[D$]

Lets just say that SOA's claims that there will be no STi for at least two years is true. Let's say the STi won't be available here in the fall of 2002, and won't be available spring of 2003 either.



Other than bemoan your existence, what would you do then?
</p>

 

[D$]

I guess I should reply: I'm buying a Trimph convertible this summer if I can find one. If there's no STi announcement made by January 2003, I'm buying a new M3.

 

[beast464]

I've thought about a brand new M3 but that would only happen if I spent my entire savings and got a loan. I'd probably just get an Audi S4 or a WRX.

 

[tisbe]

If you guys can swing a new M3, I can't feel too sorry for you if we don't get the STi. :smile:

But don't worry the STi will happen.

 

[TalonTSiAWD]

While the possible alternatives to an STI right now are pretty bleak, by this time next year there should be several cars on sale in the U.S. with similar performance, and in the same price range. I'll post the options I can think of off the top of my head below, along with a rough guess of the HP and price.

Mitusbishi Lancer EVO VII (AWD, turbo 4, 260 HP, $28K)
Infinity G35 (RWD, V6, 260 HP, $28K)
Mazda RX-8 (RWD, Twin Rotor, 240 HP, $27K)
Nissan 350-Z (RWD, V6, 280 HP, $27K)
Imprezza WRX (AWD, turbo 4, 220HP, 25K)

These are all cars I have my eye on currently as a replacement for my wife's 96 Eclipse Spyder GS-T. As long as Subaru can get the STI here by next year and price it around $30K, that's almost certainly what we'll get. If they can't, then we'd have to drive the others to make a final determination, but I'm sure we'd be satisfied with any of the alternatives mentioned.

I'd be interested to hear if any one else out there is looking at these or any other cars as alternatives to the STI just in case it comes a little later than expected.

 

[JJ]

If no STi, (THE HORROR!!)

Then (in order)

Lexus IS300
Nissan Z Track Edition
WRX
RX8
EVO

Yes, Subaru- I will switch brands if you do not bring the goods!!

JJ

 

[JJ]

Plus, I can PROBABLY wait till December 03, but Subaru, don't push your luck..

JJ

 

[tisbe]

My criteria at this point would be:

- under $30K (low 30's *maybe*)
- 4 seater
- fun to drive
- stick (*maybe* auto with manual mode)
- fast
- AWD or RWD (no FWD). Prefer AWD.

The 4 seater requirement rules out the RX-8 and 350-Z. From your list that leaves the EVO, WRX and G35. It was rumored that the G35 will eventually come out with AWD and 6-speed options. If so then that would be an interesting choice. Otherwise I would probably have to go with the EVO.

Of course this is ignoring things like reliability, insurance/maintenance costs etc.

The AUDI A4 is another choice but probably not spirited enought performance to satisfy the "fast" and "fun to drive" requirements.

Have you considered the Peugeot 206? :smile:

Or you could go in another direction and consider the 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra (RWD, V8, 390HP, $35K)...

 

[MKIVSupra]

As long as it comes here, I can wait. Now if it does NOT come here, then I don't know. AWD is my number one priority as an STi would replace my daily driver. Since I live in Chicago I need something to get through the winter. Personally I can not compare an STi to a RX-8 or 350Z, it's a totaly different vehicle. If there is no STi, I might consider an EVO or the new awd Jag. I am also hoping that Toyota is waiting to see what happens before they release a new Supra. If a new Supra comes out before the STi and it is as good or better than the last Supra, I will get the Supra and keep my Legacy as my daily driver.

 

[super_bean21]

RX-8 is 250 hp, 350Z is 300 hp. I was dissapointed by the article in Road & Track that had the RX-8 estimated @ 14.5 in the 1/4 mile when the WRX does 14.1 for less! The RX-8 IS a four seater, it's a beautiful car, and I'm sure that it is well balanced and will have no shortage of aftermarket parts and turbo's. Plus it would be great to hear that wankel go to 9000 RPM. Lets face it and be realistic people. No STI = peformance matched only by the Evo VII.

My rankings: STI, Evo VII, WRX or RX-8, 350Z, 6 spd Matrix, Sentra SE-R V-spec, SVT Focus, Civic Si. I'm not rich!!!

I need room in a car! 350Z is up solely on HP.

Still got 'em crossed for a STI wagon!

 

[tisbe]

Sorry, didn't know RX-8 was 4-seater. Will have to check it out.

Yes, STi wagon would trump all!

 

[STiWant1]

At risk of being flamed like others in other forums, I will say this. The STi seems to offer the best performance, over all and hands down- IN A 4-DOOR $30k CAR!
Sorry to have to raise my voice like that, but truthfully, JJ, tisbe, the 350Z is not a 4-door, the RX-8 is not a 4-door. The real question for me is what car will offer some level of practicality as well as being a great track car? Enough of my ranting, here is what I consider when not considering the STi (not in order):

Maxima SE
G35
IS300 Sportcross
Lancer Evo 7
WRX
Jetta GLI
M3 Sedan (yes, used)
A4 1.8T Quattro

The price range is pretty wide ($23-$33K) but I won't be ready to buy for about a year at least. Just out of curiosity why so few people interested in German? One more thing why is the Saab Viggen so damn expensive? -j

 

[TiTaNiuM sAMuRai]

German makes are generally top-notch, but are quite pricey.

Maybe Acura (seems to be the mid-life crisis car of choice for geezers like my bosses) or a Passat.

Wait. No, on second thought, my first pick would be just a normal WRX. They're still so rare here that I've seen only 3 or 4 around town in the past year. Plus, c'mon! AWD, 227 hp, with wagon room, is nothing to sneeze at!

 

[BuDDyLeE]

well lets see... seeing as it will be march-april of 2004 til i can afford the STi, i think i'd look at the domestic options...


Dodge:
Razor - 250hp, 2.4L turbo 4, RWD (est. $15,000) i might get this OVER the STi considering its total price is less than the STi's downpayment
Neon SRT-4 - (not awd though, rather misleading) 205hp, same 2.4 but less tuning, looks to be an excellent autoX car. might come w/ brembos.
Charger - WOW 325hp, supercharged 4.7L aluminium block, 4door, IRS, RWD... nuff said

... i own a dodge, so im akin to buying another.

hmm, maybe a few extra grand would put me into a used 2002 Z06, but that would eat up 50% of my income im sure.

 

[super_bean21]

RX-8 is a four door. It has the "suicide" doors in the back. No "B" pillars, like all those trucks & stuff, unless you don't consider those doors. I think they are plenty enough door for me. I'll call it a four door. Opening seems pretty big, I'm 6'1", 245lbs. I think I could get in. Either way, it's plenty big enough for my 6 & 3 yr old boys to get in back.
......But the WRX still outperforms the estimated #'s.(however I think it will probably do better than estimated once it's produced, broken in, and launched right) Although I expect it to perform amazingly well on a road course, (being the successor to the RX- name plate) and the car is an aesthetic masterpiece. No STI, expensive Evo VII, .... = me torn between WRX wagon, & the RX-8.

 

[tkdfist]

If you think the Z is going to be under 30K you are nuts. It will be closer to 35K.
The only really comparable vehicle to the STI is the Evo VII.
If they don't bring the STI i'm getting an Evo. If the EVO is raped of performance i'm getting an old Audi Quattro.

 

[super_bean21]

base price of the 350Z has already been set at 26/27K. You can already pre-order one from Nissan. Look it up, it's on the up & up.
By the way, for performance on the Z I think it'd be best to get the base version. The xtra you'd pay for a track version (basically suspension, & 18's only right?) can be invested in Nismo parts (which are coming to USDM for sale through your dealer) that should trump the others anyways right?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: super_bean21 on 2002-03-28 21:23 ]</font>

 

[chawklit]

I went on a testdrive with the G35 and I really don't think it's that great for what you pay plus that base price might seem cheap but the car comes bone bare, you have to put in a lot of options (surpisingly for an Infiniti) and they are way overpriced.

 

[STiWant1]

superbean, i thought the rx8 would have the suicide doors, but I haven't kept up. I will do some looking as that car might move up on my list.

 

[jtfrankl]

The xtra you'd pay for a track version (basically suspension, & 18's only right?)

Also, some huge Brembo brakes, front air dam, rear spoiler (kinda ugly, but very functional, I hear), electronic stability control and traction control. I am not sure that the suspension is any different- the Nissan site doesn't list this as a difference but it would seem to make sense.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: jtfrankl on 2002-03-29 16:09 ]</font>