Really surprised no one has posted this but DO NOT buy a wrx! An STi is the way to go, looks to me that you like to mod and the Sti will Handle the extra power.I kick my self daily for choosing the wrx (it's a great car but it's not the Sti). As far as 4 door turbo cars go, Sti or Evo... Either will do just fine!

 

I would go with a STi, take your time to pick the right car. What's your price range? That's the big question.

 

Just went to test drive a Mazdaspeed6 and an 05 STI at the dealership.

My noticies. The Mazdaspeed6 drives better however whenever I floored it I was waiting for something to happen and it seemed to never come.

The STI had a more raw stiffer suspension (obviously) and I could feel more low end power over the 6, but when I floored it, I was waiting for the same thing as the 6. Where is the kick?

I guess all in all, both cars are enough for just a daily driver, but I know I'm going to want some more power out of either car, which is what I'm trying to get away from haha.

 

Stock maps suck, a stg1 map is way better even though it doesn't really increase power

 

And its not about straight line accelration, its about applying power in the right times imo... it may not feel like much but it is way more than enough for a dd, once you drive it around and get used to it, it'll feel a lot better..

I drive highway 17 A LOT and I've hung with many higher HP cars because I know how to drive my car

 

Your use to driving a RX7 that has has no torque, my buddy has 7 RX7's! Has ever model and few of different years! The RX7 has no power till like 5,000 RPM, STi has power from about 3,500 and will die off more at top! The RX7 pull up top but have no bottem. I would go check a Evo out, much more like a RX7! Lack on bottem but they pull hard up top.

 

Idk about 05 but my 06 STi is plenty quick dude, especially if you launch hard @ 6k with no tire spin. Now what other car can do that, just once & you'll def be hooked for life! I'm pretty much stock & my **** always seems fast, try turning as fast in any other vehicle & you'll most likely be dead. The balanced symmetrical awd allows you to drive fast whether turning or going straight, that's the key. Plus i ain't never lost a race yet (wink-wink). STi for sure if you plan on heavily modding, keep searching. Don't settle for less!

 

Oh yeah, stock STis don't have hardly any turbo lag due to the very short piping (top mount intercooler) & small turbo, hence no 'lil later power rush you refer to. All you get is immediate power, you should def be able to feel the difference when compared to a naturally aspirated car, if i ever do it's like night & day. Push the accelerator & wait for any kind of power, **** not in my car. I ain't trying to brag, just curious as to why that 05 STi you test drove didn't feel powerful, to me there's only a handful that can keep up in this segment. I can def feel my turbo kicking in, it still scares me at certain times. Drive one for awhile & you'll see!

 

I, too, owned an Audi once. Can't say I miss the car that much with all its trouble (b6 a4 1.8t), but do miss the community of great people. Infact I think I might have bought some stuff from you, though I can't remember what. Welcome and hope you find a suitable car.

 

I know the RX7 is a different power band than the STI. I'm comparing the STI against my Stage 3 S4 but I know I can't since the Stage 3 S4 is like putting 10K into the STI. But basically, the Stage 3 S4 was a perfect mix of low end power. The K04s are small enough where I could get that low end boost wherever in the RPM range and it'll pull like a freight train and just keep on pulling. Like you said, the STI seems to have decent low/mid range and die as it climbs in the RPM range.

But again, I know it is unfair to compare my Stage 3 S4 vs a stock STI.

 

I like you Mazda RX-7

Def one of my fav cars!

Welcome to the community.

 

The STI is faster than most cars. I'd say it's too fast for a daily driver.
But it's not a fast car when you compare it to newer cars.
Subaru never gotten itself into the horsepower games.

 

if you like to mod your car and care about ridiculous HP, then the evo would be the one to go with, 4G or 4B powered is a debate on it's own.

if you don't plan to mod much wrx/sti would be no prob.

but passing smog damn, i dont know.

just get a cadillac CTS-V sedan!!!!!!!

 

Get an EVO. I'm a 07 STi owner and I will soon be upgrading to an Evolution.

 

Buy a bone stock Evo IX MR with the 6spd.Great ride quality for a sports car, WAYYYY better platform if you decide to tweak it, especially on corn juice.