• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Drove a modified WRX-STi this afternoon

Page 8 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Aharami
pics?!

I need to take some and put them up. I need to re-load the Canon software on my main system though. Maybe tonight. If not, I'll have pics up by this weekend for sure.

Have you been able to tell any different in your car and the "modified" on that the guy had? Also, how do these sound. Anyone have a MP3 or WAV file?
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
A big WOOT for all the lower priced, wicked fast cars out there today, but there's a reason the higher end cars are still selling

Yeah, because they say "Look at me!!! I have loads of money!!! I've made it to the big time!!! I'm important!!!"

Anyone who says that this is not the primary reason most people buy these cars is either a liar or stupid.

Yes, they do. And you would do the same thing if someone gave you a big gob of money, so what's the big deal? I'd buy a Ferarri if I could afford it!
 
Originally posted by: Chadder007
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Aharami
pics?!

I need to take some and put them up. I need to re-load the Canon software on my main system though. Maybe tonight. If not, I'll have pics up by this weekend for sure.

Have you been able to tell any different in your car and the "modified" on that the guy had? Also, how do these sound. Anyone have a MP3 or WAV file?

I haven't really gotten into it as much as I did the modded one. That car was broken in, I just don't feel comfortable romping on it so soon.

Mine isn't as loud and obnoxious either.
 
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: pmoa
what is a good price to haggle them down to on an STi?

LOL!!!!

An in demand, limited production car and you're going to haggle. Riiiggghhhhttttt......

well you wouldnt pay MSRP....obviously....something reasonable
 
Originally posted by: pmoa
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: pmoa
what is a good price to haggle them down to on an STi?

LOL!!!!

An in demand, limited production car and you're going to haggle. Riiiggghhhhttttt......

well you wouldnt pay MSRP....obviously....something reasonable

I got it for $500 under MSRP. You really can't haggle much, if at all, on these. Dealers in my area have a $5,000 dealer markup on them (I'm sure I could have haggled that down or off but I didn't feel like starting $5k above MSRP to haggle, doesn't exactly put you in the best position-I flat out told them that I wouldn't pay a markup though). I doubt they're getting that but they are listing it right on the window sticker for the '05s. I had to drive up to Orange County to get any kind of deal.

Subaru only planned to make I think 2,200 or so last year and ended up making around 4,400 of them (first year for STi was '04) and sold them all.

I heard that there have been shortages in some areas of the country (like SoCal). Don't know if that's still the case but it is still a limited production vehicle. Kind of like the Mustang Cobra or the Z06 Vette. You aren't going to get any rebates or ultra low finance rates on them either unless you have connections.
 
Originally posted by: pmoa
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: pmoa
what is a good price to haggle them down to on an STi?

LOL!!!!

An in demand, limited production car and you're going to haggle. Riiiggghhhhttttt......

well you wouldnt pay MSRP....obviously....something reasonable

Depends on where you live I guess.
 
On NASIOC forums they do mention that Subaru did cheap out on the pistons... they went from forged construction to cast. Not that it matters all that much IMHO.

Also, it seems Subaru won't honor warranties if you autoX it despite their campaign for free SCCA memberships. *sigh*
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
aftermarket blow off valve

OH NOES!@!@!

seriously though it's quick and sporty but not anywhere near the best of the best. It's one of the best bang for bucks though.
 
sweet jesus. A guy at work wrecked his 02 wrx last week (not his fault), and he is hoping for it to be written off so that he can buy an STI.
 
Originally posted by: SampSon
I know you guys can't get over straightline performance and I'm almost surprised you're not talking about how motorcycles can leave a WRX in the dust for a fraction of the cost... Drive a German car then drive a Subbie. There is a HUGE difference in what you're getting for what you pay before you even turn the key on.

I look for a car that is all around a great package. Maybe all you care about is going fast. Good thing I can buy what I want and you can buy what you want.
I'm not sure where I mentioned straight line performance, or any performance at all.
I've owned a german car, I've driven BMWs and I've driven a porsche. German cars are slipping in the quality department. I would probably never buy another one. Realistically at this point, you are not getting what you pay for. Though of course that won't affect the sales or peoples buying decisions when they look at a german car. Most car buyers are uneducated fools when it comes to what they are buying.

I hate nesting like this.

Yes Sampson, I believe that was his point. Whether you consider it an overpriced label or not, they do indeed pay a premium for it. My point was that those who consider or want the Porsche in the first place aren't going to change the mind based upon the performance of a 30k Subaru.

And you just gave a good example of why Porsche sales won't decline because of cars like the Subaru. They think the Porsche is better (in some ways it is) but they get it because of the name and prestige. Are you jealous? It sure sounds like it.

And no, it isnt about paying too much and having your car spanked by one that costs half as much. You know there is more to a car than performance. And they don't buy them to get laid, but face it, the women would like the Porsche or BMW better. (Not saying that matters..)
I think that these new breed of extremely high performance imports will definatly have a slight impact on sales of cars like a porsche. Though it will be mostly negligible to the market.
No, I'm not jealous in the least of porsche owners. My uncle owns one, good for him!
The women who flock to money, I don't want any part of. So that whole aspect means nothing to me. It may mean something to a divorced middleaged man who needs pills to keep his penis hard.

Exactly. I don't see anything wrong with that. A BMW says, "I made it."
95% of the BMWs out there don't say "I made it". A $150K+ car says a lot more than entry to mid level sedans.

No where in my posts did I ever compare cars, or performance or anything. I was merely pointing out that these "highend" cars are not providing much more than a highend status symbol. They are so common that they really don't turn heads anymore. "Oh look, another bald old man driving a porsche". It's just not impressive anymore.

And a 45k car says more than an souped up econobox...

BMWs carry a certain amount of prestige. They show that you're an independant professional.

I guess I didn't consider the credit part of that, seeing as how most anyone without any foresight could get a loan on a 45k car, even if they couldn't afford it.
 
And a 45k car says more than an souped up econobox...

BMWs carry a certain amount of prestige. They show that you're an independant professional.

I guess I didn't consider the credit part of that, seeing as how most anyone without any foresight could get a loan on a 45k car, even if they couldn't afford it.
You've GOT to be kidding me. Yes, a mediocre midlevel sedan says WAY more than a proven rally car.

They don't say you're an independent professional, they say you can pull a loan just like any other schmuck. No standard level BMW says anything about you. There is no prestige in a 3 series or a 5 series.
Your car doesn't speak for you. Nor do any other items you own.
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Chadder007
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
A big WOOT for all the lower priced, wicked fast cars out there today, but there's a reason the higher end cars are still selling

Yeah, because they say "Look at me!!! I have loads of money!!! I've made it to the big time!!! I'm important!!!"

Anyone who says that this is not the primary reason most people buy these cars is either a liar or stupid.

Look..you are obviously just trying to make yourself feel even better about your purchase by putting down Porsches/BMWs and those who buy them. Get over it.

Agreed. The Financial Class Jealously in this thread is horrible.

So is the condescension.

I am sorry if I sound condescending, because I am not trying to. Look, I like Subarus a lot, and I wouldnt buy a new BMW or Porsche unless I had the money(which I won't ever have, and I wouldnt put an expensive car like that on credit).

All I am trying to say is that why bash the BMWs or Porsches and those who buy them just because you bought a Subaru? You were the one that brought Porsches into this.

I know...and I regret that. Clearly we should all just agree to disagree-if we do disagree...still trying to figure that out.

I never said that Porsches were bad cars and I didn't mean to bash them or even compare them on any level other than performance. I apologize if any of my statements came off that way.

I dont think we truly disagree. Its cool!

🙂:beer: Have fun with your car.
 
Originally posted by: SampSon
And a 45k car says more than an souped up econobox...

BMWs carry a certain amount of prestige. They show that you're an independant professional.

I guess I didn't consider the credit part of that, seeing as how most anyone without any foresight could get a loan on a 45k car, even if they couldn't afford it.
You've GOT to be kidding me. Yes, a mediocre midlevel sedan says WAY more than a proven rally car.

They don't say you're an independent professional, they say you can pull a loan just like any other schmuck. No standard level BMW says anything about you. There is no prestige in a 3 series or a 5 series.
Your car doesn't speak for you. Nor do any other items you own.

Meh, you're a deeper, less materialistic person than I.
 
Went to the subaru dealer and drove a wrx, they wouldn't let me test the STI and had me drive a regular WRX instead - first mistake. Took a look at the lease options and they wanted nearly $500 a month for a 4 yr lease (so basically 24k over 4 years)....seems they only apply a 12k residual to the sti after 4 years @ 12000 miles a year-mistake 2. Then when I inquired to buy instead they tried holding 3 points on me....how do I know? When he came back with the 9% rate I said that seems really high mind if I look at the computer? (legally they have to show you since it's your credit and sure enough 5.9%)....so not only would they not sell below msrp, they tried holding points to get profit in the back end.....Either way, I'd still like to look into an STI and will probably be calling the other subaru dealer tomorrow...there's only 2 in SE wisconsin and the other one I'll be calling sells fords and stuff as well.....

-I wasn't that impressed with the base wrx but then again it's probably because I was disappointed that I wasn't getting to drive the STI and didn't really beat on it.....I'm sure they're completely diff. cars to drive.
 
Originally posted by: hysperion
Went to the subaru dealer and drove a wrx, they wouldn't let me test the STI and had me drive a regular WRX instead - first mistake. Took a look at the lease options and they wanted nearly $500 a month for a 4 yr lease (so basically 24k over 4 years)....seems they only apply a 12k residual to the sti after 4 years @ 12000 miles a year-mistake 2. Then when I inquired to buy instead they tried holding 3 points on me....how do I know? When he came back with the 9% rate I said that seems really high mind if I look at the computer? (legally they have to show you since it's your credit and sure enough 5.9%)....so not only would they not sell below msrp, they tried holding points to get profit in the back end.....Either way, I'd still like to look into an STI and will probably be calling the other subaru dealer tomorrow...there's only 2 in SE wisconsin and the other one I'll be calling sells fords and stuff as well.....

-I wasn't that impressed with the base wrx but then again it's probably because I was disappointed that I wasn't getting to drive the STI and didn't really beat on it.....I'm sure they're completely diff. cars to drive.
You might want to try a different dealer. That one doesn't sound like one that builds a lot of referral business.

My advice on test-driving and buying cars from dealers is simple. Call ahead and make an appointment. That way they don't mistake you for schmuck off the street. If you do happen to just pop by, test drive only, then get the salesmen's card and leave right away without walking back into the office. Call him back the next day to talk figures, reminding him of your upper 700's credit score and the offer you got from that other dealer across town as you do so...
 
Originally posted by: hysperion
I had made an appointment.....

Most sports cars, especially at dealerships that sell mainly "regular" cars, aren't test driveable. You usually can't test drive a Corvette, or a Z28 or Trans Am. I couldn't test drive my Lightning before I bought it. Kinda funny though, you can go to a Porsche dealership, and they'll let you take a 911 for a spin.
 
Originally posted by: SampSon
And a 45k car says more than an souped up econobox...

BMWs carry a certain amount of prestige. They show that you're an independant professional.

I guess I didn't consider the credit part of that, seeing as how most anyone without any foresight could get a loan on a 45k car, even if they couldn't afford it.
You've GOT to be kidding me. Yes, a mediocre midlevel sedan says WAY more than a proven rally car.

They don't say you're an independent professional, they say you can pull a loan just like any other schmuck. No standard level BMW says anything about you. There is no prestige in a 3 series or a 5 series.
Your car doesn't speak for you. Nor do any other items you own.
True. A BMW doesn't say "I made it." A BMW says "I make payments.". I sometimes judge a person on their car. Ie, if you're driving a brand new Ferrari, that says you made it. If you're driving anything from a corvette down all it says to me is that you're making payments and/or made sacrifices elsewhere (although you could very well be rich and driving only a $15k car).

As always, if you're so concerned about what a total stranger on road thinks about your wealth, well then you've still not "made it" from anything beyond merely a financial standpoint. I always admire a person more who doesn't overextend themselves and has a later and longer plan than the goof who went and bought the most expensive thing their credit would afford them.

That's all beside the point though. JulesMax has already driven a BMW now. His STI will smack the sh*t out of well more than 90% of the cars on the road.
 
A car says very little about the worth of a person. As has been said... anyone can make payments, borrow, lease, or hell even steal a car. Success is not about owning a BMW or Porsche or whatever luxury car.
 
Originally posted by: Mill
A car says very little about the worth of a person. As has been said... anyone can make payments, borrow, lease, or hell even steal a car. Success is not about owning a BMW or Porsche or whatever luxury car.

So what's success about owning? A boat?
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Mill
A car says very little about the worth of a person. As has been said... anyone can make payments, borrow, lease, or hell even steal a car. Success is not about owning a BMW or Porsche or whatever luxury car.

So what's success about owning? A boat?
_financial_ success (as there are many kinds, and I'll never call somebody successful who has a net worth of $50 million, but has destroyed their family life and health to attain it) would be defined as a good net worth with financial security (ie. never going to go bankrupt) and buying the things you want without having to stretch yourself to do it.
 
Back
Top