EP Heart: Thanks for the info. I have a feeling prices won't go as low as last time, but one can hope!

Tommy: Thanks also for the thorough info. I'll your info in consideration.

btw, how its it at hwy speeds - as noisy as the S? Some say it's not exactly a quiet ride.

 

It's a hell of a lot noisier than my Lexuses, and a hell of a lot quieter than my S2000 (I have the OEM hardtop and no softtop)! The 08 STI is a really solid car. It is the most Audi-like Subaru I have ever driven, in that respect. Your tire choice will make a huge difference- even with 275 Kumho's on the STI it is much quieter. The S2000 is exhausting to drive on a road trip by comparison.

 

Pretty much agree. The stock tires have heaps of road noise. It's not as quiet as a full blown luxury car (more sound dampening) but it's not loud in the cabin neither. It's a fukload quiter than the S2000 and quieter than my Si Sedan I sold.

It is a very solid car. The AWD system is built like a tank (Rock fuking solid), chassis is solid, extremely safe car in regards to grip AND crash ratings. The Brembos get grabby sometimes and are noisy but that is modus operandi for them on many cars. They do a hell of a job halting all the weight of an AWD car.

Turning the thing is superb. I've taken some turns at hellacious speeds that would have a RWD car sliding. I've tested the AWD in the rain, with traction control turned completely off and it wasn't easy to get the thing to break loose. It sticks to the ground like no other car I've owned or driven. Sways and better tires would be all I'd ever need unless I wanted to race the thing on a road course, which I'll never do. Best damn DD you could buy IMO. For a weekend car there are other options but for a DD, I really couldn't think of anything better.

Go try and find someone on a forum, somewhere, that will let you take a ride in their Stage 2 car and get back to us. You'll be doing this

 

This is probably the quietest turbo Impreza ever. I don't really remember how it sounded on stock tires since I sold them after 50 miles. I'm running on all-seasons and it's a huge difference between that and the S2000. The only noises I generally hear are from the drivetrain and the exhaust. Even then, it's a lot quieter inside than the older STi's. Those two things will get more pronounced after getting tranny bushings and exhausts (as expected) but if you're stock like me, it's not intrusive at all, IMO.

 

2004 R32

 

STI, I'm looking at a pre-owned one next year. I'll need an people/stuff hauler to compliment the S and what better than a Turbo AWD hatchback?

If you haven't driven a MS3 yet I'd suggest you do so. The clutch and transmission are disappointing (and no, not just compared to the S tranny) and the engine dies in the higher RPMs. The stock turbo on the MS3 cannot keep up with the revs, not sure if a CobbAccess port solves this problem but it instantly turned me off. The nice bit of power surge was nice but IMO its not exciting and doesn't get the blood flowing like 8k rpms in a tunnel.

Not sure about the STI powerband.

 

i would say that as far as a driver's car goes, the sti would be way ahead of the mazda. when i was shopping last year the mazda felt and was way slower, plus the feedback wasn't as good.

now if you are looking at as more of a family mover that you want to have some fun in when the car seat is empty, them the mazda would be better.

both are going to have plenty of room in the back, especially if you fold down the seats.

even if you went the wrx rout and saveed a bit over the sti, it still runs circles around the ms3... as long as its 09+

as far as the money goes, there is always the canch that at the end of the year if you can find a dealer with 09's left over then you might get deals close to the 30k and 0% that so many of us got back at the end of last year, but now that they have the new style established and people don't hate it any more, it seems like there are none at any of the dealers that i go to... they are selling as quickly as they get them.

either way they are both reat cars and the only other factor would be where you drive it. anywhere but dry pavement the sti will have a safety and traction advantage. but either one will want different tires in the snow. the sti can do snow, but the tires that are so amazing in the summer have very little traction in snow, same as the ms3 i would guess.

 

driven my buddy's ms3 quite a bit, owned a pseudo STi and an Evo IX and now a X.

get a X and give it some power immediately (minor bolt-ons and tune, or just a tune [good for 50whp alone]). you're welcome

 

I have driven the STI, MS3, M3, and own a VTSC S. The S is priceless on a summer night or a beach day without the kids. The STI is an amazing out of the box machine. The M3 rode very smooth but was scary for worries of even a scratch on its beautiful body. Also the maintenance and up keep is killer from what i have read. The MS3 was a little lack compared to the rest. For what its worth, i would say get the STI. Though your wife may not like the front seats. No offense Chickenleg but i find the Evo's interior to be a bit cheap and the dash cluttered.

Go with the Fit and keep the S. Or get the STI. But in the end, you will come back to the S. Everyone i know that has left it has come back. To and from NSXs, STIs, Evos, MS3s, and even a couple M3s.

Good Luck on your purchase either way.

 

thanks all;

I guess it'll come down to a few factors for me:

1. Having driven the MS3, I think it's 'good enough'. However, I think I'd always look at the S and sti with longing. If my next car is going to be the only car for the next 5-10 yrs, I might want to step up to the sti.

2. I am somewhat concerned about the cost diff (around 8-12k, depending on new/used, options, etc), maint and reliability of the sti, but it seems like worth the gamble.

3. from what I've read, many are disappointed with the sti as compared to the previous model and the Evo, but I need to drive it and see if it fits my needs (a DD with room for kids, safe, up to a track day or two).

I really enjoy my S, and yes, maybe I'll get back into one... which makes me wonder if I should just save my pennies, get a used ms3 or CRV and keep the S. Not sure that's the best financial move as I save up for a house though!