I would go for wrx (my previous car). Cheaper to insure than evo and good all around car (turbo, awd).

 

240 w/ SRs are cheap, but i wouldnt do it again for my DD. Too much hassle to go through with emissions (here in GA at least...) and not having AC. Im looking to build another one or something else, but its gonna be my dedicated drift car. Not a DD. If you have any other Q's about em feel free to PM me.

 

This car is for a daily driver. It will be my main source of transportation. I will not plan on doing any modifications within the first 2 or 3 years. It has to be brand new or as close to it as possible. Older used cars will not happen.

Anything that isn't AWD or RWD I won't touch it. That is the #1 thing that I am picky about. I've looked at the Mazdaspeed 6, but my wife doesn't like Mazda, so I guess it is off of my list.

That leaves me with the Subaru and the Evo. If I get the MR, the only thing I'd want is the Hyperground cables. That may be worth while.

I've priced out the following with mods that I want from the factory (MSRP):
2006 Impreza WRX TR Sedan:...$28,798
2006 Impreza WRX Sedan:........$30,239
2006 Impreza WRX STi Sedan:..$34,960
2006 Lancer Evolution RS:.........$31,429
2006 Lancer Evolution IX:..........$32,486
2006 Lancer Evolution MR:.........$36,518

So that is the list right now. Friends of mine have had good luck with the Subaru's, which is why I wouldn't mind owning one. I've also known the Evo to be pretty good.

6 cars, only one choice. Right now I'd probably still go for the Evo. I just don't know how 230hp out of the WRX would sit with me. Well, I have about 4 months to decide, so hopefully that will be plenty of time.

 

I know you said your wife didn't like mazdas,but you can actually get a new mazdaspeed 6 right now for $22k.I've never driven one but that seems like a good deal.

 

I've never driven one either. I just went by both Subaru and Mitsubishi, nobody had any cars on the lot. Subie had one impreza (non turbo) and two STi's. They asked if I wanted a test drive the STi and I turned it down. I'm going to check out my cheaper options. If I am happy in a Subaru TR, then I'll get one. I'll start at the bottom and work my way up.

Yet, the more I think about it, the more an RS seems like my cup of tea.

 

Mazdaspeed 6's are very nice! I test drove one and was pretty impressed. Its not near an Evo, but its still very nice. The only thing I dont like are the brakes. That is a heavy car and the brakes dont do it justice. Also power tops out at 5500 due to the type of turbo (believe its a KKK same kind Audi and Blitz use) and it redlines at 6500. Finally also what the sales guy told me (not totally sure i believe him) is that its not full time AWD like the Evo and WRX. He said it was based off a FF drivetrain, so the rear wheels only kick in when it feels the fronts slipping. If anyone can clearfy on this id appricate it. Also where did you see a Mazdaspeed 6 for 22k? When i was looking the new ones were going for around 28k and Carmax had a VERY low mileage one for 23k.

 

Mazdaspeed6s are pretty decent and certainly more practical than Evos or WRXs. Mazda generally has a lot of incentives on their cars, the 6s are darn cheap for what you get.

I'd probably just get a WRX if I were you, because not having power windows/doors sucks, especially on a 4-door. RS is just not daily driver friendly.

 

Oh yeah, and nothing wrong with being practical/smart about your finances. A lot of guys on this forum will ask "what can you afford", which in their brains means "how big is your monthly paycheck after you take off rent and food". Living paycheck to paycheck is idiotic in my opinion.

Sounds like you're being smart about things.

 

WRX, for sure. Just traded my modded '03 toward the Evo and as much as I love the Evo, I have fond memories of the WRX. The WRX was a great daily driver, fun to , dependable as hell and you can pick up a modded one cheap. Great way to get into the world of AWD and Turbos, IMHO!

Mike

 

Medcenter mazda in birmingham,alabama has a bunch listed at 20% off msrp so I'm sure you can edge them down just a hair more.

 

DAMN! Wish i had looked harder for em when i was ready to buy... Dont get me wrong i love my 03 evo, but id much rather have a brand new Mazdaspeed than a used Evo just for realibility concerns.

 

Sell it.You bought used so all you would be out of is the tax.It is a good deal.

 

You shouldn't have to pay MSRP for an Evo. Most dealerships will let them go for invoice or close to it. What options did you add?

If I couldn't afford an evo, and wanted to stick with AWD, I'd probably get the 06 WRX. They have good brakes finally. That and the transmission were my biggest problems with my 02 wrx.

 

The '06s are also making some very good power with the new 2.5l engine.

Although they still aren't the strongest at the top end (mostly because of the small turbo they use), they have some impressive low to midrange power. And modded they can have some really nice gains.

Take a look at the Cobb Stage 2 package for example...

 

Well, I decked the Evo out with the front air dam, front corner air dam, brake cooling guides, hyperground cables, rear spoiler extension, front and rear swaybar, vortex generator and wheel locks.

The way I'm looking at it right now, a WRX TR with the options I've selected is right at $29K. I'd just toss $2.5K extra and get the Evo RS.

Then again, if we feel that the price is still a tad high, I'll suck it up and go with a Mazdaspeed 6 or a Mazdaspeed 3. My wife can not like Mazda, but screw it, she isn't driving the car, I am...and I want a turbo. At least the Mazdaspeed 3 can keep up with a GT. I raced one once and I could not walk away from him. The guy lives in my neighborhood. I was pretty impressed. So that is my LAST option. I'll try for the Evo, if that is too high, the WRX, then the MS 6 and finally the MS 3.