiny bitty part...haha...

But yes, IMHO the 8 and the WRX are in 2 different classes, but the STi, as far as performance, is a step above the 8.

Grrr...I can't wait to get a new flywheel and the CZ piggy back.

^^^ GOOD GOD THIS DOES NOT MEAN I THINK THE 8 WOULD EVER "HANG" WITH AN STI. IT'S A PLAIN AND SIMPLE STATEMENT.

Ike

I'm going to sound like a broken record here... :p The WRX is just not a good testdrive car, you really need to know how to drive it to get the most out of it. Moreso than probably any car on the road the WRX rewards good drivers and laughs in the face of people inexperienced with WRXs and AWD turbo cars in general. There are a TON of people driving WRXs that are former DSM owners (myself included), and I really think a lot of that has to do with the fact that they know how to drive them right from the start. Lastly, the stock WRX tires are horrible, the are all seasons and not even good all seasons at that, they really take a lot away from the car unfortunately.

Shaolin, I hope you don't think a CZ and a Flywheel is going to help you keep up with an STi, because it plain and simple won't.

shaolin

Do you really think I'm that stupid?

OF course I don't think that, don't jump to conclusions. I was simply stating that I want these particular goodies. My post count does not equal my IQ there buddy. I've been working on cars for quite some time now...anything from a 67 camaro, to my friend's WRX to my father's old 93 FD3S...but I really don't want to bring that up.

Do you really think that I would assume a piggy back and lightened fly wheel would make up for a 60 hp and over 100 torque deficit? I hate the typical forum mentality that the guy with few post counts knows nothing.

Just want any and everything to help the 8's numbers to get back up to where they need to be...

RXE16T

Neither will a turbo or s/charge kit for that matter.

I love my 8, but I have respect for the Sti (and for that matter, Evos and GTRs)

The day when I can convincingly beat each and everyone of them is the day that I realise I've spent way too much money on my 8. LOL

Get a GTR if you want to dominate an Sti.

shaolin

GTR would be nice to have, but quite frankly the USA won't be getting one until 2006, and what cost? Who knows how much "infiniti" is gonna ask for it. Sti would have been a good choice of car, but I'm more of a canyon driver. I do occasionally autocross, but if any of you are from vegas, on any given sunday morning you'll find me either riding my bike or driving my car in Red Rock's "loop."

RXE16T

Sorry... keep forgetting you guys are in the States and the GTRs are not as readily available as here downunder.

shaolin

Yeah, I really wish they were though. Although I probably still wouldn't buy one simply for the fact that it isn't so much my style. I typically go against the trend of "what everyone else likes." Probably why I bought a Mazdaspeed Protege last year. Oh well, such is life...

Ike

Calm down man, you're getting very defensive for no reason. The way you phrased it sounded like you might think that. You wouldn't have been the first forum member new or old to think that a couple boltons would take you to a whole new level of performance.

Feras

iTrader: (1)

dont forget it costs quite a few g's to turn it into a left hand drive car.

shaolin

Sorry, I was in a pissy mood last night...

Astor

I'd say the same of the 8.

Ike

I disagree, I think the RX-8 is one of those cars that is very easy to drive fast, it's one of the greats things about the car. Really all you need to know is it likes to rev.

Astor

I knew you'd disagree, if only to be disagreeable. Sure, lots of people may not know how to get the most out of an AWD Turbo, yet the exact same can be said about a Rotary. When I bought mine, August '03, they were very hesitant to offer test drives, when they did, they didn't want you to rev it very high. So, shifting at 4k makes it seem anemic. Most people are used to piston engines and while some rev high, they sound like they are going to explode, so I believe there is an inherent nature to not want to rev the car to 9k at 1st, but when it breaks in you can keep the RPM's about 5k and that's where the fun begins.
I knew this going in, yet many don't, and that Ike, are where the similarities lie.

Of course nowadays, they are trying to get the '04's off the lot, so I can see a bit more leniency in the test drives they offer.

cortc

I have driven the WRX and STI for several days at a time and drive a Legacy a got real cheap as a daily driver... All of them are absolute junk... Cheap everything and ugly as hell... The RX8 is a much better car, 0-60 and raw numbers are not the only thing that matter...

Ike

Yep, Car and Driver's 10 best 2 years in a row, numerrous glowing reviews from automotive press from around the world, etc... But yeah, when it comes down to it it's really just junk

rlfletch

Here we go again. Other than the turbo lag the WRX is much "easier" to drive. Let me see: Balancing a power slide to rotate the car against too much oversteer, or nailing the throttle early and letting the AWD carry you out of a corner? Go drive them both on the track Ike and come back to talk about it.

Ike

I was really talking in a straight line, as well in a test drive where you're just getting in the car for the first time. It's rather easy to bog the WRX, but once you get used to the dynamics of the car you learn what to do and what not to do, but that takes time. While I've never driven an RX-8 on the track I have driven a WRX. Just from the testdrive alone I think someones first time out they will turn some pretty good laps in the RX-8 if they have some previous track experience. While an AWD turbo car is less forgiving of throttle mistakes and you really need to drive most of them a certain way to prevent too much understeer. Is it easier to correct a big mistake in an AWD car and prevent a crash or going off the track, but to be fast around a track I think the RX-8 would win out in the hands of a first time driver.

penman

I test drove the WRX STI when shopping for a new car and i enjoyed the hell out of it. Crazy fast, handles like a knife, and in my fairly short drive it had big jump off the line and seemed to be no end in sight, not that i got near top-end.

And i bought an 8. Why? Cause i like leather, bum warmers, sun roofs, and clean interior styling. The 8 has all the zip i need, im not a racer. The car is a holistic thing, if i was buying a racer i probably wouldnt be looking at the 8. But im not, im buying a sporty car that has room for a carseat and all the ameneties im used to, and looks a little less FASTANDFURIOUS YO! heh. I am in my 30's. That's why i never understand these comparisons i guess...

cortc

Car & Driver and the rest of the auto rags are on the take, they don't make money from you buying the magazine they make it through advertising... I did my own tests and like I said not a very good car...

Shamblerock

Cortc, I see it your way. The STI does go like stink but it looks like a little joke sedan while the 8 doesn't go as fast but is a stunner. You want to impress the teenyboppers at the local mall, buy a STI. You want impress the ladies, and her best looking girl freinds, get an 8. No contest at all.

The STI is a car your mama wants you to buy. The RX-8 is a car your girlfreind would never let you buy!

STI faster. But it stops there. RX-8 is far nicer looking, built better is cutting edge in design and technology. Like all the reports say, there is nothing like it anywhere and it is likely the concept of all future sports cars.

IKE WRX learn it, love it and live it.

VikingDJ

Of course the RX8 is a nicer looking car. That goes without saying. I own both, and to me the RX8 is clearly the better overall vehicle. To mock the STI though is to be very narrow minded in the world of performance. That is afterall , what car is about. It wasn't built to stop traffic, it was built to blow by traffic. For me, the STI is scoring points in durability, and the RX8 is losing them. 4th trip to dealer Thursday. This time tranny is whining. The RX8 feels so fragile to me compared to the STI. Now don't go arguing it, because this is only in my experience of owning both, not a general statement. So far I'm getting screwed over from RX8, and STI appears to be extremely durable. Gotta hand it to Subaru. They build cars right the first time. So, that is now why the RX8 is my fun weekend/summer car, and the STI is my year round daily driver.

Shamblerock

I hear you and who better to listen to, but a guy who owns both! Your opinion has weight indeed. Thanks for sharing your views.

Just that you have to look back a bit when you consider purchasing a Subaru. Their cars were always slow and not very sporty except for the past few years. They certainly are trying to change their image and it appears they are on the right track. I just would worry that old habits die hard and there is a little BS in their products like giving you 18 scoops and vents all over the place and not a one was functional. Kind of reminds me of a mustang GT, except that car has some serious muscle but its a budget pony car. However, Subaru reminds me of Volvo: Always trying to put themselves within a higher class but never ever get enough votes from the pros to be the best in class. That's all.

The first WRX's were ugly as sin (especially the headlights) and quite frankly, you can have that car beat a porcshe and I wouldn't have bought it for $20 grand. That's just me. I would not enjoy it knowing how it looks. However, I do like VW GTI's which are not that great looking but the syling displays confidence whereas the WRX looks made up to be something it is not.

As for your problems with your RTX-8 , I hear slightly funny noises at times with the tranny as well, but it has made that sound since day one and has not gotten worst. Furthermore, I tested a fresh RX-8 at a dealer and it was making the same noises xactly in the same manner as mine. So didn't bother chasing it. So far about 3K miles and not one problem whatsoever. Hope they fix yours properly.