Well,

It seems you're back to square one. How about just test driving an R32, to see if you even like them? Don't know where you are exactly but, if in LA, there's one at New Century VW in Glendale and another at Barber Ford VW in Ventura.

They sold 5,000 of these things, surely mine is not the only one that's not been hammered.

You might also try an Audi A3. A buddy of mine has one and loves it.

JR

A3 is high on the list. I'll go and drive an R32 but worry a bit about reliability and longevity. The mkiv platform seemed to have some issues (but what VW doesn't?).

If the A3 is like 5K more than the WRX though...not sure it is worth it.

I still insist that the MazdaSpeed3 at about $23k and 263hp and 4 doors and a hatch, plenty of usable cargo space and a real rear seat is a great value. I get about 30mpg and the car is fun as hell to drive!

The Mazda
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1179944219.jpg
looks very similar to the VW
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1179944312.jpg

I'll bet the Mazda is orders of magnatude more reliable than the VW but it doesn't have that *German* feel to it.

I've had nothing but heartache with water pumper VWs and will never go there again. Even though my TT has (thus far) been a huge success I'd listen to the folks on this BBS and steer clear of Audi as well. Drive a 3 series BMW in your favorite color.

From your track record of turning cars (like me) save yourself the financial hit and buy a 1-2yr used car. We all know you're gonna swap again in 2 years. :)

My favorite playing stick is a cocobolo Jacoby J-2, running a Tiger X laminated shaft, a "sniper" layered pigskin tip. 13mm dia. with
a 13" pro taper. Weight 19 oz.

Whoops...wrong forum. :D Oh well, since it's O.T. I'll leave the post. ;)

I've had my R32 for three years now. So far, the only problem has been that the rear window washer nozzle got clogged and had to be cleaned. That's it.

To irritate those that hate Audis, let me say that the last one I had that had anything go wrong was a '94. My 2003 RS6 has had zero problems in close to four years, the 2000 S4 I had before that never had anything go wrong with it, my wife's A8L has no problems....

I hate to say this, as I used to be a Honda dealer, but I really can't stand to drive a Japanese car. They make great stuff but their cars have no soul. The same is true of recent US cars. Yuck.

JR

I saw the rs4 at a showroom. yowza! if I had a spare 70k... the ex's a8 has been pretty good other than a tranny going out just before warranty expired.

will try and drive a used 3 series but I still have a softspot for hatchbacks...

Todd,

You can easily a bass and an amp in the back of the MazdaSpeed3!

Art, I'm going to check out the ms3 as well. my hunch is that it will be in the same ballpark wrt interior as the subie. absolute performnace isn't my biggest parameter for this. I also end up having to drive around kids as well as business collaborators. and while stuck on the 405 going 5mph high hp doesn't make much difference but nice interior does.

I had to laugh at this, aside from the "cheap plastic" part, it sounded like me describing a 911 interior.

I JUST found the little light switch for the glove box. I laso stared at the intermittent wiper knob for a long time before I finally gave it a turn to see what it did and that huge tach in the middle of the dash... sheesh.

I liked the mini layout, I liked the fact that the speedo was thrown in the middle and the tach was front and center.

The little switches under the radio were stupid at first but I quickly got used to them and grew to like them a lot.

I can understand your not liking the interior. I was not thrilled at first either, but after a test drive I knew I could see past it. Once I lived with it for 2 years I liked it and it held up great, when I sold it it looked new and it should have.

Here you go Todd, and in your neck of the woods too.......

http://www.autotrader.com/ac-servlets/vehiclebrochure/brochure.pdf?car_id=219001703&dealer_id=55200064

Jim, they redesigned the interior and made it waaay worse. Craig, s4 avant is sweet but too pricey. drove another a3. a lot quicker than the gti surprisingly and the brakes are a lot better. shouldn't be tho...a3 is heavier. still need to drive a used 3 series and the mazda. as for japanese cars, for whatever reason I find the subies to have 'soul'.

Remember, Mazda has Mazdaspeed, show them you did 2 Autocrosses and all the goodies are over 50% off. Something to consider.

Mazda's chasis / suspension is VERY impressive.

When I did the 1st Mazda Rev-it-up in Miami a few years ago it was in a Mazda6 and it was a pig. I was able to adapt to it quickly and score 3rd out of 1500 people in the competition.

The next year, with the Mazda3, it was so well balanced and the suspension and handling were so good, I could not find its limits and ended up 10th overall instead of going for the kill and overall win. I could not find its limits in the 2 runs I had to try to beat the pro.

I was VERY impressed with its handling. Also, the owner (or former owner as she sold it) of Evolution Driving School owns a Mazda3 and she is FAST in it. She out ran a driving instructor in a Miata with Victoracers in her Mazda3 with street tires. She is also a good driver but so was the instructor.

I have not seen the new one nor am I interested. I prefer the Supercharged one. I think you would like it better too. Plus the prices on the ised ones are dropping. Throw a 17% pully on it for $150 and you have a 200HP street missal.