**UPDATE 11/7/11**
Well after all that.....i want another STI! I found my old build thread for my 05 STI and well...simply put, i fell in love all over again. I think i want to go with an 07 STI or an 08 STI. Reason being is i want a newer STI that will have fewer miles and possibly still fall under the warranty (even though (if the previous owner hasnt already) i will probably void the warranty with mods.

My decision making now is if i want the 07 sedan hawkeye or if i want the 08 hatch/wagon. I have never been a fan of the wagon STIs but the interior is so nice in the 08s. Also it has some of the newer bells and whistles. Also the wagon would give me the same benefits as the Forester while keeping the STI drivetrain and power. But again i love the sedans and love the idea of a CGM or SGM 07 STI.

Thoughts?

**EDIT** Cool article: http://www.modified.com/tech/modp-09...i/viewall.html

Hey guys,

Thought it'd be a fun debate. I just sold my Jeep and am looking to get back into a Subaru. I used to own a 2003 WRX and then i owned a 2005 STI. Since i mountain bike, snowboard, have a ton of military gear, and like to do home projects, i liked the extra storage in the back of my Jeep. That is why i started looking into the Forester XTs; i really like the Forester XTs with the STI body panels or the many people who have turned their Foresters into the STIs that are available overseas.

BUT! I miss my 05 STI a lot and the raw power i felt when driving it, I cant lie, a CGM 2005 STI is calling my name. But the utility of the Forester is very enticing and the fact that i can modify the forester to be comparable makes it a viable option and a lot more "realistic" option. Also from what i can see, it looks like i can get a 07-08 forester for a better price then a 05 STI when it comes to mileage, condition, etc.

So....what are your opinions!?

Thanks

Will

 

Wow what a hard call.

I LOVE the blob eyes, so its really hard for me to say. at this time I'd pick the forester since I still have my RS, but if I didnt have an RS Id buy the sti.


The foresters with the sports kit on it look soooooo goooood.

 

Definitely the XT with STi body panels. Get a nice utility vehicle with good power and reliability. XT's are sexy when they are a bit lowered with nice wheels. But then again, if you're looking for something to have fun with and you can DD and be happy with, the STi is the way to go. It'll keep you happy for a long time.

 

AH! I would love to have a Forester XT and a pimped out 00 RSTI that i would have set up for Autocross.

Yeah i owned my previous STI for about 4 years, i have missed it ever since. But i like the idea of a Forester because i can throw on the STI engine parts, cobb turbo back, get a AP, and an awesome tune from Paul and it should be a pretty quick car. Then throw some coil overs on it, sway bars, and a few other bits and pieces and it should handle pretty good. Again it would be a newer car, seat heaters, potentially lower mileage, and can hold all kinds goodies!

Anyone on here that can chime in about modified Foresters they own and how they like them?

 

sedans aint s***

 

I have an 05 STi and love it... but you can't really replace that cargo space and utility that the Forester XT provides. Whenever I go to tahoe w/ my friends we all roll out in Subarus... lots of WRXs and only one forester. Somehow we always end up rolling around in South Lake in the Forester b/c its more comfortable, more room for our gear and of course it has the benefit of being higher off the ground =) Just remember that the STi's don't even have the push through section in the backseat to accommodate for cargo that won't fit in the trunk.

Its hard for me to say that I would trade in my STi for a forester right now, but I know without a doubt that my next vehicle will be a forester XT... in addition to my STi =) Best of luck... either way you can't lose

 

Haha true that! I mean i saw this one and its just pure SEXINESS!



Yeah when i had my STI, i traded out to some WRX rear seats so i atleast had the ski pass through. From what i have been reading it does seem like the Foresters are pretty darn comfortable and i love the idea of heated seats!

 

i love the fxt but it's so hard to find them in a stick!! I would love a fxt!

 

GOD NO KIDDING!

I have been looking around for fun right now as i am looking to buy my house between now and December. I found an 07 down in Socal that has all the factory STI options for $19,500 i believe. Not quite sure the going rate on them and not really looking to buy yet but that is about 1 of 4 i found in all of CA.

 

my vote:
F
o
r
e
s
t
e
r!

 

Haha i think my vote is going to be as well.

Question for you guys. I think i know the answer but i thought id ask.

I want to put the STI Intercooler, catless uppipe, intake manifold, VF39, and a walbro fuel pump on it. What do you think CA emission SMOG people would think about this? I mean they are technically OEM parts so is it illegal? I assume the uppipe will be illegal because although its OEM it is eliminating the cat on the Forester. But the intercooler and intake manifold i would thing would be SMOG legal and legal to the cops. What do you guys think?

 

Interesting thread.
I have exactly one of the cars you're considering:
2008 Forester XT Sport 5mt in World Rally Blue. Pictures of it are in the "Subaru Gallery" thread.
It has all the STi bolt ons and a few choice power mods.
Haven't run into any STi's that are quicker yet. Straight line or turns
And the practicality of it is a no-brainer. I've transported everything from car bumpers to motorcycle body panels in it with room to spare.

 

My vote is for the forrester.

On the smog note. You should be fine, but it depends on where you go. Most techs dont know what they are looking at when it comes t oour cars. I just passed with a catless up pipe large top mount, they didnt even look at my dp.

Again no promises, and all it means if you fail is you gotta go put your factory parts back on, so dont sell them. GL man have fun. Get the forrester.

 

sounds like you haven't run into anything but stock sti or straight bolt ons =) bring it around my area... i'll show the forester a good time lol

 

I can come down there in one of my other cars and show you a thing or two as well, trust me
That's not the point though, this isn't a pissing contest: the point is, with all sti bolt ons, 20g, and e85 this thing is pretty darn quick. Its really easy to make a forester quick, in fact the 04's even have the same block and wiring as the STi, and you could literally drop in the vf turbo, tmic, and plug in the STi ecu and have an STi (minus the 6 speed and brakes).

Mod for mod they are pretty similar once you go past stock turbos. Heck, even their curb weight is almost identical.