Opinions: RX-8 or STI
 

I'm in the market for a new car and I have deducted it to either the rx8 or sti impreza. Both are very different cars, but almost the same price. I was wondering if any rx8 owners were in this predicament or would have changed their decision.

rx8=pros:looks, fun cons:bad mileage, questionable power

sti=pros:power, 4wd cons:questionable looks, no radio

Both are really unknown in reliability. I'm sure the subaru has a fortified engine but it has cast pistons, and the renesis rotary is unknown as well, but the NA FC3S 13b has proven itself reliable.

Man, those cars are so different other than price. Drive them both, pick the one you like the most. :)

Sounds like you have a pretty good understanding of both of the cars.

I have not driven the STi but that was because looks are very important for me and the bulky look was a turn-off when car browsing.

Good luck in your decision,
Max

STi - fast as all hell for the fast and the furious crowd, pure performance at the sake of looks, crappy interior worse than a Civic's, won't get any chicks but will surely beat their boyfriend's car

RX-8 - refined driving for the enthusiast that knows how to drive a high-revving engine (unfortunately not many do), looks better than it performs and eats more gas than a Hummer, luxurious interior that unfortunately rattles at the first sign of cold weather, will get chicks but will be embarrassed by the girlfriendless guy in the STi

you choose

As for the radio, I think it's a good thing. Why pay for a subpar stock system when you can have a good aftermarket radio for far cheaper. FYI, you can get a radio as a dealer installed option if you really want.

Other than that, what Dave said.

I actually like the STi's interior over the rx8's cloth interior. I don't like the low-midrange torque of the rx8, and I wished the mazdaspeed rx8 was out now but even if it was it would be in limited supply w/high markup. I drive about 50 miles a day so I want the best driving experience for the mileage. I love the attention the 8 gets, but I've never felt you need a car to impress others. My thoughts are all over the place I can't decide!!!:o Help me..

its your choice but I think being ugly is a high price to pay for 300 HP/TQ.

the most important thing should be how the overall package feels.

The people that bash the STi interior have never sat in one. It's not an Audi by any means but it's well situated, the dials are very nice, and it has quality materials and great seats.

The looks of Imprezas grow on you the longer you own one, or lust after one in my case. Some people find the wing the most offensive part but you can usually find a WRX owner to swap trunks with you (and they'll pay you) and sometimes the dealer will swap free of charge...

I like it without wing MUCH better

i'd have to agree that the looks on the exterior DOES grow on you...i used to hate Imprezas but i've learned to respect them for the power they possess...i guess if you can get past the looks the performance would drive you nuts...in my case, i've always wanted exotick looking, esthetically pleasing things in general, so the Imprezas were never on my list...and i'm not a drag racer so performance could be toned down a bit

and i have sat in both, a WRX and an STi and there's nothing luxury about it...it's very simple and functional...there's no silver lining at all, it gives you exactly what you need and nothing more - no glitz, no glam...

maybe i'm just materialistic and i need those little things to remind me of how much i spent on a the car, i don't know... :D

Amen on the stereo comment, Ike. I have always customized my sound systems before the 8, and while the Bose system is adequate, it is nowhere up to par with aftermarket systems.

That is one sharp WRX btw, looks almost reserved w/o the wing. Like the tint and those wheels too. I find that the scoop looks even bigger in person.

As far as which is best for you, Deca Auto, only a drive will tell. You have already researched them, but driving is believing.

Edit: I thought you had the front plate off. Why didn't you take off the mount?

Those are the wheels that come stock on the STi, the white with gold wheels really looks great IMO. That's a Colorado STi, not mine, and I drive a modded WRX not an STi. Here's an old photo of mine, it looks a little different now (mainly the body kit was matched better), I'm still thinking about some tint, but mainly focusing on performance mods from here on out.

that wingless STi looks almost as good as a Legacy B4...

http://www.nasioc.com/gallery/SOA_04...eName=dash.jpg
http://www.nasioc.com/gallery/SOA_04...Name=Seats.jpg
http://www.nasioc.com/gallery/SOA_04...ff_control.jpg
http://www.nasioc.com/gallery/SOA_04...e=Alt_Dash.jpg
I think STi interior is better than civic+ adjustable shifting beeper..

though you can still tell that it's still a slight notch below RX-8's interior design...

Hey, they have a ponytail hole in the WRX too!

Yeah thats the disadvantage in the sedan. The real comparison should be the exteriors, where the rx8 just makes the impreza look decrepit.

rx8=pros:looks, fun cons:bad mileage, questionable power

sti=pros power, 4wd cons:questionable looks, no radio
=========================================quote

1. there's plenty of people getting good mileage, have you seen the Sti's mileage? In a shootout between it and the Mustang Cobra its mileage was worse. On power, $600 fo a Canzoomer fuel computer puts you over 3gen RX-7 power but naturally aspirated... Still no match for the Sti in that department though.

Another thing, since you're considering the Sti, how about the EVO? A few easy mods put you on par or better than the Sti in power.

i've drivien an sti with a catless invidia exhaust and greddy BOV...they are very fast cars...i like the kick it gives..but a lot of STI owners think they are the fastest on the road..i saw an STI at the races get spanked up by an FD..the FD was only making a litle over 300 to the wheels... but i guess most STI owners have the same ego as Mustang gt owners..just my opinion... but i do have respect for the STI... but dam that car is butt ugly...

I was in this same predicament, only you can also throw the golf r32 into the equation. The unbelievable power and the awd really made me consider the STI. I was going to trade in my 1995 VW GOLF for a brand new Golf r32. They pack 240hp and 245lbs of torque, and it's certainly faster then the rx8 (about as fast as a regular wrx). The R32 is awd as well, and the future modding of that thing make a deadly car, so I had thought abouit that as well. I looked at all angles including future mods, and if I couldn't decide between the rx8 and sti, i'd have probably traded in my golf for it. I ultimately ended up chosing the rx8, and kept my GOLF to share miles, since I drive 25k miles a year. The thing was, the look and feel of the rx8 just captured me, and it was the first dealer I went to, and I drove away in the rx8 before being able to check out the other two cars. Most likely I would have chosen the rx8 anyway. I actually wish I could own all three. When it came down to it, i chose my preference of looks, luxury and features over pure power and performance. I do like the looks of the STI (minus the wing), but in my eyes the only thing I saw better in the sti was the power. That's really the key. What's more important to you? Is speed really that important to you? If you like the looks and features of the rx8 better, then go with rx8. If you are willing to sacrifice what looks better to you for the sake of blowing everyone's doors off, and having a monster very few cars can beat, then chose the sti. The cars are not really comparable in anything but price, since they are built to attract a completely different market. It's really not that hard of a decision if you sit yourself down and think long term. I am 31 years old, and I can honestly say if I was even 5 years younger, I'd have chosen the STI, because back then it was all about power. My preferences have changed over the past 5+ years, so I chose a fun car with plenty of power, and tons of great features. This may be a tough choice now, but ultimately you'll chose your car, and be happy with your decision, or maybe you'll be like me and wish you could have both. :) GOOD LUCK!!

I had to make the same choice, STi or RX8.
The power of the STi failed to impress me at all, since I am coming from a highly boosted Subaru to begin with. Nor did I like the feel of the front differential in the STi. When you pushed the car it has a tendency to pull the wheel out of your hands. It's a jerky, mechanical clutch type action. Not at all smooth like the Quaife ATB that I am accustomed to.
However, I feel that the STi will be stone axe reliable. Its a Subaru.

Everything about the RX8 just clicked with me. The engine.. the handling.. It was love at first drive for me, and enough that I dont miss the extra 200hp that my old Subaru provided.

I had a tricked 96 trans am with nos, borlas, k&n etc but nothing impressed me more than the rx8 in all around performance and looks very awesome car. dont need all that horsepower i use to have or the tickets that came with it. good luck with your decision

Wow, the STI without the wing looks really much better.

What about swapping the WRX hood for the STI hood? Is that doable? I don't like that "up periscope" scoop on the STI.

Then you'd have an STI that looks very stealth, just like a regular WRX. :)

As for interior, the Imprezza interior is not bad. Actually, I'd put it on par or slightly better than the IS300 dash. That said, I do like the 8's interior a bit more, but the Imprezza's is nice.

So drive 'em both and spend your $$ wisely. :)

I was planning on swapping a 2.5RS hood (scoopless) and running front mount.

Thanks everyone for your input!! It is really helping me realize this is a hard decision. I am very impressed with the very honest and realistic opinions on this board.:D Keep it coming!

Also from my research it appears the the STI is making around 21mpg, and the rx8 is around 17mpg? Is this correct? Its hard for me to believe this mileage considering the weight, transmission loss, and design of the renesis (lower emissions, and gas consumption.).

there are just as many people who think the rx8 is ugly as there are that think the sti is ugly.


-if you want more of a sports car look with less power get the 8

-if you want more power and performance and dont mind having a "4 door sedan" get the sti

personally i would get a miata then add turbo, bodykit, and suspension mods.