All right, I know I've gone through this several times, so here it goes again.

I've recently been thinking about getting rid of the mustang in favor of an 04-06 STI. Basically, the logic is I'd be getting rid of a 200whp v6 mustang with a 5-speed in favor of a 300bhp turbocharged I4 with a 6-speed. I've driven several STIs and, quite frankly, love the cars. Also, being that I'm a Subaru technician, fixing the car will be no problem as I know the engines, drivetrains, suspensions, and electronics inside and out, not to mention I can get factory parts for under retail. There's only two real cons I can see, and that's full-coverage insurance until it's paid off and the fact that I'll have a car payment.

At the very least, I might do what my friend/coworker did and get a WRX and make a WRX/STI hybrid out of it (mix/match engine internals).

Basically, here's the breakdown:

Mustang pros:
-paid off
-cheap insurance
-RWD
-it's a mustang
-engine/exhaust sound

Mustang cons:
-200whp
-I have too many plans for it
-17mpg city
-RWD
-reconstructed title
-handles like a stock mustang
-5spd and it'll be around $3000 to swap in a 6spd (and I really want a 6th gear if only for the novelty)

STI pros:
-300bhp
-factory turbocharged (not sure how long it'd stay a factory turbo though)
-OEM parts cheap
-I can work on the car blindfolded
-it's a friggin' STI
-RWD-biased AWD
-adjustable torque split
-a ton of aftermarket support
-the SPT exhaust sounds amazing and I can get it through the dealership for less than retail
-bulletproof 6spd stock

STI cons:
-full-coverage insurance until it's paid off
-I'll have a car loan

Also, I haven't gotten around to truly shopping around for insurance, but it's looking like it'll be around $200/mo.

Opinions?

 

Why not save the money? You're getting yourself into an additional 500-700/month (payment and insurance). That is a rather considerable amount of money and I doubt that you spend that much on the mustang even in worst case scenarios. I can see why one would want an STi and it's nice while you're not married, don't have a mortgage, etc... but it is a lot of money.

 

Well my thoughts on it are this: I know one of the used car dealers in the area (not the guy I work for), and he's willing to pick whatever I want up at an auction and get it to me for a good price. Now, say it's $10k, and I get $4k for my car plus a $2k down payment; I then owe $4k on it, basically making things a bit cheaper. Also, if I go the WRX route, I'm looking at even less with cheaper insurance, but still almost as powerful and still factory turbocharged. I do understand where you're coming from with the money, though. I'd be aiming to pay it off in a year or so (taking out a longer loan to make the payments lower as a just-in-case deal and paying as much as I can afford a month).

Also, thanks for the serious reply, gene.

And as a comparison, I'm looking at $2k for the mustang's suspension, $600 on brakes, and $2k on wheels/tires, all this year (hopefully). Right there's more than I'd expect to owe on the STi if I get what I want for my mustang (if I don't get a good enough trade-in offer, I'll sell it privately. Around here, mustangs are gold and v6's are common as hell).

*edit: also, I'm sure most people here are aware of my plans for the mustang. The $2600 for wheels/brakes/suspension, $2000 for seats/harnesses/cage, $4000 on internals, $4000 for the twin turbos, and I still wouldn't be done. I think with an STi, I'd be happy with coilovers, wheels, bigger cams ($1k for cams, springs, and retainers, I've priced 'em out), up the boost and shoot for 400whp. I'd probably end up with more stuff down the road, but I think I'd be happy with a mostly-stock STi for a long while before I got bored with a 400whp STi.

 

Now don't count on it happening too often.

Bull.

 

How long have you owned the stang?

Sometimes it's nice to make a change, if for no other reason than trying something new.

I've always thought your mustang was awesome ever since I joined the forum and checked it out.

But if it were me I would go for the STI. Obviously its just my opinion, but I would give anything for an STI. If I could get one for the deal your getting, I would deff go for it.

 

I will vote the STi over the stang any day. The turboed AWD is just awesome. I guess the real question is are you willing to pay that much a month. And I have no idea about any of your finances so I cant really answer that for you.

but as many times as you have thought about doing this, I will believe it when I see it.

 

Gene, I said I'd probably end up doing more stuff to it down the road. I think 300hp would keep me happy for a good year or two. As it is, a bone-stock STi puts down almost a full 100hp at the wheels more than my mustang.

Brock, first off, thanks. I pretty much hated mustangs before I bought one; I still don't like it, but my mustang is the biggest reason I can actually appreciate them for what they are. Most mustang owners are huge holier-than-thou douches, though. I've had it for almost exactly two years, and at this point I'm kind of admitting to myself that what I want to do to it isn't really worth it; a fully-built twin turbo v6 mustang is still just a v6 mustang.

And if I go for the STi, my budget is going to be tight, but I believe I'll be able to do it. Obviously things will be a little easier with a WRX. Actually, I might just get a WRX and throw a STi bumper clips and an STi spoiler on it; the appearance of the STi is the biggest seller compared to the WRX for me. Building a WRX to compete with STis isn't really hard; my friend/co-worker has a built WRX that could take down quite a few STis.

 

This thread again? =P

Correction - Its a mustang is NOT a pro.

Sti>wrx>civic>mustang>dodge (had to point that out lol)

And as sick as a sti/wrx is - why not do a simple civic build? You know you can get to 300hp easily enough.Then slam nuts and enjoy. You keep the cheap insurance, you keep the benefit of payed off car. I like a lot of other cars, but nothing compares to the civic man. <3

 

I'm sorry. Everyone here knows I love civics, and I really do, but I hate the 7th+ gens. Getting rid of my mustang for a '92-'00 civic is not trading up.

Also, as much fun as FWD is, wheel hop and torque steer get old fast; 300whp in a civic would only be fun once you have and keep traction.

And it being a mustang is a pro to anyone who's owned a half-decent mustang

 

Don't care for STI's, but if I were in your shoes I'd do it. Don't mind a car payment as long it's not ridiculous per month.

But $200 a month for insurance? That's how much I was paying when I got my first car.