I currently own an e36 (90s) bmw m3, and love the car to death. So quick and so much fun to drive, problem is though it was reliable for its first 8 months, the last 2 of my ownership seems to be one headache after another... and so because of that we are selling it and we are also moving somewhere where it will be snowing, so AWD is preferred as opposed to my convertible RWD. I was looking at cars such as the Legacy 2.5GT and audis, then considered the evos but wasnt too sure about reliability and practicality and whatnot. I could probably afford a used evo x, but depending on mileage, i may just prefer getting a new car. I would love a ralliart in the orange or blue color, but the past two cars ive owned have been blue so i feel orange may be nice. It seems like with a simple turbocharger, exhaust, intake, and of course a tune, this car could be pushing numbers at least close to the evo, if not surpassing it; as the only difference lies within the turbo if i am not mistaken?

Anywhoo, I currently love just joyriding in my m3, I hope to enjoy doing that in a ralliart if I were to get one... sure sounds like it

 

The turbo is different, the intake system is different and it appears that the exhaust is slightly different (since aftermarket evo exhausts do not appear to fit). There also the entire drivetrain (Ralliart uses Evo 9 drivetrain), the brakes and the suspension. The Ralliart is more of a hopped up Lancer than a detuned Evo. Don't forget, the transmission appears to be the weakpoint of the car. With just a reflash, TTP activated the safe mode, which drops power thus I doubt you'll be able to heavily mod the car as you say, at least at the moment. As a daily driver though, the Ralliart is a good choice. Make sure you look at the MS3, GTI and WRX if you're considering the Ralliart. It all depends on what you want really.

 

If you're moving where it snows quite a bit during the winter, I guarantee you'll love the advantages of AWD. Not only do you eliminate a large probability of getting stuck, but more importantly it's just plain fun

A legacy GT seems a bit more upscale compared to a ralliart, mainly in the interior, but the ralliart might arguably have a somewhat better AWD system. AUDIs are nice, but you might find yourself to have issues like with you BMW. Then you have to consider the transmission type you want. The R/A doesn't come in stick, and any subarus aren't available with and twin clutch auto. Really, though, it would be wise to try them both. If you're considering used, just how used are you looking at?

 

Save yourself the trouble and just get the Evo. If you are going to mod it's the better choice.

 

If you'll be doing heavy mods, which it seems, then go for the evo x GSR.

so far there are limitations on the RA

 

MS3 doesn't have AWD, the GTI sux in the snow(personel experience) so its down to a subie or Ralliart which in my opinion the Ralliart wins based on looks. So many ppl stop me and ask what kinda car is that? Even the boses at my work Eyeball my Ralliart. Its up to you but i think the Ralliart would be a great choice

 

The ZChip for Ralliart and Evo X is a hardware chip and not a reflash.

 

It's a piggyback type system right?

 

If you dont care for looks too much, i would spend my money on the 09 WRX, not the STI the regular version. Looks like it will be a great platform.

 

Thanks for those quick responses, though im still unsure what to do.

The WRX is a bit too ugly for my tastes, and the interior is too bland. The same goes for the only Legacy Ive been in, though I look forward to seeing a Legacy with the leather interior. GTi will not prove reliable enough nor will the audi I think, so im stuck between Subaru and Mitsu... dont want an STi, dont want a WRX, probably dont want a Legacy; so its basically which Mitsu do I want?

As far as the ralliart, once mods do start coming out, with new intake, turbo, exhaust, headers, and cooling system - would I be seeing evo numbers? Im thinking perhaps ill just hold out till May to buy a car, then hope for an Evo X (I can dream about MRs right now...) with low miles to pop up. Price range is <30k.

I dont mind a slightly used car, to a degree... but I would also love to get a brand new car just for that feeling. Does anyone expect Mitsu to be selling Evo X's for under 30K once the 09 models roll in to get rid of the old inventory? That probably would have alerady happened though, its pretty late to be getting in the 09s

And I thought the ralliart had the same drivetrain as the evo? How does it differ?

 

Read the review on clubralliart.com

 

Maybe he wants a car with an engine that doesn't spin rod bearings off the lot?

 

I'd wait for an Evo X MR used if you're looking for power (plus better suspension and yaw control) -- in this economic climate, there are likely at least a few Evo X owners out there who will be missing payments, or, if they're smart, just selling their cars outright. While you won't find as many lemons in the used car bin as usual, buyer beware, and at least a moment of pity for the poor schmucks who bought too much car for their wallet.

 

I would strongly suggest you do some more reading on here, the Ralliart is not the most mod friendly platform at the moment and getting to Evo power may not even be possible.

 

Seriously, do you just go around spreading that tidbit to everyone? Guess you should warn him about oil leaks and broken gas pedals as well.