So for the past year, my mind candy has been buying a new/used car. My wife and I are looking to start a family, and since I sold my DD, my S won't do (my wife has the 330i sedan). Originally I was gonna buy a Fit or a used CRV and keep the S, but then realized if I'm carting the kid around a lot, I won't get to use the S. Additionally, I'm planning to do more camping/hiking/outdoorsy stuff (hatches have great utility in my experience), so it'd be nice to take a car that enjoys the curves on such a trip.

Based on info on their forums and my research:

I've looked seriously at the Mazdaspeed3, and nearly bought it (outgoing '09 model).
Con: FWD, handling will need some sharpening
Pro: Cost (I got them down to 20k for a sport, which is significantly under invoice). If I sell my S, the cost differential will be around 8k, mpg, insurance.

I also like the concept of the WRX STI, esp if I'm gonna spend some time in the snow and such, but somehow the '08 seems to be lacking from what most people say.

Con: Price (I've seen used low mileage ones for under 30k; 2010 model coming out soon should make prices change, but the cost differential when selling my is will be around 15k), paint, potential engine issues, body roll, ECU, looks, mpg, insurance.
Pro: hp/torque, awd.

I could keep the S and get a fit or CRV, but I think the S would get much less use, and I would lose out on the joy of driving it, and would 'only' have a fit or CRV.

Am I missing any vehicles (GTI, A3 are not great reliability wise, and I want to keep the car forever)? What choice would you make? I don't want to spend more than the STI, and want something reliable.

Thanks for dealing with my agony.

 

Most of the cons you listed for the STi aren't correct at all.

 

forget it, get a fit or crv... you will miss ur s2k

 

A new STI can be had for well under $30k if you don't need options like BBS pkg (cheaper to buy your own wheels) or navigation (the factory Nav absolutely sucks, I sold mine). Even WITH the BBS/Nav packages, I only paid $31,288 OTD for my 08 (keep in mind there is no sales tax in MT). The sticker price on mine was right around $41k, so keep that in mind when you are comparing prices- you can haggle a LOT. I doubt they are still offering it, but a bunch of us got these prices with 0% financing for 63 months to top it all off.

Yes, the factory tune is pretty terrible. I can only assume you are going to modify the car since you are an enthusiast- if you plan to keep it stock, get an older STI (06 or earlier) or a new Evo instead. Otherwise, get the car tuned and your engine/ecu problems are solved. The car does have more body roll than the S2000, but compared to just about any other car the suspension is more than adequate, particularly for a car that will only be street driven. You don't need to rattle your kid's brain over every pothole or crack in the road. The insurance is cheap, cheaper than an S2000 for the same coverage (at least for me). The mileage is pretty terrible unless you literally drive out of boost completely and 65mph on the freeway. The looks are certainly subjective. Personally, I hate the look of the older STI's with the fugly wing, and the hatchback makes the car FAR more versatile.

 

i've seen a lot of posts about how the Fit Sport is actually fun to drive.
might be worth a test drive?

personally, i like having 2 cars. having a choice every morning (or otherwise) is priceless IMO

and you'd save a lot on insurance. Fit being your primary and s2k as a recreational vehicle.

 

Could you expand? I know a lot of people on iwsti.com get aftermarket sways due to the body roll, and most complain about the ECU (there was a recall for a reflash, and people complain it didn't address the issue), and get an AccessPort which they say smooth it out. Additionally, the now OEM-clear bra was added due to the multiple complaints about the paint chipping easily. There's also been a good number of people who had problems with a broken ring in #3.

If you other info, please let me know.

 

rhweelz,

thanks for the reply! I appreciate the insight; good to know the prices are pretty negotiable. I'm really hoping the '10 model drags the price down like they did at the end of '08.

And yeah, it'll probably be only street driven (maybe a few track days, but I haven't mustered up the courage to do it with my S yet either), so it isn't gonna be set to rattle my teeth out. I just want something fun to drive, safe and reliable in a 5 door hatch configuration that can fit kids. Yes, that's a lot to ask, but seems like the MS3 and the sti meet those pretty well.

I'm wondering if the price differential between the MS3 and sti are worth it, and how well the sti will be in the long run. Subbie generally has great reliability, but the sti seems to have its share of teething issues.

 

I actually have driven the Fit, and was impressed with its handling. It is better than one would expect.

I also like have the choice of which to drive, but when I have kids, the only choice would be the Fit. I'm a bit concerned with the lack of hp (118; with intake it goes to about 125), and the safety of it in terms of things like fwy merging (or am I stupid in this regard?).

 

sti

 

i would get the fit as well... keep the S... you'll miss having a convertible and the S itself...