How does a 996 compare to a ...

I know a lot of people don't like these type of threads but I'm just wondering. How does a 996 compare to a new Subaru STI? I'm not cross shopping these two cars but a friend of mine has a 2008 STI that I've driven quite a bit. I haven't driven many different cars and the STI is the fastest car I've been in. I was pretty impressed by the acceleration and handing. I'm just hoping the 996 will at least match that car and hopefully exceed it's abilities.

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Quotes source post: 7466331

ZOMG suubie is liek so fassssstttt... pannty dropper for da bitches Seriously though. Two entirely different cars, apples and oranges to compare; if you're asking for an objective viewpoint then it's best to rely on your own. I'm sure it's easy to Google the comparative performance numbers instead of relying on the conjecture bound to follow in the replies. An STI is an amazing feat of performance for a 4-dr hatchback. A 996 is built with none of the compromises made by modifying a family car chassis. Whether or not a six-plus year-old car is faster than a brand new car is irrelevant. Bottom line: If you're buying or own a 996 and you're looking to bench race your friend with the STI, don't. Concentrate on the smiles per mile and don't worry about who can outrun you at a stoplight.

Quotes source post: 7466331

Oh no you didn't lol, you can't compare the two not even close to the same class. It's like comparing an Evo to a Gallardo, Spyker, Pagoni Zonda, Ford GT, NobleM400, NSX, Lotus Espirit Turbo, (I LOVE the body style on the Espirit btw) 996TT, 996GT2, 996GT3 etc. These are considered exotic cars the Subaru Sti is NOT an exotic vehicle in any shape way or form period. If your going to compare with an STi it must be another rally car or something with same weight with all wheel drive like the Mitsubishi Evo MR or Renault Clio sport.

STi rides like a lumber truck and beats the **** out of you. P-car can be driven for hours...there's no way to compare these 2 cars. Apples and oranges...

I have a 2010 WRX and a 996 so feel somewhat qualified, but of course the STi has a better suspension and slightly more power than the standard WRX so not exactly a firm compare (although I have already "chipped it" so have roughly the same numbers or better on my car). I can say that the WRX/STi has better off the line speed once the turbo kicks in - grins every single time and definitely quicker. The stock suspension in the WRX does not compare well to the 996 - car is top heavy and springs are soft. I changed the sways immediately to help with the roll but certainly a lot of front/back squish on brakes/accelerator and that will need some spring/coilover changes to correct. STi has better suspension and can only conjecture that they corrected this with their most aggressive settings. Shifter is vaugue and STi bushing and SSK fixed that right up. Mine is a 5-speed and the STi is a 6-speed. Stock figures show that the WRX, with one less shift, is faster than the STi with a 4.7 0-60. Non performance elements are clearly that the interior is vastly superior in the 996, as one would expect from a car that costs 3 times as much. My stock WRX radio is so bad as to not be believed. It is like an AM radio from the 50s i kid you not. Paint work is okay but mine came with flaws that Subaru corrected. Really and truly the service (at least at my dealer) has been astoundingly great. Best ever. So prognosis from me? 996 is rock solid and very stable while being fast. Driving same roads with the WRX shows it feels less stable at speed and build quality outside of drivetrain (which is really nicely done) is less. I daily drive the WRX now daily and only take the 996 occasionally.

and for the record - i don't consider a base C2 996 an exotic car - spyker or gallardo or GT3, sure. Let's be realistic here people.

One has a prancing horse on a shield for a logo - one has some swoops and stars...

Quotes source post: 7466525

+1000000 and lets stop saying "apples and oranges" - it's "apples and eggs"

Brakes - porsches are definitely better for sure out of the box. I have never driven the C4 in any anger so cannot accurately reflect the differences between the 996 and STi, but compared to my Audi A6 2.7T 6-speed that i owned for a while it handles similarly but i get less AWD "feedback" when cornering hard. It rotates WAY better than my A6 did. Steering feels nimble but again some suspension changes are in order to dial out the oversteer it has at stock settings. Both are really fun to drive daily - get far less attention in the subaru as most dont even know what it is and the porsche is, well, a porsche. In stock form, then 996 is a much better out of the box track weapon but think that with some tuning that Subbie has a TON of potential, way more than you can extract from the 996 NA platform.

I dont know Bill, I think Van nailed it

He desicrates the shield in his avatar though. He not worthy.

I never said a base C2 996 to be an exotic car. I am naming the other models 996TT, 996GT2, 996GT3. Ask a car insurance rep what they think are exotic cars to insure. Like Ivan said "apples to eggs" ha

Gee, guys, I don't know. The WRX STi is awfully impressive on Gran Tourismo for my PS3!

Is a $15 bottle of wine a better value than a $45 bottle of wine?

Not sure about the new ones, but my 2004 STI was just too intense. It only rewarded driving at max attack. My C4S has 95% of the performance the STI did, but delivered in a much more pleasant and stylish way. But if your main priority is real-world road devouring capabilities in all conditions, get the STI. Also, with the 996, you buy the package. There's very little you can do to improve it significantly with tuner/boy racer mods. With the STI, if it's not enough, you just dial it up to whatever level you want.

Quotes source post: 7466456

lol, a standard 996 is not an exotic or anywhere close. Hard to compare these cars, but for the price, the STI is very close if not exceeding the performance capabilities of the porsche.

Quotes source post: 7466602

Doh!!

right I agree Quadcammer, however performance is not everything its the whole package that matters.

Thanks guys. I'm definitely not cross shopping the two cars. An STI is just the only sports car I've ever really driven so I'm basing my question on that. I've always had trucks (mazda b4000 and dodge 3500) and motorcycles (yamaha r6 and ducati 848) for the last several years. I've never owned a car. I sold my bike about a month ago and I'm now shopping for a 2002 or 2003 C2.

Quotes source post: 7466966

j/k

Quotes source post: 7467095

<shameless plug> Mine is for sale... </shameless plug>

hey breakdown - there ya go... and if you buy it I will drive it across country for ya - FREE, (just pay gas and one one flight)

In 5-6 years the STI owner will still lust for a 911. Not the other way around

Hi Paul!!!

Quotes source post: 7467274

The prize goes too....... I owned in this order....(comparing subaru to porsche) 1985 944...... 2004 WRX... 2005 STi..... 1982 911SC W/ 87 Euro motor... CUrrent 2000 996..... and I wouldnt go back....next car will be a daily driver toss up between another Audi or maybe a mini or a old VW..who knows..but there will allways be a Porsche Car..period.

Quotes source post: 7467552

+1100000

Quotes source post: 7466485

Look Bill, we have discussed this over and over and over... Just stick to the "you cant compare the two" We told you this time and time again....

Flat-4 vs flat-6. Two-thirds a Porsche or 100% Porsche. I thought I read somewhere that Porsche helped Subaru w/ their boxer engine designs... ///Michael

I drove the standard 2010 wrx, very fun car. i loved it and a blast when the turbo kicks in. But let's face it, most of the day, you drive under 50mph, you get more from the 996 I think. More torque and it is more rewarding to look at. With a Turbo car you always want to be in Turbo mode, which first lead to obsession and then to always drive above the speed limit. After a few tickets, you might prefer the 996 I feel the wrx felt safer when taking on-ramps. When you are above 35 years old, I think it is time to leave behind the boy racer cars

Quotes source post: 7466737

Great analogy. The wine expert will be able to tell the difference, but a guy like me that drinks occassionally will not appreciate the difference. That having said, there are some $15 bottles that are pretty good too. Remember there is always a certain prestige and snob appeal to luxury items. Best way to find out is to drive both and buy what you like.

On the track in the dry, I wouldn't want anything but a Porsche. On the track in the wet, I LOVE an sti. Sti's are great cars. I would have one in my stable if there was room. -td

over 100 mph, the subaru is, well a "subaru", gutless and no power. at the valet, the subaru is, well a "cheap" car. pretty cool though, that something 10+ years newer is being compared, and still losing...... hehe

Seriously...do you buy a car because you are concern about what people think at the valet.

It's not a porsche........no how no way in any manner.

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it's called a joke, silly canadian.....

Quotes source post: 7466737

Bad comparison. 996's are now officially cheaper than a $15 bottle of wine. I tried to do an even trade for a bottle of Torres 10 brandy & they only took my 996 as a down payment, lol.

Different cars for sure, but I think the STi is a lot of fun in it's own right. I prefer the 911 -I've tracked and owned both platforms- I disagree with some things said here, I think the Subaru rotates rather well, and the ride is smoother.

Quotes source post: 7469700

I think you are referring to my comment? I believe that i noted it rotates really well! However in stock trim the WRX at least is a little twitchy in feel. Both good cars meant for different things.

I didn't mean to single out your post, just that I disagree with some things said, along with what I felt was noteworthy. I should've mentioned the brakes too, the Porsche is definitely head and shoulders above the Subaru there.

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classic

Porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche porsche camaro

Quotes source post: 7470440

Very funny https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...4-pinched.html

Quotes source post: 7467673

Correct...and porsche also designed the subaru legacy B4s body for the 1999-2001 models...(those cars never made it stateside... ;( (twin turbo wrx motor too ) http://img112.imageshack.us/i/fujcarbritzenruj2.jpg/

Baby Boxster may come with a flat 4...Fuji's is a very reliable powerplant.

Wow... more than three pages and still going? On a 996 Forum no less??? Rudy

Wouldn't want to race one. But in the looks dept, any Subaru fails.

Quotes source post: 7475735

personally HATE the sound of them all !! growing up with a 327 and working in a gas station out in the "hicks" I learned to recognize the sound of a car with a cracked distributor cap in the rain from across the parking lot... when they would pull into the lot, I woould run ouot and open the bay door.... have them pull it right in....ask them... "running rough?" "yea, how did you know" "turn the car off, this wont take long" 5 minutes later (or less) they ould be running perfect and I would have a happy customer leaving. to me the subi sounds JUST LIKE THAT!

Yeah, they do sound like a 6-cylinder w/ only 4 cylinders runnin', don't they? ///Michael

For a DD, subarus are great cars. For folks who live in the snow belt(the belt continues to migrate south) a subaru is a great car. They are the Audis for folks who don't need the prestige or fancy interiors. Although I must admit that interior sparness and overall design of the subies have been questionable on more than one occasion. Couldn't stand the "bugeyed" WRXs and STIs. My next DD will most likely be a new Legacy sedan. The wife will think so highly of that and see me focusing on family(saftey/AWD/4 doors/Economical). And under the cover of darkness I can install the COBB exhaust/suspension/Access Port etc and still be the family guy. And as a side note, went to a local PCA event this weekend at the local dealer, the panamera is as brilliant as it is ugly.

i would check the insurance compared to the 996. I know that wrx rates are a bit higher b/c of the young kids who normally drive tehm and wreck them.

Not sure what the stand alone cost is but along with the 996 on the same policy, it costs me $40/month to insure the WRX.

So I've been browsing these boards for awhile and this is the first time I've been qualified to post Having just sold my 2005 STi in March to purchase a 2000 C4 and having owned the STi for almost 6 years I can comfortably say: "night and day." The STi was a great car: lots of power, speed, utility. But it lacked all refinement. It was very unforgiving and the looks.... well, you know. The C4 is way more comfortable and easier to drive. It's smother and the aesthetic is All in all, the STi got me through my 20's as all boy racers in their 20's could only dream. Now I'm in my 30's and C4 is a gentlemen's car.

welcome to RL even though you have been lurking a while! nice post... how about in intro post with pics before the mob attacks you !! (I am handing out the pitchforks and torches now)

By popular demand!

Nice C4 and your refined comment seemed spot on. Welcome to an interesting Forum.

I had one on my tail on the loop the other day. It looked menacing in a cute boxy kind of way in my rear view mirror. The intake scoop maw was frowning at me like a midget sumo wrestler. I played with him for a few miles and he had no chance of out-running or passing me. Other than that, I was styling, he was cheap rice... nuff said.

Quotes source post: 7470542

Porsche also helped harley davidson with the v-rod engine. But they still can't get an 8+ second 1/4 mile and stretch 1st gear out to anywhere near 100mph and fly through the traps at 145mph for the 1/4 mile. But I think harley likes replacing performance with fear with the way their bikes are designed. I think they figure most will figure their fear for their lives means the bikes have too much power for them. All that hype is ruined slipping past 180 with ease on a japan bike getting dizzy from the blur while noticing how smooth and accurately controllable it is. Oh well. Yah porsche helps others fix their screw ups or brick walls in development.

Interesting to read the comments. Hi This is my fist post. I have a 07 legacy GT Spec B Wagon (it currently is running bilstin shocks and a higher output than an STI, I have also passed STI on the track in it). I also have a 2000 C2. I have also driven numerous STI, standard and upto 300 KW at the wheels The subi is a wonderfull boy racer / family car. It is easy to drive at very fast speeds in any condition. where it falls down as far as performance is in the higher speed sections and brakes (but under hard braking it is very stable). The subi is the car to get if you need any form of practible function out of it as well as performance. I liked it that much that I gave it to my wife to drive as a DD and bought myself a V8 ute as a DD ( I am from Australia google the SSV Holden Ute). I have found that the comfort levels of the 2 cars are about the same (a STI is not as comfortable as my subi so the C2 would be much more comfortable) and as a result am thinking about changing the C2 to a Gt3 to have a bigger differance between them. Where the C2 holds its own is that it can do what you want it to do all day long, the subi will need a few more rests along the way. BUT the C2 cost 4 times the amount. I like both the cars for different reasons.

Compairing a 911 to a Prius the 911 always looses. 911 gets no where near as good of a gas mileage plus the Prius supplys an excuse for hauling tail down the hwy

Quotes source post: 7540760

That's not entirely fair. Driven like a Porsche, by an enthusiast, the Prius would get very poor mileage while making the driver miserable. That's not much of a win. The first step in achieving efficiency in a hybrid is that the car's road manners make you give up and drive like a lobotomized sloth. If you're willing to drive like that, well who cares what you drive?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTOyiKLARk

Quotes source post: 7541308

Haha!!

WTF is going on here?

I chased a STI thorugh the canyons in Borrego Springs in my 09 A4 Audi. He could get away out of turns with his power but I always caught up before the next turn and had power to push him in the *** on the corners. That's with a A4 quattro stock suspension and yes it was leaning hard in those corners. I wouldn't buy one for that fact.

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Did you prefer the R6 or the 848? If you preferred the former you'd probably enjoy the scooby more if you preferred the latter go for a Porsche

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Doesn't mean anything as driver's really determine the performance of a car(except sometimes in F1 ). I find a lot of guys that can't drive worth $hit wanting the best cars to compensate for their driving skills, or lack of. In this case, this is a compliment to your driving...