Rhumb

I don't think the RX-8 vs STi (or EVO) is at all an unfair or unreasonable comparison for cross shopping. While they certainly are different cars in many respects, they share many overall similarities: ~$30K 4-door, 4-seat Japanese performance cars. But of course they are also quite distinct too, but not beyond reasonable comparison.

And I don't think it would be fair to characterize either the STi or EVO as simple-minded high-hp hot rods. Quite the opposite, both have quite well engineered chassis, suspensions and brakes to accompany their very impressive HP levels. And both handle extremely well too over a very wide range of conditions due to their advanced AWD systems, quite the opposite of some drag strip only cars like a Mustang.

As for subjective qualities, well, that's pretty subjective and thus individualistic (vive la difference) to the perceiver. The RX-8 does certainly emphasize finesse, both in terms of dynamics and appointments, over outright numbers, but I wouldn't overstate that difference either as neither the STi nor EVO are exactly crude (nor is the RX-8 a dog in hard numbers) in either their comportment or important interior pieces (seats, wheel, etc.).

But either one of these cars would make a fine and suitable solution for the individual looking for a $30K 4 seat performance car and would have a hard time faulting anybody going for either of these fine vehicles. I myself am looking in this market too and find it not at all easy to make that choice.

Psylence

I love the comparison between the RX8 and the new STi.

My father has 2 new STi's, and one of my best friends has one as well. Also, I currently own a 1999 STi V with over 400hp. So I am quite familiar with Subarus in general. My father offered me one of his STi's to replace mine as a daily driver.

I refused.

It's not a good looking car at all. Not to mention it is common as dirt in my area. Plus, I and many other Subaru owners feel that the community went straight into the crapper when the WRX came out; it attracted the wrong element to the car.

I test drove an RX8, and within days had ordered one. It rides better than the Subaru, stops every bit as well, and the steering and feel are absolutely what I was looking for in a car. Not to mention the fact that the Wankel engine will always have a *cult* following, which is what I want: Not some gigantic retarded herd like Honda and now Subaru has.

Plus, in the 3 days I have owned my Black w black/red RX8, more people have commented on my car than with anything I have ever owned, and thats including a Porsche Boxster with factory aerokit. I park my RX8 in the parking lot at work next to 2 STi's, and no one notices those ugly scabs. And no one, but NO ONE has approached my father or my friend in a WaWa and said "Dude, your car is soooo beautiful.."

Steve

-Poly-Subaru Owner and new Rotary nut

rotarymagic

How did you end up paying 35,000?


I have fully loaded Manual, Grand Touring, Nav, Rotary accent, Appearance, spare tire kit, and I payed 34,700.


Do you have all of these options?

rotarymagic

Well said

STI= performace

RX-8= everything else + good performance

tagS60

This has to be one of the most reasonable posts I have ever seen on this forum. Not blindingly loyal to the 8, not critical of someone who dares to think different than the "senior" members. What a change of pace

I, too, am currently looking in the market and having a very difficult time making a decision. There are many good offerings in the market right now, with each entry having its own high and low points. It doesn't surprise me that the original poster is having a hard time with his decision.

Some of you seem to get very angry when someone dares consider another car superior to the 8. Please get therapy.

GooOnYou

I've driven my friend's WRX that he has sunk well over $2000 into and its obvious that they are two totally different beasts. If you like that AWD sports rally sedan style good for drifting around corners then you should have gone with the STi, but the RX-8 wins in styling and inginuity. I only paid 27,200 for mine. If you factor in 6 grand worth of mods to bring it up to the same price as the STi then you could compare them in speed.

My friend has taken his WRX into the dealer over 10 times in the last year as well for rattling sounds and other flaws as a result of the sub-par subaru interior.

The WRX/STi may be faster, but the RX-8 wins in almost every other category in my opinion.

RX8Lover

Unfortunately, this seems to be the only factor that people have been basing their purchase on, and that's just stupid. Also, some people can't get past the fact that horsepower isn't dependent on the price of the vehicle.

tagS60

Not stupid, just different. Some people are primarily concerned with the straight-line performance of a car, while others want a more balanced package. It doesn't mean either group is wrong, they just have a difference of opinions. And that's.....OK.

Besides, I don't think the STI is quite the slouch in the handling department you think it is.

RX8Lover

I don't think the STi is a bad car, I just don't like when people compare the two, when each car has a different purpose. If i wanted to drag race from stop light to stop light everyday, the STi is my first choice.

Rx8Mango

I will never regret buying this car! Everytime time in the morning I say a big ol' I love you to my 8 and my NSX!

Rhumb

They do have somewhat different purposes, how different depends on how narrowly one defines and constrains a car's purpose. Again, on a more broad level, they are both excellent 4-door, 4-seat well rounded performance cars in the $30K range. That alone I think makes at least some comparison and cross shopping quite understandable. But they obviously aren't the same as to how they approach performance or their other qualities and attributes that each car may or may not have.

I think some people are unfairly trying to paint the STi, by dint of its 300 hp, as merely a single purpose straightline hot rod, that, by that generalization, has implicitly mediocre handling. While I think that characterization would apply quite well to a Mustang GT, it totally misses the mark for the STi, which, one could compellingly argue, is an even more well rounded performance car in terms of its capabilities, including its AWD handling, than even the RX-8.

An STi or EVO would represent quite a wise and well considered choice for someone deep in the snow belt, boondocks, or simply wanting a degree of bad/dirt road capability. An RX-8, on the other hand, would represent a wise and well considered choice for someone more interested in the handling subtleties offered by a well balanced RWD chassis or the unique characteristics of a rotary motor -- and doesn't have to deal with snow, ice and slop half the year.

Each of these cars does have its distinct quantitative and qualitative high and low points relative to each other, and all these need to be evaluated and balanced by a prospective owner to best meet his/her needs and wants. Some may be very set on a RWD platform or a rotary or some other quality that would make the RX-8 an obvious choice. But other, myself included, are a bit more broad in our considerations and more open to a variety of performance solutions offered by these cars. And of course there are the more personal qualitative and aesthetic aspects to fold into the equation too.

But in the end, the RX-8, STi and EVO are each very good cars overall and we should consider ourselves fortunate for such a wealth of options to pick from. I think comparisons between these excellent cars should be welcome and encouraged as I think neither cars necessarily suffers from that comparison. Rather, I think it only better reveals the qualities of each that would best suite each buyer.

RodsterinFL

About a month ago I went to the pet store. While walking up to the door a WRX passed in that blue color. The driver changed gears as he drove buy and there was an horrible sounding screetch. At home we have talked about the potential reliability of the little hot rod cars - EVO and WRX well it seems our questionable thoughts are becoming more realistic. Scroll down and read the note on the drop in reliability for Subaru and what is causing it. Check out the report on subaru Imprezzas in this link:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...58651&f=57&h=0

tagS60

Lover, I'm not sure where you got your opinion of the STi as a straight line racer, but you might want to do a little more homework. Many are successfully running STis and WRXs in autox and at the track.

I don't own a STi, or an 8 for that matter, but you need to broaden your car knowledge before you look down your nose at others and their car choices.

klegg

lightemup=ikewrx in drag.

8Driver

Had my 8 for 6 days now and I can't see how I'll ever get tired of it. The way it feels and drives is the best. Passengers even comment on the great ride. The looks I get from others also make it fun to drive.

rxeightr

This is a point worth considering. When I lived in Michigan, I never owned a FWD vehicle, but did own (over a course of time) 6 RWD vehicles & one 4WD Full-Size Chevy Blazer.

For sure, the Blazer was able to drive in snow much easier than my other vehicles, however there were only selected times this occured, such as fresh snowfall, or the occasional ice storm. Most of the winter the roads were well enough salted down to not need FWD or AWD, although I do agree either would have helped some in more extreme conditions.

LightEmUp

What are you? 10? Anyways, I'm keeping the car. It's fine, my fiance doesn't want me to get a faster car anyways, she says this ones fast enough... until I start buying some parts. I didn't even want 40 replies to this thread, I was just putting in my two cents. I'm pretty sure I still have that right, even in this forum, you guys are worse than JDMCivic.com, I thought they were trolls.

zoom44

damn you! you just had to go and mention WaWa! i miss WaWa so much. all of the mini marts we have here just pale in comparison. i used to be able to find anything at home in relation to how far and what direction it was from a WaWa. nothing beats a meatball shortie at 3am!:D gotta wait until Christmas when i go for a visit to get to one. i've got to find a way to convince them to start expanding out here

Butt Dyno

I wish I had a nickel for every person on here who thought the WRX/STi/Evo were only good for straight line racing... the latter two will whip the 8 around the track all day... The WRX needs a set of 17's w/ summer tires to hang with your 8's, and that's about it... I have a set of RE040's on JDM STi wheels, and it completely transformed the car's handling. SoA wasn't nice enough to give us those stock, that's all

Please, end the stereotype!

-bd

khoney

My coworker has a WRX and is currently fighting with Subaru corporate to fix his car. While driving his STOCK car at a track last weekend, he somehow blew out 1/2qt of oil. It hasn't happened since, but the dealership says his turbo is shot, and they won't replace it under warranty because 1) his tires were excessively worn, and 2) he had a K&N filter installed! Funny how Subaru markets the car as a tough rally car, but then makes excuses when the POS can't even handle the track!

He was so furious yesterday I thought he was gonna go postal. He just wants it to get fixed now so he can sell it. I feel real bad for him. Based on his experience, I'll take Mazda corporate anyday over Subaru.

Butt Dyno

There are bad dealerships for every kind of car...

My Subie dealership will *install* mods for me... their policy is "we don't really care if you mod the car, as long as you do it right" (i.e. don't install an MBC, blow your engine, and expect them to fix it)... most car dealerships are out to screw people, welcome to America.

-bd

klegg

I was right, It is IKEWRX. Clever boy, pissing everyone off then coming back with a new name. Shows just how sick you are.

And by the way, whats with your girl telling you what you can and can not drive?

LightEmUp

who the **** is Ikewrx? About my girl? Yeah, I have different priorities in life, and driving a nice car isn't at the top of the list. My family comes first.

Senseny

What is this arguement about. Which car is better? It's ridiculous, we all have different tastes and expectations for our vehicles. Lightemup just got a ride in a very fast car and he enjoyed it and thought he'd say that maybe he got the wrong car. So what, my choice of the Rx8 is not invalidated by his opinion. When I was shopping for cars, the Evo, 8, Sti and G35 were on my list. All excellent choices for someone who likes a distinctive Japanese vehicle that performs well. I eliminated the Evo because I don't think it distinguishes itself enough in style from the rest of the low priced Lancer line, Subaru ticked me off when I went to buy Factory performance parts for my WRX wagon and I was told installation would void the warranty, and the G35 started to get out of my price range quickly. And of course the Rx8 worked on many levels, style, performance, value and my love of the rotary engine. I am very happy with my Rx8, but I would never diss another mans (or womans) choice of cars or even their right to covet a different car.

klegg

WE now know 2 things

1 you post under different names.

2 you are whipped.

I do not want to waste anymore time talking to you, I fear your lack of testosterone may be communicable!!