Now that my commute in Chicago is about 100 miles a day and the winters here can get pretty nasty, I needed a car that I could depend on more than the 8. I got killed on the trade-in (the 8 depreciated terribly) but I got a great deal on a brand new 07 STi. Here are some pics with the laser jammer installed

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...6&d=1189057218
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...7&d=1189057279
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...8&d=1189057279
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...9&d=1189057279
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...0&d=1189057555
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...1&d=1189057555
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...2&d=1189057555
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...3&d=1189057555

The 8 was definitly the prettier of the two but I have to say, the STi has an aggresive look that is growing on me and the pics don't to it justice. The car looks so much better in person (especially the gold on Black).

Initial impressions

STi: Even during the break-in period, power comes on much sooner and stronger. This car pulls hard (almost violently compared to the 8)! The steering feedback and maneuverability are on par with 8. Clutch takes more work to engage and shifter isn't as smooth as the 8. Interior is actually very nice. Quite a bit better than I had expected. The integrated mp3 port is a nice bonus. Back seats and trunk space are larger than in the 8. Seat position feels higher up in the STi vs. the 8. I've been getting about 300 miles per tank so far (same size 15.9 G)
Overall, I enjoyed the 8 immensely but I'm thrilled to have an STi since it meets my needs more so than the 8. Oh, and did I already say, this thing hauls ***

 

nice trade, I too thought about this car ss well. Mpg will be about the same compared to an 8.

 

MPG is supposed to be better and already is. Both have a 15.9 G tank and I was getting about 230 on the 8 and 300 on the STi (~17 mpg on the 8 and 20 with the STi)

 

Congrats on the new car. You'll probably be happier with the STi during the winters.

 

gratz on the new car man , sti is a really great car but comparing the 8 to the sti i think is two totally different subjects now an evo vs sti subject that fits right , but really sti is a great car to have grats again

 

congrats. U still need winter tires despite AWD.

 

If you're going to get killed on the trade in, why not just keep the 8 and buy the STI?

 

what was the switch with the green led??

 

Nice. You'll really like it when the weather turns nasty.

 

I'm going to see if I can use my winter tires from the 8 on the STi

I can't really afford two payments. I was still paying off the 8 so keeping both was out of the question

That's the Blinder laser jammer on/off switch and LED indicator. It jams laser, you hear the alert that you're being tagged, slow down to PSL, turn the device off, cop gets his reading and everyones happy. It's saved me several times already. The install on the STi was much easier by the way. On the 8, I had to take the whole bumper off and cut out the corner of the grill to make space. On the STi, it sits nicely just below the air dam (in the corners)

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/attach...9&d=1189057279

 

pretty cool. i didnt even see them in that pic when i first looked

 

well most sti's (correct me if i'm wrong) usually have an offset between 50 and 38 so you should be fine with your winter wheels, but who knows until you try them on and see the brake calipers clearance.

 

looking great! i wanted an sti but the 8 was such a good deal

 

I'll just have to see. It'll be a tight squeeze with the front calipers.

 

That's the whole point. Stealth.

 

Sweet.. I almost did the same a couple weeks back. But I think I'd rather have the hatch, so gonna wait for that.. Enjoy!

 

If your tires and wheels won't work even with ultra high performance all seasons the STI will still be good in the winter. Winter tires are a blast but I've given up on them with AWD cars in a city atmosphere. If I were out in the country and it took longer for roads to be cleared I might feel differently. Places like Chicago and Milwaukee have such efficient systems to clear snow that I prefer to have some tires that still make the car handle great when the roads are cleared. I'd suggest Toyo Proxes 4's since they are a good price, handle quite well, and have about the stiffest sidewall compared to other tires in the class, which is important with high HP AWD cars.

 

Congrats in a BIG way! What'd your insurance rates do? Back when I was car-shopping (fall of 2004) a STi was about $50-75/month MORE than my rx8.

 

Cool car, I've just never gotten into the big wing personally. Let the mod'ing begin!

 

My rates went up about $600/yr so right in the same range as what you said. It's funny because when I called Geico, one of the first questions they asked was "Have you modified the car at all?". I'm a bit surprised because I have a good driving record, I'm 29.....but I guess from their standpoint, with more power comes higher risk for accident. Anyhow, once I get on boost and start flying all insurance woes go out the window


I'm hoping that I can use my winter tires/wheels from the 8 on the STi. They're Michelin Alpine Pilot Sports on ASA's. I'll just have to try and see if they clear the brakes

 

Nice choice, I was thinking about an STi before I bought the 8 but they were still a bit more expensive and they didn't offer the limited with leather interior on the 04/05 cars yet.

 

I got a great deal on a new 07. I paid $32,800 (w/ short throw shifter, sub/amp, gold wheels). I had my eye on a Limted STi they had at the shop. It had 10k miles on it (single owner 60 yr old guy), had the SPT intake, exhaust, and suspension. All that for $33k! Some guy in NJ bought it before I had a chance though

 

Or just upgrade to Turbo or Supercharger??? If you are "turned on" by more power.

 

Because the STI is a much better platform to start with when it comes to modding. An RX-8 with a well tuned Greedy kit is about on par with a stock STI, except one is going to be highly tuned and finicky with who knows what kind of reliability while the other will be quite reliable and still have a warranty and will probably still be reliable with more whp than any RX-8 has ever made.

 

RX8rider, I regret to inform you that laser jammers are illegal in Illinois. I hope you don't run into a smart cop that can figure out that you have one.