Prod

A subject that seems to come up constantly on this forum is the Turbo'ed Econo-Box (TEB). Cars associated with this include the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi, the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO, and the Dodge Neon SRT4. What is your opinion on these cars?

My 2 cents:

Dodge Neon SRT4: This is hands down the worst of the TEBs. No car better fits the description of a Turbo'ed Econo-Box. First of all, it's American/Dodge. Dodge has never been renowned for its reliability or luxury. Even though the car can run a 13.9 quater and does 0-60 in 5.3, it's a Neon. So after the victory on the track, you end up driving home on the highway feeling every bump in your noisy plastic sedan. So you can beat your friends in a race. You can't ride comfortably to work or pick up chicks with the luxurious interior. You can however, speed past the chicks as your friends stop to pick them up. Neon base cost: $13K. SRT4 cost: 20K. Looking like an idiot: Priceless.

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO: I know very little about this car. It's base cost is $13K, and the EVO model is somewhere around the upper 20s. My family used to own 2 Mitsubishis and they were reasonably nice cars. They weren't luxury, but they were certainly better than anything Dodge could put out. I'm guessing by the base cost that this car doesn't have much to boast about. A TEB it is.

Subaru Impreza WRX, WRX STi: I used to drive a 1992 Subaru Loyale. (Worst car in Subaru history, still lasted my family 10 years. Also did 0-60 in 45 seconds. No joke, I timed it. That's what happens when you have a 90hp 4 powering a wagon.) I now drive a 2001 Subaru Outback. My brother drives a 2003 WRX. Putting Subaru in the econo segment is a mistake. The Impreza base cost is $19K. The WRX model runs for 24-25K. The WRX STi si $31K. Performance specs: WRX quarter: 14.1, STi: 13.1 Subaru is not Dodge. They furnish their interior quite well; lately the interiors have had an upscale feel. The WRX comes standard with everything you'd expect from a normal family sedan, as well as several bonuses, notably a 6 disc CD changer and a six speaker stereo with very good sound quality. Optional in the premium package are heated seats, mirrors, wipers, and a moonroof. The STi can't get the premium package but it still has more than the basic necessities of a $25K sedan with $40K of perfomance. The cheapest car I know of that can beat the STi is the BMW M3 (47K base). Subaru makes high quality cars and shouldn't be lumped in with the other TEBs. Another Subaru worth noting: Forester XT. Top rated small SUV by Consumer Reports, made the top 5 trucks for Car and Driver. Runs a quarter mile in 13.8. Costs $21K base, 26K for the XT. Very nice interior. My only problem with Subaru is that they could use to restyle the exteriors of their cars. The interiors are great though. Not to mention all Subarus are hugely practical and outperform everything else in the snow. I've towed a friend out of some snow with my Outback. I've never been stuck, and I've never even had all 4 wheels lose traction at the same time under any road conditions.

My take on the RX-8: It's the coolest looking car out there. A brilliant blend of style, performance, and practicality. It's not that fast, but who cares. It's cooler than all the other cars out there. And you can fit 3 chicks in it with you. Try seating 3 in a 350Z while you're driving. (Please note I personally don't support immoral activities involving multiple chicks; however, the populous does.) I would love to have an 8, but unfortunately my mom isn't going to buy it for me. She'll buy the Forester though. I'll just buy an 8 when I get my commission in the Navy.

jonnyb

sti's and evo's are not econo boxes

and if you dont know, the lancer and evolution are two different cars.

Ike

If you want to be picky the SRT-4 and the Neon are different cars as well. But let's face it, the similarities between the EVO and Lancer, STi/WRX/Base Impreza, and the SRT-4 and the Neon are pretty vast beyond some similar looks. They didn't just slap turbos on the lower end version and call it a day like so many people seem to think, or would like to make you think.

Also, Prod, I think if you took some time to learn about the SRT-4 you'd have a little more respect for it. I felt similar to you when they first came out, but through learning more about the car I've really gained a ton of respect for it and it has one of the strongest engines on the market (durability wise).

As for Prod's Subaru comments... I don't think Subaru interiors are really upscale in feel, but they are purposeful, well thought out, and overall quality. Before someone else nitpicks, the STis have to have a dealer or aftermarket installed stereo (good thing IMO).

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

what a tool.... even if he praises the RX-8...

XDEEDUBBX

me personally, i think that the srt is a great car..yea its a ugly *** car that goes fast but you have to give it up to dodge for getting a "neon" to put up those numbers...

Xyntax

Yes, and if you've ever been in one you would say more about the SRT. It was an awesome experience and something I have yet to extract from my 8 :D

It was weird how my impression on its "image" changed instantly as I got off the door. Kinda like what happened to me on the STi after I read about it's specs and reviews :D

As for the Evo, I dig the fangs but that's as far as it could get to me.

vudoodoodoo

The regular Lancer and EVO are totally different cars. Same goes for the Impreza and Sti. They all different engines and drivetrains.
Sti and EVO are not just the Lancer and Impreza w/ turbos. They're not turboed econoboxes.
A turboed econobox is a Civic EX w/ a turbo, Integra w/ a turbo, Kia w/ a turbo, etc.

Hanzo

The only things carried over from the Lancer to Evo are the:

Dash
Door handles
Windows
Chassis (which is reinforced)
Side mirrors

That's it, everything is then hand assembled.

Econobox? LOL, just because a car looks "boxy" doesn't mean it's an "Econobox".

For example:

downshift

Just a disclaimer here for all those who read this thread:

Not all RX-8 owners think the same way as Prod!

Seriously, those TEB's are good cars. Styling is subjective and is to the eye of the beholder anyway. Some people think the RX-8 looks like a guppy or just downright ugly but we think otherwise. Personally, I like the styling of all those cars... yes, even the SRT-4. Interior may seem to suck but hey, it's good for its intended purpose. I know I'll never get the turbo rush or do some AWD drifting in the snow in my '8. Conversely, the owners of those cars will never get to experience the RWD fun and the exhilaration of 9000rpms either. But it's all a preference anyway, so choose your ride and appreciate the choices that are out there.

It's not the cars that are the problem, it's the close-mindedness of particular enthusiasts that bugs some of us.

bubble

The TEBs aren't just faster than the 8, they outbrake and out corner the 8 as well. The 8 doesn't have anything on the TEBs from a performance standpoint. That's what TEB owners care about, performance. The TEBs get their job done in a cost effective manner. The 8 sacrifices performance for styling and luxury. Do you know who else sacrifices performance for styling? Ricers.

Boudicea

Bubble, that's not very nice- you don't have to make rude references like that to get your point across. Why would you try and pick a fight like that?

I think the Evo and the STI are kick *** cars. I'm just not willing to give up my leather seats and slightly cushier ride. Now, I'm not so fond of the Neon. Just because it's a Neon. Fast as anything, but I can't swallow the "Neon" part. Not that there's anything wrong with it, it's just not me.

Genom

The thread gets my vote for most opinionated thread. With a dash of PC.

Some of ya'll need to engage brains before hands.

jtimbck2

THREAD HIJACK:

Ever notice how econoboxes tend to have insubstantial, wispy, ethereal sounding names? Examples:

Mitsubishi Mirage
Mitsubishi Eclipse (not really an "econobox", but the name fits)
Toyota Echo
Mazda Protégé
Dodge Shadow
Hyundai Accent
Ford Focus

Any others?

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

you forgot the most obvious wussy (i assume that's what you mean by insubstantial, ethereal, wispy) name: the Honda Civic

NAVILESRX8

iTrader: (1)

You can't please everybody all the time.......

YKZA

If you're going to start an opinion thread...please know some facts or have some experience so as to know what the hell you are talking about with respect to your topic.

zoom44

everyone seems to have missed his most important point. bold emphasis added by me.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

hahahahha good point

bassoon811

Yes it is impresive for dodge to to get thoes numbers, but it's not really not a "Neon",IMO, its like saying it's impresive dodge got what it did out of the Ram SRT-10, its not really a Ram its more of a Viper than it is a truck.

Just my $0.02

xenomorph

Mazdaspeed protege is the best of all turbo'd econo box...

It had a outstanding fit n finish... and its not fast but is upscale...


MAZDA 3 is the KING... of ECONO BOX

Mazda 3 should have awd and turbo... it has the best interior, chassis, and looks.....

Ike

I actually liked the MSP and the MP5 better than the 3. I can't quite put my finger on it but there's something that bugs me about the Mazda 3.

Hanzo

I think it's so different and new. Give it time, it'll grow on you.

NAVILESRX8

iTrader: (1)

I'll never buy a FWD car(or FWD based AWD) as my sole enthusiast ride....as a people mover sure, but to actually suit my sporty car habit....Hell no.

Lawerence

I wouldnt call the EVO or STi "FWD based AWD" just because the lancer is FWD doesnt mean its FWD based. I would say they are "rally based"

Maybe something like the audi TT (haladex based).

Hanzo

The STI is actually a rear drive base. The flat 4 is pointed to the rear and the transmission is mounted behind the front wheels.