VikingDJ

I'm concerned mainly because of the noise it makes when I press clutch pedal to stop when in gear. It reminds me of being in reverse. It's just gotten louder when I accelerate as well, and the fact that this is a new noise tells me I had better take it in to have looked at. I am going to trust the dealership and let them make the call, but at least if something does go wrong, I did take it in to have checked out.
As for the STI, that was a case of me deciding the rx8 was not suited for me to drive year round, and going overboard with a daily driver purchase. Rather then buy a regular Impreza RS like I was supposed to, I said to hell with it and got the STI. It's a subjective thing that depends on individual, but the RX8 is just a clearly better car from a sports car standpoint. The STI is a modified Impreza, however, that's not such a bad thing to have a regular looking car perform the way an STI does. I just hope my bad luck with RX8 doesn't continue, because I really love that car. The STI needs to be the more durable car, because I took a risk buying a car like that to use daily. The STI was always my second choice, and if I had to do it all over again, I'd still get the RX8 first. I'm confident in the STI as far as durability, but the jury is still out for me on the RX8. Hopefully, after this weekend, it will be clear sailing for my beloved 8.

Ike

Sounds like tranny bearings to me

sti_eric

As someone who also owns both, I feel I can comment on the subject.

First off all, some of you need to try and not let your complete ignorance show through in these threads. Anyone who says that the STi is "junk" is a moron. If you want respect for the RX-8, you need to show respect to other highly capable cars. Some of you make this forum look bad with your assinine comments. Subarus are and always have been very well built, durable cars. There is nothing I have seen that would lead me to believe that the RX-8 is a higher quality car than the STi.

I would encourage some of you to take some time to do some research on the STi. It was said that Subaru's are slow and not very sporty. The WRX and WRX STi have been around for a decade. They just haven't been imported to the US until a couple years ago. In most other countries, Subaru is already known for its performance (rally racing, anyone?). As for the RX-8 being built better and having better technology than the STi, this is just nonsense.
As for this statement: "You want to impress the teenyboppers at the local mall, buy a STI. You want impress the ladies, and her best looking girl freinds, get an 8. No contest at all." Sorry, but that is complete ignorance. Sure the RX-8 gets compilments, but the STi gets just as many, if not more. And the STi is a car that I have seen all people appreciate. I have had everyone from college girls to a 60-something in a Cadillac give me compliments on the STi.

In the end, it all comes down to what you want in a car. But, honestly, I don't understand what some of you get out of saying that the RX-8 is "better looking". Whoopdeedoo. I see no tangible benefits from a car that is "better looking" other than you can tell people on the internet that it is better looking. When I think of the benefits of the RX-8 over the STi, the tangible things I think of are: much more friendly ride, comfortable seats, more comforts and amenities (heated seats, sunroof, auto dimming mirror with homelink, etc). But personally, I forget all those things the moment I push the accelerator in the STi. The STi is just a much more exciting car to drive, and that is what I want out of a car. I say if you want excitement, go with the STi. If you want comfort with slightly above average performance, go with the RX-8.

hotpot

I have never understood why Subaru doesn't put more effort in the exterior and interior design of the WRX/Sti. Why build such an excellent sports car on an Impreza shell? If the Sti had a nice sporty body and a more refined interior, I would probably have considered it over the 8.

VikingDJ

We can't have it all, unless we want to spend a fortune. Can you imagine what an AWD 300hp rx8 would cost? Subaru didn't build the STI for that purpose, and if they were to refine it, add amenities, and keep the performance, it would be put into a totally different price class. We have to make sacrifices in the 30k price range unfortunately, but I'd gladly shell out 40k for an rx8 that performed like the STi does. In the meantime, I'll have to own both.