I suspect that many board members considered other cars before putting in an order for the WRX. In my case, it was the attention-getting Audi TT. It provided a nice ride, but its performance numbers were inferior to the WRX's in almost every respect. In the end, I just couldn't justify spending an extra $10k for leather seats and retro European styling.

I'm curious what other cars have lost out to the WRX....

well. this might seem silly to some.. but i have a list of 4 cars i want.. in reverse order they are :

4. WRX
3. STi
2. EVO VI
1. GTR R-34 Vspec

Anyone see a pattern here?.. i love Japanese AWD Turbocharged vehicles.. preferably Rally types.. with the exception of the GTR..

so the WRX didnt lose out to anything.. if i could get an STi..i wold have.. if the EVO VI was available here.. i would have gotten that.. and if i could afford 86K i would have gotten an R34..

so i guess you could say a LOT of cars lost out to the WRX..i bever really considered anything else.. i test drove a VR4 3000GT.. too heavy and yukky.. the Corvette.. just felt horrible.. and i hate all that power going out through two rear wheels..

i love AWD.. i love small.. i love turbo charged.. and for me. A4 1.8T doesnt even coem close..

Until I heard that the WRX was going to be available in the US, I was looking at the following:

Audi 1.8TQ
BMW 323Ci
VW Jetta Wolfsburg
VW GTI 1.8T

Good thing I heard about the WRX on VW Vortex, because if I hadn't, I'd be driving something else now!!! 17 more days... !!!

For me and my wife it was (in no particular order):

1. Celica GTS (Death trap for a six footer dude!)
2. ITR (Hard to get and cramped)
3. Prelude (Couldn't justify the price to perfomance ratio here)
4. 2.5 RS (Obvious upgrade implications)
5. GTI VR6 Turbo (Already have a VW)
6. Audi A4 1.8TQ (Cost)

Driving the IGSR was an admitted pleasure. So the ITR would've been even better. But damn! The road noise on those things is insane. Plus I didn't fit very well (barely at all) into the GTS or the GSR.

The A4 is WAY nice, but doesn't drive as tight as the 2.5 RS and therefore, I'm assuming, the WRX. It'd pretty much max us out on cost also.

-Eric B.

[This message has been edited by enuttage (edited February 25, 2001).]

My choices before I chose the WRX silver wagon

Mazda Tribute
Subaru Forester
RAV4
CRV
Escape
IS300

not nessasarily in that order.

Yeah well the GTR is not a small car, and you said you like small AWD cars.

The GTR is also known as "Godzilla" in Australia.

Glenn

Well.. here are some other cars that I looked at..
Nissan Silvia S15
Honda ITR
VW Bora V5 (out of my budget)
Holden Commodore SS
a used R32 GTR (dynoed with 220 KW)

In the end I decided on the WRX.

when i got carjacked (99 civic si), i immediately ruled out all hondas/acuras from my list...i was planning to sell my Si anyways, so my list of cars (before the carjacking was)

GSR or ITR
Celica GTS
VW GTI 1.8T
Jetta 1.8T
2.5RS!
WRX

I most definately wanted the WRX above all of those, but i still didnt know the price, and i had to wait over a month for it (my Si was stolen jan 17th) but after test driving all the other choices, except the RS, which i already knew very well, but the dealers here already had sold out on the 01's except for silverthorn, and i really dont care for that color, i decided to swallow my pride for a month or so, driving a rental mirage DE automatic, so i could then enjoy the WRX http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

I chose the WRX over my girlfriend. I had to trade her in to get money for the downpayment.

Seriously though, before I knew the WRX was gonna be here, the cars on my list were (in no particular order):

1) Nissan Maxima
2) BMW 3 Series
3) IS300
4) Audi A4
5) Acura CL
6) Mustang
7) Accord
8) Camry

Kind of a wide range of tastes there, but I hadn't made up my mind if I wanted performance, ride quality, reliability, safety, etc. I finally decided I was sick of utility and comfort and wanted some performance for a change http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

For me it was between a 95-97 ///M3 and the WRX. The WRX is such a bargain it made my choice easy http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Jordan

My list kinda matches WRXdude's. The Audi or BMW would have had to be used ones, and the VW's lost out due to being FWD. The Bummer's interior quality is about what you'd expect in a Subaru too :http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif
It really was only the Audi, as AWD won out over all. But up here A4s are REAL common.
And a new WRX with warranty, beats a modded used A4.

wow..some of you had way more expensive choices over the wRX on your lists...at least i personally cant afford an a4, TL, CL, 3 series, is300 etc..

btw, i forgot the 95 m3 on my list, i had two i was going to look at, before various local owners who i know from autoXes told me they were a hot item for thieves.. (in PR)

yah i've sat in a couple of R34's in Sydney.. and took an R33 for a test drive when i managed to fool the guy into thinking i could afford to trade my Liberty RS Turbo into it.. i know its not a small car.. but.. its mean looking.. and turbo AWD.. i can bend my personal rules on cars for the GTR..hehe..

and i'd like to add to my list the Nissan Pulsar GTiR.. nice tight mean looking AWD Turbo rocketship that got a nick name at one time as the WRX killer.. i love the intake scoop on it and i've got some thoughts on modifying my WRX intake to resemble it.. ricey?.. who cares.. it will be different.. and still functional.. and if it looks like i think.. very very mean lookin..

[Edit] More to the GTiR.. reading more aboutit.. it has about the same figures as our Sooby.. stock.. ie 227Hp.. 220 lb/ft and 0-60 in about 5.7 Secs.. pity they dont make them anymore..i think if nissan broughtout a 2002 GTiR..it would eat the WRX alive..

[This message has been edited by Xeno (edited February 25, 2001).]

Well I still havnt put my money where my mouth is yet, but before WRX I was looking at
Audi A4 1.8Tq (AWD & good for 300hp)$$
VW Golf gls 1.8T (pity no 4motion)cheap ;o)
or I may just hold out for the new supercharged Mini Cooper S.
I will wait and test drive the WRX then decide from there. Cheers Limey.

Until I actually drive the WRX, I am still considering the following:

Porsche Boxster(+$14K)
Honda S2000(+$9K)
Audi S4(+$10K)

Obviously I am hoping to fall in love with the Subaru and save all that extra $. When I first heard of the WRX, I slammed on the brakes in my hunt for a new car. I did some research and decided I would wait until I got a chance to drive the WRX; its' heritage, specifications, and my gut demanded it.

My first choice was not a car but to mod my RS. Turbo, brakes, suspension, trany. Then if I was not going to do that I was going to get a M3 95-97. But now I'm getting my WRX.

1. Cooper Mini!
2. Modded Impreza sedan (wanted the wagon and too lazy to deal with turbo install headaches)

I've probably have one of the more eclectic lists:

wrx (number 1 pending the silver wagon test drive!)
2001 f150 Lighting (380hp.. 4600lbs gets people out of the passing lane)
2001 CL-S
2001 IS300 (falling fast after test drives...)
2001 S4 Avant (can't justify cost over the butt kicking rex wagon)

I guess I like power and utility over luxury.

different catagory:
fwd--wanted AWD
1) ITR--proned to thief
2) Prelude--cramped in the back-love the
driver seating position!

similar catagory
AWD--what I'm looking for in a car
1) 2.5rs(older one) didn't like the interior
2) A4 --heavy,expensive,low hp
3) BMW330xi--same reasons as A4.

WRX-- better interior then previous gen.
cabin and road noise sounded a bit
quiter from Motoring video. main reason:
It's rugged and it can take a bit
rougher thrashing than other cars.

initialWRX

[This message has been edited by initialWRX (edited February 25, 2001).]

I was all set to buy a '01 Toyota Celica GT-S, spectra blue this spring. I have loved this car since the redesign in 2000. The VVTL-I kick at 6 grand feels almost like a turbo kicking in and the car handles like its on rails, not to mention the awesome looks of the car as well. The aftermarket is still waiting to catch up with the car and since I am in Denver the Turbo on the WRX won't loose as much power in the high elevation. I will forever wonder what could of been with the GT-S but I know my WRX will be better in the long run even though it doesn't look as good. Bring on the WRX...

[This message has been edited by WRXThis (edited February 25, 2001).]

Lexus IS 300 (no manual, Too Expensive)
VW GTI 1.8T (too small, too common)
SAAB 9-3 (Reliability issues)
Audi A4 1.8T Avant (Too Expensive)
BMW 325 Wagon (Too Expensive)
Toyota Celica GT-S (Too Small)
Volvo V70 AWD Wagon (Too Expensive)

But I've been a Subaru and Wagon Enthusiast for a while, so the WRX was a gift from god.

Well, since I was only looking for wagons, it came down to two.
1. The Passat GLX 5speed Wagon $28,000
2. The Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Avant $27,000

After deciding on the Passat, I luckily had to wait a little while for the 2001.5 model to arrive (Late March). My VW Fleet Dealer didn't press for an order, he said, "I'll call you when they arrive."

I had heard, and talked about the WRX with freinds. Knew it was going to be a great car. But didn't know there was a sport wagon version until Tuesday 2/20. Ordered on Thursday 2/22. Can't wait to drive!

Still contenders:

2002 RS-X + would love to drive it
- have done acura, very
derivative styling
early Miata + Cool project car, roadster,toy
- ? have not driven one for fit
200? BMW HB + BMW handling, refinement
- BMW cost of ownership, wait
200- BMW323Ci+ really nice driving car
- power, price, too refined ?
+(european delivery- Yeah Baaby)
200? SVT Foci+ Price, emphassis on handling
- quality??
2002 is300mt + ooh like it
- ouch on affordability!
1995 BMW M3 + everything (need to drive one)
- service costs, alot for used
early NSX + dream car (my heart says YES)
- definite 2nd car, eats tires
93+ Supra + True sports car, ++ power
- aging, ??
S2000 + awesome, low on torque
- Pricey for 2nd car, $ gouge
2002 WRX SW + good all-rounder, try awd out
- not so sporty looks, price w/
upgrades will push 30k (makes
waiting for Sti seem more
attractive http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif)

Thanks for this thread, looks like I now have a 'test drive -to-do-list', preferably prior to WRX test drive!

Test drove these:
-2001 2.5 RS
-2001 Audi 1.8 TQ
-2001 BMW 325xi
-2000 Legacy
-2000 Maxima GXE

2.5 RS and BMW outhandled the rest. But all of these have equal or less acceleration compared to my Accord EX V6. And I still can't find any official specs on the Acura RS-X. So WRX is the only logical choice.

For me I chose the WRX over the BMW 330xi. I was also going try to go to beverly hills for an AC Schnitzer modification on the bimmer
http://www.acschnitzer.com/deutsch/produkte/3erneu/limo/index.htm

But the rally background of Subaru swayed me over german engineering.

I chose it over my 1999 RS. I can't think of any other car that I'd rather have over one of these two (RS, WRX) that I can actually afford right now.

Jeremy

I've always liked the WRX, but deep in my heart I'm a VW guy. I've had 4 GTIs, 1 A1, 2 A2s and my current A3 VR6 GTI to be specific. If Audi's marketing thugs weren't so stuck on image and would import the S3 or allow VW to import the VR6 GTI with the 24v head 4Motion and 6 speed like they have in europe it would be a tough choice. But since VW/Audi want to screw their loyal owners, Subaru made the choice easy.

Two weeks to the WRX.

-Adam

Adam, I TOTALLY agree with you. If the S3 was available here, it'd be a done deal.

Here are the other cars I'm still considering:

1) 1.8T GTI
+ I love VW's, quality of interior, exterior.
- step down from my Corrado (best VW ever made), FWD (understeer, understeer, understeer).

2) S2000
+ awesome car, looks pretty good, engine that revs to 9k rpm, convertible.
- I REALLY want a Boxster S.

Not realistic at this point in time:

3) Boxster S
+ awesome handling, braking, driving feel, appearance, convertible. A truly awesome machine.
- expensive, dare not drive it in the winter.

4) BMW M3
+ awesome appearance, that engine!
- expensive, can't get one this year, may be too heavy?

Realistically it's probably going to come down to the Subaru and the S2000. We'll see.

Another Forester S.

I love VW’s and Audi’s. I currently have two vintage VW Bugs. 57 Oval and a 79 Convertible. My choice was the Passat 5 speed 1.8T Wagon 2001.5 or the A4 1.8T 2001.

Then back in December on VW Vortex someone posted a note on the WRX, and here I am. Silver WRX Wagon on its way….

1. '02 BMW 330i
2. '01-'02 Audi S4
3. '02 Lexus IS300 (5-speed)
4. '02 Nissan Maxima SE
5. '02 WRX
6. Keep '99 BMW 323i

The WRX is now my top choice primarily due to the performance, handling and price point despite lack of interior refinement. Choices 1 thru 3 are still in the running however.

I can't wait to test drive the WRX that I have a deposit on.

Actually I wouldn't be buying a new car if it were not for the WRX. I currently have a Civic that gives me basic transportation but I was always holding out for the WRX, knowing that the US would get it sometime in the 2000 decade. Am I the only one who wasn't necessarily shopping for anything else?

1. Integra Type R (1998 only)
2. S2000 (if there was no mark up)
3. other honda project car (94 DC2 integra Rs chassis, full ITR conversion).

I love JDM, Carbon Fiber parts, black rims, etc.

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

EJ20WRX

I chose it over my current '99RS. I have wanted a turbo Impreza since I first saw them in the WRC in 1996 when I was a young lad living in England. After moving back to the US I have been awaiting this moment for 4 years now. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

"Until I actually drive the WRX, I am still considering the following:
Porsche Boxster(+$14K)
Honda S2000(+$9K)
Audi S4(+$10K)"

Actually, the Boxter is +$20k ($45,000), and the S4 is +15k (39,000) if your talking new...


Anyway, im not getting a WRX, but my friends bro is considering it seriously. Hes down to three choices:
WRX
A4 2.8
S4 (but he cant afford it...)
But since he doesnt fit in the RS, hes worried he wont fit in the WRX, and he needs the car sooner rather than later...

But for me, my #1 car is the 2002 RS. Its my top pic so far over cars like:
VW 1.8 GTi
2001 Protege ES
2001 RS (Im too intreged by the better chasis and better interior of the 2002)
2001 Focus ZX3 (This is a heck of alot cheaper, but its my #2 choice over all cause Im more likely to be able to get it CAUSE of the price)

2000 GSR, Type R
2001 Celica GTS
2002 acura RSX

before i put my deposit on the WRX:
1. 2001 Toyota MR-S
good:
I like MR-2 so much so I'll still follow MR-s
I live in Hawaii, good to have a convertible
bad:
too small
2. 2001 Mazda Miata
sure to get a good deal and it still a convertible
bad:
too slow

i'm still thinking about MR-S or WRX, if my dealer give me good deal, i'll go for WRX, if not, i'll go back for MR-S

looked at and considered:
1) toyota MR-2 (since I needed a daily driver, just couldn't go with lack of space)
2) mitsubishi eclipse convertible (finally decided to satisfy my last mid-life crisis in a non-convertible way)
3) celica GTS -didn't like the sight lines and low seating position
4) jetta gls 1.8T - a very good platform and an excellent engine - was 1 month away from ordering when I became aware of the WRX.

Concluded that I just feel better in a sports sedan - if I had $40K large, would possibly be looking at S4 - don't think there's anything out there that comes as close to satisfying what I look for in a car for anywhere near $24K

about 3 weeks to go until silver sedan.

looks like me and puzurinshushinak...
i am choosing the WRX over a TT 225Q. for me to get in a TT, i would have to get a used one a few years old and with what... 30,000 miles on it. i dont think so. AND repair costs on a TT im sure will be astronomical. AND, my dog can climb im the back of a TT too easilly http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif thats why im waiting for a sport wagon!

Bob
'93 VW Passat GLX VR6

Amen, Bob.

Hey, you guys think we should supply this info to Subaru's marketing dep't? I would imagine they'd be very interested to know the cars against which the WRX is successfully competing.

Alex, Rob,

I own a Solar Yellow MR2 Spyder and considering making the trade for the WRX. I've had it for 5 months and it has been a total blast. I've had the opportunity to take it autocrossing and to some road courses. I went the LA Auto show to checkout the WRX and was initially disappointed with the build quality. That particular model had squeaky doors and the interior(dash) looked cheap. But the history, potential, aftermarket, make it worth a second look. I plan on visiting a local dealer and hopefully get a test drive to finalize my decision.

Keeping my Civic, and getting an engine swap is one obvious option. But this is not really in the cards b/c the car already has 50k miles on it.

I still want to drive an RSX and the new A4 1.8t when they both come out.

I really expect the WRX to be my choice, the Acura would have to be phenominal to change my mind. As for the Audi, I'm really not a wood & leather kind of guy. I want something that puts sport ahead of luxary.

for me,
1)Audi A4 1.8TQ
2)BMW M3 (used)
3)ITR
4)Porsche Boxster
hmm... THats about it. Oh yeah, and an S4 and a Porsche C4, because they are both a little too expensive.

A4 1.8TQ
BMW 325xi

Actually this is what i really considered before WRX.

1. 93+ Mazda RX7 R1.
2. Acura Integra Type-R (98 only).
3. S2000 (if they didnt have markup).
4. I might consider the brand new maxima SE (if i was ready to commit to true sedan at the age of 22).

Cars i would not consider:

1.Audi 1.8T, etc
2. Any Piece of Sh_T VW.
3. Other underpowered Japanese cars (celica, spyder, Si, GSR, Miata, etc.
4. and of course any truck, suv, etc.

EJ20WRX

Chose the WRX over:

1. Acura Integra Type-R
2. BMW E30 M3

The E30 M3 was too expensive to maintain (just sold it), and the Type-R (which I owned before the M3, and sometimes kick myself over) is more than a WRX, with equivalent stock performance (but it's FWD).

Greg.

We've actually cancelled an S4 Avant ordered last winter '00 (Same day Len Hunt announced it at NY Auto Show) for the prospect of a WRX. Although I've waivered many times I NEED to test drive before buying; settled on a WR Blue 4 door when/if...

I had it down to these in no particular order:
Toyota Tacoma XtraCab 4x4 w/TRD pkg.(Too apt to take out in the woods and pound on it.)
Ford Focus SVT (Won't be easy to get with only 7500 available, but I fit better in that than the Celica)
Toyota Celica GTS (Sat in one and found out 6'5" doesn't fold into it very well but I do love the styling of it though.)
Nissan Xterra(Same as the Taco.)
Subaru Impreza RS

When I read the performance stats on the WRX I couldn't resist having something like that to mess with all the Mustangs and Camaros here. I live in major GM country. Its gonna be fun!

4 years ago I dreamt of an Eagle Talon TSi, learnt of all sorts of problems, then started paying attention to rallies, and fell in love with Sube. Until 6 months ago, I was buying a 2001 2.5RS sedan. Enter WRX. I've made a down payment on a black 5spd4dr WRX, and I haven't even drivin it yet http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif
I have to wait until JULY!, for mine http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif