G8rboy

I was at a friend's party this past weekend when this guy started asking my about my RX-8 and we talked cars for a while. He has a '04 Sti, and I asked if I could go for a ride in it... we ditched our wives and found some twisty back country farmland roads. Holy crap... what a ride. This guy has been track racing for many years and really knew what he was doing, so he was pushing the car to limits I wouldn't have dared had he let me test drive it. The STi holds the corners at speed like nothing I've ever seen or felt (had to be close to 1G on a couple corners)... it was amazing.

What was funny is he had wanted an RX8, and told me he'd trade me after he saw mine up close (especially the interior and all the bells and whistles)... I guess the grass is always greener . I wouldn't consider getting rid of my 8, but if I could talk my wife into a 3rd fat car payment, the STi would be the one.

JeRKy 8 Owner

Are you implying that it notonly out guns the 8 in speedbut also out handles it as well? Damn --- if onlyit didnt have to be so ugly looking.

hotpot

If only they made an 8 with the sti engine..

shelleys_man_06

Well, that's not out of the realm of possibility. Remember the SP Engineering's Supra 7?

devoid

How about an AWD Supercharged 8? :D Better yet, go the realm of 3000GT - AWD, All-Wheel-Steering, twin-turbo or supercharged, electronically/auto adjusting front vents and even an electronic spoiler.

** Damn, I gotta stop giving myself ideas...

RXE16T

Then it would weigh the same as the 3000GT and understeer like crazy.

The Sti is definitely fun to drive but not in the same way as an 8.
A bit like the difference between the "real thing" and Mrs.Palmer, both satify but only one leaves you feeling "complete". :p :p :p

shelleys_man_06

Would you really want a 5000 lb RX-8? Argh! :D

Good luck making your concept RX-8 cost $25,000.

sti_eric

Yes, that is true. The STi definitely has the complete package. Styling, handling, AND power. :p :p :p

VikingDJ

Your wife has an RX8 doesn't she? You should buy her another car, and keep RX8 for yourself, so you can have both all for yourself like me: The STI gives you a totally different thrill compared to the RX8. Overall, I'd easily give the nod to the RX8, because it's just a more comfortable, better equipped, and much nicer looking vehicle. When it comes to performance, the STI gives you the WOW factor that the RX8 can't give you. Overall it's not nice enough to replace an RX8, but it's a heavenly compliment to add STI, to give you the power and performance the rx8 lacks.

G8rboy

I think my only real disappointment with the STi was the interior is very plain, and that's just because I'm spoiled by the RX8. My friend's didn't even come with a stereo... but compared to the inflexibility of our system that can be a good thing as well. He did have an interesting difference than the other STi's I've seen- his interior details and stitching was red, not pink... not sure how he got that instead.

The STi is also louder, less refined and a harsher ride, but I don't mind that at all in a rally-style car (and once again the RX8 has spoiled me there as well). The STi's looks have grown on me... I think it's miles better looking than the Evo... but still nowhere near as exotic looking than the 8.

I've read the '05 STi is even better... so maybe I'll pick one up in a year or so. My wife will just have to be stuck with the Explorer for a couple more years : )

sti_eric

Yep, my wife just got her 8, and the STi is mine. The 8 is certainly a sweet car; I have just been so spoiled by the incredible performance from the STi. I still get that rush every time I stomp on the accelerator. And the best part is, it is a high performance car that car be driven all year long. So, in our 6 months of winter, while all the corvettes and cobras are parked in garages and their owners are driving around in tauruses, I am still having fun in my car. I said it in another thread - the 8 is better in almost every way: looks, features, comfort, ride quality, interior, etc. But one push of the accelerator on the STi makes me forget all that. I think both cars are awesome and I feel very lucky to be able to have both of them.

G8rboy - if you think the STi is "louder, less refined, and a harsher ride", you should have a ride in mine sometime: full exhaust (catless), stiffer springs, strut braces, and sway bars. Talk about louder and a harsher ride

VikingDJ

So how much money did you spend on those mods? How much faster is it now then when you bought it new? Is this your only car you drive daily? How many miles do you drive a year? I had considered modifying mine, but I'm going to wait until it's paid off. I'll be putting 20k miles a year on it easily, and about 10k miles a year on the RX8. I can't modify the STI anyway, because it's going to have a ton of miles put on it, and for the most part modifying= void warranty and shorter life. I will use the rx8 for more of a summer commuter, and fun car. Depending on how fast I can pay this off, and the improvements made to the STi down road, I may trade it in for a newer model if it improves enough.

NortonRX8

I had shoped the STI agianst the 8 but for price of the STI took me out of that market.
I believe dollar for dollar the 8 is a much better buy.

sti_eric

Not including the stereo and the winter rims and tires, I have probably spent around $3000 (or more). Cobb Accessport $600, headers $400, downpipe $385, catback $450, springs $300, strut braces $130, sway bars $290, gauges $350, intake $125, pulley $125, steering rack bushings $27. That's about all I can think of for now

It is my daily driver. I bought it last August, and I have about 9200 miles on it. My weekly commute is less than 100 miles. I am very happy with this car, and I think I will want to hold on to it for a long time, hopefully 10 years and 100,000 miles (that's saying a lot because we have had 7 cars (4 of them brand new) in 5 years).

It is noticeably faster with the mods. With just the accessport and exhaust, Cobb is claiming 350hp and 385 ft/lbs torque. The turbo spools much faster and the car just takes off. If you don't do anything else, spend $1000 for the accessport and a downpipe (the catback is mostly for sound/show). You will be very happy with it.

VikingDJ

So I take it you did all the installations yourself, or did you pay a shop to install it? I was looking at the asa jh3 rims at tirerack with continentail xtreme contact all seasons for winter. I'll probably be ordering a set next month. I was glad I got the 04 leftover and saved $$$, because installing the radio was a breeze, and I just didn't need the extras the 05 now includes. Unless I switch driving, and put 20k miles a year on the rx8 and only 10k on STI, it's definitely not the best idea to mod it. I have a 6 year 80k bumper to bumper warranty, so as tempting as it is to mod car, I likely won't. I use it as my beater car, and the rx8 is my fun car. I can't see myself driving rx8 into ground, and the depreciation on the STI is horrific, so it's the clear choice to get every last mile I can out of it before trade in time. I hope it can hold up, and take the long streneous abuse of 20k+ miles per year. Due to your low annual miles of driving, the mods will not really effect you, but considering I am going to be basically driving this STI into ground, I'm better off keeping it stock. The car will be practically worthless at the rate I am currently driving it, and depending on how long winter lasts this year, the STI may see even more then 20k miles. I'm going to trade it in or sell it once it hits 80k miles and warranty is gone, so I'll save my money. Hopefully the STI will still be around, and much improroved from it's current state by the time I trade it in. ENJOY!!

G8rboy

I'd take you up on it if you were local... sounds awesome.

Rxdriftingaction

dude.. no need just looking at sti .. evo rs is a hell fast car too.. I think it even faster then sti. if u boost up just a little bit.. and it's cheap too . just 26k = a base model of 8. after u got a test drive of rs u would never want to drive ur 8 again. at least... u won't feel the same acceleration as rs does.. rs even faster then evo... so if u want a pure racing car. it's pure.. i mean u will got noting of entertainment. it's noting..... T T. tat mean ur one and only music is the song of engine. ........ and they got no power window....=p crap... but good new is .. u can do more exercise. fortunately.. us version got A/C ..(jp version got noting)... o well if u can bear such horrible things like this ... u could be the king of street race... (I can't so i still driving my lack torque 8...still waiting the turbo..can't imagine they develop it almost a year..)

G8rboy

The Evo might be a rocket, but it does nothing for me... it looks like a riced up econo-box, which it is. Mitsubishi is dying a slow death, and from what I've read they're just looking for reasons to invalidate warrantees based on any racing... no thanks. Quality wise, the 8 and the STi are head and shoulders above the Evo.

It sounds like you bought the wrong car... if you're trying to be the king of street racing, you're missing out on what makes the RX8 shine.

sti_eric

Well said, G8rboy. I have always said, the Evo is a great car; too bad its made by Mitsubishi. One of my previous cars was a 3000GT. Let's just say I was less than impressed by that car's quality and reliability. Add on top of that the fact that Mitsu delearships are awful (I have yet to find a decent Mitsu dealer) and the fact that Mitsu is actively searching on the web for cars that participate in autocross so that they can void warrantees, and there is no way I'd buy an evo.

Ike

I know what you guys are saying but the tuneability and the steering on the Evo is amazing. I don't care if it was made by Yugo, I'd still love the Evo. Mitsubishi is just fine and was bailed out by it's parent companies and will be again if need be.

VikingDJ

The EVO is a better performer, but the STI to me is an overall better car for daily use. You are right, no matter how bad Mitsubishi is, they will always be around. I don't see them ever catching up to the compteition, and although they will never go under, it will be some time before we actually see them build a serious contending lineup. Mitsu and Subaru have one thing in common. the EVO and STI, as well as all their other models, have a HORRIFIC depreciation. These cars become worthless in a short amount of time. They are basically throw away cars in the eyes of the market, so if you buy one, drive it straight into ground and enjoy it.

Overport

yeah, my friend just bought a '05 STi in white. it looks sooo sick without that huge battle-wing. he's a converted v8 mustang guy. he took me for a ride yesterday and now i want one! it comes so perfect from the factory their is absolutely no need to modify anything. love it.

sti_eric

I plan to keep my car for a long time, but I disagree with this statement and would like to know more about this. I see people on nasioc selling their year old+ STis that they paid $29K-$31K for a year ago for $27-$28K. That, to me, is fabulous. I personally think the STi will hold its value very well, probably better than the RX-8 just because they will be producing so few of them. Not that it matters. I didn't buy the car for its economic benefits

VikingDJ

Well what you are talking about is a completely different scenario altogether. The demand for the STI was huge in beginning, so it was still sought after as a used vehicle when it's only a year old. From a private market, the STI can hold it's own because there will always be people willing to pay more then it's actually worth. However, from an every day market value, it's going to drop significantly. I got my info from Edmunds and KBB, and according to them, the STI will lose it's value much quicker then an RX8. The only real accuracy of this is on trade in value. If you try trading in your STI in 4 years, you are going to take a much bigger hit then an RX8. High performance enthusiast cars like the STI and EVO, which are based on their economy versions, simply do not hold their value, because they modified versions of base model cars, and are not original vehicles. The RX8 has a much lower TRUE COST TO OWN then any EVO or STI. However, this only matters to those who trade their cars in on regular basis. Subaru produced 7216 STIs in 2004, and the number will likely be similiar in 05. If you take the total number of Imprezas and compare it to total number of RX8s, you will see more of a production of the Impreza. Combine all the models, and it far surpasses the RX8. The depreciation suffers because the STI is an Impreza, and is not an original car. It's market value will factor into the total number of Imprezas built, and will not be constricted to the STI. The demand has dropped significantly for the STI, so that will play a role as well. If you plan on keeping car a long time, and not trading it in in 4 years, this means very little, so the high depreciation shouldn't matter.

Ike

Nonsense, I can trade in my car right now for 4k less than I paid over 2 years ago, seems pretty good to me. The fact that there are tons of RX-8s sitting on lots and being sold at invoice doesn't seem to bode well, especially for those that bought the car at release. Also, in the long run I think the fact that the RX-8 has a rotary will not help its resale.