Originally posted by BP:
but is 24k for a small car with great performance worth it...
seems like your paying for performance only.
you'll probably like your svt better for everyday driving situations.
"Is it worth it" - YOU BET YOUR A$$
Remember what they said about the CSVT when it was new. "Why pay 23K-24K for a Contour, when you can have a Mustang?”
I'm not trying to sound like an a$$, but you should drive one before coming to those conclusions. Before we bought one I was a little unsure at first, but one test drive changed all that.
The WRX is very similar to the Contour in more ways than one.
My personal observations: (Stock vs. Stock)
-Exterior Styling: Contour (But the WRX is growing on me)
-Interior Styling: It's a tie. The interior of the contour is simple and functional. The interior of the WRX is more sporty and with these seats who want's leather
-Engine: Not sure yet, this is the first Subaru that I have owned. Give me a year.
-Performance (5spd vs. 5spd): Subaru 0-60 in the high 5's and 1/4 mile in the low 14's STOCK!!! They both suck under 3K :(, but hey, if you want torque by a V8
-Breaks: Subaru
-Handling: Subaru (Gotta love AWD)
-Reliability: Again, this is my first Subaru but from my personal experience with the Contour and speaking with some Subaru owners; it's starting to look like the Subaru. Only time will tell.
-Overall fit and finish: It's a tie. They both seem to be very well made cars. The plastic in the WRX seems to be a little cheaper than in the SVT, but the WRX seems to be a tighter car. I don't experience the bending and flexing in the WRX that I do in the contour.
Overall it's leaning toward the Subaru but only time will tell. Remember when the SVT Contour was new in '98 it retailed for $24K. Yes, that was with a sunroof and leather but 4 years later for that same price you can get better performance, breaks, and AWD for the same price.
Now as far as the after market is concerned, on one hand I can buy a supercharger for $4,700 and get 240 - 250hp out of the SVT, but I also need an LSD, another $500
. This should get me 0-60 in low 6's and 1/4mile in low 14's. Give me that same $5,200 and I can get 300-350hp, 0-60 in mid to low 5's and 1/4mile in mid to low 13's, and it's an AUTO.
http://cobbtuning.com/ssi/osb2/itemdetails.cfm?ID=95 It's all in what you want. I'm not going to convince anyone to do or buy something they don't want. I'm just saying "don't knock it til' you try it ;)"
