For the past two weeks I've been in Japan visiting my girlfriend and her family. This was my second trip there and realizing last time how generous the dealerships were, I decided to make the rounds again in her town to pick up a few brochures...and we're talking free, full color hardcover books hehe



So first stop was Mazda, no Rx-8, but got some cool books, Then onto Nissan for some Failady info...next came Honda for some CivicR and RSX R books. Final stop was Subaru which had quite a few STI's out back. After asking just to see the the brochures on the car, the salesman politely asked out of the blue: "would you like to take one for a test drive?" "ummm, HELLLZ yes!". Now keep in mind unless you roll up in a Benz, or put a downpayment on this car, most dealers here won't let you even start it up lol.



So anyway, the car was extremely nice...interior was ok...wasn't diggin the steering wheel but the seats were comfy yet supportive, ample room in the back seat. Rear vision wasn't really compromised by the wing...but the enormous front scoop was a little too tall on the hood...I found my eyes catching on it everytime I panned across traffic.



On the road it felt really stable...The salesman was extrmemely cool and directed me out on some windy back roads thru rice fields. Although I wasn't petter solberg'ing it on the tarmac, the car gripped superbly and rounded the corners on rails. And I'm sure when its pushed harder with someone who actually knows what they're doing, it would make for an awesome ride.



And onto the acceleration. I didn't wanna be "that guy" who boosts the **** out of a car during a test drive...but I did want to get on it just to finally feel what it has. WOW. This is still 20 hp less than the US version...but with three people in the car and the A/C on, it pulled HARD. Honestly I felt it was a tad laggy, but when the boost hit, wow...it felt like all 4 wheels lifted off the ground...it FLEW!



So all in all I was really impressed...its definately on my "to get" list, lol...maybe in another year



Here's a pic...should have had my gf snap one of me driving it

 

well the us version is the only one in the world where it has an extra 1/2 litre of displacement, so that should help with the lag issues.

 

Good to hear you got to drive an Sti. So, how does the Sti compare to your TII? (all around) Oh, and is your TII stock?

 

My T2 has a few mods...intake, rebuilt turbo w/ported wastegate, DP, MP, catback. Would seem like high boost levels but due to the ported wastegate they are kept low. All in all a strong running T2...



As a whole the T2 feels like a more tossable car than the STI...just from a perspective level you're sitting lower, smaller cabin, etc...even more so in an FD. The STI is basically a sedan so I can't say there was any "sports car feel" when you get in it. From an acceleration standpoint I actually feel like my T2 has less lag...but once the full boost would come on in the STI...I'd get the feeling of a much stronger push thru my chest into the seat. Plus it wasn't broken in...has 200 lbs in weight over the T2...and has 2 more people in the car. So yeah...even from a roll I'm not sure any close to stock T2 would hang.



I'm sure to some high hp rotary people on the forum this car would feel like a civic! lol...but it definately put a smile on my face

 

Oh ok, I was just kinda curious.. Because I'm hoping to sell my n/a and get a TII.

 

you want to feel boost?



you should see what 9 psi with fuel being compensated with a safc can do .



Then add a Apex-i AVCR.



Woah!



full boost at around 2.3 k rpm in 2nd.

 

Awesome! I thought I had read somewhere that test drives are illegal in japan tho?

 

hehe...guess not at this dealer I was expecting him to want to see my international permit...or even my US license...but he didn't ask to see anything, lol. Maybe I just looked like I was ready to buy it...so he didn't bother