For a little while now I've been becoming tired of my manual 6-speed. 3 of my cars have standard transmissions, and I'm quite frankly becoming tired of them and the dreaded cracked ringland the STi's have been sort of plagued with.

So... I stopped by the dealer to look at a 2012 MR they had on the showroom floor. It has the touring package, premium package. Dealer is asking $43k OTD. Once I told the dealer I was looking at trading my STi and paying cash, they didn't hesitate to allow me to test drive it . After moving about 5 or 6 cars they handed me the keys and said, "Lets go!" Didn't ask for my drivers license or anything.

First impression was that it drove very smooth and almost a little softer than my STi, less road noise, better sound insulation, and it felt like a luxury sports car should. Seemed to have the same power stock for stock that the STi had.

Only negative I had, was that the bolsters on the seats were tight around the thighs.

They'd give me $34k on my trade which has 20k miles on it, so I'd need to pony up 9 more for it.

Any thoughts on those who have traded their STi for one or how the pricing looks?

Thanks,

--Matt

 

so you traded all ready?

 

negative

 

I also traded my 11 STI for an 11 GSR, that was my 2nd STI lolz. Did you consider getting a GSR? Did you test drive them both? Many people like the GSR after test driving them both. I understand SST transmission might have a great advantage at the track but it weighs and costs more than the GSR. I also heard that GSR has more potential since it's not an automatic. Yes MR also has the Bilstein shocks and BBS wheels but I paid $31.5k+tax for my GSR ..it was a base GSR.

Whatever you decide to go with, one thing for sure you won't regret your decision , it's a lot better car than an STI in every aspect for sure

 

good , I'd definitely recommend you to shop around ..although, they give you a great trade offer , I would still shop around to see what else out there..
Did you ever try truecar.com ? most of the dealerships participating if not many of them match their prices

 

The reason why I'm looking at the MR mainly is because of its automatic/manual transmission. You're right, I'd get the GSR had I wanted a standard.

I'm tired of having to work to drive my car, lol That is why I have the cobra.

 

Those are great points, but he did clearly say he was tired of the manual transmission. If he was looking for a different handling car, then the regular Evo X is a great choice. Looking for an auto, he's limited to an MR or an SE.

 

What about the pricing? Is $43 OTD good for the premium & touring packages?

I've seen alot of pricing on here for the GSR models for mid to low 30s, but not for MR with these packages on it.

Searching autotrader, $43 OTD seems on par with everyone else who is asking $40 with everything else on top.

 

Its on par. I dont think its any kind of bargain pricing or anything. I think you will be able to get it cheaper if you shop around been then you have to factor in the trade and all. And possible travel. And if you find a deal out of state some dealerships do not take out of state trade-in.

Actually the $43k might be a little high because if they are giving you $34k on your trade and the car is $40k then you should only be paying taxes on $6k. So $3k for tax and title on $6k might be a little high. But this will depend on the state.

And I feel you. Overall I enjoy driving the 5 speed but when I am stuck in traffic it can get a little old at times. If the traffic is light then I love the 5 speed (wish it was 6 though). I bought the GSR cause of the price. If I had the extra $8k then I would be sporting a MR. Those cars have really grown on me.

Sooo....whats up with the Subie? Besides the worry of the ringland and the 6 speed is there any other reason why you want to trade up?

 

go for it, it will be one of the best decision you will ever have to make

 

IDK man... there isn't much I can say that I don't like about the STi. They stiffened the suspension for 2011 so it handles very well and has some pretty good power with simply and intake and AP. It's pretty comfortable on long hauls, and has that real unique boxer rumble that all subaru fans enjoy.

Nothing bad I can truly say about it, I'd simply like to trade up to a similarly powered car with an auto and that'll be easier to modify.

Plus I ran an Evo X a while back and he pulled on me, lol

 

hmm.. i have a ww mr.. as for being easy to mod.. there still hasn't been any major advances in tuning the sst trans.. yes you can buy new clutches and slightly adjust the clamping pressures.. but in stock form their only really holding 330-380ish torque.. if you use a dyno that compares the wheel speed vs trans speed. you'll see a spike when the clutches start to slip.

with a gsr a new clutch compared with the sst clutches.. you could buy an "OS gilken" pretty high end clutch for equal money.. or a cheap one for like 300-400 bucks.

My point is.. if you plan on modding your evo past 400hp then you'll want the gsr. if your going to keep the MR around 330-350 tq then the mr will treat you just fine.

basicly figure out what you want it to do first.. then buy the right weapon for the job!

my goal is 330tq and once my clutches go. i'll get the trans rebuilt with the 600hp clutches and go for 400tq with related mods.
South side performance makes clutches and trans coolers for the mr

 

do it.. i traded my 11 sti for a 11 gsr a month ago, couldn't be happier

 

A friend told me the same thing about the SST tonight as well but I wouldn't plan modding it much past 300 at all. The STi is pretty stout at about 270 to the wheels.

I have a 680rwhp 706rwtq Ford Lightning and a Cobra with about 500 to the wheels, so I don't plan on modding this thing much past stock. Maintaining DD characteristics and sound qualities is what I'm going for with an EVO. Getting out of the truck... anything seems slow, lol

I'm really looking for something that I can bob and weave through some spirited turns and get me back and forth to school and work.

 

What made you make the switch?