I finally got this car I have lusted for for so long. Now that I own it, I understand the love someone can have for a particular car.

I have not begun to explore its virtues or limitations. At best, I doubt I will ever use the car at its limits. First of all, I am not that good a driver. Second of all, I am supposed to limit revs on the engine to 4000 for the first 1000 miles. Third of all, I will have very little means of comparison, since I have only owned a WRX and then a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

I love the STI because it has a powerful engine in a sport wagon format, which I adore, though I know this gets little love in the States. I hated the Jeep not because there was anything wrong with it (it is probably Jeep's best model right now) but because it had banal styling and was a gas guzzler (it got 14 mpg). I love the STI styling, though I know some of the press has been unenthusiastic.

I probably love the STI because I regretted selling my WRX wagon (from its debut year) to get the Jeep. I got the Jeep because of its electronics (none of which were available on the WRX) and elevated driving position and automatic transmission, after I got into several accidents with my WRX that were essentially my fault.

In any event, I love love love sport wagons, and the STI is the fastest of them, until Audi comes out with a special version of its new A4 Avant, and we all know that that vehicle will be at least 50% pricier than the STI.

For some strange reason as a child I fell in love with a Lotus model that was a sport wagon or hatchback configuration, and I have never stopped loving such a car.

My initial impressions: very sharp handling. Engine powerful throughout its range and in every gear (I remember this as a flaw of my WRX, turbo lag). Lots of engine noise (by comparison the Jeep had lots of wind noise). Spartan interior. Lots of room (though I have not tested the rear seats yet). Rode it in the storm yesterday and despite the summer tires, no problems, though a Bentley Continental breezed by me at the height of the storm as if I were standing still.

Subaru has always made some incredible value, ultra reliable "purist" cars (cars that do their intended purpose incredibly well, without all the hoo haa and hoopla) and their latest, more "upmarket" models seem to still manage to keep that pedigree, which is not at all easy!

Looking forward to some pics.

TM

The journalistic comparisons have mostly missed that the STI will only have two serious competitors as a sport wagon : the Audi S4 Avant and the BMW 535xi. But each of these vehicles tops 60K fully equipped. So the comparisons with the Evo, to my mind, are pointless.

I bought the STI to have a blistering fast wagon. If you are not into sport wagons, then you will miss the point. I know I am not alone. And I know that there are a lot more of me across the pond.

I will attempt pictures when I get a chance.

I have read the critical reviews and I always feel that, with the exception of Consumer Reports, they seem to focus on useless statistics and characteristics that can only be appreciated on a track.