Buying: 2006 Eclipse GT or 2006 Subaru WRX

[karnick]

Ok guys. Soon I will be in the market for a new car.. But I am totally torn between getting 2006 mitsubishi eclipse GT or a 2006 subaru WRX.

Here are some things you should know about me that might help you make your decision for me.

I live in New Jersey, so we get snow in the winter. Hard snow once in a while.
I dont usually drive a lot of people around at the moment, but thats because theres not much room in the back of my current 03 eclipse. Otherwise i love bein the driver in a group.
I like having power under the hood.
I like a car with a decent amount of features.
I have 1 year left in college so I make 90 mile trips to and from home once in a while.
I unfortunately drive 'somewhat' more aggressively than the average driver.
I dont like driving a car that could be labeled as a 'bitch' car.

I appreciate your time if youve read this far.. So Just simply vote on the poll, and if you can, include why you chose what you chose. If you have a good reccomendation within the price range of these two cars (about $25k), feel free to throw it at me.

Thanks guys

[Schister66]

i don't like any Eclipses that aren't boosted.....if they make the new Eclipses w/ the 4G63 engine from the Evo, then i'd get it, but until then.....WRX all the way!

[lamehonda]

I wouldn't buy the eclipse just because you have to buy fwd.

[Altimas]

um the new eclipes aren't good performance cars...
They're heavy, FWD and have too much power for FWD.
You'd think with a heavy car like that they might forgot about the weight and cost savings of FWD.
The old turbo eclises are faster had the option of a dumb awd system... what happened?
To be blunt, get a WRX unless you dont like performance cars
Oh and wrxs with their AWD system love the snow

[karnick]

good points.. something else i wanted to throw in is that i dont want like a crazy stiff ride... not that im looking for luxury but if im just cruising down the highway id like it to feel smooth.. does the WRX have a stiff or smooth ride? i want to feel like im in more than just a rally car

[SuperHighOutput]

Originally Posted by Altimas

They're heavy, FWD and have too much power for FWD.

If that's the case then I guess you would agree that the Altima SE-R has too much power for fwd as well, correct?

[alphalanos]

wrx!!!!

[karnick]

anyone able to comment on the ride in the WRX?

[Altimas]

Originally Posted by SuperHighOutput

If that's the case then I guess you would agree that the Altima SE-R has too much power for fwd as well, correct?

well they suffer from torque steer.. and other characteristics associated with fwd.. i.e power on understeer as everyone and their dog should know.
Something common with high powered FWD cars.
Seriously if a car weighs 3500 lbs atleast have the decency to fit with a proper drivetrain.. since obviously weight is not an issue, or atleast do what old eclipes (dsms) did and fit a cheap AWD system to it.

FWD belongs on econ boxs, not performance cars that are almost 2 tons...

[slamdawg543]

i've ridden and drove my friends wrx, including a 16 hour trip, rides great, smooth, also handles well. i loved the car and was considering getting an sti, just dont know about the looks...

[karnick]

nice thanks... i think my mind has been made.. i hate having a backseat thats not functional (my current 03 eclipse)

[alphalanos]

The Eclipse is kinda like a sports car thats not. Then the WRX ..is.

[NIN881]

the only reason I don't like the WRX is the styling is horrid. The are ugly as sin.

All that asside it has gotten in the Car and Driver top cars many times. As for the eclipse, I saw a review and it is a take compared to recent ones and is mostly a looker.

If you like looks Eclipse, if you want everything else (handling, traction, acceleration, etc) go with the WRX. If you can get over having an ugly car.

[JLad10687]

If you're not racing it, why do you need the extra power? If you're just driving 'somewhat' more aggressive then you dont need it. Its just everyone on this forum is answering the questions which is faster. The eclipse may be slower but is much better looking, more comfortable, and I'd take it over the WRX anyday(unless I was racing). Definetly go with the Eclipse unless you are racing or NEED to have 5 or 6 people in the car at a time.

[harrymay]

the new eclipses look terrible, they kinda homo looking.

the impreza is much more practical. plus it will handle in the snow. and it looks much better.

mitsu is having some problems with manufacturing for their newer models, but the impreza has been around for some good time