Considering a 2010 Ralliart or 2010 WRX
Evolved Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: CA
Don't get me wrong I am not saying I would not buy it again, because it is unreliable or a POS car. In fact I still like the car. Mainly I wouldn't buy it again, because of the new career path I will be on. It is not really the best work car as far as picking up people and so on. But yeah I own the RA and performance vs performance its not even close if that's the deciding factor.
Still, the fact remains that both the WRX and RA are two serious bang-for-the-buck cars out there today, and the holidays is perfect time to find a great deal on one.
Then your opinion had nothing to do with the cars themselves... it's based on your personal situation which has absolutely no value to this thread. I'm sorry you bought the wrong type of car... which has happened to my family a couple of times after "situations" changed.
Still, the fact remains that both the WRX and RA are two serious bang-for-the-buck cars out there today, and the holidays is perfect time to find a great deal on one.
Still, the fact remains that both the WRX and RA are two serious bang-for-the-buck cars out there today, and the holidays is perfect time to find a great deal on one.
And yeah, I happened to add that the statement had little to nothing to do with his situation........right after I made the statement.
Evolved Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: CA
mixedwun, no problem, it's all good. I just see too many threads with people bashing on cars or systems (like the SST) had no substance or nothing to do with real facts. Of course opinions are always welcome since this is an open forum, but lets try to be as objective as possible.
Yeah you should be well within the limits. With the intake make sure you get a tune, or you may have problems with it. The tune/flash is the best bang for you buck mod on this car so far and there's a few companies you can choose from.
Evolved Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: CA
I'm not sure about the RA's intake, but the X's stock intake is fine till you upgrade the turbo. What matters is the tune... both the X and the RA have pig-rich tunes from the factory... getting a custom dyno tune is the best basic mod for it, along with a decent catback or turbo-back exhaust (if you want to go catless).
Last edited by tipoytm; Dec 14, 2009 at 12:12 PM.
Evolved Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 0
From: Inbetween Miami and Ft. Lauderdale
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/09...n-70-00-a.html
Like mixedwun said you will need a tune to run the intake. Or you can get just a drop in filter either works, k&n, or HKS for about $50 and that will suffice even w/o a tune. Quite a few ppl are goin that route.
Evolved Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 0
From: Inbetween Miami and Ft. Lauderdale
Some dealers wouldn't know if you return it to stock b4 warranty work. And yes it should pass Cali specs but pm GST Motorsports or RRM more about that they would be able to give you a better answer than I since they are both base in Cali.
Can't really help you on the smog.
^ You have to understand both cars are go-fast AWD econoboxes (and priced accordingly), they are not BMWs or Lexus luxury cars... so you can't expect the interiors to be noteworthy. You mainly buy them for their performance and tunability.
The SST tranny is not made to launch, if you like beating on your transmission, a manual car is your only choice (still you have to change your clutch on regular basis if you like launching). I for one don't treat my rides as drag cars, but that's a personal choice.
As for the recalls, I've had 3 done on my X so far, and I don't mind it at all. It's great that Mitsu is actually taking action to correct these minor safety issues. None of them are directly related to the dependability/reliability of the powertrain or drivetrain.
The SST tranny is not made to launch, if you like beating on your transmission, a manual car is your only choice (still you have to change your clutch on regular basis if you like launching). I for one don't treat my rides as drag cars, but that's a personal choice.
As for the recalls, I've had 3 done on my X so far, and I don't mind it at all. It's great that Mitsu is actually taking action to correct these minor safety issues. None of them are directly related to the dependability/reliability of the powertrain or drivetrain.
Evolved Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: CA
OP is in Sherman Oaks, plenty of reputable local tuners there... HB Speed, Looney Tuning, etc. GST has a lot of experience in tuning RAs, they are in Hayward (Bay Area).
If I were the OP, my first mods would be (done at the same time).
1.) Exhaust
2.) Boost Pill
3.) dyno or road tune
Drop-in filter is okay, but not necessary if you are going for a tune.
If I were the OP, my first mods would be (done at the same time).
1.) Exhaust
2.) Boost Pill
3.) dyno or road tune
Drop-in filter is okay, but not necessary if you are going for a tune.
Track/autocross performance: WRX, I have no idea why someone would say RA given that the RA puts down worse handling numbers than the WRX and we have yet to see a shootout (like the MRT shootout) where the RA wins. The RA is not an Evo, it doesn't have S-AYC, it doesn't have Brembos and it doesn't have the track-oriented suspension. Yes it can handle well but as we have all seen, you need to replace the tires and upgrade the brakes which adds 2000$ to the cost rather quickly. Even with new tires, the RA doesn't blow the doors off the WRX as Edmunds showed (even though they put better tires on the RA than the WRX had). It does make a huge difference though and makes the car far too close to determine a winner.
As for the comment about insurance. Same driver, same location, same insurance coverage, same insurance provider, new RA from older WRX = $20 less per month in insurance. Can't speak for the insurance on a V6 Camaro.
+1 I'm out. / thread
Evolved Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: CA
GTI has an upscale interior, but the OP said he was looking for an AWD platform. I don't know about the tunability and mod potential of the GTI's powertrain, but in stock form... it is also a great choice, considering it won multiple awards. Car & Driver has a new article pitting it against a MazdaSpeed3, and the GTi won as the overall better car. Plus, it's got decent fuel economy (22/31?) for a turbo, but power is substantially less, around 200hp/torque.
Last edited by tipoytm; Dec 14, 2009 at 01:06 PM.