Is the 11 STi that bad? I've really been considering picking one up!

 

No it's not that bad at all. It's a pretty tame car to drive day in and day out. The stock exhaust note is really good and the shifter is really smooth. The sound system is decent for what it is and the ride quality is fairly nice. It's nice on the inside and has decent power stock. I think the one thing it could use is a bigger RSB because Subaru's are known to oversteer when upgraded the suspension components. The ride height is pretty low for it being stock (almost BMW-ish) and the upgraded pillow-ball bearings add a nice touch to improve the handling.

I drove one for a week and loved it. The only thing that was not acceptable was the trunk space as it had none at all. Either way it's a pretty good looking car and a wonderful package, not to mention the NAV is worlds better in the STi than the Evo (my friend's MR nav was absolute crap). Anyone who says owning one is "gay" is just being childish, its a decent car.

 

anything that can be compared to the EVO better be a decent car

 

Good assessment of the pro's and cons.

I like the looks of the STi as well as the EVO. I am not a die hard EVO fan even though I have owned 4 of them since 2005. I can see the advantages that each car can offer. I like the hatch storage capacity of the STi, and the ride height is very nice. As Boost said it is very BMW-ish there.

 

Apparently, if one's gauge of automotive goodness revolves around one's knees fitting under the wheel, pressing on the brakes with the salesguy in the car, and a quick look at the interior, Yes.

 

Yah my wife wants an evo BAD. She drives mine and whines about not having one. Trying to get her to get an Outlander Sport, but she wants power and handling. How can I say no?

I have yet to be in a '11 STi. Seems everything I read about them is meh. Nothing seems that great. I think Subaru is just riding the coat tails of their fanboys.

 

In all seriousness, there seems to be a lot of articles out there that leave unsatisfied with it, especially when comparing it to the Evo X. To each their own though.

 

Just as an aside, that's the proper acronym change here in the states, too, because calling it a "disease" is a misnomer. So that makes STi's even less desirable for me

 

Yeah, the last time I drove a Subbie was back in 2002 when I drove my friends WRX at auto X. I thought it was awesome compared to my modded integra RS and felt it suited my throw in driving style. Fast foward past all of college and post grad, I bit the bullet and bought the equivalent of the US MR-T based on the reviews of the regular MR and GSR back in 2009. Since then, I've been missing manual and been torn up by the X's performance as it seems like the computer hates my driving style and it always either brakes or cuts my throttle. Best demonstrated by the one time I auto-x'd my X, I shaved 4 seconds by turning off the ASC. But I don't know, the car still feels lacking in control during cornering and always wants to start sliding to get the proper angle which is not possible on tight turns in the city. Car is now 2 years old and the 2011 STi sedan seems to be calling out to me.

In all honesty, had they not come out with the hatch, I might have went STi since a base model GSR here starts at $43k up to $53k plus taxes for MR-P, whereas a top model STi is only $43k. At this point, keeping the Evo long term may seem cheaper since I've paid off around half, but to be fair, Mitsubishi still has not released any sign of the SST ever being serviceable and if I'm going to take a 15k hit down the road, I might as well use that towards a STi now. What do you guys think?

 

Handling wise, you should always have ASC off (not off-off), imo. The default is for people that don't know how to drive, so it should be a habit to turn that off as soon as you get into the car. You may need to adjust your "throw-in" driving style. AWD isn't meant to be driven like that. You go slower into the corner and faster out of the corner. Everything should be a smooth motion, from shifting to braking to steering. Nothing should be aggressive.

With that being said, the WRX you drove back then is MUCH MUCH different than today's STi's. The handling is different, the traction control is different, the suspension is different. I wouldn't expect the new STi to handle like the 02 WRX you drove. If I were you, I'd test drive one for more than a few minutes before purchasing. You may have something in your head that they simply aren't like now days.

As far as the SST, I sold my MR for two reasons. A) I was GOING to buy a house. B) I didn't want a $10k liability later on. I am right there with you man. I love my GSR very much. The refinements in the '11 over the '08 were much worth it. I do however miss my SST quite a bit. It made tracking so easy, it had lightning quick shifting and pushed hard, being able to hold boost between shifts was a big bonus as well.

You may want to check out a '12 GSR when they release. It may be just what you're looking for. As far as the handling, I think you just need to work on your style a little bit to fit AWD type cars, if you're in an Evo or STi.

 

I think you nailed it right on the money as my driving style has always been aggressive into the corners, fight, and power out. Even the gurus of the local auto-x made the comment that I'm doing it all wrong, but couldn't believe that I was only 2 seconds slower than them. Currently, I've forced myself to slow down, corner until I feel it's not going to slide, and then power out. You are absolutely correct in that I'm thinking that the STi would be like 02 WRX, but now I guess maybe I'm chasing a ghost. I'll wait and check out the 2012 GSR's as they should be out Nov~

Just out of curiosity, when you bought your MR, were you told that the tranny wasn't serviceable or that eventually it would be? I was never told anything and assumed that someday it would be. Can't believe Mitsu is pulling a 3000GT issue all over again.

 

When I bought my MR, I went in to buy a GSR. I was so blown away by the SST I decided to buy one. During the purchasing decision, I researched a bit (keep in mind this was mid 09), and there were a handful of parts coming out. Clutch packs, seals, filters, coolers, etc. I felt by the time 2010 would roll around it would be all good.

But with that being said. Mitsubishi 100% honestly felt the transmission would be serviceable by now. If you watch the tech videos in the drivetrain section (sticky, video 4 i believe), the tech explains that 2010 the SST would be serviceable. I am not sure what happened, if it was on Getrag, Mitsubishi, or something else.

So in short, just make sure 100% you're going to be satisfied with the STy before you buy it . Also remember the Boxer engine is much harder to work on than ours. Maintenance on the Evo should be much easier. in whatever you decide, hope you stick around here if you get a STy.

 

Thanks for the input! Yeah, I did watch that video and my best guess for why it didn't happen is that getrag doesn't want anyone but themselves opening them up for QC measures. I too walked in with mind set on GSR. Not sure if you're aware ( I wasn't at the time), but our GSR's were only available as BASE models and they even asked if I wanted the 09 RS which has even less! Hopped into the fully loaded MR and was too hooked by the options and HIDs. Went for a pointless no speeding test drive and was satisfied. So far the X has had no issues, but no transmission is invincible.

Yeah, I think my longing for manual mixed with it also being my Bday today I may be jumping the gun. I guess I'll be patient and wait it out, but the way they worded the 2012's braking system, it would really suck if you can't heel toe downshift and a definate deal breaker!

 

Hah... Have you ever tried to ride a bike that was from your early childhood?? How was it to ride it when your knees are hitting the handlebars each time you are trying to peddle??? Not so ****ing easy is it? Someone who is taller than me isn't going to have that issue, but I wrote the post about my experience.

 

Best advice I can offer anyone shopping for a car is to be patient.

What's up with the braking system you talk about?



Good point on the bicycle