Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Friday March 29, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > NASIOC Official News, Articles and Polls

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-25-2008, 12:52 PM   #1
CARandDRIVER
CarAndDriver Staff
 
Member#: 190121
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Default 2008 STI Disappoints in Car and Driver's Annual "Lightning Lap"

While many of us here are fans of the 2008 STI and the improvements from the previous generation made to the ride, interior, and day-to-day livability, the new STI had some trouble backing up it's iconic pink badge at Virginia International Raceway.



Quote:
The Lightning Lap, 2008

What car-for the money-delivers the best combination of power, handling, and braking? That question is fundamental to the ongoing mission of this magazine and the core element of all our road tests. We should also point out that those traits are the key ingredients of a car's fun-to-drive (FTD) quotient, something we value far more than cup holders and/or trunk volume.

But-and this is widely overlooked-the elements of FTD are also the key components of active safety, a vehicle's ability to respond to and avoid an accident situation. The lane-change exercise, part of our comparison-test regimen, provides insight to this ability, but Lightning Lap delivers an indelible blueprint. Unless you're a taxi driver in Baghdad, you might argue that no accident-avoidance situation goes on for three minutes, but of course our interest extends beyond dodging drivers whose text messaging overrides their attention to the road. We want to see how well a wide *variety of performance cars combine their various dynamic elements in absolute terms in a controlled environment.
Quote:

The only real disappointment in this roundup, though, was the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The new STI has a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system delivering lots of driver selectability, plus the 305-hp thrust of its turbocharged flat-four engine, which should add up to performance that's at least on par with that of previous members of the STI series....
Click here to read the rest at CARandDRIVER.com


We are still having some server issues, here are the results and data from page 1: http://www.caranddriver.com/content/...08+Results.pdf



* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Last edited by CARandDRIVER; 09-25-2008 at 02:15 PM.
CARandDRIVER is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 09-25-2008, 12:57 PM   #2
nottofast
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 89663
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 6th & Market
Vehicle:
1962 Fuji 350
cerelean blue

Default

impreza getting too big and wacky.
nottofast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 01:02 PM   #3
Jeenyus
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 152911
Join Date: Jul 2007
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Mount Projects, IL
Vehicle:
04 wrx
I date men

Default

got excited, thinking this was about the 09.

who cares about the 08 anymore.
Jeenyus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 01:12 PM   #4
Courteau
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 163722
Join Date: Nov 2007
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
Vehicle:
2008 Impreza WRX 5Dr
WR Blue Mica

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeenyus View Post
got excited, thinking this was about the 09.

who cares about the 08 anymore.

its the same car .. duh !
Courteau is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 01:12 PM   #5
choloman05
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 99359
Join Date: Oct 2005
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: gdny
Vehicle:
02 wagon
blackish-blue

Default

wat? we got car and driver here now?
choloman05 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 01:16 PM   #6
lev98
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 140529
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Dfw
Vehicle:
01 Ferrari 360 spy

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by choloman05 View Post
wat? we got car and driver here now?
I know. We finally made it.
lev98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 01:35 PM   #7
nickrice20
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95153
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: International
Location: South Korea
Vehicle:
TBD TBD
TBD

Default

I was wondering if rigidity of the hatchback was going to hurt it at the track. It looks like it did, maybe Carlabs will come out with a massive X-Brace for the hatch to help it out. . I am sure with a few modifications that the 08 STI will kick some real *** though.
nickrice20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 01:55 PM   #8
basicwrc78
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 55715
Join Date: Feb 2004
Chapter/Region: PRSIC
Location: Unknown location
Vehicle:
1956

Default

08/09 STI's are total disappointment unless you wanted to buy fast corolla...
basicwrc78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 01:57 PM   #9
J. Steinbeck
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 140575
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hotlanta, GA
Vehicle:
2007 Magnum SRT-8

Default

Holy crap! Car and Driver is posting on the board now?!?! God help us if Csaba Csere, John Phillips, or the rest of the bunch get bored and wander to the OT area!

On a serious note, I doubt anyone here is going to be surprised by the STi's somewhat mediocre showing; we all knew it was getting a little soft. Don't get me wrong- it's a fine car and I would love to replace my wagon with one, but it at least needs a firmer suspension before it becomes a world class performer.
J. Steinbeck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 02:08 PM   #10
Frank A
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 49979
Join Date: Dec 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: MD, US
Vehicle:
11 need a 2nd STI
08 black TA STI

Default

Let's be realistic here folks- the '08 is potentially a better chassis that is being hampered by subaru's intentional detuning. Yes, I agree the steering is vague- that needs to be fixed, but the grip and performance of the car is completely obscured by the factory suspension bits. Subaru needs to bring over the Spec C now thay they've created this huge hole in their lineup so that they can win some "stock" comparos again.

Frank

Last edited by Frank A; 09-25-2008 at 04:53 PM.
Frank A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 02:36 PM   #11
GodWhomIsMike
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 102287
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Hawley, PA
Vehicle:
2022 Nissan Frontier
Green

Default

Awesome, both Subaru of America and Car and Driver are on our forum now.

Car and Driver: I request a mini-ute comparison with the Toyota Rav4, '09 Forester XT Limited, Honda CRV, Hyundai Santa Fe, etc...
GodWhomIsMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 02:45 PM   #12
claycron
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 181941
Join Date: Jun 2008
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Fairmont WV
Vehicle:
2004 Forester XT
AW

Default

Im really shocked at the Cobalt SS's results. I didnt know they were nearly that fast
claycron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 03:34 PM   #13
nayr924
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 153709
Join Date: Jul 2007
Chapter/Region: BAIC
Location: San Francisco Ca
Vehicle:
2002 WRX Wagon
WRB

Default

The Cobalt SS even beat the Evo
nayr924 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 03:40 PM   #14
jasoncps
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 159781
Join Date: Sep 2007
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza WRX STI

Default The 08 STI sucks, sorry to say

This test is just another one of many clearly showing how badly Subaru messed up the 08-09 STI.

Way too soft suspension leading to way too much body roll. Even my 05 STI has way too much body roll, but now in the 08-09 its much much worse.

Badly underpowered at just 305hp. Should be at the very least 350hp for the price they are asking. Seriously, if I can get a 300hp BMW 335 or 135 for the same price as a 300hp Subaru, something is way off.

No AYC. Thus understeer.

Slower steering ratio in America's STI than rest of world.

No twin scroll turbo in America's STI.

Ugly, cheap, crappy seats that ruin the interior of the car while the rest of the world gets beautiful and supportive Recaros. Recaros that not only are far more comfortable but make the interior look a lot better.

Way too heavy. The STI needs to drop at least another 100 pounds. Just give me 100 pounds less Subaru, you will be amazed what happens to those track times.

No DSG, but that's forgiveable as many people still want 6 speed manual.

And worst of all, WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. Like I said before, if G37's and 335's are the same price, with the same performance, something is seriously wrong. Who the hell would buy an STI over a 335 for the same price? The STI needs to be no more than 32,000. Anything more than that and it's no longer a good value. No one wants a 40,000 Subaru when you can get BMW's, Audi's, and Benz's at that price range!!

Hopefully comparos like this will give Subaru a kick in the pants to get the STI back to it's M3 beating glory days. Please Subaru, please get our beloved STI back to it's iconic heights, you are losing customers left and right. Oh, and fix those ugly ugly 90's style taillights! My God are those things ugly.

A front wheel drive Cobalt SS priced 10,000 less than an STI spanked it around a track! That is shocking, sad, and sickening. Subaru better have a monster in store for 2010 or the STI will die in America.

Last edited by jasoncps; 09-25-2008 at 04:01 PM.
jasoncps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 04:04 PM   #15
justincredible
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 83633
Join Date: Mar 2005
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: The Mountains
Vehicle:
2012 bright green
box

Default

Holy Crap, we're up into th 190,xxx member numbers now.
justincredible is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 04:07 PM   #16
dphoenix
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 145007
Join Date: Apr 2007
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Vehicle:
2008 WRX STI
Lightning Red

Default

The base STI is not a whole lot more than 32,000.. I paid 34k for mine. Price to value wise, it represents an incredible value. It is meant to be a rally car anyway, not a track car, although the track performance is EASILY FIXABLE without spending much coin.
Considering it's a much wider car, and bigger, it's 3373lbs is not exactly a huge increase over your 3263lbs on your 05, plus all the extras. Also, considering that it's the same weight w/ the BBS wheels as the BMW 1 Series, which is just slightly more expensive, additionally it is waaaaay lighter than the chunky R32 at 3547 lbs, or the Evo GSR at 3517!!!
And the chassis is stiffer than before, with less rear overhang on the 5 door. All of that means with a little suspension work you've still spent not a whole lot for an amazing rally or track car. Weekend warrior, and during the week you can still take your kids to school and they'll actually be comfortable in the backseat now.

Last edited by dphoenix; 09-25-2008 at 04:16 PM.
dphoenix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 04:08 PM   #17
XanRules
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 157348
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OOoOuuUUUGGGHH!!!!!
Vehicle:
I Thlammed My
Penith in the Car Door

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jasoncps View Post
This test is just another one of many clearly showing how badly Subaru messed up the 08-09 STI.

Way too soft suspension leading to way too much body roll. Even my 05 STI has way too much body roll, but now in the 08-09 its much much worse.

Badly underpowered at just 305hp. Should be at the very least 350hp for the price they are asking. Seriously, if I can get a 300hp BMW 335 or 135 for the same price as a 300hp Subaru, something is way off.

No AYC. Thus understeer.

Slower steering ratio in America's STI than rest of world.

No twin scroll turbo in America's STI.

Ugly, cheap, crappy seats that ruin the interior of the car while the rest of the world gets beautiful and supportive Recaros. Recaros that not only are far more comfortable but make the interior look a lot better.

Way too heavy. The STI needs to drop at least another 100 pounds. Just give me 100 pounds less Subaru, you will be amazed what happens to those track times.

No DSG, but that's forgiveable as many people still want 6 speed manual.

And worst of all, WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. Like I said before, if G37's and 335's are the same price, with the same performance, something is seriously wrong. Who the hell would buy an STI over a 335 for the same price? The STI needs to be no more than 32,000. Anything more than that and it's no longer a good value. No one wants a 40,000 Subaru when you can get BMW's, Audi's, and Benz's at that price range!!

Hopefully comparos like this will give Subaru a kick in the pants to get the STI back to it's M3 beating glory days. Please Subaru, please get our beloved STI back to it's iconic heights, you are losing customers left and right. Oh, and fix those ugly ugly 90's style taillights! My God are those things ugly.

A front wheel drive Cobalt SS priced 10,000 less than an STI spanked it around a track! That is shocking, sad, and sickening. Subaru better have a monster in store for 2010 or the STI will die in America.
Quoted for Truth, kids.
XanRules is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 04:09 PM   #18
Akrexak
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 100607
Join Date: Nov 2005
Chapter/Region: AKIC
Location: Offutt, NE
Vehicle:
2019 STI-His
14 XT-Hers

Default

It may be crap to a lot of people who are going to use it for the track, but for me i love the change, its going to be a daily driver and cant wait to get it. I just love everything about it..I dont worrry about what magazines say, if i like it im going to get it.
Akrexak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 04:11 PM   #19
camber
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 128746
Join Date: Oct 2006
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CARandDRIVER View Post
While many of us here are fans of the 2008 STI and the improvements from the previous generation made to the ride, interior, and day-to-day livability, the new STI had some trouble backing up it's iconic pink badge at Virginia International Raceway.


That's ok....

Most people on the internets stopped taking C&D seriously after you ranked the M3 ahead of GT-R, on subjective grounds, that had nothing to do when comparing sports cars.

Nevermind, the fact the have been numerous comparos(from more reputable shows and magazines), on other race tracks where STI was nipping the heels of the EVO or beat it. Don't asked me what you guys did to make the STI finish 6s a drift of the EVO. I guess C&D must have brought back your special GT-R driver for the STI
camber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 04:46 PM   #20
RingU
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 137243
Join Date: Jan 2007
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Illinois
Vehicle:
2004 2.5L WRX JPB
1999 Civic EX White

Default

Looks good.
RingU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 05:01 PM   #21
Frank A
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 49979
Join Date: Dec 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: MD, US
Vehicle:
11 need a 2nd STI
08 black TA STI

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jasoncps View Post
Slower steering ratio in America's STI than rest of world.
Some truth, some exaggeration.

Iirc, the whole world gets the 15:1 rack, unless you get a spec C.

I'm pretty sure you can't get an equivalently equipped BMW for the same price as an STI. A 335xi, for example, is over 45k.

Frank
Frank A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 05:01 PM   #22
geddesk2
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 119397
Join Date: Jul 2006
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Snohomish
Vehicle:
06 STI & 13XT
WRB

Default

6 seconds slower than the Evo

At least the trap times and exit speeds were good?
geddesk2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 05:02 PM   #23
Dave D.
NASIOC Supporter
 
Member#: 130990
Join Date: Nov 2006
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Menzel Lake, WA
Vehicle:
06 Red Ltd.Wagon
Dom 1.5xtr JJ tuned

Default

It wouldn't surprise me if the 2009 wrx beat the current Sti. It did very well against the competition in the R&T comparo test, which included the Chevy.

The Sti needs a 20% proportional bump like the wrx just received. 365 hp is easily attainable and should be expected if the STi is going to top its competitors again.
Dave D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 05:13 PM   #24
jasoncps
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 159781
Join Date: Sep 2007
Vehicle:
2005 Impreza WRX STI

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank A View Post
Some truth, some exaggeration.

Iirc, the whole world gets the 15:1 rack, unless you get a spec C.

I'm pretty sure you can't get an equivalently equipped BMW for the same price as an STI. A 335xi, for example, is over 45k.

Frank
The whole world does NOT get the 15:1 rack. The "standard" STI in Japan has a 13:1 or 14:1 rack. I also think the European version is the quicker rack, not to mention the Europeans get those awesome special STI's like Japan.

Yes you can get BETTER equipped Mercedes, Audi's, BMW's, and Infiniti's for the price. I can get sporty german sedans with light years better interior and exterior, with same ballpark performance, for LESS. Look it up man.The STI is way too expensive for the sad performance it exhibits.

Just look at those terribly cheap, ugly seats in the STI(as opposed to the stunning Recaros the rest of the world gets).

The interior is clearly a big step down from the competition.

Even the Evo gets great seats for God's sake. Yes it has a cheap interior too and is overpriced but at least the Evo can throw it down on the track and kick some ass, unlike SOA's STI.

If Subaru of America wants to price the STI near 40 grand, it better be fast as all hell to compete with german engineering refinement and beauty. 95 percent of buyers would rather have the BMW, Audi, or Benz with vastly superior refinement and equal or slightly less performance for the same price!! I cannot say this enough, the new STI is way too expensive for the performance it offers.

It's embarrassing how bad the STI did on this comparo. The USDM car and it's price is just not worthy of the STI name. The car that is called WRX STI for near 40 grand should really be a 25 grand WRX when you consider its interior and performance numbers. What the STI should be(a massive performance bargain) does not exist anymore. Sad.

Subaru.....Please fix this car for 2010....Please fix this car for 2010.......Please fix this car for 2010........maybe if we all think it enough it will happen.

Last edited by jasoncps; 09-25-2008 at 05:36 PM.
jasoncps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2008, 05:16 PM   #25
Scooby43055
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 6029
Join Date: Apr 2001
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Dublin, Ohio, USA
Vehicle:
06&8 STI
white/gold

Default

What setting(s) did you use for the DCCD and VDC systems? Im sure you used Sport#, but how about the rest?
Scooby43055 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2008 STI Power Steering Pump and Bracket in excellent shape!! RYNOMOTO Engine/Power/Exhaust 9 12-05-2011 06:41 PM
FS: (NY) 2008 STi - White w/BBS and 5-spoke, fogs and MANY EXTRAS..COBB DYNAUDIO.. b0bsti Private Vehicle 'For Sale' Classifieds 33 03-31-2009 11:09 PM
Car and Driver's take on the spied subie mule s204speed News & Rumors 13 06-06-2008 11:46 AM
Forrester STi in Car and Driver Zornorph General Community 5 08-30-2004 09:19 AM
What was with the COBB car in car and driver's "Fourgasm" ammoniaman General Community 23 08-19-2003 12:24 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.