What car is most like a "grown-up" STI

[cgaites]

I'm in my late 30's, and drive a lighting red STI with the big wing and a loud aftermarket exhaust. While I personally love the car (it's my 3rd turbo Subaru), I'm feeling social pressure to get something that coveys a more adult/responsible image. I have a well paying job, a nearly paid off house, and solid savings and could comfortably afford something more upmarket. However, I can't seem to figure out what the car(s) could fill the role of a "grown-up" STI.

Except for the lack of a hatch (my previous two Subarus were both 5 doors and I really miss the practicality) and previously mentioned image problem, the STI fits my needs really well. I'm fortunate to be able to walk to work, so most ~75% of my driving is on twisty mountain roads on route to a ski area or trailhead. Often these drives involve dealing with snow and other inclement weather, and/or dirt roads. The other 25% of my driving is dropping my 3 kids off at preschool/daycare/play dates, or going out with the wife and friends. I also do a bit of autocross and maybe 1 or 2 track days per year. In total I put about 5K miles per year on my cars.

What I'm looking for in a car, in priority order are:
- Manual transmission
- Seating for 5 adults (or two adults and 3 kids in car seats) - so at least the same interior/rear seat dimensions as the STI
- Sporty enough to make spirited driving enjoyable, and robust enough to hold up to the occasional track day without extensive modification
- Rear biased AWD or RWD with a well balance chassis
- No serious design flaws (e.g. E90 generation M3 V8 rod bearings) that will result in catastrophic repair bills
- A significantly better interior than the STI - gadgets are not important, but would like nice leather, heated seats & steering wheel, and an upscale feel
- Better ride quality than the STI - something with adaptive dampers would be awesome
- Strong preference for hatchback or wagon
- Prefer something built after 2010 or their abouts
- Budget is up to $60K out the door

I feel like an x-Drive 3 series wagon with the M-sport and Track packages would be perfect, except for the lack of 3 pedals. That is unfortunately a deal breaker for me. Considering seeking out an older, manual 3-series, A4/S4, or Legacy GT wagon and then just dropping several $K into "restoring" it to like new condition. Somewhat willing to consider sedans if they fit all other criteria, but not super excited about another 4 door car. Maybe my best bet is just to pick up wingless, DGM STI with a quiet exhaust and buy some high-end adjustable coilovers to improve the ride? Any suggestions I haven't thought of?

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[mishapopa]

why are north americans always trying to impress others and conform to social standards? what are you going to buy an audi rs6, a walking cane, top hat fedora, and monocle because that's something older gentlemen do?

you're a car enthusiast, keep the sti. **** other people and what they think.

pay off your house instead

[SycsFinest]

If you're looking to be respected by all the adults and I mean every goddamn one of them get an RS7.

[godfather2112]

Originally Posted by SycsFinest

If you're looking to be respected by all the adults and I mean every goddamn one of them get an RS7.

Bitch please, a real respectable adult would get an Aston Martin in British Racing Green.

[Notbrick]

A more "grown-up" STI? ----> WRX

[D-rock240]

1. Do a trunk swap and lose the wing
2. Who cares what others think if you are happy?

[Northern]

B8.5 S4
http://i.imgur.com/TGRRPaCl.jpg

[theEZV]

I sold my 2013 WRX hatch a little over a year ago. I ended up with a 2014 335i instead of a new Sti for similar reasons as you mentioned. Have regretted it since pretty much day 1 - I discovered that I could care less for the luxuries. The grass isn't always greener. I will hopefully get a chance to jump into a new Sti on 2020 once the new gen is out.

[Hondaslayer]

You already know the answer.

Do you need AWD? Just go 335i. All the STI power you want, with grown up refinement. I'm in the same boat. It's time to be a grown up, but I still want some fun and I need to be able to haul my son around in it as well.

There really are only two choices. 3 series, or Alfa Romeo Giulia. Since I'm shopping used, I'm pigeon holed into a 3 series for now. In your case, I think the only Giulia that would be STI like would be the Quadrifoglio which is $20,000 over your range.

[Dave D.]

With a 60k budget why not buy a new 2018 Sti Limited with all the goodies, with much change left other? Go wingless while you're at it. Seems it would fit the bill.

Edit: just re-read your post and saw you are considering this. Yes, use the left-over change to upgrade the suspension, a good choice. I would doubly recommend this.

[SycsFinest]

Originally Posted by Dave D.

With a 60k budget why not buy a new 2018 Sti Limited with all the goodies, with much change left other? Go wingless while you're at it. Seems it would fit the bill.

But then all the adults will point and laugh at the old guy with an STI

[Markopolo400]

What year is your STI? Depending on your answer a latest gen STI with the wing delete from the factory may fit the bill?

[Hondaslayer]

Shoot, did not catch the wagon requirement.

Yeah, M/T wagons... Older AMG wagon maybe? Not sure if those came in manual.

[rtv900]

I'm 37 and that's why I removed the cheeseball wing from my STI. I'd get rid of the hood scoop too if I felt like putting the time/money into a front mount intercooler, but I don't.

The manual trans thing was why I settled on the STI, because the 335 and S4 were the only other choices and I wasn't willing to spend 55 grand at this point on a car.

So get a 335 manual.
I think this year is the last year for a manual in the S4, or it might have been last year.

[ESTABRO]

Are you really that worried about your "image"?

Sounds like a very shallow reason to get rid of a 2 year old car you claim to "love". I hope you feel more secure in your next car.

[kaeknows]

volvo v60 polestar, no manual though, my dads friend has one, its

or a used e63 amg wagon



fits within your 60k budget

[cgaites]

Thank you for all the responses. I figured I'd get a bunch of, "screw what other people think" type comments, and certainly appreciate that viewpoint. That said, as I've grown older I've also come to appreciate the, "happy wife, happy life" and "your network is your net worth" viewpoints as well. For whoever said that American's seem especially preoccupied with impressing others, I'd suggest that may be in part due to our lack of a real social safety net. In the main, you've always got to be selling yourself here if you want to eat consistently and sleep indoors. That includes in social settings for a lot of careers.

Let me just say that, while vanity certainly plays a part me seeking a more grown-up alternative to my current ride, I'm not interested in impressing people with my car. Mostly looking for something more anonymous so I can stop having to explain my choice of "Fast & Furious" vehicle to others all the time. Also, I'd be lying if the crummy ride quality (and associated complaining from passengers) and low rent interior weren't getting a bit old.

Looks like I haven't been overlooking some perfect alternative vehicle though. More likely than not I'll end up ditching the wing and exhaust, modifying the suspension, and keeping my STI until next generation WRX & STI come out. If there's a wagon option, then I'll buy one in a dark color and call it a day. Otherwise, at that point I guess its a 335i or CPO S4 with a 3rd pedal for me.

[2.5sbd]

I am 51 and drive a 2014 STi Hatch
Murdered out black on black
Upgraded turbo but I kept the stock catt back to be more low key
I only have a few friends that poke fun at me for driving a "young kids car" until i take them for a drive and put them back into their seat hard with torque
moral of the story... screw they people that don't understand and just do what you want

[rtv900]

Originally Posted by cgaites

Otherwise, at that point I guess its a 335i or CPO S4 with a 3rd pedal for me.

forgot it's now the 340. I guess they did away with the 335.
friend of mine got a new one. It's pretty sweet, although from a performance standpoint it's no better than my STI.
Interior, ride quality, shift quality. . . .different story.

[koogs]

Originally Posted by cgaites

I'm in my late 30's, and drive a lighting red STI with the big wing and a loud aftermarket exhaust. While I personally love the car (it's my 3rd turbo Subaru), I'm feeling social pressure to get something that coveys a more adult/responsible image. I have a well paying job, a nearly paid off house, and solid savings and could comfortably afford something more upmarket. However, I can't seem to figure out what the car(s) could fill the role of a "grown-up" STI.

Except for the lack of a hatch (my previous two Subarus were both 5 doors and I really miss the practicality) and previously mentioned image problem, the STI fits my needs really well. I'm fortunate to be able to walk to work, so most ~75% of my driving is on twisty mountain roads on route to a ski area or trailhead. Often these drives involve dealing with snow and other inclement weather, and/or dirt roads. The other 25% of my driving is dropping my 3 kids off at preschool/daycare/play dates, or going out with the wife and friends. I also do a bit of autocross and maybe 1 or 2 track days per year. In total I put about 5K miles per year on my cars.

What I'm looking for in a car, in priority order are:
- Manual transmission
- Seating for 5 adults (or two adults and 3 kids in car seats) - so at least the same interior/rear seat dimensions as the STI
- Sporty enough to make spirited driving enjoyable, and robust enough to hold up to the occasional track day without extensive modification
- Rear biased AWD or RWD with a well balance chassis
- No serious design flaws (e.g. E90 generation M3 V8 rod bearings) that will result in catastrophic repair bills
- A significantly better interior than the STI - gadgets are not important, but would like nice leather, heated seats & steering wheel, and an upscale feel
- Better ride quality than the STI - something with adaptive dampers would be awesome
- Strong preference for hatchback or wagon
- Prefer something built after 2010 or their abouts
- Budget is up to $60K out the door

I feel like an x-Drive 3 series wagon with the M-sport and Track packages would be perfect, except for the lack of 3 pedals. That is unfortunately a deal breaker for me. Considering seeking out an older, manual 3-series, A4/S4, or Legacy GT wagon and then just dropping several $K into "restoring" it to like new condition. Somewhat willing to consider sedans if they fit all other criteria, but not super excited about another 4 door car. Maybe my best bet is just to pick up wingless, DGM STI with a quiet exhaust and buy some high-end adjustable coilovers to improve the ride? Any suggestions I haven't thought of?

If your friends don't like the STI.... maybe they should buy you a car?

I dunno what to tell you. There are more upmarket cars, there are sports cars, luxury sedans, wagons, SUVs etc.


If you want to spend the money, spend it. However, especially since you walk to work, there is no need for an upmarket car unless you really want one.

Also, It seems that at 5K per year in driving you have a very low mileage car that you don't use that often. Then you're talking about possibly replacing it with a new STi in a different color, wingless. the current STI is 95%+ the same as what you have.
IMHO if you like the way your car drives.... keep it. If you want to have it more grown up, do a trunk swap, and swap the exhaust for a stock STi exhaust.

I get that the STi isn't really grown up. It does look a bit ridiculous with the wing. On the other hand, I hate when people seem to dictate that you have to grow up or what growing up entails. Apparently color on a car is not grown up, only some shade of gray or black is... Grown up is boring man. After owning my Sti for a year and a half, I do agree that it rides a bit rough, gearing and engine are a bit jerky around the neighborhood with all the stock signs and I've considered selling it for something more sedate, but thats on me, not on whether I want to feel grown up.

The manuals aren't as prevalent. I'd check out a 440i grancoupe hatchback. I think that can come in a stick. S3, S4, Golf Rs

[mishapopa]

Originally Posted by cgaites

For whoever said that American's seem especially preoccupied with impressing others, I'd suggest that may be in part due to our lack of a real social safety net. In the main, you've always got to be selling yourself here if you want to eat consistently and sleep indoors. That includes in social settings for a lot of careers.

you're seriously linking food and shelter with driving a $60k luxury car?

no one cares what you drive, get your $60k hunk of metal and find out yourself.

[Jack]

You fall right where a lot of people do, wanting a conservative looking car that does everything you want. I've had a car plan nearly forever and some of my employers have very specific requirements. I put my requirements on top of theirs and it really drops the number of cars significantly. I don't believe there are many answers. I'll give you my list.

Audi S4 manual (or if you would rather look like an old man looking to pick up a hooker, then an S5 manual)
Golf R manual

Both fit your requirements 100%. Take your choice with the more Euroricer Golf that is the dream of every 23 year old or the trust fund boy's first car S4. Both drive excellently and neither will spend less time being repaired than your Subaru. Sorry, but even a wingless STi or WRX has adolescent tack ons all over it, so if you (or rather your wife) is so sensitive that you have to have a grown up car, then you can't get one of those.

[cgaites]

Originally Posted by mishapopa

you're seriously linking food and shelter with driving a $60k luxury car?

no one cares what you drive, get your $60k hunk of metal and find out yourself.

No, I'm linking a cultural that glorifies entrepreneurs and salesmanship, and which lacks access to the basic social safety nets most developed counties take for granted, to the American preoccupation with projecting an image of success. Obviously I was being hyperbolic, but the point stands that ones social capital is an important determinant of monetary success for many people. Conforming to social norms is part of building social capital, and defying those norms almost always comes at a cost.

I agree that everyone needs to be their own person, but at the same time I don't have any visible tattoos. That is the spirit of my question. I'm sorry if it offends you.

[Gallo2011]

The RS3 sedan is coming. That'll wipe that hatch preference right off your face.

[agushen]

Keep the car, **** others opinions... Just do a trunk swap and install some sort of Y-Pipe butterfly valve so the car can be loud or quiet when you want it to be (I'm in the process of doing that for my STI and im about to do a YouTube video on it)