I had been looking for a 2003 or 2004 Impreza WRX sedan. I remember hearing about the 9-2X last fall and checking it out but it seemed way out of my price range. When the GM incentives came around this year and I was ready to buy, it was a pretty easy decision for me.

I wasn't really in the market for a car when this deal came up.  So, I had to think fast about what my tradeoffs might be versus waiting.  Pontiac vehicles like Solstice (a convertible for commuting in Detroit, yeah, right), the G6 coupe, or the new Vibe in a few years?  Some forthcoming Saturns (anyone seen the Aura concept car or the Sky convertible)?  Maybe the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan if I felt like blowing the budget.  I also have to give some credit to cross-town rival Ford for the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 sedans - especially the interior of the 6 which I really like.

Other designs I really like are the Nissan 350Z and the Audi TTs, but those are just out of my price range and like the Solstice, they don't fit my lifestyle or needs.

But what I'd really like to have had the chance to consider would be European-only vehicles.  There are so many attractive small cars there - including GM's new Opel Astra lineup but also many others including the Audi A2.  I'd love to get the chance to test drive some of those.

I had been kicking around the idea of buying, since my A4 had a nice interior but was otherwise falling apart; test drove a Scion tC and it's a nice little car, but dealers are jacking the prices up by adding on so many DIO's. Was interested in the Mazda3 or Mazda6, but i really wanted something faster.

the moment i heard about GM dropping the price during the last week of April, I called a dealer and had the car like the next day.

iota wrote:

I had been kicking around the idea of buying, since my A4 had a nice interior but was otherwise falling apart; test drove a Scion tC and it's a nice little car, but dealers are jacking the prices up by adding on so many DIO's. Was interested in the Mazda3 or Mazda6, but i really wanted something faster.

Almost the same situation here - my A4 sure was nice to sit in, but I knew it was going to require a whole bunch of repairs. I had been half-looking for a replacement for a few months, and also considered the Scion tC. I do like that car, but it's not nearly as practical as the 9-2x. Thought about the WRX wagon, but since one of the things I really liked about the A4 was the interior, the WRX would have been a jarring change. I know the 9-2x is basically identical, but at least with the premium package it's a step up from the Subaru. Considered waiting for the Mazdaspeed6. But then I heard about the 9-2x pricing, and I knew that was the way to go.

Also briefly considered the Acuras (RSX & TSX), and the Volvo S40 T5.

Was happy w/ my STi while sister's driving WRX.
Then this deal came up then I had no choice to get it.

Subaru WRX of course.  I was not really looking at the time, but the deals were too good to pass up and the best part is I am paying the same per month on the 9-2x as I was paying for the SE-R Spec V!!

I did a thorough search.  In no particular order:
Mazda3 (a bit tame, great "feel", not turbo),
Mazda6 (too big, great "feel", not turbo),
Legacy GT (perfect, big, a gas guzzler, expensive),
WRX Wagon (too close to Legacy in price),
Audi A3 (too FWD for $25k, engine from heaven, clutch from hell),
1990 Vintage Celica All Trac (too much commitment),
2002 Saab 9-3 (too sloppy, but with a fantastic engine)
Mini Cooper S (too small, lousy visibility)
2003 Mazda Protege5 (amazing steering and clutch feel, buzzy weak engine)

Mitsubishi Evo RS
Pontiac GTO
05 Mustang GT
C5 Corvette

I went with the option that is most definitely slowest in a straight line but it was also the cheapest by several grand and had the most interior room.

Acura TSX or TL... TL was real nice.

I was lusting after the LGT wagon as well.  If this killer deal on the 9-2x didn't come along I'd probably would've been purchasing one of those soon.

All things being equal I would have preferred the LGT wagon since it has a larger cargo area but the difference in price was too hard to ignore.  With the money I saved I can buy an old pickup truck or something instead for my hauling needs

E30 M3
E36 M3
B5 S4 Avant
<all 2nd hand>
Mazda 6 (liked the handling)
Audi A4 (hate the new b7 model in person, and pricing ticks me off)
Audi A3 (disliked the fact the quottro wasn't available)

With these deals going on, I figured better off getting the 9-2x now, and putting some $$ aside to obtain the 911 in reasonable near future.....

We were looking at the following for my wife's daily driver.  We were in no hurry but this deal popped up and we jumped.

1. 2000-2004 C5 Corvette (white)
2. 2005 Honda S2000 (white)
3. 2005 Ford Mustang GT (whiite)
4. 2005 Chevy Trailblazer (white)

Got

2005 Saab 92x Aero (black)

WDEagle

Last edited by WDEagle (2005-06-29 17:05:48)