Alternatives to WRX

[tontod]

I'm looking to buy a new car in a few months. The WRX (non-STi) was my car of choice, until I found out that insuring that car is going to be insane, especially since I live in a big city (Boston). I also read an article that its the 2nd most expensive car to insure. So, whats a good alternative? I was looking at the Evo Lancer, but looks like that is priced to compete against the STi. Anything else at similar power levels, price, and AWD?

 

[Arkaign]

Could try another Subie. Are you gonna be paying cash or financing? I ask because some people mean different things when they say a 'new car'.

AWD is the sticky part. Another mid-$20k AWD Turbo car is hard to find, Lancer Ralliart is in the vein, but a little bit slower, and almost certainly about as expensive to insure. There are plenty of other good performers in the range, but they aren't AWD, or they're too $$.

 

[tontod]

Could try another Subie. Are you gonna be paying cash or financing? I ask because some people mean different things when they say a 'new car'.

AWD is the sticky part. Another mid-$20k AWD Turbo car is hard to find, Lancer Ralliart is in the vein, but a little bit slower, and almost certainly about as expensive to insure. There are plenty of other good performers in the range, but they aren't AWD, or they're too $$.

I'm going to be financing. Looking to save enough for a decent down payment. I would have bought a new car earlier this year, but bought a new condo, so couldnt afford a new car at the same time. I guess I might have to drop the AWD requirement. With stability/traction control and ABS, if one is careful when its slick out, should be fine with a FWD. The other option is probably an A4, but I used to have one, that was pretty unreliable, so hesitant to get another A4.

So, if I drop the AWD requirement, what would be a good replacement? The Mazdaspeed 3?

 

[Arkaign]

The Speed3 is a really good mix of performance, reliability, comfort, style, and price. The Cobalt SS is faster (faster than WRX as well!!), but it's hard to get past the overcooked '90s look of it and the outdated interior. GTI is another option, but reliability is about in the same vein as Audi (same company), so meh, also performance is not quite up to par unless you chip it.

CPO Legacy GT might be an option. They're not that big, and you could probably find a very low-miles example that is practically new, but a lot cheaper on insurance as it doesn't attract the boy-racer crowd.

 

[Excelsior]

I'd go with the Legacy GT in some form or fashion.

 

[Zap]

So, if I drop the AWD requirement, what would be a good replacement? The Mazdaspeed 3?

That's a pretty good substitute. I test drove it before buying my Mazdaspeed 6 and it was pretty fun. It's basically like the WRX but only front wheel drive and cheaper. On dry pavement it is as fast as my Mazdaspeed 6. Actually, you'd be fine on anything except snow. If it snows, just make sure you have at least all-season tires. This also applies to the WRX and any other high-scoot car you might buy. The 'Speed 6 came with Summer Performance tires and I regretted the first day it snowed . I use snow tires now, since we're snowbound for a few months in Wisconsin.

Note that all wheel drive only helps you accelerate faster and does NOTHING in helping you stop and very little in helping you turn. The proper tires for the conditions are key to handling inclement weather.

 

[ElFenix]

pontiac G8 GT w/traction control and steelies with snow tires.

 

[Arkaign]

pontiac G8 GT w/traction control and steelies with snow tires.

Those are nice enough, but that's a serious big fuck-all car compared to the relatively dainty WRX that the OP started out wanting. Doesn't seem to match.

 

[LTC8K6]

Fusion AWD / Fusion Sport AWD?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Cobalt SS

Best handling FWD car - amazing handling!

260HP from a turbo 2.0L.

Coupe or Sedan can be had.

High depreciation so buy 1yr used.

 

[Bl0cks]

This comes to mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ZzqBPz4sY

 

[StageLeft]

Certified pre-owned Infiniti G35X Sedan FTW?

Funny how different people continually pimp the same cars. I used to pimp maximas, now I pimp them or infinitis, but same company

 

[wiretap]

I was going to get a WRX as well, but the Evo X turned out to be quite a bit cheaper--surprisingly. I got 0&#37; financing on it, and paid under invoice for it. I am stretching the payments out over 5 years, but that's no big deal to me since I'm in college and only work in the summers. It helps me afford a more expensive car on cheap payments. Insurance also turned out to be pretty low.. much cheaper than my old Volkswagen GTI. I'm paying <$2000/yr for full coverage with a $500 deductible.

Seriously, once you go with AWD + turbo, you'll not even want to waste your time with FWD, RWD, and N/A cars ever again.

 

[Arkaign]

Seriously, once you go with AWD + turbo, you'll not even want to waste your time with FWD, RWD, and N/A cars ever again.

Um, no. I've had two Turbo AWD's, and while I won't guarantee I'll never buy another one, it's been almost a decade and I haven't felt the urge to go back. 3000GT VR-4 and a brief time with an Eclipse GS-X (ugh). The power was nice from the VR-4 but the reliability just wasn't great, and AWD didn't add any value to me, nor the Active Aero, nor the RWS.

There are plenty of RWD cars that sit atop the performance heap. Even the mighty AWD Quad-Turbo Veyron was felled by a simple FR setup basically built in a shack.

AWD usually gives you added weight in an otherwise equal matchup. AWD is really only preferable if the weather and road conditions around you are often very poor.

 

[EightySix Four]

Um, no. I've had two Turbo AWD's, and while I won't guarantee I'll never buy another one, it's been almost a decade and I haven't felt the urge to go back. 3000GT VR-4 and a brief time with an Eclipse GS-X (ugh). The power was nice from the VR-4 but the reliability just wasn't great, and AWD didn't add any value to me, nor the Active Aero, nor the RWS.

There are plenty of RWD cars that sit atop the performance heap. Even the mighty AWD Quad-Turbo Veyron was felled by a simple FR setup basically built in a shack.

AWD usually gives you added weight in an otherwise equal matchup. AWD is really only preferable if the weather and road conditions around you are often very poor.

Or in the case of the veyron traction is impossible.

 

[tontod]

I was going to get a WRX as well, but the Evo X turned out to be quite a bit cheaper--surprisingly. I got 0% financing on it, and paid under invoice for it. I am stretching the payments out over 5 years, but that's no big deal to me since I'm in college and only work in the summers. It helps me afford a more expensive car on cheap payments. Insurance also turned out to be pretty low.. much cheaper than my old Volkswagen GTI. I'm paying <$2000/yr for full coverage with a $500 deductible.

Seriously, once you go with AWD + turbo, you'll not even want to waste your time with FWD, RWD, and N/A cars ever again.

Is the ride quality pretty harsh on the Evo? I'm thinking lots of time spent on Boston roads with the Evo wont be much fun. Might have to go with the Ralliart, but it only comes with the automated manual, not a true manual.

 

[StageLeft]

I was going to get a WRX as well, but the Evo X turned out to be quite a bit cheaper--surprisingly. I got 0% financing on it, and paid under invoice for it. I am stretching the payments out over 5 years, but that's no big deal to me since I'm in college and only work in the summers. It helps me afford a more expensive car on cheap payments. Insurance also turned out to be pretty low.. much cheaper than my old Volkswagen GTI. I'm paying <$2000/yr for full coverage with a $500 deductible.

Seriously, once you go with AWD + turbo, you'll not even want to waste your time with FWD, RWD, and N/A cars ever again.

Personal finance FTL

 

[ayabe]

Personal finance FTL

Daddy funding = WIN Skoorbster. No way he's floating 400-600/month payments only working a few months a year unless he's an intern at Goldman.

If the OP must have AWD there really isn't any alternative, the Ralliart is a sad joke.

If he's willing to expand his horizons, then there are plenty of options in the 25-35K range.

Cobalt SS isn't faster than the WRX in 99% of real world driving, on a track sure, but in most real world conditions, the SS is going to see tailights. Plus it's a piece of shit.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Seriously, once you go with AWD + turbo, you'll not even want to waste your time with FWD, RWD, and N/A cars ever again.

Yup, AWD beats everything out of the water...in any weather conditions.

 

[wiretap]

Is the ride quality pretty harsh on the Evo? I'm thinking lots of time spent on Boston roads with the Evo wont be much fun. Might have to go with the Ralliart, but it only comes with the automated manual, not a true manual.

Ride quality is perfect IMO.. but I like a stiffer suspension. Keep in mind I drive on the worst roads in the country --Detroit.

 

[wiretap]

Daddy funding = WIN Skoorbster. No way he's floating 400-600/month payments only working a few months a year unless he's an intern at Goldman.

Umm.. no. I work and pay for the car myself. I make enough money in the summer to pay for my Fall & Winter college semesters, for my car payments, and for my other expenses such as cell/xm and random outings. I still live at home and commute to campus since it's a short drive.

Here's how it works.. I put $10k down from selling my old car, then the payments come to roughly $350/month for the Evo. That's around $4200/yr plus insurance, so a little over $6k per year. I make over $14k working in the summer (May to August) at DTE Fermi 2. It leaves plenty of cash left.

 

[wiretap]

Um, no. I've had two Turbo AWD's, and while I won't guarantee I'll never buy another one, it's been almost a decade and I haven't felt the urge to go back. 3000GT VR-4 and a brief time with an Eclipse GS-X (ugh). The power was nice from the VR-4 but the reliability just wasn't great, and AWD didn't add any value to me, nor the Active Aero, nor the RWS.

There are plenty of RWD cars that sit atop the performance heap. Even the mighty AWD Quad-Turbo Veyron was felled by a simple FR setup basically built in a shack.

AWD usually gives you added weight in an otherwise equal matchup. AWD is really only preferable if the weather and road conditions around you are often very poor.

DSM's are the problem.. and a lot has changed in 10+ years. If you don't recognize 'added value' of all wheel drive on all surfaces, you aren't a very avid driver.

 

[ElFenix]

Those are nice enough, but that's a serious big fuck-all car compared to the relatively dainty WRX that the OP started out wanting. Doesn't seem to match.

the most important aspect, being kick in the pants, matches quite well price is also pretty good (or better, with all the pontiac discounts right now). i guess no AWD but the tests i've seen say traction control > AWD w/o traction control.




for the OP: the other turbo impreza (GT?) is basically the 2008 WRX with an automatic. insurance rates may be way less. (the 2009 WRX was a serious upgrade to the 2008)

 

[BarneyFife]

Umm.. no. I work and pay for the car myself. I make enough money in the summer to pay for my Fall & Winter college semesters, for my car payments, and for my other expenses such as cell/xm and random outings. I still live at home and commute to campus since it's a short drive.

Here's how it works.. I put $10k down from selling my old car, then the payments come to roughly $350/month for the Evo. That's around $4200/yr plus insurance, so a little over $6k per year. I make over $14k working in the summer (May to August) at DTE Fermi 2. It leaves plenty of cash left.

You must be getting OT because their wages weren't that high a few years ago when I was in college.

 

[wiretap]

Little bit of overtime. They just pay well to begin with. But.. this is getting too off topic.