I'm close to buying a 04 WRX LE but wanted to know if there are any other cars out there I should be considering that I am overlooking

 

What are you looking for??? Four doors, turbo, AWD, etc? Do you like Hondas?

 

You are right on track with the WRX...

 

I guess the car with the most bang for the buck. I know there are a lot out there, it doesn't have to be four doors or even turbo, AWD is pretty key but as long as the car's traction doesn't suck as bad as the RA I'm happy

 

Traction is in the tires, the stock tires on the ralliart are craptacular. Are you looking new or used. WRX is nice but for 18 grand it will have a lot of miles or have been beat down pretty badly. A used civic SI is nice with a lot of mod potential, I have seen them advertised in MN for about 15 with 30K on the odomiter, scion tC is under 18, not very fast stock but again a lot of potental, or you might even be able to find a used SRT4, it will most likely be beat to crap though, and you will need snow tires. I personally would go with the tC, you can get a brand new car for 16,500 you get standard 17's, then buy some steelies and snow tires and you are good for the winter.

 

buy a WRX before they take the turbo off next year. This year it has the STi brakes, 5 lugs, Turbo, ... Next year it will be stripped down because the 06 is hurting the STi sales.

 

WRX, SRT4, Salvage title evo..IMO

 

mazdaspeed 3 in a few weeks

 

i think u can find some high mileage 03-04 evos for 18k. if u paying cash that is. or if it doesnt have to be AWD, i'll look into 97-98 240sx with SR20DET. i used to have one of those and it's a blast to drive and u'll have lots of change left for MODs.

 

I'd honestly consider an SRT4 at that price. Best bang for the buck and very cheap to make power at the cost of being FWD.

 

I found an 04' with 31k for 18,000 man...dunno if it is different there. What I don't want to move to is another lancer style car, I want to move up. So a civic/sentra/scion/srt-4 is out the door. I know I needed better tires but when it comes down to it I would have to spend more money to get the same thing out of the WRX

Sorry, I should say that I would rather move to something either something AWD(subaru is probibly my only option) or something to get away from those type of cars if I can't find the other.

 

I saw one on the road not to long ago, it looked pretty sweet. I actually considered it but haven't been able to find one.

 

Well, I might close on a WRX on monday...I thought about maybe a S4..thats all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

S4 for 18K will have a HUGE number of miles.

Try the WRX. Yea sure we bash on the STi drivers but it's all in good fun. I would take a WRX over a SRT-4 or Mazdaspeed 3 any day of the week.

 

WRX wagon, i had one and loved it very much!