Yea, that's an important feature in a rally car.

Huh? The new STi is quicker than the last generation model tested by Edmunds. Numbers don't lie.

 

And how many of us with "rally" cars actually use them for that purpose?

 

That's hardly the point.

 

True, but usually a somewhat attractive automobile does help car sales.

 

No doubt. This said, sales to whom? An automotive enthusiast whose main concern is the actual act of driving, or some poseur who likes to cruise around in a car with street cred? (It's a rhetorical question)

 

This is also true, however I think that it gets to a point where it doesnt really matter how great the performance is or how fun the car is - if it looks terrible, no one will want it. I mean, I wouldnt care if the Scion XB could pull 1G around the skidpad, could do 60 in 4.0 seconds flat and the slalom at 75 mph...its still a disgusting little box on wheels and I wouldn't buy it.

 

Herein lies the dividing line between a high-performance buyer and a lifestyle buyer. History has a way of setting things straight. As far as rally cars go, witness the Audi Sport Quattro, one of the most sought-after cars in the enthusiast world. It's ugly enough to stun a cow from 100 feet, or a Ford RS200, or a Porsche 959. Hell, like the pre-CT9A Evos were the least bit attractive. Same goes for the last gen STis. To tell the truth, I don't really care for the new STi's looks, either, but it's not like I see its appearance while behind the wheel.

 

I consider myself to be an enthusiast and a purist. I want the most performance for the money, but even I have my limits. Albeit very high limits, but I do have them. When I look at my car, I don't want to have to be holding a barf bag.

 

Fair enough.

 

Nice car but the looks and styleing doesn't match the price. I guess it's the ultimate street sleeper. Most people probably think it's a $15K car so it's good if you like a car just for the drive.

 

wow...i didn't know the sti was going to be a hatchback...that's the first video i've seen of it....i don't care for the boxer engine....bad design in my opinion...that's why i've never been interested in the sti.....plus i don't like the subaru styling....i mean that looks like a ford focus hatchback....but to each his own...looks like it performs pretty well...only hatchback i ever thought looked good was the honda civic si a few years back...'03 i think

 

Not true, I love all cars except the STI

Also the EVO IX they (Edmunds) tested previously did 13.3@103mph on that same 91 octane fuel compared to 13.3@102mph for the 08 STI. Please check your facts before typing, that's all I ask.

 

The fact is neighter the 08 STI or EVO X are the 12 second drag cars I once hoped for, and I doubt neighter is quicker in a straight line than a EVO IX either. The one thing going for the EVO X though in my opinion, is that there are still ??? on how much power it can gain with bolt on mods. I am not saying this will be the case, but if the EVO X puts down for example 270whp stock and with Turboback, Intake, Boost Controller, and a Tune makes 360whp all of us may be singing to a different beat. But when it comes to the STI, it is pretty much a carry over engine wise and the power you make with the 06-07 STI is probably going to be similiar with the 08 STI. Which still places the STI woefully behind the EVO IX in expense and potential to mod.

 

Yea, that makes sense.

You're right about the 1/4 mile.


Comparing the two, per Edmunds:

0-60 4.8sec (STi) vs. 4.9sec (Evo)


Now let's look at the other test parameters:

Braking 106 feet (STi) vs. 116 feet (Evo) <gulp>

Slalom 72mph (STi) vs. 71mph (Evo) - a virtual eternity.


As a car does all of three things - accelerate, brake, and corner - the test data speaks for itself.

This said, the data cannot show a car's ability to instill confidence in its driver, its predictability at the limit, as well as its congruence with one's driving style. These factors, however, may not apply to those who live their lives 1/4 mile at a time.

I have zero intention of getting rid of my IX, ever, but there's no denying that the new STi is one hell of a machine and I'd very much like to drive one.

 

I don't mean to pick on you, but there are a few things that I feel must be addressed with your statement here:

Holy moly dude, where the hell have you been!? They announced this more than 6 months ago.

Boxer engine is a bad design!? Porsche might have something to say about that.

Yes, it does appear to perform pretty well and most here don't like the styling, myself included.

Please tell me that you are kidding. That car looked like *** and was an insult to pretty much all previous civic si owners. Sort-of like how this STI is an insult to previous STI owners...