STi or G35 Coupe?
Thread Starter
Staff Member
iTrader: (16)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,644
From: She's so hot, I'd tongue-punch her in the fartbox
Car Info: 2001 RSTi Widebody
It looks like I will have to wait as well until about August. As much as I don't put stock into this, the GM at the Subaru dealership I have been talking with is quite confident that he will get another 12 STi's by August (6 for June and 6 for August). As much as I want to believe him, the posts at NASIOC are kind of disheartening. I'm also looking at buying a small first time house by the early part of next year and I do not want large car payments.
The Infiniti dealership where I have been going to for the last 8 months have 2 G35 coupes on order with my name on it (the GM there accidentally ordered 2 by error and they are supposedly coming months apart, which is good news). The bad news is, starting for the '04 model year, Infiniti (and Nissan) are raising the MSRP for the G35 coupe and the 350Z by $1500- $2000. That will put the G way out of reach for me, especially if I want to buy a house. I could always buy a base model G35 6-speed sedan, but the only trade off between the STi and the G sedan is the luxury of the G and the better service offered at Infiniti...and then I won't have a car to race...
I NEED HELP!
The Infiniti dealership where I have been going to for the last 8 months have 2 G35 coupes on order with my name on it (the GM there accidentally ordered 2 by error and they are supposedly coming months apart, which is good news). The bad news is, starting for the '04 model year, Infiniti (and Nissan) are raising the MSRP for the G35 coupe and the 350Z by $1500- $2000. That will put the G way out of reach for me, especially if I want to buy a house. I could always buy a base model G35 6-speed sedan, but the only trade off between the STi and the G sedan is the luxury of the G and the better service offered at Infiniti...and then I won't have a car to race...
I NEED HELP!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,013
From: california, LOS ANGELES
Car Info: dream car Subaru STi
buddy... if i were u .. and i was buyying a new car.. id buy an sti!!!!! u get luxury in the sti!!! trust me.. the sti is soooo nice.. i mean unless u have to have leather. but i dont car fer leather, i like the sti interior is sooo ***in sexie. and dayam u are gona own the streets if u drive the sti.. you will own at launches and handling, and u will b the king of the streets up there with the 911 turbos, feraris, basically sti is the best!!! IN MY OPINION. but i hope u guys dont buy the sti cause i want one, so the more the merrier for me. hehe..
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,013
From: california, LOS ANGELES
Car Info: dream car Subaru STi
wen i look at someone on the streets and he dawgs me in his s2000 or his mustang gt, or his 350Z, that fool that is dawging me would be sorri if i was sitting in my sti dawging him bak 
because i know i own him in speed and handling, that is to show who is the better man, survival of the fittest baby. who tougher and stronger in the street fight.. will kill his opponent and prevail the winner. that winner is the sti =) launch that sti AWD baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
because i know i own him in speed and handling, that is to show who is the better man, survival of the fittest baby. who tougher and stronger in the street fight.. will kill his opponent and prevail the winner. that winner is the sti =) launch that sti AWD baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for reminding me Ditchhanger, I'd forgotten to mention the news of the '04 Infiniti price hike. It $uck$! And you are correct, the $2K bump would knock the G35 Coupe out of the running for afordability relative to this class. The only exception would be as some predict that the G35 Coupe would come standard with everything (NAV, Sunroof, Leather) and have only an option of Auto or 6MT 'Track' and a DIO 'Aero Kit' along with minor fixes like the cupholder and possibly a boost in HP across the entire VQ6 line by a few ponies. But even still the $2K price hike is another reason why at this point I am not inclined to wait on the STi.
For example most of us have not test driven or ridden in the STi on the street/twisties. While the G35 C is out and available for test drives right now. The STi won't be for some time to come (next year) so the only real way to get butt & clutch time in will either be through knowing an owner, being really good pals with a Subie dealer, or your name coming up early (#1&2) on the waiting list. The odds though are low across the board on this.
With none of the above being applicable then all we can work with for the STi is the relative information as provided by owners (NASIOC posts), reviewers (C&D, Autoweek, Motorweek, Edmunds.com & Automobile), as well as tech. spec comparisons. All of the above are now known, the wait is over, the genie's out of the bottle...and she looks like 'Christina Aguilerra'.
So in my eye waiting past August for the hopes of getting an STi test drive or owner ride-a-long when the '04 Infiniti's are due to hit the streets in that same time frame just may be 'pound foolish & penny wise'. If my STi order arrives in lets say September or November (best case scenario) and I just can't get past the certain items that turn me off about it then all I would have done is cost myself an additional $2K on the G35 all for the privledge of a 30 minute max test drive in the STi. <doh!>
I'm hoping that all or most of the six in front of me bail out, but thats not likely to happen as its already been identified that 3 or 4 of them are on NASIOC and just as eager as I am to get keys in their hands.
I'll wait another 60 days to see what happens.
But if things play out with the STi as I'm thinking then I'll fall back to Plan C and most likely be just as happy with the luxurious & quick/fast G35 coupe as I would with the relative extremism of the STi. Some of us do have a trump card though!
Those like myself who were planning to lease their STi/G35 can relatively afford to waith through the '04 price hike as the increase will only add up to a few bucks overall (roughly $20/month) in our 'rental period' as we are not paying for the entire car, only for the usage of it and its devaluation within that period (3 years). The price increase is only paid in part by those who lease (3 years or less).
Overall though this sucks though as it'll be the second time in a row that I'll be passing over a dream car due to low production numbers and super high demand. I gotta start liking more pedestrian stuff like Honda Civic's or Hyundai Tiburon's.
Oh, as for your house purchase good luck with that, this is a perfect time to be buying real estate as 30/yr rates are at an all time low and most likely will only go up in the coming years.
I just refi'd my primary home for the third time in as many years from a 7/30 ARM to a 30yr. fixed at the same rate of 5.72% with no fees (same lender) and only a $15 increase in monthly payments. When I first bought this house I was at 8 & 3/4% with no points & zero down which at the time was considered to be a phenominal package. The only upside to this down market are the unbelievably low loan rates. Assuming you are a US citizen the tax deductibility of owning your own home versus renting makes the effort very worthwhile even though the payments may be much higher than renting depending on your area.
With that said though I would pass on a car in order to get into my house. Check with your financial advisor of course and/or the loan officer to be sure purchasing the STi which is going to have a note of at least $400/month @ 60 months (with no money down) is not going to mess with your debt ratios too badly. It would be a shame to get the STi now and misout on purchasng your home.
- Janq
For example most of us have not test driven or ridden in the STi on the street/twisties. While the G35 C is out and available for test drives right now. The STi won't be for some time to come (next year) so the only real way to get butt & clutch time in will either be through knowing an owner, being really good pals with a Subie dealer, or your name coming up early (#1&2) on the waiting list. The odds though are low across the board on this.
With none of the above being applicable then all we can work with for the STi is the relative information as provided by owners (NASIOC posts), reviewers (C&D, Autoweek, Motorweek, Edmunds.com & Automobile), as well as tech. spec comparisons. All of the above are now known, the wait is over, the genie's out of the bottle...and she looks like 'Christina Aguilerra'.
So in my eye waiting past August for the hopes of getting an STi test drive or owner ride-a-long when the '04 Infiniti's are due to hit the streets in that same time frame just may be 'pound foolish & penny wise'. If my STi order arrives in lets say September or November (best case scenario) and I just can't get past the certain items that turn me off about it then all I would have done is cost myself an additional $2K on the G35 all for the privledge of a 30 minute max test drive in the STi. <doh!>
I'm hoping that all or most of the six in front of me bail out, but thats not likely to happen as its already been identified that 3 or 4 of them are on NASIOC and just as eager as I am to get keys in their hands.
I'll wait another 60 days to see what happens.
But if things play out with the STi as I'm thinking then I'll fall back to Plan C and most likely be just as happy with the luxurious & quick/fast G35 coupe as I would with the relative extremism of the STi. Some of us do have a trump card though!
Those like myself who were planning to lease their STi/G35 can relatively afford to waith through the '04 price hike as the increase will only add up to a few bucks overall (roughly $20/month) in our 'rental period' as we are not paying for the entire car, only for the usage of it and its devaluation within that period (3 years). The price increase is only paid in part by those who lease (3 years or less).
Overall though this sucks though as it'll be the second time in a row that I'll be passing over a dream car due to low production numbers and super high demand. I gotta start liking more pedestrian stuff like Honda Civic's or Hyundai Tiburon's.
Oh, as for your house purchase good luck with that, this is a perfect time to be buying real estate as 30/yr rates are at an all time low and most likely will only go up in the coming years.
I just refi'd my primary home for the third time in as many years from a 7/30 ARM to a 30yr. fixed at the same rate of 5.72% with no fees (same lender) and only a $15 increase in monthly payments. When I first bought this house I was at 8 & 3/4% with no points & zero down which at the time was considered to be a phenominal package. The only upside to this down market are the unbelievably low loan rates. Assuming you are a US citizen the tax deductibility of owning your own home versus renting makes the effort very worthwhile even though the payments may be much higher than renting depending on your area.
With that said though I would pass on a car in order to get into my house. Check with your financial advisor of course and/or the loan officer to be sure purchasing the STi which is going to have a note of at least $400/month @ 60 months (with no money down) is not going to mess with your debt ratios too badly. It would be a shame to get the STi now and misout on purchasng your home.
- Janq
Thread Starter
Staff Member
iTrader: (16)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,644
From: She's so hot, I'd tongue-punch her in the fartbox
Car Info: 2001 RSTi Widebody
Thanks for the info, Janq...I see where you are coming from...I'm in such turmoil over this. I know what ismore important in the long run...ARRRRRGGGGH!!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey DH,
If it helps releive the pain I was in the same boat as you once;
I was single, 24, renting a TH and had two cars; a '93 Legacy AWD and a demo '92 SVX LSi (another dream car!).
I was nearly 75% of the way through 60 months of $163/mo payments on the Legacy which I intended to keep forever. The SVX was about 40% in to 60 months of payments at $320+ per month, also well maintained and fully optioned with everything including CD, sun roof and rear wing. It was a 'dope ride'!
After I met my girlfriend we sold her car, and a third Subie I owned outright and I let her drive the Legacy while I drove the SVX. Life was grand up until we both realized that rent in our area was exorbitant (its much worst now!) and getting us no where but further into debt. So long story short we do the math and find that if I sold the SVX I could use the monthly payment & insurance rate money to pay down my personal debt which at the time was nearly $20K (!). Well of course being a proud man and lover of toys I balked at selling "my cars" and blew off the whole idea. But then six months later I started to notice a funny thing about the transmission in the SVX. Then one day on the way to work it completely stalled out while climbing a hill entering to where I worked. I thought, OMG....'4EAT Failure'!!! SVX's are infamous for killing transmissions.
So then my hand was played for me by the gods of fate and I put the SVX on the market that day during lunch break (AutoTrader & Washington Post). It took me another 90 days and many false leads but I sold her to a 'mark' at near break even ($500 below my loan pay off). The buyer also loved SVX's and I didn't feel too bad as he was a mechanic and worked in his brothers shop. Though he never noticed the slipping trans during the two test drives we went on as he was most focused on rocking the radio and playing with all the cool buttons inside. <Caveat Emptor: The radio is the last thing you need to be worried about when buying a car used or new>
So in the end just as my GF (and now wife) had predicted, getting out of that car began a slow but steady & complete elimination of both our personal debt. In fact, after only one year we had reduced our cobined debt by nearly 40% (!) through application of payments to other things as well as elimination of other 'toys' (me) and feminine 'services' (her). During that time all my friends (even my Mom!) made fun of me about driving around in a "family car" and my GF talking me out of my 'ride'. But a year later she & I wrote up a contract on our first house (a starter TH) and two years later we were debt free.
That was over eight years ago and since then I've bought a second home (single family), stayed debt free, married that penny piching smart girl, and all but one of those 'friends' still rent and none of them own the cool cars they used to.
Except for one that is now living to pay for his $60K+ Excursion with very cool ICE upgrades and dubs. A nice ride for cruising but dude never has money to keep the fuel tank past the 1/4 mark and can't afford a GF as he has no spare money. And this guy is 34/yrs old! We call that 'Hood Rich'.
Moral of the story: Sometimes sense makes cents.
Fast forward to today...I could buy an SVX in different colors for each day of the week if I wanted. It all started with that decision sitting in my work parking lot to sell the SVX as well as to take the idea of buying a home serious forgoing coolness, toys & pride.
Now of course a lot of other factors came into play since then (started my own buisness, got married, put off kids until my 30's, etc.) but all in all it worked out for the best. Would I do it again knowing what I know now? Yes and without a second thought!
Oh, and you might be wondering about that slipping trans?
Before actually selling it I took it to my Subie 'Master Tech' buddy a couple of days later and he confirmed my suspiscion and also advised me to get rid of it ASAP. But then about 18 months after selling the SVX guess what happened? The 4EAT in my Legacy had begun to exhibit the exact same symptoms! As it turned out there was a TSB that I never got which involved installation of a trans filter and cooler for the 4EAT to prevent overheating and damage from metal particulates floating about.
Well, at that point I had paid off the Legacy early (just 3 months prior) and through my SOA & local dealer connections was able to get the trans 50% warranteed, a reman trans at dealer cost (through my old boss) and installation (through my mechanic) and kept my costs to just a few grand which I had to charge. It took another year to work that off but again it was worth it and better than being on the hook for new car payments. That was proof of the old saying; "What goes around comes around".
I hope this story makes you feel better and best of luck with your own decision!
- Janq
If it helps releive the pain I was in the same boat as you once;
I was single, 24, renting a TH and had two cars; a '93 Legacy AWD and a demo '92 SVX LSi (another dream car!).
I was nearly 75% of the way through 60 months of $163/mo payments on the Legacy which I intended to keep forever. The SVX was about 40% in to 60 months of payments at $320+ per month, also well maintained and fully optioned with everything including CD, sun roof and rear wing. It was a 'dope ride'!
After I met my girlfriend we sold her car, and a third Subie I owned outright and I let her drive the Legacy while I drove the SVX. Life was grand up until we both realized that rent in our area was exorbitant (its much worst now!) and getting us no where but further into debt. So long story short we do the math and find that if I sold the SVX I could use the monthly payment & insurance rate money to pay down my personal debt which at the time was nearly $20K (!). Well of course being a proud man and lover of toys I balked at selling "my cars" and blew off the whole idea. But then six months later I started to notice a funny thing about the transmission in the SVX. Then one day on the way to work it completely stalled out while climbing a hill entering to where I worked. I thought, OMG....'4EAT Failure'!!! SVX's are infamous for killing transmissions.
So then my hand was played for me by the gods of fate and I put the SVX on the market that day during lunch break (AutoTrader & Washington Post). It took me another 90 days and many false leads but I sold her to a 'mark' at near break even ($500 below my loan pay off). The buyer also loved SVX's and I didn't feel too bad as he was a mechanic and worked in his brothers shop. Though he never noticed the slipping trans during the two test drives we went on as he was most focused on rocking the radio and playing with all the cool buttons inside. <Caveat Emptor: The radio is the last thing you need to be worried about when buying a car used or new>
So in the end just as my GF (and now wife) had predicted, getting out of that car began a slow but steady & complete elimination of both our personal debt. In fact, after only one year we had reduced our cobined debt by nearly 40% (!) through application of payments to other things as well as elimination of other 'toys' (me) and feminine 'services' (her). During that time all my friends (even my Mom!) made fun of me about driving around in a "family car" and my GF talking me out of my 'ride'. But a year later she & I wrote up a contract on our first house (a starter TH) and two years later we were debt free.
That was over eight years ago and since then I've bought a second home (single family), stayed debt free, married that penny piching smart girl, and all but one of those 'friends' still rent and none of them own the cool cars they used to.
Except for one that is now living to pay for his $60K+ Excursion with very cool ICE upgrades and dubs. A nice ride for cruising but dude never has money to keep the fuel tank past the 1/4 mark and can't afford a GF as he has no spare money. And this guy is 34/yrs old! We call that 'Hood Rich'.
Moral of the story: Sometimes sense makes cents.
Fast forward to today...I could buy an SVX in different colors for each day of the week if I wanted. It all started with that decision sitting in my work parking lot to sell the SVX as well as to take the idea of buying a home serious forgoing coolness, toys & pride.
Now of course a lot of other factors came into play since then (started my own buisness, got married, put off kids until my 30's, etc.) but all in all it worked out for the best. Would I do it again knowing what I know now? Yes and without a second thought!
Oh, and you might be wondering about that slipping trans?
Before actually selling it I took it to my Subie 'Master Tech' buddy a couple of days later and he confirmed my suspiscion and also advised me to get rid of it ASAP. But then about 18 months after selling the SVX guess what happened? The 4EAT in my Legacy had begun to exhibit the exact same symptoms! As it turned out there was a TSB that I never got which involved installation of a trans filter and cooler for the 4EAT to prevent overheating and damage from metal particulates floating about.
Well, at that point I had paid off the Legacy early (just 3 months prior) and through my SOA & local dealer connections was able to get the trans 50% warranteed, a reman trans at dealer cost (through my old boss) and installation (through my mechanic) and kept my costs to just a few grand which I had to charge. It took another year to work that off but again it was worth it and better than being on the hook for new car payments. That was proof of the old saying; "What goes around comes around".
I hope this story makes you feel better and best of luck with your own decision!
- Janq
Guest
Posts: n/a
Downshift,
Hey, I think it's cool that you're so gung-ho about the STi...but I hope you can see the other points of view as well. Some of us have a wife/kids to please and so we're just trying to get a little toy for daddy that the wife and kid can approve of. I think the idea of a "family car" that can wax an M3 is kinda cool.
In my case, waiting for my STi is cutting into my track time this summer. The only reason I survived the winter was the hopes of getting out there again soon. The STi is delaying that and I am pissed. I really don't like the fact that Subaru is %#$*! around with us in regards to production/allotment numbers. Hopefully the other thread is true and this info will be released tomorrow. I don't like getting dicked around and I'm quickly losing my enthusiasm for the STi. I need a replacement soon before my current ride dies.
BTW: there isn't a car on this earth that I can't build to be faster, and better than the STi (a built G35/350Z will smoke the crap out of an STi in any way, shape or form); so your arguement about stoplights is a moot point. However, I would strongly like to have a factory warranty when crap goes wrong...
I would like to be as dedicated as a 14 yr/old kid (who won't be driving for several years), but the fact is I need a new car soon. I can't wait 15 months for one to show up. I think many are like me; they've delayed buying a new car once hearing of the STi in hopes of getting one, but our limits are our limits....
Hey, I think it's cool that you're so gung-ho about the STi...but I hope you can see the other points of view as well. Some of us have a wife/kids to please and so we're just trying to get a little toy for daddy that the wife and kid can approve of. I think the idea of a "family car" that can wax an M3 is kinda cool.
In my case, waiting for my STi is cutting into my track time this summer. The only reason I survived the winter was the hopes of getting out there again soon. The STi is delaying that and I am pissed. I really don't like the fact that Subaru is %#$*! around with us in regards to production/allotment numbers. Hopefully the other thread is true and this info will be released tomorrow. I don't like getting dicked around and I'm quickly losing my enthusiasm for the STi. I need a replacement soon before my current ride dies.
BTW: there isn't a car on this earth that I can't build to be faster, and better than the STi (a built G35/350Z will smoke the crap out of an STi in any way, shape or form); so your arguement about stoplights is a moot point. However, I would strongly like to have a factory warranty when crap goes wrong...
I would like to be as dedicated as a 14 yr/old kid (who won't be driving for several years), but the fact is I need a new car soon. I can't wait 15 months for one to show up. I think many are like me; they've delayed buying a new car once hearing of the STi in hopes of getting one, but our limits are our limits....
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by amdmaxx
dont see 2004 anywhere still..
dont see 2004 anywhere still..
You gotta do a 'Search' my man...
Go to the following:
FreshAlloy.com - Click here and enter a search value of "2004"!
6MT.net - Click here and enter a search value of "2004"!
6MT.net thread - http://www.6mt.net/forum/topic.asp?T...archTerms=2004
Edmunds.com - Edmunds has a huge thread on the G35 with lots of info there in, but you gotta spend some time sifting & readng through all the garbage to find gold!
- Janq