GT4/WRX STI/EVO, Next Car Conundrum Options

[yarik83]

To buy or not to buy, that is the question.
Imagine yourself in the year 2010, credit cards are paid off and ability to pay $600/mo into car payments. Imagine yourself having to choose between 3 car brands: Toyota, Subaru and Mitsubishi.
Cars up for consideration: GT-4 Celica, Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

GT-4 Celica
1994-1995 approximate mileage 60,000 miles approximate cost $10,000 USD
Pro: Sentimental Value
Con: Average lifespan of a car is about 20 years and vehicle is already 15-16 years old; being pulled over all the time

Subaru WRX STI
2005-2007 approximate mileage 30,000-60,000 miles approximate cost $20,000 USD
Pro: 4 door sedan on steroids
Con: Thousands on the street
2008-2010 approximate mileage 0-20,000 miles approximate cost $25,000 USD
Pro: 5 door models could be used to transport large® objects when necessary
Con: Higher Purchase Cost

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2003-2005 approximate mileage 50,000-70,000 miles approximate cost $20,000 USD
Pro: 4 door sedan on steroids
Con: Thousands on the street
2005-2007 approximate mileage 30,000-50,000 miles approximate cost $25,000 USD
Pro: 4 door sedan on steroids
Con: Thousands on the street

2008-2010 approximate mileage 0-20,000 miles approximate cost $25,000 USD
Pro: 4 door sedan on steroids
Con: High(er) Insurance Rates
So question is: to buy or not to buy?
I know I know… but GT-4 is not legal in the states and yada yada. Let’s close our eyes on legal issues for a second. After all taking a risk is part of the game.
I am window shopping early; obviously it would be silly to walk around with a big check for $25,000 and expect to make a right decision when the time comes. Having Toyota in my DNA, I think it is very hard, mentally, to get away from having one. After all myself and Toyota has been “married” since 1998. Divorce is certainly an option but since Supra was the last performance model and celica was the last appealing model, I doubt that I have anything to look forward to with exception of FT-86 model which is nice but not that nice. So looking back in time I spent nearly 10 years of my life dreaming about GT-4.. so I got myself the closest thing (engine swap) but having been surrounded by AWD Subaru and Evolution cars.. I feel that I don’t quite fit in. Then of course GT-4 has made itself available, at least to our Northern neighbors and getting one to Florida became that much easier. Legal aspects aside… I could be driving one here in the states, legally or not come February. But then vehicle age and limitations have to be considered. Even with lower mileage car is already 15 years old and it is a 2 door bundle of joy that will probably get pulled over every other day. Of course I could spend a little more cash and get myself an evo or a sti and have no legal issues at all, I could have a sedan or a 5 door and probably higher insurance but I would be driving either car until at least 2025-2030. Those cars, of course have advanced AWD system with upgraded electronics and yada yada but the curves are gone, rarity is missing and aside from practical use of having 4 or 5 doors and lasting a whole 10 or so years longer than a GT-4 would… they are not that special. Of course 2008+ models look different from previous models but that is kind of expected. In either case purchase of those would be expected come Summer.
What would you do?

[yarik83]

After watching probably close to a hundred different evo videos I would have to say that edmunds does not do it justice.. not even to sti. They are being critical and rightly so. They highlight things that might need attention and out of the blue they conclude their analysis with something that was not shown in the video.

never less things are changing for both mitsubishi and subaru. Both kinda sorta pulled out from the rally sport although their vehicles are still used by privately held teams. As much as I like subaru I just cant agree with the fact that they had to make a car that looks like a 5 door ford focus. But then evo looks a little more delicate than subaru so driving it offroad would probably require a little extra care because of front bumper being so low.

On a bright side of things, time is moving and before you know it all of the things that are holding me up right now will be resolved. I do appreciate all the feedback. After all being a member of this community comes with great people who may point out things to me that I may have overlooked on my own.