With all those press cars doing the rounds, did anyone get to drive one yet, or know when these are scheduled?
Also on some of the subaru forms there are rumours that the STI will be priced at 30995. Rumours I know, but at that price.........

 

I haven't heard of anyone driving one yet, but I've heard prices should be like $32k. $30k seems a bit cheap, considering the power and the dccd

 

Taken from VWVortx.com (or whatever that website is):

Well guys I wanted to share some info with you all. Just got back with a meet up with a few of the guys from "SportsCar International" and they just tested the EVO 8 against the new WRX Sti!
Yes, the new 300 hp, 6 speed manual US bound STi.
The cars:

Silver Evo 8 with grey/black wheels $29K
Blue WRX STi with gold wheels $33K (according to what they were told.)

They were manufacturers loaners, of course.

And guess what? All four guys agreed, the EVO is the better car.

I asked how they came to this conclustion?
Answer (paraphrased):

The WRX Sti is wickedly fast car. Faster than the EVO in a straightline. But they mention it's not like the EVO is slow.
However, the EVO is a better car!! They said the EVO has better seats, better steering, and even with the WRX's new dynamic differential and all, the EVO would outrun the WRX STi in every canyon run. That's right, they all said, no matter who was driving, the WRX STi couldn't stay with the EVO through the canyons. They also took them to the track, where again, the WRX was faster in the straights and in a straightline. But again, they stated, if you plan to go to the track ALL the time, get the STi, but the EVO is the better everyday car, and will lose an STi in the canyons!
Actually the word one of them said was that the STi couldn't "keep up" with the EVO in the canyons!

I asked what kind of acceleration times they got for the WRX STi at the track? But they responded, "we didn't test them for numbers."


Of course, I know many of you will say, they just didn't know how to drive the STi, or whatever, but hey, 4 guys, many different driving conditions, many different canyons, and the same conclusion: The EVO was a better overall car.

And it wasn't even a close call, I may add. They all said, "without a doubt" and even when I told them I'd put down a deposit for the STi, which I briefly looked at it while we were chatting, they said, "get it back, and go get the EVO."

Lastly, I asked, when is the write up going to come out. The answer, "next issue."

So surprise, surprise. According to these guys, there's no need to wait for the WRX STi to be released in June. Head on over to your local Mitsubishi dealer and get the EVO. It's only a bonus the EVO is $4,000 less!

 

Also, Shiv tested it. Here is what he said:

Hi guys,

Just spent some time in the new STi during the last couple of days. It looks like I can't say any details about it due a press embargo which is in effect until May 1st. It's hard to keep my mouth closed

But there has been a lot of speculation about it and the EVO and how they compare to each other. Well, it's a good thing that I can't say too much because more time in the STi would be necessary to give a fair and accurate review.

But I can say that the two cars are sufficiently different in just about every way. Both excellent but in different areas. For example, i's fairly obvious where a 2.5L motor will outshine a 2.0L motor Likewise, the EVO certainly has many strengths of its own which firmly place it in a class by itself. Both are absolutely remarkable cars and we're very lucky to have them available to us.

I can probably say a couple of things about the look of the STi since that, for the most part, is already public knowledge. Okay, the hood scoop is HUGE. No really. It's HUGE. It's hard to see over (from the driver's side). Makes it easy to run over parking lot curbs if you're not paying attention. And it looks a bit silly, IMHO. But that's hardly a deal-breaker considering the hardware the car is packing.

Damn... I wish I could say more. But I can't. At least not right now. Maybe soon. I'll keep you updated.

Cheers,
shiv


__________________

 

And another:

STi vs. EVO - Automobile Magazine in Santa Clarita
I was just on a midday canyon run on San Francisquito Canyon Road north of Santa Clarita and noticed a blur of what I thought at the moment was a couple of Subarus sitting on the side of the road for another run of their own. I was going fairly fast and only noticed the nice wheels on the blue one. I nail the brakes and stop and back up to them. Low and behold it is the new STi. I am admiring the Sti and after about a minute take it upon myself to check out the other Subaru. Wait a minute, this was no Suby, it was the EVO VIII. How lucky. I ask them who they were with and they said Automobile Magazine. They were on a photo shoot. I didn't really want to be a pest because they looked pretty busy but I asked which one was faster and without hesitation they both pointed at the STi. I asked which one handled better, and got the standard they both handle good in their own ways reply I've read before. He did mention that the STi is much better on the street, whatever that means. I was kind of in the way, and the road was pretty busy, so I took off after a few minutes, but I thought some people around here might be interested to know there is an STi and EVO driving somewhere around the Santa Clarita vicinity today. Glad I picked that road

 

Sounds like the Evo is doing pretty well against the Sti. Of course the Sti is quicker...but big deal.that's an easier fix than suspension/chassis dynamics

 

:

 

no wonder theyneed to bump from 2L to 2.5L. watchout when the evo gets the 300hp(ECU) upgrade!

 

How could the STi be a better track car if it's slower in turns

 

I'm really curious as to what octane gas was in each car. If the EVO was limping along on 91 octane, that performance difference in the straights will be reduce significantly with 93 octane in both cars.

Speedlimit..........

 

Because of the straights. Overall with the speed the STi has, it will make up for lost time in turns by going faster than the Evo in straights so overall lap times are better in the STi. But for canyon carving where there are only turns, the Evo shines.

 

Or...the testers aren't up to driving the STi (or probably the Evo either) to the point where they are getting the most from the car--especially on public roads.

If anything, the STi will be the trickier car to push to the limit since it will have more of a tendancy to oversteer than the typical AWD car--including the Evo with the viscous center diff.

TRS

 

Maybe better at the dragstrip

 

Here's a news story on the U.S. Sti and Subie's ad campaign plans:

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_subaru_...rong/index.htm

As previously noted, no radio, center console etc. and Subie expects the car to go 0-60 in 4.8 seconds.