Ok here's how it goes. I'm in the process of selling my 2000 Celica GTS. Once that's done I'm buying a Yamaha YZF R6 bike. In January I'll be looking for another car that I can build up. So here's my dilemma:

What car do I get? Here's the contenders:
* 1993.5 - 1995 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo w/ Targa top
* 1994 - 1995 Toyota MR2 Turbo w/ T-tops
* 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS

Since I will have my bike I am not looking to build a car that can turn 12's in the 1/4 mile. Instead I'm looking for more of a sport car with some power that can tackle the corners like a god. I live in Colorado so I do need something I can drive in the snow. Not a daily driver but something that could handle that kinda abuse.

Here's how I view the breakdown:

Supra - Heaviest by far! Most expensive to insure. Hardest to find in good condition. Corners well but cannot be driven in the snow. Performance for this car is mostly in the 0-60 category. Good fuel effeciency when off boost. Possibly the best cornering in the bunch despite it's size.

MR2 - Mid-engine is a great traction advantage over standard RWD. Handling is razor sharp. Only has 2 seats and that suits me just fine. Aftermarket for the 3S-GTE is as good as the Supra. More cornering components are availible. Could be driven in the snow off boost if cautious. It's the cheapest. Insurance is normal. Stock tranny will have problems above 400HP.

2.5RS - AWD!!!!!! Snow is not a problem. Neither is cornering or launching. Aftermarket is coming along but nowhere near that of the other 2 cars. 2.5L block can put down some decent torque numbers. It's the most expensive. It's the cheapest to insure. Stock trannie has issues around 300hp.


So let me hear it people. Want to know what you have to say. I'm posting this in several places so I can get a varied opinion.

Onikage

I got my Subaru because I live in coloRADo as well. I drive up to mountains at least 50 times in the winter. I got it because of the AWD. Don't get me wrong, I would love a Supra, but I just don't see it being a reasonable choice for a snowboarding car.

I've owned a MR-2 turbo and I now own a 2.5RS......

Here's my point-of-view :

If your looking to modify a car to become a rocket, go for the Supra.

If your looking for an every-day drive, to go to work, a couple of week-enders road-trips, go for the Impreza.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my MR-2, but the Impreza is a better all-around car. With some minor suspention tweeks, the Impreza can become as agile as an MR-2, and as you said above, it's AWD. True that on the acceleration side, the MR-2 can have a little advantage over the Subby.

I've owned the MR-2 Turbo, a 240SX (SE model) with the 4 wheel STEERING and now I have a MY99 RS. Honnestly, even if my 240SX had the 300Z TT suspension, I still prefer the RS from the 3 mentioned above.

My 2¢

Well if your gettin an R6, then use that for twistie carving in the summer and your speed fix. Then all that leaves is the 2.5RS, which is the perfect Colorado car. AWD means ease and comfort in the winter and it handles the moutnian rodes great. And it can easily be tuned...also, the 2.5RS will have more luggage room if that menas anythign to ya...for a weekend trip to the slopes or whatever.

IAn

From watching a local with a 2nd Gen. MR2, there is no way that an Impreza is as agile as the MR2.

Locally, we have nationally competitive autocross drivers in both a NA 2nd Gen MR2 and a '99 2.5RS. The MR2 is consistently quicker around the course. And this is the NA MR2, not the turbo.

Downside to the MR2... when its setup to autocross (and to a certain extent when its not) its VERY difficult to drive. At the limit during cornering, you can neither lift throttle nor apply throttle without inducing a slide. The MR2 is sideways regularly, but when the driver hits the sweet spot, is sings.

The RS is very forgiving. A novice driver can be fairly quick in this car. The only demon that the RS has is lift throttle (or trail brake) oversteer. The RS is far more practical than the MR2, especially where I live, the Pacific Northwest. AWD is not the cure all of snow driving, but the MR2 definitely isn't any better.

While I disagree with what PsychO says about the agility of the two cars, I agree with his conclusion. Unless your driving dry twisties every day (or like driving sideways), the MR2 won't be as good of a car as the 2.5RS. The RS is so much more versatile. Especially in inclement weather.

Me, I'd rather have the MR2 as an autocross car. But that's all it would be.

Andrew H.

Originally posted by onikageka
It's the most expensive. It's the cheapest to insure. Stock trannie has issues around 300hp.
What?! The 2.5RS is the most expensive? It's more expensive than the MKIV Supra? No way. People have had issues with their stock RS & WRX trannies with well under 300hp...

Mike

You could pick up a low milage, last generation (Z32) turboed 300ZX in excellent condition for about 15,000$ There's lots of aftermarket stuff for it too. Get dedicated snow wheels/tires for the winter. Check www.zcar.com
There is a white one for 11,000$ over there now. I was thinking of getting one, or a new 350Z, but got the WRX to play with instead. It was a fun choice especially if you want a car which is easy to work on and modify, which the WRX is. My Z31 handles well but is not capable of accelerating up the butt's of "fast" cars like a modified WRX can.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but any Supra TT from 93-98' is going to run you 30K+ and thats if your lucky. I was looking at a perfect condition 98' TT White @$44K...I was like, errrr....nevermind!

The sales guy told me its because there's only 279 of them made....

Anyhow, I just like the style of the Supra, performance wise, I've only seen it at it's quickest in striaght line competition.

-jxl

Well, the only thing going for a stock RS is the versatility. But out right handling on dry condition, the other 2 should hand the RS its arse. In my opinion, you have to figure out what you want in the car, that should answer your own question. Also, budget would be another factor.

Well here's what I know. A supra is nice, but you'll never pull less than a 12 in the 1/4 mile, I know that's still fast but you'll NEVER do better. The MR2's are really small, I don't know what kind of stuff you carry but you won't be able to do much in that one. Don't plan on an award winning stereo in that one. And as far as looks and comments you'll get more in an RS because everyone think's it's a WRX and those that know what it really is still love them. I love my RS, and so do my friends who sit in the back seat. And so do my rear tires... :-) Besides all that, I don't know if you're financing the whole deal but the older a car is and the more miles it has the higher your APR, so to get an affordable tt Supra you're way older than banks like.