Victor

Don't forget to factor in a little depreciation (relatively savage over here). Mind you, the 911 won't depreciate much but it will chew through a few maintenance bux.

A friend of mine owns a WRX and a 914 ... obviously he likes cars that handle well.

On one particular occassion, there were four of us in the WRX. We were coming back from Sears Point and the freeway exit was a long right-hand sweeper ... the lone old dude in the 4 Matic Mercedes wagon managed to take us on the outside, but I'll be damned if that little Subaru didn't track it's line like it was on rails - with a full load of people and the A/C on. After that experience, I have to say that the Subaru WRX series has to be one of the best handling cars I have ever had the pleasure of riding in.

BillyPilgrim, that was pretty spot on. Another issue is that 911's are overpriced in OZ, making STI's even more attractive.

I have been in an older wrx that is putting out over 300 hp-seen the dyno sheet. I just had the pleasure of being taken for a ride in the new evo that has also been moded. All i can say is "holy crap batman"! That car is very fast as well. It was faster than the wrx I was in which is saying a lot. I was going to buy the sti, but my gal will not let me based on the looks, so I showed her the evo-nope to that as well.

Sad, but true... :rolleyes: It's insane!

We still get 2.0 STis here for Rally Homologation reasons, but it's rumoured that we'll also get the US-Spec 2.5 turbo at some stage shortly, to compliment the range.

Oh boy, Adam you should not have told me that....do you know if it will be as overweight as the US Spec?

My Pop just picked up a new '04 WRX. He just retired his old '85 Subbie wagon after putting over 500K miles of daily duty onto the old thing. Looked at different kinds of cars (Audi, Saab, etc) but came back to the WRX. Said he didn't need all the extra electronic crap that came with the higher end cars. He wanted a simple car for daily duty. I must say that the little WRX is a lot of fun.

Seem to be some similarities between Porsche and Subaru. They both produce cars that are a little off beat (how many times has a Corvette owner ragged on the looks of the 911), both have boxer engines in the blood and are a reliable hoot to drive.

Hey, what other car company gives out SCCA memberships with the purchase of a new car? Subaru is all that I have heard of that does. Seems like a good company philosophy that I can get behind.

My pop also has a '67 912 that gets garage priority and even with the addition of the WRX that 912 dosen't stay in the garage very often.

Chris in Denver

Subarus rock!!! I actually have more fun driving mine than my porsche. Toss arond a corner and give a firm jerk on the steering wheel and "upset" it into a full grin 4 wheel slide. A second or so later all 4 tires hook up and it claws out of the turn. This is fun stuff. Who says wrx's are heavey? 4drs 4 wheel drive and around 3100 lbs. Shure that is hevey compared to an older car but by modern sedan standards.... I won't argue too much with you guys, but let me put it this way I am considering a new car and it is a toss up between a NA 993 and a sti. I am a porsche fanatic but I believe subaru cars are some of the best modern cars as well. If you are into value they are hard to beat. Granted an older 911 is timeless but I'd much rather drive an sti than a 996 or boxster. Quick question: which costs more a new engine for a wrx or a set of headers for a 930. A: about the same!!!

If you really like it dude, buy it, everyone has to experience something like this for themselves. I went astray once, with an audi tt, and went back to porsche within 2 months. You have to figure out what you want for yourself, but remember, the 911 is a sports car, the wrx is a very fast sedan.

An audi TT is all show and no go .. an STi is exactly the opposite ... no show .. or rather the wrong kind of show ... but all go

I'm an STi owner ... and I have never been happier. I considered many cars before this latest purchase including all manner of Porsche. I have actually never owned a Porsche. I've never been able to justify the expense. I rally raced for many years .. and I could somehow justify spending big money to race .. I love Porsches .. they just aren't worth $80k+ new to me when I could could have much more fun and less worries in a car like the STi .. and frankly go faster stock for stock then a new 996. ... and honestly everytime I start looking at 911 derivatives .. I end up with an M3 in the garage ... the new CSL is definitely in consideration.

The STi also has such a competition history that there is excellent support for the club racer or weekend warrior like me.

I should temper this with the fact that I love to go to the track. I have a country club track membership and go as often as I can. My last track car was a Lotus Exige.

I had many of the same concerns that many of you have expressed .. the car is ugly .. and it is a bit overweight, but both of these can be remedied to some extent .. and for me it is all about performance. The STi is a honed weapon. There are no frills .. I have no radio and no plans for one .. my first mod was to replace the battery with a 12lb unit under the passenger seat .. I may carry a different perspective then most .. but that is why it is great to have so many choices.

I also loved my Integra Type R ... so maybe it is just in my blood.

Beldrueger, who are you really on this BBS?

How about the best of both worlds: Carrera C4.

1) Lighten it.

2) Firm up the suspension.

3) Slide it like Scooby (don't bend it like Beckham)

4) And lose no sleep over depreciation.

Then you really have no basis for comparison. STi is great bang for the buck. Glad you like it. I have a friend that just bought an Evo and loves it to death. He also has owned pretty much every other sports car out there. When ever I pull up in my '79 911SC, I see a wistful look in his eyes. He knows...

If you don't own one, then you likely don't get it. That isn't wrong or right. If the STi and your old TypeR give you a stiffie, that's just dandy. If an old air cooled 911 doesn't stir your blood, that's fine too...to each their own. But you probably don't belong here...

dd74, I'm with you.

Victor,

Is DDR 964 still for sale? If so, why don't you buy it? If you're not keen on an AWD 911, just ditch those low compression Mahles for a set of 11.3:1 JEs and convert the thing to MFI. ;)

I really don't want you to become one of those guys who pulls into the pits at Calder and bemoans, "If it wasn't for those cracked rotors, I would have whooped that old 911's ass!"

FWIW, I drove an '03-spec WRX (non-STi, mind you) a couple of months ago and came away unconvinced. I doubt very much that a garish rear wing and some Italian calipers are enough to transform these good -- but overrated -- cars.


Matt Holcomb
MFIWDP
<b>PRVC</b>
<b>BOHICA</b>
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank"></a>
1974 Ford Falcon GT coupe
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank">Dedicated Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/rebuild" TARGET="_blank">Engine Rebuild Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=127" TARGET="_blank">Porsche Owners Gallery Profile</a>
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=Matt_Holcomb" TARGET="_blank">Pelican Gallery Profile</a>

Well kids, my car-o-scope has arrived and it looks like the final nail is in the STi crisis coffin........Looks like we wheren't made for each other after all.

"Comparing You to Other Subaru Impreza Owners
Boy oh boy, Victor, you picked a vehicle that just isn't quite right for you. You're compatible with your Subaru Impreza only in terms of your tolerance for taking risks and the extent to which you're a cheapskate.

When compared to other people who drive a Subaru Impreza, you're a bit too young to be driving this vehicle, you're just too educated to be driving a Subaru Impreza, you are a little too much of a snob, you make way too much money to be driving a Subaru Impreza, you're a bit too 'touchy-feely', and you care a bit too much about your car compared to other Subaru Impreza owners.

Also, your gonads are FAR too large…….

For your further edification, here's a little further elucidation on these personality characteristics.

Gee, this is interesting. Car-O-Scope has determined that you are a person who is quite concerned with status. And yet, you're driving a Subaru Impreza. Other Subaru Impreza drivers just aren't as much of a snob as you are. We're going to have to do something about this, now aren't we?

Some of us have an overdeveloped left brain and some have an overdeveloped right brain. And your strength is definitely on the right: the more creative, touchy-feely side. This is not a bad thing. The world certainly does need poets, musicians and people to work on the world psychic network.

But this characteristic does make you somewhat incompatible with your Subaru Impreza. Other Subaru Impreza owners are more objective and logical. But you are what you are, so take your pick: Change what you are or get a new car. (That rhymes, doesn't it? And rhyming is a right-brain thing. Cool.)

My dear, it appears that other Subaru Impreza owners just don't care as much about their cars as you do. You're going to have to lighten up on this if you insist on driving a Subaru Impreza. But, since this is probably a basic character flaw and therefore unchangeable, you probably will have to buy a new car to get your carma in balance.

Car-O-Scope Makes Suggestions for More Compatible Vehicles
Have no fear, Car-O-Scope is here to save you from a life of misery, depression and hemorrhoidal flare-ups. Through a secret and proprietary process (patent pending) the official car-o-scope has determined that your psychographic and demographic profile is far more compatible with the following vehicles: some of these suggestions might surprise you. But try to keep an open mind. It's quite possible that the car-o-scope has discovered some hidden and/or repressed aspects of your personality.

1. Porsche 911
2. Porsche 911
3. Porsche 911
4. Porsche 911
5. Porsche 911


So, let's look at your compatibility profile vis-a-vis the Porsche 911. If you dumped that Subaru Impreza and got yourself a Porsche 911, you'd be a lot happier.

For example, you'd be almost perfectly compatible in terms of your gender, your tolerance for taking risks, the extent to which you're a cheapskate, and your grasp of reality.

In addition, you'd have pretty good compatibility in terms of your age, your educational level, and status consciousness.

Reality check:

You have a pretty good sense of what's real and what ain't. You aren't one of those "head in the clouds" types--like some people I know. On the other hand, there are worse places your head could be--I guess.

Here's a more detailed look at your compatibility scores for the other vehicles on the list.

But don't delay! Your health, happiness and general well being are at stake here. Don't drive that Subaru Impreza for another day.

It has been an honor and a privilege for Car-O-Scope to serve you in this very important decision.

And, don't drive like my brother."

Yesterday I took the test I have received tha same Car-O-Scope word by word (only changing car names). Guess it is not very personalized...