WRX STi. What of it?

[LandQuail]

I'm a lucky bastard. I drive a 2004 STi. Unlike most of the people I know here in Arkansas, I actually use mine for the purpose for which it was bred. I'm hoping to spark interestng debate over the merits of the STi vs. other sports cars in its class, Boxter, M3 (if I'm lucky), Supra, Muskrat GT/Cobra, Corvette, and of course that damn Lancer EVO. If i've missed any (I have) let me know about them, and why I should be interested. Go To Work.

[2ndclasscitizen]

If I was offered the choice between an STi or an EVO, I'd take the EVO, but it'd probably take me a long time to choose. I prefer the EVO over the STi in the looks department, but for noise, nothing beats a scooby flat-four turbo with a big bore exhaust having the nuts revved of it. Music to mine ears.

As for the other cars you've listed, when it comes to performance/speed they all may record the same time around a track or down a strip, but they all go about it in different ways which appeal to different people. The Boxster and M3 use good 6cyl power, but use modern, stiff, advanced and frankly excellent chassis' and suspension tune to get their speed, and that's what a lot of people want. Others like the Corvette/Stang/Supra method, capable but not amazing handling skills, but made up with good ol' fashioned, balls-out horsepower. The STi and EVO use their huge computer controlled AWD grip and handling to get the job done.

Out of all these, I'd have the devil's job choosing between an M3 or EVO. But I'd take an EVO, (then take it to MRT for a bit of engine and suspension upgrading ) it's just what I like. I think with the cars you've listed, speedwise (track speed and actual speed) they're all pretty much equal, but it's what you like that'll make you choose.

Oh, and you should include the RS4 and Z4M in this as well.

[Kooper]

I'd love to see Matra's take on this.

Anyways, have we seen an EggNog test yet?

[clutch-monkey]

before any UK users say it, FQ400>Sti

[MrKipling]

before any UK users say it, FQ400>Sti

Sorry mate, what do you mean?

I think I would have to devise some kind of flip-up way of choosing between an Evo and an M3. I'm completely in agreement with 2ndclass as to relative merits of a Scoob and the Evo - and with the methods of picking one over the other - it's purely a decision for the heart; the brain would just get confused if you asked it. Although the Evo is a bit more tail happy.

In the end I think I would take the CSL if it counts, manual gearbox and 18in wheels M3 if it doesn't - I just love the straight six noise (old skool racing cars baby) and the purity of the approach: great chassis; 50:50 weight; rear wheel drive. It's all about balance in that car - and there's the oppurtunity for more 'real-world speed' fun in a rear driver with little in the way of driver aids, and I'm not talking about power oversteer. You have to be hammering along in one of those road rally cars to really feel involved (and I have driven them) whereas the M3's limits are lower, so can be enjoyed more at speeds that don't mean gaol time!

I'm also a big fan of German engineering.

On a different note, I saw my first M5 on the road (not a motorway) yesterday and I love it! I pointed it out to a few of my mates, and they couldn't figure out what I would be bringing their attention to! It looked great.

[d-quik]

Sorry mate, what do you mean?

you DO know what an FQ-400 is right?

[LandQuail]

Sorry mate, what do you mean?

I think I would have to devise some kind of flip-up way of choosing between an Evo and an M3. I'm completely in agreement with 2ndclass as to relative merits of a Scoob and the Evo - and with the methods of picking one over the other - it's purely a decision for the heart; the brain would just get confused if you asked it. Although the Evo is a bit more tail happy.

In the end I think I would take the CSL if it counts, manual gearbox and 18in wheels M3 if it doesn't - I just love the straight six noise (old skool racing cars baby) and the purity of the approach: great chassis; 50:50 weight; rear wheel drive. It's all about balance in that car - and there's the oppurtunity for more 'real-world speed' fun in a rear driver with little in the way of driver aids, and I'm not talking about power oversteer. You have to be hammering along in one of those road rally cars to really feel involved (and I have driven them) whereas the M3's limits are lower, so can be enjoyed more at speeds that don't mean gaol time!

I'm also a big fan of German engineering.

On a different note, I saw my first M5 on the road (not a motorway) yesterday and I love it! I pointed it out to a few of my mates, and they couldn't figure out what I would be bringing their attention to! It looked great.

I agree completely with everything you say. Cheers.

Especially the part about having to really be into dangerous velocity to enjoy the STi's chassis, at which the thought of "drifting" or "steering on the throttle" is tantamount to suicide. On a track it'd be different, with runoff areas insted of forests. But we ain't got no fancy-ass racin'track here in Arkansas, unless you count dirt ovals. We've got the world market cornered on dirt ovals.

I can just imagine all the "die hard supercar fans" that litter this forum like street urchins running screaming into the hills at the though of prefering a car with marginally slower 0-62 times and .02's difference on the skidpad, but the M3 is just more desirable.

I've got almost a love relationship with my STi though, having covered 49 thousand, 7hundred, and some odd miles in it. It's been a blast too, and I can't imagine anything being quicker point-to-point. But that's the only trick up its sleeve. Unless you're on dirt, then it's more fun than a bag of weasels at church. But then there's stone chips along the sills, and tire punctures and so on and so forth...

I type too much.

[Ferrer]

I can just imagine all the "die hard supercar fans" that litter this forum like street urchins running screaming into the hills at the though of prefering a car with marginally slower 0-62 times and .02's difference on the skidpad, but the M3 is just more desirable.

Exactly! That's how I feel exactly. When I buy a car I want to enjoy driving it, and I actually couldn't care less if my cars isn't the fastest in the world around the track. If it has a degree of perfomance that's enough for me. Of course I like fast cars, but speed isn't everything.

[LandQuail]

Exactly! That's how I feel exactly. When I buy a car I want to enjoy driving it, and I actually couldn't care less if my cars isn't the fastest in the world around the track. If it has a degree of perfomance that's enough for me. Of course I like fast cars, but speed isn't everything.

Know what the most exciting car I've ever driven was? The one that really redifined "white knuckle driving" in my mind?

A 1982 Izuzu P'up diesel 4x4 I had when I was 17. That little bastard had barely enough power to reach 65, but if it did, count on it darting straight right under braking and oversteering like a bastard if you dared approach a corner with any enthusiasm. It was the laughing stock of everybody I knew at the time, but I learned to heel-and-toe in it, so I guess that it has a similar place in my heart as the first girl who ever showed me how to unhook a bra.

I drove every day to school down a steep hill that would see speeds approaching 75 and sending the tiny 4-cylinder diesel into stratospheric revs (maybe 5,000, no tachometer). I felt like some mad Bonneville Salt Flats Racer.

Driving never really got more exciting than that. It just got more sophisticated and faster.

[spi-ti-tout]

I can just imagine all the "die hard supercar fans" that litter this forum like street urchins running screaming into the hills at the though of prefering a car with marginally slower 0-62 times and .02's difference on the skidpad, but the M3 is just more desirable.

There are a few fanboys on here but besides me not-a-blind-EVO-boy. Most of them are with the Skyline. The last was actually a someone claiming to work with Ferrari on the Enzo's development but he eventually just left. You'll be happy to find that these forums are actually quite intelligent.

And I answered your question.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...1&postcount=68

[SubaruWRXSTi]

before any UK users say it, FQ400>Sti

The FQ400 is UK modded, not Ralliart, the STi is STi modded

[Gtek-i]

I'd take the EVO IX MR, that car is really awesome, so is the FQ400 though...AWD...meh...understeer...

[Cotterik]

old sti < new sti < all evos

[The_Canuck]

old sti > new sti > all evos

So the old STi is greater then all EVO's, i like the way you think

[6'bore]

The FQ400 is amazing...

But I'd take the STi just because the Evo is the ugliest thing I have ever seen...