http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/17/automobiles/autoshow/17subaru_la.html
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/11/17/automobiles/autoshow/600-subaru.jpg
By JERRY GARRETT
Published: November 17, 2007

Is it real?
The new third-generation WRX STI shown in Los Angeles is the production version for the United States and differs mechanically, but not cosmetically, from the one introduced last month at the Tokyo Motor Show.

What's the point?
To some, turning an ordinary compact sedan into a World Rally Championship contender creates an instant cult classic. To others, it seems like putting lipstick on a pig. An extra coat of lip gloss is apropos now, since the new STI is based on the even dowdier Impreza 5-door hunch, er…hatchback.

What they said:
The new STI "redefines what it means to be a sports car," the company noted in press materials. STI fans, the company says, are now known as "The Fraternity of Fast."

What they didn't say:
This third-generation STI has had its rough edges rounded off. It is quieter, softer, heavier and more comfy inside than the raw-boned rocket it replaces, to make it appeal to "a wider audience."

What makes it tick?
A turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer four (as opposed to the Japanese-market 2-liter model) will deliver a record 305 horsepower – 12 more than the outgoing model. The extra power is needed to push all the extra pounds this little porker has put on: the first WRX STI, in 1994, weighed 2,650 pounds; for 2008, it has ballooned to 3,375.

How much, how soon?
On sale by April; pricing is still unpublished but it's likely to increase slightly from the previous model's, to $34,500 or more.

How's it look?
Passive-aggressive. With deeply chiseled bodywork, stronger fender flares and larger spoilers it is less ugly than its toad-like predecessor. But is that a good thing?

"The Fraternity of Fast" in a porky little piggy. Guess this lends new meaning to "if pigs could fly!"

Instead of the classic pig call 'Soooiiieee!' it would change to 'Sooobeee!"

If the STI is a porker at 3,375 lb. what does that make the USDM spec Evo X?

If only the STI came in pink, you could call it your Miss Piggie.

Instead of the classic pig call 'Soooiiieee!' it would change to 'Sooobeee!"

If the STI is a porker at 3,375 lb. what does that make the USDM spec Evo X?

If only the STI came in pink, you could call it your Miss Piggie.

If only Subaru made the STI look good, I would really consider it.

The STi gained weight as well...but it's still lighter than the X.

Wait.

That picture looks hot..

BUT is it me or does the front look too "light" for the rest of the car? To me I feel like the nose should be a little more bulky..

3595lbs minus 3375lbs= 219lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sweet baby jesus, what have they done to my beloved evo!

I will say that it's growing on me...but nowhere near enough for me to buy it. The X still wins hands down.

Needs a drop.

Wait.
BUT is it me or does the front look too "light" for the rest of the car? To me I feel like the nose should be a little more bulky..


maybe cause of the rear fat body.

Everything needs a drop! :)

If they increased the rake of the windshield and increased the angle and height of the hood they could have balanced out the body front to back.

Wait.

That picture looks hot..

BUT is it me or does the front look too "light" for the rest of the car? To me I feel like the nose should be a little more bulky..

werd

I will say that it's growing on me...but nowhere near enough for me to buy it. The X still wins hands down.

I think the worst part of the new STI is those front fenders.. that's just a disgusting design element, who let that get to production??

Toyota only owns 9% of Fuji Heavy Industries, there's no excuse for that.

Everything needs a drop! :)

If they increased the rake of the windshield and increased the angle and height of the hood they could have balanced out the body front to back.

Or just.. I dunno a front lip or a taller bumper with big fog lights or somethin.

Well, it is what it is. It will not please everyone. I don't mind the look.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the dealer about package differences on the STI. As the released specs show the STI in Canada will be only one trim level with a choice in body colour / wheel colour only. And this is a fully loaded STI with Nav, leather, sat., etc. It will be very expensive, up into the Audi, BMW, Benz, Infinity, Lexus territory. Best guess is $49K CDN. It is a lot to ask of a Subaru buyer, to be sure.

I was just (few minutes ago) in a WRX nicely optioned (29k USD).. and very, very disappointed. Incredibly low quality plastics everywhere you can put your hand. The steering wheel felt nice, that's about it. The seats, though sporty looking, had bolsters as far apart as those in the malibu rental car I have right now. grossness. Body lean barely felt better than the malibu as well. How did Toyota make the new WRX so bland with just a 9% stake in the company?

I was just (few minutes ago) in a WRX nicely optioned (29k USD).. and very, very disappointed. Incredibly low quality plastics everywhere you can put your hand. The steering wheel felt nice, that's about it. The seats, though sporty looking, had bolsters as far apart as those in the malibu rental car I have right now. grossness. Body lean barely felt better than the malibu as well. How did Toyota make the new WRX so bland with just a 9% stake in the company?

Yes, functionally the WRX wagon does what I need, and it has some oomph, but the execution is lacking. I guess the STI improves on it in every area, but the ticket price may be too bloated for me to choke down. I've got a target monthly payment which is related to my car allowance and allowable tax deductions. And I'm really pi$$'d that you can no longer import the STI to Canada from the US.

^^ I doubt they'll change the dash panel, center console panel, or door panels. You gotta touch that stuff every day and it's BAD.

I haven't sampled the new lancer to see how it compares though, but I bet it is better. I just can't imagine worse? The plastics quality is way below Kia Rio quality, which was shocking.

I hate it too (as does my roommate who was the one I went with to check out the car) though, because it really does it all but is it worth it. It's ugly, really cheaply made, kinda way too large, too much body lean, ugly (it's worth mentioning again), and gets awful gas mileage (I understand why they do, but it's no excuse) --you begin to forget why you consider the car in the first place. Of course at least in the states they won't let you test drive the STI when it comes out, so it'll be hard to compare.

You seem to get around to trying out quite a few different cars. If you get a chance perhaps you can take some photos of car interiors, including some close-ups to give us some idea as to the look and feel of the materials, then we can have a thread created just to observe and discuss interiors.

You seem to get around to trying out quite a few different cars. If you get a chance perhaps you can take some photos of car interiors, including some close-ups to give us some idea as to the look and feel of the materials, then we can have a thread created just to observe and discuss interiors.

Yeah my roommate is getting a new car soon (new $$$$$$ job at Micro$oft) so I'm helping him gauge the cars (and test drive them because he isn't very comfortable driving stick).

I do always have my cam with me..

^^^ any updates or pictures of car interiors?

I have pics of the corolla interior but that's about it. Haven't gone out test driving since, way too much snow (over 50cm just last week).