Help me logically decide: GTS (as DD) + future Evo vs RA (for both)
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From: Houston
Help me logically decide: GTS (as DD) + future Evo vs RA (for both)
So I've been looking at getting my first car (as in first 100% ownership, not shared with parents, I'm 21). I want to get into the tuning scene once I get this car.
I nearly pulled the trigger and bought a new 2010 GTS about a month ago, but at the last minute I pulled back having second thoughts. I really wanted a Ralliart, but it was too expensive so I stepped down and looked at the GTS. After my 3rd test-drive, the new-car lust wore off and I had second thoughts. I asked myself "do I really want to commit 3+ years of financing for the GTS when what I really wanted was an RA?". So even though financing and everything was approved, I decided to not go through with the purchase.
Dream car is obviously an Evo X, but I know it's too expensive in both cost and 'cost to own' for a first car. The RA seems to be the answer for the "Evo is too expensive", so I was naturally drawn to it.
Then as time went on, I read more and more on the 'real' differences from an RA and an Evo, and they were pretty surprising, as well as the increasing number of people who ended up trading in their RA's for GSR's. Makes me think to myself "no matter how much I mod the RA, it will never be an Evo"
* Exclude the TC-SST factor. I think it's great, but I'm not love-struck enough by it to want it that badly. I feel I will enjoy both a manual and TC-SST in their own ways.
So TL;DR version...
1) Buy a cheaper GTS, do some basic mods for fun/experience, and use the extra funds towards the real Evo X in the future (keeping the GTS as a DD).
2) Buy an RA and have much more fun/potential modding while still being an affordable DD, but it will never be an Evo (even if it's as fast 0-60, generates better HP than a stock X, etc.)
Note: I've been a long-time lurker. I know things like the RA's SST TQ limitations from mods, but I feel like mod potential will improve over time. Assume that every major issue with every Lancer model I've read about already.
So I'm split. Do I get the GTS and have less fun than the RA, or get the RA but suffer the "it's not an Evo" problem? I'm starting to lean back the to GTS option, it seems to make more logical sense, but it's always nice to get second opinions.
I nearly pulled the trigger and bought a new 2010 GTS about a month ago, but at the last minute I pulled back having second thoughts. I really wanted a Ralliart, but it was too expensive so I stepped down and looked at the GTS. After my 3rd test-drive, the new-car lust wore off and I had second thoughts. I asked myself "do I really want to commit 3+ years of financing for the GTS when what I really wanted was an RA?". So even though financing and everything was approved, I decided to not go through with the purchase.
Dream car is obviously an Evo X, but I know it's too expensive in both cost and 'cost to own' for a first car. The RA seems to be the answer for the "Evo is too expensive", so I was naturally drawn to it.
Then as time went on, I read more and more on the 'real' differences from an RA and an Evo, and they were pretty surprising, as well as the increasing number of people who ended up trading in their RA's for GSR's. Makes me think to myself "no matter how much I mod the RA, it will never be an Evo"
* Exclude the TC-SST factor. I think it's great, but I'm not love-struck enough by it to want it that badly. I feel I will enjoy both a manual and TC-SST in their own ways.
So TL;DR version...
1) Buy a cheaper GTS, do some basic mods for fun/experience, and use the extra funds towards the real Evo X in the future (keeping the GTS as a DD).
2) Buy an RA and have much more fun/potential modding while still being an affordable DD, but it will never be an Evo (even if it's as fast 0-60, generates better HP than a stock X, etc.)
Note: I've been a long-time lurker. I know things like the RA's SST TQ limitations from mods, but I feel like mod potential will improve over time. Assume that every major issue with every Lancer model I've read about already.
So I'm split. Do I get the GTS and have less fun than the RA, or get the RA but suffer the "it's not an Evo" problem? I'm starting to lean back the to GTS option, it seems to make more logical sense, but it's always nice to get second opinions.
if u want to get into the "tuning scene" dont waste ur time with a GTS. It's a great car for DD, but thats about it... its so slow it cant even get out of its own way.. wait for a ralliart so u have some sort of starting platform... I own a track evo AND a 2008 GTS.. The GTS is a great car, but not to make fast or handle even decent...
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Houston
if u want to get into the "tuning scene" dont waste ur time with a GTS. It's a great car for DD, but thats about it... its so slow it cant even get out of its own way.. wait for a ralliart so u have some sort of starting platform... I own a track evo AND a 2008 GTS.. The GTS is a great car, but not to make fast or handle even decent...
just like you have now. You say you have a track Evo and a DD GTS...that's exactly what I'm talking about. Do you like it better having them seperate, or having an RA that can do a bit of both? that's the dilemma I'm undecided about
Buy something cheap (like an VIII!) until you can afford your dream car. The VII was my dream car...like past the point of obsession. Then Sport Compact Car put it on the cover of their October '01 issue with the words, "Evolution: Coming to America." It took me 9 cars (including 4 DSM's) to get my VIII, but it was worth it.
Here's my difference: all of those cars were bought, with cash, and sold quickly at close to what I paid for them. I'm 23 now. That's alot of vehicles for ~ 7 years. The fact is, none were an evo.
I wouldn't get caught up in payments or in something you can't quickly unload when evotime arrives (I bought one for myself as a college graduation present). Build a GSX in the meantime, or as a previous poster suggested, a wrx, to familiarize yourself with turbocharged, awd tuning. It's a blast.
Please don't stress over the DD GTS aspect. They are great-looking cars, but a car payment is a car payment. And while you didn't necessarily divulge your financial limitations, I'll tell you that life without that extra bill was amazing for me at 21 (do you really want to have two?).
Here's my difference: all of those cars were bought, with cash, and sold quickly at close to what I paid for them. I'm 23 now. That's alot of vehicles for ~ 7 years. The fact is, none were an evo.
I wouldn't get caught up in payments or in something you can't quickly unload when evotime arrives (I bought one for myself as a college graduation present). Build a GSX in the meantime, or as a previous poster suggested, a wrx, to familiarize yourself with turbocharged, awd tuning. It's a blast.
Please don't stress over the DD GTS aspect. They are great-looking cars, but a car payment is a car payment. And while you didn't necessarily divulge your financial limitations, I'll tell you that life without that extra bill was amazing for me at 21 (do you really want to have two?).
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 19
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From: Houston
Buy something cheap (like an VIII!) until you can afford your dream car. The VII was my dream car...like past the point of obsession. Then Sport Compact Car put it on the cover of their October '01 issue with the words, "Evolution: Coming to America." It took me 9 cars (including 4 DSM's) to get my VIII, but it was worth it.
Here's my difference: all of those cars were bought, with cash, and sold quickly at close to what I paid for them. I'm 23 now. That's alot of vehicles for ~ 7 years. The fact is, none were an evo.
I wouldn't get caught up in payments or in something you can't quickly unload when evotime arrives (I bought one for myself as a college graduation present). Build a GSX in the meantime, or as a previous poster suggested, a wrx, to familiarize yourself with turbocharged, awd tuning. It's a blast.
Please don't stress over the DD GTS aspect. They are great-looking cars, but a car payment is a car payment. And while you didn't necessarily divulge your financial limitations, I'll tell you that life without that extra bill was amazing for me at 21 (do you really want to have two?).
Here's my difference: all of those cars were bought, with cash, and sold quickly at close to what I paid for them. I'm 23 now. That's alot of vehicles for ~ 7 years. The fact is, none were an evo.
I wouldn't get caught up in payments or in something you can't quickly unload when evotime arrives (I bought one for myself as a college graduation present). Build a GSX in the meantime, or as a previous poster suggested, a wrx, to familiarize yourself with turbocharged, awd tuning. It's a blast.
Please don't stress over the DD GTS aspect. They are great-looking cars, but a car payment is a car payment. And while you didn't necessarily divulge your financial limitations, I'll tell you that life without that extra bill was amazing for me at 21 (do you really want to have two?).
it's the dilemma of "settling" for the less-fun GTS, very light on mods (can't take much anyway), and bank the rest of the money towards the real-deal EvoX. (definitely after my payments on GTS are done)
or get an RA (tried all other alternatives, hated the WRX and rest just felt too old) which is a much better platform for mods...BUT every penny spent modding is just delaying the X, and no matter how much I spend on mods, it will never be a true Evo X.
Seems like it would just be most logical to get the GTS. I see more and more people trading in the RA for an Evo after they mod it and are still unsatisfied. I can finance and pay-off a GTS in 3years, it's cheaper to own than an RA, and I won't be tempted/capable of spending too much money modding, so more money just banked for an Evo X.