So I traded the Z for a friend’s STi this past weekend…I’ve been contemplating getting an STi once I get rid of the Z at the end of ’08 and wanted to see how it was driving around town.

Pros:
-crazy fast acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear (wet and dry roads)
-comfortable, higher sitting position/easier to see road
-easier to park
-4 doors
-Turbo (small lag, smooth, addictive, easy to upgrade)
-interior (IMO it’s nicer than the Z’s)

Cons:
-rear wing blocks rear-view mirror
-styling (the wing and scoop isn’t my cup of tea…but it wouldn’t be hard to remove them)
-torque steer (while accelerating around a corner in 1st/2nd gear, it’s a lot harder to control b/c the front wheels are pulling the car and the steering is affected)
-boost:
a. so addictive that my gas mileage would be terrible!
b. Harder to make acceleration smooth (when trying to drive smooth for passengers i.e. my wife)

in all, I’m really considering this car (IMO a lots of the cons can be dealt w/ by becoming more familiar with driving the car, and a few exterior mods)…part of me likes it b/c it practical, the other side wants it b/c while driving, I could tell that even though I could go fast, I was leaving so much of it’s potential on the table – it requires such a different skill set to really push it – it’d be a great challenge to try to master it!

*I’m also considering an Audi A4…slower, heavier, less power, but more refined, comfortable and could be picked up in Germany on our next European vacation.

pic of the car:



Your thoughts??

 

pm zspectrum he is selling his

and its nice

 

Not really my cup of tea. My buddy has a WRX. I love the car. Its fun, small, and pretty fast. I'm sure the STi is like 200% of the WRX. But i wouldn't give up the Z for one thats for sure. Maybe i'm just getting older (25)?

 

DDDDDDOOOOOOEEEEEETTTTTTT!!!!!

dont forget that it has 4 doors, enough for all the kids!! and/or dogs! (aka grocery getter!)

 

Seems like a good choice. Not a choice I would make but to each his own.

 

Ya know.... I have a feeling that you are gonna end up getting an STi. The STi is a good car and I think for your situation it might be the best choice (that, or a GT-R ). When I had my opportunity for a Do-over I almost went for that or a used C5 Z06. There were a couple of reasons keeping me from going that route and choosing the Z again, few of them if any would be applicable to your situation.

The A4 is a nice idea, but preformance wise, would it satisfy you? I know you mentioned competative karting for '09 and beyond. If you think that would be good enough to satisfy your need-for-speed then a more practical car is a proabbly a good option.

All I can say is; I'm glad you to have known you while you were rock'n a Z and look forward to seeing what will come up later. Until then I'm still gonna try to push you to gett'n a GT-R.

 

I like STi's!

 

Sigh...I love the STi, I can't bring myself to trading/selling my Z for one but it would be so fun to have!

 

Honestly the only huge down side to the Sti is the body. You can't possibly tell me this car is sexy lookin. when I hop in my Z I might not feel as fast as some of the other cars on the road, but I know at least I look good and more people are looking at me more than the STi next to me. Man, unless you're racing I wouldn't trade in the Z. I mean, dang if you plan on racing with the Sti and you have a wife and maybe a kid..whoa then you ain't considering their lives could be at stake too. But Good luck with your choice man. either way you'll still have a good car. I see it as a win-win situation.

 

Nice! I think last Summer we had the same conversation,except I was the one contemplating the STi (after driving my cousin's), and you guys convinced me to keep my Z. Funny how things turn out.

So what did your friend ended up buying?

 

he still has his STi...he just let me borrow his to see how I'd like it.

 

I autoX/track in the Z...and would probably do so in the STi (if I got it)...I don't street race.

*the STi would just be a more practical car...could carry wife/kids/dogs and tons of other stuff, while still being a car that I could have fun w/ when I'm on my own.

 

at least you dont have to spend alot of money to get any serious power.

 

I agree...


but I wouldnt mind an EVO either. looks better on outside.
STi is better under the hood.

 

I've never driven an Sti, but I'm sure it's as good as people say it is. Like I said before, but Con....style, good pro's though. If they had the Sti power and handling in a sunfire......I might get it. LOL!!! I think I'm kidding. LOL!!!

 

Yo my brother has an 06 and I love his car and I love mine. I would rather drive the Z day in and out but its hard for me to make a decision on which i would chose. Im looking right out side my window and I see the two and thankgod i dont have that decision to make... lol

 

what will you drift?

 

i miss mine every so often, evo will be alot cheaper to make faster than an sti all day.

no resale value in this car vs an evo either.

 

if i was in ur place (perfect attendence autox and occasional road racing) i'd go for the evo cause it doesn't suffer from torque steer as much as the sti does. then there is also the fact that robispec makes some killer suspension parts for the evo, including those which get rid of torque steer completely if properly set up. then there is also the fact that the evo is slightly lighter:

http://autos.msn.com/research/compar...00336&v=t99064

concave:

the sti is no better under the hood than the evo, stock for stock the evo is slightly faster, mod for mod, the difference is negligible, if not slightly in favor of the evo

 

i just cant drive an ugly car.