[Kevin]

Several people have asked me about how this site will adapt to accommodate the new 2008 STI.

Upon first thought, I felt that the only significant differences that may warrant their own sections incude interior & exterior & suspension (and possibly drivetrain).

When I shared these thoughts with others, I was surprised to hear that they felt the 2008 STI should have its own technical section (in essence duplicating the techincal forums layout) despite the fact that they share the same transmissionm, engine, brakes, and wheels (for the most part) with the old chassis.

To credit the person who brought up this issue, he pointed out that the exhaust is completely different on the the two cars to justify the creation of an engine/power/performance section for the new STI as well.

I wanted to hear what the community thought so I can make a decision that benefits the majority of the community.

Again, our options are duplicating the technical forums for the new 08 STI or being selective about which sections to duplicate.

Please vote in the poll AND share your comments by replying to this thread.

[stickytires]

I voted for seperate forum. It's a whole different car.

[Rootus]

I vote for keeping it as combined as possible. There is already too much namecalling between 04, 05, 06, and 07 STI owners as it is, and dividing people up into separate forums will only accentuate the differences.

Plus, when it comes right down to it, every single year has mechanical differences from the previous year. IMO everyone benefits from the group communication about different features and technical details. Mechanically the 08 has about the same amount of evolution (sorry, the word fit...) from the 07 as the 07 has from the 06. The different shape to the chassis is less important. The suspension did have some noticeable changes in the back, but it's essentially identical in the front. Etc. Etc. Etc.

[Pre]

Separate, easier to find info that way.

[520]

I think it warrants a new technical forum. The car has been totally changed around.

Maybe we should see what turbo and engine specifications it has before a decision is made, to see if it is actually very different.

[VSGTS14]

i voted for creating a new section.

[NC2008STI]

New section for the 08

[Hawaii_guy]

I voted for a seprate section.

If by chance a new 08 STI owner finds this forum, which is good possibility and is interested in searching for performance/interior/exterior upgrades he'll know exactly where to go. As apposed to posting his/her question in the previous year/s section and everyone tell him SEARCH or WRONG FORUM!!

Let's accommodate new owners whom may not be familiar to forums in general.

[torquemada]

do we really know what´s different and what´s equal?

But yes, create a new forum

[seta311]

new section only for exterior. i doubt the engine and drivetrain will be super different.

[j1234]

I would just leave the forums as they are, there are already enough. If people want to differentiate between the 08 and pre-08 cars, why not just put "2008" or whatever other model year in the title. I will most likely buy an 08 rather than a used STi at this point, but I do feel that reading about projects on the older models will benefit what I do with the new model. Having to switch back and forth between different forums will just make things more complicated.


The other websites, such as NASIOC and evom, have way too many forums to sort through.

[volkl23]

I would leave it as is and not combine it. Nasioc divided the section by displacement with all the STi and regular WRX in the same section. No problems there and shouldn't be here either.

[twiSTies]

We have too many forums as it is. Adding in all 2008 forums will make my eyes bleed from all the scrolling. When we find out differences between the new model and old one besides the rear suspension and terrible bodywork, it'll be worth examining, but for now it shouldn't be difficult for someone to say "whats the best exhaust for mah mad tyte 08 STi yo!?"

[bigd]

I don't know which way to vote... I have seen other forums (for other industries) force a prefix on the thread title similar to many buy/sell forums to help keep things segregated...

IF the forums are kept as-is... The prefix selection would simply be the model year for compatibility of replies. A simple drop box containing model years added as a prefix column would help to clarify any confusion IF the forums are kept the same.
A post would appear as:
"2006: OMGzorzs wtfz is teh best CAI??!!" Or
"General: I'm a dumbass and borked my new car, now I need parts"

02-07 have all shared the same base platform albeit minor differences aside.
Technically they share the same powertrain as the 08, but the brakes have a different rotor size, drive/axle shafts may be a different length, etc. No matter how you slice it, its still an entirely new platform, so IMO that justifies its own forum.

[Datadatum]

I would rather keep the forum as united as possible. Combine everything that is the same.