Rick_TL-S

Keep dreaming. Unless your dad is super considerate, you won't keep it running very long, especially once you hit Inspection I or worse yet, II.

Sorry if I'm coming off as an ass, but there's just no way a 16 year old can afford a M3. Even the E36's parts, while easier to come by & acquire compared to the E46, still cost pretty pennys to own & install.

murph145

My roomy had an 06 STI man that thing was crazy fast and cornered like a biatch.

Inside was cracker jack and you could just tell they put all there money into the drivetrain and nothing in the interior...

at 16 id probably take the sti at 32 ill stick with my TL-S

I like the subaru's but i would get wayyyy too many tickets and probably kill myself

Vin04TL

I hate the inside of the sti's also and i was considering the Tl-s but its i think 30k or more for used and i cant get that.

ionojimbo

TL-s is cheaper than that. i got mine for 20k with 60k miles and it still runs like new

2Morrow

Sti makes a good track car.

When I was in The car design program everyone gave it the "got a face only a mother can love" moniker. No matter how many times they change it, it is still true.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Save your money, keep the TL .. take 4 - 6 years to mature then get a decently fast car.

Just my .02.

d-townhakuzo

That is exactly what I said...and I'm the same age as the OP...

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

When I become a parent and my kids are ready to get behind the wheel, there's only one word coming out of my mouth.

.

.

.

VOLVO.

"Look at the amount of metal between him and the tree he will inevitably hit" - Jeremy Clarkson (I love Top Gear haha)

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

All depends on what your wants are, speed or comfort. When I was young, the faster the better. Could have cared less about economy and comfort, and actually some of the cars I had didn't even have A/C. Now in my older years give me a fairly quick car, but some comfort features, but still have a quick car in the garage.

I hate cars

Do you know what understeer is and do you actually know how to exploit the limits to get to understeer in the first place?

At 16 you should be incredibly happy to have the TL. Asking others what they would do makes it seem like you care too much about what others think.

The Sti is a fun car but in reality it's not very quick either. You would be suprised how close a 6mt TL will run with an STi from a roll. Of course, once you throw a little money at both cars, the Suby will destroy the TL.

So true. I drove the GN as my daily driver for so many years on race gas, no A/C (reinstalled it recently), and QuickTime Pros. The TL is so nice to get in, turn the key, turn the AC on, and not hear the engine. It's a hair quicker than an average car and it looks nice and handles good. However, if I had to choose between the two, the 16 yr old in me might make me get rid of the TL.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is it would take nothing short of a bottom 11 second car to make me give up my creature comforts and IMO the Suby isn't quick enough to warrant giving anything up. It's just on the quick side of average.

poormans_tl69

its all about what u like luxary or speed

Rick_TL-S

The only TL-S' going for $30K are going to be models that somehow have under 10,000 miles.

Other than that, mine's valued at $24,600 right now w/ 33K.

2005_AM_TL

why don't u get the Audi R8? or get the Audi RS5 i heard those are not bad.. it's got performance/luxury interior/nice exterior. or get the Nissan GTR that'll get u pretty good performance...

SpiderX1016

Audi S4 B5

You get the best of both worlds.

Vin04TL

i just checked the tl-s and there at a good price at around 12-25k
i thought it was 30k because before i got my tl i was looking into the tl-s and they were 25k and up so thats why.

Vin04TL

20k- 25k*

spinna1689

i had the option of choosing any car i wanted within a price range after i totalled my old car. i chose the TL not only because it looks good and is still sporty, but also because i know it is more reliable than other cars on the market. i say stick with the TL

Vin04TL

i really like the tl-s but i kinda wanted somehting different than a tl but ill go check out the tl-s

Boostedsti

I sold my STI to get a TL. Decided I was done with auto-x and its a horrible car to have as a daily driver. Stiff ride with barebone interior features that is a gas hog and a money pit. Maintenance is a Cha-ching on the STI, you cant help but beat on it too because its so fun.

If you wanna run track/autox then go for the STI. If you want one as a daily driver then I say : (

The thing I miss the most is the AWD though

*Understeer was fixed in the STI by running bigger set of adjustable sways and endlinks. Huge difference in cornering after that.

Tehvine

I would have killed for a 3G TL at your age, so much better than driving a Subaru. It feels like you are shifting through a bag of marbles in those cars, I hate it. I am biased to the interior and feel of the TL as well, the WRX is basically an econobox with an upgraded drivetrain/suspension. But hey get whatever makes you happy - it's about you, not us.

Boostedsti

yea, totally forgot about the close gear ratio. I hated shifting all the freaking time.

Vin04TL

thats what i want is AWD.
i also wanted to take it to the track but i really wouldnt have time to.
i wish the tl-s was AWD

SpiderX1016

Audi S4? lol

Vin04TL

lol

Opel

an STI? you talking about that box thing with that big wing on the back that looks like a shopping cart?

ummmm, get an evo!

nttstt444

iTrader: (1)

LOL, i drove an '89 accord when i was 16... but im proud to say i have stuck with Honda/Acura ever since

Souljah

Yes, but it is one fast shopping cart.

Vin04TL

yes it is

Clean>Rice

ummmm, heres my advice. I remember when my parents were deciding on what car to get me, senior year of high school. Choices were anything under 40k- so TL, TL-s, IS350, G37 (only coupe was out). they didnt even CONSIDER the EVO or STI. seriously. when you LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL, and go to college or the working world, you dont want your co-workers seeing you drive into the parking lot. You want something classy: a sports sedan/coupe.

when i got my TL, insurance was 2.5k. G35 (4door) was 2.6k, and G37 coupe was 3k+ and same with the Type-S. EVO/ STI 5k+.

trust me, save the cash now (insurance and the cost of the car), put it in the bank, let it sit for a few years until you are out of college. Let your money grow. Insurance for an EVO/ STI will eat you alive after a few years.

honestly, im happy with my TL. anything faster....i prob wouldnt be here right now...or i'd have speeding tickets up my a$$--even with my radar detector. just the fact that you know your car is really fast, makes you do the stupidest things...ever.

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

Same here. I went from a cheaply made fast car to luxury. I will tell you though the AWD I MISS, but your from CA so stick with the TL. I had too many problems with my subie and I will tell you start moding that and it will get stolen because they are stolen VERY often as a couple of my friends were. I will also say that cops don't bother me as much with my TL as I got hassled all the time with the subaru, and my TL isn't stock/looks stock.

PLUS with a car like the STI used your BOUND to have problems with it, unless your lucky to get one that was adult owned but hey all dealers will say that right? Adult owned, never smoked in bullshit.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

I'd say learn to drive before you drive a performance car.

To many kids nowadays getting in major accidents; dying and getting severely hurt from not knowing how to properly control his/her vehicle.

Take a "drivers ed" from a race car driver in your town. He will teach you things that will really help you drive everyday, and possibly save your life.

I chose the TL over the G35/350z/STI/335i because of three factors:

1) Maintenance
2) Luxury/Longevity
3) MILES PER GALLON

But at the end of the day, make sure you're happy with your purchase. I don't care how much better the TL is, if you like the STI, get the STI.

But in my opinion, if you want "best of both worlds" get the Acura TL TYPE-S, if you don't have enough money, save up for it.

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

I love the "best of both worlds, get a TLS" comment. This has been beaten to death about 12 times already but its all about the owner and honestly even the TLS doesn't even compare to the STI. I would call the TLS a glorified base TL with some more HP, little bit better handling and some more luxury options like base up camera, nicer interior and nicer rims. I am not getting into detail because neither the STI or TLS compare. I own a BASE and I would have chosen the TLS over the base because I have the 6 MT with NAV and all of the options that my car new is the price of the TLS, but I would never pay 7+k to upgrade.

ANYWAY ,what I mean to say is be careful because a use sports car 80% of the time will be a headache. It is comparing apples to oranges and I can go on forever but I will say that I came from an STI and I always wanted it back until I started moding my TL and now would never give it up for any STI.

Also I came from an 05 STI IMO the nicest year and 06 is EH, too much spoilerage going on. I actually swapped my trunks with a WRX base model because I loved the base model spoiler.

Things I love about the TL:
-Better built
-Hondas last forever
-Cops don't bother me
-better sound system, as the STIs was garbage and sounded like shit
-navigation
-better punch from a roll, STIs AWD is sooooo slow from a roll and I kept up with one in my TL with an intake and exhaust but from a launch STIs gone. THEN AGAIN launching your STI too much WILL start to cause problems.
-Better sound proofed as in my sound system rattles the TL, but man I double dynomatted my trunk and it rattled 4x as much as my TL, it just goes to show you a better built car
-BEING unique, I see STIs all over

Things I loved about my STI:
-Handling as I could drift in the snow
-My HKS carbon TI was the nicest sound ever
-BOV sound
-the friendly wave from EVERYONE

Opel

you guys overrate the STI a lot...everyone says its fast, and they're always referring on launch...reason its simple...AWD, therefore you can just unleash all the power in one shot, which gives u a good off the line.

On the tl, you can't launch with too much power bcs youll sit still spinning.

the 2 cars on a roll, are neck to neck...
at least i can speak for the earlier model STIs,....i dont know where they stand now, bcs i haven't kept up with it nor did i care to...I think the car's plain ugly

i destroyed a lot of STIs, when i was in nearly stock form, and evos too...thats off a roll of course. Gs, Zs etc

even a 150 hp car will beat the tl off the line if its AWD, but that's where it ends.

the aftermarket support is what gives the sti a huge edge on a lot of others.

stock, they're not that fast.

and i really mean when i say "shopping cart"

I hate cars

That's what I've been trying to say. Same with the EVO.

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

Exactly what I tell people too ALL the time. When I had my S/C installed I had some cocky STI dude with a full exhaust and some other bullshit be like "Oh your s/c? Give it a go" almost like yeah try and beat me. So of course all 5 times I made his car look likes its standing still. He got so mad he gave me the ricer fly by with a BOV noise right near my window and flew off into traffic weaving in and out.

I had a friend with a 13 second WRX and from a roll my stock TL with a intake kept up with it until third gear. TLs get slow around 70 MPH/ 3rd gear.

integra92red

iTrader: (2)

Meh, I started typing a lengthy response as to why you do don't want this or that but it looks like it's been pretty well summed up.

I'm a Subie guy, and I'll drive my Subaru in the winter time to the ground, I love it, it's lowered on Bilsteins and H&R's and still goes anywhere through a No'Easter.

The AWD just has a great feel. I would suggest an 08-09 Legacy Spec.B. Maybe a good compromise between the Cop-magnet STi and a TL for you. Handle good, decent power, comfortable, but ho-hum on MPG.

Your lucky you have a TL at 16. Keep what you've got and stay alive. Maybe your some rare incredibly responsible 16 year old and actually deserves the opportunity to have an STi @ 16. I don't know.

Then again, (no offense), maybe your a money kid and daddy has the money to blow and wants his kid to have the best car and whatever he wants. Again I don't know you, so maybe it's just my ignorance.

Again, no offense. At least your asking and hopefully taking some of the posts here seriously, especially the ones from members who actually have owned an STi in the past.

-Rob

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

Just like the last guy posted. Get the LEGACY SPEC B. Its TL luxury with the same engine as the STI and its fast with AWD. I was actually looking into that but I get attached to my cars and kept the TL.

D's Up

Keep the TL. You're not racing at every light are you? The TL is fast enough, luxurious, and girls like 'em . The only viable solution to your need for speed and luxury is to;

- sell your 5AT, and buy an 05-06 6MT (With navi of course, gotta' have that ballin' ass screen on the inside. lol)
- learn to shift.
- Either buy RV6 V2 PCD's, exhaust, RV6 V3 J-pipe, CAI and a Pulley or just buy a supercharger.
- Pull an "AlexSU" and trap 105mph+.
- Run an Sti from a roll, crush him.
- Then turn cruise control on. Let your sub bang hard. Lean your sit back a little to relax and go home knowing that you have heated seats and he doesn't. hahaha

That whole situation = WIN.

I hate cars

I partially agree with you. But the Subie is barely any faster than a TL once you're rolling. Saying you would be more likely to kill yourself because the Subaru is so much faster is a huge exaggeration. This is in reference to a few other people above. The part I do agree with is you're more likely to race in the WRX than the TL. I really don't have a dog in this fight as the TL is just my daily driver and the last thing on my mind is a drag race except for messing around with my friends.

Any 16 year old with a WRX or TL should consider themselves extremely lucky. IMO you can't go wrong with either especially at that age. I would've given anything to have either of those at that age.

I hate cars

I'm afraid to read the responses to this one lol.....

Selling the 5at for a 6mt , expecting that mph , and expecting to crush anything but a stock STi ......