Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Thinking about getting a Subaru WRX STI...?

I looked very hard at the STi before purchasing my Evo, so I have some perspective on the car:

1. Very nice interior. Seats are marvelous, but the back seat is very tight, much less room than even the Contour. To some this isn't an issue, but my family of four (including two hulking teenagers) could not fit in the STi's back seat when the front was adjusted for proper driving position. This was a big consideration in my decision to go with the Evo
2. Blistering straight line performance -- you can believe those quarter mile and 0-60 numbers published -- but please note that is a rally car and not a drag racer. Those that forget this end up buying new clutches and transmissions. The Evo and STi boards are rife with people burning out their clutches and being denied warranty claims.
3. All wheel drive is wonderful. You feel very secure in high speed turns with the the practically race compound Bridgestones. The auto mags give the nod to the Evo in direct comparisons with respect to handling. The Evo is more composed than the STi at the absolute limits of cornering, or so they say. To me, the Evo is scary fast in the turns, and I suspect the STi will be the same way.
4. The STi's looks are somewhat juvenile, with that enormous hood scoop on the front and the ironing board wing on the back. The Evo isn't much better, though. Both cars epitomize "rice". At speed, the aluminum hood vibrates and the wing flops up and down, too. This high profile car attracts the attention of kids in hopped up Civics that want to race you, law enforcement personnel who seem to automatically add 20 MPH to your speed, and blank stares from non-automotive enthusiasts. The usual question from the great unwashed is "what a stupid-looking car" and "why didn't you buy a BMW?"
5. These are relatively expensive cars to maintain. They require synthetic oil changes, have very soft tires that may only last 10,000 miles, and have brake pads that wear quickly.
6. Subaru dealers and service departments are generally (a gross generalization, I know) well thought of, all things considered. Test driving an STi might be a bit of a challenge, as will getting any kind of discount from list price.
7. The STi of course doesn't come with a stock audio system, supposedly to save a bit of weight. Oh, puh-lease. STi owners have remarked that finding aftermarket equipment to fit the speaker cutouts is limited.
8. The ride is very firm, bordering on the stiff. Not quite bone-jarring, but close. The SVT Contour feels like a Lincoln Town Car compared to the STi. A "floating on air" ride it is not.

Compared to a Contour, even an SVT, the STi is like going from the rookie leagues to the majors. Both are sports sedans, but with very different executions of the concept. The STi has preformance that borders on the super car category, and at about $32, it is an automotive bargain. If you don't mind the ricey looks and the cramped back seat, it is an awesome automobile that anybody who knows about cars can respect.

Lee K
98 SVT, silver
03 Evo, red

I've liked the STi ever since the first pics hit the web. I saw my first one in real life a few weeks ago and I'm in love. I talked with the owner for awhile, he said he chose it over the Evo because he does alot of highway driving and liked the STi better. I've seen Evo's in person, and I hate the styling. they absolutely killed the front end of that car. They are both speed demons, I just prefer the scooby.

From what I've seen on the track, the Evo seems to be better balanced than the STI out of the box. The STI "looks" a little top heavy and leans a bit much. The Evo seems to perform a little better in the handling department. If you want to get into AutoX & road racing events, you might have more fun with the Evo.

If you want the hp advantage, obviously get the STI. No replacement for displacement, even with turbo. Otherwise, if its going to be your daily driver, get the WRX and be happy with it.

If I were interested in either of these car's I think I'd get the EVO. I like the looks far better. Both of them would have way more handling and performace than I could ever use on the street anyways (I'd have to start participating in serious track events if I acually wanted to drive one of those cars like it's meant to be driven! )

New legacy looks sharp also.