Ferman

Ok buddies...

I'm 22. I've seen the 04' TL and many many props. Acres of leathers, elegant german look inside and out. 270hp is decent. But what about the Subaru Sti? It's bloody fast, but thats all it can offer. It also looks generic!

I have a bro and a sis to haul around once in a while, including my mom. What would be a better buy for me? I can't get over the sweet interior look of the TL, while I can't get over the Subaru's performance.

What should I do?

FH

PaulKCK

First check the insurance difference. I would sure love to own an Sti, but just know I would tire of it before long. I drive 27 miles each way to work and the TL is a comfortable place to spend time.
The XM radio (included) as well as automatic make my time in the car enjoyable.
The Sti does not have the quietness and saftey features of the TL.
Stability control, side and curtain airbags.
Plus I get 27 mpg on average and I would say I drive moderately aggresive (but safely)

But I am getting old (compared to 22) at 37 and occasionally need to take the kids and wife in the car.

I am sure you would enjoy either car, the TL being the sensible choice. Heck you are only 22 once, get the Sti!

te3point5

get the STI, you're young.

automata

How about a used B5 Audi S4? With a few upgrades, chip and exhaust, you'd be up to around 300HP. With the S4 you get all wheel drive like the STI in a package that's closer to the TL in comfort and amenities. You can pick up an 01' for around $25K and use the money you save to mod it. Just a thought.

te3point5

the S4 is sick too, you can get a great deal on a couple year used one, like, 25-28k

missmyprelude

Two completely different beasts. If you are looking for all-out performance, get the STi. If you're looking for a sedan with a good amount of luxury and sport/performance, get the TL. The cars are so different that I can't believe people actually cross-shop them. TL will give a much better ride (comfort, noise, etc), but the STi will tend to deliver more driver satisfaction (assuming you like high-performance cars and the stuff that comes with them - stiff ride, road noise, etc). The TL is more sophisticated, while the STi is geared more towards the younger (dare I say wilder) crowd.

That's it in a nutshell. Like I said - completely different.

donkeykang

Honestly, the two can't be compared. I'm a young driver also and of course one would assume I would jump at the STi, but no. The STi is a performance beast. For it's price range, hands down the fastest on the market. The better question is are you looking to race people all the time or are you looking to enjoy driving? Of course both can be synonymous but being comfortable a leather interior with all the toys in the car = a good ride for me. Obviously another concerny ou might have is safety. The TL is equipped with 8 airbags and the thick body serves as another protecting factor in crashes. I personally am going to keep this car well into my mid 20's or higher and know that Acura/Honda vehicles provide good longevity and great resale value, the TL in specific has a top resale value, not exactly sure of the exact number. If you wanna burn people off the line, STi. If you want you, your passengers, and people outside to be WOWed, the TL. I get stares all the time, people get in a fuss over all the features inside the TL, and I still smile everytime I turn the car on. Honsetly, if it's for somethign superficial, don't do it. Satisfy yourself. Gold rims and a blue color? Not to mention a nasty looking body. The STi is a performance beast, I give it that. Still it will never come close to my TL whom I love so much.

The choice is yours. Satisfy your needs, not those of your friends.

Ferman

Buddies...

Thanks for the quick feedback. I was expecting an answer to that which is posted. Deep down I know I want the TL, and in all honesty will get it over the raucous Sti. That car is a beast. But at the end of the day, the TL will do it for me. I love rapid acceleration, but probably not enough to sacrifice all the "goodies" the TL comes with.

Thank's,

FH

donkeykang

hey ferman i was the EXACT same way. i started to lean between the STi, Lexus IS series, etc. There was a reason I always post at THIS forum and not the others. I just wanted the car a lot and sometimes I tried to change my own mind but no matter what I always came back to the TL.

rets

Kind of "VS" thread here, move to Cars & Bikes tomorrow.

chkelly

it depends if you have class and style or not

wolftag

Ferman, I had the same dillema.

The two cars can't be compared, as people have mentioned. The problem I had is that it wasn't really clear what I wanted. I knew how much I could afford to spend, and both cars are very appealing. I don't have any needs that rule one out over the other.

In the end, I went with the TL. For me the choice was easy. First, I could not find an STI to test drive. Second, my ass is too wide for the seat bolsters. This makes me happy, because I'd have a real hard time making the decision!!

Rodney

Its really a no brainer. Get the Legacy. It'll blow the doors off the TL, has AWD, and looks sharp. Its just a de-tuned STI engine. The only thing it leaves desired is a liitle more refinement. No bluetooth, navigation, or XM radio. Did I mention the Legacy has AWD!!

te3point5

Wow, some of you TL owners have awfully big chips on your shoulders...

Tracer

The Legacy also came in third in a test (Car & Driver), the _TSX_ came in FIRST.. the TL is a (big) step up from the TSX.. do the math.

Tracer

Ferman

Rodney...

The Legacy is an intersting proposition. But then I think, "Yeah the Legacy is a few ticks quicker, but then I have to sacrifice that gorgeous TL interior and all those gizmos." Man, I don't even know why I'm confused. Looks like deep down I want that TL.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

FH

TL260power

get the TL man. Sti has the performance but it doenst look as sexy as a TL.. Since your 22 man girls dont care about fast cars they care about how the car looks and who's driving it.. GET THE NEW TL hands down.. BUT if i had the TL already then i would get the STi as a 2nd car.. please dont get an Audi....

orgalvez

get subaru STI i already trade mine TL to STI super Fast street monster concorde jet.

xpothosx

honestly, i would get the TL. I believe it will last you a lot longer. The STI is a pure autocross/rally car. You are not going to race everyone all the time. You have power in the TL when you need it. The TL is all luxury. Go with luxury man. Good luck with your choice.

Tracer

Thing with "lasting longer" isn't so bad, can always get a car fixed... the question is, do you want to get a 10th of what your car cost back after a few years, or get more than 50% back after more than 5 years

I got $18,000 for my 99 TL back just two weeks ago.. friend of mine who had a STi (now a TL) got $10,000 back for the STi after about TWO years or so.. pretty sad if you ask me.

Tracer

Ferman

Hey buddies...

Good advice from all. TL260Power, I agree, girls could care less about the HP. It's all about how it looks huh? I agree. (I looove power though.) And yes, I guess I won't be racing all the time. Wait, did I actually just stay that!!! Noooo.

FH

VelfarreClubber

The TL! i don't care how great the performance is in the subaru, or the mitsu lancer, the TL has both performance and excellent style which imo won't get dated for a long time.

thsiao

Wow this is a great post... I am also debating between these two cars. The TL has a nice interior but the performance is not that impressive. I had a 2003 TL-S and it was not a performance car. Brakes were crappy, handling was bad, and acceleration was ok. The other thing is that I would only get the TL is I can get the A-Spec, or at least the rims and the body kit. The STi on the other hand has no luxury, crappy speakers, no leather. However, the performance is top notch. Brembo brakes, fast ass acceleration, and THE best handling I have ever experienced.

Reasons why I am leaning towards STi:
- Performance.
- Can get it for around $35k OTD.
- TL is around $40k with A-Spec kit.

VQ35DE

If performance is the most important thing for $35G, get a 2003/4 Mustang Cobra. With the new Stang coming out, you can probably get a small markdown off the MSRP AND it's already running 12s/110mph+ traps OTD. (The insurance might give you a cardiac arrest though.)

thsiao

I hate Mustangs... they have the most annoying exhausts I have ever heard (after Harleys of course).

TL260power