M3 Vs. Subaru Impreza WRX Sti

[M3LOL]

Originally Posted by stefan

LOL @ anyone modding their Subaru's. Good luck. Depending on what stage you go to, I'll place a bet on when your engine spins a rod bearing.

This is the kind of insanity that comes out of those communities. Visit Subaru boards. One such thread warns not to "push it in a low gear while driving uphill". Wow. Pretty much sums up the price difference.

Also, with regard to modding, if you actually do it properly, you will be in M3 territory cost-wise, except the M3 will have warranty and won't blow up.

The last statement you made is the truth. It is why modded vs stock comparisons are apples to oranges. But if you took an STi and had that big of a budget to put it in m3 money, it will not blow up and would blow the socks off almost anything, but it will be worthless, no warranty and the long term reliability won't be there.

[Nine]

Originally Posted by 4G63

I have a ix mr with just a tune and tbe. Awesome car to say the least. If only it was as stable and confidence-inspiring as the M at top speed. From a dig-130 it is faster tho.

what is your trap speed?

[bobsmith]

I still have my '07 STI and it is the best car I have ever owned. I have put almost 60,000 miles on it as my DD over the last 3.5 years, and it has never given any trouble at all. Doesn't have a single rattle after all those miles, and the (cheap) interior has held up beautifully even with two small kids riding in it for 70+ miles every day. Guess I have been lucky. Its also been an absolute blast to drive. I will really miss it when its gone...

That said, my e90 M3 6MT is on its way, so I am really pumped for what should be be a very nice upgrade

[pkwon9285]

I just recently traded in my 07 Sti for my 2008 335i and first, i miss my suby oh so dearly and second, i LOVE my 08 335i twin turbo. now, if you're comparing stock to stock then yes, m3 is faster and MAYBE the sti will win from a dig but that's about it. however, It'll be a lot cheaper to buy a new sti and modding/tuning it if you want a car that's similar in hp/tq to that of an M3. If you're like me and was pushing out 383whp/414wtq you'll def beat an M3. however you just can't compare an M3 with an STi, one is luxury/sports cars vs import tuner...lol

GO with an M3

[AngelinIsRich08]

Originally Posted by stefan

LOL @ anyone modding their Subaru's. Good luck. Depending on what stage you go to, I'll place a bet on when your engine spins a rod bearing.

This is the kind of insanity that comes out of those communities. Visit Subaru boards. One such thread warns not to "push it in a low gear while driving uphill". Wow. Pretty much sums up the price difference.

Also, with regard to modding, if you actually do it properly, you will be in M3 territory cost-wise, except the M3 will have warranty and won't blow up.

They say not to put it in a low gear when going up a hill? What? Is this if it's modded or just stock?

[chmura]

Subaru STI is a reliable car. Lots of new owners that are new to Subaru do stupid things that is a big no no when it comes to this car. People put a aftermarket intake on a stock tune or even an OTS (off the shelf) tune which is designed for stock intake box. Protune is much much more safer then a OTS tune. Lots of people put a after market blow off valve because they watched Fast and the Furious. I can go on and on.

People just make poor uneducated decisions and do not research about the car and then they cry about it when their engine blows.

[irish77380]

I had two regular WRX's and one STI in the past. Both great cars for the money, however I found that the STI attracted way too much attention from the "fast and furious crew" and the cops. The M3 is a different more refined animal, test drive both and see for yourself. :-)

[fuzzybam]

Originally Posted by Snig

But, I wanted to get rid of the boy racer look and all of the attention (ricers and cops).

Plus, the wife is a LOT happier with the M3. Muuuuuch better ride than the STI, she absolutely hated all of the bumps.

These two things are major contributing factors to wanting to ditch my WRX. Not to mention my insurance will be significantly cheaper with the M3.

My WRX has 20k on it and the SSK from the factory/tranny has trouble going into gears, the suspension is utter shit, and the paint is absolute shit. I can't wait to get rid of it. Not to mention that my brakes sound like banshees even though my pads are around 60% left and the dealer won't do shit about it.

[JOM3JO]

we own a M3...Not only for performance,also for comfortable for the looks for the quility...you compare BMW and SUBARU,not coz of the brand.,coz of the technology of BMW high reving NA...used to have sti,great car,cheap to modify..but again,,,,,any turbo car will be very easy to modify to be faster than NA car...they are just different...you will get what you pay...

[4sevens.com]

Speaking from experience...

I used to own a 2007 limited STI (and later modified to 417whp)
as well as an ariel atom 2 300
and a 420hp ls6 miata

There is nothing that compares with my current e90 m3 in terms of the balance of driveability and trackability, it's communication to the driver what the car is doing.

Sure it doesn't have as my power to weight as my ls6 miata. Sure I didn't get a chipped tooth as I did with commuting in my atom. Sure it doesn't kick you in the back of the head when boost kicks in in my high power sti. But I just drove 5,000 miles in 8 days for onelapofamerica.com and I can't imagine doing it in any other car

[irish77380]

Originally Posted by fuzzybam

These two things are major contributing factors to wanting to ditch my WRX. Not to mention my insurance will be significantly cheaper with the M3.

My WRX has 20k on it and the SSK from the factory/tranny has trouble going into gears, the suspension is utter shit, and the paint is absolute shit. I can't wait to get rid of it. Not to mention that my brakes sound like banshees even though my pads are around 60% left and the dealer won't do shit about it.

Yep, Subaru paint is shit and body panels weak as shit too. Very true!

[stefan]

Originally Posted by irish77380

Yep, Subaru paint is shit and body panels weak as shit too. Very true!

Indeed. 09 GR's had to ship with 3M pre-installed on the rear fenders because they would get these very fine chips in them from small debris and dirt.

Originally Posted by AngelinIsRich08

They say not to put it in a low gear when going up a hill? What? Is this if it's modded or just stock?

Stage 1+ STi's. Ridiculous.

[Totti]

I had a 2005 WRX with HKS Hi-Power Cat back and GFB StealthFX BOV only as mods. Car ran and sounded like a dream. The heavy clutch (Occasional 2nd gear grinds) and spartan interior is just part and parcel of what you buy.

This was back in 2005 when for $40,000 the only real competition was from Golf GTi's.

[richardg]

I never owned an sti but I did recently drive the new '11 wide body. Interior is shit and it didn't seem to handle well to light inputs BUT I think you could outrun an e9x M from a dig at most lights. From a roll or on the highway I would put my cash on the M3. Stock for stock the M will be faster in most, if not all, situations. Around most tracks the M should be quicker. Small technical courses like waterford hills or autoX events though I think you would be quicker in the STI. Now reliability I cannot speak on, but a 35k STI with another 30k in mods to match a 65k M3 will deuce on damn near anything, let alone an M3. Though I don't think there are many who cross shop M3s and STIs in the real world. Most people will buy the coolest/fastest/nicest car they can afford that fits their image and lifestyle. I think most STI buyers would probably buy a used GTR if they could afford 60-70k. The same way many of us would purchase a Porsche if we could. That's not to say there aren't individuals who can afford much more and choose not too. Another bit of food for thought. Personally I feel my M3 is really hard to enjoy on public roads. IMO anything over 260-300hp is hard to truly enjoy on public roads. You can only safely go so fast and most cars with 300+ hp have awesome suspensions and tires to match. How are you supposed to get near the limits of a car that is built to drive well at 120 when you don't often get above 80. (I am speaking for the majority of us who don't act like an ass while driving) I think you could have more fun with an STI daily, and you will pocket a lot of extra cash. At the end of the day the M3 was an all around package that I love and think you would too.

[irish77380]

Originally Posted by richardg

I never owned an sti but I did recently drive the new '11 wide body. Interior is shit and it didn't seem to handle well to light inputs BUT I think you could outrun an e9x M from a dig at most lights. From a roll or on the highway I would put my cash on the M3. Stock for stock the M will be faster in most, if not all, situations. Around most tracks the M should be quicker. Small technical courses like waterford hills or autoX events though I think you would be quicker in the STI. Now reliability I cannot speak on, but a 35k STI with another 30k in mods to match a 65k M3 will deuce on damn near anything, let alone an M3. Though I don't think there are many who cross shop M3s and STIs in the real world. Most people will buy the coolest/fastest/nicest car they can afford that fits their image and lifestyle. I think most STI buyers would probably buy a used GTR if they could afford 60-70k. The same way many of us would purchase a Porsche if we could. That's not to say there aren't individuals who can afford much more and choose not too. Another bit of food for thought. Personally I feel my M3 is really hard to enjoy on public roads. IMO anything over 260-300hp is hard to truly enjoy on public roads. You can only safely go so fast and most cars with 300+ hp have awesome suspensions and tires to match. How are you supposed to get near the limits of a car that is built to drive well at 120 when you don't often get above 80. (I am speaking for the majority of us who don't act like an ass while driving) I think you could have more fun with an STI daily, and you will pocket a lot of extra cash. At the end of the day the M3 was an all around package that I love and think you would too.

Well put!! Actually, I persuaded my GF to get a 2011 WRX 5 door recently (in black!!). Think stock it is 265hp, which isnt too far from the STI now. I drive it sometimes for fun, and would definitely get a regular 2011 WRX myself now if shoping in that market instead of an STI (maybe a chip and exhaust too). But my M3 is a different animal!!

[irish77380]

Originally Posted by username11

Ha! Nice one!! Two ugly bitches right there!!

[Kartelli]

Forester is actually another bulletproof suv. There is alot of STi swaps happening with them. For the harsh winters, Forester would kick ass! The woman in the picture though... haha someone made a boo boo.

[Sincity]

Originally Posted by richardg

Most people will buy the coolest/fastest/nicest car they can afford that fits their image and lifestyle.

True. Though, I would still also like to have a current gen GTI.

[BMUUFORLIFE]

Originally Posted by irish77380

Ha! Nice one!! Two ugly bitches right there!!

[irish77380]

Originally Posted by Kartelli

Forester is actually another bulletproof suv. There is alot of STi swaps happening with them. For the harsh winters, Forester would kick ass! The woman in the picture though... haha someone made a boo boo.

A great 'Lesbo mobile' too!

[AngelinIsRich08]

I'd take a Mitsubishi EVO MR over a WRX STi anyday.

[Kartelli]

Originally Posted by irish77380

A great 'Lesbo mobile' too!

lol! agreed!