CTC Review: 2008 Subaru WRX STi

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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What do you say when someone hands you the keys to the new Subaru STi?  You say: "Thanks." Then, you say: "C-ya", as you select first gear, stomp on the go pedal and rocket away from your gift-giver.  It's not too often I get an "extreme machine" to test -- we'll have to make the most of this one.  More...

[Demosthenes X]

Perhaps Subaru wanted to give track enthusiasts some extra space to carry their gear around in.

Word is Subaru's rally team demanded the new STi be a hatch because they handle better on a rally stage...

[quadzilla]

Fuel economy for the week = N/A   

[Zombie]

Wow I can't wait to spy on this is the parking lot. Are you at work this week?
If so maybe I'll just borrow the keys for a few hours

[halrav]

Get your math right on the USA savings.  I'll do it for you

Canada  STI = $46590 + tax  (so add 5% and then 8%)  = $52833.00

USA STI = $38,795 + tax (add 6.1 % duty and then 5% and 8%) =$46,677

so the savings is $6166.00 !!!  opps sorry forgot the $200 RIV fee and $100 for AC so really you only save like  $5800.00    Thats still HUGE savings.....whats up with that!!!

[Zombie]

Get your math right on the USA savings.  I'll do it for you

Canada  STI = $46590 + tax  (so add 5% and then 8%)  = $52833.00

USA STI = $38,795 + tax (add 6.1 % duty and then 5% and 8%) =$46,677

so the savings is $6166.00 !!!  opps sorry forgot the $200 RIV fee and $100 for AC so really you only save like  $5800.00    Thats still HUGE savings.....whats up with that!!!

Although I can't argue with your math I can argue your starting numbers. $46590 is the price in Canada including the destination charges but James did state that they are also offering 4K cash back for cash purchase. Also for the US price before the taxes you need to tag on the $645 destination and don't forget the exchange rate.

Canada  STI = $46590 - $4000 + tax = 48,126.70 CAN

US STI = $38,795 USD + 645 (PDI) = 39,440 USD
(39,440 USD)*(exchange rate 1.02) =  40,228.8 CAN + Duty & Tax = 48231.51 + RIV = 48431.51 CAN

A saving of just... wait WTF it cost more to import. I didn't see that coming.

If Subaru is really offering 4k back for cash buys that is a great deal even if you have to finance some of it yourself, assuming you can secure a good rate. Currently on there web page the 4K back is only offered on the regular Impreza.

Of course if you forgo the $3800 in options (BBS and Navi) in the US you can score an STI for only $43,784.46 CAN after importing it.
Now that is a crazy good deal on a STI.

[inco]

Why would Subaru offer $4 grand off here on the hot STI?  And if they did it for Canada, I'm sure there is something similar for the US so that price is out of whack. Regardless neither price takes into effect normal discounts and while using MSRP is a base to compare, it isn't really accurate.

[lostcomma]

The pricing I got off the us subaru build one site was 35600 with destination and no accessories.
Plus 6.1 duty 2% exchange (it 1.00/1.00 this morn) plus $300 riv plus gst (ya I live in AB)
is $40768. Cdn subaru site say it cost $48919 in AB. No mention about $4k off. 
$8K probably get u more but I like to choose my own acc.. and accessories are
usually even more expensive in Cdn cause the air we breath is more
expensive than down there. 
But the point is all kinda mute because the flappy paddle guy say the sti suck even
thou the stig proved it was faster than the Evo we dont yet get.
 And the other minor point about subaru changing it's policy about honoring warranties for us cars.
A $500 of $1000 difference I can understand But 8K is BS.

[sailor723]

Are you sure you're not thinking of the Impreza when it comes to the 4K off for cash James? No discount shows up on the SOC site when you price the WRX and select "cash"

[wing]

I have info from a good source on the discount.

Now regarding the price (which seriously who cares)... but anywho.

This is how I did my math, I washed off the PDI/Freight and exchange which is pretty much nil.
US price is $38,995 + 6% = 41,334
CAN price $44,995          = 44,995
                                   -----------
                        Difference = $3660

That's $3500 ISH. 

Yes PDI is more here, so the difference creeps up to $4000, but don't forget there will always be other small costs to incure.  So I rounded off.

Gotta love critics, don't mention the US price and they go ballistic, mention it and they go ballistic.

Thanks Zombie for those more detailed numbers, which even if you remove the $4000 discount shows the difference to be around..... $4000. .

If you live on a border town, great if not think about flight/gas to get to US to pick it up, or shipping etc.

Might as well buy this one in Canada IMO.  Unless you don't want NAVI!

[wing]

lostcomma, the STi in the US does not have NAVI and BBS wheels standard.

[tpl]

If the STI is built outside the USA (NAFTA) does it not have a 2% duty in the US.  I may be way out of date but I thought the US charged 2% on imported cars... and more on " light trucks" and motorcycles.

So theoretically the US price is even cheaper, not that you or anyone can reclaim that money.

It doesn't make much difference to the numbers tho'.

[quadzilla]

FFS 99.9% of the people bitching about the US/Cdn pricing will never buy one of these to begin with. Who cares which one is cheaper, how does the car drive!

[mrthompson]

Agreed.

[UmroAyyar]

You are not going to drive this thing outside of the city? Out in the country a bit. Thats where this belongs.

[wing]

I have something much more exciting planned than the country.

[Zombie]

I have something much more exciting planned than the country.

The Track?

[wing]

Mayyyyyybeeeee

[Zombie]

Hey Wing,
What happened to the M3? Was the lease up? I guess there is no point in having three vehicles.

[wing]

yeah lease was up.