2008 Subaru Impreza STI: Ignoring John McCain

Jriz,

I'm not going to bring politics onto this blog, but since you did I do feel I have to clarify.

BO said we could save more oil by simply inflating our tires and getting tune-ups than can be achieved through drilling (though the drilling wasn't clarified, as their is off-shore, land-based, shale reserves, etc.).

This was mocked by many, including JM, because it's a ludricrous claim. There is no established amount of people who have their tires underinflated or are in a poor state of tune and how much they drive (i.e. their current average fuel economy and amount of miles driven). There are some guesses though, and based off those guesses it is still a ridiculous claim.

Further, the amount of oil which can be obtained through drilling is all about statistics. Is it drilling on currently leased land? New leases? Outer continental shelf or not? Shale oil or not? ANWR or not?

By changing answers to each of these, you can manipulate the statistics tremendously.

Now if he had said, "People need to start being aware of the little things they can do to save themselves money and reduce our energy needs, such as inflating their tires to the proper level." I'd be all supportive :)

Nevertheless, Politicians tend to make fun of other politicians of the opposite party when they say foolish, unqualified statements. It goes both ways.

But hey, thanks for bringing politics into the car blog :)

Joe

cool, since you aired up your tires it should mean that gas will be 25 cents less per gallon on my way home tonight.
thanks!

since joefrompa gave the grown up, thought out response I was able to just give the smart--- one :)

why must politics be dragged into this?

BO also thinks the oil companies owe every america a wind fall profit rebate.

And thinks that we can solve our oil problem by inflating our tires.

Thats like saying we could have no crime if the criminals stopped commiting them...

now when was the last time we had no criminals...

Is it possible that you could do a head-to-head test with the Subie and the 135i?

A Run up GMR should do the trick.

TIA :)

""People need to start being aware of the little things they can do to save themselves money and reduce our energy needs, such as inflating their tires to the proper level.""

Actually, the original Obama statement that spawned the ridicule came when a woman in a townhall meeting asked what sort of simple things ordinary people can do to lower their energy consumption. He then made the tire pressure suggestion, which is a valid one. Then the McCain campaign latched onto that statement and said that was the only part of Obama's energy plan (it's actually nowhere in it). It all snowballed from there with others coming to the conclusion that if fixing tire pressure on average could save X amount and NEW off-shore drilling could save Y amount, then... I never heard Obama say ALL drilling, only new off-shore drilling, but then again, maybe I missed that speech.

The thing is, I have no problem with the discussion of one candidate's energy policy versus another. That's part of the process. But McCain and his campaign weren't making (or mocking) the point that Joe is making above. They were simply saying (falsely) that was the only part of Obama's energy policy to belittle him. I'm just saying that's not the political dialogue we need and were promised by both campaigns.

In fact, this back and forth is infinitely more civil and thought-provoking than the crapfest volley the McCain and Obama campaigns shat back and forth on this issue.

-JR

I'd buy the super fun STI, but the horrific interior and terrible resale prevents me from doing so. Plus, as a single guy, driving the faaast WRX STI would automatically put me in the early 20s/Madden 09 addict/dress shirt untucked/dinosaur-sized sideburns demo.

I'd rather throw my money out the window before driving a properly-inflated STI. Did I mention the plasticy crapload they call an interior??

terrific post! Can't wait for all the rest of the Ditto Heads to chime in about how misguided Obama is . In typical republican fashion, they've taken a quote completely out of context and made it this week's #1 news item. I guess when your candidate is so far out of touch with reality, that's all you can do...

The STI looks fantastic in that picture, at first I was disappointed that you guys didn't get the gold rims, but in that picture I can see how wrong I was. I think the Evo is the more conventionally attractive, but the STI's proportions are superior in my personal opinion.

Secondly, why must we attack each other for our political views? No one is going to change anyone else's opinion and offensive things are just going to be said in the process. Just accept that everyone prioritizes things differently and don't immediatedly call someone stupid because they view things differently than you. If we all could do this (myself included) this country would be a much better place.

mercedesfan

Silver rims come with black BBS-equipped STIs. Gold is not available with that color.

I believe the gold rims come only on WR Blue and white STIs.

bkaiser1 - still visting that moveon site?

the one that forgot to move on.

Edmunds' own "We Test the Tips" article had this to say about tire pressure:

"Test #5 Check Your Tire Pressure

Result: Important for safety and to reduce tire wear

Cold Hard Facts: No measurable effect on the vehicles we tested

Recommendation: Check your tire pressure often but don't expect a big savings."

Ok, here's the start of this political story...since most other people here just want to state why they are right, and not actually report what happened. Here's BO's quote:

"There are things that you can do individually though to save energy," Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, said. "Making sure your tires are properly inflated, simple thing, but we could save all the oil that they're talking about getting off drilling, if everybody was just inflating their tires and getting regular tune-ups. You could actually save just as much."
Source: ABCNews.com

Did the republicans go overboard in attacking? Yes, but it's an area they are benefitting on so of course they exploited it. Was BO telling the truth? No, unless you seriously twist statistics.

This is one of those statements politicians make. It should be "clarified" and that'd be the end of it. But they stuck with it. So it ballooned (get it?) into a bigger deal than it needed to be.

I'll get my personal point across in this post:

The U.S. has an absolute ton of oil available to us. We are hearing more about it nowadays, but people don't realize how the current price of oil and developing technologies have greatly increased our available oil reserves in N./S. Dakota, ANWR, the gulf of mexico, and the outer continental shelf. As well as Shale Oil.

We could, quite literally, become energy independent simply by maintaining our current oil use (which we've seen is possible since our demand went down under heavy prices), using alternative energy sources, and going on a massive expansion of our own energy reserves (in all the places I named).

Instead, we export oil pumping to the far places of the earth in some of the most geo-politically unstable governments, where there is alot less care about the environment and alot more ability to destabilize.

If you are against drilling, I urge you to think about the following:

1. The U.S. trade deficit would shrink dramatically if we had to import significantly less (or no) oil.

2. The atmospheric environment would benefit from not having to ship the oil thousands of miles via supertanker to local refineries.

3. There would be tremendously better environmental records surrounding U.S. drilling platforms/rigs/plants vs. places like Venezuela, Nigeria, and other more questionable regimes.

4. There's less opportunity to disrupt global supply by having a greater supply available in a stable place such as the U.S. More stability benefits us all, and less blown up pipelines mean less oil leaching into the ground.

5. The U.S. would experience an economic boon from the creation of new explorations and refineries, and the resulting decrease in importations. The dollar would become stronger a result of the decreased trade deficit. Our country would have less reliance upon middle-eastern countries for our energy reserves and capabilities.

We are going to be using oil for a long, long time. We only started using it in the past 120 years, but look where we are now.....polymers and fuels everywhere, based upon an infrastructure built around petroleum. We're going to need it, so why not develop it?

Lastly, for those who think it will take "decades" to see any benefit: it's just not true. Many of the available resources could be tapped within just a few years, with true distribution occuring by then. Oil prices are a function of supply and demand, as well as anticipated future supply, demand, and the security and exploration around that supply. The simple action of beginning the process would help to assure that the global supply would only increase and become more stable.

Personally, I'd like to see all electricity generated from Nuclear, Wind, Solar, Hydroelectric, Geothermal, etc. I'd like to see the CAFE standards go up to 40mpg and beyond. And I'd like to see us reduce our overall emissions while not stifling our economy.

But in the meantime, we're going to need oil. So why export that need to the rest of the world while we have it ourselves?

Rant off.

Joe

Yeah but did BO ride a swift boat?

STI is ugggggggggggggggggggggggggly.

Regardless of oil savings (or no oil savings), you should all be driving with properly inflated tires, and a properly tuned engine. Its just common sense - it should matter which politician makes what speech.

and when cold, just put on a sweater

+1 to the JRiz for using "shat".

Well played, Sir.

Wall of Text crits you for 10,000!

You have died.

Ooops - thought this was a car blog - my mistake. I'll leave the political debate to those so inclined.

Yeah, sorry guys. I let my emotions and my 16 hour work days get to me late last night, and put up that post.

Back to the good stuff:

BMW 135/335 > STI

Joe

P.s. My 06 Civic SI currently has 48.5k miles on it, is running a K&N air filter cleaned 12k miles ago, has 12.5k on it's current AMSOIL 0w30 oil, and is using heavier-than-stock 25 pound tires running 36 PSI. I just achieved 30mpg on my last tank in mixed driving (40-50% suburban stop lights and ~50% highway).

I shifted regularly at 4000-5000 rpms and cruised between 70-75 mph.

And my tune up isn't due till 105k :)

joe, maybe you mentioned it before, how do you like your si?

Joe,
Good shat.

"I guess when your candidate is so far out of touch with reality, that's all you can do..."
If you mean McCain, I agree. If you mean Obama, I agree.

I like the idea of the TPM's in a car, but I don't think it replaces actually looking at a tire.

So what are you saying about John McCain? He's out of touch with reality? I have to tell you that I don't think that is a rare condition among politicians...

Opfreak -

It has it's up and downs. Economically, it was a great choice. I consistently get 28mpg in aggressive suburban driving and 50% highway cruising at 70-75. I've gotten 34-35mpg on pure highway. I've never gotten below 25mpg after the car was broken in.

At 48.5k, all I've done is replace the driver's side visor on my dime as it came apart at the seam (a design flaw for the first year models). $32 and 2 screws.

I do my own work and I do my oil changes in 10k+ intervals (backed up by oil analysis). So after 48.5k, here's how my bills stack up:

2 sets of tires and an alignment (I hit a big pothole) - $700 mounted and balanced
7 oil changes total = $225 spent (including AMSOIL and other synthetics)
K&N Air Filter = $50 including cleaner and new filter oil
Tire rotations = $0
Regular inspections = $0
Switch to AMSOIL manual transmission fluid at 15k = $25

I think that's about it. I've spent roughly $1000 to maintain this car for 50k miles, which I think is a really good average for it's performance capabilities.

Anyway, that's economy. How is it to own?

Cons: Paint is paper thin as is sheetmetal, ride is borderline unpleasant on rough road. Interior fit and finish can leave something to be desired, although the overall materials are quite nice and execution is well done.

Torque is about the same as a regular honda civic, except increased due to gearing (not due to powerband). However, solid acceleration is available immediately in gears 1-5 at most areas of the tachometer.

Exterior looks can be good on some days and bad on others. Very individual. In no other car have I had so many people stop and ask me what I was driving and how much it was (at stoplights, gas stations, etc.). Mine is tinted and de-badged.

Drive-by-wire programming can make smooth shifting tough and in-gear light acceleration in low gears very jerky.

Pros: Awesome little engine overall, just wants to rev endlessly. Handling is really incredible, and the LSD really helps reduce understeer. Braking is so-so stop. Steering is an 8/10 for a FWD vehicle...can feel artificial at times, but is otherwise very good.

The shifter is as good as everyone says, maybe better. Honda just places your body perfectly in the seat, in relation to the shifter, and combines that with a shifter that only requires wrist movement to operate. At the same time, it has no rubberiness and very positive feel when it hits the right spot in gear.

Intake and exhaust noises are glorious. It sounds like a 4-cylinder, but it sounds like it's the best sounding 4-cylinder you've ever heard. It's the perfect blend between loud and soft....it can get annoying in stop light traffic, but it's been tuned to stay quiet when cruising in 6th gear between ~2800-4000 rpms.

The seats are some of the best seats I've ever sat in, period. They ARE the best cloth seats I've ever experienced...and after 48.5k miles of me rubbing my hip against the side bolster, they are holding up well. Faux Suede/Alcantara outside and a soft cloth mesh middle.

Lots of little things inside I don't know how I'll live without, and that are impressive in this price range. A 3-stage sliding armrest (all the way back, half way forward, all the way forward) that is thickly padded. The widest, deepest, and spring-loadedest best cupholders ever (they have "drink holders" that are springloaded so your drink doesn't move around). The cupholder area has a retractable sliding cover on it.

In front of the cup holders are 3 extremely useful sized cubbies...I regular fill them with sunglasses (1), chapstick and cell phone (2), and then the 3rd can fit an triple-decker club sandwich and a few other items.

The stereo is fantastic...losing a little clarity with age I think, but still well rounded and fills the cabin solidly.

The rear seat is still one of the roomiest rears seats in this class I've seen. My 5"10 170 pound younger brother in law has stated it's "nice" back there.

The rear seats fold down and can easily accomodate a full size bike. I've fit two bikes back there with the front wheels taken off, but it wasn't pretty. I've stored, completely inside the car, a 6' ladder (with the passenger seat in normal position), an 8' ladder (passenger seat tilted forward), and lots of 8' section of copper and PVC piping. So I feel it does well for the active lifestyle.

Anyway...wrapping up. After 2 1/2 years and 50k miles, it's been wonderful to own. It's treated me well and cost me less than just about anything else I've would've bought. I'm likely to keep it to 75-100k.

But I'm a car nut, so I constantly dream about buying a BMW 335i or 2003 530i 5-speed, a CPO Boxster S or maybe a 2001-2002 BMW M Roadster (or Z3 3.0).

I can't win :)

Joe

Somewhere 1487 just went "Damn, now THAT's a long post."

Felonious: "Wall of Text crits you for 10,000!
You have died."

+1. I am in awe of that comment.

Joe,

Thanks for the very in depth review of your Si. I've long desired that car. I think you've confirmed for me that if I had the money, I'd really enjoy owning one.

thanks joe, its on a long list of cars i'm looking at.

Crowb - Someone's got to do useful long-term writings about their impressions of a car for the benefit of others...

:)

(that comment probably didn't help my chances of Edmunds hiring me one day)

Jriz - Somewhere, 1487 said "Oh, that's what my posts would look like if i didn't just submit 3 discreet posts within 5 minutes of each other."

:)

By the way, my wife's Saturn Ion (03, now traded in) once had a front tire pressure of 92 PSI. She had driven on it like that for ~1500-2000 miles. I confirmed it with two seperate tire gauges and by letting air out of the tire for 3 minutes straight while waiting the proper pressure to arrive.

Sure, she had no center rib left to the tire. But her fuel economy was incredible!

:)

Joe

Opfreak -

Don't remember where you are located, but feel free to ping me if you ever want to buy mine. I have no idea when I'll be selling it, but I'd rather sell privately than trade-in....because, honestly, I don't like trading in vehicles for which I've sweated to keep them looking and running well :)

92 PSI???

Holy mother of crap. Who the hell filled that tire up and what did they use -- a compression air cannon?

I think it was the Saturn dealership (but hey, they have great customer service!). IIRC, they were the last people to have the car in for service (I forget if it was an oil change and inspection coupon or what, but that was one of the few times they serviced that car).

I will say that one of my local gas stations uses a military grade air compressor from hell. I can literally put 5 PSI in my tires within 3-4 seconds of attaching the valve to my valve stem. I've never seen anything like it. The first time I filled my car I hit 50 PSI on it before I checked it with my hand gauge.

So maybe Saturn has one of those?

Joe

P.s. I couldn't believe the tire hadn't blown out. Ironically, it was a firestone firehawk GTA (OEM tires on that car with 16" wheels). I replaced all 4 shortly thereafter.

After reading joefrompa's post about his SI, I completely forgot what this post was about ...
(scrolling ...)
... oh! Any noticeable difference in the Subie's handling? The more I see the STI, the more it grows on me.

Sgude -

If I was a normal person being asked how I like my car, I'd say "I like it"

But I'm a car freak and I feel it's more helpful to provide ridiculous levels of detail.

Great point though....5-6 PSI below spec is HUGE for steering response. I bet that livened things up :)

Joe