Posts: 9,588
Threads: 529
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
1
06-09-2006, 09:50 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-09-2006, 09:51 PM by NOS2Go4Me.)
Went out last night for a ride in my buddy's 2006 STi. What started out as a cruise around a few blocks ended up as a 1hr+ tour of North Bay and area.
I'm not sure what impressed me more - the fact breathing was a conscious effort for the first two gears from a dead start, braking from 40MPH to 0 was near instantaneous or that cornering made the new-and-improved sedan setup at home look soft and floaty (to me, anyways). It's a horribly disparate apples to oranges comparison, but there you have it. What a car.
Another thing is the gearbox. I couldn't believe the minute amount of effort that goes into shifting gears. We're cruising along, yakking about whatever, and shifting becomes an afterthought for him. Wow.
Also, the vertically-adjustable headlights are trick. :D
There's almost no spool to be heard, the blowoff is quiet as hell... the loudest thing is the factory exhaust. Understeer in a corner? Just add throttle.
Then for s***s and giggles I took him out for a boot in the Focus. A much shorter ride but it got it done. He was impressed by the new handling kit, and that its 120ish BHP was able to move it along so well for an automatic. I actually bent it into a couple of the same corners as he did at about the same speed and the Focus took it just as well - no tire squeal, just cornered with a marginal amount of roll. Of course, I was working the Focus a lot harder to keep up the same rough pace, but that's more than expected.
Man, I love Subarus. :)
Daily driver 1: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport "S"
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.
Posts: 9,627
Threads: 938
Joined: May 2003
Reputation:
0
Another reason as to why I'm going to do my damnest to make one my next car.
Posts: 8,622
Threads: 898
Joined: May 2003
Reputation:
6
ANTHONYD,Jun 9 2006, 08:06 AM Wrote:Another reason as to why I'm going to do my damnest to make one my next car.
[right][snapback]192059[/snapback][/right]
have you wedged yourself into a subie lately? I'm sorry, but for $50,000 I would like to have a wee bit more shoulder, leg, and headroom.
Contribute to focuscanada.net's future!Donations of $20 and over get a custom title!
Posts: 4,037
Threads: 305
Joined: Jun 2003
Reputation:
9
50K price tag is a little high for what your getting. But hey if I had a choice between the focus and an STi, damn straight i'm gonna get me an STi!.
Posts: 2,312
Threads: 71
Joined: Apr 2003
Reputation:
0
imprezas do not have much rear sear room this is true.. but the seat bolstering in the front is designed to be .. uh.. aggressive.. so maybe that is why you feel cramped?
i too want a STi as my next car. but before i make any next moves i need to take the 330i with sport package for a drive....
Posts: 1,135
Threads: 39
Joined: Oct 2004
Reputation:
0
I also want an STi as my next car...
Silver '05 Saabaru 9-2X Aero
Posts: 1,218
Threads: 103
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
Now go drive down to your local Mazda dealer, and take the Mazda speed 6 out for a test drive. 32kMsrb much better than 50k. AWD, Turbo, nice looking car.
2005 Liquid Grey ZX3 RIP
http://members.cardomain.com/phantom66
Mods so far : Mazda 3 Wiper Arm, Shorty Antenna, Alpine CDA-9887 HU, 17" Enkei Evo6 Hyper Black Nexen N3000 215/45/17
2010 World Rally Blue Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Posts: 9,588
Threads: 529
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
1
Maybe the Mazdaspeed 3 when it comes out. The guys at North Bay Mazda have confided it'll be out by the end of the year.
Daily driver 1: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport "S"
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.
Posts: 1,218
Threads: 103
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
NOS2Go4Me,Jun 9 2006, 09:05 AM Wrote:Maybe the Mazdaspeed 3 when it comes out. The guys at North Bay Mazda have confided it'll be out by the end of the year.
[right][snapback]192078[/snapback][/right]
No AWD tho. If I was going to replace the focus, that would be the car, the speed3. I don't like sedans all to much. And I can live without the AWD. But comparing to a subie STI I'd compare the Mazda Speed6.
2005 Liquid Grey ZX3 RIP
http://members.cardomain.com/phantom66
Mods so far : Mazda 3 Wiper Arm, Shorty Antenna, Alpine CDA-9887 HU, 17" Enkei Evo6 Hyper Black Nexen N3000 215/45/17
2010 World Rally Blue Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Posts: 7,019
Threads: 347
Joined: Apr 2004
Reputation:
6
Phantom,Jun 9 2006, 11:03 AM Wrote:Now go drive down to your local Mazda dealer, and take the Mazda speed 6 out for a test drive. 32kMsrb much better than 50k. AWD, Turbo, nice looking car.
[right][snapback]192077[/snapback][/right]
Try $36-39k. Just a wee tad more.
TEAM PITA Don't settle for a wannabe, only accept the real deal.
One day I will rule the world. For now, I have to settle for this place.
Posts: 1,218
Threads: 103
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
meford4u,Jun 9 2006, 10:22 AM Wrote:Phantom,Jun 9 2006, 11:03 AM Wrote:Now go drive down to your local Mazda dealer, and take the Mazda speed 6 out for a test drive. 32kMsrb much better than 50k. AWD, Turbo, nice looking car.
[right][snapback]192077[/snapback][/right]
Try $36-39k. Just a wee tad more.
[right][snapback]192090[/snapback][/right]
Well I can't check for sure right now at work and can't view the site, but even at 36-39 it's still a hell of a lot cheaper than the subbie.
2005 Liquid Grey ZX3 RIP
http://members.cardomain.com/phantom66
Mods so far : Mazda 3 Wiper Arm, Shorty Antenna, Alpine CDA-9887 HU, 17" Enkei Evo6 Hyper Black Nexen N3000 215/45/17
2010 World Rally Blue Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Posts: 1,939
Threads: 101
Joined: Aug 2004
Reputation:
0
Went for a ride in an STi @ auto-x, and yes, what a rush! The car is all about performance and it does that very well, but you seem to get little else along with it for your $50k. At a year or 2 old for about $40-$35k they seem a lot more reasonable. Above that I'm not so sure.
Posts: 5,066
Threads: 166
Joined: May 2003
Reputation:
0
Your best bet with an sti is to bring one over from the states...
with the exchange rate the way it is. i'm sure you could import one for under 30.
Ive seen them go as low as 20k on NASIOC
05 Altima SE-R
98 Grand Cherokee 5.9: Flowmaster; K&N
05 300C 5.7: Sold
99 Civic SIR: Sold
03 Focus SVT: Sold
01 Focus ZX3: Sold
Posts: 9,588
Threads: 529
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
1
Brand-new, imported from the states was 43,500 CDN after it all settled... so he said last night. Not a bad deal compared to what they go for here.
Daily driver 1: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport "S"
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.
Posts: 5,066
Threads: 166
Joined: May 2003
Reputation:
0
Yup...
I'd definatley take a used one though.
If i wasnt in a rush to buy a car this time i probably would have brought a used one over from the states
05 Altima SE-R
98 Grand Cherokee 5.9: Flowmaster; K&N
05 300C 5.7: Sold
99 Civic SIR: Sold
03 Focus SVT: Sold
01 Focus ZX3: Sold
Posts: 9,588
Threads: 529
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
1
06-10-2006, 08:30 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-10-2006, 08:33 AM by NOS2Go4Me.)
I'd consider doing that myself, actually. It really seems like the way to go.
Oddly enough, I'm more loyal to the Focus now than ever. Or perhaps not so oddly, considering its newfound handling prowess and the fact gas is still ~ $1.00/L here in North Bay :rolleyes:
TBH, I'm not sure what I'd enjoy more... a STi or the daily drivability and sexiness of a G35 coupe. Even the guy owning the STi wanted the G35 coupe and still does, although he doesn't deny the fun of the STi. :lol:
That car of his is seriously nuts. I mean the shift light is programmable and it beeps at you! DANGER TO MANIFOLD! :lol:
Daily driver 1: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport "S"
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.
Posts: 5,066
Threads: 166
Joined: May 2003
Reputation:
0
Its definatley a tough call...
I would have definatley bought a g35...
its just for the price i paid for the 300, i definatley could not have found a 6mt w/ warranty remainng
05 Altima SE-R
98 Grand Cherokee 5.9: Flowmaster; K&N
05 300C 5.7: Sold
99 Civic SIR: Sold
03 Focus SVT: Sold
01 Focus ZX3: Sold
Posts: 5,384
Threads: 269
Joined: Dec 2005
Reputation:
5
MMMMMMMMMMMMM G35 Coupe!!!!
Focus man, Focus........ Team Psychological Disaster
2008 Taurus X to be modded.
2002 ZX5 parted out. Forever known as the "SLOCUS".
2010 Dyno #'s 102.96HP/105.84TQ
2011 Dyno #'s 111.44HP/115.17TQ
Still The Weakest Link
Dial 1-800-AUTO-PARTS for your local speed shop.
Posts: 2,312
Threads: 71
Joined: Apr 2003
Reputation:
0
when i was shopping for my car, i saw evolutions and some STis with very low miles for around 20-22k US for comparison's sake, a low mile wrx is around 15k US.. i can't believe how much more expensive they are used in canada.. i guess it must be toronto where every asian kid with loot from hk is bidding up the prices like crazy
Posts: 1,939
Threads: 101
Joined: Aug 2004
Reputation:
0
It's not just Toronto <_<
|
Hi, Guest
