How does a 996 compare to a ...
04-08-2010, 04:52 PM
#16
Weathergirl
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Rennlist Member
Not sure about the new ones, but my 2004 STI was just too intense. It only rewarded driving at max attack.
My C4S has 95% of the performance the STI did, but delivered in a much more pleasant and stylish way.
But if your main priority is real-world road devouring capabilities in all conditions, get the STI.
Also, with the 996, you buy the package. There's very little you can do to improve it significantly with tuner/boy racer mods. With the STI, if it's not enough, you just dial it up to whatever level you want.
My C4S has 95% of the performance the STI did, but delivered in a much more pleasant and stylish way.
But if your main priority is real-world road devouring capabilities in all conditions, get the STI.
Also, with the 996, you buy the package. There's very little you can do to improve it significantly with tuner/boy racer mods. With the STI, if it's not enough, you just dial it up to whatever level you want.
04-08-2010, 05:12 PM
#17
Race Director
Oh no you didn't 
lol, you can't compare the two not even close to the same class. It's like comparing an Evo to a Gallardo, Spyker, Pagoni Zonda, Ford GT, NobleM400, NSX, 
Lotus Espirit Turbo, (I LOVE the body style on the Espirit btw) 996TT, 996GT2, 996GT3 etc. These are considered exotic cars the Subaru Sti is NOT an exotic vehicle in any shape way or form period. If your going to compare with an STi it must be another rally car or something with same weight with all wheel drive like the Mitsubishi Evo MR or Renault Clio sport. 
lol, you can't compare the two not even close to the same class. It's like comparing an Evo to a Gallardo, Spyker, Pagoni Zonda, Ford GT, NobleM400, NSX, Lotus Espirit Turbo, (I LOVE the body style on the Espirit btw) 996TT, 996GT2, 996GT3 etc. These are considered exotic cars the Subaru Sti is NOT an exotic vehicle in any shape way or form period. If your going to compare with an STi it must be another rally car or something with same weight with all wheel drive like the Mitsubishi Evo MR or Renault Clio sport. Hard to compare these cars, but for the price, the STI is very close if not exceeding the performance capabilities of the porsche.
04-08-2010, 06:08 PM
#20
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Thanks guys.
I'm definitely not cross shopping the two cars. An STI is just the only sports car I've ever really driven so I'm basing my question on that.
I've always had trucks (mazda b4000 and dodge 3500) and motorcycles (yamaha r6 and ducati 848) for the last several years. I've never owned a car. I sold my bike about a month ago and I'm now shopping for a 2002 or 2003 C2.
I'm definitely not cross shopping the two cars. An STI is just the only sports car I've ever really driven so I'm basing my question on that.
I've always had trucks (mazda b4000 and dodge 3500) and motorcycles (yamaha r6 and ducati 848) for the last several years. I've never owned a car. I sold my bike about a month ago and I'm now shopping for a 2002 or 2003 C2.
04-08-2010, 06:52 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
Thanks guys.
I'm definitely not cross shopping the two cars. An STI is just the only sports car I've ever really driven so I'm basing my question on that.
I've always had trucks (mazda b4000 and dodge 3500) and motorcycles (yamaha r6 and ducati 848) for the last several years. I've never owned a car. I sold my bike about a month ago and I'm now shopping for a 2002 or 2003 C2.
I'm definitely not cross shopping the two cars. An STI is just the only sports car I've ever really driven so I'm basing my question on that.
I've always had trucks (mazda b4000 and dodge 3500) and motorcycles (yamaha r6 and ducati 848) for the last several years. I've never owned a car. I sold my bike about a month ago and I'm now shopping for a 2002 or 2003 C2.
04-08-2010, 09:12 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
I owned in this order....(comparing subaru to porsche)
1985 944......
2004 WRX...
2005 STi.....
1982 911SC W/ 87 Euro motor...
CUrrent 2000 996.....
and I wouldnt go back....next car will be a daily driver toss up between another Audi or maybe a mini or a old VW..who knows..but there will allways be a Porsche Car..period.
04-08-2010, 09:47 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
Look Bill, we have discussed this over and over and over... Just stick to the "you cant compare the two" We told you this time and time again....
I have a 2010 WRX and a 996 so feel somewhat qualified, but of course the STi has a better suspension and slightly more power than the standard WRX so not exactly a firm compare (although I have already "chipped it" so have roughly the same numbers or better on my car). I can say that the WRX/STi has better off the line speed once the turbo kicks in - grins every single time and definitely quicker. The stock suspension in the WRX does not compare well to the 996 - car is top heavy and springs are soft. I changed the sways immediately to help with the roll but certainly a lot of front/back squish on brakes/accelerator and that will need some spring/coilover changes to correct. STi has better suspension and can only conjecture that they corrected this with their most aggressive settings. Shifter is vaugue and STi bushing and SSK fixed that right up. Mine is a 5-speed and the STi is a 6-speed. Stock figures show that the WRX, with one less shift, is faster than the STi with a 4.7 0-60.
Non performance elements are clearly that the interior is vastly superior in the 996, as one would expect from a car that costs 3 times as much. My stock WRX radio is so bad as to not be believed. It is like an AM radio from the 50s i kid you not. Paint work is okay but mine came with flaws that Subaru corrected. Really and truly the service (at least at my dealer) has been astoundingly great. Best ever.
So prognosis from me? 996 is rock solid and very stable while being fast. Driving same roads with the WRX shows it feels less stable at speed and build quality outside of drivetrain (which is really nicely done) is less. I daily drive the WRX now daily and only take the 996 occasionally.
Non performance elements are clearly that the interior is vastly superior in the 996, as one would expect from a car that costs 3 times as much. My stock WRX radio is so bad as to not be believed. It is like an AM radio from the 50s i kid you not. Paint work is okay but mine came with flaws that Subaru corrected. Really and truly the service (at least at my dealer) has been astoundingly great. Best ever.
So prognosis from me? 996 is rock solid and very stable while being fast. Driving same roads with the WRX shows it feels less stable at speed and build quality outside of drivetrain (which is really nicely done) is less. I daily drive the WRX now daily and only take the 996 occasionally.
04-08-2010, 10:19 PM
#30
I drove the standard 2010 wrx, very fun car. i loved it and a blast when the turbo kicks in.
But let's face it, most of the day, you drive under 50mph, you get more from the 996 I think. More torque and it is more rewarding to look at.
With a Turbo car you always want to be in Turbo mode, which first lead to obsession and then to always drive above the speed limit. After a few tickets, you might prefer the 996
I feel the wrx felt safer when taking on-ramps.
When you are above 35 years old, I think it is time to leave behind the boy racer cars
But let's face it, most of the day, you drive under 50mph, you get more from the 996 I think. More torque and it is more rewarding to look at.
With a Turbo car you always want to be in Turbo mode, which first lead to obsession and then to always drive above the speed limit. After a few tickets, you might prefer the 996
I feel the wrx felt safer when taking on-ramps.
When you are above 35 years old, I think it is time to leave behind the boy racer cars