Nope.

This. It's like buying a computer or cell phone, only not as bad. Besides, you can always trade the car up if a better one comes out; Subaru dealers would love to have a Certified Used BRZ to offer for sale ;)

Plus STI version will be even more, I wouldn't be surprised if it cost $35K to start.

I'm probably going to wait for the STI as my 2nd "fun" car after I've worked a few years. Until then, stickshift Audi A3 or BMW 1/3 series daily driver here I come.

But there is a lot that separates the two, particularly the much more complicated drivetrain. Sure, the differences in the engine, upgraded suspension and exterior enhancements (all of which will likely be what separates a BRZ from an STI-ish counterpart) account for some of it, but likely not as much as what the DCCT accounts for, so I don't think that the price difference between the WRX and STI will be an accurate gauge in this situation.

But that's not to say that I think it will only be a couple thousand, but again, it really depends on how much hardware separates them. But my guess will be $4,000-5,000.

As much as I want to see the STI version in mass production, I really do wonder what the point of it is. A BRZ STI is in competition sales wise with a WRX STI, they are more or less the same consumer, and Subaru would be cannibalizing their own market. Yes, there are the differences in Drivetrain, coupe-sedan,etc, but Economically these are the same type of consumers.

Performance wise I really would like to drive/see an STI version as I am just as curious with how more power will affect the handling of the car. But then again, Subaru and Toyota's main marketing points seem to be the "Well balance" of the car. So wouldn't adding more HP be contradictory to their selling points?

They are in the same price category, but that alone doesn't mean that they're going to compete to the point where they will cannibalize the other car's sales. Sure, it gives people other options for the same amount of money, but it's unlikely to sway enough buyers. There was a comparison or two between the Nissan GT-R and the BMW M5, both of which differ in terms of bodystyle and powertrain, but both are unusually similar... 500+ hp, twin-turbo V-configurations, curb weights approaching two tons, price tag right around $100,000. While I'm sure that they don't ignore each other, I'm certain that BMW isn't too worried about the GT-R or vice versa. Porsche is a different story though. You could say the same thing about comparing an Evo to a Mustang GT with any option(s).

Not exactly. It's not like Toyota/Scion/Subaru will just throw in a more powerful engine and leave the rest of the car alone -- it would be upgraded accordingly. That being said, several reviews have stated that the car is well-balanced as-is, but they feel that the chassis can safely handle more power.

Don't really get this line of reasoning. Either way that potential buyer would still be purchasing a Subaru so the profit still goes to Fuji Heavy Industries. I don't think they really care if the money came from a WRX STi sale or a BRZ STi sale. Plus the BRZ STi has the potential to bring in other customers who would not normally look at a Subaru because they wanted a 2 door sports car. Not everyone wants a high performance sedan/wagon despite their utility. Some people just want their performance vehicle to look like a sexy sports coupe.

There are only a small amount of consumers interested in cars with WRX STi type of performance. By only sticking with the 4/5 door WRX STi Subaru limits itself to a small percentage of those potential customers. By offering a 2 door RWD variant Subaru increases the amount of potential buyers and thus takes a larger portion of that small pie. Those customers who decide to buy either a BRZ STi over the WRX STi or vice versa don't really matter because the sale is still captured by Subaru.

That's all assuming price levels and profit margins for both vehicles would be the same of course. But right now the price of a standard BRZ is in line with the WRX so I assume the same would hold true for an STi version.

I can understand wanting to wait. There have been several times I've waited on a purchase, technology or otherwise, because something was coming out. The naysayers said "If you always wait you'll never have anything." That's true. But the difference is that I had a concrete time on when the new stuff would arrive, so I was surely buying something when that time came, be it old or new. Right now a production STI version is supposedly coming, but that's all we know about it. It could be several years from now.

I'd be hesitant if I knew finalized details of the vehicle, and it would arrive in six months to a year, but with no date on the horizon I'd take what I could get right now.

Don't waste any time waiting and wondering 'what if.' There will always be the next best thing, and a plane could fall out of the sky and land on your head tomorrow. When the car no longer brings you any joy, sell it and move to something that you believe will. Tastes and preferences are constantly changing. In a few years when the STI version arrives, these cars may be the furthest thing from your mind.
If you have the means, do it now and enjoy the *#@$ out of it! :burnrubber:

The only reason why I personally would jump on it would be if I really needed (or at least really, really wanted) to replace my vehicle now, or if my heart was really set on it while not waiting for or anticipating a major update. If you have any serious thoughts about the STI version (meaning that you definitely want that power level and have the money for it but maybe not the money to buy one now and then take the hit for selling/trading it for a new one), then just wait for it.

Screw it, I am going to get a black BRZ 6 speed manual Limited...before Xmas or early in 2013....maybe the VIP discounts will kick in by then...I just can't stand the cost cutting in the Scion FR-S.

Back when the sti first came out for imprezas, the difference were dramatic. It was well worth the money to buy the sti over wrx. I believe the price of wrx was 27000 and sti was 32000. Which is not ba of deal considering you get 6 speed manual, 2.5l engine and bigger turbo, brembo brakes, suede interior, upgraded suspension, bbs wheel and etc.
The new 2012 impreza sti and wrx does have much difference. The found dation is pretty much the same.

Now as far as brz goes, they need to have something drastic that makes sti version different from regular brz. If the sti brz had anything close to what i mentioned above then i think the car is worth it. But if its just few asthetics and suspension/wheels, not worth it

Aside from the lack of HIDs and navigation, what cost cutting did they do that wasn't done in the BRZ Premium as well?

The difference was more worth it because the two cars performed so differently in all aspects -- acceleration, braking, cornering, etc. Similarly, when the facelift occurred (which coincided with the STi's release in the U.S.), the WRX was around $24,000, while the STi started at around $30,000, but keep in mind that model was VERY basic, with no sound system or even floormats, if I remember correctly. Once they started including the audio systems for the 2005 model year, I think the price jumped to $32,000 or so, though it at least included the refreshed interior (lifted from the Saab version of the WRX wagon) along with wider BBS wheels, wider rear fenders and a few other changes.

Contrasting to what we both said, the WRX and STI accelerate pretty similarly. So going with the STI in recent years meant that you were also after the better handling, since it's not as if the difference in punch was as significant as when the standard WRX only had 227 hp to the STi's 300.