2013 Automobile mags Sports car all-stars

UNKNOWN_370

Yeah we do, most of us. The Evo has a $17,000 transmission. The most expensive one in the group and the most advanced nannies of the group.

The Z is a well rounded car in the RWD section, but it's also the only car of it's type in the price range. The EVO, STi and Golf R are directly comparable. So in reality, you have a true choice, get a 4 door golf R and you're directly in the segment. A REAL Z Fighter and NOT a mustang substitute price competitor, you have to go upmarket to the BMWZ4 roadster, corvette and the Cayman,

That said, in that dept, hardcore enthusiasts will like the japanese versions of AWD vehicles more. Moderate enthusiasts that will use their cars for both sport and daily use may prefer the VW.

That said, opinions will vary. Go figure?

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shadoquad

I think this is probably true. The comfort and refinement of the VW make it a nice daily, but the STI and Evo would likely blast it around a track. In fact, the Evo is a bit more "balls-out" than the STI, which is a tad more refined.

shadoquad

I'll chime in on the GTI/STI/MS3 debate.

I love them, all three of them.

I bought an STI, because it's fast and practical, very versatile. I can drive fast, but then have confidence and tone it down if the weather gets frosty and wet, and I can take my dog in it, and I can carry quite a lot in it. It's wonderful. But the interior isn't great. It shares a lot in common with the base Impreza in that regard. The seats are nicer imo. It's fast, but its stock tune and notchy gearbox take away some of the thrills of acceleration. But it's a lot of car for its high price. Even the base WRX is a whale of a great car and for less money.

I love the GTI. It also finished second place in my comparison when I was shopping for the 370z. A base GTI with the plaid interior is comfy if cramped, the interior is nicely laid out and pleasing to the eye. The clutch is so smooth. The Golf R, which is more in the price range of an STI, is that with AWD and more power, and it's an absolute joy to drive. Both the GTI and Golf R are nicely refined, solid cars to drive. They suffer the usual electronic gremlins that go with German cars.

The MS3 is cheap inside, but man is it a goer. That car is so fast. It is brutal on your lower back in acceleration, which is one of the reasons I didn't buy one. I always wished they would have more interior options than the red/black seats, but it's great fun and practicality for the dollar.

The Focus ST probably belongs in the hot hatch segment, too, and it's also a blast to drive, but I found the interior cabin cramped.

All cars have tradeoffs, and indeed, speed is not everyone's top priority. And it comes at a cost.


Edit: Also, speaking of performance, many track rats I've known will tell you that sometimes one can have more fun driving a slower car fast than driving a fast car at 10/10ths. Just one of the reasons you find Miatas and FRS/BRZ's at race tracks flying to the edge of their handling.

Chuck33079

A ******* men brother. This seems to get overlooked on the Internet a lot. Being able to drive the wheels off I car and still not hit "go to jail" speeds is a lot of fun if the car is cheap enough.

On the ms3/gti/Sti thing, you're spot on on every point except that ******* plaid interior in the gti being pleasing to the eye.

I've owned a well modded Sti, driven a golf r often, and if I had to pick between the three for a DD, I'd probably come home with a used ms3. It's a great "middle ground" car. Fast enough, handles well enough and is practical enough. The value isn't there on the golf r, and I'd mod the Sti past "comfortable daily driver".

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