Still fugly. Lucky it manages to keep up with performance cars 3 times its price.

uhm... how do you figure? I'm pretty sure it can't keep up with a corvette, that starts at a reasonable 50k. Or how about a new camaro, who's v8 model will be faster, and cost almost the same? Or how about... 80% of the other performance cars that are around the same price but are alot faster? ....

305hp for a 2.5 block ? abit low i say. The JDM 2.0 is already doing 320hp.

305hp for a 2.5 block ? abit low i say. The JDM 2.0 is already doing 320hp.

m,
The camaro? Whatever. This is a car meant for the twisties, the offroad, and turning. Not just straight-line-yee-haw-look-at-my-V8 speed. This is a wickedly quick car with it's 4 wheel drive and excellent power to weight ratio. Something that american car manufactorers lost long ago on their big V8 pony cars. I will admit the corvette is and always has been the marque for American sports cars, competing with such cars as the 911 for good track times. But the WRX is great on and off the track.

Oh and the styling on the new STi is excellent.

i just blog on this website to bash american cars. i mean, nothing good ever comes out of america, right? only foreign cars are cool. only foreign cars have style. american cars are boring, and theyre engineers are dumb. they dont know how to make hybrids, I do since i drive a tuner. oh, and i totally know why horsepower means virtually nothing to a car enthusiast. oh wait...

gimme a friggin break.

At this price, an Infinity G35 S sedan would be just as fast in a straight line, about as fast around all but the tightest tracks, and more practical as a daily driver (a lot more comfortable too boot). Perhaps now that I am getting "old" (mid 30's) the sleeper look (a car without an outrages hood scoop) is beginning to appeal a little more than the boy racer image...

I have a amurican car that is only supposed to go in a straight line well it pulls 1g in the corners and can out run a bmw m3
now with that being said this is a fugly car but it will be pretty fast and it doesnt have the double clutch tranny so ti will be more fun then the new evo.

I'd love to have a current STi, but this thing is so ugly you'd have to pay me to own one. I'd be embarrassed to have one.

i'd trade my 05 sti for this in a second

and:
uhm... how do you figure? I'm pretty sure it can't keep up with a corvette, that starts at a reasonable 50k. Or how about a new camaro, who's v8 model will be faster, and cost almost the same? Or how about... 80% of the other performance cars that are around the same price but are alot faster?

have you ever driven an sti?

Oh and let's not forget that the 5-door vs 4-door will actually add to the structural rigidity, thereby improving handling. And I, myself, have always been fond of the sport hatchback, all the way back to the Civic DX and CRX. Granted, this is an entirely different league, but this design, with the flared fenders and relatively low (for a hatch) profile give it a nice, aggressive, sqaut appearance. Me likey.

Oh and let's not forget that the 5-door vs 4-door will actually add to the structural rigidity, thereby improving handling. And I, myself, have always been fond of the sport hatchback, all the way back to the Civic DX and CRX. Granted, this is an entirely different league, but this design, with the flared fenders and relatively low (for a hatch) profile give it a nice, aggressive, sqaut appearance. Me likey.

First thing, I rather like the Vette I am not deluded enough to ignore it's zits and it has quite a few but as a pure performance bargain it is a very good car.

Second good luck buying a Vette for under 50K, between options, and dealers the ones I have actually looked at with friends have all been in the 55~60K price range, It dosn't hurt to look even if you cant afford.

Next this is a seriously fast car, I would expect 0~60 times of right around 5 seconds, and a 1/4 mile time in the high 13's say 13.8 at a guess. Those are very quick times, However The WRX is also a superb handling car, I would expect .95+ on the skid pad, salom speeds in the very high 60's 67~69 mph range. Around a race track I would expect to see the WRX trailing a non Z06 Vette by around 3~5 seconds on a track with say a 2 minute average lap time. I would expect it to run well against cars like the Audi RS4, Shelby GT500, BMW 335i, BMW M5/M6, AMG SL55, or the Jaguar XK, to name a few, though many of those cars offer far more luxury than a Subaru to go with their hefty price tags.

This car is a performance bargain in this price range, say 40K and under, only a handful of cars can compete with the WRX STi, The Lancer Evo X, and the Nissan 350Z come to mind, though there may be one or 2 others.

Anyways I am saving my pennies and paying off a mass of college induced debt, in about a year I will be looking seriously at this car, though Honestly I think the Evo X is going to be my next ride.

" m:

uhm... how do you figure? I'm pretty sure it can't keep up with a corvette, that starts at a reasonable 50k. Or how about a new camaro, who's v8 model will be faster, and cost almost the same? Or how about... 80% of the other performance cars that are around the same price but are alot faster? ...."
List some stats, pony boy. And shall we even go near power output to engine capacity ratios? The Corvette's a decent car, don't get me wrong, but its ancient technology that needs to catch up to the 1990s (too bad its 2007).

::drools over pictures::

This thing is hot! I can't wait to test drive one!

I would prefer mine without the 50 lbs of electronics that have nothing to do with driving (navigation system, etc).

IF you listen to the people in EU talk about Cars you have to remmber
A big motor in the EU is 2L and a 145hp WOW that a big motor
I live in the EU 90% of the cars here dont have a motor larger than 2.5L
and 150 hp

they build cars with 3L plus motors but they sale 80% of them outside the EU

the 5 door model is so ugly, i've actually decided to go with a turbo charged legacy instead. much more stylish and with the right money it will be a close contender.

"This thing is hot! I can't wait to test drive one!"

You're joking, right? Or are you one of those guys that seems a 250 lb girl and goes nuts? Cuz that's pretty much what this thing looks like. It looks like an STi that had a baby and packed on an extra 100 or more pounds of fat, especially around the hips and butt.

This has ensured that if I go for a sport sedan, it's definitely NOT going to be an STi.

hey thanks for including the recaro images when we wont be getting them

I'm not sure why anyone looking for a fast sedan would shell out $35,000 for a Subaru WRX when you can can go out and get an AWD Infinity G35 Sedan, or a BMW 3 series, both well over 300hp for about the same price? Not to mention that you can go out and get the Mazda Speed3 which is faster then all 3 cars I just mentioned for about $25,000 loaded... Don't get me wrong, I like the WRX, but there are a LOT of cars out there in that price range that are just as fast, and are better quality. I'm not sure what the hell Subaru is thinking on this one!

""""Remy LeBeau:
"This thing is hot! I can't wait to test drive one!"

You're joking, right? Or are you one of those guys that seems a 250 lb girl and goes nuts? Cuz that's pretty much what this thing looks like. It looks like an STi that had a baby and packed on an extra 100 or more pounds of fat, especially around the hips and butt.

This has ensured that if I go for a sport sedan, it's definitely NOT going to be an STi. """"

hey Remy LeBeau,

My wife is 5'-6" and 120lbs, thank you very much. Fat chicks are not on my list of finer things. With cars I can get over some odd looks for the sake of driving pleasure. In my mind, the only thing better than beating people at the track is beating them with a car they hate simply on looks.

So before you go shooting your mouth off again, remember that some of us go for performance before looks. You can have your runway beauty contest. I'll be at the track getting covered in tire dust and exhaust soot with a big grin on my face.

Happy motoring!

Yet another bash session. It seems that everyone in this forum can either afford faster cars, or just wants to buy a track car. That's all you read on here...track track track. Unlike most of you I can't afford 5 or 6 cars...I can afford 1...and I don't go to the track any more. I also live in California, where it is impossible to legally mod a streetcar and make it worthwhile. For a sport compact (not sports car i.e. Corvette) this car is perfectly fine and I'd love to have one. The styling is just fine, although it needs to be lowered a bit and some new taillights. I much prefer it to the prior sedans with the ugly tail fin. Yes, I'm sure I'd make other improvements but I don't see this car as "fugly" as many above have commented. As for performance, the fact that people are even arguing about comparisons with actual 2-seat sports cars is a credit to this car. Like the Nissan GTR...it has back seats. It also has back doors. Therefore you get great performance (straight-line and handling) and practicality. Many of you could care less about this but many others, like myself, find this to be a bonus. Before evaluating every car as a track car...think bigger picture. The Torque Report is not a site devoted solely to track cars.

Ugh, I thought hot pink and testosterone went out in the 80's. Other than the Recaros seats I suppose you can remove them. Still at $34K why would they ghey up the car with those badges. Thank goodness for the hatch - now they can't fit that ultra-tall boy racer wing.

I see nothing wrong with hatchbacks. I think the STI looks nice. Not as good as say last year's model, but still better looking than the new Evo.

To each his own.

That is one ugly car. I don't mind sport hatches (3 door would be better), but man this one is just nasty. I suppose if it performs well that people will buy it, but seriously, if it is around the same performance as the new EVO, who in their right mind would choose this ugly piece?

Somebody opened a big bottle of UGLY and poured it all over this car.....

Well, it won't be on anyones top 10 list of prettiest imports, but it should at least be able to outrun the last generation STI. And that is really no small feat. The new EVO is still better looking, but may not be able to keep up with this car anymore. And why is the price always going up? When the STI first debuted in japan, the price was slightly under $30k(converted). Now it's nearing the $35grand, in a few generations it will be closer to $40k, then $45k... Isn't that how the Japanese muscle cars died out in the 90's?

Dave:
AWD Infinity G35 Sedan, or a BMW 3 series, both well over 300hp for about the same price? Not to mention that you can go out and get the Mazda Speed3 which is faster then all 3 cars.

I agree that at this price the Infinity is a tough choice. 335i with any options will be $40k+. Speed3 faster than any of these cars? Right! I've done a coupld stop light races with Speed3's, and they don't keep up with my 02 WRX. Granted by about 60 they catch up and pull away, but no way does it touch an STI. Or a G35. Or a 335i.
I'll wait to see this one in person, as I don't think it looks that bad. Then its a either the G35x or the the STI for me...just not sure how adult I'm feeling.

Corvette/Camaro/STI? Well for me using this as my only driver, a Vette's out. I need to have 4 people in my car sometimes. And up in Wis, I'll take the STI with All Season's on it versus the Camaro any day... Nothing like watching the people in a rear wheel drive car complete Wuss it in the rain and snow!

First, let it be known I am carmaker-agnostic (see my other posts). My favorite cars are wide-ranging. Having said that, what is all this nonsense comparing it to a Vette? It's apples and oranges. Let's review:

WRX STI:
35K
305hp
290 ft-lbs
245-profile tires
3500(?) lbs - (the downside of AWD is weight)

base Corvette:
46K
430hp
424 ft-lbs
245-front, 285-rear profile tires
3217 lbs

Different car classes, different missions. One is for slicing and dicing on the back roads, the other is for hauling A$$ at autobahn speeds.

"So before you go shooting your mouth off again, remember that some of us go for performance before looks."

I never said the car wasn't fast genius. I said that they took a great car and made it hideous. You can buy other cars that perform about equally for around the same money (some for less) that don't make people cry when they see it.

I know this might be hard for you to understand, but there is such a thing as a good looking car that has good performance for a decent price.

I like it. Like a previous post, I also do not have the garage full of cars. If and when I buy my next vehicle, I want a sport sedan w/ awd 5/6 speed, and somewhat decent gas mileage and performance. Right now this car fits the bill perfectly. (I'm also closer to 40, do not street race, and like everyone in the northeast it seems ,have a hellish commute) However, realisticly a Mazda 3 (5door) would probably suffice.

Yeah, it is definitely not my style, but like it has been said, not everyone can go out and purchase Corvettes. What about the family man who needs a usable backseat? It is good cheap performance for the person who doesn't want to shell out the ten grand for a 335i (with some options... damn BMW and their non-standard leather).

It is a bit boy racer for me, but I could understand why someone would buy it. Sweet performance for a decent price. Not every car is for everyone. Just because it isn't right for you doesn't give you a right to bash it... it is what it is, and that is a high-performance 5-door.

It has a decent back seat at any rate... and that may be a requirement for those with less than amazing finances.

What's the most overwhelming thing about this car is the reactions it creates from a couple of you guys. A couple of selfmade car designers are calling this car fuggly. Let me tell you what is fuggly ... fuggly is a Pontiac Aztec. The Aztec was so fuggly they had to drastically lower down the price the year after it came out because the vehicle was "not selling fuggly"! No, the new STI is not the best looking car ever, but it ain't that bad either. It's a well known fact that Americans and Hatchbacks do not go well together and I think the new STI is just another example.

Now if you compare it to the current STI, I think that the new one looks a lot better. It looks like the added styling on the new one was meant to be there. As for the old one, it just looked like it was a plane sedan with a Boeing 747 back wing and a front air scoop that could suck in birds while driving on the Highway.

For people that still think this car is fuggly, let me make you open your eyes even wider: I drive a G35 coupe right now ... a leasing and I will have a new car by July next year ... and it will probably be the new STI. Of course, the STI doesn't have the G35 sexiness, but it shows you that I really think that the STI is not looking bad at all.

I have to say that I have specific needs and the STI is meeting them perfectly for me. First, I'm Canadian, so I have about 4 months par year of snow ... have you ever driven a G35 in the snow? Scary stuff! I used to have a Talon Turbo AWD before. I thought that RWD with Electronics would not be that bad ... hell! So I wanna go back to AWD. Second, I want a more practical car than the G35 for people in the back and for space. I also want a car that's at least as fast and agile as is the G35 ... the new STI is that and a lot more.

And last but not least, the price. Like I said I'm Canadian and the car in Canada will be around 50k &&$"*"*$?&"%?

In USA? 35k ... Subaru is one of the few manufacturers that are honoring an american car warranty in Canada. So for me, it will be a 15k saving (minus a few taxes).

So for you guys living in a place like California, I can understand that the STI will have major competitors. And the AWD advantage is not a major factor. I wouldn't mind getting another RWD, heck it's a lot more fun to drive than a FWD car.

But for people like me in the North, AWD is a super MUST. Plus the fact that I will save 15k and a valid warranty compared to other brands that I could import to Canada.

And did you know that you could manually set the front-rear torque splitting on the new STI with an electromagnetic twin clutch? From 41-59 to 50-50 ... so I'll have a RWD like car in the summer and I'll have an AWD car in the winter ... all in the same package!!!!! Nice isn't it?

"And did you know that you could manually set the front-rear torque splitting on the new STI with an electromagnetic twin clutch?"

You could do that with the old, better looking STi.

The DCCD on the old STI was all electronically managed and was reported by many that it wasn't always top notch technology. The new one has improved a lot ... and have additionnal electronics like VDC that HAS to be on a vehicle of this price. There's also gonna be more than 2 airbags, WOW!

For additional info:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2007/112_0710_2008_subaru_impreza_wrx_sti_tokyo/wrx_sti_powertrain.html

As far as the "better looking" part. Well, it's all a question of taste. If you like Airplane wings, the fact that a car thief could steal your STI by entering in the front scoop, the Neon SRT4 like interior quality or the bling bling Liberace gold rims ... well just go with the old one ... and don't forget to wear your cap backward when driving it!

If you are an old 30 years old guy like me who is looking for a "performance-practicality" package and prefer a more sober and mature look without having to drive a grandpa car, well the new STI is all you want.

The DCCD on the old STI was all electronically managed and was reported by many that it wasn't always top notch technology. The new one has improved a lot ... and have additionnal electronics like VDC that HAS to be on a vehicle of this price. There's also gonna be more than 2 airbags, WOW!

For additional info:
read the motortrend article (first drive)

As far as the "better looking" part. Well, it's all a question of taste. If you like Airplane wings, the fact that a car thief could steal your STI by entering in the front scoop, the Neon SRT4 like interior quality or the bling bling Liberace gold rims ... well just go with the old one ... and don't forget to wear your cap backward when driving it!

If you are an old 30 years old guy like me who is looking for a "performance-practicality" package and prefer a more sober and mature look without having to drive a grandpa car, well the new STI is all you want.

this thing better perform. $35k is a lot to charge for something going up against EvoX, especially the quick and cheap RS version... and I'm not even talking about the looks...

"If you are an old 30 years old guy like me who is looking for a "performance-practicality" package and prefer a more sober and mature look without having to drive a grandpa car, well the new STI is all you want."

........are Americans so locked into this idea of as people get older they must get fatter that they're now considering "morbidly obese" to mean "mature" when talking about cars?

hummm... not quite sure what point you're trying to proove with that statement.

First, like I said I'm a Canadian and I can tell you that I'm not personnally fat! If you're making a reference about the new STI when using the words "morbidly obese", I'm not quite sure how you would call an SUV????

To be more precise on the way I use the word "mature" in describing a car, nothing better than a good old example:

Right now, I have the privilege of driving an Infiniti G35 coupe. I decided to have this car instead of a 350Z. The 2 cars have a lot of similarities. I thought that the 350Z was looking a bit sharper and sportier from the outside. But the inside quality finish, the 2 additional small but practical places in the back and the bigger cargo space made me choose the G35. That with the fact that the G35 is more "well mannered" and more elegant tells me that I made a more mature choice choosing a G35 over a 350Z. I also forgot the additionnal year of warranty.

I have absolutely nothing against a 350Z but I would have made that choice solely based on look and performance. If I could afford having two cars, I would probably have chosen the 350Z.

That beeing said, making a more mature choice between those 2 ones doesn't mean a G35 is an old fart mobile and is morbidly obese. This car does a 0-60 in 5.9, stops from 60 mph in 112 feet and runs a .92 skidpad.

When I qualify the new STI of more mature, well it's because I'm comparing it with the old one. But the new STI will still be a performance "beast" on the road ... and the track if you bring it there. And comparing apples with apples, choosing an STI is more of an emotional choice than a mature one if you compare with most of all the sedans and hatchbacks on the market right now!

When you buy a 350Z,G35,EVO X, STI or those kind of cars, the buyer is not normally the mature kind that only wants a vehicle that brings him from point A to point B.

One thing is sure. Wether it's the old one or the new one, the STI has always made people talk ... and it doesn't seem that it will stop some day!

Ahhh Remy...

We once again find you hard at work, preaching 'your' version of the automotive gospel to the poor ignorant masses of car aficionados.

In Remy’s world there are the masses – mere fools posting to a car blog who are ripe for the casting of derision and unveiled contempt – and there is REMY!

O hail to Saint Remy!

I wait in wonderment for the next jewel of divine wisdom you espouse next.

Could it be regarding the ‘American V8 anvils’ or ‘Japanese abominations’ or ‘Genius’s that cannot speel’? (Sorry typo)

Fools can you not see??

You need to re-read the passage of Remy 16 Verse 1...’Thou shall not comment!’

Listen...hear the masses groaning...it seems people cringe when you attempt to stand proud, joyously unleashing your pathetically childish and cuttingly opinionated sermons of ‘LeToolness’!!

I do feel that Saint Remy can with FAIR CERTAINTY be labelled the fat, lonely (and no doubt womanless) fool he attempts to push toward others - though while he is without woman and walks into the cold night lonely and without friends, he does so with the close familiarity of his well worn and lubed mouse hand which ‘comforts him’ after a hard night of posting!

All hail to the great Remy LeTool!!

oh well...I'm speecheless!!! lol

...and then there's the oh so brilliant typical American who has nothing intelligent or constructive to say and merely insults people for not agreeing with them. And you wonder why the world looks down on Americans?

Ahh my fellow car enthusiasts...witness the slow fall of Sage LeTool...it is a sad day indeed.
I ask for a moment silence...

*tick*

...that far long enough time to squander on a fool...we can now continue.

Mr Remy is once again firing off his mouth like the staccato beat of his F1 inspired Mazda 4 cylinder (lol) at its gloriously rev high ceiling of 5500rpm!

I call out to you Remy...do you feel the power? Zoom zoom – let the power flow through you!

I did believe I mentioned previously that Mr Remy was compelled to espouse knowledge in the guise of a wise all knowing Auto sage? Oui?

So with much observation and careful deduction, he has proclaimed his hypothesis of learned knowledge.

I (Remy LeTool) AM AMERICAN.

I ask you, my fellow ‘car-a-holics’, because I call out a LeFool who feels he has bootstrapped himself above the humble hordes, does that mean I am American?

Does Mr Remy that forthrightly dislike, no - that does not do his rampage of opinionated libel justice - despise (this is the word I reach for!) Americans that strongly?

Sage LeMerde, you are so extraordinarily blighted and opinionated that you know not who you insult.

Continue to cast your dispersions and remain self righteous in your trolling.

But we ALL KNOW that while you are so habitually apt to attack and defend your precious ‘honour’ in such pedestrian ways; and as there was no vehemently bitter response to my post, I feel we can now deduce some facts about you...

You are no doubt fairly young, fat, and friendless, without woman and with only your hand for comfort - and (through my carefully attuned sense of LeTool based reasoning)...NOT AMERICAN!

I ask you brothers, is this curse enough for the poor miscreant?

LeMerde, I shudder at the thought!

I must admit this is the most spectacular series of post I saw supposedly writing about cars! Altough it's not writing about cars!

I was wondering Letool what is your impression of the new STI ... I certainly know what is your impression of LeBeau lol!

Agree with Mike, a new car can't come out without people comparing it to a >. Sorry but a Chrysler Pacifica and a Toyota Corolla are not supposed to be outperforming Ferraris new Formula 1 car for 2010.

Same thing goes for Americans always comparing everything to Corvette. This is a 4 door hatch with a back seat, etc. A daily driver. A grocery getter. A pretty sweet grocery getter (though the looks of the EvoX are tons better). It's not a Corvette. Not everything has to be as fast as a Corvette.

I have a high performance car, with a back seat even. I bet this thing is more comfortable to drive to the store for a gallon of milk and my friends could get in the car without having to work their way into bolstered seats or hit their head on the roof every time they get in and out.

There are cars for all tastes at all price ranges. Not everything has to be a Enzo or a Corvette. Learn to compare apples to apples.

Agree with Mike, a new car can't come out without people comparing it to a >. Sorry but a Chrysler Pacifica and a Toyota Corolla are not supposed to be outperforming Ferraris new Formula 1 car for 2010.

Same thing goes for Americans always comparing everything to Corvette. This is a 4 door hatch with a back seat, etc. A daily driver. A grocery getter. A pretty sweet grocery getter (though the looks of the EvoX are tons better). It's not a Corvette. Not everything has to be as fast as a Corvette.

I have a high performance car, with a back seat even. I bet this thing is more comfortable to drive to the store for a gallon of milk and my friends could get in the car without having to work their way into bolstered seats or hit their head on the roof every time they get in and out.

There are cars for all tastes at all price ranges. Not everything has to be a Enzo or a Corvette. Learn to compare apples to apples.

The delimiter I used (angle brackets) got chewed up.

First sentence should be:

*without comparing it to a [insert multi million dollar race car of your choice here]*