What other cars have you looked at?

[~el~jefe~]

Originally Posted by Yardjass

Here's what I looked at:


New:
Chevy SS: I could stomach the price but not the taxes. They get us every year in VA and its a lot for something that can be avoided by simply buying a cheaper vehicle.
Diesel Colorado: Same as SS
WRX: The regular WRX does not have an LSD option and the STI is significantly more expensive, has the old motor, and gets significantly worse fuel economy. That was a dealbreaker for me. Plus they felt like driving a truck compared to the 86.


Used: Most of these are 2 seaters and I couldn't justify it since the rest of my cars are also.
C5 Z06
S2000
Fiat 124
GTO: Suspension problems scared me off.
EP3 Civic hatch: Impossible to find in decent shape and/or owners are idiots who think their cars are worth their weight in gold.
Used WRX STI: See EP3 Civic hatch

WRX has full time AWD. It does not really really need LSD unless you are running packages of cocaine across the border with an STI.

[lowlevel]

Originally Posted by unhappymeal

Yep, they are fast and versatile cars. A little sterile for my tastes, but there's no doubting the quality and value that you get. One thing to point out is that DSGs tend to behave like manuals off throttle. It really surprises people that they don't necessarily creep or immediately respond to throttle input off idle.

Yeah, it's a different feel for sure which makes total sense when you understand the mechanical differences... most people probably don't.

I drove the regular automatic version and the DSG version back to back today, I have to say I prefer the traditional automatic over the DSG. I found it more ... 'ready to go' off the line, and punchier around the city...

Hoping the S/Sport mode in the DSG is better than D...since we bought it.
Picking it up Saturday.

[why?]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Turbo power is overrated, lag is real even with the tiniest most complicated of turbos.

lag isn't a big deal if everything is tuned right. Especially with today's dual vane ball bearing turbo's. Smaller engine equals less weight.

[Yardjass]

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

WRX has full time AWD. It does not really really need LSD unless you are running packages of cocaine across the border with an STI.

It does fine for the normall demands of day to day driving but if you're doing any sort of performance driving, brake vectoring instead of an LSD is trash. It's a cheapass solution that they implemented to solve an expensive problem.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by why?

lag isn't a big deal if everything is tuned right. Especially with today's dual vane ball bearing turbo's. Smaller engine equals less weight.

I've spent a bunch of time behind a bmw b48 putting 250 to the wheels, I like the stock FA20 better, NA response ftw.

[why?]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I've spent a bunch of time behind a bmw b48 putting 250 to the wheels, I like the stock FA20 better, NA response ftw.

high pressure turbos can be finicky and bmw turbo's engines seem to have all sorts of issues.

I've never driven Subaru turbo's so I can't speak to them.

the FA20 is nice. I just want smaller engines. I'm nuts that way.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by why?

high pressure turbos can be finicky and bmw turbo's engines seem to have all sorts of issues.

Zero issues, everything works as advertised and the fact that the thing seems to have reliably picked up roughly 60hp from less than $1k of upgrades is mind boggling.

Despite the high quality of engineering going into those parts (same product line in the i8 and 7 series) the lag is still there and I'm not a fan of that type of power delivery.

Small engines are cool for sure, but I'd rather they were NA for performance reasons. Maybe I'll take a liking to superchargers, only time will tell.

[brzaapi]

Originally Posted by unhappymeal

A little sterile for my tastes

The downfall of many cars. Its why the Twins are still a nice option.

[Apex_BRZ]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Small engines are cool for sure, but I'd rather they were NA for performance reasons. Maybe I'll take a liking to superchargers, only time will tell.

Agreed, the turbo lag is just annoying. N/A is the best, IMO. But if you're looking for big power, a supercharger is the next best option. My other car is supercharged. While I can feel the difference in initial throttle response with the blower on it (centri unit) since it has to push the blower too, it's only on initial tip-in and the power curve is as linear and smooth as it gets.

[john5757]

hmm I was looking to pick up a 13 brz or frs but now I am reconsidering since my friend just picked up an 04 sti and now I am really looking into a evo or wrx, any thoughts on this?

[bcj]

Nope. I don't think of them at all. But that's me.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by john5757

hmm I was looking to pick up a 13 brz or frs but now I am reconsidering since my friend just picked up an 04 sti and now I am really looking into a evo or wrx, any thoughts on this?

Totally different cars, either the ~700 lb difference is a deal breaker or it's worth it for the cargo space, AWD, and power.

[~el~jefe~]

I got an offer for $30,430 for a Limited 3.6R Legacy. That is $200 below Invoice. In NY city, selling below invoice on quality cars is rare, and this was 0 haggling, just an inquiry.

Has the big HarmonKardon system, heavy leather everywhere, all pimped out. Awd, silent interior etc. And, the quote was for factory ordered or a lot car, the dealer did not care. Strange place!

This the other car i am looking at bc: brz is 28,400 with pp, yet would need a new stereo for $1200. Music playing ability with clarity and the keeping of the head unit is my requirement. The OEM Audio solution is what i would have to do. That is about 1200.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

I got an offer for $30,430 for a Limited 3.6R Legacy. That is $200 below Invoice. In NY city, selling below invoice on quality cars is rare, and this was 0 haggling, just an inquiry.

Has the big HarmonKardon system, heavy leather everywhere, all pimped out. Awd, silent interior etc. And, the quote was for factory ordered or a lot car, the dealer did not care. Strange place!

This the other car i am looking at bc: brz is 28,400 with pp, yet would need a new stereo for $1200. Music playing ability with clarity and the keeping of the head unit is my requirement. The OEM Audio solution is what i would have to do. That is about 1200.

That is some serious cross shopping. I don't think you could get two more radically different cars if you tried.