flyboi1121

where in nj are u from stidriver.. haha i only ask cuz i live in fort lee nj, and i gun'd it across the gw bridge with a silver sti, passed my exit just to have fun driving and went onto route 80west for about 2 more exits... haha was that u? i was driving a black rx8

RolenImportsRX8

I know I'll get flamed for this but trade it in for the WRX. I just traded in my RX8 for the WRX, and I couldn't be happier. I got 14 MPG on every tank. You can walk into a Mazda dealership right now and they'll take off $6k from the sticker. Read this months Consumer Reports. Finally the RX8's reliability issue is coming out. I had my car in service 13 times in 14 months. Expect to have your ECU reflashed at least once every 3-4 months. Now I know that some people have not experiance any issues with their 8, but it will no longer be on the top 10 list for retaining its value. ps, it's not a winter car either.

Pete

Gotta love the s2000. My father in law has both the Rx8 and the S2000.
I also have an 8.

Both simular cars. But like most mentioned. The RX8 is a tamed version of the two . Lots of good advice from most on this board . The sti is a Great car. It's just what you feel comfortable with . good luck .

Stidriver

Ya, the more I look in to it the more I'm leaning towards another S2000 or G35C. I love the way the RX8 looks, but I put on 15k-20k miles a year. And with the current gas prices I just don't think I want a car with such a fuel consumption issue. If I'm lucky I get 18mpg, if I'm not I get 14mpg. At that point I might as well buy an SUV. My Sti gets me 22-23 mpg, and my s2000 got me 24-26 depending what mood I was in.

It would be shame if I saved a little on my insurance just to pay double that for gas.

I really got to sit down and think about it. I'd thought they had fixed some of the fuel problems by now, but from what you guys are saying and what I'm reading elsewhere on here it hasn't gotten any better.

Stidriver

Nope, I'm down on the shore area. I avoid the GWB like it was on fire. :D

dmp

Keep DNA in mind....

RX8 Genetics:






STi Genetics...

9100RPM

I'm about to ditch the RX8 for a very warmed 2.5litre STI with allegedly 400hp! (Brett Middleton 's new package) check it out at

www.mrtrally.com.au

I am having trouble selling the idea to my wife as she adores the RX8 and thinks the video return shute on the bonnet (hood) of the STI is rediculous. May have to put a front mounted intercooler and a standard hood(now that's an idea!)..keep you posted. 9100RPM

Thetitanium8

The more I see the STI the more I think its sweet looking. Just by its looks you can tell its a beast. Although I don't know if I would want to drive one everday.
Reason 1 is, with all the ricers and mustangs that try to get me to race with the 8 I can't even imagine how many would if I had STI. To me people who try and race on public streets are annoying. The second and last reason is if I had that kind of power I would get myself in trouble with the law. Not by racing but driving it like I stole it.:D

Stidriver

Actually since I got the sti NO ONE tries to run me. I can't even get the average honda ricer to lineup at a light with me. They all hang back afraid I'll make an *** out of them.

Deslock

I drive some SUVs for work now and then (Ford Explorers); they do significantly worse than the RX8 MPG-wise. In my RX8, I get 15-16 in-town and 21-22 highway. For purposes of comparison, I got 16-19 in-town and 23-25 highway in my WRX. My RX8 consumes 10-20% more fuel.

The STI is a different animal than the WRX (as far as throttle response, turbo lag, handling, and acceleration go) and it crushes the RX8 in almost every performance category (like the S2k, the RX8 is gutless down low and needs to be revved). But the STI's shifter, steering, chassis, balance, and tossibility don't touch the RX8's.

I've driven the S2k a few times.. it's a bit faster and edgier than the RX8, but is also significantly harsher. The RX8 revs more freely and smoothly. Both are highly resistant to understeer. Ultimately, the RX8 is the closest you can get to the S2k in overall driving dynamics while having a comfortable ride and 4-doors. As far as cost goes, the 6-speed RX8 is a bargain and can be had for $24-25k.

Test drive before you buy and good luck.

8isenuf

STIDriver...I'm a Forester XT owner, and just bought my RX-8 GT a couple of days ago. The XT isn't quite as fast as the STI...but it's a LOT faster than the RX-8! I still love the XT for what it is: a four-door wagon with 7" of ground clearance and a rocket under the hood. Good for toting the family and the dog, and getting off on a Forest Service road now and again.

Even though the RX-8 is slower...it really is a load of fun to drive. The shifter is great (though I keep hearing horror stories about the trannies blowing up) and really encourages you to spend the NECESSARY time mixing up the gears, handling in the stock config is remarkable and the cabin is a dream to spend time in (though the nav system may be the most frustrating piece of electonics I've ever dealt with). And the funny thing is...I seem to actually drive slower in the 8. Maybe I feel like there's something to prove in the XT?

Anyhow...I still think the XT (and the STi, for that matter) are incredible cars. Hard to beat the performace to price ratio, as well as the flexibility. But...I'm having more FUN in the 8 :-)

VikingDJ

I initially chose the RX8 over STI, but when it came time to trade in my daily driver I went hognuts and picked up a silver STI. Until yesterday, the RX8 was forced to sit for almost 2 months because of the bad weather, and when I got in it, if felt very strange after driving the STi for so long. I felt like I got in a luxury car. The cars are just so different, so I'm not going to judge on which one is better. There are some factors though i compare to each car. Power? DUH. Highway gas mileage? STI. Handling, too close to call, yet so different. I've decided to keep RX8 as my fun summer car, and will look into parting with STI as a daily. It's certainly a very capable daily driver, but I'm finding I do not need all that power and performance for a commuter car. If and when I do part with STI, it's gonna be a sad day, because it's a wonderful machine. In durability and longevity my instincts tell me the STI will be better. I could never do what you are considering. I simply love both cars too much to decide, but if I do part with STi it will be for practicality reasons, and getting myself to accept the RX8 for what it is power and performance wise. It would be nice to see a 260-270hp RX8 arrive in the near future so that would allow me to keep STI. As far as the things that bother you on STI, you'll likely find similiar things on the RX8 as well. Mine has those rattles, but all in all I see less quirks with STI then I do RX8. As long as you can live without AWD, high power, slightly better gas mileage, and less oil consumption you'll be fine. The better looks, refinement, driving comfort and amenities can certainly make up for it. Each car has what the other lacks, so it's all about what suites your needs better. Trading in STI now is not a bad idea, because it's a very high demand car used, due to it's limited production, and will sell fast, and/or get a very good trade in value. Best of luck on your decision. BTW. in NJ there was a silver STI tailing me in my black RX8 the other day. I wanted no part of him, because I knew I'd be toast. You definitely don't wanna play with one of them if you are driving in an rx8. Enjoy!!

dmp

Just as people here get pretty defensive about the RX8, you get defensive about Subarus...are you starting to become 'one of us'? :D

When somebody complains about the RX8, they get replies like "The car just isn't for you then..."

Could it be the guy wants more of a sports car? I think that's the case...the STi may be too 'sedan' for him, and he wants to get back to his 'sports car' roots?

cas2themoe

Are smoking some crack? The XT is A LOT faster than the RX8? You must be joking!

crosswound

personally i'd try to get both i wouldn't mind having my hands on a sti.

klegg

You are not, by chance the guy I met at einstiens in washington twp a few months back?

Ike

I wasn't being defensive at all. The STi is a very niche car and if you're into something more refined car then it's just not a good car to buy... In my opinion the STi feels more like a sportscar than the RX-8, it just doesn't look as much like one. The RX-8 to me is more like a very nimble GT car.

Ike

Yes it's a lot faster, what's the problem?

klegg

I don't see how anyone can argue with that!...but they will...oh yes, they will..

cas2themoe

Maybe I'm missing something. How is it Faster? From what I see, theres no way! You guys have to explain this one to me???

Ike

It's basicly a detuned STi engine and it weighs less than an STi. Ignore the HP numbers from Subaru, it's making well over the 215 advertised hp.

dmp

I can't understand that...I simply can't. Understeer and weight and four real doors 'more' of a sports car? To each their own, I suppose

GT's aren't nimble - they are softer...more well-rounded...set up for 'touring grandly'....like a Jag or an Aston...

:D

Ike

The weight difference is small and the understeer isn't noticeable until you get out on a track, it's also pretty easy to tune most of the understeer out. Also how much it understeers is always blown way out of proportion because it's always being compared to an Evo.

Compared to an STi the RX-8 is softer, slower, less grip, less braking ability, quieter, more refined, more amenities and fluff. Now take the names out and if I had just made that comparison without you knowing which cars I was speaking of which one would you think is the sportscar?

cas2themoe

Got any numbers? I just did a little search and the Automatic Forester actually weighs in more at 3315, while the STI is 3298. Now if you get the manual Forester than your looking at a 28lb difference. So it then weighs in at 3270. I just can't see it being faster than a 6 Speed RX8.

What are the 0-60mph on the Forester's?

Ike

5.3 0-60 and a 13.8 1/4 mile per C&D.