A few questions/analysis. The GG8MR I was looking at fell through so I'm back to looking. Won't be buying anything until my truck is paid off in the next three months. Against ALL reason I decided to see how much a brand new '11 STi and '11 MR would be. Both estimates figure a 4500 trade in, 5.7/5.9% financing over 60mo (which I can get easily).

'11 STi with a few options - 620mo
'11 MR with no options - 645mo

Not bad actually. Can't believe I'm actually considering a brand new car, goes against all financial logic. That said, sure I'm gonna get yelled at for thinking about an STi, but I currently have an '03 WRX and I DO love Subaru, but cannot deny the EVO's better performance (looks for MY11 is equal...widebody STi is pure sex). So is the X REALLY better than the IX or VIII? The paddle shifters and the lack of a proper 4G63 have me curious about reliability. How is the reliabillity so far with the X? Is the MR giving any problems? The EVO performs better but is more expensive and lacks that Subaru rumble that I am infatuated with.

With either car the only things I would do would be intake/exhaust/light tune long after the break in. Daily driver, 20 miles a day at most.

Thoughts?

Edit: According to Cobb Tuning, their "Stage 2" base yields 296/310 for an '08 MR at the wheels. For the '11 STi the "Stage 2" numbers yield 286/325 at the wheels. The MR Cobb package is just a few dollars cheaper, both include full exhaust and the Accessport.

 

Why are you choosing the MR package over the GSR? GSR doesn't have the paddles and is cheaper (last I checked?)

 

True yes. Is the GSR better? Figured the MR was the better car.

 

Don't ever finance through a dealership. I'm 23, first-time loan through a credit union and I was approved for 3.7% on a 60-month, 3.45% on a 48-month. Banks wanted 5.99% and dealers wanted 6.5-7%

Being said, make sure the new STI's don't have the ringland problems that the "older" 06-07 (and i think 08-10) ones do. Stock they seem to be fine but as soon as boost starts being bumped, power is added, etc. things start to go wrong. I have two friends with STI's that have blown ringlands in the past year.

Also remember insurance, may not be an issue for you but it will up your monthly payments.

personally i think the new sti is crap looking, it's got a huge *** and a large side profile. the wagon and the 04-07 i think look awesome (especially wingless and lowered)..but i'm also not a huge fan of the X either, the front end is fantastic but the back leaves a lot to be desired for me

 

Good post. Yeah insurance doesn't matter, wife pays it anyway and our ins is pretty cheap. I know not to finance through dealership i fpossible, though the rate we got when we bought my wife's '10 Camry was better than at our bank.

Noted. Suspension mods are not possible, my driveway won't allow it.

 

new sti is fugly as hell...imo

you need to read up on the different models/trims offered

 

screw MR. it is not a better car (imo of course)

GSR takes better to modding, GSR is cheaper (which allows more modding :-P ), and I personally like to shift my own gears thank you very much! Plus now you can get leather and all that jazz in the GSR so i really don't see the point of a MR anymore unless you don't know how to drive stick.

I also agree that the sedan STI is ugly as hell. The hatchback blue on gold on the other hand is pure sex in person!

 

From what i gather in the info available on the net and in the other forums, the engine in the STI is the same crap as the others. If you want to really make huge power either you have to build it or JDM engine replacement.

 

Bull. That's a completely bias and bogus statement

CU's are designed to give less-than-perfect credit people better rates. If your credit is good enough on it's own, there is absolutely no reason that a good dealership can't get you a better rate.

You're 23 and it was your first-time loan? Of course the CU will give you a better rate...

 

All this is just your opinion. My MR is an incredibly fun car and haven't missed stick shift since I traded in my 8, but maybe it's cuz I can't drive a stick.

 

^^ I agree. I know how to drive a stick and if you're going to be using this as a DD then I would go with an MR because its more livable compared to a GSR. Yes the GSR can take more mods but are you really going to be modding this car? The new STi sedans are pretty cool especially they tweaked the suspension can be competative with the evo 10's and a bigger boot is great as well. I drove my friends exwifes STi and I liked it. IMO its better than the old generation hatch back STi's(which I also test drove before getting my 08 MR). But not enough to think about trading in my evo 10 for one! At the end of the day its your money and you have to live with your decision. Hope you make the right one! GL

 

Also agree - yes the GSR can push past 400whp easier...but honestly 350-370 range might be enough for most people. I think the whole numbers game is overrated.

For instance, I'm upgrading my RA turbo to an X turbo because I prefer the spool and power delivery characteristics of the X - I'm NOT doing it just to hit a certain hp/tq number. I'm not too worried about what numbers I end up with.

 

If you don't mind the manual, save yourself some money and have them find a gsr with the options you want. Any dealer can search what others have in stock and have it in the next day. I had my local mitsu dealership look for the evo I wanted at about 8pm on a weekday. They transferred my car in from out of state and I took delievery at 6:30pm the next day.

Or if you want the paddle shifters, grab the MR. Stay away from the STI dude, they just don't hug you like the nice recaros will making turns (that you know you will be making) in the evo!!!

 

Don't be afraid of Credit Unions or Dealership financing. Just shop banks a bit, they will fight for your business if you have a job. I just financed at 2.9% for 60 mos at the dealership, best a local CU could do is 3.5%. If your credit is ok, money is still pretty cheap.

 

GSR with 5 speed will hold more power than the MR and SE. I am from the suby side as well and the X is my first Evo. Love the car and wouldn't trade it for anything (except another Evo).