The only STi I'd even consider is the last generation. I don't care if a new one would leave me and my S2k two zip codes behind it, it will never outrun the fact it's a fugly station wagon.

If you need practicality, STi, no brainer. Otherwise, S2000.

 

something else to keep in mind...

the s2k doesnt need nearly as much power as the STI to beat it around a track.

the STI is easier to drive and has less traction issues, BUT everyone and their mom has one and they are big and heavy and understeer A LOT!

and they get boring, very fast.

 

As much as I love my S, this is just a ludicrous statement.

STIs are much rarer than s2ks

I got to test drive one today since one recently showed up at the local dealership. It was an '06 with 35k miles and it was pretty stock except a sway bar and CAI. The car also had DOT approved r-compounds and it had to have some sort of racing pads b/c when I slammed on the brakes the car barely stopped..and I know those brembos have more bite than that. (From the tires and Pads I was pretty sure the car had been beat around a track for its short 35k miles.)

PROS:
The power was great, gears 1-3 PULLS and I got to take it around a cul-du-sac at an empty industrial park and the grip was IMMENSE. The interior was much better than the EVOs I've driven, lots of knobs for diff settings and an I/C water spray (WTF?? does that really help?).

CONS:
Getting on the highway, the car was really loud at >80mph (I'm pretty sure it was the R-comps) and 6th gear was really sluggish. One of the things I like doing while test driving is put the car in the top gear on the highway and floor it. And the STI didn't impress, I waited forever for the turbo to spool and it never did so eventually I just dropped it in 5th. Even my S has better response to WOT in 6th gear. The tranny was of course not as smooth and steering feedback was decent, I would rank it as EVO>STI>S2k in terms of feedback. The worst part was the dealer wanted $27.5k OTD and I just looked at that number and laughed and walked off....since a NEW '08 can be had for less than $30K OTD.

Conclusion:
The power was nice and so was the grip but I still couldn't justify getting rid of the S for it....especially when they parked the STI next to my S....the S just looks so much better. I know this is a matter of opinion but I could never get over the look of the STI and EVOs. In the end, I drove home in my S