Thinking of trading 09 stg 2 STI for 370...

280z/300zx

Have you driven a 370z yet? If not I would suggest doing so. It's going to feel rather slow compared to your STI, but if thats something that doesn't bother you then everything else will be a step up from the STI. The interior, brakes, handling, etc will all be better than the STI. Thats not to say the STI isn't a great car. I used to have a 06 WRX stage 1 with CBE, never gave me a single problem. Was going to get a STI but when they went with the hatch I started looking elsewhere. Having been a die hard Z fan for 10 years and I decided to get the 370z instead. I've driven plenty of STI's and I can tell you that with yours being a Stage 2 the Z will feel rather slow.

Also I'm surprised to hear your problems with your car. I've known may people that went stage 2 with WRX's and STI's and never had a single problem. Perhaps there are other mods that you didn't mention that may have caused the issue. But a simple turbo back exhaust and cobb tune should be no problem.

Last food for thought, there is a guy here who has pretty much every non-turbo mod available right now and his fastest time is 12.8. Just something to consider if you are going to be looking at mods later on down the line considering your current car is a mid 12 car.