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Hey Red_Zed! i noticed you sold your 370z and you own a 2011 STI, what are your thoughts? pros? cons? regrets? inform me! please.

I actually just went with a regular WRX. Bought it to DD instead of the Z, and they just about split driving time while I owned them both.

I think living where I lived then, I'd have skipped the Z and gone straight for the subie if I could do it again. The Z is a great car, but the WRX/STI is on the same plane of performance, without most of the compromises present in the Z.
There's no replicating the feeling of RWD, but the WRX is usable in all weather, which more than makes up for it for those of us that live in places with seasons.

Quick thoughts--

The WRX is much torquier, and feels quicker around town. There's just more power down low the powerband-- even without a tune.
It doesn't have the high-end scream of the Zed, but for a road car, I prefer the torque.

The trans is the WRX is an old school 5 speed, which is kinda lame. The STI trans is smoother than the Z's though. Both are pretty strong transmissions.

Dynamic-- the Subie's understeer A TON-- even more than the Z does. Potentially annoying, fixable by a rear sway. If it didn't bother you in the Z, it won't bother you much here though.
The Subie's feel lighter, mostly due to the steering ratio. I feel like I'm in better control of the car on tight courses, and it definitely autocrosses faster on most courses, even with skinnier tires.

Brakes-- wrx brakes are lame now. STI brakes are solid. I'd put them about equal to the akebonos.

Anything specific you want to know, just ask.

Nice car. Uh, I think I test drove that exact same one just under a month ago. I made them pull it out of the show room for a test drive with 6 miles on it. I brought it back with about 32. Honestly I didn't like the clutch at all.

Update: just for more information I got them to $900 over invoice on pricing. I wanted it AT invoice, but at that point the sales manager came out and just yelled at me, "NO! NO! $900 is it. Take it or leave it." He then stormed back into his office. I shrugged, left, and then walked across the street to get an Evo X MR for $250 under invoice with better financing (0% over 36 months; the best Subaru offers is 1.9% over 36).

The EVO is a much better looking car in my opinion. I'm surprised you didn't care if you got the EVO or sti, it all came down to about a grand.

Not that I want to start a STi vs. Evo war, but I have to disagree...I like the looks of the STi sedan and hatch much more, but to each their own. :icon17:

I was thinkin the same when i read it! haha

Given that selling my NISMO was a compromise, I was willing to initially look at the more convenient vehicle. The standard cold weather package and fold-down rear seats of the STI are more practical. That said, had I actually purchased the STI it would have been a mistake. I test drove it first. After I drove the Evo X I realized the mistake that would have been the STI.

So, other than the better pricing and finance rates, what else about the Evo did you like more compared to the STi (from the test drive)?

Most everything related to handling felt tighter and more responsive. Turbo lag on the Evo X is less pronounced as well. The seats on the STI are a tad shorter up top too. I don't know how the clutch is in the Evo X GSR, but I didn't like the STI clutch at all compared to the my old NISMO 370Z. Just go ride in both and you'll see.

i agree with you on the clutch of the STI, it was soft on 2 different cars i test drove, the z's clutch is a lot more stiff, and to me feels a lot more ...confident? due to a lack of better wording.

I will be picking my EVO up once I get back from vacation. Sold the Z to get it.

the evo feels like a really tight driving machine, but that's really all it is. a very mechanical tool. i didn't feel any connection when i drove the car. and the interior of the WRX, to me, is a little better.

subjective viewpoint but to each his own!

Do that and pretty soon you'll find a mustang in your garage.

Lol ill be getting a wrx soon enough. Z ie almost paid off.

color?

Satin white pearl or lightning red

Haha did everyone in the Northwest realize that having a Z year round is a pain?

Lol the z isn't my daily. It's just I sold all my other cars and my mom is gonna take back her 4 runner that I've been babysitting sometime next year. I originally bought my 2.5rs for a daily but a aftermarket turbo car doesn't make a good daily.

When my 370 got totaled I went with a porsche Cayman S. I then realized that was a bad decision and bought a 2011 Sti sedan and I love the Car. I have a tune now, and It feels great! super quick and most of all practical.

What color STI? Did you get a tune through Cobb AP? Why was the Cayman S a bad idea for you?

So Hated1, what did you decide on doing?

Hey djpathfinder,

so after reading that Daleks and Joseph B picked up an EVO X, i went ahead and checked one out. I specifically checked out the evox MR.

All i can say is WOW! the interior is nice, the rockford fosgate system is good, the power is awesome, and the slight rumble from stoplight to stoplight was great. When i would brake in the Evo x MR at a stoplight it felt as if i was holding it back and it wanted to be let loose. I liked it, i think i might stray that way, i appreciate all the info guys, as this thread has helped me make a more informed decision.

here's somepics of the trip:

http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/c407c88a.jpg
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/af87df99.jpg
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/eb3ac117.jpg

so you gonna make the switch?

Either one is a good choice. Go with whichever one gives you a bigger smile. :tup:

I'd love this for my DD, but i like the GSR wing better.

Still looks waaaay too boy racerish to me, IMHO trading your Z for a Lancer is a downgrade, but hey, its your cash, not mine:tup:

For interior, sure. But not performance.

So...couple thoughts after driving my WRX for a few days now

Negatives:
1) 1st gear is kind of notchy. Sometimes it will stick and I'll have to throw it into 2nd gear, then really push hard to get 1st gear to engage. I made a slight mistake this morning and it didn't fully engage my 1st gear, and I got a bit of gear mashing. Nothing serious, thankfully, but it was kind of annoying.

2) Nobody pays attention to the horn on this car. It sounds like a dying goat bleat. Seriously, I horned and highbeamed an SUV cutting me off and almost sideswiping me, and she kept right on merging into my lane. I'm getting myself a horn upgrade pretty soon.

3) Radio is pretty flat. Red_Zed did say I should dynamat the doors, though, so I'll try that before I pass final judgment.

Positives:
1) Other than 1st gear notchiness, this car is stupid easy to drive. The clutch is feather-light, and you can really throw the car around and it will stay planted, even in the stock setup. The Whiteline sway bars will improve this even more.

2) 2011 WRX wheels look absolutely badass. A few...er...not-so-knowledgeable owners thought they were aftermarket :rofl2: No need to upgrade wheels on this one!

3) Can't wait for my AccessPort to come in. Stage 1 :tup:

We haven't taken delivery of ours yet and I've already ordered an Invidia Q300 exhaust, catted downpipe, and Cobb AP. :tup:

As this is my daily driver, I didn't get a downpipe just because I get spooked about the warranty. The gains from the downpipe aren't worth the risk IMO, but that's just me.

I am pondering exhaust choices though :rofl2: Invidia Q300 is a popular choice...but knowing me, I might just fork out cash for a GReddy.

Any picts? :)

Here is my dirty little evo. The color choice was hard, but in the end phantom black was it for me.

I couldn't see the pic so i went to your album.

Attachment 35274

Attachment 35275

Thx Kaien, I fixed it.

No problem,:tiphat:...

just this one for now
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...4/IMG_1292.JPG

rin is never gonna leve the garage now lol

cool, you got the hatch! :tup: wasn't that like a 5K premium (プレミアム :icon17:) vs the sedan? or was that just on the STI's?

Where I live at least, the hatch is much easier to find.

no i could have gotten either one for about the same price. i just like the hatch more :tup: