More STI goodness on the way?
by Damon Lavrinc on Nov 7th 2006 at 4:04PM 
Before the STI, even before the WRX, came to these shores, determined gearheads made every manner of modification to the old GC8 Impreza to get the turbocharged power they adored from afar. When the WRX finally crossed the Pacific, its powerplant found a home in every manner of Subaru, including the sleepy Forester. Scan any Subie-centric site (we like iClub and NASIOC) and you'll find a host of Foresters in every conceivable state of tune, some putting down over 400 HP to the wheels on the stock block.
Considering how the aftermarket played a considerable role in the original WRX's importation to the U.S., it comes as little surprise that Subaru is considering bringing over an STI variant of the Forester and (fingers crossed) Legacy. Both have enjoyed considerable success in their home country, even with the exorbitant premiums demanded by dealers, and for those of you who are looking for either a little more luxury or utility when channeling your inner-McRae, both would fit the bill.
[Source: Autoweek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
thefultonhow 4:38PM (11/07/2006)
I would be pretty happy with a Forester STi.
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Ryan Porter 4:14PM (11/07/2006)
I thought the concept for this car looked amazing. I snapped about 5 pics or so of it and keep going back to them in aww.
http://media.carster.com/images/upload/110506c-187-9.jpg
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cars specifications 4:45PM (11/07/2006)
thefultonhow what do you say about an Subaru Impreza STi instead an Forester ?
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/specifications/subaru/subaru_impreza_wrx_sti_2005-919
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Astro 4:55PM (11/07/2006)
well i hope the marketing folks will change the name since STI is an acronym for sexually transmitted infection here in the states!
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ohmy 10:14PM (11/10/2006)
Astro.... if it was STD I would get your point, but I think STI is safe (no pun intended)...
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Vinny 5:43PM (11/07/2006)
The Forester just looks to "family-truckster" to me though. I am a Sub fan but it just makes me think of a Crown Victoria GT.
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GT AE '06 5:56PM (11/07/2006)
I think Japan already has the STi Forester. It was in a C&D article not too long ago, so google search "STi Forester" and look for the C&D hit.
Also, I'm pretty sure Fifth Gear did a comparo on the WRX STi vs. the Forester STi. The Forester did the same lap in the wet in only a second or 2 longer than the rex.
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Dan 8:19PM (11/07/2006)
You are aware that there has been a Subaru Impreza WRX STI out in the states for at least 4 years. No one but those whose mind is locked in the gutter would come up with STI=Sexually transmitted infection.
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GT AE '06 5:58PM (11/07/2006)
RE: me =)
http://www.caranddriver.com/minitest/8310/subaru-forester-sti.html
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stimr2 12:02AM (11/10/2006)
Please Subaru bring the Legacy STI. I would trade in my Impreza STI for it. But it would be nice to have all three STIs.
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someone rent me an elise or gt350h 6:33PM (11/07/2006)
Finally! The perfect car for Type A lesbians!: ;-)
http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/otherfunstuff/tp/LesbianCars.htm
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emulous1974 7:23PM (11/07/2006)
Wow Subaru of America never seems to get it right. While I would love to see the Forestor STI here, or even a WRX Wagon STI, I think a better move would be to bring STI versions of the Legacy Sedan and Wagon. Bringing those two would swiftly move Subaru upmarket in America faster than the B9 Tribeca ever could. The Spec B in the U.S. is a joke without any additonal power.
Yes I would trade my Legacy GT Wagon for a Forestor STI if no Legacy STI made it's way here, but I'd be willing to pay a lot more for a Legacy STI then I would for a Forestor.
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Richard 9:36PM (11/07/2006)
The problem Subaru has is positioning and customer base.
I think they make the best car for the money and have convinced my BMW/ Audi/ VW driving friends of same, but when you get into the $35,000 base range, the - um - small attachment crowd who need a large attachment logo on their hood just ain't gonna go for it.
That's why Toyota invented Lexus and Datsun invented Infiniti.
Hell the SVX was a fantastic car and had it ALL over the Lexus SC 400, but it wasn't gonna happen because the taste-makers will always pick a moderate offering from a high-end brand over a brilliant offering from a low end brand.
The B9 is - thus far - a failure. It is above the Subaru customer base in price and it's premium fuel requirement makes traditional Legacy Wagon customers nervous...the revised fuel requirement for 2007 should help.
Subaru needs to just continue to grow from its base - not the extreme games video rally types, (the pursuit of whom almost sunk Mitsubishi) but the active-lifestyle adults...and continue to bring us special models - like a Legacy GT STi Sedan and Wagon(PLEASE!)for those active-lifestyle adults among us who are moving in a faster lane but do not need to be in with the in crowd.
And, Mr. Mahoney,could you sign that proposal I sent down via Freeport last week!
Cheers!
Richard
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james f. 9:42PM (11/07/2006)
An stit legacy would bring me back to the fold. I need a wrx that I can throw clients in!
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Paul 10:00PM (11/07/2006)
Bringing a Forester STi and a Legacy STi to the states would be one of the best things Subaru could do right now. There is little availible in the market of performace small utes, but since the big utes aren't selling well, I can see it growing with a Forester STi. Also, a Legacy STi would be able to keep up with much more expensive sedans (Audi S4, maybe even an M3) for about 2/3rds the cost...it would hopefully be like a grown up WRX STi the way the GT is a grown-up WRX. This move would also establish the STi brand beyond simply the Impreza and bring more people into Subaru showrooms. Great idea...they better go for it.
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Tifighter 2:44AM (11/08/2006)
Sign me up. Since the Forester is not slated for replacement till 08-09, bringing the existing STI seems like a good way to keep some interest in the model with little additional development costs.
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risingsun 4:54AM (11/08/2006)
White with gold wheels, please.
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Mike N. 2:41PM (11/13/2006)
Isn't it great to have a aftermarket automotive business that makes a ton of money to cater to drivers that have such low self esteem that they have to impress us with their cars?
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Anthony Berkeley 10:51AM (11/19/2006)
This is a handsome looking car. I'm not a big fan of blue but I like this one a lot. I don't think this is a Type-A lesbian car. I think it's an asexual car. Anybody can look good in it. And I imagine feel good in it too.
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jj 11:39AM (11/23/2006)
mike n.
what are you talking about? the sti is no joke and who should sti owners try to impress? this is a car for power, not like a bmw or benz that is all about having too much money to spend
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