So here I am, my Fit is completely back to stock... slow as a turtle! Wow what a difference that turbo made! Now i'm patiently looking at some options and I was looking for some input from you guys.

My friend is picking up a 2004 WRX next weekend, I went and test drove it for him this morning as he cant drive stick yet. It was decent... a little more "mechanical" feeling than the Fit was. It was fairly quick, but I don't know if I would say it was faster than the turbo Fit.... atleast it wasn't as "squirrely"... lol

I've narrowed my search down to 4 cars that I'm looking to replace the Fit with. My budget is in the mid-20k area. The car would be used of course, but I want something fun and it has to be quicker than the Fit!



Here's my list:

1. 2004-05 Subaru WRX STI - 2.5L Turbo 4cyl 300hp/300tq
2. 2007-08 Mazdaspeed 3 - 2.3 Turbo 4cyl 263hp/280tq
3. 2004 Audi S4 - 4.2L V8 340hp/315tq
4. 2003 BMW 330i - 3.3L Inline 6cyl 230hp/220tq

I've been reading on the subie forums, and it looks like the STIs only put down around 210whp/215tq.. given thats due to AWD, but my Fit was putting down around 180ish at 9psi.

The BMW/Audi will come with a heavy maintenance price tag.. so I am leaning towards the STI. The Mazdaspeed3 would be cool and much newer, but the FWD doesn't appeal to me as much. I'm almost positive the 330i won't provide the power I want...

Anyone drive an STI before? any idea if I'll like it? I wasn't impressed with the WRX this morning.. I'm hoping the STI will put a grin on my face... I have read that the Cobb Tuning Accessport Stage 1 (no exhaust, just tune) will put the STI up to 333hp/343tq (at flywheel). Simple and easy mod.. just plug and load.

 

I vote for the 2009 WRX265... I have looked at the WRX for a long time, while the previous ones where nice; the new one is seriously nothing short of fantastic for trim level, value & power... although no 6spd The seats are well bolstered and it would be easy to mistake the interior for the STI honestly.

The Mazda is already 30,000$, what is an extra 4000$ for more hp & AWD?

Although I hear nothing but good things about the Mazdaspeed3.

Audi's seem a bit on the un-reliable side to me and they are heavy and slow feeling. The BMW is a nice choice as well, nothing beats the feel of a Beemer.

 

Out of that list I would definitely pick the STI. Mazda3 is okay...nothing too special in my opinion, I think the look of the car is alright and it's power is nothing amazing. The other two will be a pain to fix down the line. But that's just my opinion, I've always been a huge fan of STI's.

 

I wouldn't be buying new tho.. I'm looking to spend 25kish since that is how much I have available w/o financing.. Plus with modding etc. warranty is void and that is usually the big plus with a new car.

a WRX265 is nice, but at 35k out the door (CDN funds) its 10k over my budget. I don't want to finance anything, my fiance is the one who gets the "new" car next.. so I gotta make due with what I've got.

 

Whoops, I thought the Mazda was a new option! Yeah I hear where you are coming from!

Hmmmm, I would go Mazdaspeed 3

Not as flashy or as balls-out as the STI, but you would get better gas mileage and reliability out of it. I bet you can chip it as well pretty easily, any of these turbo cars can be tweaked with just a drop in chip.

I know with the BMW 135i they were easily getting 100hp gains out of it with just chips.

Something like this?
http://www.unichip.us/Mazda-Speed-3.asp

 

Dude the STI is a much better plateform than all the other options.

It will be fairly cheap to build into something that will perform the way you want it to.
It has tons of aftermarket support
It has a factory turbo engine and AWD so good year round
It can still haul your gear and 4 grown adults with ease
It will be much cheaper on maintenance and should offer the best reliability.

The MS3 is nice but tuning will be limited as it's still fairly new and FWD will be a disadvantage

The Bimmer will cost an arm and a leg to modify and will be much more expensive overall. Unless you're a brand whore and don't want to mod I don't see the appeal.

The Audi will probably be the least reliable of them all with coilpack and or electronic issues. It will also cost a boatload to modify and again is not as tuner friendly as the STI

Now stop talking and get it done, I call first dibs on the ride along

 

What about a GTI? You can pick up one that is almost new with low km's in that price range; plus there are at least a dozen chipping options that bump it up to over 300hp. They handle nice and are reasonably reliable.

 

I think the STI is my first choice.. it is a bit older being it'll be a 2004-05 model, but that is the model I like the look of best.

I've never really like VWs... just personal preference.

 

Sounds like you answered your own question

Is the Fit up for sale yet?

 

the ms3 is a better option than the GTI aside from the DSG. They both have the same flaw with the FWD part.

Have you ever driven a 300hp FWD car? it's fun but torque steer is crazy and it lights up in first and second and makes it hard to put the power down compared to a RWD car of the same weight and power.

 

GC8 with STi engine swap!

 

Whats a GC8? engine swap doesn't sound like something I wanna do.

I like the gadgets in the STI.. I/C spray, DCCD, 6spd, brembos, AWD... I think it will be a fun car to own.

The Fit will get listed in a week or 2. I am just waiting on my Ebay foglight order to come in.

 

yeah I guess you have to replace those now :P

CG8 is the previous version of the chassis. It's not bad but very time consuming to swap everything over. I have seen it done but unless you really love the body style it's better to start with a newer car.

 

Can you say "none of the above"? lol

So, as of last Saturday the Fit is no more.. I rolled back from Vancouver in a 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe w/Sport Package and wheel upgrade. It's Ivory Pearl White and I just love her! she only had 45,000kms on it when I picked her up.. I also got 13,800 for the Fit on trade! That's insane! But they got that price cause they found a local buyer for it immediately (they probably charged them 18k).

Besides the rear tires needing desperate replacement (Thanks to JDMish for the hookup!!!) the G35 is mint! .... well aside from the front licence plate that will need to be removed and the front bumper refinished.

Gas mileage sux, not having 4 doors is impractical... but all those things can't replace the RWD, exhaust note, and luxury feel of this baby!

I'll try to post some pix when I get a chance.

 

I WANT TO SEE PICS!!!!

Cool man, so are you going to take your new G down to the strip anytime soon?

 

i wouldn't mind taking it to the strip.. it's bone stock so it wouldn't really be anything special lol.. i'd just be burning down my retardedly expensive rear tires lol

 

G35 coupe FTMFW!!
congrats

 

burn down the old ones!!!

You know it is running tonight

 

Bone stock sounds perfect to get yourself a baseline... before the mod bug bites!


I agree, get some bleach and toast the old ones on the strip!

 

STi stock is good if you want power for daily driving without making such a 'modding' scene. but trust me, intake, downpipe, exhaust, ap stage 2 map will give you good enough power for street. You'll be happy with.