Should I buy an '05 STi? Need _serious_ help, informed owners please help!
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 22
From: Los Angeles, CA
Car Info: 2005 WR Blue STi
I commute in my STi because I can only afford one car and my commute is only about 6 miles round trip. For people that aren't in my situation and are thinking about using a STi as a daily driver, I'd say HELL NO. The gas mileage is not so good, the ride is punishing, and the seats are too hard. The radio sucks big time too. I am hoping to be able to afford to change out the stock springs to the pinks soon to alleviate the oscillating bounciness the STi suffers from because I do drive longer distances on the weekends and the ride can get very tiresome.
Originally Posted by sobalow
I commute in my STi because I can only afford one car and my commute is only about 6 miles round trip. For people that aren't in my situation and are thinking about using a STi as a daily driver, I'd say HELL NO. The gas mileage is not so good, the ride is punishing, and the seats are too hard. The radio sucks big time too. I am hoping to be able to afford to change out the stock springs to the pinks soon to alleviate the oscillating bounciness the STi suffers from because I do drive longer distances on the weekends and the ride can get very tiresome.
I think a lot of people on this board need to man up. I use to drive a 5.0 with a built motor with not too crazy of a cam but still that combined with shifting the tranny, the heavy *** clutch and everything else makes the STI look like a civic. If you guys can't handle sti as far as ride that is really sad. Go buy an tl.
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luviks29
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Good questions & comments...
I use the STI as a comuter because it is a blast over the Sierras, on hwy 88, as I suspect you would like it on 17 over the hill to the coast.... In driving @ 70-80 mileage drops to 23-24 and I don't seem to get there more than 20 min faster, not worth it to me.
I got the STI over the WRX for its stout 6 speed(6000-8000 wrx upg) that will handle anything I do to the motor after its not a commuter and for the 300 hp vs 227.....yes it rides rough now(8000 mi). but my daugthers WRX ride seemed to get a lot smoother after 10000-15000 mi. The STI does ride better now then when new.. I think the WRX has all the handeling capability that 90% of drivers can exercise fully & I dought that many can fully exercise the STI handeling, even on track days.
Other reasons
1) Got to have AWD(snow), really limits choices
2) Subaru has a good rep for reliability
3) 4 doors to carry more stuff easily
4) price for what you get
Also I think the STI looks cool and does not look like every other oatmeal honda commuter..
For a good riding, good mileage, good handeling, fast, cool image car try a 1992-up corvette. I have a 1992 6 speed convertible and use it in the summer(no snow). It gets 28-30 mpg (1500 rpm @ 70), has 300 hp, costs 13000-16000 and has looks to kill for.
Why drive oatmeal ????
Larry Wright
2005 STI
2004 FXT 6MT
1992 Vette
ect,ect
----------
Good questions & comments...
I use the STI as a comuter because it is a blast over the Sierras, on hwy 88, as I suspect you would like it on 17 over the hill to the coast.... In driving @ 70-80 mileage drops to 23-24 and I don't seem to get there more than 20 min faster, not worth it to me.
I got the STI over the WRX for its stout 6 speed(6000-8000 wrx upg) that will handle anything I do to the motor after its not a commuter and for the 300 hp vs 227.....yes it rides rough now(8000 mi). but my daugthers WRX ride seemed to get a lot smoother after 10000-15000 mi. The STI does ride better now then when new.. I think the WRX has all the handeling capability that 90% of drivers can exercise fully & I dought that many can fully exercise the STI handeling, even on track days.
Other reasons
1) Got to have AWD(snow), really limits choices
2) Subaru has a good rep for reliability
3) 4 doors to carry more stuff easily
4) price for what you get
Also I think the STI looks cool and does not look like every other oatmeal honda commuter..
For a good riding, good mileage, good handeling, fast, cool image car try a 1992-up corvette. I have a 1992 6 speed convertible and use it in the summer(no snow). It gets 28-30 mpg (1500 rpm @ 70), has 300 hp, costs 13000-16000 and has looks to kill for.
Why drive oatmeal ????
Larry Wright
2005 STI
2004 FXT 6MT
1992 Vette
ect,ect
Last edited by micropro_wright; Jan 20, 2005 at 08:51 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 22
From: Los Angeles, CA
Car Info: 2005 WR Blue STi
Originally Posted by slow04wrx
I think a lot of people on this board need to man up. I use to drive a 5.0 with a built motor with not too crazy of a cam but still that combined with shifting the tranny, the heavy *** clutch and everything else makes the STI look like a civic. If you guys can't handle sti as far as ride that is really sad. Go buy an tl.
Excuse me but do you own a STi? He asked if the STi would make a good commuter car. I'm not going to bullsh*t him and tell him yes. Does it make a great performance car? Heck yeah!
You're right, TL's make a much better commuter car, but I bought a STi because I wanted the performance knowing that my commute is very brief and I can cure the bumpiness for longer trips with the pinks. The definition of a commute in CA usually means lots of stop and go traffic on lousy roads. Because of that, the STi is not a good car for that purpose if that is his main purpose for the car.
That's great that you commuted in a rough car. I suppose you tugged on your brass ***** every day with never a thought as to how riding in a Lexus would be nice right now. Yep, pure joy 100% of the time as you went through traffic in the mornings.
Last edited by sobalow; Jan 27, 2005 at 04:47 PM.
Originally Posted by sobalow
Excuse me but do you own a STi?
yea, get a bicycle or maybe even one of those little scooters with a motor.
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 73
From: Oakland
Car Info: 04 STi
I wouldn't get an STi for a long commute like that. I drive about 50 miles each day for work.
1. road noise - '04 STi interior is just plain noisy. plus, there are rattles, some of which may have been caused by me taking on/off the doors repeatedly. i dynamatted the doors, trunk, and backseat. i will do the floor and part of the firewall next. let's hope i can still hear the turbo clearly!
2. suspension - it's tight, and you'd better avoid 880
3. mileage - you'll get 22 mpg max unless you drive slower, but then why buy STi? don't forget the more expensive 91 octane
If my commute was long like yours I'd drive an efficient car like a Focus, and reserve the STi for weekends. Still, I would miss those daily moments taking a corner fast, or speeding up for the merge.
1. road noise - '04 STi interior is just plain noisy. plus, there are rattles, some of which may have been caused by me taking on/off the doors repeatedly. i dynamatted the doors, trunk, and backseat. i will do the floor and part of the firewall next. let's hope i can still hear the turbo clearly!
2. suspension - it's tight, and you'd better avoid 880
3. mileage - you'll get 22 mpg max unless you drive slower, but then why buy STi? don't forget the more expensive 91 octane
If my commute was long like yours I'd drive an efficient car like a Focus, and reserve the STi for weekends. Still, I would miss those daily moments taking a corner fast, or speeding up for the merge.
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
It's those moments that make it worth it for some. I had a commute from Vacaville to Pleasanton for a while, down 680- I liked it better in my modded RS than I would have in a "nicer" car because it was so much easier to make up time when I needed to. 
Plus, I can only afford one car- I'll compromise on my commute before I'll compromise on the track and course any day.
Plus, I can only afford one car- I'll compromise on my commute before I'll compromise on the track and course any day.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 22
From: Los Angeles, CA
Car Info: 2005 WR Blue STi
Originally Posted by slow04wrx
nope, but i've driven them, and i'm about to buy one this weekend....
yea, get a bicycle or maybe even one of those little scooters with a motor.
yea, get a bicycle or maybe even one of those little scooters with a motor.
Get back to us after you've purchased yours and driven it daily during rush hour after a couple of months.
As people have said, it's some of those daily moments that make it worthwhile, but just keep your expectations low when commuting and keep them high when using it for its intended purpose.
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