Just wondering if they have issued any press releases..

 

why would they?

 

They're probably still in a state of shock.
That's probably the last time they let their marketing people deceide the spec of a performance car.
Hats off to subaru for letting their engineers deceide what the customer wants, although no radio????
Am, it a 30K car, and that whole weight saving thing sounds like an excuse to charge you 2k for a dealer fit job, and keep the dealer happy...........
Been an interesting few weeks for fans of fast motors.
STI or an EVO??
Can't wait.

 

Go browse the Impreza forums. I've never seen so many people ***** about a stock stereo system in my life!

I think Subaru took a gutsy move, but hit a bull's eye on that marketing move. Since a lot of people yank out the standard system and replace it with something nicer, not putting one in saves Subaru money, and us the headache of yanking it out. Most importantly, however, it gives the STi an image of being a no-holds-barred race car, that they were kind enough to let out on the street. I've seen the comparisons already to the Mustang Cobra R and a few others, marketed the same way.

Personally, I'm hoping they did a LOT more to reduce weight than just yanking the radio. I'm not saying it's a heavy car to start with, but if it can come in a few hundred pounds lighter than the Evo, then we'll have something truly remarkable on our hands!

 

It's time to bring out the Ralliart tuned EVO then...Or the 300FQ...

 

I've dealt with marketing before -- It's not much fun... They make decisions that the engineers must live with and work around... I've been on projects where we've been told to build something, and then been told that it's too expensive because a sales guy already sold one for XXX before it was even on paper... I'm impressed at the freedom the Subaru engineers were given...

Personally, I still like the looks of the EVO, and I view it as a better daily driver - I'm sure there's a more potent Lancer somewhere in the works... seems like a Japanese version of Camaro vs. Mustang... Just my 2Cents

 

But this marketing rubbish that they left out the stereo as the car is performance oriantated is rubish. It's a way for them to gouge some money back out of people who believe it.
Mercedes did it for years in europe, not specifying a stereo as standard kit, just to rip people off later......

Remember, you're paying mitsu/subaru close on 30k, which is not small change, and I assume these are very high profit margin cars.
A stereo to keep the wife happy wouldn't have been too much to ask for...........

 

I don't disagree with your stereo comment. However, say the EVO and the STi are high profit margin cars are prob not accurate. You've got a couple of cars that can out-perform 99% of the cars on the road and you're paying substantially lower price as compared to their prices overseas. (>$40K if converted to USD) I do not think Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, Momo interior are cost saving items...just my two cents

 

Oh my god. Im sorry but, its a ****ing radio. Thats all. A decent system will go for around $300 is you know how to shop. A high to moderate deck goes around $300 if you buy from, say, Best Buy. Stop *****ing.

Grr. That was more directed to I-club people.

 

no shid...absolutely. I wish I could opt out of any car maker's standard stereo. What a waste of money. Someone without the sense to spend a few bucks on a stereo shouldn't be wasting money on a performance car anyway. If you want a car manufacturer's "radio" go buy a used Corolla...circa 1979. I'd always, I mean ALWAYS opt out of the stereo systems offered as OEM. But then I have a clue. What a waste of breath to argue about in this kinda car.

 

I like the no radio option. Hell, I'd like a steelies option for rims/tires, so I could get the wheels I want too. (kind of like the RS)

I hate those Subie gold rims (yes, I know it's a tradition thing). I hate the Evo altezza's. I guess you can't have everything


Erik in LA

 

What would you rather have in a 32k STI? DCCD or a stereo. They knew they couldn't price this thing to high, after all it is a Subaru not an Audi. They thought of us enthusiasts and gave us everything and more that we asked for. Anyone who wants a factory stereo that bad can add it as an option. If they had it standard though the base MSRP would likely be 1k more. They want to keep the MSRP down, and as such, the stereo is an option. If you don't like it, don't buy it, less demand, less markup for the rest of us.