As the title states, I'm currently considering buying a STI (no more Z06 since I've realized it's just not my personal style). I've always wanted a car with boost and after considerable thought and research, opted not to boost my S. I drive too hard daily and fear the rearend's weakness will pose a greater issue than it's worth.

Anyways, I know I can go to a STI board, but I find that very unappealing. Members of this board have vast amounts of knowledge over a wide range of cars and honestly, I don't want to deal with the immature comments often found on some of the "kiddie" boards.

Here are some questions that I was hoping some of you could answer. Please be aware that I have little experience with boost and AWD. Thanks in advance for all your assistance.

1. What is the average drivetrain loss for a rear wheel drive car, versus the STI which is AWD?

2. How mod friendly is the STI, say versus the Evo? Basically, I'm looking more into the bolt on items, not those which entail alot of labor costs. If I put on I/H/E, how much additional hp will that normally add? Avg costs for I/H/E would be great too!

3. For those who have a STI, may I ask what you paid? Maybe PM me if you'd prefer not to make it public?

4. Again, for those who have a STI, did they let you test drive it? When I went to the dealership, I specifically stated that going there was a spur-of-the-moment idea and that I just wanted to look at the vechicle. No test drive necessary at this point. The salesman apparently didn't hear me and told me that test drives would not be available, unless I was very serious (typical response of course). He even went so far as to say that even if I got an opportunity to test drive it, it would only be for less than a mile and would be a slowwwww one too. My response was, "Well they said that about almost every car that I've bought and to be honest, I always got my test drive. Also, not a slow one too....I test drive a car the way I'd drive it so I know what I'm getting."

5. Any problems reported on the STI?

6. Are there any plans to change the STI next year? I'd hate to buy it this year and find only that it will be different in the months to come. I don't mind if it changed in 1.5-2 years, but not right around the corner.

Well, I think that's all for now. I really appreciate the help in advance. Thanks everyone for making this board an enjoyable and educational one!

 

here's my limited knowledge...i don't own a STI
1) 15% for RWD...20% for AWD
2) not as friendly as the evo...the evo you can basically get ECU + bolt-ons and put out over 350hp. Those same mods on a STI won't net as much gain, but then you start with more power . Probably getting a chip + tuning would net the most gains on a STI.
3) You can get invoice or very close to it.
4) I don't see why they wouldn't...unless you are very young.
6) I'm pretty sure the interior will change so it looks a little more upscale...the EVO will get significant changes for MY05 (also EVO MR will be introduced) so maybe Subaru will bring the Spec C here soon?

 

I'm considering the same switch -- hawking my '03 Spa Yellow Pearl S for an '05 Crystal Grey Metallic STi.

- What is the invoice on an STi?

- How are the driving characteristics on an STi? I guess what I'm asking here is, is understeer a problem? I've never driven anything with AWD and have no idea what to expect. I'm aware the STi is equipped with DCCD to allow for a 35/65 torque split -- is that enough power to let the ass slide out for a little bit of sideways fun?

More questions to follow, I'm sure -- thanks everyone!

 

I dont own either, but am planning on one soon.

From a performance aspect....stock-stock....the EVO is better. There will be arguements left and right, but I rode in both, and the Evo is just a bigger sports car than the STI. Think of the STI as an M5 with all the packages, and the Evo the m5 CSL....so to speak.

There are DOZENS of power kits for the STI.

Many many quality kits for about 4,000 that give the car 479 wheel hp.

The evo takes mods very well.

However, the evo feels like it has no springs, but solid pipes for suspension. It is VERY VERY harsh.

They both handle VERY well in the rain.

I suggest to take both for a spin and see what you like. I can get an EVO right now around my area for about 25,000 plus tax.

Anyway, if I were buying right now, Id go EVO. (although the STI is great)

 

Some good comments here, primarily the types of responses I was shooting for.

My friend has an Evo, but I think I like the STI's looks a bit better, although I'm not fond of the blue interior/seats. I agree that the Evo is a pretty awesome machine (both actually), especially for the price, but my initial understanding was that the STI was basically very similar in what I wanted (boost, well handling, good power, mod friendly).

I'm a bit surprised to hear the Evo mods better....dang! haha

Invoice huh? Hmmm, that seems a bit optismistic, but worth a shot. I talked to a salesperson and heavily gave them the impression that I didn't really care to sell my S and buy the STI, only that I was considering it since both of the cars I own are two seaters and it would be more convenient to have a 4 seater also, without buying a 3rd car.

No, I'm not young, but look it from what I hear.

Jeez, 25k for a NEW Evo??? If so......wow!

One of the reasons I want a STI is that I see too many Evo's around here and it would be nice to spice up the life of cars in the neighborhood...haha.

Any more thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

Its not so much as the Evo responds better....

This in my opinion is the best stuff you can get for these cars.

Some of the best parts for Evos and Stis are made in Australia....they are VERY active in the Rallye world.

http://www.airpowersystems.com.au/us_spec/...ti/2004_sti.htm

Their parts are TOP quality, and support is UNBELIEVABLE.

Their front mount intercooler is also the biggest you can buy.

Check it out.

 

I just went through this and now I have a 04 STi and a S2000 in my stable.

Here are the answers for you..

1. Ill just tell you this... the car puts out about 250whp stock

2. Bolt on friendliness goes to the EVO on this one. The motor is an older design and the aftermarket was already there. ECU reflashes start at about $300 and net good power. Overall, the EVO responds better to mods.

The Sti comes almost maxed out, but not really. Pushing it with the stock turbo, you can get about 310-320whp with some boltons... Cobb Tuning just relesead their AccessPort for the Sti. Stage one is about 20whp and 40wtq on stock car, Stage 2 is with TBE (Turbo Back Exhaust) and it gives 40 something whp and 62wtq. The crazy part is that at around 3k, there are 80ft-lbs extra from stock.

There are issues with boost creep, when installing a TBE, the wastegate needs to be ported.

On the good side, there are other stock subi turbos that are bigger and can get you extra horsepower on a budget. A VF34 is slightly bigger and gives you 15-20whp just for bolting it on. It also hangs on to boost better on the top end.

3. What I paid? 28k for a used one with 10k miles on it.. a full stereo (radio, speakers, amps, subs), factory alarm and dimming rearview mirror and 80k warranty.

4. No. I got to drive THIS one because it was used. Other dealers have not let people drive it. I got lucky a few months ago, and a new owner of a STi let me take it out.

5. There are some issues reported. The biggest one actually is present in MY car. On some cars.. there are detonating issues. I think this might be due in part to 91 octane LA gas, but I hear some peeps with 93 octane have the same issue. My car will detonate sometimes around 4k RPM... I am getting the AccessPort so that I can get rid of this. I hear Suby of America has a reflash for this problem though.

6. The 2005 Model gets a new center stack (looks nicer), wider fenders in the rear, same wheels as 04, but with different offsets.. other than that, there are other tiny things.

Things you should be prepared for? Get used to the drivetrain... its noisy. Almost sounds like a truck in 4 wheel drive when you are at low speeds... you can hear all the drivetrain at work... At speed though, you can hear a little bit of wine and mostly the motor...

Overall, I think this car is a better choice compared to the EVO. The interior is of MUCH HIGHER quality. The EVO just feels cheap and I really dont think this will be addressed with the new upcoming models, including the MR. Except for the seats, I feel like Im sitting in a glorified $14k Lancer. Whereas in the STi, there are enough suttle differences to make me feel like the car is its own entity, even though it isn't.

 

Really.....

According to APS....the stock US spec STI puts out 311 HP....does it really lose that much???



Anyway, with about 3500, youll have an STI well over 400hp.

 

yeah aparently so... The EVO puts out in the low 230s... in reality, Ive seen STi's in mid 250s and as high as mid 260s... depends on the timing it feels like having at that time and the water spray too... XS said the water spray was good for 5whp...

I took the car out and sprayed into the intercooler while getting on it. My OBD2 Scanner didn't see a temp increase or a temp drop... It just stayed. It was about 85-88 degrees outside and the intake temps were about 108. When I slowed down and was in the neighborhood, the intake temps climbed to the 118-122 region and at a stop it hit 135.

This is all better than the SCed S2k I drove that day that had intake temps ranging in the 150s-170s...
It had an aftercooler. I should also tell you, I drove another one with the same scanner attached... but in much lower temps.. in the 60s... still 150s in the intake temp.

 

You shoulda posted the OTHER Graph!

The one with the SR50.

Slap on a turbo back exhaust($1k), a SR50($1800), larger injectors($500)... and a UTEC($1K)...
and you might have something like this: