I really like my car, but I am not sure whether to move on.

I've been spending a lot of time trying to decide what to do. I want a car for autocross/track days, plus fun as a daily or frequent driver.

I figure that my car is worth about 5-6,000. If I spend 4,000 on the new turbo kit, plus whatever it would cost to swap to a manual (a must if I'm going to keep this car), add a limited slip, and then upgrade the brakes (I mean a real big brake kit, not just a DSM caliper swap) I'm into it for the value of a speed3, WRX, or a well preserved low mileage E36 M3.

Also, I think that the rarity of the car is a negative if you end up needing body parts. After having my wife damage the front air dam and rear bumper, it's one of the reasons that I'm not sure I'm going to keep mine. The other reason is that modifying a Ralliart is expensive. There's not enough of them to make competition in the aftermarket, so either the prices for things are high (or the parts don't exist), or you have to fabricate your own stuff. That's ok, if you have the time, skills and a place to do it, plus another car to drive, and don't mind doing the job over if it doesn't come out right.

The other option is to "go over to the dark side." That right, a HONDA. I already own a 6th gen Accord coupe, with an F23 and 5 speed. It's high mileage at 186,000 miles, but it's been in the family since new, always garaged until I got it last year, and most of the time was in Arizona (no rust). Most of the miles were between AZ and NC. Building a turbo engine, adding a limited slip, building the suspension and upgrading brakes on this car would cost 1/2 of what it would for the Ralliart, and it's already 90 pounds lighter and has a manual transmission. It's paid for, and my Sportback will be paid off at the end of the year, so that's pretty much a wash.

Another factor: the Ralliart seats. Am I the only one that thinks they are the worst seats that you've ever sat in? I know that they're for the Japanese market, and not really made for a plus-sized american, but I'm 6 feet and 164 pounds so that's not really an issue. There's no lumbar support at all; I have to put a pillow in the seat to support my back. I'd replace the seats if I keep the car, but it seems pretty stupid to remove seats with side airbags.

I wouldn't try to post anything like this on a honda forum, but I think that there's a much more mature membership here compared to the average honda fanboise. That's a definite negative about a honda, so maybe I can get some thoughtful replies instead of just knee-jerk reactions.

OK, so feel free to flame me for this post, but it's not really meant to be a negative about the Ralliart. In spite of the automatic transmission, it's the most fun car I've owned. Mitsubishi almost nailed it with this car; if it had a manual transmission I would probably overlook everything else. OK, so a manual and a limited slip. Or if they imported the Evo wagon, but now I'm really dreaming; cause I couldn't afford anything like that when I bought this car.

Just let me finish by saying that I love this car. It's a much better car than the 95 Accord wagon that it replaced, but I don't have the luxury of throwing money at it just so I can keep it. It's more a matter of what's the cheapest way to get what I want: a fun, reliable performance car (maybe not so reliable if I buy an M3).

Comments? I'm wearing my flame suit!

 

If you cannot do a lot of the work yourself for whatever reason, the Speed3 or WRX route would be more suitable. I too have been similarly torn.

Do I want to spend $10 000 on my car next year or just get a used STI ?

( Evo X makes me puke, VIII & IX's are not readily available in Canada and since I drove a WRX 2 years ago I got over any brand loyalty in a hurry )

I really enjoy playing with cars and that's where I used to get a great deal of satisfaction..
I had a car that no one would modify, cause they said it was a waste of time. When I asked people about porting the head they just laughed at me. I ended up getting a head and sectioning it, to determine how to port mine, I had a really good time on that project.

Right now I will throw $10 000 at my car next year as long as money keeps coming the same way.

Also if you want to autocross and you do that level of modification to your Sportback, what class will you end up in ? Will you be competitive ?

I want to try some organised events like autocross too, and I've decided that building the Ralliart I fantasise about trumps winning trophies etc.

I recommend making a price list of everything you want to do to the car, that way you will see how realistic it is and you will be able to make a decision that keeps you happiest.

 

Sell it. It's not cost effective to modify a car so rare. Having a car no one has with a turbo no one has is asking for trouble. I would only go turbo on a sportback if money wasn't an issue, and the desire to have a very unique sport compact was high. Keep the Honda as a a daily driver and don't do any work to it.

Then buy a car that is already built ala WRX,

Actually, can I recommend a car? Get a 2005-2008 Legacy GT. It's a good looking sedan (or wagon if you so choose), is roomier than the impreza (mid size vs compact), has the 2.5L turbo AWD platform from the WRX. Stock, they run 5 sec 0-60 and 14 second flat quarter miles. As a result, the thing is a ****ing sleeper. It's cheaper on insurance than the WRX too, and there were enough produced that you shouldn't have a problem finding parts. But on the other hand, not enough people have one to make it like every cookie cutter WRX.

Read up on them. I think you will like what you see. You can get then for between $8k and $15k

 

Great advice from both replies. I think that you have been reading my mind on the Legacy. If I could afford one at the time, I would have bought one of these instead of the ralliart.

It wouldn't be our first Legacy; my wife had one when we met. We drove that car for several years. That one was a much different car than the current Subaru. It was a true 4x4 with a 2high/4high/4low transfer case. It was glacially slow, but almost unstoppable off-road. We slid sideways into a culvert/snow bank and got stuck with the car tipped to the left at a 45 degree angle (on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC). Both left tires were in the culvert; with snow up to the windows, and I drove it out. After that we used it for a beach car.

I like the sleeper aspects; driving a BMW or even a Honda with coilovers, wheels and exhaust is going to draw attention that I don't want. As for the possibility of a wagon: this sportback is my 6th wagon.

With 30 mpg in mixed driving, it makes a lot of sense to keep the accord as a driver.