Allright, what would you do?

[f1ce]

Ok, i've pretty much narrowed it down to either the evo comming out or the wrx. Don't really feel like waiting for the sti thats why its down to these two...

Anyway, I'm guess that since the evo has never been seen in the states that it will be running around +/-30k depending on dealer markup. I also assume that I can get a bone wrx for around 23k. Now what would you do, wait for the evo, or dump about 7k into a wrx, such as ground effects, new turbo, various performance upgrades etc...

The evo is claming to have about 300hp, and the wrx is 227 if i recall, with around 5000 in performance, would i be able to surpass 300? By how large of a margin? anyway just tossin some ideas around...

possible upgrades for SILVER wrx:
syms body kit, no spoiler
some stage 4 performance kit, has ehaust intake, turbo, etc
some form of rims
and if anything left over a system

Another deciding factor is insurance, one major reason why im leaning towards the wrx rather than the evo or sti...
let me know what u guys think...

[tsunami racer]

i recently went through the same debate and here were my conclusions:

wrx is a great value for $24K, with no dealer markup (you can now buy em for about 23K out the door). lots of aftermarket parts to play with. for that price, it's hard to beat.

Evolution VIII won't be out till Feb 03, when those greedy dealer scum will be charging at least $5K over the projected $26,900 MSRP, if you can even get one for the first 6-9 months unless you've already smacked down a deposit. power output will be 265 hp (not bad, not 300 though).

but you're now looking at a $32K car, almost $10K more than normal WRX, and in Nissan 350Z/Infiniti G35 Coupe/used Audi S4 range. the same will apply for the Scooby STi as well.

others to consider (not AWD but still cool rides) are the VW GTI VR6 and the Mini Cooper S. Prices are coming down on both. The mini S is an absolute go-cart and corners like it's on rails.

OR you go out on a limb and look for an Evolution VI, V or IV (street legal ones are out there). the VI has 276HP (on paper; actually more) and you've got the something no one else on the road has. i sort of went this route with a Ford Escort Cosworth. and i'm having a hell of a lot more fun for a little more than the price of an Evolution VIII at MSRP.

as for insurance, that's an unfortunate fixed cost and part of the price of admission for these types of cars. if you're really concerned about it, get a Kia Spectra and call it a day.

[Cmotif]

How funny! I can comment on this as both a Subaru and Kia owner. I would go with the WRX, and completely blow off the Evo idea. An Evo would make sense if you lived in GB, there are a lot of them already. But we have no Evos here. The OZ Rally Lancer is a joke. I think that my 2002 Kia Spectra GS has more HP, and they are both FWD. I have 127 HP in the KIA and the Lancer has like 120 last I checked.

Subarus are really well made and safe cars. The Impreza crash tests very well.

Do you really need 300HP? Isn't that what the WRC cars run? Do you drive as well as a WRC driver?

Take a WRX for a drive and then add what you think you need.

I would say first changes you should make with a WRX is better tires than the Pontenza R92 and then take some driving lessons. The you will know what you need, because you will feel it. Make the car for yourself, and not just just whatever thinks is "stylin".

I absolutely love our 2002 Subaru GT. I would have bought a TS Impreza for our second car if I wasn't a student right now. I love AWD!

Cmotif <><