OK, so maybe this is not the best place for this, but I figure there are lots of other people keeping a 'finger on the pulse' of what's hot, and what's not these days...

I have finished paying off my ti, so it's time to pick-up something new. I have done a ton or research (big suprise) and have narrowed my search.

The top two are: 2004 Subaru WRX STI and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII.

Both very potent cars (0-60 <=5 sec.), both around 30k (my upper limit for price).

I also just learned about the John Cooper performance package for the cooper S. That car is nowhere near as fast as my first two, but it will be less money (even with the ~5k John Cooper upgrade which boosts output to 200 HP and the delivery is nearly LINEAR...)

Last, but certainly not least, the Nissan Skyline GTR. They are available from an importer here in the states. This is interesting, affordable and would certainly be rare. BUT, I'm not a big fan of right-hand drive. I can do it just fine, but not as well, to say the least...

Anyway, I'm just looking for comments and imput from you guys to see what you think.

STI would be my choice, slightly better than the EVO and looks better/different. Skylines just don't do it for me, high tech in an old design.

My top choice would be the Skyline, but could never afford the premium price and I probably couldn't get used to RHD.

My choice of the affordable cars would be the STi. I finally got used to the bug eyed look, but the new styling is very nice. And you can't go wrong with 300hp and 300lbs of torque, locking differential, intercooler mister, 6-speed tranny...I can't imagine what it would be like to mod that car...talk about crazy horsepower. My cousin has a regular WRX with an upgraded turbo, exhaust, suspension and that thing has some serious balls.

I like the EVO, but like the STi better. I really don't like the big rear wing on the EVO, but those big red Brembos and Enkei wheels are nice. Great front mount intercooler with automatic mister.

Jim, please tell me you're selling your ti...I'd love to get my hands on a swaped ti.

Thanks for the input guys, and no, I'm NOT selling my ti :lol: . It's just about the way I want it now! Time to add to the stable...

I agree, the STI is a nice looking car and has the right stuff (did you know they even have lightweight glass in that car?!?!?! :shock: ) I also like the driver adjustable (up to 50%) center diff :D . The EVO is not adjustable, but fixed at 50% (not a bad thing...). The EVO also has a driver 'override' for the intercooler-cooler, to give it an extra squirt when needed... Not on STI (but could probably be added easily enough). >STI option list: Radio. (that's COOL)

I don't like the transverse mounted engine of the EVO. I also don't like the nose design. STI still has a tiny bit of room for improvement (a little bit more boost perhaps, as the STI 'only' runs 14.5# boost vs. the EVO @ 19#!!!)

The little cooper is left in the dust, even with the upgrade :( (0-60 in 6.5 sec, vs. 6.9 seconds in stock 'S' trim...) But it IS a cool car... 8-)

According to Motor Trend (take it or leave it): Z06 'Vette 0-60=4.29 sec. (~51K$), EVO=4.59 sec. (~30K$), SVT Cobra=4.82 sec. (~35K$), STI=4.87 sec. (~32K$), and Jag XKR=5.21 (~84K$).

Bang for the buck goes to the EVO, hands down. Only the STI has a chance in the price range, as the SVT cobra is a bit more money (and would need more money to catch it...). If you put 3K into the STI (to equal the SVT price) it would be quite sick I think, and best of all, NOT a Ford... You can get the Ford for the same (maybe less) price than the STI, but it won't be the SVT model, and will need a big infusion of cash to catch the SVT.

I don't honestly believe that any more can be extracted from the EVO. I think that's it. 271HP from 2 litres is totally sick (135.5/l). 300 from 2.5 is also sick (120/l), but I feel there is a tad more in there, if it's done right (it could also get worse if not done PERFECTLY right). Easiest thing to do is to gut out the EVO, and not much will touch it...

Still undecided...................

Im thinking the STi.

I would go Cooper all the way. Has the feel and driveability of a BMW.

I would probably just get the stock S though.

We just picked up a Cooper S. I love it. That is when my wife lets me drive it. She loves it even more. She has a grin every time she goes out driving.

I kinda like multilink suspension now.

I just saw a cooper s last night- done up really well: lowered, 17's (or maybe 18's), red with the white stripes, factory front spoiler/black-out grill kit, checker-top and a nice sounding exhaust...

I really like that car too, but it's just too damn slow! I drove a stock s already, and was really depressed by it. The feel of the interior just BEGS to be driven, then the car can't deliver. Very dissapointing... I had high hopes for the John Cooper kit, and, it certainly is a marked improvement (not to mention making a rare car more rare), but I still fear it won't be enough to feed my craving for power.

I'm test-driving a standard 2004 WRX tonight to see if I like the feel of that, knowing the STI will blow it away. I won't buy until I test the EVO as well. Maybe I'll try the s again, but it doesn't look good for it...

My measurement point is the 3.2ti, so I'm a bit biased. But, if I'm going to drop 30K for a car, I'd better be happy with it!!! That cooper s is cool though...

PS official MSRP for the STI is $31,550.

It all depends on the purpose the car is intended for. The Cooper S is a very nimble car. Acceleration is more than adequate for the street. Hopefully I will get to try it out on the track. The car is primarily my wife's.

I can tell you this. There is a Cooper S that has no problem passing me in my 328ti at VIR. Those little buggers are quick.

The handling is excellent.
I am not a power junkie. My ti is more than enough power for me. Until I can exceed the limits of my ti, I have no need for more power.

I agree. My '332'ti is the benchmark I'm using for testing these new cars.

I drove the 'standard' 2004 WRX last night. Not very far, and it only had 22 miles on it (not broken-in) so I could not REALLY get on it.

DOG. I'm very underwhelmed with it. Second gear pulls from a stop are all but impossible. The turbo spools up around 3200 rpm, about 1000 rpm from the torque peak (as it felt to me). when it's over 3 grand, it seems OK, but it needs more torque for sure. Hopefully, I'll get to drive the STI, as that seems to be a totally different car. The dealer I went to here on LI has seven sold already, so I won't get to drive one here for a while...

I'm going to hunt for a EVO tonight. Hopefully, that drives well.

The MINI S is looking better and better. I think even though it's a slug, I will not have the buyer regret I would have with a standard WRX for example. I have to live with the car for many years... I wish I could drive a John Cooper S and see if that feels better than the standard S. I'll have to look around for one. At least the blower will spool up with the motor, so NO LAG...

Jim,

Check out this website...I saw it in the Parts Counter section of June's edition of European car.

www.turnerminisport.com

The little write up starts out, "Want to make your Mini Cooper S perform more like an E36 M3?" It says that their kit delivers more than 200 hp.

-Larry

I forgot about them. I think a combination of their parts as well as the John Cooper Works kit would be pretty lethal... The works kit does not affect warranty, as it is a dealer installed option. Also, it's cost can be rolled into the original loan, which is nice.

I have to try the cooper S again. With the car and mods equaling 30K total, maybe I can build something I can live with...

A $30K MCS just is not worth it to me. I'd rather have an E30 M3 or drop an M motor into a 318is. Or I can get a pretty nice CPO BMW.

Yeah, for just a bit more a BRAND NEW 330CI can be had, as well as the SVT cobra mustang (not that I'd get a Ford, but both are fast...).

I would like an E30 M3 to play with, but it must be an EVO3, and dead mint. Know of any? (me neither)

Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for a new car.

CPO's are certainly a good deal, but I always end up ordering my cars because my personal taste in options is not particularly normal (my ti does not have a sun roof, but has the sport package w/red interior- not too may optioned that way). A stripped-down 328CI would be a nice starting point for modding, but then you exceed 30K again...

30 for a MCS is not unheard of. A MCS with every factory option is roughly 33k MSRP. I plan to buy just over cost, then add the John Cooper kit (head, ECU, blower and exhaust up-grade), factory aero kit (new bumper cover and grille), Supersprint header, tires&wheels and MAYBE lower it a bit. If I play my cards right, this should give an honest 200 at the wheels, and be totally streetable. For 30k. I would like to think I can live with that...

Still looking...[/i]

Oh man, that Evo's a slick piece, Autoweek and Car and Driver hit my mail box within two days of each other with EVO - STi comparisons.

I think the mondo wing is an option.

Still, I think a CPO 330Ci would be the hot ticket at 30 large.