I like !
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7
From: Washington
Car Info: WRX 2003
I think the redesign is a sign of the times. I live in the Seattle area, but I work abroad now. Usually in Europe, Asia, and Africa approx 15-18 days a month. What else is there really. Being an international cargo pilot, I am usually laying over in places, like Brussels, Amsterdam, Frankfort, Accra, Lagos, Johannesburg, Riyadh, Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangkok, etc.
Especially in Europe, the majority of the cars in the same class as Subaru, are going to the hatchback versions. If you look at the new Peugot's, Citroens, Opel's. Their flagship performance models are going to hatches. I don't mind it at all. I always wished Subaru would make a Wagon STI back when they first introduced them in '04. I have previously owned a '01 2.5 RS two door, and an '03 WRX four door.
Also those of you that are complaining about the new price adjustments for the '08's, a little FYI. In Holland, a new '08 STI with taxes and fee's is approx. 70,000 Euro's. The Euro is trading today at 1,00E = $1.4809
New '08 STI bought in Holland at 70,000Euros including VAT + Taxes = $103,663. Proud and Thankful to be a US citizen. The VAT (value added tax) is a real killer now in Europe, just put into law January 01, 2007. Just watched a BBC report last month how '07 was the worst year for car purchases in Europe, majority of people bought cars in '06 to avoid the VAT.
This post being written at the New World Mayfair hotel, Shanghai, China Saturday Feb 02, at 1145am.
Especially in Europe, the majority of the cars in the same class as Subaru, are going to the hatchback versions. If you look at the new Peugot's, Citroens, Opel's. Their flagship performance models are going to hatches. I don't mind it at all. I always wished Subaru would make a Wagon STI back when they first introduced them in '04. I have previously owned a '01 2.5 RS two door, and an '03 WRX four door.
Also those of you that are complaining about the new price adjustments for the '08's, a little FYI. In Holland, a new '08 STI with taxes and fee's is approx. 70,000 Euro's. The Euro is trading today at 1,00E = $1.4809
New '08 STI bought in Holland at 70,000Euros including VAT + Taxes = $103,663. Proud and Thankful to be a US citizen. The VAT (value added tax) is a real killer now in Europe, just put into law January 01, 2007. Just watched a BBC report last month how '07 was the worst year for car purchases in Europe, majority of people bought cars in '06 to avoid the VAT.
This post being written at the New World Mayfair hotel, Shanghai, China Saturday Feb 02, at 1145am.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3
From: DFW, Texas
Car Info: 08 WRX Hatch, Lightning Red
I agree w/ Romp, the rest of the world is in love with the Hatch. The US is just slow to catch on. The other major rally players have all been running hatches for some time.
My Subie ownership schedule has included a bug-eye Black Wagon, a WRBlue STi sedan and now an '08 Lightning Red WRX Hatch. I have loved each one and this one is no different. The handling is soft and needs tuning without doubt but I like the look to the point that my wife is starting to get sick of hearing me say "look at that pretty lil' red car".
I expect that once people start driving them and the mods start to really roll they will take off. It's a great platform and really it just got better. All of the reasons people loved the previous versions still apply plus there is new ones.
People just hate change.
But darn my car is pretty.
My Subie ownership schedule has included a bug-eye Black Wagon, a WRBlue STi sedan and now an '08 Lightning Red WRX Hatch. I have loved each one and this one is no different. The handling is soft and needs tuning without doubt but I like the look to the point that my wife is starting to get sick of hearing me say "look at that pretty lil' red car".
I expect that once people start driving them and the mods start to really roll they will take off. It's a great platform and really it just got better. All of the reasons people loved the previous versions still apply plus there is new ones.
People just hate change.
But darn my car is pretty.
Staff Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 674
From: Tampa, FL
Car Info: 06 STI
I am a big fan of the new STI. Will be reviewing it shortly to see how it drives, but from a style perspective, I think its a hit in and out. Especially if we could get those damn recaros in it
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