08 STI vs Shelby GT

[twigg107]

Someone posted this on the sti forums and I cant stop laughing....... mustang got owned!!!!

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...eoID=20190448/

[TFord]

OUCH!!!

[KILLER74Z28]

Seems like every year some one compares these two… It’s like comparing apples to oranges… Sorry I’ll still take the Shelby…

[Good53X]

I'd prefer the STI to the Shelby.

I like the feeling of acceleration, and AWD sticks better than RWD in most situations.

I like small cars (in genearl) and am also fond of hatches.

I do generally prefer two-doors, but the STI pulls it off well.

Stock turbos are generally easier to tune for power gains (intake/exhaust ~ up boost = instant power).

~~

On the other hand, RWD is a lot of fun. Also, dry-revving a V8 and having your chassis twist is pretty sexy

Unfortunately I just think that, in this case, the mustang suffers from underpower and overweight. Two things the Camaro hopefully won't. In addition, independant rear will be a huge advantage for the Camaro

I'm glad that the commentator added that drag radials would put the shelby equal to, or ahead of the STI.

~~

On a last note, I was unimpressed with the comparison of the STI, which is (if I'm not mistaken) a performance trim level, with the Shelby GT (not GT500), which is just an appearance trim level. The Mustang GT will run a lower pricetag and run the same engine... correct?

All aside, good comparison

[stovt001]

Yeah, the cars aren't exactly the same type of beast. Too bad they made the 08 STIs so ugly. The old ones were beautiful, in a pure racing machine kinda of way. This one just screams riced-out hot hatch. Still, it will be good to see this comparo with the IRS equipped Camaro. Seeing how the G8 handles, I think the Camaro will put up a much better fight in the twistie tests than the Shelby. Well, I was never a fan of the Shelby Mustangs. I don't like the styling, and the performance upgrades just don't represent a complete package upgrade. I've seen other Mustang variants put out way better performance.

[stevenm357]

the new STI is just plain UGLY! but that's what you get when you make a mustang so heavy and keep the engine at a HP rating that many V6's are puttin out any more. I mean Audi's V8 is a LOT smaller like 3.8 litres and puts out 40 more HP.

[DGthe3]

The Shelby Mustang isn't the best car to use in this comp, its barely better than the regular GT but costs over 10k more. I would like to see how the Challenger (or Charger) SRT8 will stack up, it will fall in the same price range and should have better power to weight (over 1lb/hp less) and a better interior.

The top Camaro should fare much better though, providing there is an LS3 or better engine in it. It will have better acceleration and trap speed, better skid pad rating (im thinking 0.90 - 0.92 for the top package . . .), slalom I don't know how that will turn out. And as for the rest of the things they tested, I have no clue how the Camaro will do.

[twigg107]

Originally Posted by stovt001

Yeah, the cars aren't exactly the same type of beast. Too bad they made the 08 STIs so ugly. The old ones were beautiful, in a pure racing machine kinda of way. This one just screams riced-out hot hatch. Still, it will be good to see this comparo with the IRS equipped Camaro. Seeing how the G8 handles, I think the Camaro will put up a much better fight in the twistie tests than the Shelby. Well, I was never a fan of the Shelby Mustangs. I don't like the styling, and the performance upgrades just don't represent a complete package upgrade. I've seen other Mustang variants put out way better performance.

To tell you the truth.... all the STi's are not very good looking IMO. MY05 STi is like a brick on wheels but hands down the most fun car Ive EVER driven!!! Iam kinda glad they went with the hatch though.... I find the 08's hatch better looking then any of the others. Hell if I was going by looks, I'd be driving a evo IX!!!

Picture of my 05 STi.....

[Emher]

I'd still take the Shelby out of those two. I'm not a big fan of Subarus, way too many of them around here. No, this country needs more American cars.

[Rock36]

To me, the unfortunate thing about the Shelby GT is that it cost so damn much. If you throw a CAI and custom tune on a regular Mustang GT (for no more than $400 dollars) you have a car that is as fast as a Shelby GT all day long. I really dislike the Shelbys for the most part.

A normal Mustang GT fully loaded is still cheaper than a base STi (STi is $34995 base if you go to Subaru.com!).
I don't know anything about the 08 STi, but the edge was always in the STis favor. The last version of the STi was pretty quick, especially from a dig...if you weren't afraid to do a drop clutch launch at high RPMs, you could get a low 13 second 1/4 out of it.

However, it was still close enough that a Mustang GT could out drive an STi based on skill or luck. IMHO That is pretty solid for a car that still costs over $5K less than an STi.

At any rate, the car that should be compared with the Mustang GT is the basic Subaru WRX....it is in the proper price catagory starting at $24,350.

[stovt001]

I'd take the STI. Hatchback utility, all-weather drivability from AWD, and better performance trumps the ugly (IMHO) styling. I'm not thrilled with the new STIs, but I still think they're pretty good cars.