That's where you're going wrong. I wouldn't go near a 257 if I had the choice. Stroked CDB EJ22 all day long for me.

Plus the only people on the planet I'd let build me an engine is these guys There's no one better on the planet to build a Subaru engine.

Just look Gobstopper 2: The Ultimate Impreza - Speedhunters

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605whp
Quarter Mile in 10.9 seconds @ 135mph /217kph
0-100 kph 3.2 seconds

Pretty nice. Needs more wing. ;-)

The torque of 257's is what gets me. But each to their own.

I thought about what I said and believe I know why I prefer the GC8s.
Other than a GC8, I have only driven a MY01 WRX and a MY05 STi. I have also been a passenger in a MY08 WRX.
The GC8 is more raw and more 'mechanical', and requires more driver involvement than newer cars. You can hear everything going on in the car. They also feel incredibly lighter than other models. For some reason, they also feel faster. My car has just over 200hp at the wheels but it feels quicker than a MY08 I had a ride in that had over 130 more HP than my car (and the owner of that car thought the same thing), even though the car was, infact, significantly faster than my car.
Also the looks. Most people instantly recognize the Version 6 STi. Even though most teenagers where only born when the Version 6 was released, they instantly recognize it from "Grand Terrismo" etc.
A good, stock looking GC8 STi is now considered classic and feels much more special than a modern subaru.
Not trying to take anything away from people owning newer cars, this is purely my opinion.

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STi Ver 6 | 2.1L Stroker | 418whp | 11.5 @ 199kph |

Not fast enough dammit!

I reckon, in years to come, the GC8 will be up there with Datto 1600's, and 1970's Toyota Celica's. See one in good nick and it'll be "phhwooooar look at that!"

I had a 99 wrx for a decade and loved it. Would have kept it forever except a 6 speed and ej207 conversion was too expensive. The GC8 have wonderful visibility, they are compact and as others have said have a great sense of lightness. But the modern G3 Sti have so much more torque and mechanical grip plus the clever stability control makes the bulk and size worth putting up with.

but the stability control is exactly why most GC8 fans loath the newer models.... driving is for the driver, not the computer

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STi Ver 6 | 2.1L Stroker | 418whp | 11.5 @ 199kph |

Not fast enough dammit!

But you can turn off traction by itself or stability as well.

that is true :P
I dont know... i think im going to stick by the GC8... but like i said, i think its purely because there is an emotional attachment to it.
Some people love the latest and greatest in technology, some people will forever love their childhood sweetheart!
GC8s to me is sitting down on the couch with my father and uncle, on the CRT TV watching Colin Mcrae racing the 22B, or watching the Australian GTP and cheering for the Century batteries GC8 to win over the VT HSVs!..... Then to celebrate a win, going for a drive in my uncles brand new MY99 down rockingham beach..... good memories... and thats what the GC8 brings to me....
I have no emotional bond with the newer models

Its no different to the older guys with the HG monaros.... slow and far outdated by todays standards.. but they love them more than their first born child. They make us feel forever young and its sad to say (and makes me realize im getting on) that the GC8, is now the new HG Monaro for a lot of us!

When we are younger, we embrace newer technologies... (i remember having arguments in the late 90s about GC8s, with their advanced AWD system, suspension and lightness dominating the HSV crowed. And here we are 15 - 20 years on laughing at the GC8s in comparison to the newer models.
As you age, speed and technology doesnt matter as much and what becomes important is how them cars we couldnt afford as teenagers makes us feel in the now (older). When im driving my old STi.... i feel like i have been thrown back into the late 90s, a happy 18 year old again driving the car he could never afford. I couldnt care how 'primitive' it is by todays standards.

Only the other month... i went to the motorplex. I ran a 12.9 second quarter mile and beat a HSV W427.... a car 12 years newer and far more superior than my car..... To my surprise, I beat him... He may have been gaining on me extremely quickly but regardless.... a 12.9 is a win over a 13.08

The old GC8s will remain a force to be reconned with as they are incredibly light by today's standards.


I hope im right in saying, that I think a lot of current GC8 fans, still love them, for the same reasons.

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STi Ver 6 | 2.1L Stroker | 418whp | 11.5 @ 199kph |

Not fast enough dammit!

Agree with all you said. After my old GC8 finally gave its last I looked around for a v5. Then came across an awesome v6 with a full house closed deck 2.2 that had sat unsold for about 2 months. When my wife finally said yes to me getting it...it had sold that same day. I then almost bought a really clean and well modded 05 but I was second behind a guy coming to inspect it on the following weekend. Needless to say, he bought it. That bought me to my current 08 Sti.

Fair enough it was soft and heavy as well as wide with lots of blind spots in working out where the tyres were on the road but after lots of mods it is now just as bumpy, noisey and fidgety on the road as my old gc8.

The hatches are so practical too as far as throwing mtbs in the back etc.

It was never originally in my plans but after buying it I am hoping to keep it for at least 10 years and then will probably still try to keep it as a weekender from there.

Long live the Sti love affair!