Not sure why but...

[Dice144]

I have always wanted a car with a Turbocharger. Guess it steams from the time I had the non turbo Eagle Talon 1991 5 speed. It felt like a rocket on wheels but I was always pissed I didn;t pony up for the AWD verison. Actually was suppose to be getting an AWD but my Dad's friend is a douche bag. He was the guy hunting for my car while I was still on active duty.

Currently (don't laugh) driving a cheap 2005 cobalt 5 speed 4 door. Still randomly wish I had a car with a decent pickup with a turbo. My best friend now works for a car dealer and almost daily tries to convince me to get a newer car. Love having no car payments but won't mind upgrading sometime this summer.

What would be a decent priced (preferably AWD) car to look at? I was thinking a Subaru of some sort but also use to want a diesel car. Bored at work and this topic popped in my head. Because of the rough winters in Buffalo want a good snow car if possible and fun to drive!

 

[Ferzerp]

Buy something with ecoboost?

 

[jlee]

I hear MR2s are fun. :whiste:

Price range?

 

[Dice144]

I am cheap so under 12k

 

[disports]

Haha I've been itching to replace my 2005 cobalt too and also wanting a fun AWD car!

 

[Zivic]

for 10-12, you could find a decent WRX or forester turbo.
I would personally opt for an evo, but you need to get beyond 15k in order to get one that isn't trashed

 

[Dice144]

How are the Forester speed wise with a turbo?

 

[Viper GTS]

How are the Forester speed wise with a turbo?

Stock or the jlee version?

Viper GTS

 

[Dice144]

Stock with no mods

 

[jlee]

Stock or the jlee version?

Viper GTS

Heheh.

 

[destrekor]

for 10-12, you could find a decent WRX or forester turbo.
I would personally opt for an evo, but you need to get beyond 15k in order to get one that isn't trashed

Reason for the Evo preference over WRX?

Granted, in the AWD sedan/hot-hatch category, the fanboyism between the Evo's and Rex's is insane - you may just prefer the look, or the badge.

 

[Black2na]

Stock or the jlee version?

Viper GTS

hehe Both are fun. though Jlee version is much more fun!

 

[Ryan]

You could find a Saab 9-2x (WRX Clone) for MUCH cheaper than an equivalent WRX.

2005 9-2x - 75K miles - only $10.5k

 

[Zivic]

Reason for the Evo preference over WRX?

Granted, in the AWD sedan/hot-hatch category, the fanboyism between the Evo's and Rex's is insane - you may just prefer the look, or the badge.

evo responds better to mods. takes less money/effort to make them go fast, and IMHO have a bigger "fun" factor.


that is to say nothing about overall quality or reliability. I still like subies and would own one, but if your goal is to go fast and have fun, the mitsu is the better choice (cheaper and easier)

edit:
from a local tuner:
I always tell people that if you start with a $15000 Evo and a $3500 Subaru, you would be at the same amount total dollar wise, for both cars to run 10s.

 

[jlee]

evo responds better to mods. takes less money/effort to make them go fast, and IMHO have a bigger "fun" factor.


that is to say nothing about overall quality or reliability. I still like subies and would own one, but if your goal is to go fast and have fun, the mitsu is the better choice (cheaper and easier)

edit:
from a local tuner:
I always tell people that if you start with a $15000 Evo and a $3500 Subaru, you would be at the same amount total dollar wise, for both cars to run 10s.

What about a $15k Evo vs $15k Subaru?

A $3500 Subaru is going to be pretty much worthless in any performance category.

 

[destrekor]

evo responds better to mods. takes less money/effort to make them go fast, and IMHO have a bigger "fun" factor.


that is to say nothing about overall quality or reliability. I still like subies and would own one, but if your goal is to go fast and have fun, the mitsu is the better choice (cheaper and easier)

edit:
from a local tuner:
I always tell people that if you start with a $15000 Evo and a $3500 Subaru, you would be at the same amount total dollar wise, for both cars to run 10s.

I ask this because I share the goal of picking up a true AWD car/hatch that matches my "spirited driving" approach.

In the end, overall quality and reliability are going to be paramount; yet, only going so far as to mean I don't end up with a 120hp sedan just to meet the highest ratings.

At some point, I'd imagine said vehicle of choice might (or might not) suffer the installation of a few tunes and mods. But ultimately, as long as it can be fun, have some zest, but also balance out with at least decent ride quality and long-term reliability, I'd "settle" for one if it means sacrificing the opportunity for easier customization, faster quarter miles, or whatever.

I just want as much of the go fast factor as I can get before it a) breaks the bank, and b) sacrifices other categories; but more importantly, handles like a dream and can handle whatever the hell nature throws in its path.
The Ohio-Michigan region can be a damn good test for weather: we get it all. Rain, snow, rain/snow with high wind, clear days, low visibility days, heavy snow that may linger forever, lots of wetness in many forms (obviously handling on ice, without studs, isn't really going to change for any vehicle). If I have the vehicle and can find a good dirt trail suited for low-ride vehicles, I'd love to tackle such.

But mods and crazy antics I'd probably save until I could afford another vehicle. Once I'd have some other ride, if I have the money/time, I'd love to be able to have a WRX (or the like) as a track/time-attack vehicle.
First and foremost, and what will ultimately be what decides a future vehicle, is financials and suitability to current demands, which were noted above. I truly have no interest in the tuning world at this time, because of time, funding, and other money sinks. If my life situation were to ever change enough to make all that possible, I'd figure things out at that point in time: sell said vehicle and get a more suitable one, buy a cheap backup in case of damage at racing venue, buy an older model of said vehicle, or whatever seems best at that time.

 

[Zivic]

What about a $15k Evo vs $15k Subaru?

A $3500 Subaru is going to be pretty much worthless in any performance category.

obviously this assumes you have mechanically sound car. It was just a tongue and cheek saying.

more so, it will take 12-15 grand into a subie to get what you can get for 3-4 grand in an evo.

Ron from RS motors is the guy that states this. he holds the fastest stock turbo time for an evo IX... and owns and tunes both platforms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNeQMHv6TQ

FWIW,
my evo makes 535 awhp. stock block, stock cams, stock ecu (no piggyback/standalone). basically an E85 conversion, FP red turbo, exhaust and a lot of boost. You show me a subaru making that kind of power without opening up the motor

 

[Zivic]

I ask this because I share the goal of picking up a true AWD car/hatch that matches my "spirited driving" approach.

In the end, overall quality and reliability are going to be paramount; yet, only going so far as to mean I don't end up with a 120hp sedan just to meet the highest ratings.

At some point, I'd imagine said vehicle of choice might (or might not) suffer the installation of a few tunes and mods. But ultimately, as long as it can be fun, have some zest, but also balance out with at least decent ride quality and long-term reliability, I'd "settle" for one if it means sacrificing the opportunity for easier customization, faster quarter miles, or whatever.

I just want as much of the go fast factor as I can get before it a) breaks the bank, and b) sacrifices other categories; but more importantly, handles like a dream and can handle whatever the hell nature throws in its path.
The Ohio-Michigan region can be a damn good test for weather: we get it all. Rain, snow, rain/snow with high wind, clear days, low visibility days, heavy snow that may linger forever, lots of wetness in many forms (obviously handling on ice, without studs, isn't really going to change for any vehicle). If I have the vehicle and can find a good dirt trail suited for low-ride vehicles, I'd love to tackle such.

But mods and crazy antics I'd probably save until I could afford another vehicle. Once I'd have some other ride, if I have the money/time, I'd love to be able to have a WRX (or the like) as a track/time-attack vehicle.
First and foremost, and what will ultimately be what decides a future vehicle, is financials and suitability to current demands, which were noted above. I truly have no interest in the tuning world at this time, because of time, funding, and other money sinks. If my life situation were to ever change enough to make all that possible, I'd figure things out at that point in time: sell said vehicle and get a more suitable one, buy a cheap backup in case of damage at racing venue, buy an older model of said vehicle, or whatever seems best at that time.

I guess i look at it like this.

Buy a subie, put an exhaust on it, maybe an e85 conversion call it a day. Have some fun at mid 300's and have a bad@ss sounding car that scoots. Or you buy an evo, and put about the same money into it and have a mid 400's car that really scoots, but might not be as reliable nor sound as cool

 

[ProchargeMe]

Reason for the Evo preference over WRX?

Granted, in the AWD sedan/hot-hatch category, the fanboyism between the Evo's and Rex's is insane - you may just prefer the look, or the badge.

Idk who would prefer the mitsubishi badge lol, subaru has a much better variety of reliable vehicles, and they hold better value. But according to some videos I've seen the lancer handles better (current gen). If anything, it's a worthy competitor.

 

[Throckmorton]

Audi A4 1.8T AWD = cheap

So much cheaper than a WRX that I think you can cover all the repairs you'd ever need. And you get symmetrical AWD just like the Subaru.

 

[destrekor]

I guess i look at it like this.

Buy a subie, put an exhaust on it, maybe an e85 conversion call it a day. Have some fun at mid 300's and have a bad@ss sounding car that scoots. Or you buy an evo, and put about the same money into it and have a mid 400's car that really scoots, but might not be as reliable nor sound as cool

If anything, you just reminded me how much I love that boxer growl. :wub:


That is one thing I've had a hell of a time trying to really figure out: true reliability between the two platforms. I've always loved the look of the Evo's more, but I can't ding the Rex at all either - both the base and the STI I still drool/lust over. I see more STI's than Evo's, but other than that bias, I've had little to go on as for reliability of Evo's.

The funniest complaint I have heard about the Rex's: interior quality. It seems many are offended by hard plastic interiors in sedans. At the STI/Evo price I might see some issue, since you get some BMW, Audi heat (for that price, dropping in performance though). But that's the key part, they (and their spawn like the base WRX) are the most affordable entries into that hot sedan/hothatch category, with great handling and performance.
I'd also not be shocked at all - fancy, plushy interiors are nice, but I've been forever used to hard interiors. My first car (Sundance) had such, and my Dakota is the same. Even brand new trucks that, to me, look super fancy from the outside, are all hard plastic in the inside (might be that "soft-touch" variety, haven't felt said trucks).

I've even looked into just how much I'd be sacrificing if I chose to go with other Subie vehicles, like the Legacy. I know they have upcoming changes in the engines, and differences right now between the US market and other markets.
I actually like the new Ford Focus hatches, and the souped-up versions (which Europe has always had better versions of) sound great, but I've been lusting over a quality AWD car that I don't know if I can drop back down to two wheels. The FWD Focus would be better in the snow than my RWD Dakota, but... I'd see it having difficulties when something like the Rex would be laughing as it plowed its way through.


As for plowing and snow: is there a point where too much snow (say, 8 inches) creates so much of a plow-wave at the front-fender that it has bad results? I have heard people mention the differences between some Subie's and this effect of snow pushing at the fender, based on their different ride heights (with the Forester being higher and oft-mentioned for that reason)... but I'm just curious what the limits/capabilities are. Is it: you can drive through 8" of snow just fine, but don't try going far through a foot of fresh powder? I can figure an obvious limitation is the inability to drive forever through 16-20" of fresh powder (or, would I be wrong?).

 

[destrekor]

Audi A4 1.8T AWD = cheap

So much cheaper than a WRX that I think you can cover all the repairs you'd ever need. And you get symmetrical AWD just like the Subaru.

Base A4 AWD is cheaper than the WRX STI, true - but the WRX is much cheaper.

 

[manimal]

scoobies have less how hanging fruit when it comes to power compared to an EVOs. No contest.


Im still amazed what a stock bottom end can do.

tuning an EVO is cheaper as well.

 

[Zivic]

evo 8/sti/S4
-Evo wins the fun category - watch how much it pulls on them in the drag and then watch the way the evo attacks the corners vs the subie understeering
-everyday car, the Audi wins
-subie is somewhere in the middle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Seuvqhrsjwo


Evo X vs STI
Evo X "there is no car that handles like this one"
the subie isn't even in the running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4CfWdoSOTk

 

[sdifox]

Audi A4 1.8T AWD = cheap

So much cheaper than a WRX that I think you can cover all the repairs you'd ever need. And you get symmetrical AWD just like the Subaru.

You have to buy 2, one for spare parts :biggrin: