opinions on 2011 Subaru STI

phelan · 09-06-2011, 12:39 PM

I don't get it. Why do people even consider the looks of the Subaru as really, really important? They're universally regarded as fairly..ahem...ugly looking cars. They're outlandish and polarizing, especially when you dump that humongous wing on top of it...but I still love them

If you wanted the good looks, stick with the Z, or save up for a German car.

Also, ringland failures were a huge issue in '08, but since there's only been a few isolated cases. Like Zed said, most occur when someone is really, really pushing their car. Until then, Subies have generally been pretty reliable.

cossie, don't underestimate the effect Auto-X can have on a car. I think Auto-X is actually more punishing than a track day, just because of the extreme technical nature of the courses, and the driver is typically in the really high RPM ranges, or constantly adjusting / shifting / etc.

shadoquad · 09-06-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

I don't get it. Why do people even consider the looks of the Subaru as really, really important? They're universally regarded as fairly..ahem...ugly looking cars. They're outlandish and polarizing, especially when you dump that humongous wing on top of it...but I still love them

Scoobies aren't the prettiest cars out there. But they look like a mean hot hatch/sedan, and they back all that up with performance.

nuTinmuch · 09-07-2011, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

I don't get it. Why do people even consider the looks of the Subaru as really, really important? They're universally regarded as fairly..ahem...ugly looking cars. They're outlandish and polarizing, especially when you dump that humongous wing on top of it...but I still love them

If you wanted the good looks, stick with the Z, or save up for a German car.

Also, ringland failures were a huge issue in '08, but since there's only been a few isolated cases. Like Zed said, most occur when someone is really, really pushing their car. Until then, Subies have generally been pretty reliable.

cossie, don't underestimate the effect Auto-X can have on a car. I think Auto-X is actually more punishing than a track day, just because of the extreme technical nature of the courses, and the driver is typically in the really high RPM ranges, or constantly adjusting / shifting / etc.

I actually love how the wagon and sedan look! Sure, it isn't sleek like the Z is, but I think it is pretty awesome.

I still sort of want one.

kenchan · 09-07-2011, 11:17 AM

i kinda like their hatch version better but it comes with some crazy premium these days, right?

phelan · 09-07-2011, 11:21 AM

three dealerships i have gone to have asked 2k OVER sticker due to their "rarity".

pfffffft!

nuTinmuch · 09-07-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

three dealerships i have gone to have asked 2k OVER sticker due to their "rarity".

pfffffft!

whaaaaaaaaaaat?

You can get one for a good amount under invoice here.

Sort of odd, though. You'd think the price would be lower in a place where you never get snow.

Red__Zed · 09-07-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

whaaaaaaaaaaat?

You can get one for a good amount under invoice here.

Sort of odd, though. You'd think the price would be lower in a place where you never get snow.

Under invoice? Skepticalhippo.nef

cossie1600 · 09-07-2011, 01:14 PM

Wait till December, Subaru loves running HUGE sales around that time. My friend got his for $8K under sticker. It was like $29900 plus tax

phelan · 09-07-2011, 01:17 PM

they LOVED running huge sales. dealerships right now are ******** and upcharging everything. natural disaster fee. pfft.

Red__Zed · 09-07-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

they LOVED running huge sales. dealerships right now are ******** and upcharging everything. natural disaster fee. pfft.

This.

shadoquad · 09-07-2011, 01:25 PM

Cossie has a good point, though. December is a fantastic time to try for a deal. They're looking to offload whatever's left on the lot so they don't have to pay taxes on it.

Elysium · 09-07-2011, 01:59 PM

I have a 2008 Sti as a daily driver and I love it. You can't beat the practicality of a 5 door hatch with awd for everyday use and I still take it to the track once in a while too.

I think the 2011 sedan is really hot and a nicer looking car than the hatch but obviously less practical.

supunna_picta · 09-07-2011, 02:32 PM

Get the Subaru if you're concerned about winter weather driving and unless you're tracking the car IMO I don't see the price premium of the STi over the standard WRX. On paper the numbers are close enough that street driving won't matter. Additionally the later m.y. WRX (5 door) has a bit more STi like styling. If you get a Subie, you will need winter tires for any snow driving - don't think you can just tromp around for any distance on your summer shoes.

I love the WRX for utility, high altitude performance, fuel mileage and AWD. It's easier to drive than the Z for day to day driving.

I love the Z for styling, low end torque, handling that requires skill to extract, tech features, fit and finish and uniqueness.

If I had to choose one, I would choose the WRX for the sole reason of snow. If I lived in a no snow zone, it'd be the Z.

Pelican170 · 09-07-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

I've had that same thought multiple times in the last few months and I don't even live in a place where it rains or snow a lot (Vegas). Still, there is something to be said about knowing you have a car that will always be able to handle inclement weather. I never understood the point of AWD in dry weather until I got my 06 WRX back in 06. Prior to that I only drove RWD (240sx, 300zx, 280z). In dry weather the WRX was just fantastic and always stuck. I remember several times I took turns that I though would never be possible and the WRX just stuck to the road; where as my 280z or 300zx would have spun out. The main thing that got me was the first monsoon storm I drove in with the WRX. Vegas sewer systems really suck as they weren't designed to handle a lot of rain as it's typically always dry, but when it rains here it pours. I was going down a street with literally a river running across it and the WRX just plowed through no problems. In both 2006 and 2007 we got snow here and it was wonderful to be able to drive my car and get it up the driveway. There were some people abandoning their BMW's and Porsche's because they wouldn't move. Yes, people here are idiots in the snow just leaving their cars on the side of the road. My neighbor at the time actually got stuck outside my house in her 350z and I had to help push the car so she could at least get it near her house.

In short, yes, AWD or in this case the STI does present a lot to offer. My only problem with the STI is that you have to go Stage 2 just to be competitive with the Z. Essentially subaru is really behind the times right now when it comes to $/performance ratio. It's rumored that the next gen STI for 2013 won't come with more than 300hp either and instead they will try to get the weight down 100-200lbs. For whatever reason subaru is not interested in pushing the power up on this car yet they still want to sell them for 35k.

You have a hard choice but in the end I don't think you can go wrong. Your Z looks awesome but the STI doesn't exactly look bad either. Stage 2 is relatively cheap and easy to do in your own garage and you'll have your piece of mind with AWD. Honestly if I lived anywhere else where rain and snow were regular occurrences I would be in the STI and not the Z. It's easy for me to say that though because I still have my 280z and 300zx to fulfill my Z addiction.

What exactly does a stage 2 consist of? Higher boost, down pipe and exhaust? Anything else?

Red__Zed · 09-07-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

What exactly does a stage 2 consist of? Higher boost, down pipe and exhaust? Anything else?

You don't even need exhaust

09-06-2011, 12:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	I don't get it. Why do people even consider the looks of the Subaru as really, really important? They're universally regarded as fairly..ahem...ugly looking cars. They're outlandish and polarizing, especially when you dump that humongous wing on top of it...but I still love them If you wanted the good looks, stick with the Z, or save up for a German car. Also, ringland failures were a huge issue in '08, but since there's only been a few isolated cases. Like Zed said, most occur when someone is really, really pushing their car. Until then, Subies have generally been pretty reliable. cossie, don't underestimate the effect Auto-X can have on a car. I think Auto-X is actually more punishing than a track day, just because of the extreme technical nature of the courses, and the driver is typically in the really high RPM ranges, or constantly adjusting / shifting / etc. __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

09-07-2011, 11:21 AM	#20 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	three dealerships i have gone to have asked 2k OVER sticker due to their "rarity". pfffffft! __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

09-07-2011, 01:17 PM	#24 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	they LOVED running huge sales. dealerships right now are ****** and upcharging everything. natural disaster fee. pfft. __________________ 凛 ('Rin')** - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

09-07-2011, 01:59 PM	#27 (permalink)
Elysium Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 133 Drives: 2013 GT-R, 2008 Sti Rep Power: 14	I have a 2008 Sti as a daily driver and I love it. You can't beat the practicality of a 5 door hatch with awd for everyday use and I still take it to the track once in a while too. I think the 2011 sedan is really hot and a nicer looking car than the hatch but obviously less practical. __________________ 2013 GT-R black edition.....with mods to come 2010 370Z stillen supercharged.....will be missed

09-07-2011, 02:32 PM	#28 (permalink)
supunna_picta Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 102 Drives: Red 370z Rep Power: 14	Get the Subaru if you're concerned about winter weather driving and unless you're tracking the car IMO I don't see the price premium of the STi over the standard WRX. On paper the numbers are close enough that street driving won't matter. Additionally the later m.y. WRX (5 door) has a bit more STi like styling. If you get a Subie, you will need winter tires for any snow driving - don't think you can just tromp around for any distance on your summer shoes. I love the WRX for utility, high altitude performance, fuel mileage and AWD. It's easier to drive than the Z for day to day driving. I love the Z for styling, low end torque, handling that requires skill to extract, tech features, fit and finish and uniqueness. If I had to choose one, I would choose the WRX for the sole reason of snow. If I lived in a no snow zone, it'd be the Z. __________________ 2011 Touring/Sport/6mt \| winter: 2009 WRX

09-07-2011, 11:17 AM	#19 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i kinda like their hatch version better but it comes with some crazy premium these days, right?

09-07-2011, 01:14 PM	#23 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	Wait till December, Subaru loves running HUGE sales around that time. My friend got his for $8K under sticker. It was like $29900 plus tax

09-07-2011, 01:25 PM	#26 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3886	Cossie has a good point, though. December is a fantastic time to try for a deal. They're looking to offload whatever's left on the lot so they don't have to pay taxes on it.

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