View Poll Results: Trade in M3 for Sti?
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Should I sell BMW M3 for an STi? Poll..
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From: Baja Oregon
Car Info: '05 Impreza Outback Sport ~ "WTF! Two-Toned?"
Originally Posted by mkppk
M3 is my dream car, and I finally got one after 3 previous lesser BMWs, BUT its not cheap and I could save maybe $200-300/month and still afford a nice car. I have been spoiled by the 333HP and would have a hard time not having a powerful car now.
I was actually shopping for an STi the day I bought the M3, it was kinda an impulse buy. STi is pretty much the only other car I think I would enjoy other than an M3, maybe an evo but I like the STi styling better (but its still a little more flashy than I prefer). Plus I imagine its not gonna cost and arm and leg to get more HP out of it.
So, I know u guys are biased but can you name some other goods reasons to sell? Also, why is it so dang hard to find 04-05 STi's in white? Seems like 80% are blue and the other 19% are black, i think I would want to be a little more subtle.
I was actually shopping for an STi the day I bought the M3, it was kinda an impulse buy. STi is pretty much the only other car I think I would enjoy other than an M3, maybe an evo but I like the STi styling better (but its still a little more flashy than I prefer). Plus I imagine its not gonna cost and arm and leg to get more HP out of it.
So, I know u guys are biased but can you name some other goods reasons to sell? Also, why is it so dang hard to find 04-05 STi's in white? Seems like 80% are blue and the other 19% are black, i think I would want to be a little more subtle.
Originally Posted by CreoWRX
+1
Sucked her in when I had an '01 Audi S4, and now she's stuck going through my Subaru phase ('03 WRX wagon, '04 STi, '05 FXT, & '06 spec.B). She wasn't too keen on me getting the wagon, and then she really disliked the "bookshelf" rear spoiler on the STi... But, she had already invested over a year by then. Now she drives a 2.5RS. So, I guess I win.
mkppk, I switched from the S4 to the WRX for mostly financial reasons (decided to go to graduate school). All of my Subarus have been much more reliable than any of the German cars that I owned previously. However, don't fool yourself too much that you'll be saving $$$ over the M3. Because if you do have a penchant for modding, you'll easily spend a substantial amount of money on a car like the STi, due to having so many aftermarket parts available for it. That was my problem.
The only way I'll make the switch, is if the M3 comes as a sedan...
-Mike-
Sucked her in when I had an '01 Audi S4, and now she's stuck going through my Subaru phase ('03 WRX wagon, '04 STi, '05 FXT, & '06 spec.B). She wasn't too keen on me getting the wagon, and then she really disliked the "bookshelf" rear spoiler on the STi... But, she had already invested over a year by then. Now she drives a 2.5RS. So, I guess I win.
mkppk, I switched from the S4 to the WRX for mostly financial reasons (decided to go to graduate school). All of my Subarus have been much more reliable than any of the German cars that I owned previously. However, don't fool yourself too much that you'll be saving $$$ over the M3. Because if you do have a penchant for modding, you'll easily spend a substantial amount of money on a car like the STi, due to having so many aftermarket parts available for it. That was my problem.
The only way I'll make the switch, is if the M3 comes as a sedan...
-Mike-
Ohhhh!!! B5-bi YUM YUM ... I love those cars ....
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7
From: MN
Car Info: BMW 323Ci
Remember its not a question about if I would like to have an STi over an M3, obviously I would choose the M3 in a perfect world... my delima is is it worth switching for what would amount to a 10-15% salary raise? ($200-300)..
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
Having spent plenty of time in BMWs and now in WRX models modded to be as powerful or greater than STi models, I can say the true fun of the STi vs. the M3 will only be apparent to you if you plan to run the car out on the ragged edges, in ways and environments that test the core strength of the car: poor surface conditions and curved roads.
Out on the highway or in town, the M3 is still a superior driving experience; the solid feel of that 3600lb-car and the composed driving position, as well as the broader torque curve, means it is less work and very smooth to drive. However, put that M3 on some packed gravel or sand or take it out in a thunderstorm and you're going to back off the throttle substantially.
Out in the turns, the M3 will keep up with an STi fairly well, but there is nothing quite like taking a turn with AWD -- you've got to try it to believe it. Entering a turn with minimal braking at 3500 RPM and then flooring it at the apex is a blast, and in a normal RWD car would earn you a nice oversteer and a trip to the ditch -- but in the STI it just rockets you out of the turn with a sh**-eating-grin and barely a screech of the tires.
The STi will also be much, much cheaper to work on and to modify -- go price what you'd pay for a performance clutch for that M3 vs. for the STI, or what you'd pay for a fuel pump and injectors or an intake.
If you are that concerned about cost and are willing to give up the looks of the M3, then I say get a WRX and put some extra cash into a nice interior, exhaust and engine mods. You'll save in insurance costs (the insurance companies rate the WRX a family sedan, and the STi as a sports car) and you won't attract the ricer crowd with that high-rise rear wing.
Out on the highway or in town, the M3 is still a superior driving experience; the solid feel of that 3600lb-car and the composed driving position, as well as the broader torque curve, means it is less work and very smooth to drive. However, put that M3 on some packed gravel or sand or take it out in a thunderstorm and you're going to back off the throttle substantially.
Out in the turns, the M3 will keep up with an STi fairly well, but there is nothing quite like taking a turn with AWD -- you've got to try it to believe it. Entering a turn with minimal braking at 3500 RPM and then flooring it at the apex is a blast, and in a normal RWD car would earn you a nice oversteer and a trip to the ditch -- but in the STI it just rockets you out of the turn with a sh**-eating-grin and barely a screech of the tires.
The STi will also be much, much cheaper to work on and to modify -- go price what you'd pay for a performance clutch for that M3 vs. for the STI, or what you'd pay for a fuel pump and injectors or an intake.
If you are that concerned about cost and are willing to give up the looks of the M3, then I say get a WRX and put some extra cash into a nice interior, exhaust and engine mods. You'll save in insurance costs (the insurance companies rate the WRX a family sedan, and the STi as a sports car) and you won't attract the ricer crowd with that high-rise rear wing.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: MN
Car Info: BMW 323Ci
Originally Posted by subiedude03
r u getting a used sti or a new one? if new wait for the 07 limited if u can finacially
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From: Baja Oregon
Car Info: '05 Impreza Outback Sport ~ "WTF! Two-Toned?"
Originally Posted by mkppk
I like like the look of the 04-05 STi actually even tho it is kinda extreme. Looked at the new STis today, could get one but it would not really save much much if any money, which is the whole point. I've seen the new 07 limited, subtle is nice, but I'd want someting more distinctive from the standard WRX if I were gonna get one.
Just a Suby salesman giving you unbiased insight....
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7
From: MN
Car Info: BMW 323Ci
The salesman tried to point me towards a regular WRX, showed me a nice, new 06 WRX, said it was 250HP, it actually looked pretty nice in person, but I think I have to get an STi to happy with myself cause I'm a shallow car-guy like that ;-). I'll probably test drive it anyway just for the fun of it, and the 05 STi too.
My M3 is on eBay right now if anyone is interested
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=4640379450
My M3 is on eBay right now if anyone is interested
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=4640379450
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 32
From: WPB Florida
Car Info: 2006 Black STI
They are both very different cars in my eyes. Performance vs Price = STI
The M3 is a great car but the STI is alot of fun. I ran off the road yesterday and slammed over a curb and nothing is broken. Not sure how rugged the M3 is but the STI can def take a beating.
The M3 is a great car but the STI is alot of fun. I ran off the road yesterday and slammed over a curb and nothing is broken. Not sure how rugged the M3 is but the STI can def take a beating.
Last edited by 06naSTI; May 17, 2006 at 05:23 AM.