As I'm sure everyone will notice, I'm an STi owner. Been on this board since September, while I was still deliberating on the car purchase.

From a purely objective standpoint (since I love ALL cars) I'll say the following of the STi after one month of ownership:

1. It is NOT a beautiful car. More like a bully import that's attractive because it's not conforming to the norm.

2. It's not a car for everyone. The handling does take some getting used to, but it's a very capable platform. Indeed, the Z does outhandle both the Evo and STi, it's a completely different chassis and drivetrain layout. So that's a given. Some of the images conjured-up by the masses see Subbie owners as granola-munching, tree-hugging hippies, and that's okay. With the mostly no-nonsense mechanics of the cars, that was bound to happen.

3. The car doesn't "feel" as fast as other cars. Again, because of it's TMIC, turbo lag is virtually non-existent. However, approaching redling means boost has already begun to drop-off. And for hardcore sportscar enthusiasts, that simply is not acceptable. However, the 0-100-0 times are still very impressive. . . I should know. It's what I do for people the first time they ride in it at night when no one's around. (Freeway onramps at 2am are my friends)

4. The STi is NOT a sports car. Sure, the performance of the STi and the EVO are similar to the Z, but we're talking about two distinctly different kinds of car. That said, a few things quickly swayed me from the Z:
a. Two-seater with limited cargo space as an only car?
b. RWD as only car in wet Pacific Northwest?
The STi and EVO are compact sedans. . . . with their chassis roots in the compact econobox realm. The Z is it's own platform. . . pure and simple, a sportscar. If you already have a daily or a beater. . . THEN the decision can get tricky. But for some, the Z just isn't a practical only car. . . or sometimes even a daily driver.

5. The AWD system in the Subbies are a work of art. Sure, you can't drift them, can't truly powerslide, etc. . . . but there are benefits to having all wheels moving. From an enthusiast's point of view, there is no substitute for RWD. . . unless you're really into rally racing. I've gotten used to the slight understeer of the STi. . . tap the gas (literally) and you've instantly got some oversteer. It's all very predictable. . . and a lot of fun after some practice.

6. The STi (and EVO) is more practical than the Z. Four doors, real trunk, etc. . . . All this raises the coefficient of drag, center of gravity. . . and ultimately lowers dynamic handling characteristics. The STi and EVO will never outhandle a Z because of this.

7. Interior of the STi is going to be very subjective. So I'll offer my OPINION. After having driven the Z, my friend's EVO, and owning my STi. . . . I do like the STi's interior the most. The Z has by far the coolest-looking interior. . .and I LOVE how the gauge cluster keeps lined-up with the steering column. The Z's seats are sweet. . . but the seating position was a bit low for me. . . from a daily driver's perspective. For track days and autocross, though. . .I would kill for the Z's interior. (I'm sure it was designed accordingly) The EVO's interior I found to be. . . BLAH. Lots of featureless dash, and pretty typical Mits styling. The seats, however (stock Recaro Evos) support better than the STi's seats do. That said, the STi's seats are better for daily use and for longer drives than the Evo's. They don't hold you in as well during cornering, but that's one of the compromises. The STi's interior is typical Subaru, which I would say is much nicer on the eyes than the Evo's, not as stylish as the Z's, but the most user-friendly of the bunch. Many of the materials (switches, etc) are made by the same parts supplier for both Nissan and Subaru. . . which I'm sure is no secret up here.

8. Insurance on the Z for me (32, single, male, no tickets) was going to actually be $6 LESS a month than my 2002 Civic ran me. The STi is about $15 MORE a month . . . no doubt because it's turbocharged.

There is plenty more I could say for and against the STi. I'm a non-biased owner. Hell, it was a tossup between the STi and the Z for the longest time. . . but my practical side stepped in and I bought the STi until I get more than one vehicle in my garage. I'd be happy to give more objective information on STi ownership. . . in the spirit of healthy debate. . . . if anyone's interested.

 

Yukonart, I agree with much of what you say. As I also stated previously, I am a car lover at hear, any car, and both are great cars.

Mine would be a daily driver, in the sense that I don't own any other cars. But, I have a company car, so I really only drive my own car to go out on personal business. So basically, to go out, to go shopping, to go on road trips, and to go to the track So I guess I have a bit more flexibility.

 

Company cars come and go...

but a good hooker will always leave a lasting impression.

 

I have only read the first page of this conversation, but i have to start my homework so i figured id take a guess at something that hasnt already been mentioned.

He was talking about sound earlier- well the STi Doesnt even have sound - NONE- no sound - no CD player, no speakers, no wiring, no nothing. Such a drag. Of course maybe youre going to do your own sound system, but still, its nice to drive home from the dealership with some music .

I was in the same boat as you just 2 months ago. I looked at 4 cars: 350z, Rx-8, STi, Evo VIII. Bought a Z. The Rx-8's flat out suck ballZ, no joke. They are ridiculously slow in the first 4k RPMs, and i was test driving so i didnt go much higher. THeir selling point is their handling and 4 seating. Also its impossible to find one in a decent package at a decent price, they bump it up about $4k just by throwing on a few things. The STi And EVO i decided against because i like women far to much to try to attract men and because im 18 so the whole tubro + the 300 hp thing does settle well with insurance.

I bought mine used, some old lady had it previously and traded it in for an rx-8, so its pretty nice still. I got it for $24k, its a black enthusaist, with some of the options on it. I would go with the base model, something around $26k and upgrade everything yourself.

 

I hear you on the sound issue (no pun intended)

For me it was easy. I had about $4000 in audio hardware sitting around from my last car to toss in the new one. No factory stereo made putting in the new stuff a piece of cake.

But that first week (before getting the audio system appointment) it was hell breaking the thing in with no tunes. Oh well, I had a pretty good time listening to the turbo spooling and the wind whipping around the hood scoop and over the rear spoiler.

 

I drive a WRX daily, and test drove both the STI and Z. I wound up buying the Z and keeping the WRX, BUT if it was one or the other it would be a Subaru all day long. So much more versatility. All the stories about racing all wheel drive cars from a roll mean nothing to me (and just me) because its light to light and 1/4 mile times that matter in street racing (again my opinion)

STI IS a better car though and had I not drove to the dealer in a subaru I would have bought it..

Good luck,

Dan

 

Well, to me street racing means nothing. Light to light is dangerous, illegal, and stupid. 1/4 mile is OK once in a while, but I prefer to spend my time at the roadcourse whenever possible.

I don't think the STi is a better car. Nor do I think it is a worse car. They are very different. However, they are both outstanding peformers, hence cross-shopping two totally different cars.

 

Yukonart summed things up REALLY well, I'de completely agree with him -- excellent comparison.

I am still confused as to how people dont like the amber gauges. Its a Z, its not designed to be excessively flashy interior. For those of you wondering, the Z gauges are completely inspired off of its predecessors which ALL Z's have had amber lighting. Personally, I very much appreciate car companies that follow tradition. Sure, if it was amber LED or something that may have been COOLER, but if you want custom you gotta do it yourself.

As for stereo, dchengmd said it.. for me, I've never been in a car that has an "amazing" car stereo -- other than my own which was custom. BUT, install a louder exhaust, aftermarket wide wheels and tires, some suspension components, and wallah -- all your sound quality has gone down the tube as your music has been replaced with road noise (which personally, I dont mind). The way I see it, if you want a quality stereo get a Mercedes which has a nice soft suspension and tons of sound deadening, and then install a custom stereo (because every stock Mercedes stereo I've seen tends to blow bad). Stock Z stereo seemed "okay" to me.. want better? Aftermarket is always the way to go.

The one thing I dont care much for about the Z are the seats. For a car of its class, I would expect some much higher quality seats in it. I was extremely disappointed with them considering the Civic SI and the EVO both come with REALLY cool R32-ish Recaro-ish seats. I think they did this because most american's are really big so.. they wanted a seat that wouldnt annoy most people. BUT FOR ME, I love really tight grippy seats.. I'm pretty thin and only 5'8"...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AParshall04
[B]
He was talking about sound earlier- well the STi Doesnt even have sound - NONE- no sound - no CD player, no speakers, no wiring, no nothing. Such a drag. Of course maybe youre going to do your own sound system, but still, its nice to drive home from the dealership with some music .

It is pre-wired for a sound system.

 

We wormon boty cars all day long, and I have tuned most import cars for a good part of my adjult life. Each of the cars in the market have plusses and minuses....how those stack up in your own comparison make the difference.

I find the stock Z seats to be awesome...I could easily take a set of Recaro's or what have you off the shelf and install them, but I have found 0 need to do so..the stock Z seats are that good IMHO (I am 5'11, 190). the leather seats in the Z were not nearly as comfy to me though, and obviously much less grippy overall.

I cannot stan the Sti seats..too wide, too flat (and the blue carpet is cheesy IMHO, though it does get cool gauges!).

Modding all the cars mentioned except for an Evo is quite pricey.

Since you're kind of all over the map in terms of the type of car, have you checked out the S2000? Of all the sports cars I have owned and worked on, I have to say this is still about as close to perfection as it gets (again in terms of a pure sports car). I am sorry I don't have mine anymore, though I am loving the Z so far, and could not think of anything else I'd rather own in the price range (I also looked at the RX8 - nice, but looked too quirky and I already have a rotary in the arsenal), Evo (originally ordered one but decided it was time to graduate from 4 cylinders), and STi (already built my own STi back before people knew what they were, and the 2.5 engine is unproven so far), so I chose the Z