[Monoxcide]

I've been looking to graduate to an STI or an Evo from my mazdaspeed6. Consider it a 2007 sti with 30 less horsepower, suffers from an eating disorder (3600 pounds) and kind of has all wheel drive. I have test driven both cars with civility as I know they are both faster, I was looking more at quality issues.

The Evo seems to be a dream at the track. The Awd system is superior to the STI's in my opinion as well as the fact its a sedan. The car just seems like it would be the best choice as it will probably etch out the STI in after market by a little bit. The quality seemed pretty low in my books, just felt cheap. The Mitsubishi dealer was also being pretty mean on the price and ignoring me because of my age so I left.

Then I drove the STI. At first I saw those Subaru love commercials as some horrible marketing scheme but it seems I was the one mistaken. As soon as I started driving the car, it almost felt like my best friend - as stupid as that sounds. It just seemed like the Evo would be there to impress your friends around the track on weekends but at the end of the day, the good old STI is there to take you home safely and cheer you up. It has so many minor flaws compared to the Evo -- But I just don't care. I love this car. I almost found myself making excuses for the short comings. I've convinced myself they've made the back ugly to insult all the people driving slow that you have to pass. The lack of electronics is to let you control the car and a form of natural selection! If your stupid its not going to attempt to save you, unlike the evo who is anti-darwin.

If your looking for a summed up version it goes like this. I love the STI. I know its not the best but something just feels right being in that car. I can't explain it and I'm sure most of you can't. Its what makes a Subaru a Subaru.

Also, just out of opinion what would you think of the Red with Gold BBS? The dealership said they would make it happen if I really wanted it. I'm just too attracted to WRB and White. Sorry if this is an anti-productive topic, just had to share my experience.

[WRB Kid]

Well put. Thats what ended up putting me in a subaru the feel.........

[tyler_sti]

Nice man, glad to hear you're impressions on the overall car were good. I dont think all ever not have a subaru in my garage, even if I have another car I will alwase have a subie. It's just one of those cars.

[supermarkus]

I'd like to know what these "minor flaws" are versus the Evo. I found the Evo interior to be utter trash, nice seats though (but people have reported them to be falling apart already), and 6.9 cubic feet of trunk space with even less in certain trim? That's a minor enough flaw to make it useless as a daily driver for me.

[DylanPS]

Red with Gold BBs would look a bit wonderful in my opinion, so if you do it, you certianly should post pictures.

[raindance]

Yup, I'm with ya. I've been driving them exclusively since 1985. I'm convinced they're the best automobiles in the world. I can say I've loved every one I've owned. Put many, many miles on all of them (except the '05 STi, I just had to have the '08). Red with gold would look pretty good. Not my style but still sweet. I think I read a thread here somewhere about that same scheme.
-rain-

[STI_SLC]

you mean, like this?

[damstr]

Have you test drove the older STI's/Evo's? The older Evo IX's are faster then the new STI and Evo. Just can't buy them new anymore.

I'm not so sure about the aftermarket community for the X. The 4B11 is a new engine which many shops are still testing with. The new and old STI's though have had the same engine since 2004. Just little tweaks here and there. The biggest aftermarket community is no doubt the Evo VIII and IX. There 4G63 engine has been around for over 20 years, so shops know exactly how to get power and a lot of it out of those engines. Also can't beat the iron blocks. Easily the strongest engine out of cars.

All depends on what you want. If you want a DD then I suggest the STI. It has the smaller turbo, 2.5l, all of which makes quick power. The Evo on the other hand is obviously the better track car when in the right hands. Takes better to mods, and is also cheaper to mod and work on.

[rs_wrx_sti]

not feelin' it

[GilMikalian]

With respect to the color combo, not loving it but I think is more a function of me just not liking the STI in red, as opposed to what the gold brings to the game.I think the WRB or White are the better choices, in that order. Me? I got the stealthy DGM 'cause I wanted to fly under the radar.

I agree with you that the Subie feels like a quality car with A LOT of character, yes even the '08. As for performance, by all accounts, the difference seems to be so minuscule, and so inconsequential for everyday driving, that it was not even a factor, FOR ME. Whereas the STI's utility was a HUGE factor. I don't plan on tracking my car in the near future, if ever, so the slight advantage on the track is not an issue for me. Quality, reliability, dependability, now these things ARE important to me....man I sound old.

[jrdriller]

Well stated. Only problem with red is the "not always" welcome attention it draws. My current 08 STI, Spark Silver with stock wheels

So long as you don't really abuse them they last for a long, long time. My last subie (03 WRX wagon purchased feb 2003 140k+ miles only extra maintenance items replace battery, and top radiator hose which had developed a small pin hole leak)

[ucsti]

Im lovin that color combo. So Sexy.

[sbstiguy]

Thats why I have the STi, I drove the Evo, and loved the handling; but then I drove the STi and loved the whole car. I'll probably have my 05 for another 3 or 4 years and keep driving it til after law school.

[DylanPS]

Originally Posted by ucsti

Im lovin that color combo. So Sexy.

+1....

[Monoxcide]

Thank you for that picture! I think it looks good but I'm still leaning towards WRB. My intent was to look for a fast daily driver and the STI seems to be fitting the role. Minor flaws such as looks (mainly the rear end), seats, less power after mods start to hit the car, slightly more paint issues and the whole engine recall were things I once held against the car. I'll probably wait for the MY09 but I think I've made up my mind. I also think the 1 series looks like 3 series with down syndrome and I hate BMW's. They are -everywhere- in Houston.

The Subaru dealership I went to seemed to treat the warranty as Mazda does. Mazda will repair any part on the car thats factory under warranty unless its blatantly obvious your aftermarket part caused it. I have a full exhaust and Intake and my rear diff mount broke. They fixed it with no questions saying they've seen the issue before. They could have flat out denied the claim seeing I was making about 40 more hp than stock.

The Mitsubishi dealership said the X's ecu recorded any modifications and they were trigger happy with warranty denials for any modification. I also don't want to buy a car from a company on the verge of bankruptcy.

Another part of the decision was the Subaru community. These forums seem to be filled with quality people who aren't jerks. I'm sure if I posted this on another "popular" Subaru forum the first response would have been "Drive an 06! 07's explode and 08's look like crap!". Thank you for all the positive responses.