[DarthDingo]

My Brother would like a new M3 but at $60k out of his budget, he is thinking about a brand new 2009 Subaru WRX STi, a fully loaded one can be had for less than $35k now.

And he can turn it into this beast of an STi; This car is perfect as far as the new gen STi's go
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gr-exter...lots-pics.html

I know the current STi has a lot of haters on the style, but the interior is supposed to be much improved and very high quality now for that price range, and the all wheel drive system is awesome for bad weather driving.

What is everyone's opinion ?

[okix]

If your looking at the STIthen you might take a look at the Mitsubishi EVO as well. The EVO has proven the past few years to make more power than the subi while remaining more reliable aswell. Granted this was on the 4g63 motor. But, the 4b11 motor is proving to be a beast of a platform aswell. Either way, both cars would be fun.

[montreal red]

fuck that STI in that link is so sexy!! makes me want to trade my m3 for it.

i have a soft spot for nicely done jdm cars!

[EpicE90]

I was thinking about going down that route, but i drove it and i didn't enjoy the car as much as i thought i would have. Car was definitely quick and everything but i couldn't get over the fit and finish of products etc. Obviously your brother likes performance, well i was the same way and i realized looking at those variant of cars like Evo's, STI'S etc., they just aren't the full package. Your spending a lot of money on a car with pretty much just good performance. To me STI, AND Evo are hella overpriced from dealers. If you have to think twice about the looks of a car you want , then the car isn't for you.

[DarthDingo]

Check out this black STi with a mods = wheel + lowering, window tint, front lip
http://luisbicol.smugmug.com/gallery...61570237_pSmKY

[SantaPimp27]

Originally Posted by okix

If your looking at the STIthen you might take a look at the Mitsubishi EVO as well. The EVO has proven the past few years to make more power than the subi while remaining more reliable aswell. Granted this was on the 4g63 motor. But, the 4b11 motor is proving to be a beast of a platform aswell. Either way, both cars would be fun.

for your 700hp evo 9, whats the reliability like on that thing? and how much money did you have to put into it?

what are the best cars to get into the 600hp range and still have a somewhat reliable car that can be daily driven?

[DarthDingo]

I thought Subaru was a better built car than Mits ? And the all wheel drive and saftey is overall better on the STi ?

My Brother is just looking for a poor mans E90 4 door M3 but in a brand new vehicle not used. He thought the STi was the best option out there for him and his family ?

[c0nstant]

shit that sti is so nice

[MrRoboto]

Why not a 135?

[DarthDingo]

He needs 4 doors for easy access to baby in car seat. Plus he thought a hatch would come in extra handy for times to carry extra stuff Luke snowboards and golf clubs etc...

[kpcoupe]

Originally Posted by montreal red

fuck that STI in that link is so sexy!! makes me want to trade my m3 for it.

i have a soft spot for nicely done jdm cars!

don't do that.

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by kpcoupe

don't do that.

Why not you're only young once and driving around in a 500+ hp machine is fun(especially in Montreal where we get tons of snow)
My only concern is not to have it stolen. Then again there are insurance but still it's a pain to deal with that.

[FStop7]

the insurance on an Evo/STI will probably be more than for an M3

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by FStop7

the insurance on an Evo/STI will probably be more than for an M3

But then again it's about 25K cheaper in the states and 30K cheaper in canada. It's the best bang for the buck out there. There is also the mazdaspeed3 but it's FWD(torque steer+major wheel hopping).

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by mtla4

But then again it's about 25K cheaper in the states and 30K cheaper in canada. It's the best bang for the buck out there. There is also the mazdaspeed3 but it's FWD(torque steer+major wheel hopping).

How did we go from an M3 to a Mazdaspeed3?

What about a 335i sedan if he needs four doors?

[okix]

Originally Posted by SantaPimp27

for your 700hp evo 9, whats the reliability like on that thing? and how much money did you have to put into it?

what are the best cars to get into the 600hp range and still have a somewhat reliable car that can be daily driven?

At 700whp reliablity is when you make multiple passes at the track and not break. So, using my car as an example is not a good one. However, before my car was so extreme I ran smaller turbos on it and daily drove it to work every day. At that point I was around 530+whp and ran low 10's high 9's. As long as you dont beat the piss out of a car and actually put a car together with good parts and a good tune. Your car should maintain its reliablity.

As for a dollar amount in my car?.......lets just say its up there. We have back up motors, parts, etc. but you have to at this point in the game.

Originally Posted by DarthDingo

I thought Subaru was a better built car than Mits ? And the all wheel drive and saftey is overall better on the STi ?

Do a little more research on the vehicles. You will find that most people may side on the subaru for comfort as a daily driver. However "most" of those same people would overlook that fact for the performance factor of the evo. This is by no means a slap to the STI. I actually am a huge fan and have looked at them myself.


Here is a video of my first 9 sec pass when it was a daily driver

And here is one of the more recent videos. BTW the car still is tagged and driven on the streets. I just dont do it everyday. Its just a little too noisy. lol

[PoorMan]

Originally Posted by SantaPimp27

for your 700hp evo 9, whats the reliability like on that thing? and how much money did you have to put into it?

what are the best cars to get into the 600hp range and still have a somewhat reliable car that can be daily driven?

+1 Can't afford $60k? LOL That link the OP posted of that heavily modified STI, looks to have at least $10-15k+ in parts alone. A well built 700hp+ car doesn't come cheap.

[DarthDingo]

Originally Posted by PoorMan

+1 Can't afford $60k? LOL That link the OP posted of that heavily modified STI, looks to have at least $10-15k+ in parts alone. A well built 700hp+ car doesn't come cheap.

But my Brother for now would just want his STi to look close to that black car here;
http://luisbicol.smugmug.com/gallery...4_kLAFZ#P-2-28
And for the new wheels and exterior body parts plus tint your only talking like $3k - $5k. So buy a fully loaded 09 STi for like low $30k's and even with basic mods your still under $40k with a really cool looking all wheel drive family sedan that can be driven in Chicago winters and squeal the tires in
summer

A brand new 4 door M3 which he would love would still be at least $60k that's $20k + more. His budget is around or below $40k to keep it affordable and not bust the bank every month. Plus the M3 is not the best winter car would be afraid to damage it easily or getting bumpered in
traffic

Saying all that isn't the STi the best choice for a car in that price that can be used by a Father but still be fun and not just an Accord ?

[bigslick82]

For under 40k, how about a 328 x-drive? The Audi A4 is a good bet too.

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

How did we go from an M3 to a Mazdaspeed3?

What about a 335i sedan if he needs four doors?

Originally Posted by DarthDingo

My Brother would like a new M3 but at $60k out of his budget, he is thinking about a brand new 2009 Subaru WRX STi, a fully loaded one can be had for less than $35k now.

He can't afford an m3 and is looking for an STI.That's how we got there. As much as I want a GT3 RS but can't afford it so I got something else. The 335I is already more expensive then an STI.

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by bigslick82

For under 40k, how about a 328 x-drive? The Audi A4 is a good bet too.

Sorry but not in the same class. If the guy wants an m3 it means the he's all about performance unless he's a badge whore but I doubt it. No offense but there's nothing sporty about a 328 especially the X-Drive version.

[DarthDingo]

Originally Posted by bigslick82

For under 40k, how about a 328 x-drive? The Audi A4 is a good bet too.

Good cars but too vanilla for him. Sure the RS4 is totally bad ass, but also $65k, and no thanks on a used one, could have issues, and they still not cheap.

#1 is a new 2009 4 door M3 modded to look cool, with new wheels, boot lid, tint, etc...now your talking at least $65k - $70k for all that. He would love that the most, but way out of his price range, by a good $25k-$30k too much.

A brand new Subaru STi can be had for low $30k's, decent mods lets say he spends $5k+, and he is still under $40k, for a car that looks pretty unique, and tough, plus has all wheel drive for crappy Chicago Fall, Winter and Spring, and really Chicago has shit weather a good 6+ months out of the year. And is 4 doors for easy baby seat access, and a hatch for carrying bigger thing on a trip etc...

Opinions ?