Just read the review of the STi8 in this weeks Autocar. Although they love the STi8 and describe it as good value the article is full of errors. They claim the following improvements over the STi7:

inverted struts
steering is 2.6 turns lock to lock
now has limited slip diff at front

Well, as most of us know the STi7 has all of the above.

Autocar used to be a respected magazine which got it facts correct, but not not anymore it would seem. Sometimes I wonder why I keep buying the magazine!

There is also a full roadtest of the MY03 WRX Wagon which they seem give 8 stars to, but ultimately prefer the Focus RS (no surprise there then).

This followed by a review of used Imprezas. Evidently you can get a My98 22B with 22k miles for £23k!

Alan

 

lemmy,
I am not sure but the STi7UK, IIRC
Has a Torque Diff at front and not a limited slip.

I have been led to believe the STi7 Rack is not a quick Rack but a STD one with reduced lock due to fouling wheels (larger turning circle)

Tony

 

I've sent a mail to Autocar about the very same thing!

Sorry to be an anorak but I think Lemmy is correct about all the above. Both the subaru website, the previous autocar STI test all say the steering is 2.6 turns lock to lock and 11m (from memory!) turning circle.

So basically this dramatic improvement is down to the smaller steering wheel. At least that will save some of the STI7 owners a fortune in depreciation - just by a new steering wheel!

I strongly suspect the review hadn't even driven the previous version at all, and as for the STI not selling - cr*p.

But at the end of the day it was a positive review!


Rich B

 

Tony

You may be correct, although I am sure that my Sti7 brochure calls it a LSD. The main point I was trying to make is that the STi7 and STi8 are the same in that respect.

Rich

I was also going to email Autocar! It makes you wonder about their reviews of other cars and whether you can believe anything they write. Like you say their comment on STi7 sales is b*ll**ks since the STi7 Type UK sold out in about 6 months.

Alan

 

The interior hasn't changed either, apparently...

Seat design has changed...

 

Both the STi 7 & 8 have suretrac LSD's front and rear (you can have hardly missed all the debate about that can you? )

Matt

 

ckeck out used cars on Subaru UK site
22B on sale for £19,995 15,500 miles.

Guess Autocar got this wrong two!!

Rumy

 

registered in 2001 for a 22b???
can this be true

 

Hmmmm.........

Sounds a bit odd to me, can anyone validate this?

Rumy

 

Lemmy & Matt,
The Terminology LSD is losely given Torque diff's (there was indeed a long thread about them) Maybe a very close English to Japenese to English translation but maybe used in the same vain as a Hoover is a Vacuum cleaner.
The Suretrac diff's(Front and Back STi7) are Torque Diff's and IMHO not LSD's (Limited Slip Differencial's) the Diff cannot slip, the Diff comprises off all gears,gears cannot slip. LSD's normally have friction plates(which slip) inside them which is the Baisis of LSD's . Pressure plates are adjusted to give the correct break/slip required for tarmac or forestry.
I would love to know if the steering racks are different on the STI7 to STi8.
If One turn on a 12" S/Wheel will move the wheels 50 degrees, one turn on a 4" S/Wheel still only move the wheels 50 degrees. The only difference is when The smaller diameter S/wheel is used, your hands and move smaller distances to achieve the same results.

Tony

Ps maybe the Subaru site is wrong not Autocar

Ps sorry but I am an Old guy and maybe they've change since the good old days of Atlas and English axles Flame suit ready

[Edited by T5NYW - 1/30/2003 1:10:07 AM]

 

Tony,

Sorry but the Suretrac diffs do allow slip and you are right that they are not plated diffs but a completely different design.

There was an excellent thread on drivetrain not so long ago with a link to an aussie site which has a technical spec document (I have a copy here) which describes how the Suretrac works. It also describes it as the "Surectrac LSD".

Matt

 

dunno how this post ended up in here - i replied to an entirely different thread!

weava

[Edited by mista weava - 1/31/2003 7:05:35 PM]

 

Matt,
Cheers correction accepted

Tony

 

You're welcome

Besides, when you did come over all technically minded then?

Matt

 

Matt,

It's my keyboard! for some unknown reason it sometimes spouts dribble must get a new one

Tony

 

Well, in Japan at least the rack is new, not a different gear ratio though. It is a more "robust" unit offering less flex/waffle.

IMHO, most of the feel difference comes from the new steering wheel, but the sturdier rack (and underpinnings for the suspension) can be felt on the track. The shift lever has also been stiffened on the JDMs, wonder if that made over too.

Not a huge difference, but a nice tweak.

 

AJbase,
IIRC the STi8JDM has loads more new stuff, Engine/DCCD compared to the STi8UK/EU. We must be using up all the left over bits from the STi7. Our STi9Uk will be more like your STi8 IMHO Please note not rubbishing our STi8UK just comparing.

Tony

 

Tony I doubt it!