The AWD system in the RA will put it far ahead of any of the FWD cars:

Cobalt SS
SRT-4
MS3

All will handle like crap once you get upwards of 300 whp. The Mini is a much different car, your not likely to be putting down 300 hp, but the car can thread the eye of a needle, it's just way too slow in acceleration.

The problem is the OP was looking for a WRX and he bought an RA thinking it was a detuned Evo. Mitsubishi never made that claim, a few reviewers did and they were wrong IMO.

The RA can be modded to handle great, but mods cost money. For the same coin you can buy an Evo, so fewer people will go the route of modding the RA.

I plan to stick with the RA and pay for the mods, but that's because I'm looking for a sleeper. I could have bought a used Evo IX for less than the cost of my RA, but that wasn't what I wanted.

OP, congrats of the new WRX, I'm sure your gonna love it.

The RA is a great car, but it's not for everyone.

BTW, the RA is best compared to an Impreza 2.5GT 224hp turbo charged and AWD version of an Impreza. Just my 2 cents.

 

Should have bought an evo 8 or 9 instead of shifting over to the dark side.

 

I was going to say something, but thought better.

RA < 06 STI < Evo VIII < Evo IX

 

I looked into two in IL, I think both are still up for sale. I am unimpressed with the lack of AYC in US spec Evos and happy it finally came to the US-though I wish we had the FQ versions available here as well.

Subaru's DCCD and its US spec is closer to JDM spec STI sold here in the states. Granted I probably won't ever mess with the AWD altogether.

I also said that the R/A has its appeal to that niche market-though never claiming that it was a "detuned" version Evolution, most were led to believe it with the TC-SST, turbo-engine, AWD, as well as the aluminum hood.

@ Sith Killer 09-Modding cars is a passion for most and most see potential with their cars. I lost that passion if you will with the R/A and it usually was met with dissapointment. WRX owners can get a lot out of their cars, especially with the current aftermarket as well as factory support through SPT. So far there hasn't been much aftermarket support through the Ralliart brand except cosmetic upgrades.

You can't match middle of the rung Imprezas to the next to top of a line. The DE will belong to the 2.5i, the 2.5GT to the GTS, the WRX to the Ralliart, and the STI to the Evo. Most comparisons are based on MSRP and the Ralliart and WRX are inline in that aspect.

Yes, I did think I was buying a competitor to the WRX, and even though the aftermarket for R/A were in its infant stages I wasn't expecting much until much later as the R/A got more popular. The problem was that there isn't much you can do with a R/A in terms of Evo part swaps or conversions and mostly limited to engine upgrades.

My STI isn't fully stock-it has the basic bolt on intake by SPT, HKS cat-back exhaust, Cobb access port tune, and HKS turbo-timer. More to come this year-some auto-cross that I split with a friend with his mostly stock Mini.

I was too scared to even throw on a helmet and take the R/A out, though I never even thought to register it or enter it in any events. I have seen the slalom, skid-pad, braking of the R/A and to be honest it would'nt fair too well compared to the other cars that usually are present.

 

didnt fair to well except outside of it stock tires it hung with the 265 wagon.

watch some reviews please and go enjoy nasioc.

 

The WRX265 blows the R/A away in every category, factory spec tires.

The WRX265 vs R/A vs MS3 with its fwd beats both the AWD cars.

You almost have to replace both tires and wheels for both wider and sticker tires for the R/A to have a chance, out the box the R/A is lackluster and screams mod me or else.

Maybe in 2011, if the rumors are true, people might be going out and getting the 5speed (hopefully it shares the same version as the Evo's) better stock wheels and tires will make this version more desirable than the '09 and '10.

Like I said the R/A should have adopted the entire chassis, body panels, and overall design as the Evo, but with lesser brakes, engine/turbo, tires and wheels, exhaust, suspension, and badging. Though one may mistake it as an Evo, but without Brembos, SAWC, SAYC, twin-scroll turbo/larger intercooler, fender brake ducts, etc. it will distinguish the two as seperate cars for those wanting to buy the exclusivity of owning a Evo versus a Ralliart.

Makes more sense in making the Ralliart a true detuned version of the Evo, versus the upgraded version of a GTS.

I am not trying to brag but I have drove just about every iteration of boosted cars that are priced below $40k. Picking the R/A was a reason to keep with the tradition of owning Mitsubishi cars that I can reasonably afford. The Evo was a little too much at the time and won't be a real option until used '08 and '09s are available at around $23K.

I have owned some sort of boosted car in the last 10 years, 2 were Eclipse GSX, 1st Gen and 2nd Gen. One 2nd Gen Talon TSi, black with purple badging (imo the best of the 2nd Gen DSMs). Bought both a 2006 Outback XT and a 2005 Impala SS that I kept until the Ralliart. The only non-boosted vehicle is my 2007 TrailblazerSS. Soon I will add a S4 to the stable as the 2nd financed vehicle, selling the Ralliart gave me room to buy out the STI as well as nice down payment on a S4.

There are too many turbo cars available, both cheaper and faster than the R/A with real aftermarket or potential aftermarket support in both FWD and AWD. And its sad to say that even the FWD handle better overall than the Ralliart even in bad weather.

 

clearly your wrx brain is cluttered with engine failures and lousy 5 speeds.

The wrx 265 bolted with a tune brakes and new tires, vs the ra bolted, tuned with brakes and tires (both on the stock turbo) were neck and neck.

either way, i dont give a **** what you think. You sold the car because you were too lazy to learn and research and wanted what you consider an easier route, well bravo. Go enjoy it.

 

I'm sorry I thought you said this in your original post:

Did I misinterpret something there?

The Impreza 2.5GT is NOT a middle of the rung Impreza. It is in fact their top of the line Impreza. But let's compare.

Only model with AWD
Lancer = Ralliart
Impreza = 2.5GT

Only model with turbo
Lancer = Ralliart
Impreza = 2.5GT

Top of the line, unmodified body
Lancer = Ralliart
Impreza = 2.5GT

MSRP
Lancer Ralliart = $28,000
Impreza 2.5GT = $27,000
WRX = $25,000
Lancer GTS = $20,000

So, um, you tell me? Which ones are more closely related? The Ralliart and the 2.5GT or the Ralliart and the WRX? Based on MSRP alone the RA is closer to the 2.5GT than it is to the WRX.

The Lancer GTS has an MSRP of $20,000, no way it's even close to being on the same level as the 2.5GT, the GTS is FWD, NA, and $7,000 cheaper than a 2.5GT Impreza.

Feel free to compare and check my facts...
http://www.subaru.com/index.html
http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMNA/jsp/index.do

 

1) I babied my car until the engine break-in period was over.
2) I've never once heard my turbo sputter.
3) I tried launching it 3 times. Twice it went into limp mode due to the transmission oil temperature being too high.
4) My Transmission doesn't slip in 5th and 6th gear.

You have none of your facts straight.

The transmission works perfectly fine except for 1 thing...
In SPORT mode when I'm at about 3500 RPM in 2nd gear (you following?), when I floor it and the transmission then slides into 1st gear, I get slippage instantly. It cannot create enough clamping force to prevent the cluthes from slipping. It is not f**ked, it just can't handle the HP anymore under that certain condition.

 

you are a focking dumbfock!

quit thinking your car is so great. just because you beat a couple of stock cars
dont mean ****.

your car will NEVER be faster than a properly modified STI no matter what.

 

Why?

 

Not acceptable. This account is closed. Use your normal account. PM me with your regular account, and I will reopen this thread.