Hi, I was soo close to getting a usd evo, but my mom lowered by budget. Basically I'm limited to getting either a used 18K car or new 22K car.

I'm currently looking at new 04 WRX and new/used RSX Type-S. I'm also looking for other suggestions. No Rear wheel drive cars, because I really have a lot of snow at school. And Turbo is always sexier but not a must. I'm stuck on picking luxury interior and looks for performance and Turbo pssht ;p (flame on).

 

I'd pick the 04 WRX over the RSX-S any day!

 

no neons??? OK, well I'm partial to the SRT-4......for $22k or under nothing touches it......and yeah, it sacrafices interior for performance......but it's a very good tradeoff.....and honestly the interior isn't as bad as it's made out to be......a good coat of Armor All keeps it looking sweet. You can probably get an SRT for $21k if you shop hard and then spend another $1k on the Stage II with "toys" and putting nearly 270hp to the ground with "dial-a boost" and an intercooler sprayer and all kinds of cool stuff. For me the only drawback is FWD but they don't make $21k cars in anything but FWD so there's not really a choice. I'm surprised every day about how damn fast that car is.

BTW it'll eat those other 2 cars for breakfast in performance and handling......you should drive one before you rule it out......cuz if you don't you'll be buying a slower car with not NEARLY the performance potential as the SRT.

 

Winter? That's what snow tires are for, regardless of drivetrain.

I say neither. Mini Cooper S is where I'd be going simply because they handle superbly. There's also the SRT-4.

Used though, a BMW 325is can be had inexpensively, rides nice, and made very good power for its day (190HP in 1993 for a 2.5L I6 ---the 328is has same power, more torque, should be able to get a '98). A 3.2 TL is no slouch and you MIGHT be able to find a Type-S with high miles. Dare I say Miata? Not big on power, but they handle amazingly well. It'd have a fair number of miles, but the S2000 is awesome. The older '00 (probably only year approaching $20K) and '01s though had a very -- straightforward suspension setup. Handles incredibly well, but one mistake and it's coming right around.

 

SRT4 If you want to go fast and can't get the Evo.

 

i had an rsx-s before my evo and i still wish i kept that car sometimes. yeah the srt-4 and the wrx have more power and come stock turbo, but you will not beat the rsx's interior, bodystyle, and transmission. i had a greddy turbo kit on my rsx before i sold it with a greddy fmic kit and i was pulling faster times than i have with my evo so far, and that is without slicks.

 

SRT-4 Bring in the turbo car, RSX-s are crap, i smoked them evertime with my Integra Type R and the RSX-s has more torque/HP stock than a Integra Type R stock. But if anything, Get a integra Type R over a RSX-s, they hold value by far more than a EVO 8, SRT-4, WRX, RSX-s. Plus reving it up to 9k RPM with Vtec is awesome, and its really fast.

 

I got with Integra Type R, they beat WRX's too. B18C5 is the bomb to go all motor power with and a 50-75 shot of nitrous.

 

i would say 04wrx, they rock hardcore.

 

o4 wrx, there hella nice! Im trying to get one myself.

 

I vote for the RSX-S also. Quality wise better than the WRX.

 

wrx easy, the ej20t is a sandbagger. its restricted by 3 cat converters, gut 2 of them and you've got a 250+ hp wrx that will pass emmissions.

 

WRX=AWD


no contest...

 

WRX.... SCC did a test with the RSX-S vs a WRX station wagon.. the wagon made the RSX look stupid..... but i'd agree on the SRT point too.... i say drive em(SRT/WRX) and make the decision.

 

I concur.