Wasn't the Subaru originally designed to be an economy car to haul passengers and get good gas mileage? The STI and a Lightning are both specially built performance vehicles with high horsepower engines. They're both built to go fast. I'm not sure your analogy holds much truth on this one.

 

Ok the flame suit is on and ready for action. I think Subaru has taken the in house performance tuning to a new level. SVT does a good job, I thing STi takes it a bit farther.

They start by pulling the bodies off the production line to 100% seam weld all the joints. Major improvement in rigidity over the stock Impreza. Motor has forged pistons, forged rods, and a forged crank. More than capable of 600hp (race gas). Four wheel Brembo brakes (4-piston front, 2-piston rear), Forged BBS wheels (under 15lbs/ea), 6spd trans with pump to circulate fluid to a tranny cooler, air to air intercooler with manual water mist cooling. Driver controlled differentials, front and rear limited slip, HID head lights, forged aluminum control arms, etc. Stock EGT ports, programmable ECU, and best for me is local tuners and parts manufacturers. No more cross country tune by mail issues.

Not ment as a SVT bash because I still have my L. I have had a blast with the L and plan to buy the next generation as well.

 

I saw a silver STI at the track last week. Very sweet car. He ran a low 13, but it looks like a good driver could of squeezed a 12.





THATS MORE LIKE IT

 

Im just waiting to next to him he'll get me at the start but but then its hammer time!

 

hell yeah!!! when you kill him, make a kill thread about it! i'd love to read it!!

 

Hey, quick question, does the STI come with a radio>??? I have heard that is doesn't, but also have heard that it does. Wanna shed some light since you own one>??? Thanks and congrats on the purchase. -Mat-

 

SilverBolt, now that you've had your STi for a while, how does it compare to the L? I have been seriously looking at a black one here in town but I cant have both the lightning and the scooby. What's your take if you could only have one?

 

I like it a lot! Just finished the break in period and changed the oil. It rocks! Stock for stock it walks the L bad. The handling is fantastic. Brakes are incredible. Getting ready to install some tunes. No radio sucks. 21-23mpg so far. No quality issues so far. The ride is nice and firm but not abusive. Exhaust is too quiet. Needs a little rumble.

Several people are well into the 12's with a turbo back exhaust as their only mods. 1.6-1.7 60ft's on street tires. No track time on mine yet.

A couple of photos in my gallery.

 

Umm, I'd still have to say that the STI is a purpose built race car for the street, unlike the L. It doesn't even come with a radio for crying out loud! I'd put it in the same class as the 2000 Cobra R, but not the Lightning.

It just goes to show how unbelievable our L's are, that we have gotten bored of kicking the crap out of other "sport" trucks, and had to move on to tougher competition like Vettes and super turboed up imports.

Again, if I get beat by an STI (which I'm sure I eventually will), my hat's off to him. But I can still haul a half ton of whatever in my bed and he can't.

 

No doubt if you need a truck and want a sports car the L is the only answer. Or the other alternative is very simple. Have both.