I dunno, lost you at "safe for kids" and WRX. My son had one in his late 20's, (last gen) and I thought the thing was scary fast. Too tempting for a younger driver, and the car is capable enough that you could be really flying when things go wrong.

I had a black 2004, the year the headlights went bad like on a 996. It was a fun-enough car, although tinny with minimal torque to launch from a dead stop. Test drove a STi a couple of years later and that was a revelation.

On a faster note-

https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a61536285/subaru-project-midnight-wrx-2024-goodwood-race-car/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_rdt&utm_medium=email&date =070924&utm_campaign=nl36000414&GID=1f8cc5d2e32c2e 61b0879b1ebb527eb9d28b800c9adb69631a0f542db63939b5 &utm_term=TEST-%20NEW%20TEST%20-%20Sending%20List%20-%20AM%20180D%20Clicks%2C%20NON%20AM%2090D%20Opens% 2C%20Both%20Subbed%20Last%2030D

Our Subaru BRZ has been a blast. Manual, rear wheel drive. Not overly endowed with horsepower, but enough to be nimble and quick.

I have an older VW GTI that I like, but the front wheel drive platform has always been a drawback.

It amazes me that the hot hatch formula is vanishing and good options are so thin. Even the new Honda Prelude appears to be a two-door coupe but FWD, no hatch, hybrid engine, and likely no stick. Would be interesting if a more zippy version comes out under the Acura brand.

Test drove a new wrx
 

Drove the wrx again tonight. What a total hooligan-mobile. There is now a wrinkle though-
1- quoted price of 31k was for a base and I want the premium. So now talking 33k for premium ( manager supposed to work on this for me due to miscommunication).
2- I drove a gti. 380s package. Lovely 6 speed, doesn’t require premium fuel, 7mpg better on highway, way more tech stuff for same $$. Nicer stereo, nicer brakes, cool as hell retro plaid fabric seats, more safety goodies than subie and 3 throttle maps (drive modes) including an eco that totally tames the car.

This being a 3rd car intended to save gas with a smile my brain is saying gti makes more sense. It is a little tougher to get out of and slightly smaller inside. But the driving position is very nice once you’re in. But my goodness the Subie feels like it could walk on water. Totally underrated chassis setup. Like holy cow underrated. I’ve never felt this sort of confidence in a car. No doubt the awd helps. Even my 14yo daughter noticed the feel. Motor is torquey but def needs an out 4K to wake up. And it sounds legitimately good! Gearing is a bit goofy. It doesn’t need more hp just needs it either earlier or needs to carry it to 7k instead of the 6k limit it currently has.

I gotta do some math on this gas thing.

Nice car. I always liked those hatchbacks. They were/are very polarizing to the Subaru cognoscenti.

Thanks, here's a 2024 WRX from Subaru they call the midnight project or something like that. 670HP 680 FPT. I don't think this one street legalhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1720662888.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1720662888.jpg

I’d have to drive a used RS3 before buying any small awd fun car.

Outside of the WRX the price REALLY goes up for awd! BMW might be the cheapest of the bunch with the 230i xdrive. Not sure if the German awd systems feel like subies but did see a pretty nice looking review on the '24 Golf R.

Is the Corolla GR getting any votes here?

I have a ‘12 STI hatch which I love and hate, lol. Intoxicating performance, but THIRSTY and with just at 100k the interior rattles and squeaks like an Old b!tch. The doors are so lightweight I have to get on the wife to close doors EASILY! She doesn’t appreciate the ride at all so, it’s my baby.

I do want to experience a Golf R or R32 and I YEARN for a RS2 Avant.

The WRX drive really did get me appreciating awd but my goodness is it expensive in other cars. Strongly leaning GTI now but doesn't look like dealers are giving much at all off sticker. I figure I could ax the car to learn how to manage a fwd platform. not ideal but by my math the GTI would be approx $90/mo cheaper in gas than the WRX. That's pretty substantial for something that is supposed to be a 'third car commuter'.

Commuter gas mileage...
Rug rats driver safety...
Bat out of hell...
Happy wife...

Decisions, decisions...

The WRX gets pretty great mileage, at least mine did.

Combined city and highway were 8-9 L/100 kms. It does need premium tho.

I think my '13 gets 28mpg which seems great to me because that's twice the milage of my Tundra. I probably don't get anywhere near 28 because I'm always in the boost. I just can't help it

My 22 6 spd averaged about 19/20

I dunno how anybody stays out of boost on those things. Every damn turn is a friggin gigglefest.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1994-audi-rs2-avant-13/

Oh yeah, in my watch list! Been tracking them for a couple of years now. It WILL happen. Just don’t quite know when yet.