08 STi lapping the ring!

[CHAOS]

thought this was pretty interesting.... i see some fender flares :)

http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/euro/ring-toned-subarus-wrx-sti/

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/wrx-sti-nurburgring-spy-lea.jpg

[Ender81]

Yeah now they could take those same flares and put them on the damn sedan lol

[CarbonIS]

eh, its still a hatch. looks like a mazda protege5 from the back. great.

[naDintheHat]

I was really hoping to see it as a 2-door.

[TROLL]

it looks real low, i find that hard to believe for the production model.

[turbo4g63]

why did they decide to go with a wagon type of body style....or are they going to make a regular coupe

[CHAOS]

the sti will be a hatch.

the reason subaru has made these changes is very simple... to sell more cars. they feel that the boy racer image has to go and something more subtle needs to replace it... hence the 08 impreza's.

[Ender81]

Yeah they say the target demo. is 40+. Which is funny because my girlfriends father love's Subarus, he had an RX, an XT6...you get the idea. He's rockin an 03 WRX right now. The first thing he said when he saw the new WRX was "Wow that's just dull looking". The point is WRX's are like Vette's, people who are in their early 20's can't afford one (in general) but people who want to feel like they are in their early 20's can. Dumbing down the car isn't going to make them more popular. I guess some things have to be learned the hard way.

[su_maverick]

it looks real low, i find that hard to believe for the production model.

I think that some of that is the illusion due to the body roll of it going around the corner. Look at the bumper height at the outside of the turn versus the inside.

[CarbonIS]

at all of the local car shows I've showed at recently, more people 40+ have stopped
to compliment me on the car and ask about it than 20 somethings.

I think that the majority of 40+ people are impressed and intrigued to see a car
that looks like such a traditional race car actually being built as a production
model, which just further proves Ender's point.

[WhiteXFire]

I think that the majority of 40+ people are impressed and intrigued to see a car
that looks like such a traditional race car actually being built as a production
model, which just further proves Ender's point.

HUH?? What kind of traditional race car would that be? It looks like a sporty sedan to me and nothing like a "race car". Unless you meant "rally car", in which case obviously because that's what they are. And honestly, I think the majority of 40+ people look at it and say, "What's with the giant wing"...at least that's all I ever hear.

Now, will a hatchback improve on that? As Barry would say, meh.

[CarbonIS]

ok marc well you're wrong. ask matt about the "boy racer" appeal of the car.

ok, i guess i need to clarify what I said, it has the look of the traditional idea
of a race car. It has the scoop, the flared fenders, the wide stance, and the big wing.

And i don't know how you are going to argue my statement when you aren't at
any of the shows that I am at...

[MPowerKai]

The Subaru wrx/sti looks like a kids car and that is generally the impression it gives me. No 40 something year old person has come up to ask about my Subaru, only kids. The older crowd just say thats a big wing, why does your hood need all those holes, etc etc.

[Buster]

it looks real low, i find that hard to believe for the production model.

Look again, its in mid turn genius. Same stock squish from before.

[TROLL]

since some of you may be wrongly jumping to conclusions as to why i said it looked low, there are actually 10 photos of the car linked and even on a public road in a straight line it looks quite a bit lower than previous models. but nothing to get your feathers ruffled about...

http://news.windingroad.com/photo-gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=5229&g2_serialNumber=2

[Buster]

All of them are coming out of a turn or going into, I think you forgot what stock wheel gap looks like.

My cars always this low, riiiight.
http://content.godragracing.com/keith/keith7.jpg

[wgknestrick]

the sti will be a hatch.

the reason subaru has made these changes is very simple... to sell more cars. they feel that the boy racer image has to go and something more subtle needs to replace it... hence the 08 impreza's.

I think the Hatch design came from being dominated in the WRC by small hatches recently. The fact that it also opens it up to a potentially larger market doesn't hurt, but the styling is typical Subaru yuck. Subaru is one of the car companies that is still trying to find a "look" all of it's own.

They should realize that the square headlights of the 92-98 years are "their look." (At least a look that is fairly attractive and not being used by everyone else).

[i like rice]

it looks real low, i find that hard to believe for the production model.

There is an 08 WRX parked out front of our engineering building for testing. They'll be here for the next few days.

I have my cameras here with me but I can't take any pics :(

The car is riding on Gram Lights, which won't be the production model wheels.

To be honest, I don't see what's so special about the car. It's really just an exterior redesign.

[Buster]

I personally like the idea of more more and versitility. Why not have a small 4 door hatch that can still rip a mid 13 sec quarter?

[TROLL]

There is an 08 WRX parked out front of our engineering building for testing. They'll be here for the next few days.

I have my cameras here with me but I can't take any pics :(

The car is riding on Gram Lights, which won't be the production model wheels.

To be honest, I don't see what's so special about the car. It's really just an exterior redesign.

black with bronze gram lights? it was on display at the wicked big meet if thats the one.

[WhiteXFire]

And i don't know how you are going to argue my statement when you aren't at
any of the shows that I am at...

Oh no, I'm not questioning the fact that people like yours at the car shows. What I'm saying is that the crowd at a car show isn't indicitave of the general population. There are far more people who know nothing about cars than there are who go to car shows. The average person in the US buying a car won't even understand why there's a scoop on the hood, even if you explain it to them.

The Subaru wrx/sti looks like a kids car and that is generally the impression it gives me. No 40 something year old person has come up to ask about my Subaru, only kids. The older crowd just say thats a big wing, why does your hood need all those holes, etc etc.

Exactly. I've shown pictures to at least a dozen people in that age bracket who said exactly the same thing.

[i like rice]

black with bronze gram lights? it was on display at the wicked big meet if thats the one.

Yeah. When was the Wicked Big Meet?

The Subaru guy that's here mentioned that he's been taking it to car shows.

[TROLL]

it was june 17th outside of boston

[MuddyREX]

I don't care what anyone says, I think it looks good.

The link below has a dual exhaust, wtf? Also, it's mid corner and seems to have plenty of wheel gap.

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-gallery2.php?g2_itemId=5210

[Buster]

^----thank you!!!

[Ender81]

The first person to buy an STi at Ertle in Stroudsburg was in his mid 60's and requested the spoiler be take off. All I am saying is the car isn't going to appeal to the older generation anyway. So you might as well leave the aggressive nature of the car intact. They didn't do it with the Lancer, Subaru didn't do it with the Legacy. So why take your peformance car and slowly kill it?

[CHAOS]

because subaru wants more money.

[Buster]

wait till it comes out. its not going to be killed. people still miss the turbo era of the early 90s. we will take what we can get. The MS3 sells like crazy. ANd people love AWD so why not. I like it alot. it has great interior styling and the outside still looks good to me. Its no blob eye but what are you gonna do.

[CHAOS]

the ms3 is a far superior car to the new wrx... we'll have to see about the sti.

[Buster]

oh i beg to differ greatly on that. I couldnt possibly see how it is. except a higher HP rating. have you driven one. whoa understeer!

[CHAOS]

i cant say i have driven one... im just going on reviews from all over the place saying the car is fantastic... and i personally found the stock wrx's ive driven to be ****ing boring.

[RayArroyo]

The Subaru wrx/sti looks like a kids car and that is generally the impression it gives me. No 40 something year old person has come up to ask about my Subaru, only kids. The older crowd just say thats a big wing, why does your hood need all those holes, etc etc.

i find that most sti owners that i find on the road are either bald or completely gray. so i dont know what your talking about. some of them even have catbacks. i have atleast 4 customers of my own that are in the 30- 70 year range.

[Ender81]

the ms3 is a far superior car to the new wrx... we'll have to see about the sti.

Ok and that would explain why you like the look of the 08. The interior looks great......in a Tribeca.

[kennwrx]

i find that most sti owners that i find on the road are either bald or completely gray. so i dont know what your talking about. some of them even have catbacks. i have atleast 4 customers of my own that are in the 30- 70 year range.

what about me iam half bald and half gray and half old lol

[cranshinibon]

i like the hatch look but i hate the way the front end looks

[Raven18940]

So is this actually a new chassis or is it just a reskinning?

i cant say i have driven one... im just going on reviews from all over the place saying the car is fantastic... and i personally found the stock wrx's ive driven to be ****ing boring.

My thoughts exactly, boring and uninspiring to drive. The great AWD grip can only save the car so much, but the base WRX needs a lot of work in the fun department.

[CHAOS]

Ok and that would explain why you like the look of the 08. The interior looks great......in a Tribeca.

how does that explain it at all? please dont generalize.

[CHAOS]

So is this actually a new chassis or is it just a reskinning?

My thoughts exactly, boring and uninspiring to drive. The great AWD grip can only save the car so much, but the base WRX needs a lot of work in the fun department.

im pretty sure its an all new chassis... but we all know how much subaru loves to carry stuff over...

and i agree the base wrx is very uninspiring... it just doesnt make enough power or have enough feel to make it "fun"

[Ender81]

how does that explain it at all? please dont generalize.

Ok to be specific, the new WRX is being criticized for looking like a Mazda with a hoodscoop. You said the MS3 is the best car out there. They are visually similar, and while a lot of people can't stand how the 08 looks, you like it. Now we put it all together and get, you like that style in a vehicle. Do you get it now?

[i like rice]

the ms3 is a far superior car to the new wrx... we'll have to see about the sti.

fwd makes baby jesus cry

[italianblaze]

and it makes me want to eat a baby

[Harrison486]

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/images/article_images/SubaruImprezaSTInew_1_560.jpg
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/images/article_images/ScoobyDoo560px.jpg

From www.carmagazine.co.uk....

[MuddyREX]

My thoughts exactly, boring and uninspiring to drive. The great AWD grip can only save the car so much, but the base WRX needs a lot of work in the fun department.

lol. You have no clue.

[Ender81]

lol. You have no clue.

I agree, and have something new for my signature lol. There was a whole thread dedicated to him saying how much wrx's suck and how the Saab was the best driving excperience, I told him that I too enjoy the Saab 9-2x Aero :mrgreen:

[CHAOS]

Ok to be specific, the new WRX is being criticized for looking like a Mazda with a hoodscoop. You said the MS3 is the best car out there. They are visually similar, and while a lot of people can't stand how the 08 looks, you like it. Now we put it all together and get, you like that style in a vehicle. Do you get it now?

i said the MS3 was better than the wrx, i did not say it was the best out there. i honestly do not like the new wrx, the potential for the sti is huge tho.

[CHAOS]

fwd makes baby jesus cry

they wouldnt make it awd tho because that would destroy the ms6 sales... and yes i agree fwd makes 7lbs 9 ounce baby jesus cry.

[Buster]

Eh, ive driven plenty of MS3s at my old job, the only fun part is the torque steer, otherwise thats an uninspiring car. besides didnt car and driver already prove that its not true and even with less hp and awd the WRX was able to pull better 1/4s and better handling?

[Ender81]

i said the MS3 was better than the wrx, i did not say it was the best out there. i honestly do not like the new wrx, the potential for the sti is huge tho.


My mistake on the wording. The potential is there but, being completely impartial, how many are they really going to sell here as a wagon? I mean not even the R32, which was a badass car, was released in major numbers. If you think about it the us has a fair amount of hot hatches that are nice but don't sell in the numbers you would expect for the reputations they have. The new gti, R32, MS3, SVT Focus, A3. Regardless of what you personally think of them each of those cars has a performance reputation and yet none of them have really taken over here. The older gti is definately a success but you don't see the newer styling as much as you did the last gen. I guess my point is when you want a hatch you want it to be sporty, but when you want something sporty most people don't want a hatch (most of the people I know don't even want four doors)

[CHAOS]

i agree most americans do not want a hatch, we want a coupe.

[Buster]

http://www.scoobyblog.com/2006-11-23/2007-mazdaspeed3-vs-2006-subaru-impreza-wrx-comparison/

it may not have been a landslide, but were talking now about a smaller wider lighter version. Besides, 14.2? stock ive seen better than that on 06s.

Also you can see that they blatantly pushed that car as far as the factory was allowed to not to mention being a FWD car once you start giving it more power its going to need a much better suspension to keep up with it, where as the subaru just does it regardless.

[Raven18940]

lol. You have no clue.
No, I know more than you think. Why do you think that everyone who gets a WRX mods them? Cause in stock trim they are boring. I'm not saying the WRX is slow or that it doesn't have a lot of potential, but it starts out in life a bit bland. And it's going up against a lot of fun cars, Chevy Cobalt SS, MS3, VW GTI/rabbit, and Civic Si just to name a few.

I agree, and have something new for my signature lol. There was a whole thread dedicated to him saying how much wrx's suck and how the Saab was the best driving excperience, I told him that I too enjoy the Saab 9-2x Aero :mrgreen:

:finga:

[Buster]

No, I know more than you think. Why do you think that everyone who gets a WRX mods them? Cause in stock trim they are boring. I'm not saying the WRX is slow or that it doesn't have a lot of potential, but it starts out in life a bit bland. And it's going up against a lot of fun cars, Chevy Cobalt SS, MS3, VW GTI/rabbit, and Civic Si just to name a few.



:finga:

Okay its going up against cars that never stood a chance if thats how you want to put it. And like what was previously said, i see plenty of older men and women driving "plain jane,boring " stock WRXs and ever more drving STis.

You obviously do not know what you are talking about, the only car you listed that stands a chance is the MS3 and thats just in the straight line.

The WRX is only boring if you expect a race car out of it. Subaru has always been very subtle and very straight forward in its design and performance so that anyone can drive their cars and enjoy them. if they were making such boring bad cars im pretty sure 90% of this forum would be driving a Mitsu of some sort. But thats just my opinion.

[Raven18940]

Okay its going up against cars that never stood a chance if thats how you want to put it. And like what was previously said, i see plenty of older men and women driving "plain jane,boring " stock WRXs and ever more drving STis.

You obviously do not know what you are talking about, the only car you listed that stands a chance is the MS3 and thats just in the straight line.
I see plenty of people driving Toyota Camries too, does that make them exciting?

And did you actually read that article you posted? The MS3 kicked the WRX's butt in every handling test they did, braking, slalom, road holding, and for a FWD it held it's own in the quarter mile. As for the VW Jetta/rabbit/GTI, Cobalt SS, and Civic Si, these aren't as powerful, but they're known for there great handling and fun factor.

The WRX is only boring if you expect a race car out of it. Subaru has always been very subtle and very straight forward in its design and performance so that anyone can drive their cars and enjoy them. if they were making such boring bad cars im pretty sure 90% of this forum would be driving a Mitsu of some sort. But thats just my opinion.
And which car did they prefer in that article?

Again, I'm not saying it's a bad car, just stock for stock there's more interesting things to drive. Again, of the 90% on this forum that drive a WRX, how many of those are standard equipment?

[Ender81]

As for the VW Jetta/rabbit/GTI, Cobalt SS, and Civic Si, these aren't as powerful, but they're known for there great handling and fun factor.


I'm sorry I am inclined to disagree, only the GTI really holds it's own against the WRX, never the less the STI. The Cobalt SS doesn't handle well at all, and the performance isn't too impressive either, the Civic Si looks sharp but again it's not really a match for the WRX in handling. There aren't many people who pick those cars over the wrx, I came close I will admit but who wants to pay 22K for a cavalier and then have to pay extra for airbags, or pay that much for a civic that is just in every department but styling, and don't even get me started on owning a VW after 5 of them I have strong opinions lol.

[Raven18940]

I'm sorry I am inclined to disagree, only the GTI really holds it's own against the WRX, never the less the STI. The Cobalt SS doesn't handle well at all, and the performance isn't too impressive either, the Civic Si looks sharp but again it's not really a match for the WRX in handling. There aren't many people who pick those cars over the wrx, I came close I will admit but who wants to pay 22K for a cavalier and then have to pay extra for airbags, or pay that much for a civic that is just in every department but styling, and don't even get me started on owning a VW after 5 of them I have strong opinions lol.

I'm not gonna defend the cobalt much, but I've read that it has great steering feel. *shrugs* As for "who wants to pay so much for...." comment, who wants to pay 25K for an Impreza, or 34K for the love of god!

Not dissing the WRX, STi or their price, just pointing out the absurdity of your statement. ;)

[Ender81]

Not dissing the WRX, STi or their price, just pointing out the absurdity of your statement. ;)

You and I both know that there are more then just a couple cars in the same price range that look better, perform better, feel better, made better and are more reliable then a Supercharged Cobalt. That's what keeps my statement from being absurd.

[Raven18940]

You and I both know that there are more then just a couple cars in the same price range that look better, perform better, feel better, made better and are more reliable then a Supercharged Cobalt. That's what keeps my statement from being absurd.

Ha ha, touché. :)

[MuddyREX]

Again, I'm not saying it's a bad car, just stock for stock there's more interesting things to drive. Again, of the 90% on this forum that drive a WRX, how many of those are standard equipment?

Yeah, that makes no sense. This is a TUNER site, if you forgot. How many cars on this forum are "standard equipment", let alone the WRX's.

I know how much you love your Saab, but seriously, a WRX is boring? You must have never driven one in anger, or in the dirt.

[Raven18940]

Yeah, that makes no sense. This is a TUNER site, if you forgot. How many cars on this forum are "standard equipment", let alone the WRX's.

I know how much you love your Saab, but seriously, a WRX is boring? You must have never driven one in anger, or in the dirt.

Fair enough about the Tuner site and fair enough about having never driven one in anger, I only took it for a test drive. *shrugs*

Alright, unless we all wanna get banned like Buster we need to get back on topic.

[MuddyREX]

Alright, unless we all wanna get banned like Buster we need to get back on topic.

I agree. :mrgreen:

[Buster]

Fair enough about the Tuner site and fair enough about having never driven one in anger, I only took it for a test drive. *shrugs*

Alright, unless we all wanna get banned like Buster we need to get back on topic.

that was totally unnecessary, The MS3 did not kick its ass at all, and it the straight line, it was only 0-70 where it was .2 faster. I will tell you right now, bring me a stock 06 WRX and a stock MS3 and I will kick its ass bad. Ive driven both and can tell you exactly how they drive. And not how nancy they drive on a test. I mean C&D showed it at a 2.1 60 foot. Bone stock i pulled 1.8s. And theres no way you could tell me a FWD stock car is going to match that.

Either way. The debate isnt how the car matches against the MS3 because he guess what geniuses, its not out yet. no one knows. But i can say from my own experience that the MS3 is a slob going straight or turning.

Do yourself a favor and keep my banning out of a purely good debate.

[Raven18940]

that was totally unnecessary, The MS3 did not kick its ass at all, and it the straight line, it was only 0-70 where it was .2 faster. I will tell you right now, bring me a stock 06 WRX and a stock MS3 and I will kick its ass bad. Ive driven both and can tell you exactly how they drive. And not how nancy they drive on a test. I mean C&D showed it at a 2.1 60 foot. Bone stock i pulled 1.8s. And theres no way you could tell me a FWD stock car is going to match that.

The WRX also trailed the Mazdaspeed in every handling test we conducted, evidence that the Subie’s softer suspenders, while providing a more supple on-road ride, were too spongy to match the taut dampers and springs on the 3, which still delivered a ride pleasant enough for everyday commuting. Through the slalom, the WRX posted a speed of 63.4 mph, well behind the Mazda’s 68.6, a pace that betters that of the BMW 330i, Infiniti G35, and Jaguar XK. Around our figure-eight course, a telling test of handling and braking, the WRX clocked a time of 27.1 sec at 0.64 g average, again no match for the 3’s 26.6-second at 0.69g average. Circumnavigating the skidpad, the Mazda held on for 0.86 g of lateral grip–better than that of a Lexus IS 350–once more outgunning the Subie’s stickiness of 0.80 g. And although the WRX wears snazzy red-painted calipers that use three times the number of pistons, it was the Mazdaspeed that offered superior brake feel and performance, halting from 60 to 0 mph in 111 feet–only a foot on top that of a Z06–a substantial 12 feet shorter than the Subaru. In defense of the WRX, grippier summer rubber, rather than the mud-and-snow tires it wore, would make a perceptible difference in these tests, as would a stiffer suspension.

See better in ever test.

The real beauty of the Mazdaspeed is that it shines just as brilliantly on the road as it does at the track. From steering feel and gearbox precision to body rigidity and cabin comfort, the ‘Speed3 is a notch above the WRX, which comes across dated and a bit cheap in comparison. Close a door on the Subie, and the trim pieces shudder against one another, a far cry from the Mazda’s, which shut with a quiet solidity. Throw in features unavailable in the Subaru–a thumping Bose stereo, a nav system, Xenon headlamps, and curtain airbags, to name a few–and the Mazda quickly proves it’s the most dazzling of the two. Better yet, for relatively similar money–less if you don’t need directions or ear-piercing audio–the Mazdaspeed3 delivers that dazzle at a relative bargain. It’s the most electric of this duo. Plug it in and play!

1st Place: Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring

Accomplished chassis, luxury-car elements, and a refined, gutsy powertrain make this Mazdaspeed the best ever and best here.
But the chassis is only part of the reason it won.

Do yourself a favor and keep my banning out of a purely good debate.

I really can't not offend you in some way. :(

[Buster]

or me being banned has nothing to do with why this conversation is happening. So im going to put you on my ignore list with cleanneon now and we wont have to discuss it again mkay?

[Raven18940]

or me being banned has nothing to do with why this conversation is happening. So im going to put you on my ignore list with cleanneon now and we wont have to discuss it again mkay?

Fine, now I don't have to listen to your pissed off responses to everything I post. For a guy who doesn't give a "rats ass" about what I have to say you sure act like you do.

Anyway, back to the STi. So how much of this new STi is gonna be on the WRX?

[italianblaze]

thank you, lets hope you two knock it off now, but am i wrong or does in not kind of resemble 07' mazda 3 hatch

[Cardriverx]

it should be a 2 door.