[Kevin]

I attended two Subaru events today. One at the LA Auto Show where Subaru officially unveiled the 2008 USDM STI to the press (pics) and announced the specs and numbers (official announcement), and the other a Fraternity of STI sponsored event at a local indoor kart track in Southern California where Subaru unveiled the STI to automotive enthusiasts before the public got a chance to see it.

Based on the images of the 2008 STI that surfaced over the last few weeks, my interest in the new STI steadily increased, especially after I saw what the potential aftermarket might offer for this vehicle (photoshopped zerosports sti).

However, it wasn't until I got up close to the STI did I begin to feel excited again like I did when I first bought my 2004 STI in June of 2003. After all, this STI features a widebody!!! That alone would have set an STI owner back $4,000 and even then it wouldn't be factory spec or factory paint.

I digress. I admit that I never bought my STI because I thought it looked cool. I bought it because I couldn't find a more affordable car that offered the performance, handling, and reliability that the 2004 STI did at that time.

The STI might not offer the same performance edge against its competitors today as it did back in 2004 (threads about the BMW 1 series...here and here), but there is a lot more to this STI than previous generations.

The STI's interior is yet another step up from the last year of the last generation, which was an improvement on the 2004 model. The suspension has been redesigned to keep the car riding on on the tires' contact patch instead of the sidewalls, which the previous generation suffered from. And there are a number of options which were not available until this generation like Navigation.

One thing I like and I know a number of other enthusiasts welcome is the five door hatch. While I still think a sedan version would help Subaru keep some of its loyal fans from seeking a performance sedan made by another company, the hatch really grows on you once you have seen it in person; I know it has for me. What I really like is the ability to make greater use of the space between the backseat and the hatch area.

We no longer need to worry about getting a passthrough to carry our skis or snowboards to the slopes, we no longer need to worry about how to fit and transport larger items because the seats now fold down unlike past generations, and we can still enjoy awesome handling and 0-60 acceleration in ~4.7-4.9 seconds when we run to the store, go to school, or head to work (depending on which magazine you believe). All that in a car that will no longer features a wing and hood scoop that subjects us to ridiculous comments.

Your next car might not be an STI or even a Subaru, but if you are a Subaru fan you owe it to yourself to check this car out in person and listen to the unique boxer rumble exiting the rear tailpipes. If it should make your heart beat faster or make you feel that same rush of excitment it did when you first became enthusiastic about the previous STi generation, then you might feel the same urge to bring home a brand new 2008 STI as I do now.

Heck...you might know how you will pay for it, but I still have yet to figure that one out...

Here is the video from the event: 2008 STI Release Party Video

[emanteno]

Since you got to see and hopefully sit in the car, are the seats as lame as they look in the photos? What could Subaru's reasoning be in not bringing the Recaro option to the US? If American butts can fit in Evo Recaro's, then why not in Subie's?

[MRGLASS]

Originally Posted by emanteno

Since you got to see and hopefully sit in the car, are the seats as lame as they look in the photos? What could Subaru's reasoning be in not bringing the Recaro option to the US? If American butts can fit in Evo Recaro's, then why not in Subie's?

That's always been my argument......

[Barry]

Well written Kev

[blaznwrx]

good writeup.
as for the seats.. who cares? if you can afford the STi then you can obviously afford to buy yourself some sweet recaros or Bride seats... especially if you sell the 08/09 sti seats to some kid modding his WRX

[gforced]

What you guys that keep saying "You can buy aftermarket" ar not getting is the fact that you loose the side impact airbags and the factory fit and finish. You might have a problem with loosing safety features, but I know a lot of us do.

[NewGenSTi]

Originally Posted by gforced

What you guys that keep saying "You can buy aftermarket" ar not getting is the fact that you loose the side impact airbags and the factory fit and finish. You might have a problem with loosing safety features, but I know a lot of us do.

hmm.. as for 2008 I somewhat disagree on this. (correct me if I am wrong) but the 2008 has "side curtain airbags" < meaning that they come down from the top curtain, and are not located in the seats..
Now I may be wrong they might also have them in the seats as added protection

[philswrx04]

they have side curtain that are above, but also an airbag in the seat it self.

check the STi page on subarus website, there is a picture with the airbags deployed.

[Seppo]

Good write up Kevin. I am still on the fence about the whole hatch ordeal. As you mentioned, the room in the back would be wonderful for when i go skiing or for my hockey stuff. Having said that though, I still find the 4 dour hatch very unattractive. I know a lot of people say that they did not get their STi for looks. I for one, find my '06 to be a very attractive car and although it wasnt what made me get an STi in the end, it surely was part of it. It would be a little annoying to try to convince myself every time I look at my car that it makes up in other categories for being a bit of an eye sore. I am not on the market for a new car until 2009, so i guess we'll see what happens then.

[06naSTI]

I have no problems with a hatch. My 01 GTI was nice and I appreciated the back seats that folded down to give a huge flat space. I stopped biking since I got my sti. I will surely be doing that again when I get the 08.

[blaznwrx]

Originally Posted by gforced

What you guys that keep saying "You can buy aftermarket" ar not getting is the fact that you loose the side impact airbags and the factory fit and finish. You might have a problem with loosing safety features, but I know a lot of us do.

if that is the case then you should be satisfied with the current seats they offer because they incorporate the side impact airbags.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by emanteno

Since you got to see and hopefully sit in the car, are the seats as lame as they look in the photos?

I did sit in the STI while at the LA Auto Show specifically to feel what it was like to sit in the new seats. While I did not get to spend much time in them (or on a drive), which would make my assessment meaningful, I think that the seat back is an improvement over past generations but the side bolstering in the seat bottom could have been improved. Because I replaced my seats in my 04 STI, I would probably consider doing it again in the new one.

If I had to wager a guess from my brief time in the seat, the seat was designed more for comfort. Again, a test drive would help reveal the stock seat's flaws if any.

What could Subaru's reasoning be in not bringing the Recaro option to the US?

It is funny that you mention this. I do not have a precise answer, but I can again wager a guess based on some of the answers I received to other questions while attending both events.

Subaru of America makes requests to Fuji, but Fuji ultimately decides what gets put on a boat and shipped here. Fuji also decides what configurations and options go on those cars. When I asked whether there will be a sunroof option, the answer I received was we will have to see if Fuji sends us (SOA) any.

I know that the process may be more complicated than what I am suggesting here, but what I learned is that enthusiasts assume SOA has more control over the decisions about what shows up here. I know there is some truth to what I was told and what I am telling you here because I heard dealer complaints. The limited STI sold like crazy and the dealers wanted more, never got them, and where is a limited STI for them to sell when the new STI is released? If SOA was in control, we would have more of what we wanted.

SOA cares about its enthusiasts and has probably received a lot more criticism than it has deserved in the past because this point is not known or generally misunderstood by those of us who sit behind our monitors replying others we have never met. Half truths go uncorrected and soon inaccurate information takes over.

If American butts can fit in Evo Recaro's, then why not in Subie's?

You should be asking why isn't Subaru supplying the STI market with an option for Recaro seats particularly in light of the fact that we know that such an option exists in Japan. If you asked me that, I could tell that it may be because of the cost to crash test an STI with the Recaros and all the different configurations. Alternatively, Fuji may not want to make this option available outside of Japan. Lets watch and see whether a UK spec of the hatch comes with the option. If so, we can rule out the latter option or narrow it down. A more likely situation is that it costs a lot, Americans are big and fat, and if it is that important to you, they might assume you will buy the car even if you don't receive a Recaro option.

Originally Posted by Seppo

Good write up Kevin. I am still on the fence about the whole hatch ordeal. As you mentioned, the room in the back would be wonderful for when i go skiing or for my hockey stuff. Having said that though, I still find the 4 dour hatch very unattractive. I know a lot of people say that they did not get their STi for looks. I for one, find my '06 to be a very attractive car and although it wasnt what made me get an STi in the end, it surely was part of it. It would be a little annoying to try to convince myself every time I look at my car that it makes up in other categories for being a bit of an eye sore. I am not on the market for a new car until 2009, so i guess we'll see what happens then.

Thank you. I like the STI because it offers incredible performance without compromising certain little things that I need or want in my ONLY car. If I had the budget to own two cars, one for my performance needs and one for my practical needs, then I am not sure whether my decision would be any different. The 06 is a great year and one I almost traded into. If you love your car, why not wait to sell it until you either fall in love with the new (after seeing a bit) or get tired of your old one? I am told the market for the 06s and 07s will be strong for a few weeks because of the number of guys that prefer that look to the new one AND SOA is no longer supplying dealers with new 07 STIs.

Originally Posted by 06naSTI

I have no problems with a hatch. My 01 GTI was nice and I appreciated the back seats that folded down to give a huge flat space. I stopped biking since I got my sti. I will surely be doing that again when I get the 08.

The hatch is just an awesome for those of us that want more practicality from our STIs, but I understand why others want a hatch. I hope Fuji will consider making a sedan so it does not lose the fans who just can't fall in love with the hatch.

[SnowbordrWRX]

Hopefully in 09 or 10 they bring back a sedan. It'd be nice to have a sedan and a hatch...the EVO comes in a few variations, why not the STI?

[Chiznarles]

great write up! I personally love the fact that the STI is a hatch and a bit more "refined."

When I was driving my 2004 STI, I had a few complaints:

1. No pass through or fold down seats - sucks for snowboarding
2. Too harsh for daily driving (i.e. bobblehead syndrome from seats).

I don't track my car, although I do plan to visit the track sometime when I get the new STI. What I do do is drive the STI everyday. I was actually considering the Legacy wagon a couple of years ago to address my above concerns with the STI, but now that Subaru has created a 5-door STI w/ slight refinement yet retaining all of its vigor I don't have to give up some performance for what I want.

I applaud Subaru for their latest version of the STI. Would it have been nice to see a sedan version as well? Sure. Would it have been nice to have a recaro option? Of course. Maybe those things will come in future years, but for now, the new STI is everything I could have wanted in my next car.

Things that really excite me are:
- OEM Widebody and the overall look
- No ridiculous wing
- Less obtrusive hoodscoop
- Fold down seats
- 18x8.5" wheels standard
- SI drive
- New color choices
- Slight increase in power/better torque curves
- Double-wishbone rear suspension
- Cup holder on front doors (really helpful - but the WRX has them all doors)
- Incline start assist (I don't have to burn my clutch on a steep incline)
- Tire pressure monitoring (not a bad feature)
- Gas damper hood supports
- Seatback pocket on front passenger seat (finally a place to put my Thomas Guide, lol.. I haven't adopted NAV yet)
- Telescoping steering wheel
- Front fender wheel gap is smaller
- Side curtain airbags

Things I will miss:
- Bronze colored Brembo Brake calipers
- STI logo on intercooler
- Stereo as optional on 2004 and lower price (I always upgrade to an aftermarket stereo anyway)
- IC spray

Anyway I will be checking out the car in person at the LA Auto show this weekend to make my full assessment.. but so far so good.

[gforced]

Originally Posted by blaznwrx

if that is the case then you should be satisfied with the current seats they offer because they incorporate the side impact airbags.

Actually, I want the Recaros with the side impact air bags. Yes, I want my cake and I want to eat it too.