Am I nuts??? Debating an STI...

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

I'll be starting a new job that requires me to be available 24/7 and in any weather around the tristate area, so I have been debating leasing a car with 4wd. The only thing I can really think of is an STI or WRX. To do this I would sell my 135 since my M roadster has sentimental value and 3 cars is too much right now in life. What do you subaru converts think of this idea? Am I nuts? I plan on test driving an STI this weekend to see what I think.

Also the MF on STI leases seems pretty steep...any input?

Thanks in advance.

[MarkR171]

I wouldn't lease one, maybe buy a slightly used, unmolested(modded), in-warranty STi instead.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

Why do you say that...I dont really want the car for more than 3 year.

[IDBMW]

Just put snow tires on the 1 series if you haven’t already. I put snow tires on my 1 series this season and it does almost as well as my 4x4 truck until I hit deep snow where there are clearance problems then the truck wins.

[dmw16]

It sounds like you are itching for a new/different car and are looking to justification

Throw some snow tires on the 1er and you'll be fine. I drove an S2000 with snow tires for 2 winters and it did better than most others on the road unless there were ground clearance issues, but traction-wise it was great.

If you insist on an STi then I'd agree with a previous guy who said to find a lightly used on. Leasing isn't really a great deal. If you buy the right used STi you'll come out even better when you go to sell it in a few years than you would with a lease.

[amancuso]

Some grade A snow tires and there isn't anything bar a cataclysmic event that you shouldn't be able to handle.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

I looked at the 335, but have been itching for an STI for a while, and if I were to lease the payments per month on the STI are significantly lower. I also wanted a car I that don't mind playing bumper cars in since I live in NYC and being that the payments for the STI are trivial I think I would feel less guilt with that than the 1er.

If I had a third garage I would just keep the 1er by the way.

[BrokenVert]

I plan on doing the same in a year or two. Keep the 1st and grab an STi as an all weather car.

Might want to hop over to iwsti and ask them about it. It's a good forum

And be sure to use the STi at autox lol

[R33K128i]

I had an STi for 5 years and I'd chose the 1 over it any day.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

Well if I did get an STI I would still have a 98 M roadster.

Why are the money factors for Subaru so high compared with BMW? Is this purely subsidies from the manufacturer?

[NYC 135i]

Im not sure and also you're insurance will most likely go up a good amount coming from an evo which is a comparable car my insurance went down $250 every 6 months.

[Lubo]

When I shopped around it came to 2 final decision. STI or 135i.
$36k STI they were asking $750/month lease and didn't want to budge
$43k 135i got an awesome deal $450/month lease with 12k/year.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

That's a lot for the lease. I calculated with 0.0025 MF and 66% residual on 36 months with a sale price of 36,650 (msrp 39690), zero down and nyc taxes on 15,000 miles a year. This comes out to roughly 498 a month. What is subaru smoking?

So even with the $hitty MF it's still not that high a month, put 2 grand down and now its 439 a month.

Are they using voodoo math?

[Lubo]

I went to 2 dealers as first one didn't want to budge on price. Both mentioned that we can work something out if I would be interested in buying but STI do not make great lease deals, WRX was a different story though, I could have had one for around $350 a month with no down.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

I would be happy with 350 a month for a beater, but would much prefer the STI. Although that desire is purely in my head right now since I haven't driven either yet.

I did talk with 12 dealerships before getting the 135 for the price I liked though. Guess we will just have to see what can be worked out with these guys.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

I forgot to mention. Due to my side business I can write off most of the lease cost on my taxes. This was a major reason I was debating leasing.

[Lubo]

Go and test drive one. It is one hell of a car. It really would be the most awesome winter beater

[alexckma]

I'd say STi is better than 135... love the look at the power

[roo97ss]

i know you're looking to lease new, but i'd seriously consider a 335xi if you're looking for the awd component and like your 135. i haven't owned an sti, but it's a bit more 'boy racer' and not quite as relaxed as the 1 for a daily from my short test drives in them.

the last few winters around here would have required a bit more than the 135 with snow tires for true 24/7 availability. I am also a 24/7 available person and actually had some interesting times getting around in either the 530xi (with snows) or my truck running an aggressive all terrain tire.

[alexckma]

I'd go quattro A4 if it's gonna be a 335xi

[roo97ss]

Originally Posted by alexckma

I'd go quattro A4 if it's gonna be a 335xi

not if you're looking for STI/n54 power out of the car. A tuned A4 2.0t is a nice car, but not in the same league as the other 2, with moderate lag and still behind in power.

If you're going brand new though, not sure of budget or what lease rates ouwld be, but the new S4 would be my choice for an all season car.

[doublevanosrc]

Why not just get the Impreza WRX, its less money and almost as fast with AWD.