I would think the same thing.
The next generation US GT-R will most probably be the introduction for a quality performance oriented AWD setup, and that car is expected to be in the low $80's and super luxury. But, I would not be surprised to see a trickle down (or even better trickle up!) of this technology albeit watered down from the Z and G series.
The Stillen supercharger kit as quoted to me does not include the intake or the exhaust (dual path cat back) systems.
Although the supercharger kit HP & Torque numbers as quoted to me were not inclusive of the intake & exhaust kits.
Therefore I take it to equate as: 400CHP/320 WHP + 10WHP + 16WHP = 346WHP
Feel free though to contact Stillen and reverify my info, but as it was told me the above is my understanding of the numbers & setups. My only negative thought though is out of pocket costs. Were talking another $5K in parts alone as you noted and that bumps the cost of the vehicle up to $38K base. The cost to benefit ration then begins to drop off a bit...
While talking with Derrick the CF driveshaft never came up (I forgot to ask) but in hindsight I was windering the same thing. That has to account for a few HP at the wheel.
But as he told me a wheel dyno has and would result in the same figures Z to G. Maybe he's think CHP numbers which would be a bit more logical. And if so, I could be okay with the losses of the G. Its less of a gain I have to make up for than already being down 7 at the crank.
I have to agree with you on the Sti as for pure performance the STi is the way to go.

For counterpoint I have a friend here visiting with through the weekend that just arrived and we'vee been talking cars...what else is their? Anyway, he's along time Subie fan and owner too as well as BMW nut (3 Series) and has lots of track expereince and hangs out with professional drivers. Anyway, he's standing here over my shoulder basically agreeing with me on the point that although the STi is the cats meow for track use (as well as the EVO) and is an excellent power to weight to cost bargain, the G35 is the better choice for all-around liveability for folks our age ('30's & '40's) who have families, are professionals during the day (we have clients to meet, greet, and shuttle around on ocassion) and equally importantly its got style. Style goes a long way toward equalizing things much the same as money makes an ugly man a hot ticket and personality helps a not so attractive woman get along.

I'm still split and waiting for a test drive on the STi to finalize my thoughts...

- Janq

 

The G35 Sedan is available with 6-speed MT so there is no PRNDL .. I actually had a nightmare once that i could not brake on a AT car

thanks again

 

Equal length header? I didn't know that the STi could take one?
I thought there is only exhaust manifold -> turbo -> downpipe
Also, why would catback exhaust affect turbo lag?

 

Header is the wrong term to use. I mean equal length exhaust manifold, the HKS one for the WRX for example.........

In general less back pressure in the exhaust system reduces turbo lag, but only up to a point. Like if you put a 4" or bigger piping exhaust system on a mildly tuned STi, it would have too little back pressure and you would lose low end power, same as having turbo lag.........

 

Well guys according to posts at NASIOC it seems the STi will be allocated in extremely small volumes to the larger dealers (1-3/month) while the smaller dealers will be lucky to get a single unit.

While the G35 in certain markets are hot, supply is not limited and Infiniti is currently accepting orders. Outside of getting lucky and finding some dealer in 'Lower Nowhere, IL' with a unit on its floor or the economy getting _worst_ (oh God no!) and even more people losing their jobs/businesses, personal savings, homes and ability to feed their children, most of us will not be seeing the keys of an STi this year.

It seems our only choices for those of who aren't #1-4 on dealer lists. Either dig in and prepare to wait until 2004 (I'm on two and my highest position is 7th!) or go with 'Plan B', G35/EVO/used M3/???.

My pateince is wearing thin and I'm not inclined to wait until sometime in '04 to get a test drive muchless make a buying decision. I'm more inclined to just pull the trigger on a three year G35 lease and call it an evening.

I'll be touching base with my dealers next week to see where they stand on Subie allocation numbers through 2003.
Lets hope that Subaru changes their mind and greatly increases production numbers.

Advantage: G35

This waiting sucks!

- Janq

 

^^ I've decided to not let the waiting kill me. Instead, I don't care when the car comes in. When it finally does, my finances will be securely in place and it will be a big surprise when the dealer does finally call. I'm no longer in a rush to get my Sti, but if it did come tomorrow, I'd certainly take it.

 

..ahhh, the power of the mind!

In my 'hood we call that the 'Reverse Whammy' aka 'The Okey Doke'. Making yourself think that you're not pressed when really you are, thats a good one!

In my case I've grown tired of the pining and am ready to get my butt to an Auto-X event.
I was planning to test drive the G35 and RX-8 this weekend but my riding buddy (he wants an RX-8) had a family emergency.
We're going to try again sometime this week.

Good luck with the whammy!

- Janq

 

Janq,

I feel your pain, man. I'm #8 at my dealer. The waiting is killing me, but at the same time I told myself (when I put the cash down), that if it wasn't here by August I was giving up. The latest production figures are not helping. So far, here are the alternatives:

350Z - great looking, but no room to put anything

G35 - not so great looking, similar performance to the Z, some room to put stuff

TSX - good looking, DVD navigation for < $29k, awesome Honda interior/gauge cluster. Bad: FWD...really bad

RSX + $10K - awesome handling and interior, sporty look, might be as fast as 350Z. Bad: FWD...need I say more?

Used M3 - hey, that's not a bad idea...I might have to borrow this idea from you!

 

That's funny...I had originally set my 'buy date' to August also as this was going to be a birthday gift for myself. Once a year I treat myself for being a "good boy" (work hard, be a good & faithful hubby, eat my veggies, etc.) to something cool as a reward. This year was planned to be an STi in lieu of an M5 which is what I really had my heart set on for the past 4 years (been saving towards it!) but the market is too low and the economy too precarious to justify such an extravagence.
When my local dealer witht he short list told me in January that I'd be looking at Spetember/October I was like "cool, I can wait that long".

But now with the wait looking like it could be into this time next year, I just don't think so. As the STi having already been my 'B' plan, my 'C' plans are the following;

* G35 Coupe > Seating for 4 (up), Very respectable performance (up), good edging on great handling (up), avant garde but classy exterior & interior styling (up!), $33K for leather + 6MT + Brembo's, 18"ers & Track suspension (up!!!), grille that looks like a vagina (down), historically low Infiniti resale value (down), unknown maint. costs (down)

* Used '02 M3 > Seating for 4 (up), Excellent performance (up), trackable box stock w/ race pads (up), low odds of finding a clean an unabused/unmodified/never raced unit (down), insurance costs are sky high even for me (down), BMW cachet (down), maintenance costs (down)

* Mini Cooper S w/ 'Works' upgrade package > Seating for 2 + Britax 'Marathon' car seat (-), about $22K MSRP (up), customizable for a really fun Auto-X box (up), decent HP/LB ratio (up), great crash safety rating (up), sporty & funky (up), FWD (double down!), low rent interior (down)

* Used '00-01 M5 > Automotive nirvana (up!!), still gonna cost about $50-58K for a high miles and used/abused engine & tranny (down), clutch life is good for only about 60K miles (down), finally owning my dream car since the M5 first debuted in '87 when I was a pimply faced car geek in high school (priceless!)

* Land Rover Defender 90 soft top > To heck with speed (down), mud bogging (up!!), only available used (down), relive adventures of 'Mutual of Omaha with Marlin Perkins' (up), relive episodes of 'Rat Patrol' with my "Wussy-Man" neighbor and his Jeep Wrangler w/slushbox (up!), trips to the beach with my buddies (up!!), getting filmed 'by accident' with a bunch from 'Girls Gone Wild' doing stuff married guys aren't supposed to be doing (double down!)


* Ducati Monster S4 > Fun (up), fast (up), sexy styling (up!), will get me in trouble with the law (down), will attract hot & sexy women (down), wife will see me riding around hot & sexy women (double down!), wife will divorce me over hot & sexy women (doh!)



My interests and choices are all over the spectrum but the lowest common denominator is to have a good time and 'fun'.

- Janq