richm

You\'re so right! Problem is the Gtb isn\'t sold here. Having owned one I would also sell the Audi and change back to Subaru if I could. I can import from Japan but then I am left with a RHD car with little resale value. I can buy a diesel Legacy, however... This article is written from a Swedish perspective.

Hi, Thanks for the feedback. I did think it could be a bit risky putting "win Audi" on a Subaru fan site, but I seem to have gotten away with it. I love Subarus, my reason to going to Audi is that I wanted a fast family wagon. GTB just isn\'t fast enough for me, Forester STI is too small. There just isn\'t a Subaru model available which can take a double pram and 3 kids - and still get to 100 in less than 6 seconds. Should correct myself - no Subaru model available in Sweden which meets these criterion. Running costs are bad. Don\'t even mention petrol at 13 litres /100km. Getting a standard service this week - $1800 NZD for oil, sparkplugs, brake fluid and a few other bits. To this comes $500 to change a light bulb (half days work for expert). Seriously, I should have added that to the review - "the fear that something serious might go wrong". Win STI, lose Audi! Oh, and one last thing! Subarus in NZ are "cheap" to buy. Audi is expensive to purchase in NZ. Not here. Audi is expensive but Subaru is expensive too, meaning the price difference between Audi and Subaru is not as it is in NZ. And no, I wasn\'t exaggerating about the service this week.

Hey, Since I have owned three turbo Subarus (wrx, gtb, sti) and now own an V8 Audi S4 (2004), I thought there might be some interest in sharing my experience of the two with you, specifically comparing STI vs S4 with V8 engine. Build Quality Win Audi Lose STI Audi is of fantastic quality. Leather seats, carbon fibre internal panels, quiet interior, well made feeling all round. No annoying rattles and plastic bits. Oh, how I took apart my STI in order to eliminate rattles! Straight line speed Win Audi Lose STI Yes, ok, 0-100 for both cars is around 5,5 seconds. But it is Audi all the way for speeds over 100. You just can\'t match the 350 horses V8. Never need to change down when passing and with the motorways here in Sweden sustaining a speed of 140-150 for long periods is easy and comfortable. Furthermore, my STI starting slowing down around 170. The Audi just starts going at that speed. Even at 240 the Audi is still accelerating comfortably. Corner speed Win STI Lose Audi Yes, the Audi has 19 inch, 35 / 235 tires, but it is a heavy car and it is felt here. The STI is lighter and more humble when going fast. I enjoyed going fast in my STI more than I do in my S4. Expense - cost of ownership Win STI Lose Audi I thought my STI was expensive to own with insurance, petrol and servicing. But I was wrong. The Audi is truly expensive on every level. To change the timing chain costs around $10000 for example. Fun Win STI Lose Audi The STI is simply more fun. Light, care free, exhaust noise. More fun to drive. Sorry Audi, but it\'s true. Luxury Win Audi Lose STI Subaru in general have a boring interior and no extras. No so with the Audi. Heated seats, parking sensors, led lights for mirrors, Electric sunroof, spray for front lights, gps navigation in built, telephone built in to car. The list goes on, no competition. Exhaust sound Win Audi Lose STI I LOVE the sound of a modified STI exhaust, it is just fantastic, but in keeping fair I have compared stock vs stock. Sorry to say the stock sound of the V8 wins over. Audi has a valve which opens up the exhaust at high revs, otherwise it is very gentlemen like. Over 4K, wow, people are scared and my son cries. In saying this, my STI with no cats sounded great too but then one can also modify the Audi to sound even better. Comfort Lose Audi Lose STI Sorry, both are not good. Both are hard to get in to. Hard to get out of. Both sit low. Hard ride and tire noise from both. Simply not possible to consider either of these to be comfortable. Looks and Image Win Audi Lose STI Maybe depends on your eye, but not really so hard to decide. The STI looks like a boy racer car no matter who you are. The Audi is refined and respected. More of a sleeper but with widened wheel guards, two exhausts, aggressive grill, chrome linings, the Audi wins the war on looks. Stereo sound Win Audi all the way Lose STI Can\'t even compare. 10 speakers plus subwoofer as standard. Boy, she blows! Overall then Win Audi Lose STI Why? The answer is, if you can afford it, the S4 is simply a better car. Comfortable, fast, respected, refined and yet still scares the pants out of me when going 200+. Oh and by the way, did I mention the RS4 with 450 horses is another beast altogether! Next car perhaps? Hope you enjoyed the review.

Yip, not a bad read, thanks

Petrol is CHEAP AS in New Zealand. I'm currently in Sweden and can tell you it costs $2.80 per litre for 95 (lowest octane available). Yes, there are lots of taxes in the price, but someone has to pay for roading improvements. ...Petrol is cheaper than bottled water... To those that complain, I suggest you sell your Subaru and buy a Nissan Mica.

My ten cents worth.... Replacing the downpipe makes a big difference, but does increase boost levels (of course). Sound, however, stays the same, so I went for a sti genome muffler which increased power levels even more and the sound is incredible. Don't recommend the $600 system from RLP, although they have sold 300 + of them. Then, you get what you pay for...

Not that I want to continue this thread off-topic, but I used to think my GTB E-tune was fast, but I had a b s o l u t e l y n o i d e a until I bought my STI. Now, I laugh at GTB owners when they try it on thinking to myself "what are they thinking?" Wikipedia is written by amateurs, it is not a source of reliable information.

+1 on that. You guys really highlight how beautiful our country is!

Missed the "c" in addiction. Thanks for that. I have corrected it.

I love my Subaru, but it can be... Embarrassing to drive a Subaru when: - The front page of the Herald features another crashed WRX failing to take a corner - The right lane of the motorway is being held up by someone driving a Subaru - They idiots on Police 10-7 are driving a Subaru - You can hear one 2 blocks away - Description in Dog and Lemon guide states "assume trashed & crashed" - Documentary about boy racers features footage of idiots doing burnouts... in a Subaru - One compares maintenance history and dollars spent with a Toyota owner - You see a poorly modified Subaru with 18 gauges, no suspension and 20 thousand dollar mags. - You see a poorly maintained Subaru with dents, scratches, bits broken, never cleaned - You read Subaru makes up 4 of the top 10 most stolen cars - You come home late and wake your neighbours - You apply for insurance and are told the bill Additions: - And its really easy to speed in one liquid_ice - its worth 1/3 of what you paid in like 4 years ODB - no one will give way/let you in cause you look like common filth? slystiguy - you roll up next to an evo in your stock subi? slystiguy - when people ask how many motors you've been through nt_a_foz - when driving my new scooby home on the night i got it with the blowen turbo!!!! S T E Y E - When the accalerator cable snaps in the middle of town when ur turning right at a very busy intersection haha WRXER - Every time you're at some lights, a little punk wants to give you a go familyman - "I bought it thinking it would pull chicks but sadly it seems to drive them away ..." matdaymon - when you drive slow past schools but still get evils/fingers b/c it's loud so they seem to still think I'm speeding QIK_KAS - the fact you can't f'n sneak anywhere b/c people here you come/leave a mile away QIK_KAS - when it has broken down AGAIN, and I'm on the side of the road waiting for AA and people drive past and laugh and comment about typical Subarus Qik_KAS

Geezzz, 200kph by the bump with wheelspin1 That's impressive. I guess that's the difference 550hp makes!

Wow. That really sucks.

Steve Murch.

Can only say my car survived Hampton Downs with stock sump with boost at 18psi, semi slicks, revs to 6,5 or 7 and full gas for a number of 10 minute sessions. I'm sure if you stay out on a track in a road car for longer than that there is a lot more going wrong than just your sump... i.e. brakes, engine temp, clutch, e.t.c. Road cars are just that. They don't tolerate the beating for extended periods. Suggest you give it a go and consider how often you are going to be visiting track days - as there are a lot more items which will need changing.

My money is on it being 16 psi if it is truly stock and not played with.