sigh...going back and forth, please help me decide? =(

[rabove]

It's not as dramatic as the title may suggest, but it still matters a great deal to me none-the-less.

I've posted before about WHY I should get a DSM, but that's no longer a question or issue I have. I know WHY I would get one. Now the question is, WHY should I get a DSM over another car. That car being an '06 STi. Let's do a very brief breakdown of the pros and cons. That might help organize this a bit better and enable anyone who has the free time and inclination to give me their input.


1991-1994 (1g) DSM
------------------------
Pros: Cheap to buy, cheap insurance (depending on what I choose to go with), 'cheap' to mod (also depending on how far I want to go, and how I go about doing that) and overall, a damn fine car.
Cons: Older which requires maintenance investment before any modding (to be responsible), room and tools to work on car (I have the tools, but really...no reliable space to work on it), potential SMOG issues (visual) in California and...2 door.

2006-2007 STi
-----------------------
Pros: Brand new, 300hp/tq out the door, slick interior (personally, I really like it), 4 doors (easier to haul things around, including people), amazing handling...and also, like the DSM, badass in general.
Cons: Finance payments, insurance payments, warranty (can't mod without voiding it) and I'd have to spend 8-12 months saving up a big chunk for the down payment (10-12k or so.


So, if we assume those are my BASIC underlying likes and dislikes with the two cars, what would YOU personally go for. I like the idea of 300 hp/tq under warranty, brand new...but I also like the idea of OWNING a car, with no payments, and using that extra cash for other things (like, I don't know, savings!). I could MAKE space to work on the DSM, but it'd be a hassle every time (at least right now, given my current living situation).

I'm just really torn. I want a 4 door car...and I suppose I could always make things a BIT cheaper and go with a base WRX (Non-TR)...but if I want to mod that, I feel like I might as well spend more and get the STi. But then that all loops back to the monthly payments. What if I lose my job? What if something comes up that affects money in any way...that's always a risk. I could jack my credit up, I might have to sell the car...or I might have to work 3 jobs to keep making the payments along with all my other bills.

I originally planned to save up for about 8-12 months to have 8-12k for a downpayment. But even then, I'd be financing well over 20,000.

So if I go the DSM route and pick one up for around 2,000, free and clear...no payments, I'd have to turn around and probably invest another 2,000 in maintenance parts, all depending on the previous owner. Then of course I won't be happy with the performance, so I'll want to start modding...which may cause downtimes for me, and if it's my daily driver....

Wow, I didn't realize how out of control this thread has already gotten. I'll cut it here...I think, if you actually spent the time reading the entire thread, you can see how I keep going in circles. There is good and bad to either scenario. It's a matter of which I choose. HELP if you dare.

 

[ChvyKc]

STi's are bad. My buddy just got one and I have been trying to run him forever now. I think that he might be a little scared. I shouldn't have a problem taking him but for a bone stock car they are no joke. Awesome looking cars also. I would definately go fro the STi if you got the cash. I agree with you on the interior also, Subaru did an awesome job on it.

 

[v2ner]

You don't have to take emissions with a brand new car, right? You probably won't pass with a slightly modded 1G....STI ECUs suck....older cars are more prone to parts breaking. My conclusion is: if your're experienced with DSMs, definitely take it. If you're not experienced and someone else is going to work on your car, take the STI. They're not all to bad. Just one question, why not an EVO?

 

[rabove]

I actually like the IX interior. The VIII's were just...wow. Ridiculous for the price. A friend of mine REALLY wants an Evo...the problem is, for a 6 speed tranny, he has to get the MR which retails at 35k base. STi's are 32k base WITH a 6spd already. That, and I know a great Subaru guy who will hook me up with some accessories and the overall price (especially with a solid down payment).

As for being familiar...I'm only familiar studiously. I've only researched and read about. From that, I feel I know a LOT...but knowing and doing are completely different. I have ZERO experience working on a DSM. However, with the right amount of support (in the form of local DSM owners), I don't think that'd be too difficult to overcome.

With 8-10k down..and, let's say, 6-8% APR...and 60 months, my payments will still be $500 a month. Add about $270 for insurance and close to $200 in gas...that's about a $1000 a month car. I CAN afford that, but do I want to? Do I want to risk having to make those payments? I have no reason to suspect I will be jobless, but it's always possible.

Hmmm...I guess it's a question of time vs. money. DSM = time, STi = money.

 

[drivemusicnow]

STi's are bad. My buddy just got one and I have been trying to run him forever now. I think that he might be a little scared. I shouldn't have a problem taking him but for a bone stock car they are no joke. Awesome looking cars also. I would definately go fro the STi if you got the cash. I agree with you on the interior also, Subaru did an awesome job on it.

I'm doubting that he is a little scared. BONE stock 06s WRXes turn 13.7s if driven well... add 70 horsepower to that and see how you do.

The new STis are still rated at the same power and torque as the 05s, however don't be fooled. On a dyno they put 30+ more hp to the wheels.

This is what it comes down to. If you want a street car, that you can do light modding to and be a reliable, amazingly fun, expensive, great handling, clean interior, and everything being NEW, get the STi.

If you want to make a car into a track whore (straightline or roadcourse), Have plenty of time to work on it, and not need the car everyday to get to work, want something that is cheap, disposable, and cheaply mod-able. Get a DSM.

If you are going to make the car into a track whore (straightline or roadcourse) have plenty of money AND time, great handling, lots of mods, amazingly fun, Get an EVO.

There is a reason that WRX STis outsell EVOs... Most people who look at those two cars want a car that is a great daily driver, an is rediculously fast and capable. Not, a car that is rediculously fast and capable, but is less than ideal to drive daily.

It comes down to are you going to modify the car or not. If you are NOT going to, there is absolutly no reason to get a DSM or EVO,

Now, I personaly think you should stick to a DSM, as I think you are deluding yourself into thinking you can afford an STi. But I could be wrong.

 

[No_Skillz]

^ +1... seriously man... it doesn't sound like you can afford an STI.

 

[toecutter]

From what it sounds like, you might be better off in the long run with a 1g, you'll spend less to get it to the same performance as an sti, but then agian i'd like a new car with a warrenty. But its all honestly up to you, and what you can afford

 

[Fabian972]

From what it sounds like, you might be better off in the long run with a 1g, you'll spend less to get it to the same performance as an sti, but then agian i'd like a new car with a warrenty. But its all honestly up to you, and what you can afford

Why not find a nice 1 gen shell what $1500 or less and a rebulit motor what $2000 or a fully bulit motor $4000 with warranty and now you have a low maintenance low mileage paid for car .

 

[rabove]

Without a large 10k down payment, I couldn't afford it for sure. With one, I know I can. I hear everything you guys are saying, but it's still hard for me to gauge the pros and cons of each. Either have significant issues that are hard for me to 'stomach' or overcome.

This car, whichever one I end up deciding on, will be a daily driver first and foremost. If I get a DSM, I know I'll want to mod it quite a bit. But, as a CA resident, I'll have the FUN time of trying to get it to pass a visual 'test'. With an STi, I'd feel much less inclined to mod it, given how capable it is from the factory. If Galant VR4's weren't so hard to find and expensive, I might even consider one of those for the 4 doors (which is something I really appreciate nowadays).

I know I'm coming off as fickle and I apologize for that...but it's sort of the whole reason for this post. Somehow, someway...I need a gigantic (figurative) bi*** slap to the face. An 'aha!' moment where something clicks. I've researched the bloody hell out of either car...so I truly know what'd be involved. It all comes back to the pros and cons. The scale is even, presently.

 

[TheRealist]

Ditch the 1gs and get a 2g GST or GSX, Looks great and personaly looks better than the 1g's if i were you, and you went STI route i wouldnt buy an sti i would buy an EVO

 

[92awddsm]

I was in your position back in '02. I wanted a sti but I already had a 1g tsi awd. Well, after lots of consideration, I chose to keep the 1g and mod it. Just think, after 60 months(however l you plan to finance it) you have that much to invest in a dsm. In 32 months, you could have a 2gb, fully rebuilt, and fully modded but still be reliable(given the $1k/month is still spent) And the insurance will be close to nothing. Just remember, you can get a 2g dsm, make 300hp, and still spend less than $5k if you look hard enough. The rest of the $ can go to making it new so it would be reliable.

 

[rabove]

I was in your position back in '02. I wanted a sti but I already had a 1g tsi awd. Well, after lots of consideration, I chose to keep the 1g and mod it. Just think, after 60 months(however l you plan to finance it) you have that much to invest in a dsm. In 32 months, you could have a 2gb, fully rebuilt, and fully modded but still be reliable(given the $1k/month is still spent) And the insurance will be close to nothing. Just remember, you can get a 2g dsm, make 300hp, and still spend less than $5k if you look hard enough. The rest of the $ can go to making it new so it would be reliable.

All very true and good points...but what about the issues I've listed? Specifically, smog here in California. It'd be quite a hassle every two years to have a modded car smogged. - And as a daily driver, if I'm modding it, I won't be able to have any prolonged down time. I respect what DSM's are. They're basically a 'hobby mechanics' car. If you own one, you simply NEED to do your own work (unless you are filthy rich and happen to love them anyway).

So, in this instance, the money spent on mods is fine, the self labor is fine, even the overall 'price' is fine...but there's more to it. I feel like such a whiny bi***, haha. I just want to make sure that whatever car I decide to get next...I will own it for a LONG time. Not as big of a deal to most, I'm sure, but it makes me stress.

 

[drivemusicnow]

All very true and good points...but what about the issues I've listed? Specifically, smog here in California. It'd be quite a hassle every two years to have a modded car smogged. - And as a daily driver, if I'm modding it, I won't be able to have any prolonged down time. I respect what DSM's are. They're basically a 'hobby mechanics' car. If you own one, you simply NEED to do your own work (unless you are filthy rich and happen to love them anyway).

So, in this instance, the money spent on mods is fine, the self labor is fine, even the overall 'price' is fine...but there's more to it. I feel like such a whiny bi***, haha. I just want to make sure that whatever car I decide to get next...I will own it for a LONG time. Not as big of a deal to most, I'm sure, but it makes me stress.

If you truly feel you can offord the STi, I think that it's the obvious choice for you. (You're asking on a fanboi site, you'll mostly hear evo speak... I've seen the light)

If not, look for a 99 gsx that is a CALI car, already modified by someone who knows what they're doing. this would probably be about 12-15K $, but would be worth not having to worry about emissions, and doing soo much rebuild/maintanence work. what this gives you is a car that you can A) afford, B) if you move you can still mod the crap out of it and C) mostly reliable car. Talk to RRE and see if they know any cars for sale.

 

[2G_RFF_GST]

Get an EVO or a 2g GSX if you plan on doing ANYTHING to your car. If you plan to keep it 100% stock, get the STI.

There's also the whole "what class do you fit into" question. If you work for a suite and tie business then get the STI. It's a little more "grown up". If that kind of thing doesn't matter and you don't have to impress co-workers, get a 2G GSX or a EVO.

Either way, it sounds like you're going to have one tight car.

 

[tsi2nv]

just think about the way the other guy in the sti wil feel win you smoke his 40,000 dollar car that he can't mod with out voiding the warrenty and has to pay full coverage insurence and a fat monthly payent

 

[rabove]

Thanks for all the input guys.

I don't wear a tie and all that, but I do work for a corporation. So it is business like. I don't have to impress anyone, so that's not going to be a factor. Here's some more information that might shed a little more light on why I want a 4 door: I might be working 50 miles from work soon...so I'll have to start commuting. Good news is, gas will be fine since I'm splitting the commute with 4-5 other people. Bad news will be...if I get a 2 door, I won't be able to commute with other people.

I *might* be able to talk them into letting me pay slightly more and not driving any day of the week, but...we'll see. I'll know all that within a week.

If I keep my job, I can afford the STi (given several months of down payment saving)...the question there is not 'can I afford it' it's more...'do I want to afford it'? That being, do I want another monthly bill, full insurance, etc.

In my perfect world, I'd own a 1g and 2g, Evo and STi.

 

[rabove]

Haha, wow. Well...this whole thing has been bugging me, so I looked even more into numbers. The cost of an Evo vs. STi. Insurance, performance, mods, everything pretty much. Amazingly, the Evo comes out on top for EVERYTHING. I went and looked at a IX RS, IX MR and STi last weekend. I actually LOVED the IX interior (vs. the 8's UGLYNESS). I still like the STi interior more, but not enough to ignore what I learned. Here's what I found out:

Evo IX (Non-RS, Non-MR)
------------------------------
Price, configured with accessories on site (CD Changer, Shift knob and wheel locks): 32k
Insurance is a full $100-150 LESS a month!

STi
------------------------------
Price, configured with accessories on site (sound, wheel locks, STS): 34.6k


Given that, I don't know HOW in the HELL I could even CONSIDER buying an STi. Better performance, better initial cost and MUCH cheaper insurance.


Looks like plain old research helped me decide...and I wasn't expecting to go with an Evo, hah! - Thanks for all the input in this thread...it helped me to consider the Evo in the first place. For some reason, I put it out of my mind.

 

[2G_RFF_GST]

congrats! Good Choice!

 

[PeteGSX95]

Im with v2ner if would have had the money when i bought my 2g i would have gone with a eVo instead. Yur lookng at basiclly the same set as an sti and you can get an odler one which is still a great car for half the price and for god sakes its EVO!!!!!!!!

 

[MotownTSI]

my buddy just picked up an evo a few months back and with only 2,500 bucks in mods it made 345 wheel hp......lets see an sti do that

 

[Bo0O0ostedDSM]

I'd get the DSM... cheap speed = good times

 

[ChvyKc]

I'm doubting that he is a little scared. BONE stock 06s WRXes turn 13.7s if driven well... add 70 horsepower to that and see how you do.

The new STis are still rated at the same power and torque as the 05s, however don't be fooled. On a dyno they put 30+ more hp to the wheels.

I agree with you on your statement except for what's quoted above. If you are going by my time in my avatar then I can see where you are coming from but that was at 19 pounds on the stock intercooler without water injection, cams or an O2 dump. The STi that I am talking about only has a downpipe and cat-back. I am lighter and should be making more power to the wheels than he is. Shouldn't be a problem for me to take that car out. I plan on running him at an upcoming show the first weekend in June. I will definately have the race on video as long as he is up to the challenge and let you guys in on what the outcome is.

I still love those cars though. They are an extremely clean car and well worth the money that Subaru is asking for them. I am a die hard DSM fan but I even think that they look better than the EVO's. I don't like the high wing on either of the cars, but there is a guy running around columbia with a silver STi without the wing that looks sick.

 

[jreese86]

Why not buy a 1g, spend a bit of money on maintenance/repairs/basic mods etc.

Buy a $5-7k daily driver something or other that gets 30+ mpg, and then start modding your 1g?

You'll have like 10-15k invested, own a daily driver, and a fun car, plus you'll have remaining income.