Well, I only read the 1st page of posts, but what I can say is...if there were a scanmaster on this thread, it would read 80 deg. of "retard". Anyone that slams the STi is only showing their own retardation. I've owned 5 Turbo Regals, and am now on my 2nd STi. The STi is a phenomenal car - was voted "most fun to drive" by some major car mag. It's #1 in reliability, with only 9 complaints per thou.
I've got a stage II package (exhaust, engine management, CAI) + headers on mine, and have about 380 CHP, and ~400 ft. lbs torque (93 octane). Adding a bigger turbo and injectors and it'll have close to 400 WHP.
Yes, it's a totally different animal to the GN, but it's EXTREMELY fun to drive, and is
a hell of a lot better built overall, not to mention the phenomenal handling (well, I've got Cobb sway bars, and STi "Pinks"; upgraded coil springs).
That said, my 500 chp GN will obviously take it in the 1/4. But if someone came to me and demanded at gunpoint that I choose one car for him to theiverize, and I could keep the other, he'd be driving away in the GN, no brainer. I absolutely f'ing LOVE my STi. I'm 40, and it's the the funnest car I've ever driven.
Those who slam the STi are those who talk from inexperience, and are only showing their insecurity about their GN.
P.S. I bet I'd beat 1/2 the GNs on the road today with my mildly modded STi. I'd be happy to race one for $500 with only exhaust, CAI and a chip change on the same octane.
Oh, and I sure wouldn't want to cruise at 145 mph in a GN without some serious suspension mods.
http://www.rockbottomspas.com/STi1_page.htm