Why you chose a Ralliart
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Belleville, Ontario
Yeah I saw that. They also removed the Nav from the Premium RA for the 2011 model. I think the big thing with the Recaros is that most of us on here love them cause we are younger guys for the most part (as the Age of RA owners thread shows). As many of you have probably noticed, if you take a parent or someone a little older or larger in the car they HATE the constricting Recaros that they think are really hard to get in and out of for them. Also how many of your guys gf/wife don't really like the Recaros? How many people have probably gone in and contemplated buying a RA and didn't for the sole reason of the Recaros? Quite a few I would say. It sucks they aren't standard now but we were kinda spoiled I guess.
Myself, that was one of the major selling points of the RA. I wanted the Recaro's! Regardless, you're right about the Recaro's not being for everyone. Any time my parents get into the car (they are 'bigger' people), they complain that the seats are too narrow. Most people who get into the car make note of how the seats are "different" but don't usually get complaints.
I had a 2007 MazdaSpeed 3. It was a good car. 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds, it handled well, and it flew under the cops radar. A bit of a PITA to put power down because of the FWD, but that car always put a smile on my face. However, I wanted AWD. I test drove the RalliArt and 09 WRX(265hp). The WRX is a bit boring to drive. I admit that. The RalliArt felt better, but they did not have the color I wanted. What it came down to was I got more money for a trade in at the Subaru dealership plus a better interest rate and they had a white sedan on the lot.
Will the 2011 have a manual transmission?
I have seen a 2011 Ralliart and it does not have wide fenders for the 10 millionth time! Bryan, the brakes are so terrible! I demolished them in 3 30 minute sessions at Autobahn CC this past weekend. Maybe better tires would have helped them because I wouldn't have had to slow down as much on corner entry but they're garbage none the less.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Performance wise, it has been a fun ride (and do to the miles I drive the Evo was not a practical option).
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Gulf Coast
hello, everyone. newb here.
coming from an 06 nissan 350z...
-test drove an 08 evo mr, made the mistake of bringing the wife who proceeded to slap the crap out of me for even considering that beast.
-Z is gone due to a new baby (girl). Compromised with the 09 ralliart.
-i like the interior okay... then again, if you guys have been inside a 350z you'll know we aren't hard to impress interior-wise.
-recaros are difficult to step out of... but lovin how this car "feels" as a driver.
-baby falls asleep to the exhaust sound
coming from an 06 nissan 350z...
-test drove an 08 evo mr, made the mistake of bringing the wife who proceeded to slap the crap out of me for even considering that beast.
-Z is gone due to a new baby (girl). Compromised with the 09 ralliart.
-i like the interior okay... then again, if you guys have been inside a 350z you'll know we aren't hard to impress interior-wise.
-recaros are difficult to step out of... but lovin how this car "feels" as a driver.
-baby falls asleep to the exhaust sound
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: home
I have a 2010 RA Sportback and a 2005 Evo 8 MR.
The Evo used to get tracked to hell, went through two 6 speeds, etc. It was used properly. I also used it to go to Tahoe in the winter almost every week. I love that car and the main reason was it's versatility. It is heavily modded, loud, harsh and runs E85 24/7 365.
The RA Sportback won me over because of it's versatility. It doesn't look half bad, it has a Evo heart and I have a soft spot for hatches.
I still have the Evo, it's a whole different world then the RA. I love the Evo and it's fun to drive it every once and while. I'm getting a little too old for the noise and harshness all the time so I drive the RA most of the time.
The small things that bug me a little about the RA:
Interior is garbage. The Evo 8/9 had much better grade materials. The RA/10 is all hard plastic. RA/10 recaro seats are fantastic however.
215 tires and those brakes have no business being on a 3600lb car
That's pretty much it, overall I really enjoy the car
- Bryan
The Evo used to get tracked to hell, went through two 6 speeds, etc. It was used properly. I also used it to go to Tahoe in the winter almost every week. I love that car and the main reason was it's versatility. It is heavily modded, loud, harsh and runs E85 24/7 365.
The RA Sportback won me over because of it's versatility. It doesn't look half bad, it has a Evo heart and I have a soft spot for hatches.
I still have the Evo, it's a whole different world then the RA. I love the Evo and it's fun to drive it every once and while. I'm getting a little too old for the noise and harshness all the time so I drive the RA most of the time.
The small things that bug me a little about the RA:
Interior is garbage. The Evo 8/9 had much better grade materials. The RA/10 is all hard plastic. RA/10 recaro seats are fantastic however.
215 tires and those brakes have no business being on a 3600lb car
That's pretty much it, overall I really enjoy the car
- Bryan
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: UK
I traded my Mazdaspeed3 for the Ralliart.
I looked at the new Mazdaspeed3 but didn't like the interior, it had more gadgets but was cheap looking.
Admittedly the Ralliart is down on power from the MS3 (or Mazda 3 MPS as we call it), but it is 4WD. I liked the Ralliart as it was different and you don't seem many around, I like unusual cars
Actually I saw my old MS3 yesterday at the Mitsi garage, it looked tiny after the Lancer!
I looked at the new Mazdaspeed3 but didn't like the interior, it had more gadgets but was cheap looking.
Admittedly the Ralliart is down on power from the MS3 (or Mazda 3 MPS as we call it), but it is 4WD. I liked the Ralliart as it was different and you don't seem many around, I like unusual cars
Actually I saw my old MS3 yesterday at the Mitsi garage, it looked tiny after the Lancer!
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
Well lets see.
-I couldn't afford the Evolution as I am just 20 years old.
-$350 a month at 0% can't really complain
-It was between this or the WRX and the WRX is just plain fugly IMO
-I have just bolt ons i.e AMS turbo back, hard pipes and evo x intercooler and I'm spanking 04-07 STi's with the same mods and an evo 8 with 272 cams and a turboback.
-I'm DEAD even with Evo X's from a roll (of course I get destroyed from a launch
)
-The 4b11 is won my heart over really. It's such a monster from all the posts I read about it.
-THE REAR SEATS FOLD DOWN. lol
-Finally who can complain about AWD, turbo, and SST together? The way the SST shift is just stupid fast and really awesome.
anyways my .02
Oh yeah I hate the rattle on the drivers side window. gonna get that fixed though.
-I couldn't afford the Evolution as I am just 20 years old.
-$350 a month at 0% can't really complain
-It was between this or the WRX and the WRX is just plain fugly IMO
-I have just bolt ons i.e AMS turbo back, hard pipes and evo x intercooler and I'm spanking 04-07 STi's with the same mods and an evo 8 with 272 cams and a turboback.
-I'm DEAD even with Evo X's from a roll (of course I get destroyed from a launch
)-The 4b11 is won my heart over really. It's such a monster from all the posts I read about it.
-THE REAR SEATS FOLD DOWN. lol
-Finally who can complain about AWD, turbo, and SST together? The way the SST shift is just stupid fast and really awesome.
anyways my .02
Oh yeah I hate the rattle on the drivers side window. gonna get that fixed though.
Last edited by dmun505; Jul 21, 2010 at 06:28 AM.