It seems like there are at least 4 cars that out perform the Ralliart within its own class. What you have basically done is describe the Ralliart in such a way as to limit all comparisons to itself. I might as well say "Show me another AWD car with a 5-speed and a boxer motor for under 30000$".

 

you would think the RA would sell more just becuase of the tranny...theres quite a few ppl that dont know how to drive stick. but want power

 

^ good point! the SST is a big plus, not a minus to the Ralliart.
it finished so low in the comparo not because of the tranny, but because of its low grade interior (compared to others), lack of overall refinement, and substantial weight gain over its competition

 

i think it would be a way better, if would be optional...

 

^ i agree. i think the SST is a great idea, but it shouldnt be standard on the Ralliart, cause its pricey equipment that was meant for the much more expensive Evo X.
i think the Ralliart should have been FWD, and have had a standard manual tran.
the car would be significantly cheaper, would weigh less, and perform better.

 

They already had a FWD Ralliart and it wasn't stellar in terms of sales. For what it was, it was a pretty sweet car but it didn't compete with any of the cars in that review. If they made it FWD again, even if they bumped up the power, they'd be stuck in the same situation again. They'd basically be doing Subaru a favour because all a Subaru salesman would have to do is say "well sure it's faster when it's perfectly dry out but our cars are fast in the dry, in the wet and in the cold". I think they made a really good decision making it AWD, it just needs a bit of fine tuning and a 5-speed.

 

I see where you're coming from, but I disagree...

I don't want front-wheel drive (again)...
I don't particularly like 5-door cars...
I don't drive stick, and I'm not learning on a brand new $30,000 daily driver...

I'm not trying to restrict the class in any way -- the class simply doesn't exist to the extent where there are other decent options.

The Fusion has available AWD, but it's slow. I already gave my thoughts on the Legacy and WRX. The Avenger and Sebring are absolutely out of the question. The Saab 9-3, MB Cxxx 4-Matic, Audi A4 Quattro, and BMW 3xx xDrive are all way too expensive the way I'd want them equipped.

Where does that leave me?

 

You've done just that though, you've eliminated every other car but the Ralliart thus justifying it. You've made a class so specific that only one car can fill it.

 

My qualifications existed before the Ralliart did. As far as I'm concerned, the car just happens to meet what I need. There are other cars in the class, they just all suck.

 

That's fine but it still doesn't affect the reviews/numbers being issued. If you're happy, that's great though.

 

It affects them plenty when you're not shopping for an MS3, Cooper, WRX, Cobalt SS, or GTI.

 

It has no affect on the numbers and it still means those cars are faster.

 

Coming from a MS3 owner, how the hell did that car win? Granted I have yet to get my issue of C&D, I would like to know how this is possible.

 

No doubt, but I'm sure I'm not the only person who isn't really cross-shopping against any of the other stuff they reviewed.

 

Wasn't Chrysler suppose to come out with twin-clutch transmissions?
They were partnering up with GETRAG to bring this out.
It was supposed to be mated with VW 2.0 liter turbo-diesel engine.
Starting off in their foreign markets.
Did that get cancelled?