you could probably find (if you want FR, hardtop) a used late model 300zx or 240. maybe an old supra, too. just tossin that out there.

Next time get a BRZ so you can tell your family "it's a different car".

That's your problem...

If you check the list from one of the previous posts, you'll see I've done almost exclusively cosmetic mods. Haven't even touched the engine bay except to try out a high flow drop in filter. Going to try to recoup some of my aftermarket expenditures by passing them along to you fine gentlemen!

Sucks to hear about the ride man. Hopefuly everything works out for you. If subie is something your not sure of, maybe it's rival Mitsubishi? I've had a couple that have been reliable and fun, for the most part. My last car was a 11' Lancer Ralliart, which was the little brother to the Evo, still being AWD, and turbo'd. Just smaller turbo than the X, and everything was pretty much interchangeable. Only problem is, it's only come's in the SST transmission, so twin clutch (automatic basically). I Just didn't know how reliable it'd be after some time, plus I just needed to get out of mitsu. Anyways, ,hope everything works out for you. Might be interested in the arm rest, and/or the mirror

As you will guess by my forum name, I would recommend a used Saab 9-3. If you want AWD get a TurboX. AWD plus and E-LSD. 280hp 2.8l. Very easy to get over 350hp with a simple tune and exhaust.

I would say get the wrx hatch, 2011 or newer, and plan on the kartboy shifter bushing kit. The stock shifter bushings are a little too rubbery, but that fixes it right up.

If the frs has made you long for power, there's your answer. The snow tires are going to be hideously expensive on 18"wheels though :(

Also expect to average maybe 21 mpg from the Rex, sadly.

If you like your car, Toyota can also replace it with another one under lemon law. Talk to your lawyer about this possibility.

Dude.. buy a used NSX. Reliable as hell, you won't regret it.


Buy condoms too, you're gonna need them. :)

Evo is also a great car but you sacrifice a bit of daily practicality with one. The gas tank is quite a bit smaller, the rear seats don't fold down and because the battery and windshield wiper fluid are located in the back, trunk space is pretty limited.

I love Evo's though. I can't just stand the interior.

I feel that, for the money, you get a lot more with the WRX & STI over the Mitsubishi's.

Is this true of the current Evo and ralliart? I test drove the Evo MR a few days ago and totally missed that.

Yes. The older ones had the battery and stuff up front. The new Evos have them in the back and no folding rear seat.

Idk if that's the case with the new ralliart but I wouldn't be surprised.

To OP:

If I was in your situation ... I would ask for a free TRD supercharger to be installed when it arrives along with a new warranty. They may consider this rather than going through the whole lemon law hassle.

Yeah I've already been offered an 8 year warranty which is already in effect, but this car is starting to become a mechanic special. The dealerships here don't offer loaner's either, so any overnight warranty work becomes a day at the renta-car so I can be at work an hour late. Would rather have a car with no assembly required :thumbsup:

I've gotten a lot of feedback from you guys and friends/family. I think at this point my favored course of action is to just get my money in hand, then play the research/test-drive game until I get what I like. No harm in it.

No the ralliart's battery is in the engine bay. But gas sucks ass on it, just a fyi

Alrashwa sorry to hear about your troubles. But I wouldnt write off Subaru totally. I have a 99 GC8 WRX and it's rock solid. Have never had any issues with it. I think that the main problem is with this new engine.

I had my new 86 build in November. I havent had any issues with it. It's running great so far. SO I believe that Subaru has fixed a lot of problems they had in the earlier batches.

I have owned a ford focus as well. It was a great car. I never had any issues with it. It was very fun to drive as well. You can't go wrong with a focus ST.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :party0030:

Thanks for the feedback! Always nice to hear from the other side of the pond.

Dodge Caliber

:lol:

I didn't read through all this, but if nobody suggested the new BMW 135 hatchback, it might be something to look at. Lots of horsepower, rear wheel drive and hatchback, quite a combo, and it's said you can get into one for about 30K.

Agreed, though I'm thinking it might have to be used or couple years old to get down to 30k

Actually, this car is a much if not more a Toyota than a Subaru. Yes, the engine is built by Subaru, but built specifically for this car. During the development Toyota engineers set up shop inside Subaru's facilities and vice versa. The boxer was modified to account for the all new D4-S system, and built with the main focus on achieving Toyota's vision for what the car was to be. Transmission, gearbox, engine components and design,- all Toyota. Subaru supplied the engine and was responsible for production.

As for the debate on the STI/EVO, I would suggest the evo. It's more dialed in than the wrx ever has been. It's the real deal and I think mitsu got it just right with the evo x. It's fantastic looking in comparasion to any car.

What about a tC rs 8.0?

I think this craze has been ongoing since 1990.

Dialed in as a track car yes. I have always been an Evo fan but when it comes to these new ones, the Evo lacks compared to the wrx/sti in terms of a daily driver. Almost everybody who has reviewed it says the same thing.

They're both great cars though

I know we joked about the rotary's before, but anyone own a 2004-2010 rx8? I know there are a lot of issues but it seems that most of the problems stem from poor owner maintenance. I also saw there has been a couple recalls...

+1. If I were to replace the FR-S/BRZ with a used anything, it would be an NSX.

I was tossing between the Focus ST and the 86 before deciding on the 86.
Get the ST, its tuned for rear wheel drifting, has 1.7:eyebulge:turns lock to lock steering, great seats, enough power and has been tuned by some of the best ride/handling engineers in the world (Ford of Europe)

Good friend of mine has a 2004 RX-8 he got for a steal used at a Land Rover dealer. It had TONS of recalls done to it, but he's got 70,000 miles on it now and has had no issues whatsoever, just keep an eye on the oil level. It does feel totally different than the FR-S though, if you've never driven one. Biggest thing I've learned about them is just to bite the bullet and use OEM parts, people have issues not using the Mazda leading/trailing spark plugs all the time, for an example.

I was tossing up between 3 cars a few months back. Civic type r, s2000 or GT86. I ended up going with the Civic type r. Crippling understeer as stock but a set of semi decent tires and springs turned it into a very fun car to drive on the twisty stuff with no understeer at all. Granted I never had a chance to drive the 86 properly on any decent roads. S2000 was to impractical as a daily but was mint fun to drive. The engines on the honda's are what sold me though. Has such an eagerness to climb through the rev range that the toyota was lacking. As long as you don't put the typical fart can exhaust on one they are some of the nicest sounding cars out there. From my understanding the only thing you get in the u.s is the civic SI which they seem to have murdered by putting the 2.4l in there.

UPDATE: Lemon Law came through. As you can see by the avatar, got a replacement car. Absolutely loving it.

FRS parts are now up for sale. Interior, Exterior, engine, and misc. parts will be posted.

Excellent news! Glad you got another car.


.

Great Choice! So did you get your money back? Or some sort of prorated refund? Or trade in?

The WRX is a great fun car, but I meet regularly with a bunch of WRX owners and someone's always having a problem. Running lean/rich, boost leaks, not enough boost, etc. For some reason, however, they hold their value ridiculously.

Surprised no one said Gen Coupe. If only they didn't screw up the face on the 2013's I might have actually bought one. That and the rear seats. They actually have the leg room the FR-S should have, but they don't have the head room.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...tinger/gen.png

They really need to make a body kit for that... I still can't believe how hideous they make it.

Gratz on the Z though. Hope you enjoy it.

Looks nice. If they didn't charge such a a whacked-out premium on them here in Canada I'd seriously consider one - love the RevMatch option on the manual.

Of course the current 370Z is getting very long in the tooth now, there should be a replacement out in a year or so I would hope.

No kidding - I can't imagine how this ever got approved, it's got to be just about the ugliest snout currently on the market. What makes it doubly disappointing is that the rest of the car looks so very sweet.

The other major weakness is in the clutch takeup - the bite range is so narrow it's an on-off switch, it makes smooth shifting almost impossible.

Most Lemon laws.. Bring the car back for the same problem with in a year.

It's in the shop for 30 days. Doesn't have to be consecutive.

See if you can up it to a Lexus 250/350, much easier to negotiate.

Worse case sell it to car max at a loss.

I met the requirements for WA lemon law, so they didn't really debate me much. I think it costs them less to just settle and get it over with. Ended up getting back full MSRP plus interest, plus prorated insurance, plus 2 payments, and no deduction based on mileage.

Had to sign about 30 papers and then they branded the car "DO NOT OPERATE. TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION."

Honestly, no regrets, not even a tinge of sadness. That car put me through hell, and the 370Z I got to replace it has done nothing but amaze me so far.

Awesome and congratulations! Some are lemons, not many thankfully!

Its a great car.

Its funny how life works, he replaced his FR-S with a Z.

I replaced my Z with an FR-S.

I'll probably be in the same boat as you soon enough. Car has been at the dealer 4 times already for all sorts of issues. Getting a little sick of it..should have bought a Z hah