Subaru STi or 2012 TL?

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Old 05-29-2012 | 06:18 PM
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Subaru STi or 2012 TL?

Hey guys!!!!!


Its been a long time since I've posted or been on. Since I totaled my 03 cl-s / (competched out) I have been wanting something fun. The STi has always won a place over in my heart, but I must admit..... coming from 3 previous Acuras the 2012 TL looks pretty titts. I was just trying to get any info from any body coming from or going to Subaru. Thanks!

P.S. Its been a long while, I hope I posted in the right section. ;0)
Old 05-29-2012 | 06:38 PM
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it really depends on what you want to do with the car? luxury or race it?
Old 05-29-2012 | 06:56 PM
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Well, Im looking for a good all around awesome AWD beast DD
Old 05-29-2012 | 06:56 PM
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As for the quote, Im married, no need for any more ladies lol. Plus the TL dosnt really scream "pussy mobile" LMAO
Old 05-29-2012 | 07:14 PM
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sti imho.
Old 05-29-2012 | 07:25 PM
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If I was your age, I'd be rocking the STi.
Old 05-29-2012 | 07:36 PM
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LOL, my age? hahahahaha, sorry, thats awesome! thanks guys, I think I'll be going with the subiedoobie. Ill trade in my wife's 06 civic next year for a new TL I guess. She said shes down so I guess comptech will be back in my life at some point... Speaking of, I've checked out Comptechs site recently, have mods for the TL dropped in the recent years?
Old 05-29-2012 | 07:40 PM
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Ya at your age! If I showed with an STi my wife would kill me. That's what I have my Mustang for.

Enjoy.
Old 05-29-2012 | 10:15 PM
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Make sure you drive the STI... the suspension is very stiff, and the manual is really notchy. The TL SH-AWD has a stiff suspension, but nothing like the STI, and the TL 6MT shifts much smother. If you really want a sick ride, wait till the new WRX STI comes out on the new platform.
Old 05-30-2012 | 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by KPSBUDS420
Plus the TL dosnt really scream "pussy mobile"
Eazyrider begs to differ...
Old 05-30-2012 | 10:11 AM
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CT made an SC for the J35 on the accord, I think it took it from 280 to around 330-340 WHP... on a mild pulley.... Not sure if this fits the TL or not... And if so whether Hondata or Cobb or someone offers tuning, if not, its not worth the bother....
Old 05-30-2012 | 10:16 AM
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Totally different experience...my wife own an STI while I own a TL 6MT...

The STI is insanely fun but for me the stiff ride gets tiring after a while.

As we joke with my wife "A very different interpretation on the 300 CV car theme"
Old 05-30-2012 | 11:05 AM
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sti is pretty beast. gas milage SUCKS though because of the gearing. My friend went from a v8 camaro (previous gen) to his current 09 STI, and he's getting much less gas mileage than the camaro...
he drives hwy a lot.
Old 05-30-2012 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by saturno_v
Totally different experience...my wife own an STI while I own a TL 6MT...

The STI is insanely fun but for me the stiff ride gets tiring after a while.

As we joke with my wife "A very different interpretation on the 300 CV car theme"

That is what I want to hear. I want a fun car, that being said my 03 cl-s was pretty fun... and stiff after I put the tein ss with the struts/sways. But it wasn't ever stiff enough, and that's what I'm afraid of in the TL.
Old 05-30-2012 | 11:54 AM
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Are you considering a new STI or a hawkeye year (06, they look the best IMO)?
Old 05-30-2012 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Teddybear
sti is pretty beast. gas milage SUCKS though because of the gearing. My friend went from a v8 camaro (previous gen) to his current 09 STI, and he's getting much less gas mileage than the camaro...
he drives hwy a lot.

Im also not racing people. This is going to be my DD, which I can also mod as little or as much as money allows. If you want to take the chance to void warranty, you can get the Cobb AP and flash different maps for different scenarios... eg: wife mode, valet, gas conserve, etc
Old 05-30-2012 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by mY sLOW UA6
Are you considering a new STI or a hawkeye year (06, they look the best IMO)?
The '12 model. The '13 is going to be the same platform, so I cant expect anything for 2 years, and even then I NEVER buy 1st gen vehicles. Let the kinks get worked out.

The only thing bad about the GR is he ringland issues on the 4th cylinder because of heat build up. But there are always ways to mod and/or fix small problems...
Old 05-30-2012 | 12:03 PM
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who said anything about racing people? i'm talking about the gearing. at 120kph, 6th gear, revs are over 3.5k iirc. don't think you can tune the gearing out :p lol
Old 05-30-2012 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ucf_bronco
Eazyrider begs to differ...
Old 05-30-2012 | 12:11 PM
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No offense but why would someone buy a camero in the first place ;0), or even at all unless you were going to mod it. 2 people just got the SS in my complex and 1 more got the base model. I rode in one WOT, pretty fast, but when we took corners the good ol American body roll came out.

I know what you mean about the gearing, it takes to 3rd on the GR to hit 60, but its a 4.6sec 60 lol. but you were talking about the gas mileage as well ( I know you mentioned gearing). but if you flash a map for very conservative settings and you drive normal, your good to go.
Old 05-30-2012 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by justnspace

LOL, IMO, Cars dont get you laid, you get you laid
Old 05-30-2012 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by KPSBUDS420
No offense but why would someone buy a camero in the first place ;0), or even at all unless you were going to mod it. 2 people just got the SS in my complex and 1 more got the base model. I rode in one WOT, pretty fast, but when we took corners the good ol American body roll came out.

I know what you mean about the gearing, it takes to 3rd on the GR to hit 60, but its a 4.6sec 60 lol. but you were talking about the gas mileage as well ( I know you mentioned gearing). but if you flash a map for very conservative settings and you drive normal, your good to go.
no offense taken lol. he's semi retired, and just likes muscle cars. he had an old stang before the camaro. haha

if ur going to reflash it to be more conservative, then maybe you should consider the wrx. gearing is taller than the sti (5 speed, but i think my friend said hwy crusing wasnt as high on the revs), but 0-60 is pretty close. and like you said, you can go cobb access port and retune out the lag and add more fun to the fun pedal. lol

but at the end of the day, an sti is still an sti haha
Old 05-30-2012 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Teddybear
no offense taken lol. he's semi retired, and just likes muscle cars. he had an old stang before the camaro. haha

if ur going to reflash it to be more conservative, then maybe you should consider the wrx. gearing is taller than the sti (5 speed, but i think my friend said hwy crusing wasnt as high on the revs), but 0-60 is pretty close. and like you said, you can go cobb access port and retune out the lag and add more fun to the fun pedal. lol

but at the end of the day, an sti is still an sti haha
LMAO, I thought you said retarded, yeah old guys like American Muscle. If I got a WRX I would just be pissed I didn't get the STi a month or so down the road.
Old 05-30-2012 | 03:12 PM
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OP, FWIW, I'm around your age and I think the STI is a bit too uncompromising as a sports sedan/wagon for my tastes but I otherwise like the capabilities of the vehicle. That's what brought me to the 6MT TL SH, gives up some of that pure sports car feeling, maybe some capabilities here and there but marginal at best but you gain a lot more in return.

It's a level up on quality, refinement, and features being a luxury sedan and it also happens to be larger and a bit more spacious at the same time, especially in the rear if kids are in the future, it's rated better on gas, and with the going rate of the two in comparison, it's probably not much more than an STI limited after negotiations.

It won't feel as sport aspirated, as it's intended to be more toned down, kind of like a grown up version of an STI but striking a better balance of sport and luxury and bottomline capabilities are still in line, the only big difference will be a matter of tires really. Utility will favor the STI wagon, the sedan's trunk is smaller than either TL's but folds and is flat so that's up for discussion but aftermarket tuning is not, which is strongly in favor of the STI.

I can't speak for resale or reliability in comparison of the two cars specifically but Acura is relatively strong there as I'm sure Subaru is as well. You pretty much have to decide what you prefer when it comes to most of the other areas but it doesn't look like you can go wrong here. Best of luck.

Last edited by winstrolvtec; 05-30-2012 at 03:19 PM.
Old 05-30-2012 | 03:49 PM
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The TL gives up more than marginal capabilities and features compared to the STI. However, the op says he's not racing.

The TL needle is around the middle of sport vs luxury, while the STI is clearly skewed to one end.

The question the op has to answer, if you are using the car as a DD, will you get tired of the needle being toward the sport end of the spectrum?
Old 05-30-2012 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by winstrolvtec
OP, FWIW, I'm around your age and I think the STI is a bit too uncompromising as a sports sedan/wagon for my tastes but I otherwise like the capabilities of the vehicle. That's what brought me to the 6MT TL SH, gives up some of that pure sports car feeling, maybe some capabilities here and there but marginal at best but you gain a lot more in return.

It's a level up on quality, refinement, and features being a luxury sedan and it also happens to be larger and a bit more spacious at the same time, especially in the rear if kids are in the future, it's rated better on gas, and with the going rate of the two in comparison, it's probably not much more than an STI limited after negotiations.

It won't feel as sport aspirated, as it's intended to be more toned down, kind of like a grown up version of an STI but striking a better balance of sport and luxury and bottomline capabilities are still in line, the only big difference will be a matter of tires really. Utility will favor the STI wagon, the sedan's trunk is smaller than either TL's but folds and is flat so that's up for discussion but aftermarket tuning is not, which is strongly in favor of the STI.

I can't speak for resale or reliability in comparison of the two cars specifically but Acura is relatively strong there as I'm sure Subaru is as well. You pretty much have to decide what you prefer when it comes to most of the other areas but it doesn't look like you can go wrong here. Best of luck.
AAAAAAHHHHHHHGGGHHH, hahaha, this is exactly whats going through my mind 24/7. its driving me nutz
Old 05-30-2012 | 04:54 PM
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if this is ur DD car u might really want to think about the mpg. U dont want to be filling up more than you have to. Both cars req prem gas, you might want to consider the following:
- resell value
- cost of maintenance
- how long you going to keep the car
- would u have passengers
- how the car drives (road noise, steering feeling, features, etc)

i am on the same boat as u, my 08 civic si is getting "old" i want to trade it in and get something new like the TL, STi, g37, or maybe a 335i (used)
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Old 05-30-2012 | 07:48 PM
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I have an enthusiast friend with a Stage 2 modded STI that was bought for a daily/kid transporter.

It's sat in the garage 4 years while he drives an 02 Saturn around because it's such a PITA to drive.

A. The tires are summer only. Forget rain.
B. The suspension will beat your back senseless.
C. The interior on Subarus, though improving, frankly, still sucks.
D. Radio - Sucks.
E. With the Cobb programmer / 20g turbo - it DRINKS gas.

It would be an awesome weekend racer - but for daily driving comfort, luxury, gadgets, and style - the TL is in a completely different league than any Subaru offering - and I'd put SH-AWD head to head with Scooby AWD on a wet track any day.
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Old 05-30-2012 | 08:13 PM
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If its going to be a DD then you need to think about comfort and enjoying the ride...... I vote 2012 TL.
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Old 05-30-2012 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by KPSBUDS420
Im also not racing people. This is going to be my DD, which I can also mod as little or as much as money allows. If you want to take the chance to void warranty, you can get the Cobb AP and flash different maps for different scenarios... eg: wife mode, valet, gas conserve, etc

You won't void the warranty. Some Subaru dealerships flash the ECU for you.
Old 05-30-2012 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by wrek94
You won't void the warranty. Some Subaru dealerships flash the ECU for you.
Everyone on iwsti.com dissagrees
Old 05-30-2012 | 08:29 PM
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Can I get a premium for 36,600?.... Subie gave it to me at invoice 41k down to 35,500
Old 05-30-2012 | 08:32 PM
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Sorry I'm on my retarded iPhone, what did y'all pay?
Old 06-01-2012 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by KPSBUDS420
Everyone on iwsti.com dissagrees
I've been to the subiej dealerships that do the ecu flash so I don't know what you are referringto. Also I have had two Audi's with ecu flashes and again no issues with the warranty.
Old 06-01-2012 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by KPSBUDS420
Can I get a premium for 36,600?.... Subie gave it to me at invoice 41k down to 35,500
You could have gotten such a deal with and additional 0.9%for 60 months
Old 06-03-2012 | 06:43 AM
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I owned an 08 STI with a cobb reflash a few cars back the newer styles are very nice and not as harsh as the 04-07s were. Very easy to be a DD, save for the short gearing, traffic is a bitch. I've also had an 04 wrx, 06 wrx and two 05 legacy gts. I have a thing for Subarus lol.

I get around 22mpg in the TL, in my STI I was getting about 21. But if you have any concerns about fuel mileage then you're looking at the wrong cars, being in north hollywood I'm not sure I'd limit myself to AWD, but that's me.

Power delivery in the STI is peaky obviously, really need to be up in the RPMs to get it to access it's power, where as the TL is pretty accessible from anywhere, makes it smoother around town. The way the STI delivers power, makes it feel a hell of a lot faster then the TL, and spool up always puts a smile on your face, that feeling of acceleration I do miss.

The only reason I got rid of my STI at the time is because we had our son, and our other car at the time was a Mazda 3 that my wife wasn't willing to split with, didn't have enough space in the STI for weekend trips and the like.

Fast forward 3 years add another kid and she now has an Outback, and I have the TL.

That being said, they are two totally different cars aimed at two totally different market segments. I do love my TL, fit, finish ride and still having the ability to have a bit of fun on the on ramps it satisfies every auto need I have with the bonus that it's wrapped in a nice looking package. I also don't have to deal with the idiots in the city trying to race me at stoplights.

I do have days though when I debate going back to the next gen STI when it comes out, just because I miss the community aspect of the Subarus, but even that I was growing old of as 02-03 WRXs are much too accessible to people who don't respect them ... or others. Makes for a much different crowd then the one I was apart of back in 01 (that or I'm getting old lol)

Can't go wrong with either, but if I was in your shoes, living in CA, I'd be looking at RWD all day long, along the lines of CPO 335s or even a M3 if the budget would allow.


Last edited by gibjer; 06-03-2012 at 06:48 AM.
Old 07-13-2015 | 03:58 PM
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just to follow up on my old post...

I traded my 08 civic si for a 12 TL awd advance and didn't get the Sti.

The TL drives great, quiet and smooth. It looks like the aftermarket support for the 4G TL is a bit slim but I guess that will save me some money.
Old 07-13-2015 | 08:20 PM
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Holy shit dude it's been over three years, did you just climb out of a cryogenic chamber?
Old 07-14-2015 | 12:29 PM
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I thought of an STI myself but settled on TL 6MT. Thoughts were long term for kids. Daily stuck in traffic with a turbo. Drinking gas in an STI because you will get into it daily and not drive like a Gma. The TL has a lot more features that are standard. Power band use all through the TL unlike turbo spool. Long term turbo replacement and engine rebuild.
Old 07-19-2015 | 08:01 PM
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I chose an 09 sh-awd tech advance over an sti. Never looked back. But then again, I always had my bikes (cbr 600rr and zx6r) whenever I wanted to go fast and have fun.


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