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Subaru Impreza WRX STi
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My Miata got air borne once due to a pothole/road imperfection. I was happy to be able to keep it straight! It definitely bottomed out.
-juice
Is he generally responsible? Even so, there are cars that are less, shall we say, "tempting".
I would consider sending him to Bondurant or some other performance driving school, and also giving him either autocross or track time where he can have his fun (and not on public roads).
2006 models will have six air bags standard, if you can wait.
-juice
There is also potentially another hazard you could be introducing though by providing such a first car. It takes years of experience to fully understand that certain manuvers that a car like the STI can accomplish without second thought, would result in an early grave for the driver of another car. Will your son have the experience to understand that fact when he is driving a friend's car at some point in the future? I know that even at my age I often overestimate the capabilities of rental cars. Years ago, I nearly killed myself the first time I drove an SUV - and that was coming from driving a Civic.
Just stuff to ponder. Maybe I worry too far.
I do think the performance driving school idea is a good one though. That overall might be a better first car "gift" than the car itself.
I was test driving the STi and i'm loving it! But, since I work as a freelancer with a pretty flexible schedule I will take care of our 21 month old daughter.
Is this car suited for that? I mean am I too selfish? The suspension is fairly sporty to say the least, so would this be too tough on the little one?
Obviously I won't race around town with the little one in the back, but is this a good "daily" car?
Thanks.
I think it would be OK for occasional use, but not as the primary family car. If your other car is practical, then sure.
We have a Forester as our "family car" and it's been practical, reliable, comfortable, and handy, rain or shine.
Get a Forester XT and you ought to find a good compromise. Wagons have more passenger room, more cargo room, and a roof rack for whatever else doesn't fit. Kids sit up higher and can see out better, and the softer ride means they can nap on road trips.
Also try a WRX wagon and a Legacy GT wagon. Actually if you want something plush a Legacy GT Limited wagon would be ideal for the family.
-juice
In my opinion: A WRX STi is absolutely *not* a good first car for *anyone*. It is a radical vehicle which places high demands and expectations on its driver. There is no avoiding that fact. A novice driver will be in over their heads in an STi within 30 seconds of turning the key.
At the same time, I would think that a WRX would make a pretty darned nice first car; excellent handling, very good safety and reliability, decent maintenance costs, and more than enough power to have plenty of cred with the "fast and furious" crowd. Honestly, even a 2.5RS would be good, and cheaper too.
Whatever your decision I strongly second the motion to spend some of that money on driving school. It is a very good safety investment.
Cheers,
-wdb
Is this car suited for that?
I went on a "fun run" with some other STi owners this past weekend. Several of the cars had baby seats strapped in the back. They all agreed that their kids *love* riding in the STi, even preferring it to other cars in the family fleet. I have to admit to being surprised by that, but it seemed to be universally true.
As for it being a good "daily" car in other respects, that is a decision you have to make for yourself. For one thing, an STi is going to cost considerably more to maintain than most other cars. For example the cost of front brake pads (at the dealer) is $245! And the original equipment tires are notoriously short-lived and will cost you upwards of $800 to replace in kind. If those sorts of numbers fit within your budget then an STi could certainly be a daily driver; I certainly bought mine with every intention of it being my daily car.
Cheers,
-wdb
I agree!!
-Dennis
I agree!!
That would be my recommendation also.
DaveM
-juice
The Volvos are a lot heavier, for starters. They won't feel as nimble or as sporty, but might feel more substantial in return.
The Volvos are also a lot bigger, especially the V70. That cargo area is huge, bigger even than the Legacy GT. It's a step up, maybe a step and a half, in terms of size.
Finally, interior appointments are more luxurious. The Subie is more sporty and special-purpose.
Haldex AWD is quick-acting but it's still primarily FWD 90% of the time. The Subie sends most of the power to the rear axle, and that's driver adjustable.
The Volvo also has traction and stability control and the Subie is tuned for the driver to play around and break traction a bit, sort of the opposite.
I'd pick the Volvo to chauffer my mother-in-law around, but the STi for just about anything else.
-juice
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Too much weight/complexity for a sporting car. On an XC70 or Audi allroad, sure.
-juice
This system contains seven sensors strategically placed around the car to measure the car's longitudinal, lateral and vertical acceleration 500 times per second. Then it continuously and instantaneously adjusts shock damping to minimize heave, pitch and roll.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I looked into getting some for my Forester, but they were so pricey it was ridiculous. I forget exactly but it was several hundred for the set.
-juice
Anyway, I figured this is just a newer version of that.
I wonder if they still sell setups like that. Might be a good add-on for subarus like the WRX and GT.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
-juice
and with the turbos, i assume you have to run premium 93 octane. anyone use anything lower?
I get **mumble**MPG when I'm having fun and dipping into all that turbo (singular, the car only has one) boost. But then, if you have to ask... well, what are you even thinking about an STi for?
My car is still new, I expect those numbers to go up by 1 or 2 MPG as the car loosens up.
I haven't run anything but 92 or 93 octane. Why, you ask?
1 - Cars cost $0.35 to $0.50+ per mile to drive, of which 6 or 7 cents is fuel cost.
2 - Engines like the one in the STi are filled with fancy, expensive parts, all of which are put at risk with fuel of insufficient octane.
You do the math.
Cheers,
-wdb
Get a Chase Subaru credit card, and you earn 3% cash back in Subaru Bucks. Then use those to buy the audio equipment add-ons.
If you're a true audiophile tear it out and start from scratch, you can do a whole lot better.
Subaru uses Clarion and Panasonic as suppliers, I believe.
-juice
My WRX was my first manual transmission car when I got it two years ago. I would strongly suggest you get a manual transmission car for your son so he can learn how to drive a stick. He'll have plenty of fun with any manual transmission car over any automatic.
In other words, I've always loved cars that are fun to drive, which brings me to this forum. I'm very excited about the STI, I'm on the verge of buying one, but I was curious if I'm going to be the only 45 year-old tooling around in one?
Second, does anyone out there have a picture they could post where you put a WRX spoiler on the STI? I'd really like to tone it down just a bit.
Third, what is the consensus on the '05 stereo? I realiize it's not a Mark Levinson system, but does it sound fairly decent at all?
Finally, I've got two active kids at home with a bunch of friends and sports equipment. Does anyone have any credible information whether they will bring the Forester STI (6 speed) to the States? If so, I would consider waiting a bit. I know Car and Driver did an article about the Forester STI they sell in Japan and that gave me pause to wait and find out more info. Anyone out there in the know?
Anyway, thanks in advance for your responses, and thanks for everything I've already gleaned from this excellent discussion.
Cruise over to any of the Impreza boards to see lots and tons of picture of STi's with all sorts of wings and also sans wing. An STi with a WRX wing will look pretty much like a WRX! There are plenty of trunk swaps going on as well, search the boards and you'll find them.
The stereo... the car has a stereo?!? Just kidding :-)
I'm no audiophile, and when it comes to a car as loud as an STi I really only expect so much from a stereo, but it gets the job done for me. It could use better speakers. Again the Impreza boards are chock full of information on stereo upgrades, everything from mild to trunk-full-of-speakers-and-amps wild.
Waiting for an STi Forester: I recommend against it. I just don't think they'd sell enough of them in the US to justify the effort. You might however want look into a Legacy GT wagon. With 250HP right out of the box, the car is no slouch. And you need not exert much effort/cost to move the numbers higher. Brakes and suspension can handle a few extra horsepower as-is, and there are upgrades available there as well if desired.
Cheers,
-wdb
I am 64, have had my WRX for over three years, and still love the drive.
I would love the STI, but will not give up the practicality of the wagon or the stealthness to maintain my mature appearance but 'boy at heart' mentality.
Maybe, just a little cool STI badge on the side of the car.
Mike
That seems silly given the 17" rims will be standard on a normally aspirated Legacy for 2006. The base model.
So don't hold your breath.
-juice
The STI Imprezza wagon and Legacy wagon are overdue. Spare us the "me too" sedans and SUVs and stick to what got you where you are, Subaru.
-juice
I'm a firm believer that cars with only 2 doors only belong on cars with only 2 seats.
We're talking about an extreme factory tuner with summer tires. You want it to be practical, too?
This is the antidote for practical.
-juice
Whether you prefer a sedan, or a wagon is up to you - but by abandoning the wagon the way Subaru appears to be doing, they are rapidly becoming a "me to" company. I can hardly wait for the 2007 FWD legacy sedan with its new in-line 4.
-juice
It already is practical. How many other supercars can you even *dream* of driving to work in on a regular basis, let alone *every* day of the year -- sun, rain, wind, sleet, snow, whatever? As part of a 4-person carpool no less?
The STi is a roadgoing version of the world beating WRC rally car. The rally car is an Impreza sedan. I certainly agree that STi *versions* of other models would be a nice addition to the Subaru lineup, especially for the enthusiats among us. But I also think that the Impreza STi sedan should stand apart from the rest.
rgds,
-wdb
I understand that a lot of folks may prefer sedans over wagons. That is not the point. Whether Subaru should produce sedans is not the issue. The issue is whether they should abandon the very class of driver that gave them the popularity they currently enjoy - the class of AWD wagon lovers. Wagon fans are in a difficult enough position as it is. Detroit, as well as most other auto manufacturers seem to believe that if you don't want a sedan, then you must want a 6,000 lb SUV. Subaru has been very loyal to drivers who understand that you don't need a John Deer to bring a 2x4 home from Lowes. What they don't understand is that just because you want room for a 2x4, doesn't mean you don't want to have fun bringing it home.
Subaru has a new crowd now, buying the turbo models. It's not the same old granola-eating Birkenstock-wearing hiking & biking crowd that bought 4WD Loyales in the 80s.
The Subaru Crew started back before turbos were around, and a lot has changed since the arrival of the turbos, both the people and the demographics are different. You now see younger and richer folks, and more mainstream, few niche buyers.
Besides, I don't think former Loyale owners would buy an STi wagon, they'd get an Outback Sport.
-juice
Plus let's give a bit of credit where due and note that Subaru already offers two very attractive wagons for the driving enthusiast, the WRX and the Legacy GT. Arguably three, if you toss in the Forester XT!
Cheers,
-wdb
If you look at payload capacities, most wagons have greater capacities than most light trucks owing to the lower center of gravity for the wagons. Subaru would be wise to capitalize on this and on the escalating price of gas, rather than playing me too with Detroit. Rather than pushing wagons into the mainstream by touting their advantages over both sedans and trucks, Subaru is relegating their wagons to the folding 3rd row seat.
Perhaps they should try to expand the definition of Subaru in the US, but they would be breaking new ground. Perhaps combining the old school wagon utility with the new-found turbo performance. I'm sure they are hedging their bets given the lesser image of wagons in this country compared to Europe as well.
-juice