08 STI Test Drive Impressions w/ Pics!!!

[MS3-oholic]

I don't know where my other thread about this went so I'll post in a new one. I just got back from test driving and I have mixed feelings. First off, after seeing it up close now the car looks HOT.

Now for the good stuff. The interior looks nice but the front seats were apparrently designed for a 500 lb. person. The side bolsters are so small and the seat so wide, it's like sitting on a park bench. They won't provide any support at all if taking turns, you will slide all over the place. The parking brake handle is also located right next to your leg which I didn't like. The back seat offers a lot of room and adults will fit just fine.

The shifter has a short throw but feels notchy. It was also harder to tell which gear I was in because the shifter gates are closer than the MS3. The clutch felt a little softer than I would have expected too. Power delivery was smooth and strong even though I stayed under 5k. I noticed and huge difference when I started accellerating in Intelligent mode and switched to Sport Sharp mode. The car actually jumped with a burst of speed! It was amazing to say the least. I also noticed the ride was no stiffer and maybe softer than the MS3, but with 245/40 tires it held the turns nicely.

Although the STI is a great car and I would love to have one, I don't know if it beats the MS3 considering there is a $10,000 price difference. All in all, the car was badass and if you can afford it, I say get one.

Here are some pics. Hope you like.

 

[MS3-oholic]

 

[BSTD3]

So what is the difference between the red and the blue STi? I see the different wheels, but the blue doesn't have fogs?

Was the dealer marking them up stupidly high?

The red looks siiiiiiiiick. Wonder how much I could get for my TR Speed3. (spin)

 

[CnoTataymo]

The e-brake is probably located near your leg to be closer to the driver for 3-braking like in rally racing.

 

[MS3-oholic]

The blue is the base model with no options and they weren't marking them up. Here is a crappy video of the exhaust sound.

 

[BSTD3]

If I were ever to get one, it would have to be the red with the base blue's wheels. Never cared for the BBS wheels and can't see paying the premium for them.

Any idea on what the color name is for the red?

Scratch that.. its Lightening Red

 

[BluMicaR]

I still swear to Elvis that Mazda needs to sue the **** out of Subaru for visual trademark infringement, if such a thing exists. The took a 'Speed3, added some slits and a slot, shaved the wing to a square, and put '05 3s rims on it. That so looks like our car. When I saw spy photos I thought it was a 'new' 'Speed3. Subaru stole our look!

Mazda to Subaru: "Get off mah Kool-Aid, BITCHES!"

Seriously, on further inspection, the wing is identical, they just notched it, if you shave your side moldings you have near-identical sides, save the little likely worthless 'slot' near the front wheel well, the rear bumper even has the same damned plastic insert to create the illusion of pass-through, it's just smaller. I think the rear quarter windows are the same window, shape, size, and all. Jesus; it's just blatant, like a 12" pimp running down the road with his wang in his hand, but instead they got the wang on the back of their roof. I'm perclept.

They even stoled the dang steerin' wheel and gauges.

 

[Powerslave]

nice write up dude!! yeah nice but not worth 10k more ...the only reason its a tic quicker to 60 and in the quarter is the 4 wheel drive and the almost identical trap speeds to the speed3 in the quarter indicates similar horsepower output

 

[Matrix]

Cobb SRI
Cobb AccessPort (ordering day of release)
Prosport amber electrical boost gauge
Glowshift A-pillar gauge pod, single
All-weather floor mats
"Zoom-Zoom" & "Cobb" vinyls just under the wang
Scuffed driver's rear bumper - concrete pole love
Custom leather shift, e-brake, armrest boots
TWM short-shifter & shift bushings
CorkSport downpipe (awaiting installation)
Protege Garage exhaust mani (prepaid-1st shipment)

Awesome sig.

 

[redspeed]

Man! I really like that red one. I can't imagine the surge of speed on first gear w/o wheel spin.

Hatchbacks FTW!

Too bad for the price, I'm gona have to win the lottery or something.

 

[PeterC]

They definitely did rip-off the 3...I thought the same thing when I first saw the new WRX. However, the 3 still looks better at almost every angle. I just wish the MS3 had some fender flares to differentiate it from the other 3s.

Personally, I LOVE the new multi-spoke wheels. Those are upgrades?? I really don't like those 5-spoke wheels at all on an STi. Those clear taillights are still hideous. Cobb's tuner car has a sweet replacement taillight set which makes a world of difference.

That is very interesting about the seats. I think the MS3's seats are way too narrow. I have no ass and even my hips push against the sides. I wish we had some more width there.

As for the value, it is not even close. It's not a 10K difference, it's almost a 12K difference, and that's over the fully loaded MS3 GT! The STi starts at 36K!! I'm sorry, but you have to draw the line somewhere when you are talking about a car whose interior is essentially the same as a 18K economy car (the 2.5RS). The STi is all about performance, but is it really worth that much? Personally, I don't think so. This is what killed sports cars back in the mid-90s...the Z, the RX-7, the Supra. Anyone remember? I guess carmakers didn't learn their lessons.

 

[MS3-oholic]

Any idea on what the color name is for the red?

Lightning Red. I like the stock wheels on the blue and can't see paying $2000 for the BBS.

 

[EMPIRE]

I couldn't agree anymore with you. I was thinking the samething when I first seen the pics.

I still swear to Elvis that Mazda needs to sue the **** out of Subaru for visual trademark infringement, if such a thing exists. The took a 'Speed3, added some slits and a slot, shaved the wing to a square, and put '05 3s rims on it. That so looks like our car. When I saw spy photos I thought it was a 'new' 'Speed3. Subaru stole our look!

Mazda to Subaru: "Get off mah Kool-Aid, BITCHES!"

Seriously, on further inspection, the wing is identical, they just notched it, if you shave your side moldings you have near-identical sides, save the little likely worthless 'slot' near the front wheel well, the rear bumper even has the same damned plastic insert to create the illusion of pass-through, it's just smaller. I think the rear quarter windows are the same window, shape, size, and all. Jesus; it's just blatant, like a 12" pimp running down the road with his wang in his hand, but instead they got the wang on the back of their roof. I'm perclept.

They even stoled the dang steerin' wheel and gauges.

 

[redspeed]

The STi is all about performance, but is it really worth that much? Personally, I don't think so. This is what killed sports cars back in the mid-90s...the Z, the RX-7, the Supra. Anyone remember? I guess carmakers didn't learn their lessons.

You are sooo right about that s***. If they don't watch those price hikes every couple of years, WE are gona suffer the consequences, How? No sport cars for a bunch of years, like the mid 90's.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Who's ms3 is that? And why did they put sti wheels and decals on it. I do like
the hood scoop though.

 

[mountjonas]

so how much was the markup?

 

[iBoost]

Who's ms3 is that? And why did they put sti wheels and decals on it. I do like
the hood scoop though.

lol nice......

 

[Young Roids]

Nice car. I am drooling but I can't afford one so I am glad I have the MS3.

 

[bbychvz]

(upbum)(nana) I would rock one

 

[Conso]

wow, looks just like our car , mazda plz do something to get some money outta them pricks