Originally posted by M5Power
I've driven all of the named cars except for the RSX-R, and I must say - 20,000 is very excessive (Cadillac sells about 30,000 Escalades per year, and I see those everywhere). I'd bet if they're shipped at all, it's in quantites of 2000 or less, and they're hard to find.
Either way, out of all of these, the Subaru Impreza STI is my choice here - a 300bhp turbo flat-four, 22mpg, four doors, all-wheel drive, high-intensity headlights, a power sunroof, side airbags, heated power mirrors, power locks, and power windows for $30995 is a damn good deal any way you slice it - it's also got a nice warranty and bulletproof reliability.
Second is the Mitsubishi Lancer 8, which starts $2008 less than the STI - trade-off is, of course, power, and it loses 29 to the STI. Thing is, it's lighter, and almost as fun. Standard is all-wheel drive, antilock brakes, an alarm, high-intensity headlights, and a CD player.
Third goes to the Mazda RX-8, which comes up a bit short on power - 53 less than the STI at 247 with a manual transmission - but makes up for it with a lower base price than both the Lancer and the STI. In fact, the RX-8's $26680 base is $4315 cheaper than the STI and $2107 cheaper than the Lancer. Its interior is about as usable, and it's loaded - standard are front side and side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, power locks, mirrors, and windows, keyless entry, a 6-speed manual, and a CD player. Options are hugely expensive, which is why the RX-8 isn't first or second.
Fourth is the Nissan 350Z, which is significantly less usable than the first three, but arguably more performance-oriented. Standard at $26269 is a 287-horsepower V6, a 6-speed manual, power mirrors, windows, and locks, keyless entry, a CD player, and an alarm. My recommendation is the Enthusiast model (base $28249) with the optional side and side curtain airbags (total $28818). Still, against four-door rivals, it isn't nearly as livable, and I wouldn't buy it unless I had something else in which to cart around people.
Fifth is the Honda S2000, which is more expensive and less usable than all models here and also the least powerful. That should say it all, but to the Honda's credit, its engine is supremely performance-oriented, and its handling is unmatched. Still, its $32600 base is expensive for just 240bhp. Standard is a 6-speed manual, antilock brakes, leather seats, power mirrors, locks, and windows, keyless entry, a CD player, and an alarm.
I don't know what the RSX-R is, nor do I know its specs, so I'm not sure where it fits.
Maybe compare to Porsche parts.
