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Started looking at new cars, my shortlist is Golf R, Audi S3 and Focus RS.
While in Lincoln yesterday, I drove out of the VW dealer and into a Scoob dealer across the road.
Now can someone explain why anyone now buys a WRX STi? Almost the same price as the above three, less power than any of them, and FAR les toys, plus still has the same stripped out interior.
I didn't want the Golf R or S3. Could have had the Focus I guess but not hugely fussed on it. None of them really mean anything to me. Golf R and S3 are nicer places to be and the Focus is more accomplished but it's interior is no better than the WRX STI. I really didn't like the look of the seats compared to the others but they are actually much better than they look and nicer to sit in than Recaro CS - which will show wear patches within a year if not careful.
There is a decent comparison video of some guys in the states that compare the Golf R, Focus RS, WRX STI and Evo 10. They don't slag any one of them off and offer reasoned opinions on all of them. They still rate the WRX STI highly. In the states they can't seem to get enough of them and really like them.
I think one of the main things the Subaru has over the others is presence. If a golf or an Audi goes down the street kids don't stop and stare.
I race RC and at the first round of the outdoor season for us there was my car (Grey STi) and a blue S3 saloon. Most people walked past the S3 to talk to me about mine.
I appreciate that has nothing to do with which car is better (The S3 and for that matter Golf R do their interiors much better) just the STI had more attention. - I also didn't think the S3 interior was like "OMG that's amazing and how **** does mine look"?! Better but not "that" much better.
The new Honda is a improvement on the current one but it tries too hard with the plastic stick on bits. After owning an EP3 and DC5 (both brilliant cars) a type R with over 300 brake through the front wheels, no thanks.
Golf R - they're everywhere and no doubt brilliant cars, but do nothing for me. Mods yield very good results especially is DSG equipped cars - but still seem a bit boring to me.
Audi S3 - as above
Focus RS - seeing them everywhere, they're already targets and they sound pants - no doubt still a great car though - mods thus far seem to not yield great returns though.
Civic Type R - FWD showed its issues when driven hard on a tight damp road - it was very fast, but I didn't enjoy fighting the steering wheel whilst lighting up the tyres. Awesome seats and good toys.
STi - 50bhp down on Focus RS from book figures (reality they make around 280bhp) and have very similar acceleration times - comes with not great tyres vs RS and yet is still only a little bit slower around the track. Price has only gone above £31k recently, I bought mine for a lot less a year ago..
The STi (like all STi's before it) has a lot of potential and actually still looks and sounds interesting! All in my opinion of course.
My last car was a Golf MK7 R dsg and it was amazing. Given the chance though, I wouldn't own one again.
Prior to purchasing the Golf I drove a 2016 STI, It was nice and felt capable but not in the way that the VW did. Modern cars in my opinion are too clinical ,the Golf was like a surgeon doing a heart transplant and the Subaru felt like a champ that had lost it's crown.
I now drive a 2007 Focus C-Max and a 2004 WRX wagon
Just sold my 6 month old STI in favour of a BMW M140i. Much nicer place to be in. Spec'd with lots of toys & has more power over the STI yet discreet but the sound is a give away. the 3.0 6 cylinder engine is smooth as.
Just sold my 6 month old STI in favour of a BMW M140i. Much nicer place to be in. Spec'd with lots of toys & has more power over the STI yet discreet but the sound is a give away. the 3.0 6 cylinder engine is smooth as.
I did some bits and bobs on it (bolt on stuff; wheels exhaust,splitter zzzz). So got the general feel and it's a very nice car overall. He's since sold it.
But a few things made it a deal breaker:
Single scroll turbo; yes, the spool and lag is still the same. Welcome back to 2003
Same old 2.5 engine, tick tick tick boom.
Saloon only; For me it needs a wagon/hatch option, I'd never go back to saloon for daily driver after having the Golf for so long (and e46 touring before that along with shared use of a F07 GT), the practicality and usefulness of a hatch/estate makes it such a good car for general use.
Price; the beauty of scoobs that got me hooked since the days of the Legacy 4cam was bang for buck. Not anymore.
And then you look at the JDM versions; notice the better engine, the twin scroll, along with other bits and bobs and think why would I buy UK model anyway? (Unless it was really cheap).
What I want is a JDM Spec-c hatch for 2nd hand Golf GTi money. (Seeing that new ones don't exist). If they did make new a STi hatch (2017 Impreza wagon looks promising) it needs to be priced between the Golf GTi and R.
I am sure zee Germans are better in many ways, and if you want something practical and fast that your wife is not ashamed to drive (boring) then I am sure they are good cars for you.
But if you want something a bit more bullish and your not scared of engine rebuild costs, then buy a Subaru!
Just look at the pics! Wow, boring , boring , boring.
There's no denying the RS is "better" as in a bit faster. However, the opening question was why would you bother buying new?
The point of posting the vids is that the STI doesn't show itself up in modern company and it's in the company of cars that have had vast amounts on money spent on development. Ford, in particular, had to pull something blinding out of the bag or face ridicule.
Justifying the STI's faults will sound like excuses so really it comes down to what do you want?
Outright pace and the current halo car at a similar price point - RS
Discreet performance with premium interior - Golf, S3, 140i
The STI is perfectly capable in the company of the above cars. It might not be a head purchase but it's certainly a heart purchase. As mentioned, the yanks absolutely love them.
If you are going to consider a Golf R or S3 (and especially if were to get a Range Rover) budget for a very good house alarm and a big dog!
This is a very good point, a lot of houses around my area have had the cars nicked off the drive (burglaries where someone breaks in and steals jewelry + car keys).
I'm so happy I've got a ****ter sitting on the drive at the moment, and I don't think I'd want to get anything desirable (at least to sit on the drive) for this reason alone.
Moley, do you also see similar things happening with older cars (say blob scoobies or similar age other 'interesting'), or is it more brand new(ish) things that get taken?
26 April 2017, 10:46 AM
A new Subaru? Would you?
