[Rootus]

Originally Posted by jph

what was invoice on the previous model ? all i remember is that invoice on my '04 was around $29K

2004:
$29,130
after 01/2004 $29,245 (+0.39%)

2005:
$30,575 (+4.5%)
after 9/2004 $30,680 (+0.34%)
after 5/2005 $30,839 (+0.51%)

2006:
$31,394 (+1.8%)
after 02/2006: $31,669 (+0.87%)

2007:
$32,243 (+1.8%)

2008:
$33,655 (+4.4%)
$35,512 w/BBS
$37,182 w/BBS & Nav

The biggest jump was 2004 to 2005, followed by 2007 to 2008. Overall it's averaged about 3.5% per year. Anyone know what inflation was over the same time period?

Edit: Inflation and CPI both were slightly less over the same period, but not by much. The CPI adjusted price of the 2008 STI is about $29509 in December 2003 dollars.

[trustz]

Originally Posted by DrPhyzx

I don't think that's a good conclusion, since according to this poster, they had 15 of them about a week ago:

selling like hotcakes

That's at least one per day. BTW, that is about three times as many as any other dealer got. I'm guessing they must have submitted some bogus orders to get some of those, and I hear that gets you in hot water with SOA really fast.

When you see 5 or 6 STI on the lot, it doesn't mean the dealer has 5 or 6 instock only, rest of the STI may be at the back or some where you just can't see them !! Just check Irvine Subaru's website, they still showing 15 STI instock, but this may not be acurate either ! But the Irvine has largest STI instock around S.California.

[trevoro]

Nice. And I remember when I could buy a candy bar for....

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Rootus

2004:
$29,130
after 01/2004 $29,245 (+0.39%)

2005:
$30,575 (+4.5%)
after 9/2004 $30,680 (+0.34%)
after 5/2005 $30,839 (+0.51%)

2006:
$31,394 (+1.8%)
after 02/2006: $31,669 (+0.87%)

2007:
$32,243 (+1.8%)

2008:
$33,655 (+4.4%)
$35,512 w/BBS
$37,182 w/BBS & Nav

The biggest jump was 2004 to 2005, followed by 2007 to 2008. Overall it's averaged about 3.5% per year. Anyone know what inflation was over the same time period?

Edit: Inflation and CPI both were slightly less over the same period, but not by much. The CPI adjusted price of the 2008 STI is about $29509 in December 2003 dollars.

The complete exterior and suspension redesign probably influenced the price more than many us would think.

Does that justify one of the greatests percentage increases in price over previous year, which did not involve similar costly changes?

I don't know but for the amount of utility, improved handling, widebody, and greater creature comforts, the STi is a very attractive car for the city-goer that is a weekend warrior.

[Rootus]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I don't know but for the amount of utility, improved handling, widebody, and greater creature comforts, the STi is a very attractive car for the city-goer that is a weekend warrior.

I agree wholeheartedly. When you adjust for the value of a dollar, the 2008 invoices for $379 more than the cheapest 2004 STI. And the things the '08 has that the '04 doesn't: bigger, wider wheels, exhaust VVT, VDC, HID, radio, etc. I could make a convincing argument that the 2008 STI is a better value than any preceding STI.

[DrPhyzx]

Originally Posted by trustz

When you see 5 or 6 STI on the lot, it doesn't mean the dealer has 5 or 6 instock only, rest of the STI may be at the back or some where you just can't see them !! Just check Irvine Subaru's website, they still showing 15 STI instock, but this may not be acurate either ! But the Irvine has largest STI instock around S.California.

You are right, I should have looked online. That's really obscene, since a quick survey of the other large Subaru dealerships in California reveals that this is about half of all the 08 STIs currently in all of California.

I noticed also that several have disappeared from Capitol (San Jose) and Carlsen in Redwood City.

[supermarkus]

Originally Posted by markeddy

Nothing like having another Mazda on the road. There is nothing unique about the car, so go buy a Mazda and save some money.

Yuck...

This kind of ill informed crap is exactly what prompted me to go out and test this car out and write a detailed review of my experience with it. You should mash your keyboard after you've driven the car. I expect this kind of reaction from NASIOC, not on a board dedicated to the STI.

[chargedvette02]

I decided to go drive by some dealerships tonight and stopped by a subaru dealer. They had 5 08 stis that I could see; this was the first time I have ever seen an 08 in person and I liked the car a lot. I will say that I hate hatches more than any other car on the road but that new sti was damn sexy. I can't believe I'm even typing this because I'm so anti hatch. The car put a big grin on my face and my girly couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. In person the car looks soooooo aggressive compared to photos. Anyone that says that this car blends in with a mazda 3 or any other hatch hasen't seen the car in person. Again I will say it..... I HATE HATCHES and I'm in no way an sti or subaru fan boy but the new sti looks fukn sick in person!

EDIT: the 08 sti that really caught my attention was the wrb with the gold bbs.

[Rootus]

I was going to drop by the local Subaru dealership tomorrow to see one in person but they sold all of theirs. Heh. I'm sure more will be coming soon, but it looks like at the moment they're selling without much difficulty.

[Epine]

I've decided to wait for the 09 model. When does it usually come out? Early Oct. Nov.?

[Riggs]

Great write up. Can't wait to go see one in the flesh for myself.

[supermarkus]

With your stable, I wouldn't eve bother, it'll seem so "ho hum".