Keep MSP vs buy STi, EVO, or 03 Cobra?

[Saevii]

As you can see from the title I'm debating buying a new car. I was wondering what you guys thought of my possible car choices. Please give your driving impressions of these cars if you think they would be useful.

I use my MSP for autox (it's bone stock) and LOVE the handling responsiveness but hate the lack of power after second gear on the highway. Right now I feel that making more power would be more reliable from a car that is already made to handle more so that is why I'm debating these cars. If I bought one I would concentrate new purchases on handling components almost exclusively. I would be hoping to spend no more than ~25K on a used car and there seems to be enough of these to choose from (I don't mind driving to find one). I live in Omaha, NE and have to deal with snow so snow tires are mandatory for any new car I purchase but I'm a bit worried about how the Cobra would do in the snow.

Here's what i'm debating between the cars right now:

Impreza WRX STi - I like the power, don't like the "floaty" steering; after owning a MSP my standards for turn in and balance are pretty high. (I actually have one in my garage right now because the dealer thinks I'm going to buy it just because I take it home for the night). Insurance = ~$1100 every 6 mos.

Lancer EVO VIII - (Specifically I'm thinking about an RS model) I haven't driven one but I'm told they have crisper handling than the STi. I think the looks are one point down from the STi, specifically the interior is boring (yes I realize I'm being superficial). I REALLY want to drive one but don't know anyone in the area that has one because I'm military and relatively new to the area. Insurance = ~$934 every 6 mos.

03 Mustang Cobra - I haven't driven the supercharged Cobras but have the '99 NA ones; I love the power potential and sound. I hate the interior materials but love the overbuilt engine and tranny. I would be buying an extensive handling package from Kenny Brown and snow tires for this car if I got it so this is the most expensive option for me assuming an equal purchase price. Insurance = ~$1069 every 6 mos.

So....please tell me what you guys think, what do you think of these cars? Am I being too picky about the STi's handling? Does anyone live nearby and have an Evo or Cobra they would let me drive for thirty mins (I'll buy gas and dinner any place you choose )?

Thanks in advance,

Nathan

 

[Mikey444]

Keep the MSP, I mean come on, it's a car that was only made for one single year, I dont own one but I love them, there is something really special about those cars. you are already pretty satisfied with it's handling so just do mods to get more HP. It's an amazing litle car, I think they look awesome and not ricey. The inside feels pretty nice and tight.

 

[Iggy]

Corba, 4.6L v8 with a blower means fun on many occasions. although, i wouldnt drive it in the snow even with snow tires.

 

[Matthew]

sti or evo no brainer

 

[Saevii]

LOL! That's pretty even so far... I really want to drive an EVO to know how it feels, so if you have one nearby dinner and gasoline are on me if I can go for a test drive (with you in the car of course).

Nathan

 

[Shane5425]

sti if you want to get out of the msp, if it were me, and i had a msp now, i would keep the msp, they make sti each year, the msp was made 1 year.. i would say its gonna be a import tuner collector car , give it 10 years, thats gonna be one rare car to come buy..

 

[girth]

Well it all depends on purchase price in my opinion. Assuming equal purchase price, my order of preference would be:
1. STi
2. Evo
3. Cobra
4. MSP

I wouldn't worry about the cobra in the snow - my brother's GT stang handles just fine in the winter with snows on. I like the Evo better than the STi but personally I think Subaru's build quality is better. The Cobra is great....but it's a whole different beast than the other cars.

 

[Matthew]

sti if you want to get out of the msp, if it were me, and i had a msp now, i would keep the msp, they make sti each year, the msp was made 1 year.. i would say its gonna be a import tuner collector car , give it 10 years, thats gonna be one rare car to come buy..

a collector car has to be something worthwhile. the fact they made it one year doesnt mean anything. it has to be attractive in ten years to be collector. it has a slew of problems now, imagine it in ten years with 100k + on the odometer.

 

[Micah]

a collector car has to be something worthwhile. the fact they made it one year doesnt mean anything. it has to be attractive in ten years to be collector. it has a slew of problems now, imagine it in ten years with 100k + on the odometer.

Yep, I agree. The single year theory doesn't hold up. That's pretty much manufacture and abandon. I think the MSP will be looked back upon much like the Dodge Spirit R/T. Rare car, fun car, but ultimately not worth much barring sentimental value.

http://www.xmission.com/~dempsey/shelby/sheldodc.htm

 

[Mikey444]

a collector car has to be something worthwhile. the fact they made it one year doesnt mean anything. it has to be attractive in ten years to be collector. it has a slew of problems now, imagine it in ten years with 100k + on the odometer.

I just love Mazdas, it's my opinion, I love a lot of other cars but there will always be a place in my garage for a Mazda.

 

[kickniteasy]

A little off topic but are you stationed at offutt *sp*? I lived in bellevue and graduated from papillion-lavista high......doesn't really matter, but there so few people in NE I get excited when I hear of someone from there.

Back on topic.....I'd go STI. I hear the turbo lag on the evo is terrible. While I love mazdas, it's be hard to pass up to AWD and power of an sti if it were available to me. That, and I'm sure the AWD will come in handy during auto-X and snow season. Also, since the sti has a top mounted intercooler I think that'd be preferable to the FMI of an evo b/c NE has gravel and sand down for half the year on the roads and that stuff gets flung right into the nose of the car.

 

[chaosProtege]

the evo engine has been around since the evo I in japan. proven reliability there also better in the cornering dept. i do like the looks of the sti better and it has more power. tho the evo IX is sopposed to be bumped up on power and better struts. you'll have to wait for a couple years for a used one probably. i refuse to comment on anything with a ford emblem. lol

 

[mazdaowner123]

I'd say evo. Huge potential, awd, great for autox. Try to find a mitsu dealership and drive one.

 

[Matthew]

you can get them pretty cheap. there was one with 17k miles 05 here for 24995 when i bought my rex. i was going to buy it, but no rebates and higher interest rate kept me responsible and smart.

 

[Saevii]

Yes, I am stationed at Offutt AFB

I drove the EVO today thanks to a local owner I found on evolutionm.net. So....the Evo handles great and puts the STi to shame in that department. The power delivery actually seemed much smoother than I expected because of what people have said about lag then big boost. The STi has rediculous torque but the understeer and vague steering response are BIG detractors to me. Both cars look good to me so that isn't going to sway me much either way.

Even though the STi and Cobra are winning in the poll I posted, I'm leaning towards the EVO because of the handling (it reminds me of my ex-wife's 2000 Celica GTS when changing lanes). I have a new found respect for my MSP after test driving these cars. Our suspension is much tighter than the STi and actually rougher over bumps then all of these cars. I don't want to ever hear another EVO owner complain about harsh ride quality...

I think it amazing that the so many Mazda owners would take a Cobra if given a choice, I didn't expect that.

Nathan

 

[mazdaowner123]

Sounds like you've done all the research. So what'd you think of the evo's handling vs. your msp? Good luck in your choice.

~brian

 

[SilverBulletES]

I would:

a) Hold onto your rare and cool MSP-- and spend what money you would have lost trading "up" to a Subie or Mitsu on a used Miata for s***-eating grin face weekend car/autoXer.
b) Sell it and cheaply finance a new Saab 9-2X for 18K or 19K (7000 GM discount right now... Y00oo-YO0o!) and mod the s*** out of it.

 

[Saevii]

The Evo vs MSP...the Evo seems to have a more "calibrated" sense of spring/damper combination. My MSP can get jarred pretty good going over all of the uneven concrete roads here in Omaha but the Evo seems to hit the bumps and still track a little better. The turn in on both cars is about the same but the Evo feels more "planted." This seems even more true at freeway speeds; quick lane changes seem to make my MSP almost float for a fraction of a second (sort of a jump from one lane to the other); the Evo feels sure footed and able to abort the change more easily. Both feel great on long fast sweeping roads but the Evo obviously can adjust to conditions more easily with power than the MSP. The STi had me worried in this type of situation...almost slide happy.

Another thing I liked about the Evo was the secure feeling in the seat and natural position of the controls (except the clutch pedal seems to sit an inch low for the top of the ball of my foot). The STi felt very akward for a long time because of the seat and shifter.

Just some more of my impressions Thanks for the imput you guys are giving!

Nathan

 

[Saevii]

SilverBulletES...I like the Miata idea but I can only have one car right now due to limited garage space As for the Saab, I like the cars but for more of that luxury feel I think I would choose an Audi (but I'm not there in my life yet; I'm still 26 and want more sporty!)

Thanks for the suggestion,

Nathan

 

[SilverBulletES]

As for the Saab, I like the cars but for more of that luxury feel I think I would choose an Audi (but I'm not there in my life yet; I'm still 26 and want more sporty!)

Take a look-- the "Saab" I'm talking about is basically a rebadged WRX wagon with some classier design touches (I think). Suspension is supposedly a -tiny- bit softer than a standard WRX, but that is easily remedied. It ain't no Saab-- it's a Saaburu!

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=8196