STI 04 or BA XR8Opinions & Facts Please

[DarkXr]

Hey all,

Has any one got any useful info/opinions on the above, Im thinking of buying one of the above to but not too sure. I like the sti because it Jap made, quick and easily modifiable but also like the idea of a V8.

Has any one owned both of these cars of similar

cheers

[PULLY6]

Thats a really, really hard decision!!

Good luck with it! I'm not offering an opinion 'cause I can't decide :P

[Heeno]

well mate what sort of driving do you do, are you a person that likes to take corners at high speeds or you someone that loves the grunt and power of a v8?

personally i'd take the sti, simply because i love windy roads and the sti is great for that stuff and its got the power there as well plus the 4wd helps to.
Old mate up the coast has an sti and he seems to be able to stay infront of the 8's on the highway(only until she signs off at 235) above that the v8's have it all over the lil sti.

[merlin]

Depends completley on your personal circumstances.

Do you have kids - Yes XR8, No Sti

Do you do long or mostly short trips - Long = XR8, Short = Sti.

The list goes on...

PS - If your looking at the Sti then why not the XR6T?

[Heeno]

Originally Posted by merlin

Depends completley on your personal circumstances.

Do you have kids - Yes XR8, No Sti

Do you do long or mostly short trips - Long = XR8, Short = Sti.

The list goes on...

PS - If your looking at the Sti then why not the XR6T?

good points, if you have kids i wouldn't go the sti but like merlin said what about the xr6T?

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by Heeno

well mate what sort of driving do you do, are you a person that likes to take corners at high speeds or you someone that loves the grunt and power of a v8?

personally i'd take the sti, simply because i love windy roads and the sti is great for that stuff and its got the power there as well plus the 4wd helps to.

Good call.

But to be honest i get a great thrill in throwing the V8 around the odd windy road. The STi would obviously be quicker around there but there's certainly no lack of excitement muscling a big sedan through there....

Never been in an Sti but was taken for a ride in a late 90s wrx a while back... its unbelievable how well those things stick to the road. Approaching a 90degree bend and I thought "we're gonners"... and the thing just stuck like glue. Crazy.

[sbcb]

8, 8, or consider an 8.

Hope this helps.

[Steffo]

I'd personally go for the XR8. But, of course, I'm very biased. And its just as easily modifyable, actually, more so.. then the STi. Plus there's the fact that the STi rides as if you're sitting on a plank of wood. I'm not sure it'd be the best kind of car to have as a daily driver.

[madmatty]

i have a ba xr8 and my brother has 03 sti
both nice cars.sti a bit quicker in most situations
xr8 heaps more comfortable and more space
check the insurance prices (could be around 3 grand for the sti)and i would stick with the ford,its also a bit cheaper i think.

[MeestaNob!]

Throws spanner into works:

Typhoon + Mods! Typhoon + Mods! <explodes>

[Smoke Pursuit]

Hmmm XR8.... If your into touring around then the XR8 is going to be the better more comfortible ride, if your buying it for solely performance reasons then the STI.

[DarkXr]

good point regarding the comfort issue - I actaully dont drive long distances or anything like that.

Not sure about the XR6T/Tyhpoon if I was going to get another big sedan it would be the XR8 or the GT...

Thanks for the help - any one else driven an STI who has an opionion

cheers

[PXR]

A very tough decision, I wish I had such a problem again. I'm currently an owner of a std 2001 WRx not sti. Having owned an EF xr8 then a short trip to the darkest side "a Gen III Vx" . Point to point the STI Will be quicker. But the V8 has more grunt, the Sti will involve more stiring of the gearbox (Short ratio 6sp). Wet days I still drive around trying to work out why everyone is going so slow the Wrx Sticks so well; Then a XR6t or XR8 comes out of a side street sideways and I remember, I must admit with some fondness. The Big car will travel smoother (cruisier) and more relaxed. The falcon is heaps less likely to be pulled over for a minor offence, read no such thing as "random" breath test, I've had a policeman cross three lanes of a major highway to flag me in one night. The WRX club network is excellent with heaps of organised activities (I'm NSW but QLD club also has good history). Totally different to drive characteristics at the limit. Lift Off oversteer is interesting.:-))
I still miss the eights dottering in traffic then just push on the loud peddal. But I don't drive an STI. The WRX is down 1-2 gears then blow them away. Insurance hates us all but check your situation.
Fuel driven to kill an eight = Six fuel, driven to preserve licence = better than 4 cyl. Modded V8 killer = V8 fuel. I don't soft but use 9-10l/100km consistantly, but it MUST be Premium preferably 98. Probably no help to you but my observations. Ps I really miss the fold down seats of the EF and my next Wrx will prob be the hatch or a "Rapid" (Yellow) GT-P 'coon

[DarkXr]

thanks pxr good info

[Heeno]

WRX STi Manual
Dimensions and Weight
Min. ground clearance* mm 155
Overall height mm 1440
Overall length mm 4415
Overall width mm 1740
Tread front mm 1490
Tread rear mm 1495
Wheel base mm 2540
Unladen mass kg 1475
Engine
Type Turbocharged, horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, multi-point injected DOHC with AVCS
Fuel tank capacity litres 60
Fuel system Multi-point sequential injection
Displacement l/cc 2.0/1994
Compression ratio 8.0:1
Bore x stroke mm 92.0 x 75.0
Min. Fuel octane rating requirement RON ULP 98
Performance
Max. output (DIN) kW/rpm 195/6000
Max. torque (DIN) Nm/rpm 343/4000
Max. speed (in top gear) km/h 235 (Limited)
0-100 Km/h secs 5.5
Fuel Consumption (ADR81/01) ** 11.5
Transaxle
Final reduction gear ratio 3.900
Gear ratio 1st 3.636
Gear ratio 2nd 2.375
Gear ratio 3rd 1.761
Gear ratio 4th 1.346
Gear ratio 5th 1.062
Gear ratio 6th 0.842
Gear ratio Rev. 3.545
Transmission type Manual
Chassis
Steering Power assisted engine speed-sensitive rack and pinion
Suspension front MacPherson strut type, independent, coil spring, inverted strut
Suspension rear Multi-link strut type, independent, coil spring, inverted strut
Min. turning circle (at tyre) m 11.6
Brakes rear Vacuum assisted ventilated disc brakes - 316mm
Brakes (Brembo calipers) front Vacuum assisted ventilated discs - 326mm
Tyres (Bridgestone Potenza RE070) 225/45 R17 90W
Towing
With brakes kg 900
Without brakes kg 500

Price: about 60k


there you go just some stats on the STI, don't think you need the ones on the xr8. if you do i'll round them up to.

[madmatty]

The last two sti have awful fuel consumption when pushed hard and the gearing is designed to keep it on boost all the time.110kph=3000rpm.also the ride is very firmand the keypad security is very annoying especialy highjack mode.ie if you open the drivers door while the motors running it will shut off the engine after about 60 seconds.
but it is a blast to drive,oh and the stereo and speakers are rubbish to.and the water spray is disstracting when driving hard.
bottom line is do you want a weekend racer (sti)or a full size sedan with gruntand that wonderful noise?

[Psycho Chicken]

Originally Posted by madmatty

the keypad security is very annoying especialy highjack mode.ie if you open the drivers door while the motors running it will shut off the engine after about 60 seconds.

It can be turned off if you want.

I'd say drive them all. As suggested drive the Liberty RB, it's a happy medium on size, handling and power. They are smooth as and go bloody hard for an N/A 6. Stereo in the WRXs is crap, but jump into a an Lib with the full system....they are great for a factory sound system.

[mitch_lx]

Well ive never been in a xr8.
But i have been in a automatic gen 3 monaro and a guy i know owns a 1998 japspec 2 door sti.

Firstly the monaro (sorry for the comparison i know its not an xr8 but i think the monaros are supposedly a little quickeR? right? :S)
It seemed to need a few revs to get moving, but once it did it gets up and boogies, but nowhere near as much as i had expected.
Ive sat in a gt and typhoon, they have alot of space, good driving position, great looking interior, but they are phat *** cars, but i guess this would be comforting because you know there sturdy and strong! AND one thing i might add about the ba falcon is, ive taken my 04' Fiesta to ford for a service and a couple check ups, and whenever ive been there is ALWAYS at least one ba getting a new diff. The owners are not all hoons, i remember two of them being elderly people in their ghia fairmonts.
Also Timmeh, used to own a ba xr6, spent most of its life at ford, problems with diff and gearbox if i remember correctly.
There seem to be some reliability issues and personaly at the moment, id never ever buy a ba falcon. Too many lemons out there.


ANYWAY i hope i dont get flamed for that, but now its time for the STI!!!!!

Its a 2 door japspec MY98 (1998 model)
I went in it a few times, each time with different feelings on it.
First time was on a summer day, around 1pm.
It was laggy, and didnt do too much for me to be honest.
Second time was at night, it responded like a completely different car, it was still laggy, not really hitting you in your seat till around 3.5 thou rpm.
but once it came on boost holy hell, hold on and feel as the blood drains to the back of your head.

suspension wise it felt firm but bearable, understeered like a dog though (apparently understeer has been reduced in newer models)
I felt confident in the car though, wasnt really worried, loads of grip.

the car felt choked above about 6.5 thousand rpm, but from 3.5 till 6.5 it was a monster. smocked a SS without a hassle in the world.
The next time i was in it there were 5 of us packed into the thing. at around 11pm, very cold. VERY FAST, everyone in the car had their butts and heads plastered to the seats.

The car felt very unrefined, but thats fair enough because it is a semi racing car when you think about it. I cant comment about the stock stereo (ive bene told there crap) reason i cant comment was because it had aftermarket headunit and speakers fitted.
It had the keypad security on the top of dash in a compartment.
Seats are nice, hold you tight.

The car is faiiirly ordinary looking, its the common metallic blue that EVERYONE with a wrx has, with the gold wheels.
I dont really like the bugeyed models (MY01) but i like the most recent shape the best.
There is a word you need to be introduced to, it will solve all your problems... ready for it?!?!?!? Evolution

[MrSparkle]

The XR8 will sound better, have much more room, ride better, have a vastly better interior, be cheaper to insure, and keep the lop-sided members of this forum happy.

The STi will go harder, corner quicker, stop better, age better, be worth more 2nd hand, but cost (much) more to insure. They do definitely ride a lot harder but it's a case of if you are prepared to compromise on more practical things in the name of out and out performance, then this is your choice.

By the way, have you considered the Liberty GT or Liberty 3.0 R-B? I'd take one of these over either the XR8 or the STi. They offer a solid middle ground that neither XR8 nor STi can match in terms of a balance of performance, luxury, BUILD QUALITY, resale, and safety.

[Jamie XR6]

Originally Posted by MrSparkle

By the way, have you considered the Liberty GT or Liberty 3.0 R-B? I'd take one of these over either the XR8 or the STi. They offer a solid middle ground that neither XR8 nor STi can match in terms of a balance of performance, luxury, BUILD QUALITY, resale, and safety.

A man after my own heart!

I'd take the Liberty GT over both the STi and XR8 as well.

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by Jamie XR6

A man after my own heart!

I'd take the Liberty GT over both the STi and XR8 as well.

I would got Liberty GT aswell. Then Sti and XR8.

[M&Ms]

For the price of the STi you could put yourself behind the seat of either a Typhoon or a GT Falcon.

To answer the question, I'd take an STi over an XR8, but not over a GT. And no, I wouldn't take a normal 'rex' over a XR8.

[zoomie]

I'd bypass the STI and go for an EVO 8 or the new EVO 9 when it comes out in october (EVO9 will have 220kws and be the same price as a STI.)

But then again a 6speed XR8 will be a better family/cruising vehicle. At the end of the day ya have to weigh up want ya want from the cars.

This a pic of an EVO 9

Its only the Jap Spec EVO that gets the 220kW i'm pretty sure. We stay with the 195kW.

If its driving experience your after then go for the STi, if you're looking for a cruiser with go then go for the XR8. Personally i would try to get an MY05 STi (Aug 04 onwards) they come with the DCCD.

[zoomie]

Originally Posted by Red MY01

Its only the Jap Spec EVO that gets the 220kW i'm pretty sure. We stay with the 195kW.

If its driving experience your after then go for the STi, if you're looking for a cruiser with go then go for the XR8. Personally i would try to get an MY05 STi (Aug 04 onwards) they come with the DCCD.

The current EVO 8 that we get has only 195kws and is limited to 100 cars for 2004 and 100 cars for 2005. They are euro spec vehicles, that is why they are power limited and have 5 speed gearboxes.
The EVO 9 is going to be a full time part of the lancer range we will be getting the full jap spec - 220kw's, 6 speed gearboxes and a price reduction to the same price as the STI.
The only STI to get near the abilitys of an EVO 8 is the MY05 model, even then the EVO is still the better drivers car and the EVO 9 is even better again.

Still id personally go the XR8, due to cheaper insurance, more room etc etc. But its ultimately up to the buyer what they choose.

[merlin]

Originally Posted by MrSparkle

By the way, have you considered the Liberty GT or Liberty 3.0 R-B? I'd take one of these over either the XR8 or the STi. They offer a solid middle ground that neither XR8 nor STi can match in terms of a balance of performance, luxury, BUILD QUALITY, resale, and safety.

I'm going to 4'th that! Had a look at the new Liberty's last night - it is indeed a superb balance of all the above and looks great as well, Subaru have made almost the perfect car (for me).

[AGRO]

Originally Posted by ftr_el

Hey all,

Has any one owned both of these cars of similar

cheers

Before I bought my SS ute & now BA XR8, I had the WRX.
In my opinion, the Subaru was the best value for money between any car I have owned, when It came to performance. Since early 90's, I've had new V6's, V8's, 4x4s, sedans and utes...etc, etc.
The wrx had better brakes even after a flogging comparred to the others, handled heaps better on tight roads (as in cornering/braking/acceleration), great road ability and safer in the wet, more usable power in most rev ranges than the bigger 8s. The car was a great all rounder and nice package!!!! The STI as you know, is a step above the WRX, so if I had one of these for the 40,00klm's I had the WRX, the same would of applied, a few points maybe increase.

Having said that, I wouldn't own one again. Most places won't insure the WRX, let alone a STI. Yes some do, but you will be looking into the thousands. A few years of paying a premium like that, you soon might change your mind. Then to sell the car is much harder, as people tend not to buy this car if they can't get insurance, and a lot won't.
The seats are comfortable, but sit in then for a few hours, and you will definately change your mind, compared to the BA XR8! The boots are way too small, and the car is definately not designed for any more than two people. Get the BA up and singing, and the power delivery is better than the Subaru. For an overall car package, taking everything into consideration, I would personnaly go for the BA XR8................but thats just me!!!

Regards

AGRO.

[X ORSMXR]

Mate l drove last years model STi adn was happy with the way it drove but not for the price they wanted as was going to trade the XR8 l am so glad l didn't as l rip them at every set of lights and around corners so the XR8 is the way to go..

[Heeno]

Originally Posted by ORSMXR

l rip them at every set of lights and around corners so the XR8 is the way to go..

LOL im sure you do _

[madmatty]

the liberty gt is a good compromise but they are a bit to expensive they blend into the traffic and have lag down low.