ImportsAreJunk:
You know as well as I do that Subaru's AWD creates understeer. Even though they have good handling, they'll never be as good as a rear-wheel drive sports car. I loved racing my dad's Mazda Miata at the last Solo II. The turning was so much more crisp than the Impreza RS and WRX. All the Subaru's excluding the STis, aren't sports cars, they're just everday sedans/wagons. They're also damn good at what they do. It's not suprising a sports car would beat one in the handling department. Mazda Miatas were almost matching times of the STis, despite having half the horsepower. The STi was born on the dirt, not the strip or the tarmac. You'd be an idiot to think a F-Body would keep up with it on the dirt.
But the Impreza's offer superior handling in adverse conditions, like you said. The very first time I raced, VERY FIRST, it was cold so competition tires didn't do much good. On my stock, Bridgestone RE-92s in my 165hp 2000 Impreza RS, I beat a 405hp Chevrolet Z06.
Proof 33/SS vs. 251/GSN. Bam. Everyday sedan, beats a sports car, because I had the more practical car.
Also, what are these records that the third generation F-Bodies hold besides the stock bodied Firebird? You seem to be all about handling, so tell me, what sort of handling records does it hold? If I got up to 110mph in my completely stock Hyundai Accent, I imagine 300mph in just a stock body car isn't anything to toot a horn about.
I wish you were more open minded. I go to autocrosses to have fun and still be competitive and I would like others to be like that too. Not some close-minded jackass that thinks anything made outside the US sucks.
Originally posted by I6-4-eva
hmm.. how would a BMW (e46)M3 against the STi?
My guess is they would MURDER an STi. Well, not murder, but I would put money on the M3. Although it could be considered luxury, I would say it's far more sporty than an STi.