[Fletch07STI]

Its growing on me but its taking me awhile to get used to the new look. Its definitely more mainstream looking I'd say.

[Tbagger]

Originally Posted by inpuressa

Lemme guess she likes exotics. Hard to to keep em happy you know.

actually no she loves the new X and she loves my 06


don't really know what you're suggesting. . . just a females opinion

[inpuressa]

Originally Posted by Tbagger

actually no she loves the new X and she loves my 06


don't really know what you're suggesting. . . just a females opinion

Back in college, there was a girl that would only date guys that had sports cars. The S2000 was at an "acceptable" level for her. 10 years later, I don't don't know what she is doing. Obviously I never got to date her lol. You get the point.

[thegame696911]

Originally Posted by raindance

Form follows function. Focus is doing very well in the WRC. Subaru GD isn't.
-rain-

Couldn't have been put better. I'm a big WRC fan and its painful to see Subaru not be completely competitive, getting beat by the Focus and the C4. If you watch WRC its very clear that the hatch is pretty much the only way to get back into the game. Subaru was built upon rally, and that is the reason it looks similar to the focus.

As much as people love the previous models (05-07) they are simply pigs in the rally and I for one can't wait for the new version to arrive in a couple months !!

[raindance]

Yep thegame696911, I'm with ya. I feel so damned sorry for Petter and Chris. They just can't get above about P4 and usually they're down around P6 or P8. I hate it. I want Blue and Gold up top again and the only way it's gonna happen is with the '08.
-rain-

[GravelSpec]

i went and saw it in person and walked out going WTF happen! because being 6'5'' i did not fit at all. then i was sitting at home thinking that the seat adjust's down. drove back to the dealer put the seat all the way down and bingo. FITS GREAT.


paid my last payment on my Scion and im going next month to get the STi White BBS With Nav. cant wait.

[Dragicon]

I've seen them multiple times... the back end kills me, it looks so huge. When next to a 02-07 car, i think the older generations just look smaller and more agressive. I still think the 08 looks like a dropped RX300 from behind. That being said, its not that bad of a looking car. I like it, its just so ordinary.

[AMTEXX]

Originally Posted by Dragicon

I've seen them multiple times... the back end kills me, it looks so huge. When next to a 02-07 car, i think the older generations just look smaller and more agressive. I still think the 08 looks like a dropped RX300 from behind. That being said, its not that bad of a looking car. I like it, its just so ordinary.

Agreed. It's better in person, but it still just looks like most cars on the road, INCLUDING THE FOCUS SVT. It just seems like Subaru didn't try enough to get the job done on this one. I'm hoping the '09's are much better.

[thegame696911]

Originally Posted by AMTEXX

Agreed. It's better in person, but it still just looks like most cars on the road, INCLUDING THE FOCUS SVT. It just seems like Subaru didn't try enough to get the job done on this one. I'm hoping the '09's are much better.

I would be willing to bet the '09's dont change....... like I said before. The design was chosen with Rally purposes in mind, weather you think its aggressive or not. Point is this model is faster, looks are subjective. Some love it some hate it.

And if the new model does well in WRC, i can guarantee you that nothing will change except little mods here and there. Like tail lights (my one complaint) and small aero changes etc.

[BuzSTid]

parked next to a bugeye wagon last night, i couldn't believe the similarities in profile seen from a distance as i returned to my car... the apple didn't really fall far from the tree after all.

[thegame696911]

Originally Posted by BuzSTid

parked next to a bugeye wagon last night, i couldn't believe the similarities in profile seen from a distance as i returned to my car... the apple didn't really fall far from the tree after all.

I'd like to see a picture of that comparison, I bet they are very similar.

[iDIMi]

Originally Posted by Bahnzii

Having owned an '05 STi I was ready to not like this new design.

I was wrong...

The design has grown on me in the pics and magazine reviews, etc...

The pics don't do it justice, you really have to see it in person to appreciate it.

The only part I wasn't all that impressed with were the headlights and the front grille.

The new interior looks nice, I really like the black & grey and now the seats have cut outs for 4 point harnesses - - yeah!!

I went in to the dealer expecting to walk out saying WTF were they thinking and I'm quite impressed that I walked out saying, hmmmmm...

Thats exactly what happened to me now i love the 08's better than all previous models. (and no i dont have an 08)

[STIFun]

Well I have to admit at first I absolutely hated the new 08 Sti and now that a good friend of mine just bought one and showed it to me. Well I still prefer my 2005 and would not trade mine in on a new one but I can see the appeal of the new design very nice car just not as raw or aggresive as the 04-07 years.

[spaztwelve]

Originally Posted by thegame696911

I would be willing to bet the '09's dont change....... like I said before. The design was chosen with Rally purposes in mind, weather you think its aggressive or not. Point is this model is faster, looks are subjective. Some love it some hate it.

And if the new model does well in WRC, i can guarantee you that nothing will change except little mods here and there. Like tail lights (my one complaint) and small aero changes etc.

You are wrong. The models that companies use for rally cars are not homalgamation cars anymore. In other words, they are not building a rally car and then building enough on the production line in order to race in class. They're using popular mass produced models. And everyone is using hatches because hatches are the most popular where the fans are. Europe. Racing in advertising. If hatches are such great race cars then why aren't all the euro touring cars hatchback? Hatchbacks are freaking ghey.

Subaru is not winning because Subaru does not spend what the other manufacturers spend (I'm guessing). It's not because their car is a sedan...that's just plain ridiculous.

[ShinobiDGM]

Taken from Edmunds Inside Line review of the new STi:

It Had To Be Done

Subaru has been getting its butt kicked in WRC rallying of late, losing out most often to hatchbacks from Ford; and Citröen. Petter Solberg, Subaru's WRC rally ace, convinced the brass at Fuji Heavy Industries that a five-door hatch was the way to go this time, citing aerodynamic benefits and "better handling."

In fact, despite sitting on the same 103.3-inch wheelbase as the new WRX sedan, the five-door's overall length is 6.5 inches less, representing a substantial reduction in polar moment of inertia, which is a big chunk of the "better handling" part of Solberg's argument.

Since the STI exists to homologate the car used in FIA WRC and Group N rally competition next season, that's why we've got an STI wagon, er, hatchback today."



This one is taken from Road & Track's Review in Jan 2008:

Why the 5-door? It's simple physics — shortening the front and rear overhangs reduces the car's polar moment of inertia, just the ticket for snappy changes of direction. And as the STI is a true homologation special, intended for FIA World Rally Championship competition, every small advantage is seized. Combined with a longer wheelbase (103.4 in., a 3.4-in. increase from the previous generation), wider front and rear tracks (up by 1.6 and 1.8 in., respectively) and all-new double-wishbone rear suspension, the new car should be an even more formidable gravel-road rocket.



Subaru has a disadvantage (though the GD models tend to have better high speed stability) with a traditionally designed sedan in the WRC.. This new WRX STI hatchback is Subaru's only chance to get a competitive WRC rally car vs Ford Focus, Citroen C4, and other hatchbacks... ^.^