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Old 03-17-2002, 07:35 AM   #1
jeffunk
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Default 2.5 RS compared to cars of same price

I'm shopping for a car and my budget is around the Impreza 2.5 RS price range. I was wondering how it compares (reliability, options, performance, etc.) to other cars in its price range (e.g. Celica GT, Altima, Sentra SE-R & Spec V, Accord, Mustang GT, Civic Si, RSX, new Corolla, Eclipse, oz rally Lancer, GTI).

I know you guys will tend to favor the Impreza, but I'd be greatly thankful if you guys were honest and as imformative as possible, Thanks!
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Old 03-17-2002, 09:07 AM   #2
brunetmj
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This is a hard question because it really depends on what you personally are looking for in an auto. I mean the impreza is all wheel drive to begin with. Is that important to you for winter driving? How much room are you looking for. Do you have 5 kids and a wife? Do you have a need for more power because you have to routinely pass 2 or three cars in a row? Subaru is a reliable car that has many standard features not found in other cars. All the cars you mentioned have their own merits and ultimately it depends on what your needs are. An internet search to weigh and compare is your best bet.
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Old 03-17-2002, 11:01 AM   #3
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This will get you started on some of the options for the first 3 you listed. You can customize it further to compare more cars as you need:

Car compare at Yahoo.


Here is my short opinion on some of the cars you mentioned.

Accord - Nice build quality and a smooth ride. Nice room inside, adequate power, but just about as boring as a car can come.

Oz Rally Lancer -

Mustange GT - don't get the V6, that would be just plain wrong. I don't think the V8 is in your price range, and insurance is very high.

Eclipse - without the V6 it will be pretty gutless, and it isn't the greatest handling car. Kind of large an not so nimble. Think Stratus with a sporty look. All show and no go.

RSX - I would take this one seriously. Even if you can't afford the Type S, the coupe with 160 hp and 141 lbs of torque combined with a quick reving engine and a manual will make for a very fun car. And it's interior is very nice, it gets good gas mileage, and should be very reliable in the long run. But even the coupe could creep out of your price range if you add some options.

The Civic Si - well I can't get over the look, it's just ugly as sin. I would buy a RSX over it any day.

Nissan Sentra SER - This is a great car, I would take this one seriously. With 175 hp and 180 hp it is one of the few cars you mentioned that has more power then the Impreza. It hasn't gotten the greatest reviews from the Car magazines like I thought it would.

The VW GTI 1.8 T is one you should consider as well.

There are a lot of cool cars in your price range, the Impreza has some real competition these days. But none of them have AWD, and trust me it is no gimmick. If you have to drive in the snow or rain it is really worth having the AWD. But I will let those who own a 2.5 tell you more about it.
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Old 03-17-2002, 11:27 AM   #4
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You could also look at the Ford Focus SVT or the Dodge Neon SRT-4. These cars will outperform the 2.5rs and will be in the same price range. I think the VW is a little overpriced.
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Old 03-17-2002, 07:29 PM   #5
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all in all, if i were in the market for a new car, i'd seriously give the nissan SE-R spec V a look. it's far and away the best bang for the buck. the mags have been giving it less than favorable writeups, because it kind of has that 'rough' tuner car feel to it from the factory. like someone took an economy car chassis, and stuffed a big motor in there. imagine that. dynamically, nothing can touch it for the price right now, but it is a tad unrefined compared to say, the honda. and then there's the interior...puke. i'd rip all the fabric off the seats and get them re-upholstered before anyone could ride in it.

i do like the new Si though...fortunately, you can't see the exterior from the inside, which is an awesome environment in which to conduct vehicular mayhem. there are a few shortcomings in the OEM package (tires, cough cough), but they can be easily remedied.

i really don't care for the new RS...don't ask why. it's mission seems to be compromised at this point in the face of the WRX, and since the lesser imprezas now share the same engine. still, on it's own, it is a great car, make no mistake.

don't buy a VW if you value your wallet and sanity. period.
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Old 03-17-2002, 07:37 PM   #6
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Thanks for the insight.

About the VWs, I've heard people complain about them occasionally. Why do they have such a bad rep?

However, I know that the GTI gains an easy +30, 40 hp w/ chip and exhaust.
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Old 03-17-2002, 08:00 PM   #7
dRu888
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If you can find a used 01 2.5 RS what you would have is a totally loaded car with sunroof, excellent handeling, unmatched torque, and bulletproof reliability. On the con side, the 2.5 RS doesn't have that....beautiful of an interior, i mean everything is there but is more of a rugged setup. Go into a RSX and Celica interior and you'll know what i'm talking about. Now lets see if theres anything else...nope thats about it..o yea, and the RS isn't as fast stock as many people make it out to be, it's just "quick" .

Oh yes, and the thing that made me ultimately decide to get an RS, is that NOBODY HAS IT! Not only will you be unique, turn heads, but you have a practical and safe car. That's how I view it, who cares if a mustang can beat you off the line, i see them everywhere, who cares. =)
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Old 03-17-2002, 08:44 PM   #8
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Thumbs up Biased opinion

For $19,800, you show me another car that costs the same brand new, looks this good, gets as good fuel economy, has AWD, and is fun to drive. That's what I paid, and it's the best money I ever spent.



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Old 03-17-2002, 08:47 PM   #9
spotlfe
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i totally agree with everything dru888 said... the 01rs isnt all that fancy inside... but it does give you most the things u need or want... and it is few and far between... das why i got it... didnt want an "AZN = honda, acura" car dont get me wrong.. those cars are nice... wanted to set myself apart from my friends tho
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Old 03-17-2002, 11:57 PM   #10
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The RS sits in a niche by itself. Go a little cheaper and you get lots of cars with more bang for the buck, but no AWD.

Go for a AWD vehicle and you will not find one this cheap with such a nice build inside and out.

The big question do you want AWD?

If it's not that important, you can get more car for the money.

If you want a all-season, all weather car that is fun and easy to drive fast, then get the RS.

If not fork up the extra $4K and get a WRX, or save some and check out the cars that the other guys mentioned.
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Old 03-18-2002, 12:18 AM   #11
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The main probs with VW's are reliability. They are extremely nice, relatively(in this segment) fast cars, but they are not very reliable unless you want to get the deisel. Also, they handle like pigs in cold mud. For some reason VW forgot that handling is important in a two door supposedly sporty car. The main thing you need to know is if you want AWD. That is the reason to go with the RS. If you really couldn't care less, the best options are the Spec V and the SVT Focus. A unique car that came out recently is the Suzuki Aerio, which while only FWD now, they will suppsoedly offer an AWD option some time in the future. Don't Laugh, Suzuki supposedly makes some interesting & fun to drive cars in Japan. The price is also very cool, plus it will be unique. Try Spec V for power & price, plus you'll have $ for mods.
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Old 03-18-2002, 02:13 AM   #12
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Well, out of everything the VW and the RSX have better interiors but are FWD, and the Mustang is the only RWD yet horribly uncomfortable and unpractical (and you could only get a V6 for that much, which isnt worth it)

I still think the 02 Impreza RS is the best car for its price bar none.
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Old 03-18-2002, 12:12 PM   #13
mart242
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I recently had to make that decision... (last week) and went for an 02 RS (should be getting it in a few weeks).

I could have afforded a WRX, but did not like forking out an extra 6,000$ (I'm in Canada) for a Turbo, heated seats, momo wheel and metal pedals. I've added the fogs, spoiler and keyless entry to a RS and still have 6,000$ left in my pocket. Another big plus, the RS uses regular gas instead of the expensive one. Sure, it won't be as fast as the WRX but it should handle roughly the same (which I like) and the interior is the same (sport seats) which I also really like. The 2.5 liter engine seems to have lots of torque so you don't have to rev it high like the WRX before you get power. It depends on what you want, but it seems that most people want the WRX.

I currently own a VW Golf (99, Wolfsburg edition fully loaded) but I feel I will soon have tons of problems with it. I've done 66,000km with it and the warranty was over at 40,000km. No major problem so far, but at 40,000km they had to change all the sparkplugs, wires, and a bunch of other stuff because of some engine misfires. I've replaced 3 bulbs in the brake lights, and I've got a burnt bulb in my dash. In a car guide that I read, they say that the VW Golf built between 95 and 99 is for someone who likes surprises. No more VW for me. I wanted reliability so went for Subaru which seems really good.

I haven't looked at the other cars that you mentionned (Celica, ...) because I absolutely wanted 4 doors which reduced my choices quite a bit. Mustang? Drive fast in a straight line only? No thanks. Accord / Civic? Too many on the road, and do not look nice inside.

The RS seems a bit expensive compared to other cars but you get AWD. Is it worth it? I'll know in a few months but it sure seems fun to drive. I testdrove an outback sport (too soft suspension) and a TS (they had no RS in stock). The TS was quite fun to drive, so I guess that the RS will be a lot more fun! No turbo like the WRX, but the 2.5 liter engine seems powerful enough.
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Old 03-18-2002, 12:32 PM   #14
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ditto what everybody else says, do you want awd?

Quote:
About the VWs, I've heard people complain about them occasionally. Why do they have such a bad rep?
I know tons of current and former VW owners (myself included). I think the main problem is one of consistency. You either get a good one or you don't. I have a friend who put 180K on his Golf before it started having major problems. The guy did minimal maintenance, and I was amazed.
Me: "Hey, Brian, is that an oil light lit up on your dash?"
Bri: "Oh, is that what that is. It's been on for a month or so."
Me: "When was the last time you got your oil changed?"
Bri: "I don't know, I think they did it last time I got a tune-up"
Me: "When was that?"
Bri: "About a year ago."

OTH, I know lots of folks who do appropriate maintenance on their VW's and have tons of problems with everything from electrical to mechanical to cosmetic.
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Old 03-18-2002, 05:46 PM   #15
UDPride
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Default Well..

I know its my totally biased opinion but...

Putting makes like Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and VW in the same sentence as Ford and Chevy is blasphemy. If you want to drive around with parts falling off and doing your own bodywork with duct tape, go the Ford Chevy route.

My sis just bought a 99 Taurus a week ago. I had the *privilege* of getting a ride in it this weekend and could not believe how cheap Ford is still making automobiles. Everything is just bubbly plastic with no forethought in design or ergonomics. All the buttons are like they were pumped up with air the the fabric is still that 1970s sandpaper. To be honest, I had not ridden in an American car for a number of years (nobody I know owns one), but had read all the rumors that the gap was narrowing and took it for granted.

Boy was I shocked. I look at folks driving around in them thinking they are hot stuff, but in the end no matter what it is, whether its a Monte Carlo or a Mustang Cobra, its still just a Ford or Chevy and I think that says it all.

Nobody mentioned the fact that resale values of Ford and GM products are terrible. Im a firm believer in you get what you pay for so pay a little more now, or pay a lot more later. Over the last 9 years Ive driven 2 Nissans and an Acura as a daily driver and not once did my car ever fail to start, whether it was 90 degrees or 20 below. Sure I had to replace exhausts and stuff, but who doesnt at 129K miles. If you cant get 250K miles on a new Honda, Toyota, or whatever, you are doing something wrong.

I look at the interior of my 92 Acura Integra GS-R and its nearly as modern looking as some 2002 cars. Jap interiors for whatever reason stand the test of time and never age. Probably because they dont try to get fancy and put style before substance and necessity.

OK Im done with my totally biased opinion.
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Old 03-18-2002, 10:39 PM   #16
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is awd necessary or even wanted in southern california?
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Old 03-18-2002, 11:29 PM   #17
dRu888
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I sure enjoy my AWD and couldn't imagine life without it. I live in So Cal and came from Norcal and I think it is really nice to have. Not only do you have more control over your car in everyday driving but if it were to rain...you go on bumpy roads...dusty roads...curvy ones..you can tackle them all with a sense of security (well at lest I do) because you can really feel the solidility of the awd. I take it for granted sometimes..=)
Also, if you saw you were gonna get hit by a train or something, you can just gun it and you'll go, u wont peel out haha
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Old 03-19-2002, 02:50 AM   #18
Kostamojen
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Quote:
Originally posted by jeffunk
is awd necessary or even wanted in southern california?
As opposed to torque steer with FWD? Heck yes. Im never buying a FWD car again cause of torque steer!
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Old 03-19-2002, 04:11 AM   #19
jeffunk
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uh, what's torque steer?
(i kno, i'm stupid)
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Old 03-19-2002, 04:00 PM   #20
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Well I am the proud owner of a 2002 RS and while I was car shopping the environment was a little different since I had to deal with the 2001 models. But here goes. These cars were on my short list to try out.

1. Honda Accord - except for the V-6 which was out of my price range. The power in it was very poor and it just felt cheap and bland inside. It did not feel like a 20K car.

2. Nissan Altima - no not the 2002 which is nice. I checked out the 2001 SE model which had the four wheel disc brakes and sport tuned suspension. The only problem. Couldn't find one. They were in limited production and just happened to be one of the hottest cars to get that no one noticed.

3. Nissan Sentra SE - very good car for its class and price. Options weren't too much. Problem, couldn't order one. They just started making the 2002 models. They only had one on their lot. I would have paid a ton in labor cost to install other options.

3. Infiniti G20 - Overpriced piece of crap.

4. Honda Civic - I like them but I already owned one. Wanted something different. Maybe if the SI was out I might have reconsidered, but it too felt really bland in the interior.

5. Volkswagon Jetta - a very decent car with good gas milegae and everything. It just did not fit my style and personality. Plus options were too expensive to deck it out the way I wanted to.

6. Acura RSX - Just came out so it was going over MSRP.

7. I was also looking at a couple mini-SUVs but I just don't feel comfortable in them.

One car I would have given serious consideration to if it was there when I bought the car are the new Nissan Altimas and Sentras. They are by far the best bang for the buck in their class minus the Subaru's niche market.

I chose the Subaru, because it just performed amazingly when I test drove. The turns were smooth and the riding was very firm. Plus options aren't that expensive. I ordered the car with the options I wanted at invoice price along with the color I wanted. Heh, if I am paying 20K, I going to get the car I want down the last bolt. Well there is my 2 cents that turned into a dollar.
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Old 03-19-2002, 07:02 PM   #21
rex_ruthor
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Default how come you didnt include the Mazda Protege?

That a sweet looking car. You know the one, the wagon...they always have it in yellow in the commercials. Anyway, that car handles like a go kart, and already has nice tuner rims and a Nardi wheel on it. It could use some more power, but its not really a dog. And the handling is exceptional. No AWD, but you have to make that call on your own..
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Old 03-19-2002, 07:47 PM   #22
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Go with the RS. I have two friends, one has a GTI and one has a Celica. Ive driven both of their cars and theyve both driven mine, and they both would much rather have the RS for 2 reasons; it's got some kick with the 160+ hp, and the AWD is awesome. You can take corners at 50 and not worry at all. I highly suggest the RS -or- wait a couple of months and pick up a used WRX for about 20k. Ive seen some already cuz guys cant afford them, and have to unload them fast. The choice is yours, but the RS comes highly reccomended. Plus, Subaru's are the most reliable cars in North America. BTW, I have a 2002 RS.
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Old 03-19-2002, 09:51 PM   #23
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I'd say go with the RS *IF* you can live without the 227 horses. That to me was the major question I had to answer (it's nice buying regular gas as well). Of course there are other differences like the WRX coming with the cd changer. After listening to the base stereo in the RS and the WRX (even with the upgraded speakers and the sub) I knew that either way the stock radio had to go so paying for the upgraded unit was a waste of money.

I put in an Alpine CDA-7873 for $325 and what a difference. Even without changing the stock speakers (which I plan on doing also).

Anyway, before I ramble, if the 165HP works for you I'd bet you'd be happy as a clam with the RS, just like me!

-Rick
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Old 03-20-2002, 02:29 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally posted by jeffunk
uh, what's torque steer?
(i kno, i'm stupid)
Driving with the front end of the car ALA FWD. FWD cars with lots of torque, like the new Altima for instance, have ALOT of torque steer. Its not condusive to accelerating around corners
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Old 03-20-2002, 08:59 AM   #25
mart242
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Default Re: how come you didnt include the Mazda Protege?

Quote:
Originally posted by rex_ruthor
That a sweet looking car. You know the one, the wagon...they always have it in yellow in the commercials. Anyway, that car handles like a go kart, and already has nice tuner rims and a Nardi wheel on it. It could use some more power, but its not really a dog. And the handling is exceptional. No AWD, but you have to make that call on your own..
It's funny how different people have different opinion

I testdrove the Protege5 before purchasing my RS and did not like the way it handled on the road. I did not like the lack of feel with the clutch either. (the stick feels like it is in mud). It's a basic Mazda Protege with a sport look. But as you say, the yellow one looks really nice and it comes with plenty of features for the price. If all depends on if you like driving it or not.
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