breakdown

I know a lot of people don't like these type of threads but I'm just wondering. How does a 996 compare to a new Subaru STI?

I'm not cross shopping these two cars but a friend of mine has a 2008 STI that I've driven quite a bit. I haven't driven many different cars and the STI is the fastest car I've been in. I was pretty impressed by the acceleration and handing.

I'm just hoping the 996 will at least match that car and hopefully exceed it's abilities.

ivangene

number9ine

ZOMG suubie is liek so fassssstttt... pannty dropper for da bitches

Seriously though. Two entirely different cars, apples and oranges to compare; if you're asking for an objective viewpoint then it's best to rely on your own. I'm sure it's easy to Google the comparative performance numbers instead of relying on the conjecture bound to follow in the replies.

An STI is an amazing feat of performance for a 4-dr hatchback. A 996 is built with none of the compromises made by modifying a family car chassis. Whether or not a six-plus year-old car is faster than a brand new car is irrelevant. Bottom line: If you're buying or own a 996 and you're looking to bench race your friend with the STI, don't. Concentrate on the smiles per mile and don't worry about who can outrun you at a stoplight.

Airrik

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.

skiracer

STi rides like a lumber truck and beats the **** out of you. P-car can be driven for hours...there's no way to compare these 2 cars. Apples and oranges...

BillJ

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.

BillJ

and for the record - i don't consider a base C2 996 an exotic car - spyker or gallardo or GT3, sure. Let's be realistic here people.

Van

One has a prancing horse on a shield for a logo - one has some swoops and stars...

ivangene

+1000000

and lets stop saying "apples and oranges" - it's "apples and eggs"

BillJ

Brakes - porsches are definitely better for sure out of the box. I have never driven the C4 in any anger so cannot accurately reflect the differences between the 996 and STi, but compared to my Audi A6 2.7T 6-speed that i owned for a while it handles similarly but i get less AWD "feedback" when cornering hard. It rotates WAY better than my A6 did. Steering feels nimble but again some suspension changes are in order to dial out the oversteer it has at stock settings.

Both are really fun to drive daily - get far less attention in the subaru as most dont even know what it is and the porsche is, well, a porsche. In stock form, then 996 is a much better out of the box track weapon but think that with some tuning that Subbie has a TON of potential, way more than you can extract from the 996 NA platform.

ivangene

I dont know Bill, I think Van nailed it

BillJ

He desicrates the shield in his avatar though. He not worthy.

Airrik

I never said a base C2 996 to be an exotic car. I am naming the other models 996TT, 996GT2, 996GT3.
Ask a car insurance rep what they think are exotic cars to insure. Like Ivan said "apples to eggs" ha

ATL Fahrer

Gee, guys, I don't know. The WRX STi is awfully impressive on Gran Tourismo for my PS3!

RF5BPilot

Is a $15 bottle of wine a better value than a $45 bottle of wine?