PING

Forgive me if this quaetion has been done to death ...

I have an MY00 wagon with mods (270BHP and Torque) and would like to replace it with an STI ... trouble is , which one?

I'm very, very tempted to buy an STI7 and add a PPP - total cost £20 - £22K I guess - seems like a bargain to me ... However the STI 8 is an improved car, but new with PPP = £27k ...

Is the STI 8 really that much better that I should try and find the extra cash?

I've also heard that it well worth changing the wheels to 18'' - any comments please?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Thanks Steve

DJB

I own an STi7 PPP. I've not driven an STi8 but did look at one at a dealers recently. From what I understand the changes to handling and performance are minor. Apparently the steering slightly sharper but the suspension is harder. The performance is changed little and if you were to upgrade to the PPP, performance would be identical since both now use the same engine management chip and exhaust.

The main difference comes down to cometics. The interior of the STi8 is hardly changed but the exterior is clearly very different - whether these improvements justify a £5-7000 premium is up to you.

D.

Phil Harrison

Very Fair advice from DJB. IMHO the scoop on the '03 is uglier than the lights on the '02: the '02 seats are smarter; '03 scores on the Steering wheel. Should be able to pick up a decent 7/PPP for a decent price - see whingeing about depreciation

Phil

PING

Cheers guys ... you echo my sentiments. I am not a fan of the Prodrive styling - too obvious for me and the larger scoop is not helping!

Any one else fancy ttrying to change my mind?

Thanks

Steve

GLIM

Having owned both sti7 and now sti8 i would say there is not a massive difference between the two. I liked the styling on the bug-eye 7 and am equally as happy with the 8's looks.

It is recommended by the dealer's to up wheels to 18" when ppp goes on.Im sure not essential though.

Look out for the suspension rattles that some of the guys cant get sorted also the engine management also has possible problems on some cars.(sti7's)

bonjour, Glim.

PING

Thanks GLIM.

Still no one to try and get me to spend the extra cash then?

MarkWRX

I recon you will loose a lot less in 12 months time on a STI7/PPP at £20/21k than on a STI8/PPP at £27k. Especially when the STI9 arrives.

Fair sum up by the previous posts above, but if it was me I would not *waste* my money on another new scoob.

Phil Harrison

Ping,

There is a small number (250-off) STi7's Non-prodrive styled ("wing-collar" spoiler) STi 7s....they'd be slightly cheaper 2/h if you can find one. Sounds like a non-prodrive 7/PPP is for you, then!

Phil

churchwa

According to my dealer you can get a non Prodrive STi8 although i have yet to see one. He did show it to me on the pricelist though. Took about 1k off if i remember.

PING

Non prodrive ST7 it is then ... thanks guys ... know any for sale?

Phil Harrison

There are, of course, both "for sale" and "wanted" forums on SN. There's a used car locator on the Subaru UK website

Phil

taylor

There's one at a garage beside me for £18995. 1 owner, WR blue, 9k.

North east of scotland

Phil Harrison

looks good, PING! (IMHO)

Phil

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

IMHO I took an Sti7 out for a good long run with a view to purchase, when they first came out. It didn't do it for me. The performance wasn't special, although the handling was interesting and the looks were OK.

I've now driven the '8' and what a revelation it was. The handling is still good, and probably sharper, but the power delivery is what it should've been. I even wondered if it had had the PPP already, but no it hadn't! The scoop is ugly but the rest is good.

I know where my money would go.

F

PING

Floyd,

I'm sure you're right about the power delivery, but adding a PPP will sort that out!

Taylor - thank you - YHM - I think you're right Phil!

Cheers guys

Steve

gareth60

I have a Non-prodrive Silver Sti with PPP. I "personally" didn't like the "in your face" look of the Prodrive style Sti.

I was getting a little tired of everyone trying to race me. Idealy i'd have got a Wagon, but they didn't make one for the UK.

Hope this help and of course it is imho
Gareth

PING

Gareth,

... I think you're on the same wavelength as me ... I guess you're pleased with the result then ...?

Steve

blueE9

8 looks a touch "manga" to me, but maybe that's cos i can't afford one but my mate can (I bought his classic, which looks understated and elegant back to back if you ask me).

londonpaul

shut it pauper - see thread on how I drove it BTW

gareth60

Ping,

Yes, very pleased. The only shock over my standard MY99 I had before is the MPG, but then I guess you cannot have 300+ bhp without using some petrol

Some pic's

PING

Gareth ... looks real good! As a matter of interest, what sort of MPG are you getting ... 21 ish?

Steve

PING

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the mpg's ... my MY00 with TEK2 returns about 23 now, so the PPP'd STI7 would not be too bad I guess!

gareth60

Yeah, i agree with Phil about the MPG. It all depends how much of a lead right foot you have

TVR Gary

I really hope the STI8 is the daddy coz i get mine this week ....am i looking forward to it ......not bloody many i am

Phil Harrison

PING,

I've found the mpg to be much more variable with the PPP fitted than with the base-spec STi: but, of course, PPP does encourage you somewhat....

My averages:
Classic Turbo 25
Classic Turbo/Optimax 26.5
STi unmodded, Optimax 22.5
STi/PPP Variable usually 20-21 ish, can be more in "economy mode"

Regards

Phil

Edited to add: I do like that front bumper better than on the Prodrive cars - nice one Gareth! If I ever have the misfortune to crease the front of mine, I'll fit that style rather than replace like-for-like.
P

[Edited by Phil Harrison - 4/9/2003 10:45:55 AM]