Which car to pull the trigger on...

[steeze]

Hi everyone
What made you guys pull the trigger on your subie over other cars you were considering?

I'm currently in the market for an additional car and I've narrowed it down to two specific choices, but I'm having a hard time choosing.

I've come to the conclusion of either a 03 e39 530i or an 05 sti. I can't decide between the "sport" luxury vs performance. Money is somewhat of a factor for me, but I think the cost to own either cars may be around the same? (insurance for sti vs maintenance for bmw) I love the looks of both the e39 and the sti, but its such a hard decision to make. I'm under the general impression that the sti will be less of a maintenance queen than the e39 530i.

I know that posting this on a suby forum will obviously leave posts biased towards the suby, but I'll take what I can get.

I'm just looking for reasons to sway over to one side.

Thanks in advance! & Happy Holidays

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[bjohn21]

Right when I got my permit my cousin let me drive his 05 STi....after that I knew Subaru was the only choice.

Plus leading up to that part, he used to take me on some crazy drives through on the country roads at my grandparents house.

I did a little more researching and new it was the perfect car.

EDIT- so what im saying is...drive the STi, and the Bmw, and see which one you like more.

[brianha42]

05 sti, because the headlights are sexier than the hawkeyes.

[goldshuscooby]

Originally Posted by brianha42

05 sti, because the headlights are sexier than the hawkeyes.

AND it just looks so much more beefy!

[racer580]

If you take a look at the maintenance + reliability + long run costs for both the 05 STI and the 530i, the answer will be quite clear.
**If your still not convinced, look up some 05 STI rally videos on youtube and you'll wonder why you ever even considered the 530i **

[steeze]

Originally Posted by racer580

If you take a look at the maintenance + reliability + long run costs for both the 05 STI and the 530i, the answer will be quite clear.
**If your still not convinced, look up some 05 STI rally videos on youtube and you'll wonder why you ever even considered the 530i **

you're right. why did i even consider it?

it does have fold down seats though...

[GDB FAN]

Where do you live?
Does it snow there?
Do you have a long commute?
etc. etc. etc.

Get what suits your needs.

[Nimbus09]

Originally Posted by steeze

you're right. why did i even consider it?

it does have fold down seats though...

that's what i was asking when i saw the thread title and even more so when i saw the poll results

[b1kanobi]

had a similar situation before : scoobie 07 RS vs bmw 3 series 02-03

I've been driving for about 20k kilometers now. I'm glad i got the scoob because i never spent anything but oil and gas for it, and I don't expect anything else until 100k scheduled.

Besides, there are tons of BMWs in my area already

[steeze]

Originally Posted by Nimbus09

that's what i was asking when i saw the thread title and even more so when i saw the poll results

I guess the harder decision now, based on poll results, is whether or not I should get pickles on my sandwhich, or buy an sti instead...

[WRrexu]

AH ! i love pickles ! i never knew so many other ppl love pickles like i dooooo

[pearljam11]

you were an idiot for adding that hilarious pickle option

[atasnailspace]

My Subarus have been great cars, a little on the "tinny" side, but reliable, easy to maintain and practical. Our outback sport has 280,000 Km and does not burn oil or anything like that. I had a 1992 Legacy SS and it ran like a top until the day after I sold it.

The new owner replaced the battery but switched the positive and negative terminals, fried the electrical and hasn't driven it since.

[steeze]

I've made the decision. 05 sti it is. If not, 05 wrx it is. lol
Thanks everyone for your well valued opinions

[DrumNWReX]

Originally Posted by brianha42

05 sti, because the headlights are sexier than the hawkeyes.

There IS such a thing as a wrong opinion! haha j/k but seriously... hawkeye ftw

[NOboostSUBIE]

Originally Posted by steeze

I've made the decision. 05 sti it is. If not, 05 wrx it is. lol
Thanks everyone for your well valued opinions

Congrats! .....






.... and let's be honest there never was a question in your mind was there? haha. The maintenance/reliability on a 7 year old bmw would have been a mess. Not to mention everyone and their mom drives a 5series.

[SS/GNX]

Originally Posted by steeze

I've made the decision. 05 sti it is. If not, 05 wrx it is. lol
Thanks everyone for your well valued opinions

Go STi, if you go WRX you will just keep spending money trying to get it to perform like one. You'll like it but wish it was faster, handled better, braked better etc.

Do it right the first time and it will save you money in the long run.

[gingertooth]

if your an boring old fart then get the 530i but if your looking to have some fun with your purchase in the near future then STI for sure. If your lacking a hobie then an STI would be a good investment............

[WRXSteye20008]

I tried to vote twice but it didnt let me

05 /thread

[Akrexak]

Your choice, make it...

[Nimbus09]

Originally Posted by steeze

I guess the harder decision now, based on poll results, is whether or not I should get pickles on my sandwhich, or buy an sti instead...

everyone reaches this inevitable fork in the road in their life. your destiny is in your own hands. choose wisely!

Originally Posted by steeze

I've made the decision. 05 sti it is. If not, 05 wrx it is. lol
Thanks everyone for your well valued opinions

keep in mind the difference in insurance. it is pretty substantial. also, maintenance on the sti can be a bit more too.

btw, it doesn't ring a bell. sorry . i just watched dragonball when i was young.

[chazly413]

I really don't think maintenance on the STI will be higher than a BMW, given the STI is stock or lightly modified.

[subyski]

I would have to say either the 05 Sti or the Pickle

[balzak]

Get the wrx or STi. If you do go with bmw, sounds like you need an e36 m3/4/5 .

[the suicidal eggroll]

Don't kid yourself on the maintenance on the STi. Unless you put everlast grab-for-**** brake pads and tires on there, you can expect at least $1000/yr in routine maintenance (oil, tires, brakes). Stock-quality tires and stock-quality brakes will last about 2 years and cost upwards of $1000 to replace (yes $1000 for tires, and $1000 for brakes, at least every other time when you have to swap rotors as well, maybe $5-600 if you just resurface). Depending on how you drive, they might not even last 2 years.

The STi is close to twice as expensive to maintain as the WRX, assuming you stick with stock-style parts (anybody can put a $300 set of tires on that last for 100,000 miles, but then you're losing half of what makes an STi an STi).

Insurance shouldn't be high though, make sure you shop around. Some companies like to rape STis, some don't, so make SURE you get a lot of quotes. When I was pricing insurance, Geico and State Farm were $250/mo, Allstate was $350/mo, and AAA was $130/mo, all for the exact same coverage. That's for a single 25 yr old with 2 cars, 05 STi and 01 Sentra. It doesn't have to be bad.