[JKonquer]

awesome pictures man...and also good luck with the search. i know they go for around 20k used 05. can get 04's for little cheaper.

couple things i want you to know before you buy sti for these reasons...
"I love my vehicle to death, but it does come with its negatives. Insane theft rates, high insurance, sub-par practicality, and the fact that my car gets driven around 7-800 miles per year since I've owned it, all equate into a car that is just not fit for my current lifestyle and living arrangements."

1 - high insurance, its not as bad as evo's but sti is still top 5 highest insurance rate for cars around 30k.
2 - practicality, sti = none, its the most uncomfortable car you will ever drive. don't get me wrong, i personally love the way it rides. but most people hate the ride quality. its rough, loud, squeaky, and un-foldable rear seat is sometimes pain. Just think of sti as a race car.
3 - gas mileage, compare to your itr, sti is a gas guzzler. its pretty much a equivalent to v8 engine in city. highway is pretty good though.

i just want to mention this before you actually purchase the car. it technically doesn't match your lifestyle as you mention at all. i would really look into either 08 sti or wrx wagon. you can make the wagon as fast as sti with simple mods.

[JKonquer]

oh by the way, how much are you selling your itr for? i might be interested, i need a daily driver

[WideOpen&Sideways]

Originally Posted by JKonquer

awesome pictures man...and also good luck with the search. i know they go for around 20k used 05. can get 04's for little cheaper.

couple things i want you to know before you buy sti for these reasons...
"I love my vehicle to death, but it does come with its negatives. Insane theft rates, high insurance, sub-par practicality, and the fact that my car gets driven around 7-800 miles per year since I've owned it, all equate into a car that is just not fit for my current lifestyle and living arrangements."

1 - high insurance, its not as bad as evo's but sti is still top 5 highest insurance rate for cars around 30k.
2 - practicality, sti = none, its the most uncomfortable car you will ever drive. don't get me wrong, i personally love the way it rides. but most people hate the ride quality. its rough, loud, squeaky, and un-foldable rear seat is sometimes pain. Just think of sti as a race car.
3 - gas mileage, compare to your itr, sti is a gas guzzler. its pretty much a equivalent to v8 engine in city. highway is pretty good though.

i just want to mention this before you actually purchase the car. it technically doesn't match your lifestyle as you mention at all. i would really look into either 08 sti or wrx wagon. you can make the wagon as fast as sti with simple mods.

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated. I'll try my best to explain my decision ...

1- In terms of high insurance, I have already checked with my insurance company, Wawanesa Ins., and I'll be saving roughly $50 per month by switching from the ITR to the STI with the same coverage and deductibles. This is probably due to the fact the the 98 ITR has been in either first or second place on Canada's most stolen cars list since its debut in 97. Plus, because of my age, I'm not a high risk.
2- I hear what you're saying and agree, but to be honest, when I had my seat time in the STI the other week, I almost fell asleep I though it was so comfy! Mind you, I'm used to being squeezed up in a Recaro, in a car with absolutely no sound deadening, plus 800lbs front and 1000lbs. rear spring rates with no A/C, and no 6-disk changer. STI a race car?, yes ... totally agree, but in terms of comfort, the STI is miles ahead of the ITR IMO. Plus, I do intend on going for a roof rack for the snowboard, but I do agree the non folding rear seat is a bit of a pain.
3- I will definitely miss the gas mileage of the Honda

Other than that, another upside to the STI in my eyes in terms of practicality of ownership is if it does get stolen, Subaru is still making the model so I can always get a replacement. If the ITR gets stolen, I'm at a loss. There are so little ITR's around that I'd have a hell of a time trying to find a replacement in as good condition as mine. Plus, the ITR has no legitimate Kelly Blue book value, so insurance companies are notorious for low balling a claim.

Either way, I agree in the grand scheme of things that the STI is not the most practical thing in the world, but for me I think she'll work out fine. It's a good balance of what I want in a weekend track car, along with some of the creature comforts I've been missing

Originally Posted by JKonquer

oh by the way, how much are you selling your itr for? i might be interested, i need a daily driver

$17.5K Cdn. not a penny less. 56K miles, now bone stock with all major service up to date including timing belt / water pump / valve adjst. + all service records and every drop of gas accounted for. Car is immaculate, engine bay is showroom, and 100% original. If you want specifics, gimme a PM

But in all honesty, unless you have a garage spot, at least 3 pieces of layered security, a pager alarm, and lowjack, don't bother ... it'll get stolen; and that is written in stone.

Holy novel!

[Devil2holla]

ive noticed that a lot of sti owners came from the honda/acura game....i myself came from the honda game....u will miss your itr but u will love ur sti...good luck on the sell and good luck on finding a sti

[Deuce Cam]

Nice ride and pics. I'm surprised to see how tracked some of that backcountry is; must be easy access off a pass (very cool). I used to have an EG civic hatch with a jdm B18C (type r motor), man I miss that car. I wish I had the money to keep the civic and still get the STI.

[slyguySTI]

i too came from a honda.. crx to be exact and im glad i did go with suby..

[chargedvette02]

Welcome, I have never owned anything Honda and don't intend to. Your car does look sweet though, I don't think I have ever even seen a real type R on the street before.

Oh yeah, 05 is the best model year!

[JKonquer]

^fo Sho!

[STiErik]

^^

Actually the 06 was guys!

Iv owned 3 ITRs in my lifetime! great cars, miss em dearly. The STI is the DD /Family hauler/ Grocery getter!

[SubieDave]

I never owned a type r, but I have owned several GSR's.. some build and some fairly stock and I don't miss them a bit. Happy high revving maybe, but I love my STi. No need for two cars anymore.
Good choice bud and good luck with the hunt. Finding an unmolested 05 may be a challenge. Check the for sale section on this forum though. Lots of good guys with around stage 2 mods for the same price. Just an idea.

Love the mountain pics by the way. Canada...may have to do there!

[lidrew]

BIG upgrade in every way except gas mileage.

you will enjoy having torque

[WideOpen&Sideways]

Originally Posted by SubieDave

I never owned a type r, but I have owned several GSR's.. some build and some fairly stock and I don't miss them a bit. Happy high revving maybe, but I love my STi. No need for two cars anymore.
Good choice bud and good luck with the hunt. Finding an unmolested 05 may be a challenge. Check the for sale section on this forum though. Lots of good guys with around stage 2 mods for the same price. Just an idea.

Love the mountain pics by the way. Canada...may have to do there!

Well, with all due respect, the GSR and the Type R are about as different as the STI and WRX. Totally different animal. But still, there are definitely things I won't miss about the ITR .... the most being the paranoia

If you're a border, Revelstoke Resort, British Columbia will by next year be the biggest and most advanced vertical in North America. Taller than Jackson Hole (which is my trip next year), and taller than Whistler. It's going to be the place to go. I'm just glad I got out there before the word got out! The backcountry riding is so accessible if you're willing to hike a few hours, and the terrain is tremendously extreme. Just make sure you know exactly where you're going or you WILL get lost ... like we did. Took us 4 hours to hike back to civilization in waist deep snow through a forest renowned for Grizzlies We'd met a guy on the flight home that got stuck out there over night!! He even showed us pics!

Originally Posted by lidrew

BIG upgrade in every way except gas mileage.

you will enjoy having torque

Yeah, torque is going to be sweet! But I will miss shifting at 8500 RPM It's going to be a huge learning curve for me with all that power down low ... I'm not used to anything happening until 6000RPM!

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys! I know the plight to find a stock 05 will be strenuous, but I will find my jem .... and than deflower her on the circuit

[obpsti2006]

You can always tell an ITR owner from the rest of the Honda camp. Very well versed and educated in your post. You can tell your buying the STi for a purpose and you've given it alot of thought and research. I really think your gonna love the direction your heading my friend. Good luck on your road ahead.

-J

[STIkid610]

<<< ITR to STI here. I miss it, but the STI is a lot of fun g/l with your search.

[WideOpen&Sideways]

Originally Posted by obpsti2006

You can always tell an ITR owner from the rest of the Honda camp. Very well versed and educated in your post. You can tell your buying the STi for a purpose and you've given it alot of thought and research. I really think your gonna love the direction your heading my friend. Good luck on your road ahead.

-J

Thank you To reiterate my original post, one of the major selling points of the Type R for me, was the sense community. I'm really excited to now become a part of the STI community and hope I can contribute positively!
I'm a very humble person, and simply want to learn all I can.

Originally Posted by STIkid610

<<< ITR to STI here. I miss it, but the STI is a lot of fun g/l with your search.

Thanks man