Farsyde

I just went through SCC and saw two articles. One about the EVO and the other about the WRX STI. The EVO is sweet. The only problem is the damn things are baseline ~$28k but rumors have it will be charged up to $38k b/c of the limited production. So 10 grand more than an RX8 = not worth it. Now on to the STI. All i can say is damn. Let me say that again.....damn. 300hp at 6000rpm and 300ft-lb at 4000rpm is just monsterous. And the ~$32000 price tag is somewhat competitve to the RX8. Jumping to conclusions i'd take the extra 10-20 bux a month in payments to get all wheel drive, triple LSD's, and *** loads of power. Not to mention the sweet sound of a turbo and a blow off. I'm saying this today considering the STI is still about 8+ months from production and the RX8 is eminent. I dont know which i'd choose but damn i can't wait to test drive em both!!!

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RotorMotor

Dude, no doubt about it. The STI is one BADASS machine.... AWD, a powerful engine, relatively light weight and boost. I just can't get over how ugly it is.... I mean, putting all of that time and effort into tuning that thing without putting much consideration at all into styling is a shame. I'd take the RX-8 regardless because I have a long-time passion for Mazda and rotaries, but I'll be the first to give kudos to Subaru for a job well done.

Superfan

I feel the same way RotorMotor. I like the STi's performance but its styling is right out of the 80's. The car isn't easy on the eyes inside and out.

Skyline Maniac

The RX-8, Evo8 and Sti are actually in the same class even though the WRC cars are AWD. They are in the same price range (minus the premium, which will probably happen to the RX-8 as well) they all have four doors and small displacement engines. The company ratings are pretty similar in terms of service, quality, reliability and brand image. Personally I think the Evo8 looks pretty good, but the Subaru is ugly beyond belief. The RX-8 is probably the best looking car in the group even though the hunchback doesn't fit in the rest of the car. From strickly performance point of view, the RX-8 would be left behind in the dust. I really don't think the RX-8 would compare favorably to the Mitsubishi and Subaru. True rotary enthusiast would not use the NA Renesis to gauge the potential of rotary engines. I am sure the next gen RX-7 will have comparible performance to the Evo8 or Sti. The RX-8 is a sexy styling 4 door sedan alternative, it's not meant to be compared to likes of WRC cars.

RotorMotor

Isn't that a bit of a contradiction?

aznsap

ya, that's true. i still think tho that the evo and sti will be very competitive, and i think a lot of people deciding between the rx-8 and either rally car would lean towards the rally car, just cause the difference in price, in my opinion, more than made up for in performance. maybe mazda will lower prices to be more competitive? oooooo that would be sweet.

nk_Rx8

I think that the Evo, STi and the RX8 will all be marked up over MSRP by most dealers. So saying the Evo is $10k more expensive isn't really accurate. I won't pay over MSRP for any of the cars. I don't want any car that badly.

RotorGeek

BTW Subaru has yet to anounce the price for the STI. Rumor says Between 32k-35k, or even 35k-40k.

AsianStyle

I don't understand why these cars are even being compared. The evo and wrx sti are both nice cars for what they are; 4cylinder turbo sedans, that compete in wrc. The rx-8 is a na, im sure with turbos or a supercharger the rx-8s performance will grow just as much, but that isn't the point in buying an rx-8. rx-8 owners don't want a 1/4 mile racing dragster, they want a fast nimble car that has the interior and exterior of a high priced euro car. Has anyone seen the interior of a wrx or a evo?? You can't compare those cars to the rx-8. Im not trying to bash on the wrx or evo because obivously those cars are badass. I was thinking about both of them, but the price of both got pushed up and i just couldn't stand the interior of either. I just dont see either of those two cars being a daily driver. Ne wayz the bottom line is those two cars do different things and people should choose the car depending on what they need it for.

rxeightr

This weekend, I also picked up this issue, and read the aforementioned articles. It appears Subaru did quite the number on Mitzu.... did not intro the STI at the Los Angeles Auto show like Mitzu did with the EVO, then boom, a few days later at the Detroit Auto show the STI is intro'd with more torque & HP than the EVO.

I believe SCC said that the EVO had 72 hours of glory.

pmacwill

shouldn't be compared (at least not the STi). I don't even think the STi comes with a radio. Its a completely different class of car and isn't intended to be an every day driving car from what I've seen.

RotorMotor

There are VERY few companies out there that can afford to build vehicles that are not to be used on a daily basis (read: Lamborghini, Lotus, Ferrari, etc.) Subaru is definitely not one of those companies. They are not building the STi with the intention of it being a weekend rally car. There's not a big enough market for that. It simply wouldn't survive....

babylou

Definition - em-i-nent (adj )
1. Towering or standing out above others; prominent: an eminent peak.
2. Of high rank, station, or quality; noteworthy: eminent members of the community.
3. Outstanding, as in character or performance; distinguished: an eminent historian.

Yup, I would also say that the RX-8 is eminent. The RX-8 arrival also happens to be imminent.

nostatic

Just a couple of quick points:

(1) There are dozens of Mitsu dealers offering the Evolution at MSRP. Don't let somebody tell you otherwise. Check out the growing list of MSRP sellers at evolutionm.net.

(2) Subaru absolutely intends for the STi to be used as a daily driver. Its ride qualities are even better suited for daily driving than the Evolution.

(3) Official STi pricing is coming May 1st, but recent info revealed by people close to Subaru (NOT salespeople) indicate a price point closer to $31K.

No matter what comparisons you wish to draw, there are many people who will cross-shop these three vehicles (STi, Evolution, RX-8). I am one of those people. I give equal weight to performance and exterior/interior styling, so it's really a toss up for me.

Cylo

I saw an STI on the road today on my way to work. Blue. It was sweet.

Wing

Exactly why I'm looking at the RX-8, I like the Mazda 6 as well after seeing it in person.

The WRX and EVO look like junky econoboxes. I know they are great performance machines with good build quality but the interior (where I will be when driving) is not up to snuf for me. And I like to stare out my window at my car

RotaryXTypeSH

well....we people all have different point of views and taste let's just c what happends when STI comes out....

AbusiveWombat

I got my EVO less than MSRP. I might be a special case but there are a lot of dealers selling EVOs for MSRP. And I would hate to burst your bubble but when the STi and the RX8 first come out they will also be subject to the price gauging.

Also, before you knock the EVO interior...see it and sit in it. I had the same impression until I went to Mitsubishi. Now I own an EVO. But I'll be first to admit...it will not be as plush as the RX8 but the performance makes up for that IMHO.

Farsyde

sorry bout the imminent thing, just assume that im at least phonetically close. About the MSRP markup, yeah i'm basing everything on things that i've heard and read before any of these cars have hit the showrooms. I do admit that the STI does need a facelift though. And you sooooo can compare the 3 cars. Turbo or not they all rate within 10% of each other performance wise and the same is true for price (at least according to the rumors). Yes interior quality is definately better in the 8. The EVO and STI weren't built towards the family other than the 4 doors. I dont even mind that the STI doesnt come with a stereo, then i can install anything i want later. Alas, I'm still find myself gawking at the rx-8 way more than the STI, but its still gonna be a very exciting year for cars.

Smoker

In my views, the WRC cars and the RX-8 are in totally different categories. The WRC cars are more tuner cars with their main selling being performance. The RX-8, Z, G35 on the other hand are more of the "whole package" car. You get above average performance, very unique styling, relatively luxurious interior, and most of all their own Character. (The 350Z representing the return of the Z cars, G35 bearing the Pretigious Infiniti logo, and RX-8 being the Flag ship of Mazda and representing the return of the Rotary).

So, in my opinion, if you are buying a car, and you are comparing the WRC cars to RX-8, then you are probably having Performance in your mind as a high priority criteria. In which case, I think the WRC cars are a better choice, given the factor you are getting something very close to a rally race car.

Skyline Maniac

The G35C is often compared with the BMW 330ci, and Acura CL-S (FWD) While Mazda's Amati division died in still birth, the Millenia does show intention that Mazda intends to move itself up the market in terms of quality. Unfortunately, the Millenia quality was on the level of Accords, Camry and did not compare favorably among the family sedan segment. I don't think the RX8 should be compared to the G35C or BMW330ci for obvious reasons that the brand image, dealership service and manufacturer track record just isn't there. While Infiniti can justify over $30k MSRP on their vehicles over the 350Z, Mazda does not have that previlege. A $30k Mazda better perform like a 40k BMW to compete. As it stands, I think the RX8 should be cheaper, sub-30k to attract more buyers.

(A qell equipped BMW 330ci can be had for $38k)
(A G35C can be had for $32k with Brembo brakes and leather)

I still think the RX8 can be compared better with the Evo8 and Sti. It would be the best looking of the bunch, maybe cheapest, and maybe the best quality/luxury of the bunch.

wakeech

no track record?? pardon me?? ...i know that you know better than to say something like that... i'll just leave it at that.

it's true though, that the demand for Mazda's brand image currently isn't for a car much better equipped, constructed, and outfitted than a Miata or 6... but through the late 70's, 80's, and early 90's with their RX-7's continuously moving up market right alongside Toyota and Nissan... now with the RX-8, they're giving you about that same level of luxuriousness at the lower price, precisely because of that lower inherent demand for the car... although i certainly don't think it's too expensive: obviously anyone would prefer buying the car at a lower price, but it's still a great deal as it stands (especially if you're a Canadian )

**edit: oh wait wait wait, when you said "track record", you musta meant their reputation as a car-maker, not their accomplishments on track. sorry.