Wrecked my Audi...

[SPhilli911]

...well I crashed it about a year ago (someone rammed into me it wasn't my fault) and I've been without a car ever since.

RIP

Anywho, I've been looking to get a new car for about a month now and I've narrowed it down a bit and I want some opinions. I've owned mostly German cars, so I want to try something new and I've wanted an STI since they've first came to the US. I test drove an '04 with my dad when I was younger.

With that being said I am torn between:

A new 2012 WRX. Because the STIs brand new are just out of reach for me.

A used 2008 or 2009 STI. Could still find them in good shape with low miles.

And last but not least is a used 2006/7 STI.

The older STI is the cheapest option, but also the most risky. Finding an STI that is still in good shape, has low miles and hasn't been beat to hell by some kid might be tough. And a slightly used STI is still pretty damn expensive (gas, insurance etc will also be more), but only a little more than a new WRX would be when all is said and done.

What would you do? Also, feel free to say don't buy Subarus altogether and make a suggestion. I prefer all wheel drive and something that is decent in terms of performance.

PS: I don't want a blue one. The pictures I used all just happen to be blue.

 

[FifthApex]

Sorry to hear about your Audi! Subarus are always a good idea, especially if you get an STI. Personally I'd goo for the slightly older model, I personally like the body style on those the most compared to the new ones. You could also look at EVOs, the AWD in them is much more high tech, and better on Tarmac if that's what you mostly drive in. Good luck!

 

[oohhh yeah]

STi for sure...but you're right. It's hard to find an unmolested GD STi. Pick up an 08-09, it's your best bet.

 

[Azuremen]

I honestly feel if you are use to German cars, the WRX or STi will end up annoying you in the long run with the interior and fit and finish.

Have you considered a 335i? Or 335xi if you insist on AWD? Not new for the price but certainly many in the price range you seem to be shopping around at.

 

[SPhilli911]

Sorry to hear about your Audi! Subarus are always a good idea, especially if you get an STI. Personally I'd goo for the slightly older model, I personally like the body style on those the most compared to the new ones. You could also look at EVOs, the AWD in them is much more high tech, and better on Tarmac if that's what you mostly drive in. Good luck!

Thanks man. It was hard to see it go. Kinda. Yeah, I prefer the older ones more in terms of styling. Then again maybe I'm getting to old to have a car with a massive spoiler and hood scoop.

I've considered Evos. They're almost more difficult to find than the STIs though. One in good shape I mean.

STi for sure...but you're right. It's hard to find an unmolested GD STi. Pick up an 08-09, it's your best bet.

I've come across a handful of GD STIs that are in great shape and have relatively low miles, in the color I want... all are far from where I live. They're hard to find in CT apparently.

I honestly feel if you are use to German cars, the WRX or STi will end up annoying you in the long run with the interior and fit and finish.

Have you considered a 335i? Or 335xi if you insist on AWD? Not new for the price but certainly many in the price range you seem to be shopping around at.

I love my German cars. Always have, always will. I've looked at Audis again, and VWs and BMWs, but they just don't do it for me anymore. There isn't anything out there right now in my price range (that isn't too old now) that I'm really interested in, sadly.

The thing is my mom bought an extra car, which I've been borrowing for a while. A 2011 Impreza Outback Sport, which is almost identical to the Imprezas styling wise. Interior is exactly the same. With that being said, I've learned to really like that model year Impreza and the only downside with the Outback is the serious lack of power, which I'd definitely get from the WRX/ STI. That and I'm hooked on the sound that the boxer engine makes. It's one of the best sounds a car can make without spending a fortune, I say.

 

[Slash]

'93 Ford Mustang 5.0. 'Nuff said.

 

[SPhilli911]

Ha, I'm looking for something a bit newer. I need to commute a good 45 minutes to work, so gas mileage is important.

I do love the 5.0s though. I borrowed a friend's 5.0 Mustang GT for a day to do a photo shoot and it was great. The sound it made was fantastic.

 

[Kent]

Im going to support the sti notion obviously.
Cant complain, its a great car and some of the older ones have incredible potential and the performance to price ratio is also very nice.

Btw the boxer sound is even better in the sti...

 

[Silent7Sniper7]

2006 one!

Nuff said!

 

[Rotary Junkie]

'93 Ford Mustang 5.0. 'Nuff said.

Far from enough said.

A Fox 5.0 is slow, zero completely stock ones exist, and zero that haven't been beaten to death twice exist.

Ha, I'm looking for something a bit newer. I need to commute a good 45 minutes to work, so gas mileage is important.

I do love the 5.0s though. I borrowed a friend's 5.0 Mustang GT for a day to do a photo shoot and it was great. The sound it made was fantastic.

Thought about looking at a 2011+ V6 Mustang on that note?

Quick enough to forget the "secretary's car" stereotype, will do mid-20s in terms of MPG all day every day as long as you don't drive it like a complete idiot, and they're actually pretty dang comfortable inside.

Oh, and they aren't all that terrible in the snow, surprisingly. Factory LSD means it actually has something resembling traction.

 

[Slash]

Far from enough said.

A Fox 5.0 is slow, zero completely stock ones exist, and zero that haven't been beaten to death twice exist.

True but they are fun as all hell. There are still a few stock ones if you look but most are modded in some way. I can't wait to get mine in fact. I'm going to budget build a 393 stroker for under a grand.

 

[SPhilli911]

Im going to support the sti notion obviously.
Cant complain, its a great car and some of the older ones have incredible potential and the performance to price ratio is also very nice.

Btw the boxer sound is even better in the sti...

I went to the dealer a few days ago and they let me play around with a new WRX and a new STI on the lot. I didn't drive them, but I started them both up and gave them a little revs. The sound is still damn good in the WRX, I really couldn't tell much of a difference. Both had the SPT exhausts.

By the way I assume that picture in your sig link is yours. Looks good in white... that's my color preference.

Far from enough said.

A Fox 5.0 is slow, zero completely stock ones exist, and zero that haven't been beaten to death twice exist.



Thought about looking at a 2011+ V6 Mustang on that note?

Quick enough to forget the "secretary's car" stereotype, will do mid-20s in terms of MPG all day every day as long as you don't drive it like a complete idiot, and they're actually pretty dang comfortable inside.

Oh, and they aren't all that terrible in the snow, surprisingly. Factory LSD means it actually has something resembling traction.

Actually, I did price out a new Mustang GT to about the same price as a new WRX, but when it comes down to it I'd like AWD. CT winters can get rough... I think I'd be to nervous to drive a new (or even used) Mustang in a blizzard.

 

[dsgerbc]

Finding unmolested STI is really tough. If you're not familiar with Subies more likely you won't be able to spot signs of abuse and buy something that was molested left and right and "returned to stock". Find a buddy that knows Subarus really well if you want to go that route. Or buy a new WRX.

08-09 STI (especially 08) have softer suspension. Good for the street, but might be annoying if you're looking for stiffer ride.

Personally, I'm gonna wait for next-gen WRX before I consider it.

Have you considered a 335i? Or 335xi if you insist on AWD? Not new for the price but certainly many in the price range you seem to be shopping around at.

Good luck finding used 335xi with 6mt and a sport package, it is probably even harder than finding unmolested STI. And supposedly sport package is not the same on xi.

Also: BRZ/FR-S?

I wouldn't be scared of RWD w/LSD in winter with a proper set of rubber. It's will be a lot more predictable on slick stuff than a new WRX w/o rear LSD.

 

[Azuremen]

I love my German cars. Always have, always will. I've looked at Audis again, and VWs and BMWs, but they just don't do it for me anymore. There isn't anything out there right now in my price range (that isn't too old now) that I'm really interested in, sadly.

The thing is my mom bought an extra car, which I've been borrowing for a while. A 2011 Impreza Outback Sport, which is almost identical to the Imprezas styling wise. Interior is exactly the same. With that being said, I've learned to really like that model year Impreza and the only downside with the Outback is the serious lack of power, which I'd definitely get from the WRX/ STI. That and I'm hooked on the sound that the boxer engine makes. It's one of the best sounds a car can make without spending a fortune, I say.

What about the new BZR/FR-S/86 GT? Not AWD but certainly in your budget from the looks of it.

On the STi thing, I personally would go for an 06, as they look best. Plus the 07 up models have some interesting issues with running too lean, and I know some other people here can provide more information on this (esZee comes to mind).

I drove an 08 STi around a bit and honestly prefer how the older ones felt. Both are a bit harsh, but the 06/07 at least made it clear what the car was designed for I feel.

 

[SPhilli911]

The wait for a BRZ might be long. That and I don't know about the price of them, but I feel like they'd be close to new STI territory or more. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I did have a chat with the dealer people about the new Imprezas. They won't be coming around with a WRX for probably a year or so.

If I can find a pristine 2006/7 STI I will jump on it. The STIs that are popping up in my area for sale are "tricked out" or have high miles. And who knows how the previous owner treated it. :/

 

[dsgerbc]

The wait for a BRZ might be long.

If you find a dealership that sold enough STI's but w/o people ahead of you in line for BRZs, put a deposit and get your order entered once the ordering system opens up (March 1st) you can reasonably expect to get one by the end of May. Price should be <30k OTD for top-trim.

If you're looking into used WRX/STIs - make sure it's still under basic warranty (<36km/3yr after in-service date) and buy Subaru's 'gold' extended warranty for ~$1.5-$2k (for 0 deductible until 7yr/100k). Otherwise owning a car with a ringland failure-prone engine that might've been modded before you can get expensive real fast.

 

[Azuremen]

The wait for a BRZ might be long. That and I don't know about the price of them, but I feel like they'd be close to new STI territory or more. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I did have a chat with the dealer people about the new Imprezas. They won't be coming around with a WRX for probably a year or so.

I've heard $23k to $26k being tossed around for the FR-S. Not sure how high the BZR will be going, but I doubt it will hit $30k or more, which is where STi's are going, before dealer mark-ups - seen some with stickers over $40k here. Should be seeing them in the next couple of months I'd imagine.

As for AWD concerns, RWD with an LSD and some snow tires works just fine most of the time. Only large amounts at once that tends to get wet and heavy has caused me much trouble, and that is with me living on a huge hill where every street has angle to it.

 

[Slash]

Ha, I'm looking for something a bit newer. I need to commute a good 45 minutes to work, so gas mileage is important.

I do love the 5.0s though. I borrowed a friend's 5.0 Mustang GT for a day to do a photo shoot and it was great. The sound it made was fantastic.

What year? The old ones sound like God. Any old pushrod V8 really.

 

[squirlybmx]

2006/7 Hawkeye for sure. The new motors are **** and any abuse from simply having a bit on fun here and there will put you in the shop pretty quickly unless you want to build the motor to handle it.

 

[SPhilli911]

I've heard $23k to $26k being tossed around for the FR-S. Not sure how high the BZR will be going, but I doubt it will hit $30k or more, which is where STi's are going, before dealer mark-ups - seen some with stickers over $40k here. Should be seeing them in the next couple of months I'd imagine.

As for AWD concerns, RWD with an LSD and some snow tires works just fine most of the time. Only large amounts at once that tends to get wet and heavy has caused me much trouble, and that is with me living on a huge hill where every street has angle to it.

That's not bad. That's new WRX prices. Funny I just clicked on the Subaru website and an ad came up for the BRZ. It's coming in Spring... if I don't pull the trigger on a car by then, I will consider it. I do live in a very hilly area, even my driveway is a mountain making snow an issue.

What year? The old ones sound like God. Any old pushrod V8 really.

It was a '93. Damn fun car. Loud as hell.

 

[Slash]

Thing is nicceeee.

 

[Carlos]

I would go for a red '08/'09 STi.. Plus, if you were at a red light in your new WRX, and the slightly older STi pulls up next to you... Mehhh..

 

[turboash78]

Nicest WRX is the 2002-2003 model with those sexy bug eyes!

 

[Kent]

By the way I assume that picture in your sig link is yours. Looks good in white... that's my color preference...

Yes sir, and now its obvious why my vote went as it did.

 

[SPhilli911]

I would go for a red '08/'09 STi.. Plus, if you were at a red light in your new WRX, and the slightly older STi pulls up next to you... Mehhh..

Man that looks good in red and you don't see those often either. I am really liking that option. Slightly used '08/09 STIs are not hard to find, but they can still be a bit pricey.

I know it's really dumb to say, but I don't want a WRX just because it's a WRX... I might be mad to buy an STI just for the sake of the badge, but hey. I want one. I'm scratching WRX off the list.

 

[savage388]

Personally I'd go for a nice older 03-05 Sti with the alligator head lights. They are the best looking out of the bunch by far with the wing and hood scoop that made them famous.

 

[CMvan46]

Personally I'd go for a nice older 03-05 Sti with the alligator head lights. They are the best looking out of the bunch by far with the wing and hood scoop that made them famous.

Agreed. Might be harder to find one not beat to hell but probably the most cost effective of the bunch too.

 

[savage388]

Agreed. Might be harder to find one not beat to hell but probably the most cost effective of the bunch too.

If I remember correctly they were the sportiest too less understeer than the newer sti, with less weight which made them faster too. The best of both worlds imo.

 

[SPhilli911]

I want a 2004/5 STI more than anything, but I haven't found many for sale in my area at all, and when they do pop up they have close to 100k miles. And for an STI that's a lot, especially when you have no idea who was driving it all that time.

 

[UnionStrike]

Maybe you should look though Subaru or WRX forum's local classified, if you havn't yet, they will be less likely to have been ragged on or abused by owners, driven hard, but they were made for it.

http://forums.nasioc.com/