Interesting that I should see this thread. I'm currently about to bite on a 2010 RX-8 R3, and, unfortunately it means getting rid of my 2007 (GD) STi. I should note that prior to the STi I had an 04 RX-8. Anyway, since I've been back on this forum I've been surprised how many times the STi has come up in posts of various sorts, which leads me to insinuate that the average rx8clubber has at least a general respect for the STi.. In terms of aesthetics, performance, and handling it's all up to interpretation, because both cars a dam good, I would know.

It is perhaps true that the RX-8 is more easily classifiable as a sports car in terms of looks, but I drive my Sti into Manhattan every day and the thing turns as many heads as my RX-8 did (and hopefully will). Regardless of the reasoning behind this, the point is that both cars turn heads. Performance and handling differences have been beaten to death, so I see no need to delve into it further.

Both cars, then, are as similar as they are different. They adhere to different schools of thought. In my definition I would say the STi is more about getting from A to B as fast as possible where as the RX-8 is about enjoying the ride a little more, as cliche words such as "surgical precision", "telepathic steering", and "sublime chassis" easily pop into the head after some quick seat time in the RX-8.

To call the Sti an economy car is not fair as I judge cars by their performance. It is true that a basic impreza is, of course, an economy car and that is easily seen in the interior materials and surfaces of the Sti. However, there is no denying the Sti's serious performance credentials; regardless of it's origins, you wouldn't see one at your local enterprise office.

So, as an owner of an RX-8, then an Sti, and now back to an RX-8 again (soon), let us revel in the fact that as an online community, people who love cars can come together and talk about that passion in (what used to be anyway) relative civility. All the malevolence spewed about on these forums is pointless and detracts from the greater purpose of the forum.

So, in summation, I would say both cars are equal; complete sports cars that go about achieving that aforementioned sporting title in different ways.

As for the few people who constantly insist on making everything a huge, impassioned issue, who rant and relentlessly chastise people who feel a different way, and who's ubiquitous, belligerent spurts of idiocy on this forum come between otherwise valuable/enjoyable conversation thereby rendering a thread that much less enjoyable, calm the **** down, think before you speak (or err, type), and when you (hopefully) come to the resounding conclusion that your unintelligible crap will contribute nothing to the forum, FOR THE SANCTITY OF MANKIND, DO NOT ******* POST IT!!

 

thats why im selling my 8 i want an 06 white sti

 

wow this thread was fun to read

 

As much as I hate to admit it, the sti is a better performer and can be considered a sports car. I honestly never liked the sti (would quickly take an evo instead), but the sti definitely deserves respect.

 

I'm an 08 STI owner and even I thought the OP's first post was condescending. What kind f response did you actually expect?

The better question is why would you have ever considered a lightweight RWD car as a daily driver in Canada?

 

Well this thread degraded into a **** off but seems to be coming back around so let me add my 2 cents.

I will be moving to an STi for my next car for several reasons.

The good.
- Good power and torque.
- Good practicality, hatch back for caring stuff
- Better gas mileage, I'm sick of get 13mpg to develop 230hp.
- Better reliability, Sick of wondering when my engine will die.
- Better service, tired of Mazda's bottom rated service.
- It will be great to have AWD in the Chicago winter.
- I'll enjoy the superior resale value.

The Bad.
- The car is OK looking but nothing like the RX, Subie better get a real design team.
- Not looking forward to paying a $15K premium to own a STi.
- Not looking forward to increased insurance costs.
- I will miss the fun to drive factor of the RX, the STi with the engine hanging over the front axial it is just not as nimble.
- Will miss the uniqueness of the RX

The RX is a great car but for my driving and life style the STi is a better chioce.

 

I hear you on the design part of the STi...they throw away the design every 2 years it seems and start all over. I'm all for fresh designs but they over do it, plus they don't look that good anyways!

As far as insurance, I ran a quote with my company and my premiums were only going to go up $85 for 6 months, same coverage as my 8.

 

[QUOTE=ReZ-8;3258374]What can I say....


Now about the sti. Handling is ... ok. Steering is muffled and being an AWD, it's heavy and it understeers. I actually had to tame her before driving aggresively. There is a learning curve. I know now why so many of them are wrecked. You can't slam the brakes when you're in trouble. You actually have to downshift, WOT and aim where you want to go with both hands on the wheel.

[QUOTE]

Are you serious? You never suppose to hit the brakes when your flying around the corner and your tail starts to step out in any car. Looks like you didn't know how to drive your 8, and down shifting at a high rate of speed in a corner will also cause your car to loose balance and cause the rear end to step out. I sure hope you meant to downshift before you enter the corner and proceed to feather the gas or go WOT depending on the severity of the corner.

In any car FWD, RWD,AWD , gas is your friend in the corners.

 

subie love! i love my WRX

 

I found that I use the power and AWD of the STI more than the agility of the RX8. I thought I was a scalpel kind of person, precision handling, well balanced, etc. Now while I'll still take that when I can I'll take power and grip more.

 

omg this thread was brutal to read...i have officially wasted my lunch break with this...

 

Only for those who don't know how to drive on snow.

 

I've been driving RWD cars in the snow for over 30 years and if you think it comes close to a AWD in the snow, no matter how well you drive, you need your head examined.

 

Well put, I am in the same boat. I'm on city streets far more then a race track or curve roads no matter how much I would like to be.

Also as I already said my fascination with the rotary is pretty much dead thanks to the horrible MPG and poor reliability. I wish it wasn't so but these are the facts.

 

the rx8 is driveable on snow, but subaru's are trackable on snow...no argument can be made otherwise.

 

That's great. Personally I've out grew WRXs and STi. I love them. Was a diehard Subie and even had a JDM STi conversion. Heck my Subaru fanatism even infected the rest of my family members to the point they even bought other Subie models! Now.... not anymore. If i want a fast turbo AWD hotness, I'd get a...



or a 335i coupe and slap some winter tires.

That brrrappp brappp! whoosh! braappp! noise was great when I was in back in school.

 

Where did I state it comes close to an AWD?

He stated RWD is a joke on snow, not compared to AWD, but is a joke in general. Living in NY for most of my life with half the year being practically on snow with only owning RWD vehicles, I know how to drive on it danke.

All vehicles except my last truck had no traction control, differential slip, etc and I got by fine with snow tires and sand bags driving fine without having to be over cautious. Some people can just drive better on snow than others.

 

I make over 360AWHP/360wtq with a little over a grand invested. Evo FTW!

 

whatever. I live in the south and I love my RX8. The driving dynamics of it in warm weather is way better than the nose heavy sti.
But, if I lived up north, I'd put it away for the winter and just buy a normal impreza for a dd.
btw a wrx or evo will never be a sports car! Your thought process is delusional. Its like calling the Ford F150 raptor a sports car.
As far as kraut cars go. Overpriced and not reliable once the warranty runs out. I owned a quattro and that kraut car was the biggest pos. It
was always breaking down. Never again.