of course i would say an evo.

the gearbox of a s2k is ALWAYS going to be 100 times smoother than any of those cars listed. i havent felt anything as nice as a s2k (bmws but those are bmws. lol).

i say you go with the evo since you dont want to go through that road again. lots of guys are getting good warranty on their evos...until they start modding and the dealer claims its the modifications fault.

 

When I was shoppin fo my second car, three cars came to mind...

S2000
RX-7
350Z

RX-7 is too old

350Z too heavy

and the S2K, just right.

 

You could fit a body into an Evo's trunk. Maybe two if you're in to origami. Plenty of space.

To be honest, I don't think you would be posting here if you didn't already think you would be going with an Evo.

 

I'm not sure why you consider the 350z "plastic" or the RX-8 to be "junk" but they are both decent enough cars and perform much better once their power has been increased and suspension is stiffened up. It seems like you are only interested in the All wheel drive turbo cars, and lack the money to buy a anything except a Subaru or Mitsubishi. Flip a coin.

 

I consider rx-8 a junk car because I've never seen a car have as many issues in such a short time. They already have an engine recall on it, and the ecu has been flashed so many times they are on L in the alphabet. Combine that with a wopping 18mpg highway in relatively slow and low powered car...

As for the 350z, have you ever seen its interior? It looks like it was slapped together from matel. The only nice thing in the car are the leather seats. The dash is terrible. Besides, why would I want to go from one two seater to another?

Yes if I'm buying a 4 door sudan its going to be AWD. And I am leaning heavily towards an Evo right now. The mod potential per $ is amazing, and the steering it much crisper than either of the subaru's. The only reason I'd buy the WRX is because I'm very familar with the mods for that platform. On the Legacy I know just enough to be dangerous, and on the Evo not a bloody thing ... YET.

 

How about a small trailer for your S2000?

 

I considered it, but no where to put it living in a condo

 

trailer on an s2k? may as well buy a minivan

 

S2Kguy:
I'm in much the same boat, but am coming from a 350Z. I'm needing something "practical" for graduate school. To me, that means decent milage, 4 doors, and a decent trunk. The only thing my Z can haul is @$$.

Of course, being a horsepower *****...being fast, sporty, and well-handling is also a priority. The RX-8 is out. My little sister has one, and she's had more problems with it than I've had with my Z, and every other vehicle in my family...COMBINED.

I'm considering much the same cars you are, and the Legacy GT Spec.B looks pretty decent, as well as the STi Limited, and an SE Evo. However, for the sheer ***** to the wall cool/speed factor, the Evo wins hands down.

My MAJOR concerns with the evo are:
Last year being made (parts, ect, as it will be kept stock for at LEAST 4 years)(also, I'm waiting until Dec/Jan to buy, so finding one might be an issue too)
Fit/Finish (My Z is a rattletrap)
Warranty (I don't want my warranty voided b/c I drove it a little harder than normal, while stock, or it being voided for me putting on a new clutch, or something minor like that)


If those could be addressed, I'd be in one as soon as I could be. Or, if someone has yet another suggestion for a sub-$35k car that would fit that range...hook a kid up, yo...(lol!)

-Ghent

 

Mod vs Mod. The legacy GT seems to be the better platform at the track than the STi surprisingly.

There has been ongoing discussion at NASIOC. Basicly given similar suspension mods the Legacy Chasis Wipes the floor with the STi chasis.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...egacy+handling

" Originally Posted by Joel Gat, 1.8L View Post
Hello,

Just a point of reference for discussion - I was one of the designers/builders/crew on the ESX 25-hour endurance car. After several hours at the wheel, driver Gary Sheehan was able to turn a 1:59.xx on the low boost setting.

In only 30 minutes of track time, driver Brian Lock was able to punch out a 2:00.xx in the Grand Am Cup Legacy GT, which was running stock intake through exhaust, including stock mufflers and resonators, with just the cats punched out, with boost at a mere 13 psi. Both cars were on equal size tires. The ESX car was putting out about 20-30 hp more than the LGT.

What's the mean? At least in race trim, stripped of luxury, the LGT is a faster road car than the STi. Yep, you heard me right. The LGT is a faster road car than the STI. I've designed, built, and crewed for more professional road racing Subarus than anyone else in the US, I think, and I feel the LGT is a better platform.

After this last weekend, I'm done being interested in an STI Limited to replace my '05 STi. Now I want an '07 Spec B to replace my '05 STi...

Joel Gat
Crew
GOTO:Racing
Grand Am Cup ST
Subaru Legacy GT

vs EVO:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1082931

Given the same Track:

Miller Motorsports Park

Works USTCC EVO best lap: 3:22

GAC Legacy GT: 3:16

Of course this dosent mean much but Im just thowing out comparative times.


If you are willing to spend money on suspension a legacy will not leave you wanting.

 

I'll be damned.

 

IX, great functional performance.

 

Does looks matter? STI/EVO may get old with the whole boy racer look. I know the feeling, I am contemplating an EVO or wait till the Mazdaspeed 3 comes out for comparison. Currently I drive a modded 05 Legacy GT. It's low key.....many think it's a Camery from the back.

 

You are in the same boat I was and I went with the LGT. Couldn't be happier. I don't intend on modding it to the extent that I did the Evo but with an intake, tbe, cobb accessport and a gt spec unequal length header (with up-pipe), it is going to be a monster while still being very reliable and streetable. Biggest bonus for me... cops really don't even notice the LGT. My Evo is back to stock and I still get more sideways looks in it. Pictures for reference.
My Evo back when

My back to stock Evo and my new LGT

My LGT now... more to come

 

For $2000 you can get ~380whp out of an EVO IX with TBE, MBC, fuel pump, meth, a tune, and a wideband w/ EGT.

But all the things you didn't like about your STI will be present in the EVO, too. It has its rattles and its quirks.