Before you trash BMW's (or BMW drivers), maybe you should drive one? I've owned two BMWs, a long time ago, BEFORE they were status symbols (late 60's, early 70's). Great cars, great handling, well-built, excellent materials.

BTW, when I say "fast", I mean around corners, as well as in a straight line!

The problem is: you have to drive LOTS of different cars-- then, you'll see the difference between Italian, German, Japanese and US autos. I get the feeling that some of the folks on this list have ONLY driven Subies, and nothing else! That's too bad, because you'll never know the feeling a roaring Jaguar engine, or the neat snick-snick of an Alfa Romeo accelerating to 100 mph.

WHEN I buy my next car, it will probably be a new Evo or a used WRX.

Again, how Fuji prices the Sti will make a BIG difference for buyers like me: middle-aged dudes who have owned all kinds of cars, love handling, but also want a car that the old lady will ride in! (yeah, some of us DO listen to our wives and girlfriends!). Guys like me want cars that are fast AND reliable... a car that looks good, inside as well as out, and is fun to drive on winding mountain roads, or just tooting on the freeway to work.

Sure, Subaru CAN sell Sti's for 40 or 50K-- it's just that they'll sell 2 or 3 hundred, instead of thousands.

Oh, and yes, you CAN by a Beemer for 35 to 40K, nicely equipped. Go to the dealer, take one on a test drive, and then report back to me-- okay? Peace.

 

your right. If I were not to get the evo or sti I would get the 330i with the performance package. These kids probably have only driven one or 2 different cars. I have driven everything from ferrari, jag, audi, bmw (850i), porsche etc. I favor good handling just a little above power. there has been a couple of times were handling saved lives and because I knew what my car would do. OH AND MY WIFE WILL HAVE TO LIKE IT ALSO. she loves her audi but wants a sports car too. subaru is just a all around vehicle.

 

Here's a complete list of all the cars I've ever owned.....starting with:

Triumph Spitfire 1500 (had two of these, don't laugh)
Ford Capri 1.6L (parents tried to wean me onto something sensible)
Ford Escort RS2000 (rally bug bites in 1981)
Vauxhall Astra GTE
Vauxhall Astra GTE 16V
Lancia Delta Integrale 16V
Renault Clio 16V
Nissan Sunny 16V
Ford Sapphire Cosworth 4WD
TVR V8S
Porsche 911 Coupe
Porsche 944 Turbo
Subaru Impreza Turbo
Porsche Boxster
Porsche 996 C4
Audi S4
WRX STi (hopefully)

 

jwzekas, 2004STI,

I was going to reply and argue, then I realized why bother?

Just buy what makes you happy, there are no right or wrong, it is just a car.

One thing that I always wonder and never understand why is, if you think the STi is not worthy for your money, why even bother coming onto a Subaru forum and bash about it? I never feels the need to go to a forum that belongs to some car that I have no interest in and bash about it ............... I really like to know why, maybe you guys can enlighten me.

It is like going on a Mclaren F1 forum to complain about how expensive their car is and hoping Mclaren cars would listen and lower their price. Does that make sense to you

We sure live in a strange world.

 

You hit it right on the nail, JDM nut! I couldn't have said it better myself...

 

Okay, let me say it again: I LOVE SUBIES!!! THEY ARE AMAZING CARS!!!

But criticizing the price IS NOT bashing! I just think Fuji should keep the price down! I mean, I can remember when the Porsche 911 cost $8600!!! (current price $67,000). The RX-7 was first priced around 8K, and ended up costing over FORTY THOUSAND dollars, last year of production. Guess what? Lots of folks stopped buying the car.

My point? A manufacturer, like Subaru, starts out making a fast affordable, car. And within a few years, they jack-up the price, killing "the goose that laid the golden egg." I think the Sti will be fun, fast, and a blast-- just like ALL Scoobies! I just think the price should be kept "Japanese" instead of "German"! Does this make sense to anyone? Or am I the only one who thinks car payments of $675 a month is a LOT? (my HOUSE payment is only $620!!!).

Also, my point is: there is a BIG difference between cars in the 20 to $30,000 range, and cars in the 35 to $45,000 price class. Once Fuji passes a certain "price point", a different type of buyer comes in. At least here in California, cars over thirty-five thou are considered "bottom-end luxury" cars-- i.e. Lexus, Beemer, Infiniti etc. On the west coast, cars are not just driven, they are a statement about WHO you are: Honda Civic = middle class. BMW = silicon valley computer rich guy,
old Brit sports car = eccentric college professor, US muscle car = redneck good ole boy. And what does Subaru stand for? Subie = rad early-20's snowboarder (old subie) or soccer mom (Forester/Outback) or boyracer (WRX).

Okay, sorry to get in a big sociology lecture. All I'm saying (to Fuji Heavy Industries) is: Keep it Cheap! The appeal of Subies (for me) is cheap thrills, low budget, and FUN TO DRIVE. I don't want Subaru to become the "Volvo of Japanese Cars".

 

Why should Subaru sell the STi at a loss or break-even.............given all the technology that this car's packing $33k (or so) is a steal..........in other markets outside the US, most notably the UK where the Impreza has a cult-following, nobody would bat an eyelid at spending the equivalent of $45k on an STi (prices have recently dropped to the equivalent of $37.5k USD for the current Sti)...........just because it carries a Subaru badge doesn't mean they should give them away.

I really don't think Subaru are trying to enter the prestige market....it's aimed at a totally different crowd and since they're supposedly only importing 5000, or so, per annum into the US I think they can sell these quite easily to hardcore enthusiasts without trying to infiltrate the ranks of the BMW/Audi/Merc aspirants.