370z vs Wrx Sti

shadoquad · 11-20-2012, 06:29 AM

I own both.

The Z is faster on a race track, it will handle better at high speeds. You won't get a lot more power out of the engine short of FI, but you'd lose money trading for an STI anyway. The Z also looks better, imo. The Z also makes its power NA, so it isn't laggy or straining. And it's Rwd, which is very fun.

The Sti will be drivable in more winter conditions and is roomier. It launches quick due to awd. It is cheaper to get high power gains, but not too much cheaper. Its suspension is super stiff, so it is agile, but no easier on my back than the Z. It is a more practical dd, but worse on gas from what I've seen. The boooost makes every trip fun, and the short throw shifter is nicer than the Z's shifter.

I love both. Do your research and make the right decision for you.

Chuck33079 · 11-20-2012, 07:49 AM

It really depends more on what you want down the line. Since you're in TX, AWD isn't really a necessity. If you're only looking for 300-350 whp, it's much easier to do on the Subaru. Downpipe, TMIC, boost control solenoid and tune. There's your reliable 325 whp or so. Change the fluids on time and the car will last forever. Ringlands are an issue on the stock tune, so budget in a reflash. It doesn't handle better than a Z out of the box. It understeers like a pig. Swap out the sway bars and it's a night and day difference. If you do all of that, you've got a great daily driver.

Compared to the Z, it's a lot easier to get the first 50+ whp. If you're looking to go over 400ish whp, mods will cost about the same if you did it right and didn't cut corners. A 400 whp STI on the stock block will blow up. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but you should at least have the funds set aside for when it happens.

I sold my 2004 STI to buy my Z. It was a stage 2/FMIC/EWG running 93+meth. It put down 330/350 on a heartbreaker dyno. It was an absolute animal. Very little on the road could keep up with it up to 90 mph or so. And a G37s with bolt ons and a tune walked away from it on the freeway once we both hit 4th gear. Just so you have a point of reference.

I also had every mount and bushing swapped out for either poly or the Group N rally car pieces. Sway bars, end links, a ton of chassis bracing and a sweet set of Ohlins adjustable struts. It handled better than anything else I've driven. It was also awful as a daily driver due to all of the NVH and the stiffness. Do springs and sway bars, and you'll have a wonderful daily driver. Beyond that, it'll beat you up.

Also, Subarus rattle after 15k miles or so. There's nothing you can do about it. Just turn up the radio. I spent hours chasing rattles and squeaks, and for every one I fixed two popped up. Save yourself the frustration.

11-20-2012, 06:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3887	I own both. The Z is faster on a race track, it will handle better at high speeds. You won't get a lot more power out of the engine short of FI, but you'd lose money trading for an STI anyway. The Z also looks better, imo. The Z also makes its power NA, so it isn't laggy or straining. And it's Rwd, which is very fun. The Sti will be drivable in more winter conditions and is roomier. It launches quick due to awd. It is cheaper to get high power gains, but not too much cheaper. Its suspension is super stiff, so it is agile, but no easier on my back than the Z. It is a more practical dd, but worse on gas from what I've seen. The boooost makes every trip fun, and the short throw shifter is nicer than the Z's shifter. I love both. Do your research and make the right decision for you. swwnz and ubs234 like this.

11-20-2012, 07:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	It really depends more on what you want down the line. Since you're in TX, AWD isn't really a necessity. If you're only looking for 300-350 whp, it's much easier to do on the Subaru. Downpipe, TMIC, boost control solenoid and tune. There's your reliable 325 whp or so. Change the fluids on time and the car will last forever. Ringlands are an issue on the stock tune, so budget in a reflash. It doesn't handle better than a Z out of the box. It understeers like a pig. Swap out the sway bars and it's a night and day difference. If you do all of that, you've got a great daily driver. Compared to the Z, it's a lot easier to get the first 50+ whp. If you're looking to go over 400ish whp, mods will cost about the same if you did it right and didn't cut corners. A 400 whp STI on the stock block will blow up. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but you should at least have the funds set aside for when it happens. I sold my 2004 STI to buy my Z. It was a stage 2/FMIC/EWG running 93+meth. It put down 330/350 on a heartbreaker dyno. It was an absolute animal. Very little on the road could keep up with it up to 90 mph or so. And a G37s with bolt ons and a tune walked away from it on the freeway once we both hit 4th gear. Just so you have a point of reference. I also had every mount and bushing swapped out for either poly or the Group N rally car pieces. Sway bars, end links, a ton of chassis bracing and a sweet set of Ohlins adjustable struts. It handled better than anything else I've driven. It was also awful as a daily driver due to all of the NVH and the stiffness. Do springs and sway bars, and you'll have a wonderful daily driver. Beyond that, it'll beat you up. Also, Subarus rattle after 15k miles or so. There's nothing you can do about it. Just turn up the radio. I spent hours chasing rattles and squeaks, and for every one I fixed two popped up. Save yourself the frustration. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent