I am looking for some insight as to why I should by a STi vs. some of these other cars? Short list of cars I am comparing it too...Corvette C5 used, Corvette ZO6 used, 350z, Miata, Mini, Mustang Mach 1 or SVT, 911 used and others.

Make your list short and sweet. Ill give you my list with only number one filled out. I'am not hip on all of the current compitition for the STi.

TOP TEN REASONS TO BUY A STi

1. Because it will be World Rally Blue
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?

Thanks, Bob L.

 

10. Large wing screams "SLEEPER!"
9. Nothing helps you get through a midlife crisis like a 300hp import!
8. Entertain your kids by letting them play with the DCCD switch.
7. Find out how fast those supercharged Crown Victoria cruisers can really go.
6. With all the time you save going from a to b, you could pickup a new hobby. (I suggest knitting!)
5. STi is much more desireable that the sty that always made your eyes itch.
4. The hood intake doubles as a snow shovel.
3. All 2004 WRXs come equiped with parachuttes, so you can drive them off of cliffs
2. Swell with pride as your hear your son exclaim to friends, "My dad is faster than your dad."
1. It is the cheapest way to make your neighbor with the 911 **** his pants off the line.

 

... and the number one reason is... You can now outrun your car's ugliness.

 

Quite a diverse selection of "competitors".............though to be honest, very few of those mentioned would be deemed true competitors. How about the Evo VIII, the Audi S4, the new Volvo...........other high performance awd cars.

It is the handling of the STi (and I suppose inherent tuneability for very little cost) which makes it stand out from other high-performance cars.......it is definitely not a car to impress the vast majority of the BMW crowd (most of them will probably greet you with much derision)......it is a car for the cognicenti (those in the know).

Anyone who asks the question "Why should I buy an STi" either knows nothing about it and wants honest information or wants the reassurance of other enthusiasts that this is the next car to have (or simply wants the next in-vogue car).

I KNOW I want this car, and no one else's opinion would sway me from purchasing it.

 

Actually, my reason to go with an Sti is the price/performance, and best of all, my identification with an under-dog that has enough guts to whip those snob's beamers ***!

 

meLikey

Great List!

Bob L.

 

#1 reason: AWD makes you look like a hero is just about any situation....I can testify.

#2 reason: Most likely as fast as a M3 and new S4 in all apects and just over 1/2 - 2/3 the price.



I love the scoop and will let the wing grow on me in time......

 

#3. stop envying my friend's Z

#2. i can eat hondas every day.

#1. i can impress myself everyday... (lot of issues behind this one.. Profound .. isn't it??)

 

(1) The WRX is fast enough to beat most BMWs
(2) The STi is not fast enough to beat the M Cars
(3) I don't think BMWs are snobby -- they are fabulous vehicles -- nothing more, nothing less

I think you are identifying with something false, which is rarely a good thing.

By the way, we (wife and I) have a BMW 528iAT and a WRX and love them both.

 

10. headlights look like a cross between minicooper and RSX
9. faster and cooler than either the minicooper or RSX
8. survey shows... Pink is Manly!
7. 2.5 liters of turbocharged boxer are always better than 2.0 liters of turbocharged boxer- ALWAYS.
6. foglights are in stealth mode
5. cool technical doohickies like the DCCD
4. water mister on intercooler(actually i don't know if this is true but it would be mistifyingly cool)
3. subaru technical international finally makes it to our national.
2. gotta love a subaru
1. SIX SPEEDS!!!!!

 

Pretty sure the STi is 2.0 liter...

 

In USA, It's a 2.5.

 

That's quite a varied list of car choices...comparing a compact awd sedan to a roadster, fwd hatchback, a couple sports cars and a line of pony cars. The most direct competitors are the Mistubishi Evolution and Dodge SRT-4, though you could also consider the Mazda RX8. Obviously buying new vs. used has its inherent pros/cons, so I won't address that.

Here's my take, still ahering to the short/sweet request.

The Good:
1. Cheaper vs. new C5, Z06, 911
2. Faster vs. 350Z, Miata, Mini
3. More practical/better chassis vs. SVT/Mach1 Mustang
4. More unique than C5, Miata
5. More passengers vs. C5/Z06, 911, 350Z, Miata

The Bad:
1. Less prestige vs. C5/Z06, 911
2. Less horsepower vs. C5, Z06, 911, SVT, Mach1
3. More expensive vs. Miata, Mini, 350Z
4. More "ricey" in appearance than any of those cars (in general public's eyes)
5. No wind in your hair vs. C5, 911, Miata, SVT, and soon Mini and 350Z

A good value considering its performance will rival that of the much more expensive 911 and C5, but you could say the same of the SVT Cobra. Styling is always subjective, but certainly some of those cars are more cutting edge than others. Ultimately, it depends on what you're looking for. And if you dial the performance back a notch, you're getting a lot better value in the regular WRX and SRT-4.