Think it's time I join in on this thread.
Having owned 2 of the cars on this list (S2000/WRX) and driving another (Evo8) I feel that I should give my input on these cars.
RX-8 - I really dont know much about them, I know that Ive been to my local mall and then had a blue one on display. I liked the color, but the car just looked to long. It was like trying to be a sports car, but it was just not. Besides the fact that Ive seen one RX-8 I only know what I have read. So therefore, Im basically going to give no opinion on the RX-8
S2000- The car I drive now. My daily driver. Im really not sure why people claim this car as a bad daily driver. Maybe because it has no low end torque? Im really not sure, all I know is that I drive up to 50 miles a day and in those 50 miles Im in a zone of fun. Maybe its just me, but I dont see why the torque is needed. I can move with all traffic around me at the same pace. And when in traffic I see no reason to go any faster. I guess I just need other opinions on what good daildy driver car standards are? The S2000 also is 1000X more fun then any car Ive ever driven, The RWD, 9k redline and race car feel of the car is a blast! I sometimes take back twisty roads to work just to enjoy it more!
Evo8 - My friend has a silver Evo8, the looks are a little bulky to me and it just looks like such a big car. But it has its ways of looking good. I really like it, besides the huge Mistubishi emblem on the front. And the big wing, yes I know it serves a purpose, but Ive just never been a fan of a taller wing. Thats my personal opinion and in no way am I calling a "taller" wing rice. I first took a ride in it.. with my friend driving, hes a fair driver and I was fairly impressed with the pull of the car. I expected the power to fall off as high RPM's came about, but the car kept pulling strong. I then got to drive it, and push it though a few turns. I will admit it was a blast, the car was very grippy and pulled hard. And felt quite faster then my S2000. We then raced from both a roll and stop. From a roll, we all know the S2000 has the advantage being RWD vs AWD. So of course here I won. From a stop, by my surprise, he didn't take me to hard off the line. I fought my way back, and by 60-70 mph, I was ahead. Also, just on a side note, Ive taken my S2000 to the track one time. I dont have my slips with me (due to the fact Im at work) But I remeber a few things off it it... 13.8 @100 with a 1.8 60 foot time. Also, I do understand the fact that an Evo8 with a good driver would probably beat me. Like I said, he is a fair driver. In no way do I claim my car is faster then Evo8's due to these races.
WRX - My first "sports" type car. Also my first standard. It was a blast, new car, turbo, awd. What more could you ask for? Well, Im sure most of you know that the 02's had many transmission problems. Well mine fell victom to that around 13k miles. But before that time, I enjoy the car. I modded it a little bit. Added a BOV, Downpipe, Full 3 inch exhaust and removing the cat, and a boost controller. I also added Rims/Tires to it. This car was great for all around driving, Dry, Wet, Snow, anything, I was always ready to drive. This car had to many problems for my liking tho. It seemed to be a "cheap" made sports car. Everything fell apart, I was at the dealership on a weekly basis and they knew me by name. All of it was fixed under warrenity due to the fact it was also faulty parts. But it was just a pain and the car was also in the shop.
Summary - All the cars listed here and great cars. Everyone will have there own opinions on what car looks the best, performs the best and so on. But in my opinion. out of the 4 car listed here, after driving 3 of them. I would really have to pick the S2000. Yes, I know most of you are saying "well of course your going to pick the S2000, its you car" Well. Sure you could say that, but I firmly believe after all of time I have had with these cars, The S2000 is the best. Sure it carrys a price tag higher then all of them. But you also have to put into play many things. My S2000 is getting older, and I have yet to return to the dealership once for anything but standard checkups. And on all those checkups I have heard good news. As I stated before, my WRX was in the shop all the time. Now, I know the 04's are supposed to be better... But in my opinion the things they said that were fixed, were not the things that went wrong with my car. Ive also heard about the Evo8 having a lot of problems. And we have all heard of Mazda's issues. The one major thing I think the S2000 losses in is the ability to mod it. Im not sure about the RX-8, but I know the WRX and Evo can be made very fast with mods. The S2000 is so tunned and "perfect" stock. You cant really mod it. Sure people put a Vortech/Comptech on them. But for the price (4-6K) and only gaining 1 second in the 1/4. (Only .6 compaired to my 1/4 time) I think I'll just stay stock. Which is what I have done. I've let my S2000 alone and have had no thought of moding it besides Tires/Rims. When I had my WRX, I felt a need to mod it, I felt it needed to be fastest, and needed to reduce the horriable understeer and what not. Im really not sure on how to end this besides mentioning the STi, I feel its unfair to put the Normal WRX vs the Evo8, In my opinion, thats like putting a WRX vs the normal Lancer. For the price of my car, I could of got a STi, I sometime have regrets of not doing that. But I then think back to the problems I had and how much I love my S2000 and the regrets fade. Overall in this group, The S2000 wins as an overall car. Its reliable, quick, handles amazing, looks good, and is a blast. No other car that is listed here has that.
If you made if though all of that, give yourself a pat on the back. Im sure most of you wont read of it, but its alright. This is just my personal opinion on these cars and I just thought I would share.
Thanks
- Vincent
