Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests drove a lightly modded WRX Sti

A guy in my Fbody car club just got one, and with all the problems Ive been having with my fbody and my desire to have just one car that does it all (4 door, fast, all wheel drive) Ive been looking at possibly getting one. I also like the lancer evo, but I must admit the 2.5 litre engine (vs. the 2.0 in the lancer) has me more interested in the STi. So I got to first get a ride in it, and then test drive it. WoW!

Some background on the car first. It has a 4" downpipe and full catback exhaust (turbo something), and a boost controller so it runs 17.5 psi vs. the stock 14.5. He estimates the car at 340-350 hp. He dewinged it (traded with a guy that drove down from canada 6 hrs one way), and is running the WRX regular spoiler from the same year car. That wing is tacky, this seems like a good move to me also. The car is also totally debadged, so it definately plays the part of the sleeper, one of the things I really like about the contour also. There is still a neon hot-pink STi on the tach, and sti badges inside, but what are you gonna do. It comes with a radio delete, so you have to put in your own stereo.

Anyhow, this car pulls very hard through all gears. Definately faster than a stock or even lightly modded LS1, I think this thing would run into the 12s no problem. The gears are short, so you are rowing through the six gears quickly. It hugs the road in very impressive fashion. There are cool settings like you can adjust your awd/4wd front/back bias with like 10 settings or go automatic. There is a intercooler water spray button, and an audible shift notifier, which sounds like a series of beeps, so you can keep your eye on the road and know when to shift. All that comes with the car. He also had a boost controller that maps the boost in a line graph that you can see...sweet!

My main complaint is the interior seems a bit cheap for a car that expensive. The seats (recaros) are nice, but the rest of the stuff kinda looks like a lower end scoobies interior. Still not bad, but someone who doesnt know about the car isnt going to ride in and confuse it for a luxury vehicle or anything...I guess you cant have everything.

Anyhow, thats my review, very, very cool car.

I took a look also. Didn't get to drive it cuz the manager was there. They are definitely a car to look at.

As for me, I've just gotten to that age where that kind of car isn't for me. 10 years ago, I probably would have jumped on it.

I'm leaning in a totally different direction now. New M3 with an 04 S4 being a far 2nd. Not the fastest car, but very well rounded. As much at home on a race course as it is taking my wife to a nice restaurant. It will probably languish in the garage while I use the SVT as my tinker machine.

With a better interior, maybe it would have a better chance. That and lose the ugly hood scoop and the wing. Definitely a force to be reckoned with.

-R-

Saw a new m3 the other night. I'd take the m3 over the sti as well, but it cost $15-$20k more.

S4 - best of both worlds. awd + V8 performance in a dead-sexy body with nice interior.....i'd hit it, no doubt.

the STi is the best-looking of the WRX/impreza line-up, but i'm not a big fan. i thought (momentarily) about trading my jeep on a WRX wagon until i realized it needed about $4-5k in rims/tires/suspension/body mods to look good. the STi version looks okay stock - i even think the wing suits the car - but compared to something like an M3 or S4....err, not in the same league at all.

this is a bit off-topic to the original STi post - sorry for the mild hijack following cartman's post....but i thought i'd mention the S4 in light of the two cars referenced above.

I would get and older S4 with a v6 turbo if I went that route. It is much easier to get more power out of turbo motor, and that v8 isnt all that great.

M3 -- you cant drive that in the snow, so to me thats no good at all.

new S4 -- too much money!

older s4 is 5cylinder. i'll tell u what, i'm sweating the new volvo s60 r as a direct competitor for the new s4(v8 unfortunately). 300hp at 5500rpm, 285ftlb torque, turboed 5cylinder, 6 speed, stock electronic adjustable dampers (comfort,sport, race/track), awd. stock 17s, available 18s. brembo double caliper front brakes (i believe). like 42k stickerprice. still out of my price range, but i might be able to use the ford x/s plan if they allow it for this model.

I do like that volvo too, supposedly they are coming out with an S40R too, turbo AWD, that would be even more up my alley!