Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > General Community

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-02-2013, 10:13 AM   #26
Beau M
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 345079
Join Date: Jan 2013
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Burien WA
Vehicle:
13 Wrx sedan
SWP

Default

Please do! Then post a reveiw after 6 months of owning it.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Beau M is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 05-02-2013, 06:16 PM   #27
Spenk
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7164
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Arizona Bay
Vehicle:
2000 Miata LS
Evo Orange Mica (1/644)

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenplates View Post
You will be back.

Enjoy your midlife crisis car, you should have just gotten a Miata.
Kidding,

but seriously.
This guy gets it.
Spenk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2013, 06:18 PM   #28
BigWrecKs
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 93830
Join Date: Aug 2005
Default

Who are you?
BigWrecKs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2013, 11:13 AM   #29
unamused LGT
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 250813
Join Date: Jun 2010
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: on the beach
Vehicle:
08 unamused LGT
Camarillo - ish

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWrecKs View Post
Who are you?
zachery.....

(pronounce it)

LGT
unamused LGT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2013, 05:03 PM   #30
wrxman02
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 24162
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Pennsylvania
Vehicle:
2022 Forester Wilder
Crystal White Pearl

Default

See ya. good luck and be safe.
wrxman02 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 01:16 PM   #31
GFB
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 281725
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2006 STI
Aspen White

Default

Hey everyone. Two months later, and would like to offer my initial thoughts on the car switch.

For background, I let go of a 2006 STI with 90k miles for a 2010 Mini JCW Convertible with 27k miles.

I'd like to keep my thoughts in the frame of reference of bone stock cars, which is pretty much how I had my STI and still have the Mini. Actually, the STI had a kartboy short-shifter, but that's it.

Looks:
STI certainly looks more aggressive, stands out in a crowd with the dual spoilers. Mini looks much more reserved, and doesn't stand out so much. The STI was Aspen white, Mini is Chili Red. The red does give some visual pop. However, the Mini is near invisible to cops, street racers, and the like.
Winner: Mini

Space:
Not really a competition here. STI is a 4 door sedan with a proper trunk, Mini loses a lot in convertible form. Front seat space is comparable if not a bit more comfy in the Mini, but rear seats and trunk are hands down to STI. Carrying stuff isn't a big deal to me, so this was a moot point. Still...
Winner: STI

Interior:
My Mini came spec'ed with full leather, heated seats, all the goodies. Both cars have auto-climate control. The Mini has some odd design choices, such as the dinner-plate speedo and a curiously placed volume knob. The STI is a standard double-din where the Mini is clearly more integrated. However, overall quality, comfort, ergonomics, gadgets, go to...
Winner: Mini

Undesirable noises:
Let's face it, Subaru's have lots of little rattles and strange noises, and the Mini convertible has some audible creaks as well. My STI had a funny rattle on partial throttle going uphill, but I could never trace the source. The Mini I sometimes wish didn't creak so much when I accidentally hit a pothole, where the STI was largely quiet.
Winner: Draw

Desirable noises:
Keep in mind here we are talking stock parts. No aftermarket exhausts, intakes, BOVs, etc and so forth. In stock form, the Mini sounds so much better than the STI did. The STI exhaust was always a bit quiet, wasn't very audible in the cabin, and I always felt that such a car should be a bit more vocal when you mash the gas. The Mini JCW exhaust is awesome. Super quiet when cruising, but barks loudly when the gas gets stepped on. The car is tuned to snap/crackle/pop/burble when you lift off the gas, and it gives it so much character. For OEM sound...
Winner: Mini

Handling:
I sadly never autocrossed the STI, never had the time. So I will compare them both on spirited road driving. Again, two wildly different platforms. 1 diff vs 3, FWD vs AWD. The STI was much more stable and composed, the Mini needs some attention. In the Mini, on the gas in a turn, hitting an expansion joint or a road imperfection will cause the car to jump, and you need to be ready to catch it. The STI just kept going where you wanted being steered with one hand. However, that led it to being a bit boring, in my opinion. The Mini is a much more involved experience. The STI biased toward understeer with the all-seasons I had on it, the Mini behaves similarly with the runflats that are still on it. Both turn very nicely, rotating predictably. I have not had the Mini in snow yet, and I'd bet the STI would win there. But, for nice weather on tarmac...
Winner: Mini

Braking:
On stock pads, brake feel is by far better in the Mini. Front brakes are only .3" smaller, and stopping considerably less weight.
Winner: Mini

Speed:
The Mini gives up some ground in pure HP/torque as well as power to weight. STI had 300hp/300lbft and the mini has 208hp/207lbft. STI had a curb weight of 3,351 pounds, the convertible mini is 2,877. For the street, the Mini is much easier to play with without risking losing your license. Turbo lag is much shorter in the Mini. The STI is still quicker off the line and faster in a straight line.
Winner: STI

Street-cred:
Let's face it, more people can identify an STI than they can a JCW Mini. The racing and rally heritage of the Subaru is much more well known. However, where the STI got lots of thumbs up from drivers in modded cars or other cars in class (Evo's, etc), the Mini gets it from people all over. People randomly walking by as I'm washing the car complement the Mini, where the STI received no such feedback. I haven't quite picked out why that is yet. The JCW badge is really one of the only ways to reliably pick out that the Mini isn't your standard Mini, where the STI was much easier to pick out from a distance. Both cars get complements, but from very different groups of people.
Winner:
Draw

So that brings my tally to 5 for the mini, 2 for the STI, and two draws. I think that accurately describes my feelings as well, where I am much happier with the Mini. If I missed a crucial area for comparison, let me know.

Cue the "who are you again" and "we dont care" comments in 3..2..1...
GFB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 01:25 PM   #32
zjacobs2005
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 353162
Join Date: Apr 2013
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Garland, Tx
Vehicle:
2005 WRX
Black

Default

Get rid of the mini cooper and get a e46 m3 if you are going the German route.

Last edited by zjacobs2005; 07-08-2013 at 01:40 PM.
zjacobs2005 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 01:36 PM   #33
erric1234
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 149021
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Antonio
Vehicle:
2007 STI
OBP

Default

I used to have a JCW, stage 3 hardtop. Loved that car. I have an 06 STI now (my dream car). As much as I love the STI, and I hate to say this, I think I liked the Mini better. Stupid ****ing 18 wheeler ((

I had red leather seats, air blew cold, and fully loaded, didn't even need to pull the key out of my pocket to open the door, start the car or open the hatch. Free XM radio the entire time I had the car. I will never find another car like it.
erric1234 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 01:38 PM   #34
erric1234
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 149021
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Antonio
Vehicle:
2007 STI
OBP

Default

Oh and still got 35-40mpg with close over 250hp, only weighting 2300lbs
erric1234 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 01:45 PM   #35
GFB
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 281725
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2006 STI
Aspen White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by zjacobs2005 View Post
Get rid of the mini cooper and get a e46 m3 if you are going the German route.
I think your comment about growing a vag was much funnier, though the constructive comment you changed it to is much nicer.
GFB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 01:51 PM   #36
GFB
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 281725
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2006 STI
Aspen White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by erric1234 View Post
Oh and still got 35-40mpg with close over 250hp, only weighting 2300lbs
Sounds like an r53 if you were that light?
GFB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 01:51 PM   #37
Masta Splint
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 189211
Join Date: Sep 2008
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Peoria & Surprise, Arizona
Vehicle:
2005 18g WRX wagon
Aspen White

Default

Youll be back, so goodbye for now. lol
Masta Splint is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 02:04 PM   #38
erric1234
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 149021
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Antonio
Vehicle:
2007 STI
OBP

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GFB View Post
Sounds like an r53 if you were that light?
Nope R56S

err, might have been 3400~ had the lighter wheels
erric1234 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 04:21 PM   #39
ultramario12
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 306139
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2007 evo
color of smoke

Default

?? what is this? the sti would **** on this car! the cobaltSS turbo alone would win in all those categories except interior. so if a car doesnt lose control on a turn cuz someone was too much of a ***** to go fast enough and the mini just loses control going a little faster then it's a draw?? im so confused. it sounds like you made a review based off being butt hurt from getting neg. approval in the first place. how does it drive in the pouring rain? or other bad conditions?

Last edited by ultramario12; 07-08-2013 at 04:36 PM.
ultramario12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 04:33 PM   #40
Serkan
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 180514
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Windsor/Canada & Detroit/MI
Vehicle:
2004 Sti
WRB

Default

haha handling comment was funny. He is basically saying mini is better because it is unpredictable and makes you experience driving better. I bet he finds torque steer exciting and experiencing too.

Some people are just a car driver. They shift and push the accelerator. They won't go deeper than that.
Serkan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 04:44 PM   #41
the89vision
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 357396
Join Date: May 2013
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Georgia
Vehicle:
06 Stg 1 WRX
Limited Aspen White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ultramario12 View Post
so if a car doesnt lose control on a turn cuz someone was too much of a ***** to go fast enough and the mini just loses control going a little faster then it's a draw?? im so confused. it sounds like you made a review based off being butt hurt from getting neg. approval in the first place.
Someone should have taken out some butt-hurt futures on the OP back in May.
the89vision is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 04:47 PM   #42
GFB
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 281725
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2006 STI
Aspen White

Default

Haha. This might actually be more fun than intentionally trolling.
GFB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 04:49 PM   #43
Corners
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 346539
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Joburg
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serkan View Post
haha handling comment was funny. He is basically saying mini is better because it is unpredictable and makes you experience driving better. I bet he finds torque steer exciting and experiencing too.

Some people are just a car driver. They shift and push the accelerator. They won't go deeper than that.
Yeah, I saw that too. I don't know how much stock I'd put into someone who said the wrong-wheel-drive car handles better because it doesn't handle as well. Lol.

Maybe for the ultimate fun, they should weld their shocks and put on some Prius tires.

Last edited by Corners; 07-08-2013 at 05:34 PM.
Corners is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 05:56 PM   #44
vision.dynamix
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:
2015 Subaru STI
17Forester / 18Crosstrek

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by vision.dynamix View Post
Who are you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by nhmtns View Post
It was nice of you to leave out the two words between "who" and "are".
So, uhh, who the **** are you?
vision.dynamix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 06:14 PM   #45
JustyWRC
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 153088
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Arlington, TN
Vehicle:
2005 Baja Turbo
95&96 Sambar 06 Forester

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corners View Post
Yeah, I saw that too. I don't know how much stock I'd put into someone who said the wrong-wheel-drive car handles better because it doesn't handle as well. Lol.

Maybe for the ultimate fun, they should weld their shocks and put on some Prius tires.

I didn't read that. I read "the better handling of the WRX made it more boring". He never said the Mini handled "better". He just liked the way it handles,...better.....
JustyWRC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 07:32 PM   #46
myrt1987
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 323103
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Columbia MD
Vehicle:
2018 WRX
Pure der

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corners View Post
handles better because it doesn't handle as well. Lol.
Thats how I read it as well. Lol. Doesnt make sense to me, but I dont have a mini so...

Enjoy your car OP. And belated congrats to you.



Side Note: I appreciate the "goodbye" thread. Id rather the forum feel more like a community then just a mob.
myrt1987 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 08:57 PM   #47
tomacGTi
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 297396
Join Date: Oct 2011
Default

I really don't want to start a war but I've driven a Cooper S and a JCW and unless you have, you have no idea what you're talking about.

They are two of the most tail-happy FWD cars you can ever drive. Unbelievable feel, communicative steering, great brakes and this is stock, not modified. With the JCW comes a torque biasing FD which really helps it through the corners: no one wheel peel.

The only other FWD car I've found as rewarding to drive was my fully swapped 16v 1984 GTI with suspension work donated to it from a 16v Scirocco. This car was a whopping 140 hp but right around 1900 lbs. With the Coopers at 2200 or so, it's a similar feel. There's just something about not having that extra weight to contend with.

Before you all jump down my throat: my current car is an 03 WRX wagon, stage two with mild suspension work done to it (20mm RSB, Swift/GR2, Sexy rear end kit, group N mounts for motor and suspension as well as brake mods) and when the road gets tight and twisty, I do miss my GTi. Once you get used to a shorter wheelbase/lighter weight car regardless of the drive wheels, these cars feel a bit heavy and bloated.

I will admit though, with the swampy weather we've been having here in PA: the AC has been a nice touch in the wagon (I deleted it in the GTi). The WRX isn't bad, it's just different. Like I said earlier: unless you've driven a Cooper S or a JCW you really shouldn't judge, they're pretty damn fun cars. IIRC reliability is about the same so I'd say it's a moot point.

I did regret not buying my friends JCW hardtop. I just wasn't financially solvent at the time and the interior and size are love/hate things. They are cramped inside and the gauge layout takes alot of getting used to, I personally feel they tried too hard.

My .02$.

-Randy
tomacGTi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 10:11 PM   #48
Serkan
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 180514
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Windsor/Canada & Detroit/MI
Vehicle:
2004 Sti
WRB

Default

FWD just don't make sense in a performance car. And you guys come here and tell us how your GTIs, Minis handle better than a symmetrical AWD. It's just non sense.
Serkan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 10:22 PM   #49
tnguyen600
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 284699
Join Date: Jun 2011
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Vehicle:
2013 Impreza WRX STi

Default

my sister had a base mini and my buddy had a 2005 mini type s. Real fun to drive especially the type s. My mechanic worked at Mini Cooper for a few years...said a lot of the parts break down and cost an arm and a leg to repair/replace. Nonetheless, it's a fun car to drive.

Have fun with the new whip OP!
tnguyen600 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2013, 10:29 PM   #50
ALOKIN
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 348177
Join Date: Feb 2013
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: TX
Vehicle:
2002 Bugeye
Haltech GTX3584RS

Default

And I thought the sti was small. Eeek.
ALOKIN is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:29 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.