2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two - Jalopnik Comments

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

zamafir — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:28:23 EDT

@Wes Siler: How near? VW was offering $2000 off the R32 last month, $3000 if you had a new VW. My local mitsubishi keeps sending me emails with the EVO GSR at $2000 below MSRP. The weak dollar and housing market mean people are going to have a harder time buying cars. Sure the luxury folks (Audi/BMW/Merc/Lexus) can all just pass some of the cost along as their demographic is wealthy, but not these three (if you toss the R32 in with the EVO as car and driver saw fit too). I've not seen so many incentives for cars in this bracket so soon after launch before. the only eyewatering expense we'll see is that carried by the dealers with swollen inventory.

zamafir

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

nterider — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:59:40 EDT

I truly respect these cars performance wise, but they sound like farts. :(

nterider

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

luima — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:47:53 EDT

@b20a yours is the best comment yet !!!

luima

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

b20a — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:03:05 EDT

I wonder how much that license plate will fetch in Dubai.

b20a

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Wes Siler — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:43:33 EDT

@camp6ell: "More than the sum of its parts, the 2008 Impreza STI offers a truly special drive, all the more so for its numerous foibles."

Wes Siler

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

camp6ell — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:54:22 EDT

how does an average rating of 3.6 stars get an overall 5 star rating?

camp6ell

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Turboner — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:24:52 EDT

Dude, you can add a manual intercooler sprayer complete with button for $25. Button, nozze, hose, washer fluid pump, siphon break (one way fishtank air pump valve works great, $3 at a pet store), a few zipties, little bit of wire, and you're done. Mount it right in front of the shifter on the console. Only problem is, they don't like you to use it at the track, which is where you would want to.

Turboner

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Menik — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:15:45 EDT

@cyclopticgaze:
it's always had differential adjustability (at least since they've been selling them in the states...) and you can keep your "cloth" seats, Alcantara is much grippier. (also something it's had for like... ever?

Menik

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

AndyDuncan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:05:25 EDT

@IppoJ: Agreed, although I did like the Recaros in the EVO better than the STI's seats: they have more lateral support. I also liked the look of the evo when I first saw the pictures of it, but after seeing them both in person, I actually prefer the look of the STI now.

AndyDuncan

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

IppoJ — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:50:25 EDT

@Trembler: I would've said the same thing until I saw/touched/sat in both at the auto show.
I went in fully expecting to despise the STI and lust over the EVO.
The EVO feels very cheap while the STI somehow manages to come off feeling solid and almost classy.

IppoJ

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Wes Siler — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:44:42 EDT

@arowsell: Interior pics tomorrow. Sheesh.

Wes Siler

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Wes Siler — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:44:19 EDT

@Al Navarro: Yep, and it worked just fine, not the best system I've used, but far from the worst. You could always go the Tom Tom route.

wes

Wes Siler

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

SomeAudioGuy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:25:54 EDT

@Buckster: Second. Now any halfway decent performing car is going to be over 35K?
I'll take ab eater and fix it up thanks. Make a little stoplight ninja..

SomeAudioGuy

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Al Navarro — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:18:19 EDT

Wes...did you have one with Sat-Nav? I wonder what the subie system is like. My friend's Acura system works great, but the WRX I test drove looked not as nice...would order without that if I go this route. Please advise....

Al Navarro

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

grzydj — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:10:22 EDT

@Buckster:

Both my Forester and my WRX have handled 10 inches of snow with aplomb. A set of decent all season or dedicated snow tires are a must however as the STI is shod with summer only tires from the factory.

grzydj

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Buckster — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:01:23 EDT

@grzydj: Good Point.
All wheel drive of not, I dont think the STI would do that well either.

Buckster

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

arowsell — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:55:25 EDT

I suppose we'll have to HEAR you out on the interior styling as you didn't post any pictures of it. I hate to be picky but in order to see what you were talking about I did a google search and went to Edmund's Inside Line to see interior pics. Complaint over.

On an upbeat note, I really want to drive this car and if I had the money I'd be interested.

arowsell

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

MR2Tyler — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:54:17 EDT

I went to look at a red '08 on a local lot last week. It looks like an Impreza, and there is thus some serious cognitive dissonance in paying $40k for it. I might just be partial as a former owner of an '05 that I bought used for $24k, a more Impreza-like sum. However, if I were shopping for a new car, I'd hold off a few months for a 135, soft or not.

MR2Tyler

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

grzydj — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:34:30 EDT

@Buckster:

Good luck driving your 'Vette to work in 10 inches of snow. ;)

grzydj

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Buckster — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:14:47 EDT

@Buckster:*UCK, I ment Thing

Buckster

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

LTDScott, Porcubimmer pilot — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:13:00 EDT

Am I the only one who seriously dislikes the sound of the Subaru flat-4s? It's not a smooth sound. Always reminds me of a standard inline-4 that's missing on a cylinder.

LTDScott, Porcubimmer pilot

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

akirachan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:09:19 EDT

@DoctorNine: Thank you. You and I are both in the minorities. I do like the snout on my 06 WRX. Alfa-esque to me.

akirachan

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

graverobber- Two BEER minimum — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:08:17 EDT

@sliderule:
I'm sure that was pads, resurfacing and labor. The pads alone are like $400 OEM.

graverobber- Two BEER minimum

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

graverobber- Two BEER minimum — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:00:07 EDT

@SubyDrew:
I wonder what ever happened to the little squeal tabs they used to put on pads to alert you (screeeeeeeeeeeeech) when the pads were low? I guess it's more profitable to let consumers gouge theor rotors, and then gouge the consumer for the replacement cost.

graverobber- Two BEER minimum

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

sliderule — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:57:43 EDT

4-corner brake jobs? $900.? just curious - is that for pads and rotors?, why not change the pads before the rotors warp?

sliderule

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Buckster — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:57:30 EDT

@Wes Siler: It's a good think our wages are increasing at a comparable rate.

Oh, Wait...

Buckster

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

DoctorNineTenths — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:55:16 EDT

@akirachan: I guess I'm in the minority, but I always thought the 2004 STi looked perfect. I wouldn't have changed the body at all. Maybe done engine/interior stuff, but I LIKED the funky snout on it. And keep in mind, I'm an VW/Audi/BMW daily driver.

DoctorNineTenths

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Buckster — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:54:17 EDT

$40g's for a WRX.
$46 for a new 405hp Corvette.
I like the Subie but that's nuts

Buckster

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

SubyDrew — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:47:05 EDT

@graverobber: In this day of people who turn the radio up when their car makes a noise, many techs now quote "full consumables replacement" for all jobs. This is not just Subaru. Many dealers routinely come out to the waiting room and say, "Good news, you brought the car in early enough that we don't have to replace the rotors, so we can do the whole job for $250." Ask the dealer about their replacement/resurface policies. Many times that is where the expense is.

SubyDrew

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

akirachan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:43:00 EDT

What I'm starting to realize about Subarus is that since they're not ever going to be 'perfect" or look like a million dollar baby, most people would not touch it. It's like your favorite indie band that nobody knows about, and you want to keep it that way..

I don't know what my point was, but I did test drive the normal WRX a few months back, and the ride was pretty soft but sure-footed. As I was leaving the test drive in my older WRX, I decided that I like the stiffer suspension on mine better, but at the same time I thought I could love the new model wih the softer setup if I was wanting to go more "civilized" ...But then I said, "why? I'm not ready to join the masses yet!"

akirachan

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

AndyDuncan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:31:18 EDT

@grzydj: Yeah, but the outgoing STI had the BBS wheels standard. The stock wheels on the new STI are garbage. So it really is about a $3k difference, and besides, I think the 2007 STI went up in price from 2006.

AndyDuncan

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

AndyDuncan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:30:08 EDT

@Fuck Lion: Based on the reviews (as I have driven neither) the STI has a faster 0-60 time and should be faster around a track than the somewhat soft 135i. Maybe if BMW releases the Tii concept then it will be more of a competitor.

AndyDuncan

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Wes Siler — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:30:01 EDT

@Fuck Lion: Maybe in a straight line, it'll be significantly outclassed once corners start to rear their ugly heads.

Wes Siler

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Fuck Lion — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:12:18 EDT

A BMW 135i is similarly priced and more luxurious, but lacks both the space and pace.

Space, yes, but pace? The 135 should be in the same range as the STI.

Fuck Lion

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

grzydj — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:12:04 EDT

Minus the expensive wheels and the nav system, it's about the same cost as the outgoing STI.

grzydj

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

graverobber- Two BEER minimum — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:09:44 EDT

@ash78:

You speak the truth my friend. I think anything over five bills for a 4 corner brake job is insane. I was channeling an article from a year or more back in R&T regarding the WRX and EVO, and the materials alone for the EVOs brakes was around $900. That's crap your pants territory in my book.

BTW, I do my own brakes and mow my own lawn, so I hear ya brother.

graverobber- Two BEER minimum

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

-chet — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:04:20 EDT

Headers, swaybar and 275's would fix a majority of the problems. I did the styling and interior. No IC sprayer?

40large ducketts is too much for my bones. 31 for mine 3 years ago was even a stretch.

-chet

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Ash78 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:57:36 EDT

@graverobber: I've seen ~$900 4-corner brake job quoted by a dealer on plenty of "average joe" cars, from a Toyota RAV-4 to a VW Golf. It's out of control.

But to me, not knowing how to DIY brakes is like owning a home and not knowing how to mow the lawn. Actually, that's getting more common, too.

Ash78

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

cyclopticgaze — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:53:13 EDT

My biggest complaint with this new STI is not the styling but that they're moving it upmarket when its soul has always been as a barebones, cheap rocket ship. Differential adjustment? Sat Nav? Alcantara? Fuck it all! Lock it up. I'll buy a map. And -- get this -- I LIKE cloth seats. Leather is sticky in the summer and cold in the winter.

Anyway, what's the interior space like, especially with the back seats down? I was hoping for an open-hatch shot.

cyclopticgaze

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

graverobber- Two BEER minimum — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:52:32 EDT

@Wes Siler:

In addition to the skyrockets-in-flight price of entry on the STI, both it and the EVO have supercar consumables pricing. I think a lot of people would be shocked at having to spend a grand-plus to replace the tires after 15K miles or $900 for a brake job. It's still probably the cheapest way to get factory Recaros though

graverobber- Two BEER minimum

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Trembler — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:38:41 EDT

Isn't this part II? Is part II of Part II tomorrow?

Based on reviews I have read and looks alone, I would go with the Evo.

I did drive a GTS and am not a fan of the CVT or the amount of engine noise coming into the cabin.

I think the Ralliart edition of the lancer will be a nice compromise for the everyday driver.

Trembler

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

PhoneticLorin — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:38:30 EDT

@Wes Siler: I've always been fond of dollars, and prefer not to blame them. I'd rather chalk it up to something more innately hateable, like malaria.
Damn you, malaria, for sending us expensive autos.

PhoneticLorin

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

Wes Siler — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:30:32 EDT

@racerx: Blame the plummeting dollar, we're going to see a whole lot more cars get eyewateringly expensive in the near future.

Wes Siler

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

AndyDuncan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:25:20 EDT

In part three you should just go ahead and say: "Who Should Buy This Car: People with gawker screenames that rhyme with Sandy Drunken"

AndyDuncan

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Part Two

racerx — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:20:57 EDT

I love Imprezas but 40K for a tarted up hatch is eyewatering.

racerx