Because most people who buy these cars will probably end up modifying them. There's no denying tuners buy cars for their potential not for their out of the box performance. Basically what you're doing is telling everyone there is no way for the RA to be a good performer, because modifying it doesn't count. Personally i think the RA has a much better drivetrain then the other competitors and will be sweet when modded.

 

Modified cars are not applicable. Yes some tuners buy cars for their potential but it's impossible to compare tuned vehicles. Do you compare them mod for mod? What if one car comes from the factory with a better part X than the other car thus meaning a modified X won't show as much of a gain? Should we let them modify according to their weaknesses? Should we price limit it? Who drives the modified cars to compare them? I completely agree that with some modifications, the RA will be a good performer but you can't use that as proof that it's competitive at this point because that applies to every car in the list and there are too many variables. Comparing them stock to stock is simply easier.
A "better" drivetrain is subjective to a point.

 

It's the way you come off. Everything is all just speculation unless its the Car and Driver review, R&T review, etc. You take advantage of all opportunities to put the car down.

 

It uses the Evo X engine, Evo IX drivetrain. Does the WRX even have LSD's front and rear?

 

People like their BUICK also. Thats why they bought it, thats why anyone buys any car. Tree huggers get excited when rags test a PRIUS, I don't even bother to read about it. Hypermileage, whatever. How many get excited when the new mini van comparo comes out? NOT ME, but plenty do.

All numbers do is give you a base for which to compare vehicles. That is why they give you trunk volume, front and rear seating dimensions etc. Easy to compare.

No one said the RA is a bad car. It is not a great performance bargain. It may be a great AWD SST bargain and you may just like it because. Nothing wrong with that. Just don't justify that it competes, it does not. Last in virtually every test comparo that has come out to date. Case closed. You can still buy it, and you can still have a lot of fun with it. I am sure it will be better when modded, so will all the other cars. Say the zchip can bump it 45hp and 50ft/lbs.. That should bring it up to respectability vs. other stockers. Add AP to 09 WRX and you get about 270WHP and 290 ft.lbs..

 

I don't understand what you are getting at? How many people that buy these cars race them? If you want to race your car you made a poor choice with all the cars in that comparison as you have to at least step up to EVO or STI.

 

You were just saying that it's no big deal that the Ralliart has HID's as you can add aftermarket ones to the WRX. Is that not modding? Man you change your argument from post to post.

 

It falls flat after 60MPH. WRX 0-100 in 12.9 RA 0-100 16.0. By the way, straight line numbers puts the WRX right on EVO toes (actually faster). YES, ROBEVO, we know the EVO is awesome on the track.

 

That would put it over the other stockers.

 

Also, someone mentioned 5-60. The RA and WRX are a tie. In top gear, 30-50 the RA goes 15.3 to the WRX 10.8 and 50-70 RA 8.8 to WRX 7.6.

 

??? My point is that if you do the same mod to the WRX it again is blowing the RA in the weeds.

 

By the way in defense of the RA, just in terms of 1/4 mile performance, it finishes tied for third with the cobalt SS at 14.2. It is the second to last trap speed though. So it is NOT terrible. Just more expensive. It needs the 5 speed manny! I may have to wait and see if any rumors leak out on the upcoming car show circuit.

Edmunds claimed earlier that it would have a manual trans in 2010.

 

Is there even a tuned Ralliart out there? Didn't think so, so the accusations are just stupid. No one knows what the turbo is capable of, or even the injectors/fuel pump, etc.

 

0-60 in < 5sec is also coming with a void in warranty for the clutch .

Also i think Mitsu should bring back the 9 YES with detune engine in manual weighing around 30K lbs to fight the new WRX lol

 

It also has a small turbo that will limit the HP numbers. No the WRX does not have LSDs front and rear but clearly it doesn't need them.