Met Petter Solberg last night at 06 STI unveiling

[boblebaard]

LOAF: Nice car! :agree:

I wish cars would be a lot cheaper here in Norway so I could afford a Golf R32.
A full spec R32 is about $100K here in Norway, and a new STI is about $85K!

[LOAF]

Boble,

I don't know how you guys do it.. I was in Norway about two week ago to help my wife travel back. ( She was there on a work assignment) Stayed in Oslo, visited Bergen and the Fjords..

Personally I enjoy Norway.. the views are beautiful..

But how can anyone afford to live there.. and I have considered this..

Between Taxes on High HP cars, the cost of gas.. ouch.. I am surprised anyone can get into motorsports.. Man no that I think about it.. Solberg's family must have been loaded to push their two sons into racing..

Much respect to you..

VR
ALex

[boblebaard]

One word: Taxfree!

All cars and bikes that are used in motorsports are taxfree, and not legal to use on public roads. If you get caught driving a rallycar on public road you will have to pay all taxes, and a huge ticket as well.
All cars older than 30yrs are considered as vintage cars, and are taxfree. :agree:

Still the price for gasoline today is $1.69 for one litre.....

Let me know if you are coming back, and I`ll show you around, and I can show you some really nice cars!

BTW:_ Anyone interessted in buying a 1950 Porsche 356? One friend of mine has one for sale soon.

[LOAF]

Sure will..

I met Michael Ghia that way..

My wife works for DNV (Near OSLO).. the shipping company so she tends to go to the HQ once a year or so..

Keep you posted..
Alex

[boblebaard]

OK!

My father worked for RCCL for a long period, so i know a little about shipping.

Did you watch the "insane norwegians" videoes?

[libila]

That's really cool that you got to meet him!

I too love my VW, but my Subaru (00 2.5 RS) is so much fun to drive!

[zen]

thanks for the pics. good timing as i am starting to consider a STI or Evo MR. i haven't test driven either. i know the rants and raves on the STI are strong. haven't heard many real world comments on the MR. the styling on both are a wash for me mostly as they are both ugly in their own way...but ugly in an acceptable kind of way...just odd enough to work thing. i used to weigh on the side of Sub, but lately have seen some Evo's that are swinging me that way and now this subby starts me back the other way. it may stay out of the lineup though as i can't go for a new one. need a 10k mile used one so someone else can eat the "drive off the lot" depreciasion.

although i think i am asking a biased crowd , thought on comparing the two (and have you driven both?). i am not overly concerned about the .000001 time differences, but more about comfort, daily traffic tolerance, fun factor, warranty, dependability, etc.

[LOAF]

Zen,

I have have driven an STI, as well as an EVO.. not the MR though..

Both as you mention have their pros and cons... While I haven't tracked the EVO.. it was a blast to drive around town.. Very communicative, If that is a word..due to the Very quick stearing rack.. which at times makes this car very dangerous.. turn the wheel a little and your over two lanes on the highway.. Evo was a little firm.. but then again.. I run a stiff STI suspension based setup.. so that is not an issue to me.. but if I compare out of the box stiffness STI< EVO.. which makes the STI a nicer around town car..

As far as looks.. I like the EVO's more aggressive stance and look.. but at the same time my ugly duckling, as well as the STI, have a place in my heart..

It becomes a toss up as to what you want to do with the car.. Track or town cruiser.. for track I think out the box the MR package is hard to beat.. plus a lot more tuning has been done to that block vs the STI's 2.5 lt (which is relatively new).. On the other hand the STI with some upgrades is probably more than a handful..

I run a 02 WRX which has some suspension, brakes, and Scooby sports power upgrades.. it is fun around town, as well as on the track.. Granted it may have only 260-270 hp.. down a few to the STI.. but it just means that you have to drive cleaner, and smoother to go faster.. I haven't had a chance to run against to many STI's or EVO's yet.. but the one that I have run against, I have managed to out drive the STI driver, making me quicker..
All together a cheaper package than the STI.. which might be worth considering.. but again day and night from an out of the box STI..

I to am waiting for someone to take a depreciation hit on their STI..
I will wait for 06 models to come out.. and most likely try to acquire an 05 vs 04 next year.. Baby/Family priorities > New Car.. plus I need to fix up the GL's.. Not enough money for both..

Incidently the 06 WRX will come with a 2.5 lt detuned version of the STI's engine.. I think main difference is piston material and different turbo.. not sure about cams.. Might be worth considering as a cheaper GL option for some.. I may try to source one for my WRX though along with some new gears..

Hope that helps alittle.. feel free to ask me more.. I do enjoy my scooby.. it has been quite reliable.. has shy of 90K on it, in just three years.. 6-7 track days.. and going strong.. it does need some TLC but that has to be expected..
VR
Alex

[Rob]

Since we are continuing on the Suby/Evo topic, has anyone seen the
TopGear episode where they tracked an Evo8 against a Lamborghini (sp?) Murciliago (sp?).

4 cyl turbo vs 12 cyl NA...... the Evo kept up with the Lambo all the way...
A truly amazing car.

Rob.