[ducati]

I've been thinking a lot about the 1er lately, and decided that I'd pick one up next fall after the initial hype dies down, if the suspension turns out to be what I want (baby M, really). In the meantime, I wanted something more raw and edgy than my sweet-driving little VW GLI, so yesterday I picked up an '07 Subaru STI.

It's a neat car, for sure. As my wife said, "you certainly aren't paying for the interior" it's pretty nasty

But fun to drive. It feels like a car from the days of yesteryear, where DSC, traction control, etc etc didn't exist; driving it for the first time felt like a filter had been lifted between my inputs and the car's reactions. There's a lot of noise; tire noise, engine noise, wind noise, and the noise of 3 differentials and a whiny (sounds like a straight cut, lol!) gearbox. Instead of being a negative to me, this is a positive.

It's been awhile since I've owned my old Integra Type R, and I still kick myself for selling it. After awhile, I wanted something less raw, more refined; but once I had it, I missed that edgy and involving experience. This STI gets me back to that feeling. I don't think it's quite as stiff as my Type R was, or at least it rides better on the highway.

I have played with it (and the testdrive car) in corners, and it's an entirely odd experience to me. My previous RWD and FWD performance car skills simply don't apply, and I will have to re-learn how this AWD drivetrain likes to attack corners. It is nice to get back to a more rear-biased drivetrain, and the rear will step out if you want it to.

I think my wife summed up my feelings about this car pretty well:
"It's kinda ugly. And that WING! Are you 20 again? The interior is kinda plasticky. No sunroof? Let me turn on the stereo..."
<at this point I go deep into the throttle, and as the revs build frantically:>

"ooooooooh, yes... Honey, don't miss this turn. you have to TURN!"
<hard on the brakes to setup for the corner, hit full boost at the apex>

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Give me the keys! I'm driving it home."



I'm going to stick around, as I still plan on buying a 1er... If it turns out to be this fun. I sure hope it does.

[atr_hugo]

Brake late in - power out early - ah the beauty of AWD!! You got a good car - congrats!!

[vinazzurro]

http://www.cobbtuning.com/categories/?id=2208

:wink:

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by ducati

I've been thinking a lot about the 1er lately, and decided that I'd pick one up next fall after the initial hype dies down, if the suspension turns out to be what I want (baby M, really). In the meantime, I wanted something more raw and edgy than my sweet-driving little VW GLI, so yesterday I picked up an '07 Subaru STI.

It's a neat car, for sure. As my wife said, "you certainly aren't paying for the interior" it's pretty nasty

But fun to drive. It feels like a car from the days of yesteryear, where DSC, traction control, etc etc didn't exist; driving it for the first time felt like a filter had been lifted between my inputs and the car's reactions. There's a lot of noise; tire noise, engine noise, wind noise, and the noise of 3 differentials and a whiny (sounds like a straight cut, lol!) gearbox. Instead of being a negative to me, this is a positive.

It's been awhile since I've owned my old Integra Type R, and I still kick myself for selling it. After awhile, I wanted something less raw, more refined; but once I had it, I missed that edgy and involving experience. This STI gets me back to that feeling. I don't think it's quite as stiff as my Type R was, or at least it rides better on the highway.

I have played with it (and the testdrive car) in corners, and it's an entirely odd experience to me. My previous RWD and FWD performance car skills simply don't apply, and I will have to re-learn how this AWD drivetrain likes to attack corners. It is nice to get back to a more rear-biased drivetrain, and the rear will step out if you want it to.

I think my wife summed up my feelings about this car pretty well:
"It's kinda ugly. And that WING! Are you 20 again? The interior is kinda plasticky. No sunroof? Let me turn on the stereo..."
<at this point I go deep into the throttle, and as the revs build frantically:>

"ooooooooh, yes... Honey, don't miss this turn. you have to TURN!"
<hard on the brakes to setup for the corner, hit full boost at the apex>

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Give me the keys! I'm driving it home."



I'm going to stick around, as I still plan on buying a 1er... If it turns out to be this fun. I sure hope it does.

Holy crap man. I cant believe you did that. You got an STI to fill the gap! Thats a bit extreme. I would love to drive one of those. Its going to make transitioning over to the 1series THAT much harder. Have fun and enjoy it. :w00t:

[larryn]

Congrats! the sTi is a great car. Good move not getting the '08 too. It's grown up to be more like a Legacy, plusher, less raw, more refined; exactly what that car was not intended to be. Seems like the new one is suffering an identity crisis.

The Evo is taking that same route too. Kind of a shame.

[MastaMind]

I've always loved the STi. You'll have a fun and reliable car to fill the gap between now and when the hype dies down for the 1. Be sure to have the latest reflash from the dealer to help with the throttle/hesitation issues that the 07's have. The accessport, even if stage one, should help further.

Regarding the 08 STi, nobody knows if it'll be toned down or not because Subaru hasn't released anything yet. The WRX's are, but some insiders think the STi will be pretty hardcore.

[ducati]

Thanks, fellas. I'm enjoying it, for sure. Maybe an extreme move, but fairly normal if ya know me

I know Cobb. A coworker of mine has a wicked tuned sleeper STI: a 2.5RS with the JDM 2.0 STI motor transplanted in. Lots of fun. I think he's salivating to get me to mod mine, because when I told him I bought one, about 4 names of tuners were discussed in the first 10 minutes, LOL.

I'm not sure about the reflash, I'll have to ask the dealer when I take it in for its first service.

I viewed this as "insurance." I have no idea how the 1er will drive, and who knows what the new EVO and STI will be like. This one I know I like... So I can drive it for a year, or two, and move on... Or keep on hammerin' with the giant black wing

[ibeam81]

Congrats on the STi. Loved your initial post. Any pix?

[imported_MPower]

Great choice. I've always preferred the STi because of its manual override center diff.

[vinazzurro]

Originally Posted by ducati

I know Cobb. A coworker of mine has a wicked tuned sleeper STI: a 2.5RS with the JDM 2.0 STI motor transplanted in. Lots of fun. I think he's salivating to get me to mod mine, because when I told him I bought one, about 4 names of tuners were discussed in the first 10 minutes, LOL.

I'm not sure about the reflash, I'll have to ask the dealer when I take it in for its first service.

The nice thing about the Cobb Accessport is that you can flash it back to a stock map, or uninstall the unit altogether (when you trade the car in, for instance).

My WRX was flashed with the Cobb Accessport, and my dealership never so much as said a word about it to me.

[ducati]

Intriguing... I downloaded the install pdf, what an interesting bit of technology. Very possible

I will have pics, fellas, but it will be a few weeks... I'm heading out for a vacation in a few days, and won't have time to shine 'er before I take off.

Not my photo... But it looks just like this one (except for the winter rims and tires on the photo'd car):