So true, Ditchhanger. Isn't the WRX and STI, rally-bred cars? Though flogging them around at the drag strip is fun and cool, the Impreza's heritage comes from rally races where the awd factor comes into play. Just my $.02

 

Originally posted by Ditchhanger
If you really want to know what an STi can do, learn how to drive it at the Driving School on May 31st.
A .url would be nice.

The STi is NOT a drag racing car. It never was designed as one to begin with. It was designed with power and performance in mind. Anyone that does take their STi out to drag, or modifies it specifically for that purpose, is an idiot. Go ahead...talk **** about me...I don't care. This is my opinion.
A rally car makes a very good drag racer in street trim because of its AWD. Witness the standing starts in each WRC event, whether it be on tarmac, gravel, or snow. I agree that it would seem like a waste to convert a WRX or STi into a drag-only car, but that's my opinion. Drag strips have their purpose, if only to attract those that would otherwise be engaging in street racing. Oahu has a problem with street racing, does it not? Drag racing is the easiest first step to a legal form of competition for street racers. Auto-x is the next logical move to get them to renounce their illegal and dangerous activities.

I've taken my car to the drag strip for testing purposes. While it is not that quick, IMO, I use the timeslips to see if mods have resulted in more power, as the trap speed doesn't lie. I don't really consider drag racing someone else side-by-side to be a challenge but I do enjoy improving my own launches and 60-foot times. I try to go to the drags during the 'test and tune' sessions, which cost a lot more but there is a relatively empty track. I'd do testing there even if I were the only car running.

The most fun I have in my car is driving in the twisties in northern California. I really like it when it's raining. I think that coilovers and pillowball mounts and strut tower braces are all neat stuff but I don't plan on doing that to my car. I need to retain the simplicity and reliability of the stock suspension and ground clearance for the times when I go off-road for camping and driving fun. I also have a second set of factory wheels that will be fitted with real snow tires this winter. Lake Tahoe is so beautiful that time of year. The Impreza is not a tarmac-only car, no more than it is a 1/4-mile-only car.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

That's why I drag race.

Seriously, I can dragrace up to 8 times a month if I want to and only AutoX once a month. I usually wakeup about the same time the AutoX starts and I end up talking myself out of it...ergo, when I do come down, I suck.

Joey, the one aspect of drag racing that I think you're overlooking is that it's a great technique for figuring out if the work you've done under the hood is outputting what you want it to.

Almost every pass I make, I tweak something in the UTEC and then log it; view the log, then tweak the UTEC.

It can be ultimately frustrating, but it can be pretty rewarding as well.

And in some remote way, don't you feel sorta righteous in knowing that your car, with just a little engine work, can beat up on a built big block? I know you feel that way about how your car handles vs. some $60k Porsche, right?

 

The WRX/STI wasn't designed for drag racing, but I don't think it was designed for solo II either. Turbo lag, weight, and difficulty down-shifting to 1st make it vulnerable to less powerful NA cars like Ditchhanger mentioned. Of course, a couple of mods and a skilled driver can make up for those deficiencies rather quickly.

Someone called the WRX a swiss army knife and I think it's an apt description. My favorite thing about our cars is it's ability to do many things well. First there's the obvious rally heritage and I'd imagine it wouldn't be too difficult to rally it. At the same time, you could turn it into a drag monster or conebasher relatively easily. Sure, you could probably go faster for less money at the strip with a muscle car, but your car would also be more 'one-dimensional' than the rex.

 

I think they got that all taken care of in the STi. No problems here, the shifting is so smooth and I have downshifted to 1st going about 20 already and no probs.

I agree with the swiss army knife, there are some lighter more maneuverable cars that I would think could whip em at auto-x, but it should still be a fun car for it. It definitely seems to be a jack of all trades and master of none sort of car...

 

I still don't understand why you didn't buy the Porsche 911 turbo AWD or the Viper.



If you had cash for the STI, you could have certainly financed $115k.

 

Um... big difference between cashing out an STi and financing over 100grand. Atleast in my book... I did look at some Porsches, but just didnt see any I liked on island (in the same price range as the STi that is) and I dont like Vipers at all. Im happy so thats all that really matters...

 

I felt the same way exactly. I love the STI, but I love my car as is better. Which goes to prove (at least in my mind) that I put the right mods on my car for my needs. I just can't get over the potential the STI has. I couldn't help but get a kick out of the fact that the people looking at the STI when I went couldn't keep their eyes off my ride.

 

Originally posted by DaveWRX
Um... big difference between cashing out an STi and financing over 100grand. At least in my book...
I think Pat was just kidding you, Dave.

The one great thing I like about Subaru AWD cars is their forgiving nature. Sure, push the car hard enough and you can get into serious trouble but below 9/10ths and it's predictable unless highly modified. I don't think I would be able to drive something like a 911 Turbo AWD anywhere near its limits.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

Yeah, I meant to add a smiley to my statement, but forgot to... But I do want that Porsche!!! There were some used ones here that were nice, but I really wanted to get a new car so I was the one putting the miles on it. Once again tho I miss RWD every now and then, but once I get to the track Im sure I wont miss it at all. My Camaro only had about 300hp with some slight mods and the rear was always loose, couldnt imagine driving agressively in auto-x and always worrying about the rear end. Will be nice to see how AWD feels on the course...

 

Dave, ask anyone. I'm not a dick, but I wasn't joking.

I'm jealous or envious; much the same way I am of Jay Leno and his car/bike collection. For me to have the STI would mean that I would have to sacrifice more than I'm willing to right now. Sure I'd love to have it, but I love my car too.

Straight up, take it for what it's worth, nothing personal, blah blah blah....it seems like you popped into the club all fired up about the WRX, then you got here and the WRX wasn't good enough. That's fine because you're entitled to your tastes, but just remember that the car that came in second for you (or third or fourth) is the same car that most of us still have. Believe it or not, if you [edit: double negative] feel as if you're not that good of a driver, a stock WRX would be more than satisfying for you.

I don't begrudge that YOU have the car. I don't know you; have nothing against you. Enjoy. Really. Bring it down to the gulch and have fun. I won't even ask for a ride.