J
jq
Anybody remove the large obnoxious wing on the STI. I'm considering partial
or complete removal.
or complete removal.
B
BlueSTi
I know several STi owners who switched out to a stock WRX deck lid.
It is a direct replacement. There seems to be an unending supply of
STi spoilers on ebay. I don't know if that's because people take them
off the STi or folks who own the STD WRX want to look like the STi.
BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"
B
Byron Walter
But if you do a trunk swap, make sure that you swap the springs as well.
I've read that the spring tension is different due to the weight variance.
BTW, I drove an STI last week and I can't get the damn thing outta my head
now. I might end up unloading my Audi A4 (1.8t) Avant for one of these ugly
things. Best car that I've ever driven!
I've read that the spring tension is different due to the weight variance.
BTW, I drove an STI last week and I can't get the damn thing outta my head
now. I might end up unloading my Audi A4 (1.8t) Avant for one of these ugly
things. Best car that I've ever driven!
R
Ross
Another one about to take the fall, Just wait till you really learn how to
drive it. You'll be sideways off every roundabout and best friends with the
tire shop manager!!!
R
B
Byron Walter
Oh shut yo mouthRoss said:
! I'm trying to get a "grip" and at least put this offuntil spring. That way I can take advantage of the stock rubber until fall
(sure wouldn't want to take on winter with those tires). And if / when I do
get one I do hope to take a driving course. I live in Ohio and the Mid Ohio
track is not too far from me. Only problem is that they use RSX's.
I take it you are across the pond and have the 2 liter Subie?
P
Philip Procter
Yeah, that's the problem with the Sti. I drove a used WRX last summer.
Nice and tight, but a bit of turbo lag. Naturally, I HAD to wonder
what the STi was like. I made it about 2 months. Drove it, bought it.
I've had it about 4 months and let me tell you, that beastie grows on
you. Sure, the power was the first thing that lit my fire, but it's
not what stays with you. The car is tight without being tempermental.
The sound is subtle but definitely there, it's a gas to turn off the
stereo of flit from stoplight to stoplight. There's a light growl as
you drift into idle and a clear whine when the turbo hits. No
attracting the cops unduly.
The ride is firm but not terrible, except on my dirt road. I've gotten
to know every pebble and twig. Even that smooths out at 50+.
Subaru did a great job balancing the design. The '05 seemed a little
more civilized and the interior is more single minded in style. The
wheel fits the look better than the '04's. I drove both at the dealer
and I thought the engine of the '05 had a more seamless transition
boost. The datasheet numbers didn't change, but I'll swear Subaru
remapped the brain. It might also have been the normal difference
between two cars, I'm hardly an expert driver!
I'm sure that others (ie: Evo) are quicker or (TT) sexier, but they're
too far left or right for my taste. One time my wife and I got into a
streetcorner drag on the way home from our way-conservative church. As
Leah Andreone said: Dr Jeckel doesn't have to Hyde.
There are things I'd like to change. I think it sits an inch or so
tall on the suspension and I wish Subaru had a bit wider choice of
colors. I'm just scared to play with aftermarket stuff like pipes and
coilovers for fear of making it less practical.
PS: Part of me could do without the wing, but the little boy in me
kinda digs it, too. I need both trunks, swap them out depending on my
mood
Philip
Nice and tight, but a bit of turbo lag. Naturally, I HAD to wonder
what the STi was like. I made it about 2 months. Drove it, bought it.
I've had it about 4 months and let me tell you, that beastie grows on
you. Sure, the power was the first thing that lit my fire, but it's
not what stays with you. The car is tight without being tempermental.
The sound is subtle but definitely there, it's a gas to turn off the
stereo of flit from stoplight to stoplight. There's a light growl as
you drift into idle and a clear whine when the turbo hits. No
attracting the cops unduly.
The ride is firm but not terrible, except on my dirt road. I've gotten
to know every pebble and twig. Even that smooths out at 50+.
Subaru did a great job balancing the design. The '05 seemed a little
more civilized and the interior is more single minded in style. The
wheel fits the look better than the '04's. I drove both at the dealer
and I thought the engine of the '05 had a more seamless transition
boost. The datasheet numbers didn't change, but I'll swear Subaru
remapped the brain. It might also have been the normal difference
between two cars, I'm hardly an expert driver!
I'm sure that others (ie: Evo) are quicker or (TT) sexier, but they're
too far left or right for my taste. One time my wife and I got into a
streetcorner drag on the way home from our way-conservative church. As
Leah Andreone said: Dr Jeckel doesn't have to Hyde.
There are things I'd like to change. I think it sits an inch or so
tall on the suspension and I wish Subaru had a bit wider choice of
colors. I'm just scared to play with aftermarket stuff like pipes and
coilovers for fear of making it less practical.
PS: Part of me could do without the wing, but the little boy in me
kinda digs it, too. I need both trunks, swap them out depending on my
mood
Philip
A
AustinMini.OsiTech.Net
Add me to the list of converted.
I was set on an WRX until I drove an STI during lunch today. Now I am
sitting here crunching numbers figuring out how to put this together.
I've had about 46 vehicles since I came to the US in 86 but I tell you this,
I have never wanted another car this bad.
Does the feeling go away?
I was set on an WRX until I drove an STI during lunch today. Now I am
sitting here crunching numbers figuring out how to put this together.
I've had about 46 vehicles since I came to the US in 86 but I tell you this,
I have never wanted another car this bad.
Does the feeling go away?
B
Byron Walter
I've had about 46 vehicles since I came to the US in 86 but
I tell you this,
You're all a bunch of "enablers". I second the above feeling. I've worked
the numbers in Excel and am really only waiting to see what the word is on
the new B7 platform A4 with the 3.1 liter engine which is expected here in
the States in late winter. My suspicion is that the A4 will be a tad too
civilized. And then there's that great big new grill which frankly looks out
of place on the smallish A4.
Just wish that the STi butt wing was an option.
Many thanks for the input from you current STi owners.
I tell you this,
You're all a bunch of "enablers"
. I second the above feeling. I've workedthe numbers in Excel and am really only waiting to see what the word is on
the new B7 platform A4 with the 3.1 liter engine which is expected here in
the States in late winter. My suspicion is that the A4 will be a tad too
civilized. And then there's that great big new grill which frankly looks out
of place on the smallish A4.
Just wish that the STi butt wing was an option.
Many thanks for the input from you current STi owners.
R
Ross
Yeah we have the 2.0 Turbo with 261bhp but im considering buying the 305bhp
prodrive performance pack.
I heard those imprezas are a lot of fun in the snow... I cant wait till it
snows here in Scotland!!! My dealer says he gets hundreds of calls from
impreza owners desperate to tell them 'what they did' in the snow and how
'sideways' they managed to go round the roundabout 3 times!!! but i expect
your snow may be a little worse than what we see in SW scotland
I know what you mean about the driving course tho, im considering doing
this myself aswell. I can heel toe, left foot brake etc but id like to get
some more instruction on how to pick lines through corners, vanishing point
technique for the real road,and how to get out of trouble .
Get a test drive from somebody who is not scared to drive the STi to within
an inch of its life and I guarantee you will buy one very soon.
Ross
R
Ross
No...
I went to the local shop some 1/2 mile away, took me an hour and a half to
get back!!!
Ross
B
Byron Walter
Oh yeah!... Scotland. I love Scotch whisky... just can't afford as much as
the price has gone through the roof here in the States.
While my STI drive was, at best, a 6 out of a ten for aggressiveness, I have
ridden in an Evo at about a 10 over 10 and just loved it. I'm not capable of
that kind of driving without some serious schooling. This online prater is
making it very difficult to control my car lust. Gotta breathe deep and
chill.
I envy you... Scotland would be excellent country to tour in your Subie.
Byron
... just can't afford as much asthe price has gone through the roof here in the States.
While my STI drive was, at best, a 6 out of a ten for aggressiveness, I have
ridden in an Evo at about a 10 over 10 and just loved it. I'm not capable of
that kind of driving without some serious schooling. This online prater is
making it very difficult to control my car lust. Gotta breathe deep and
chill.
I envy you... Scotland would be excellent country to tour in your Subie.
Byron
A
AustinMini.OsiTech.Net
I am patiently awaiting my test drive with my older brothers SCCA Winner
neighbor. My Brother who went on a joydrive with him in the Evo has sworn
never to set foot in that car again - lol.
neighbor. My Brother who went on a joydrive with him in the Evo has sworn
never to set foot in that car again - lol.
P
Philip Procter
On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 05:20:58 GMT, "AustinMini.OsiTech.Net"
Nope.
It's an addiction. IT nibbles away at you until you finally give in
and buy. Don't give me any crap about running the numbers, you can't
ever justify IT in a logical way. IT is pure, gut emotion.
The only thing that'll sooth the itch is to sign on the line.
But then it gets worse. There's no worse feeling that sitting at you
desk, workstation or diner table doing something meaningless when IT
is sitting unused. IT calls to you like a vampire.
Oooooohhhhh, drrrriiive meeeeee. Ahhhhbuuuuuse meeee. Oooooooohhhhhh.
You become obsessed. You secretly think that everyone is watching you
as you drive by. But, unlike a hypochondriac, you're right, they are.
The kids openly drool and the midlifers watch from the corner of their
eyes (in case SWMBO should notice).
I've actually gotten special treatment just because of my STi. I drove
to a concert and the parking attendent opened the VIP gate so I could
park it next to the main door. I went to the community picnic and the
cops handed me my entry form for the car show and pointed toward the
stage. I've had people jump out of their cars at streetlights to tell
me how super the car was.
Now get this, it's stone cold stock.
No, the feeling doesn't go away. It gets much, much worse
Give in, now!
Philip
Nope.
It's an addiction. IT nibbles away at you until you finally give in
and buy. Don't give me any crap about running the numbers, you can't
ever justify IT in a logical way. IT is pure, gut emotion.
The only thing that'll sooth the itch is to sign on the line.
But then it gets worse. There's no worse feeling that sitting at you
desk, workstation or diner table doing something meaningless when IT
is sitting unused. IT calls to you like a vampire.
Oooooohhhhh, drrrriiive meeeeee. Ahhhhbuuuuuse meeee. Oooooooohhhhhh.
You become obsessed. You secretly think that everyone is watching you
as you drive by. But, unlike a hypochondriac, you're right, they are.
The kids openly drool and the midlifers watch from the corner of their
eyes (in case SWMBO should notice).
I've actually gotten special treatment just because of my STi. I drove
to a concert and the parking attendent opened the VIP gate so I could
park it next to the main door. I went to the community picnic and the
cops handed me my entry form for the car show and pointed toward the
stage. I've had people jump out of their cars at streetlights to tell
me how super the car was.
Now get this, it's stone cold stock.
No, the feeling doesn't go away. It gets much, much worse
Give in, now!
Philip
B
Byron Walter
Philip Procter said:
Well, I'm still going to hold out until spring so I can check out the new A4
& (maybe) A3. But I have to confess that I've actually dreamt of the STi.
Like the Evo, it has to be driven to really understand how go it is... just
wish the wing was an option
Byron
K
k. ote.
Well, I'm still going to hold out until spring so I can check out the new
A4 & (maybe) A3. But I have to confess that I've actually dreamt of the
STi. Like the Evo, it has to be driven to really understand how go it
is... just wish the wing was an option
Byron
It gets to the point where you are aware of the wing, you can see it in
your rear-view mirror everytime you look, but you just learn to tolerate
it. Mostly it seems the people who want the STi for the performance are
trying desperately to reduce the attention-drawing appearance of the car.
They want a true sleeper--one that doesn't look like much, but kills
everything on the road.
You always have the excuses, "It came stock," and "I haven't gotten around
to doing anything about it." To some, it's a secret pride. =]
E
Eza Gadson
Well, the wing is a bit a gauche for those of us who are a little bit (or
maybe quite a bit) older than 18. But really, its a non-issue if you're
truly shopping for performance w/o regard to image. I recently flirted with
the S4 because the image (and luxury fittings) are just right, but I am
completely unable to fool myself into thinking that the drive was even in
the same league as the STi. The S4 may be prettier, more luxurious, and
more befitting of a thirty-something commuter, but it's not nearly as fast
or fluent or as much fun as the STi. As good a car as the S4 is, it just
feels a bit clumsy in comparison. Maybe the RS4 will be just the ticket...
or a Saab 9-2 STi (Saab Technica International).
maybe quite a bit) older than 18. But really, its a non-issue if you're
truly shopping for performance w/o regard to image. I recently flirted with
the S4 because the image (and luxury fittings) are just right, but I am
completely unable to fool myself into thinking that the drive was even in
the same league as the STi. The S4 may be prettier, more luxurious, and
more befitting of a thirty-something commuter, but it's not nearly as fast
or fluent or as much fun as the STi. As good a car as the S4 is, it just
feels a bit clumsy in comparison. Maybe the RS4 will be just the ticket...
or a Saab 9-2 STi (Saab Technica International).
Well, I'm still going to hold out until spring so I can check out the new
A4 & (maybe) A3. But I have to confess that I've actually dreamt of the
STi. Like the Evo, it has to be driven to really understand how go it
is... just wish the wing was an option
Byron
It gets to the point where you are aware of the wing, you can see it in
your rear-view mirror everytime you look, but you just learn to tolerate
it. Mostly it seems the people who want the STi for the performance are
trying desperately to reduce the attention-drawing appearance of the car.
They want a true sleeper--one that doesn't look like much, but kills
everything on the road.
You always have the excuses, "It came stock," and "I haven't gotten around
to doing anything about it." To some, it's a secret pride. =]
Z
Zuben el Genubi
I'm jumping in the middle of this thread, but I have to add my voice to
the chorus. I am a middle-aged professional, and my patients think it's
great that the ol' doc has such a "young-thinking" car. Everyone in
town knows it's me, which can be a downside, but I have also received
some of the preferential treatment in the car as mentioned in a previous
message. Cute young ladies smile, wave, and flirt as I drive by, and
young men unabashedly stare and drool. One of the neighbourhood
youngsters actually came over while I was washing it and offered to help!
My wife absolutely hated the car at first. She called it "yet another
midlife crisis" and dubbed it the "Matchbox" car. Oddly enough, as the
accolades regarding the car have steadily mounted, she has begun to love
it, and now talks about "what fun" it is.
I was immediately in love with the BBS wheels and Brembo brakes, which
both denote a serious performance car, but the hood scoop and wing gave
me reservations aplenty. Now that I've had the car for nearly a year, I
can't imagine the car without them. It has an "in your face" attitude
that is propagated by that big gaping scoop and over-the-top wing. If I
wanted refined and boring, I'd buy German. ;-)
....Ron
the chorus. I am a middle-aged professional, and my patients think it's
great that the ol' doc has such a "young-thinking" car. Everyone in
town knows it's me, which can be a downside, but I have also received
some of the preferential treatment in the car as mentioned in a previous
message. Cute young ladies smile, wave, and flirt as I drive by, and
young men unabashedly stare and drool. One of the neighbourhood
youngsters actually came over while I was washing it and offered to help!
My wife absolutely hated the car at first. She called it "yet another
midlife crisis" and dubbed it the "Matchbox" car. Oddly enough, as the
accolades regarding the car have steadily mounted, she has begun to love
it, and now talks about "what fun" it is.
I was immediately in love with the BBS wheels and Brembo brakes, which
both denote a serious performance car, but the hood scoop and wing gave
me reservations aplenty. Now that I've had the car for nearly a year, I
can't imagine the car without them. It has an "in your face" attitude
that is propagated by that big gaping scoop and over-the-top wing. If I
wanted refined and boring, I'd buy German. ;-)
....Ron
B
Byron Walter
Zuben el Genubi said:
Thanks for the input. It's interesting to hear from someone beyond the Fast
& Furious age who's actually been living with the Subie for a spell. I'm 58
but have a pretty hardcore background... kick boxing, mountain biking and so
on so I'm used to "roughing" it a little. In fact I never even owned a bed
or mattress until last year
My present Audi A4 Avant is a great car (sports suspension) but the 1.8
liter engine is a disappointment. This January/February Audi is sending us
the B7 platform A4 with a 3.2 liter engine option. But initially it will
only come with an automatic transmission (yuk!). And it might be a tad
pricey. OTOH the A4 series has done pretty well for reliability for the last
few years... especially as compared to some of its German brethren.
BTW, I loved the short through shifter on the STi that I drove. I can't
imagine buying one without that option.
So the long & short is I'm gonna wait for the snows to pass and then see if
the local dealers will do me right. They're going to have to bend some
because my Audi dealer has been first rate (Fred Baker Audi in the Cleveland
area).
Byron
B
Byron Walter
Eza Gadson said:
Oh yeah, RS4 baby... now I'll just have to print up some money. Seriously I
do like the S4 but I just can't see dropping that much $$$ for my wheels.
After all, I'm poor inbred white trash and might have ta sell my sister just
to cover the insurance
Byron
PS: I do believe the S4 will drop the STi on the high end of the speedo. But
how often do you really get to do a 140 mph in Amish country?
Just kidding. Honest...
Z
Zuben el Genubi
Byron Walter said:Thanks for the input. It's interesting to hear from someone beyond the Fast
& Furious age who's actually been living with the Subie for a spell. I'm 58
but have a pretty hardcore background... kick boxing, mountain biking and so
on so I'm used to "roughing" it a little. In fact I never even owned a bed
or mattress until last year
My present Audi A4 Avant is a great car (sports suspension) but the 1.8
liter engine is a disappointment. This January/February Audi is sending us
the B7 platform A4 with a 3.2 liter engine option. But initially it will
only come with an automatic transmission (yuk!). And it might be a tad
pricey. OTOH the A4 series has done pretty well for reliability for the last
few years... especially as compared to some of its German brethren.
BTW, I loved the short through shifter on the STi that I drove. I can't
imagine buying one without that option.
So the long & short is I'm gonna wait for the snows to pass and then see if
the local dealers will do me right. They're going to have to bend some
because my Audi dealer has been first rate (Fred Baker Audi in the Cleveland
area).
Good luck with your decision. One of the reasons I love the Subie is
that in many ways it is the "anti-BMW". I like the fact that it is not
particularly luxurious inside, and the ride is on the stiff side. I've
got the Kartboy shortshifter and bushings installed already, and now I'm
working on getting a little Momo steering wheel put in without
deactivating the passenger airbag.
My background is on bikes (I still have 2 Ducatis) and I've spent years
exploring remote backroads. With the Subie, I've got the perfect
vehicle for exploring all those unpaved roads that I've had to pass up
while on the bike. I'm getting pretty good at kicking out the rear end
on those gravel turns! ;-)
....Ron