It's a baseless statement that they could leave NA. It's as revelant as saying Subaru, Mazda, VW, etc could leave NA. Sure they could but they won't. Dealerships of all automakers are closing across the US right now and more to come.

 

The Civic as we knew in the 90's is long dead. RA's and WRX's are far too expensive to ever come even remotely close to the aftermarket popularity the Civic enjoyed in the 90's. Import tuning is on the wane right now. SCC & Turbo magazines closed their doors after 15 year runs as as the end they were full of cars like EVO's, STI's cars that are not attainable by young, low income buyers that spawned the Civic's huge aftermarket in the 90's.

 

I'm fairly certain it's been out for longer than that.

 

Nope, bought mine right as the first shipment hit my dealer in Oct.. We were one of the first states to get them.

 

fair enough. but, to me, it's of concern, especially because I'm really interested in purchasing one of their cars. whether my fears are baseless, well, it's my money. just like you do not want to buy a WRX265 because 18% of the NASIOC poll has had engine failure BUT 82% have not...

I want the peace of mind that MMoA is secure in my market, just as you are waiting to see if Subaru finds the culprit and fixes it.

 

I agree. I was talking about "USED" WRX's. Integras and Civics, both, were usually purchased second hand and modified in the mid-late 90's when those magazines became popular. Same with the DSMs...aftermarket support is as limitless as it was for Hondas...

 

I agree that it's your money which is why you have to make the decision that is right for your situation just as I have to for me. I have two young boys so the fact that the STI has a softer ride and more space in the hatch is a plus for me and IMO the STI isn't a bad looking vehicle. I prefer the looks and style of the EVO and being a former owner of two DSM's it's always been a bit of a dream to own the ultimate DSM in the EVO unfortunately they have never been available in Canada for sale or import until the last year now they are here but the Canadian pricing is messed up and dealers don't seem to want to move on pricing. The Ralliart is a poor man's EVO and probably the best choice for a daily driver but I would want a fully loaded one and that creeps dangerously close to the base STI which is a better overall vehicle. I'm just going to wait until April and see which dealers want to sell the most and go from there.

 

Strange, I swear I heard someone say they bought one earlier. When were the cars released in Japan?

 

I really like what the RA has to offer. I really like the functionality of the Sportback. I am truly impressed with the level of refinement and performance Mitsu has offered with the RA, which is why I'm rather disappointed that such a large dealership has folded in my area...

The WRX and STI are always good choices. I don't think that you'd be put wrong with either one of those cars. It sucks that there seems to have been a bad batch of parts that ran through production of the WRX...it has tarnished a little bit of the fire it set out to create after the underwhelming '08 release.

These magazine reviews are really just boil down to preference and argument framing for the authors. I like all the cars reviewed! We are living in a time for truly crazy performance from cars that would have cost twice as much just 10 years ago. Not to mention aftermarket support and the aftermarket industry in general has grown exponentially. Our needs, wants, tastes, and opinions are what really only what fuels these debates...

 

I think the fella from Puerto Rico was the first one to post. That was last summer, I think...

edit: he posted september 22nd, but wasn't going to get the car until october 3rd. He posted pics of the first RA's, though, sitting at a dealership in the Americas...

 

That was a little earlier than I thought they came to the states. Hmmm...

 

5.0 mustang was popular because you could literally take one off the lot and run easy high 13ets with it. Something similar you can do with a WRX (OK I know you can't do that with a RA - before you jump down my throat). They weren't that cheap to buy new either I remember a 91 GT costing about 26000 grand CDN new (in 1991) LX 5.0 about 22000.

The RA has been only out at best since sept, I think even though it has gotten some crappy reviews it has grarnered a pretty good following with tuners hurrying up to come up with mods for it 3-4 months after it hit the streets.

 

The 5.0 become huge after the fact, people still use them as drag cars.

 

So what do you guys think of the Hyundai Genesis with the World engine (mitsu 2.0 turbo) and a starting price of around 17k? Sounds to me like a steal. RWD, 6 speed, brembos. Of course they will be more with those which come on the track package, but still.

 

WRXs and the R/A are the new DSMs. After inflation, these new cars are around the same price as before.

It's going to be interesting to see what Hyundai will do with the genesis. They initially said that it would be the cheapest 300HP car. However, with the 300+ HP camaro v6 being sold for around $23k, I don't think hyundai was expecting that.

Looking at both cars at the auto show, IMO, the camaro looks much better, and seems more substantial, and mature. Though, it most certainly is heavier.