canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

I thought for sure it was boosted, maybe that's just the HPA version then, my bad. I would agree it does get outshined, but then again it's a first year car too. What's so bad about N/A anyway?

edit: here's the engine specs taken from veedub's website:

3.2L 240 horsepower, 236 lbs-ft torque, 6 cylinder, VR6, 15° V, gas

350z specs:

3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine
287 hp @ 6,200 rpm
274 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm


So it's basically running the same engine as 350z but with AWD and less weight. yup, this car sucks, stay away from it

Mr. Ed's rx-8

don't like the scoobies, and i very much dislike the interior of the EVO's. i love the interior of the 8 and the 32. so it is basically down to those 2....we'll shall see!

Ike

The VQ35 us a great engine and I would take it any day over the 3.2L VW. There's nothing bad about N/A other than I like factory FI for the ease of modability. There are some great gains to be made with some N/A engines, but most of them are big amaerican V8s.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

Isn't the 3.2l the same "VR6" that veedub has been running forever or is it different? I meant to say it is similar in power and displacement etc., obviously it's not the same engine. (big duh on me for wording that incorrectly...doh!) I think your point about ease of modability for factory FI is best represented in the Buick Grand National. (obviously there are other excellent examples,but growing up a car geek this one stands out) It would rock if GM brought something like that back, I'd love to see another Syclone or GN but modernized. If GM really had *****, they could bring in Troy Trepanier and have him build a couple of these for people:
http://www.radrides.com/photogallery.php?sub=chicayne

The engine in that car started out N/A, then got the crap boosted out of it and it pushes upwards of 1200 hp. dang I wish I had cash to build something like that, even if driving it everyday wouldn't be "practical" heh

MedicineMan

I've had 2 new VW's, '95 VR6 Jetta 5-speed and a '99 Passat V6 Auto. Never had any problems mechanically and I loved the Jetta (fun to drive) BUT after 2 years, little things started breaking or dash lighting going out or trim falling off. Back then their warranty wasn't as good as it is now. The R32 was on my short list also but couldn't get the same discount as I did on my RX-8 . Tough choice. Drive both. Good luck

Pkskull77

I never said the R32 was a bad car, but it's not as good as the EVO or STI. Both are faster than the R32, and both handle better. Other than syling, which is really a personal thing, there is no argument. If you are seriously considering a move, then get the most bang for your buck. If you settle you will regret your decesion later on down the road.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

Evo=
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net): 276@6500 (this includes the MR with an msrp of $35,499USD)
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 286@3500

Subaru=
Horsepower 227 hp @ 6000 rpm (WRX,non-STI,MSRP of $24,895USD)
Torque (lb.-ft.) 217 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Subaru(STI)=
Horsepower 300 hp @ 6000 rpm (MSRP of $32,295USD)
Torque (lb.-ft.) 300 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

R32=
240 horsepower (MSRP of $29,100USD)
236 lbs-ft torque

I don't see a huge difference in power between these cars (these specs taken straight off manu. website), and as far as handling goes, I'm pretty sure the R32 is pretty close to the EVO/Suuube. There may be some slight advantages due to power differences etc., but nothing that really seperates them by a large margin.(Until you start to spend more money of course.) You make it sound as if there is no comparison, I would have to disagree as all these cars are only seperated by small numbers. That and the interior of the R32 is pretty sweet, if you're into that kind of thing.

Pkskull77

Those numbers not drastically different on paper, make a huge differences on the track. If these three were to race on a drag strip, or a road course, the R32 would lose handily. I believe he was looking into the R32 for performance reasons, therefore the EVO/STI are better choices. Performance nubmers aside the EVO and the STI are generally regarded by car mags as a better car than the R32.

Obviously a test drive is in order, to account for personal prefrence. Having driven all three of these cars, I would say the EVO/STI are a better choice.

crossbow

Don't forget to quote curb weights when looking at power.

Rx8: 3029 lbs
Wrx: 3085
Evo: 3263
Sti: 3298
R32: 3409
MPS 6: 3589

Gives you an idea of where the R32 would fit IF the power was the same for all vehicles.

Pkskull77

Very good point, I was going to say something about that, but I did not have the strength to go and look it up.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

hmmm, good point. I was under the impression from past readings that the R32 weighed a heckuva lot less than 3400 lbs. I don't remember where I read it, but one source had it listed as 3,143, maybe that was a typo? 3400 lbs sure seems excessive since that car is so tiny. I guess if we were going strictly for performance over anything else, it would be silly not to buy a WRX, or even an SRT-4 for that matter then. A Mazdaspeed Miata would be a terror as well and is cheaper than most of the above, (26,325 msrp)but it would probably suffer a bit in straight line races. (maybe not) My only point was that the R32 is not as bad as people make it sound and that it is a worthy alternative. I knew it had less power, thought it weighed about the same so that's why I didn't post weights with the hp ratings. Really what it adds up to is buy or drive whatever makes you happy, numbers really only tell part of the story anyway. The 8 is a decent numbers car, but more than makes up for it once you've driven it so go for whatever makes you happy.

Mr. Ed's rx-8

thank you cross bow for the weight info. i didn't realize it was such a brick...i very much look at HP to weight ratio. but it is still between the 32 and the 8. its not all about performance but also interior and exterior. that means the scoobie is out. they are ugly in my opinion. i really wish there was mor to the interior of the EVO. if i wanted handling and that motor i would go by a 99 GSX and dump the left over money into the tranny and motor. i've owned 2 in the past and had one putting down 387WHP. but i am also looking at something unique. i still don't see alot of 8's on the road and they only made 5000 R32s.

so the EVO and STI are out of it completely. as for the weight of the R32...i've always loved a challenge with lessening the weight of a car and it is definitely easier to upgrade at this point. i am gonna try to get out and test drive it today. this saturday i am putting my stock exhaust and hood back on the 8 to see what i can get for it stock. i'm taking this decision very slowly and i am sure iwill not regret whatever choice i make.

i DID however jump into the 8 real fast. i now wish i had gotten one with NAV and a few other goodies on it. but i didn't so like i said this will take some time.

crossbow

Btw those curb weights are from http://www.edmunds.com ...except for the WRX...cause for some reason edmunds didn't list the wrx's curb weight on their site...go figure. I got that one's curb weight from yahoo.autos. So in short summary, if the weights wrong, blame edmunds .

Mr. Ed's rx-8

will do! when i hit up the VW dealership today i'll see it that is right. i know it is for the 8 so i'll assume it is which really sucks for the 32.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

Kelley Blue book listed the same weight, I had a little fun on their site, hope this works:

http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.s...&&&&newcarstab

They listed the MR hp at 120, I know that ain't right.

shorty911

dude i drove the r32 and it was the most fun car ive ever driven and id also driven 8's evo's srt-4 350z 04 gto celica gt-s and mustang gt and the r32 is so unbelievably comfortbale and its so fun to drive its just as smooth as the 8 also youll love it, i didnt get one because i couldnt find any used ones and i dont like the looks that much but thats cuz i dont want a car all my friends think is a regular ugly golf until i sit down and explain it to them which is dumb but i still love that car. it drives just like a porsche carrera except everything is smoother and i think its more comfortable with those fat boy leather seats

Pkskull77

I hear what your saying, but for the same price that you would spend making the VW lighter, you could probably swap out the evo interior. Get leather seats, and change the dashboard. I would bet there are a million aftermarket products for that car.

I'm not an advocate for any of the cars, but if I could afford all three I would have to go with performance, and the winner of that category is clearly not the VW.

Mr. Ed's rx-8

well like i said....it isn't all about performance.

styling
performance
uniqueness(sp?)
interior
enhancement abilities

i'm looking at all those.

shorty911

well some people like the styling of the golf i think its alright but this car is definately unique and the interior is so nice, my friend got the top of the line bride seats the nicest seats you can get for the evo and its still not nearly as close as the seats in the r32 and the overall feal of the r32 so perfect, im not sure on the enhancement abilities as far as aftermarket availability for these cars however im sure you can find plenty of stuff but th evo is more of a rough driving car i mean yes when u hit 3000 rpm in the evo and u see that boost gauge jump and u hti the back of your seat its a great feeling but the r32 youll be going 30 mph feeling like your flying down butter and you really feel like your in total control witht he r32.

shorty911

also i talked to my friend and hes selling his evo he said hed take a r32 over it any day because its so much more comfortable and the evo is onl fun to drive if you have a open area.

Feras

iTrader: (1)

ive driven all those too, and i found the R32 to be sluggish and a step off in terms of performance. the only porsche ive driven is a 996 C4 and the R32 isnt even close to the driving experience. The interior is nice, but the performance and response reallly leaves soemthing to be desired imho.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

hey shorty, check these guys out for aftermarket, there's also neuspeed:

www.hpamotorsports.com (seems to be down right now, if you go back to the first page of this thread I linked the motor trend article on their 0-60 3.2 second monster)

www.neuspeed.com

lots of support for that car, the vr6 has been around for a long time.

AbusiveWombat

The only problem with the HPA stages are that they cost the same as a new R32. I'll take a new C6Z06 or Viper over a $60,000 TT R32 anyday of the week.

I must admit, I do have a soft spot for the R32. I've always liked the GTI's and finally, one that isn't FWD.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

oh yeah, I didn't say it would be cheap :D I would agree with the C6 or Viper as well, Resale alone is reason enough not to go with an HPA setup, like I said before though, if I had money to burn it would a lot of fun to own something that obnoxoius

irish8

Whats the word Mr. Ed's???

- Irish