[mx_9]

Originally Posted by ttheisen93

I would call it a somewhat stiff ride, but definitely not harsh. My 350Z was harsh, giving my wife a headache, and making me feel like my fillings were coming out of my teeth every time we rode in it on snow-belt roads. The STI takes the same roads much more smoothly. Its a little rough, but nothing that causes any actual physical pain.

Agree 100% with this post.

My previous two car purchases were Volvo's. Relatively nice ride. The switch to the STi from a Volvo XC70 was not bad at all and my wife doesn't mind it either. The RE070's have very stiff sidewalls. I switched over to Falken Azenis for the summer and the ride is better. Similarly, my Continental Extremes for winter offer an even better ride. Regarldess of what tire you choose just make sure you set the pressures correctly. The STi is a great car. As for kids...I've got twins due this summer and will have no problem toting them around. We'll use the XC70 for long trips but the STi will do for daily trips to/from childcare if we go that route.

[AE86]

I came a 1999 A4 with sport package. The STI ride is significantly stiffer. Also, passengers are usually more annoyed about stiff rides than the driver. They have to deal with the stiff suspension and noise, but get none of the joys of the handling or power.

I don't think it's too bad, but my wife hates it (to the point where she wants me to get another car).

One option is to put on a set Tein coilovers with adjustable stiffness. I believe their is a module that allows you to control the suspension settings from inside the car.

[Gumpajim]

You are just going to have to get a ride in a STi and decide for yourself. I'm 47 years old, my wife is 46, the grandkid is 6 and we all love it. I just hang on and fly over bumps and RR tracks. It's a little rough and you can hear it but I like it.

Jim

[capaSTi]

bet your grandson likes it even more than you... lol

even with my tanabe gf210s (1.4" lower in the f, .9" rear) the ride is still not abusive - ride comfort and handling always have to be comprised with each other... IMHO - i think the sti has found a great medium

[jvee]

I have had my 05' sti for over a month. I have two girls 7 and 2. The ride quality has never been a problem for them. On the expressway it can get jumpy because of short wheelbase and you can feel bumps. It is a sports car. If you want a ROOMY four door sports car that is safe (air bags, crash tests, awd) you would have to spend twice as much money to get anything close. There are few compromises and lots of benefits. If you want a sports car, your family does not need to sacrifice to own an sti. Plenty of room too, I have put all shape and size adults in back seat and all have been amazed at the room - so there is plenty of room for children and car seats. The car seat I bot over a year ago even matches the interior. Bottom line - I thought this to death. You do not need to compromise to have your sports car. It is an sti. You just have to make certain you want a sports car. My girls are always anxious to go for a ride in daddy's race car...

[jvee]

If you have not already, read editor Thos. Bryant's new article at the end of Road and Track's new SPEED magazine. I could not tell it to you any better than he presents it.

[Grinch]

It all depends on your local roads and your tolerance for ride harshness & road noise. When I drive it in an Autocross (2 days a month?) it isn't stiff enough, when I drive it on the street (every day) it tends to be a little harsh and noisy. Plan your test drive so you hit some bumpy roads (and sometimes not bumpy, but textured can be very loud) to see if it is acceptable to you (note - it may be for a short time [especially when you are enjoying the big HP] but it may bother you over the long run). Somedays I feel like I would have been better off getting something else, or keeping my Celica GT-S as a daily driver.

Also, suggest you drive your current car over the same route as you test drive right before or after to note the difference. Test drive a regular WRX too. Less power but more confortable (HAS sound deadning & softer suspension).

[Grinch]

Wow, no the STi isn't harsh you're a little girl/old woman/gay?

[calvinboy]

Mrb,

I too was worried about the harsh ride. It really is hard for me to judge since I was driving an 81' Toyota truck (saving for the house) but I can tell you that I enjoy the ride of the STi. The car is a kick to drive and that in it's self can make you forget about any issues you might have. I put quite a bit of Dynamat extreme in my car and that seemed to help tremendously with overall road noise. This was time consuming and involved gutting the entire car. I would recommend it unless you are truly anal about weight. (I have photos if you are interested.) My girlfriend noticed a huge difference at highway speeds, we were actually able to have a conversation!

Anyway the only time I can complain is on really rough roads the noise from the potenza's is really loud. Other than that, it is my daily driver and I have no complaints.

Try to find someone in your area to let you ride with them, they probably will let you go longer than a dealership.

Good luck.

[OKflyswatter]

I have heard many people say replacing the Bridgestones helps alot with the road noise. I couldn't tell you because I don't have enough spare change laying around to try different tires. I went about 3500 miles before I put a stereo in and insulation did help quiet the cabin, but I did not mind the noise before. As for the ride quality, well it rides like I would have thought a performance car would ride. I have two little boys (both under 2 years old) and neither have any problems sleeping in the car. My oldest actually runs up to the car and says "Daddy's vroom vroom!" He laughs his butt off and yells "Wee!" when I take a turn fast or rev the engine while speeding up. In my opinion the STI rides just fine in town and on the highways at some speed. It does get a little harsh on the back country roads (which there are plenty of here in Oklahoma) but it is not bad enough to make me wish I had bought a different toy.

[cabalisticfire]

I came from an Audi S4. I believe that the ride quality of an S4 is similar to that of an A6. I do not find the STI suspension to be anything other than exactly what you would expect of a high performance street car that handels well. It is firm but not harsh. It's a little over 2 hours from the dealer to my house and I did not find the trip to be uncomfortable at all for a car like this. You will have tire noise, exhaust noise, differential noise and mechanical engine noise where you really didn't hear much of anything in the Audi. I personally love it but I still have a 4-Runner that's quiet and very comfortable for long trips.

[Flycaster]

It is possible to get the best of both worlds. Change the tires to a decent, quiet all weather compound (save the incredibly noisy stockers for auto-xing); have a professional installation of quality sound deadening material applied to *entire* cabin (it comes with NONE stock); then, finally, change the sway bars out to reduce the body roll and have a *quality* alignment performed, which will more than offset the handling impact of the weight addition. In fact, not only will it be almost as quiet as your old car, but it will handle far better than stock.

Will this change the stiff shocks and short wheelbase? Of course not, but you'd be surprised just how much the interior *noise* of this little stripped go-cart beats on you. Trust me, this changes the street nature (but not the performance) of this car completely. Moreover, if you buy the car right, you can do all of this and still end up less than MSRP - in fact, you'll have enough left over for a very nice sound system; or, if you're looking at an '05 that already comes with tunes, enough for an aftermarket EM set-up, such as the Cobb Accesport, which will give more than enough *safe* oomph to offset the additional weight.

Just my $0.02.

[bensonwrx]

The STi to me is bouncy...maybe b/c of the bit softer springs the 05 switched to. My wife drives a basic model VW Golf, and I agreed to previous posts on the qualities of ride comfort and interior materials. Compared between the two, the golf is comfortable while the STi is bouncing around most of the time due to bad road condition around here. I don't think it's harsh though...my RS-T, on the other hand, is harsh with the STi strut tops and 22B suspension (and thinner tires' sidewall).

Overall, if you are trying to get something comfortable, since you already have a modded vette, I wouldn't really recommend STi. If you want something luxury, I also would suggest you to look for something else. S4 or S6 would be something you may want if you want speed and luxury at the time. The R32 is not bad of a choice either, but I personally do not like the car since it has too many R-logo things.

If you really want a Subaru, how about the Legacy Turbo? Or you can wait for the Legacy STi (if we get one that is)...or even better - B4.

Good luck in your search!

[STInk]

The ride on the STI can be brutal, coming from VW/Audi. The STI tires hurt, the springs are too soft and the dampers are inverted and stiff, causing a jarring - then bouncy - ride on certain roads (especially cement). The interior noise wears on you. I added sound-insulation on the doors, and a good stereo, and that satisfied the interior problem. I then installed Whiteline Group 4 coilovers and that transformed the car into a comfortable sports car. More comfort and more control, and my passengers don't puke on bumpy roads. Any less "raw" and it wouldn't be fun!

[wrrrx]

Originally Posted by Grinch

Wow, no the STi isn't harsh you're a little girl/old woman/gay?

Wow- you guys are all little girls, old women and/or ghey!
j/k -calm down!
The ride is stiff- except as posted above, while AutoXing, it doesn't seem stiff enough.. as a number of people have pointed out, it will seem extra-stiff to you, coming from an Audi A6.
For ME, having come from a Saleen Mustang, it feels like smoooooooth sailing!!! Look- I can actually cross speed bumps without cringing in fear! Hee hee!
Definitely plenty of cabin noise though- both from the stiff sidewalls of the fabulous RE 70's and from the general lack of noise deadener used.

Take the family for a test drive!
Russ R