So, Edmunds just did a Full Review test of the new 2008 Subaru WRX STI... all I have to say is I'm very impressed, see for yourself:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drive...e.photopanel..3

The last STI they tested was a 2006 STI, here's the difference in specs between the 2006 & 2008:

0-60mph:
-2008= 4.8 seconds
-2006= 5.4 seconds

1/4 mile:
-2008= 13.3@102mph
-2006= 13.6@100mph

Stopping 60-0:
-2008= 106ft (<<<Wow... yeah, just wow.)
-2006= 114.5 ft

Skidpad:
-2008= .90g
-2006= .93g (<<<The one area the "old" STI still came ahead in)

Slalom:
-2008= 72.0mph (<<<Holy shit! The 2006 EVO IX only pulled 70.7mph, that's awesome!)
-2006= 68.1mph


Also, here's a video on Youtube of Best Motoring testing the new JDM STI:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsbt64P8VOs


^^^It looks like it rotates pretty well around the track, if only they had subtitles


Overall, I'm impressed. I can't wait to see the reviews of the new STI vs the EVO X! The only thing that makes me sad is the increase in price, and the fact that "lightweight" BBS wheels are only optional rather than standard. Either way, can't wait to see them on the road, much better looking than it's 2008 WRX counterpart IMO.

Also, here's another good review from Motor Trend:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchb...impreza_wrx_sti

^^^That review actually claims the "old" 2006 STI was faster (2008= 13.4@100.5mph vs 2006= 13.0@103.5mph), their reasoning behind the '06 being faster is:

"Chalk it up to overall gearing that's taller in every gear (by about 20 percent in third and fourth) and to a weight gain of 41 pounds, courtesy of such additional safety measures as curtain airbags."

Very impressive reviews. I look forward to seeing one of these soon!

Too bad it's a Subaru and not a Mazda

Meh, the new WRX/STI is kind of shaped like a Speed3, close enough to a Mazda lol.

to bad it's still UGLY

Wow. $40k as tested price. That's a lot of coin, nearly $23k more than a base Impreza, and still $16k more than a WRX. Or...you could just buy a WRX and have a base model too for the same price as 1 STI! Haha

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Dec 3 2007, 10:30 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=12826]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Wow. $40k as tested price. That's a lot of coin, nearly $23k more than a base Impreza, and still $16k more than a WRX. Or...you could just buy a WRX and have a base model too for the same price as 1 STI! Haha[/b]

Yeah, that one was equipped with forged BBS wheels and Navigation... personally, I don't think the STI should even come optional with Navi, but that's just me. I think the base price is around $35k. Although that I think is getting a little high... I think one of the reasons that the car has been a big success is the relatively low price point for the amount of performance you get from it. What sucks is by raising the price, and adding additional features that aren't necessary, their core buyers (guys like me) will be turned off by it.

Are the cars tested by Edmunds and Motortrend equally equipped?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ Dec 3 2007, 12:11 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=12838]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

What sucks is by raising the price, and adding additional features that aren't necessary, their core buyers (guys like me) will be turned off by it.[/b]

I completely agree with that statement. It's not quite the bargain it used to be anymore.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AIM WO4 @ Dec 3 2007, 12:34 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=12839]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Are the cars tested by Edmunds and Motortrend equally equipped?[/b]

The 2008's in both appear to have the exact same options, and the 2006's didn't have many options, or at least not enough to make any type of difference. The only thing is, it's rumored that boxer engines take longer than inline & v-type engines do to fully break in. Hence why there's such a variance in performance numbers of STI's, even among the same magazines in the same conditions. According to Subaru, most boxer engines won't make peak power until they're getting close to the 15k mile mark.... obviously the 2006 STI that Motortrend tested was fully broken in, as 13.0@103.5mph is a damn good time for a stock STI.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Dec 3 2007, 01:19 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=12847]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I completely agree with that statement. It's not quite the bargain it used to be anymore.[/b]

Yeah, the original '04 STI's started around the $32k mark, so about $3k less than the current '08's, not quite as much bang for your buck anymore. Although, the '04's didn't even come standard with a stereo lol, that was optional.

Now, mind you, me and my GF drove the '08 WRX (which she absolutely fell in love with, and has been talking about buying ever since) not too long ago.... it's not the same WRX as it was back in '02 when they were first launched.... the 2.5L motor makes power MUCH lower in the RPM range than the old 2.0L, making it easier to have as a daily driver.... the ride is MUCH more compliant... much nice materials inside.... they actually have a frame around the door windows lol.... no more fender flares (which I'm very sad about)... generally, they're not as aggressive looking anymore, and even though on paper, they perform about the same as the outgoing WRX's, they don't feel as "raw" anymore. They're more refined. The styling has changed dramatically, from being "ugly, but in a quirky, kind of cool way" to what I would consider a little bit bland.

Before, the Impreza's entire existence was due to the hardcore, cult like followers of Subaru.... which was fine. Although, believe it or not, on Subaru's line, the Legacy outsells the Impreza/WRX/STI line by a significant margin... which is kind of backwards, as on Mazda's line, the entry level 3 outsells the 6 by leaps and bounds... I think what Subaru is trying to do is offer cars (i.e. Impreza) to ordinary people, not just performance nuts, as us performance junkies are FAR outnumbered by your average ordinary buyer, who just want a car to get them from point A to point B. IIRC, the first month the new Impreza/WRX was released, it actually broke record sales numbers for Subaru's Impreza line, or at least so I saw on Nasioc. Toyota makes boring cars.... Toyota does not appeal to people like me in the least.... but, Toyota is now the largest auto manufacturer in the world, because they make boring cars, for well... most of the world, which consists of a lot of boring people.

The only thing I'm a little bitter about, is that I've been a long time Subaru fan, dating back the the late 90's Impreza 2.5RS, and when I was older, and could afford one, I bought a WRX... I'm one of "those guys" that supported a company because I liked their products, and the sad thing is, people like me are the ones who "revitalized" Subaru's brand image, before the WRX, the only people in America that cared about Subaru's were gay farmers (lol, I joke). What sucks is that now, the very people who supported and revitalized Subaru's brand image, and brought them up as a company, we're the very people that Subaru is now somewhat turning their backs on... kind of sad. Although, I can understand why they've changed the Impreza, it's simple... money. Attracting a larger consumer base will bring in more revenue. Most of us die-hard performance junkies are fairly young (I'm only 24), and not all of us can afford a $30k+ car, so I think they're just trying to target a slightly older audience, an audience that has a little more cash laying around.

Either way... I think when they start showing up on dealer lots, I'll have to take a new '08 out for a spin and see how it compares. Hopefully, it at least hasn't lost it's edge, I guess we'll see.

I wish it wasn't $12-$15K more than I want to spend right now, because I like it! Maybe when the kiddos move out....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stealth01 @ Jan 12 2008, 09:35 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=17799]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I wish it wasn't $12-$15K more than I want to spend right now, because I like it! Maybe when the kiddos move out....[/b]

at that point you will now better. j/k

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Laurel @ Jan 12 2008, 10:20 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=17852]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Uglyyyyyyyy.[/b]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I for one think I am pretty decent, oh wait you were talking
about the car......gotta remember it's not always about me...