Yeah it could be viewed as kinda contradictory... but my picks are typically keeping to smaller size cars. Does the size or luxurys determine if its a GT or sports car?

Both, plus the performance. I would call most of what you are looking at a GT-type car, though things liek the STi sort of fall in between. "Sports car" to me is something like an S2000, Lotus, or Porsche. Not good for much else besides driving fast, particularly when straight lines are not involved. If it's fast but practical, it's probably a Grand Touring car.

I was gonna say its a happy medium between sports and luxury. In laypersons terms.

With as much advancement as has been made, the only compromise a true GT makes vs. a true "luxury" car is some ride quality and maybe some NVH. But if you define "luxury" as high-quality craftsmanship and materials, more bells and whistles, and great style, a GT is on par with it's more laidback cousins. Where a GT sacrifices a bit is in the handling department. Think Legacy GT vs. STi. Or BMW M5/6 vs. 760iL. Or Cadillac CTS-V vs. DTS. Then there's another half-step towards sports car that's usually called "sports sedan." The STi and Evo fall on the more performance-oriented side of that category, with the S4, S40R, M3 and M5 tilting towards GT, though the gap is small. If a sports sedan doesn't go, stop and turn well enough for you, then you're drifting back into "sports car" territory. Screw practicality or luxury, because those things are heavy. No (or useless) back seats, minimal cargo area, no concern for fuel economy or production cost- just the fastest, best-handling car that can be made at a price point. Lotus, Porsche, Corvette, etc.

When you start getting into monopoly-money prices, the lines blur a bit. A Ferrari F430 or 599 Maranello, Aston Marten DB9, Porsche 997, that sort of thing can kind of straddle the lines a bit, but don't really play into your decision making process, do they? ;)

Thought I would update this thread to say I finally found a new car... 2010 WRX wagon was the best mix of sports, practicality, and price.

Nice! Update your info.

Updated... check the for sale section for my old WRX's parts

Awesome. You must be pumped. Did they change anything for '10?

I'm pretty pumped indeed, handles great... power is great too. But as far a I know there was no change from 09-10????

How have you (or anyone else with an 09+ wrx) liked the car after you've had it for a while now? I don't know that I'm going to keep my jeep more than another year or so, and I think I'll want something like a wrx for a dd when I ditch it.

I want a '11 WRX. I haven't done a ton of research on them, but they look great with the wider stance and STi fenders.

There are only a few downsides to the newer WRXs IMO. First, they're a little small, plus the interior is a bit lackluster when compared to other cars at the same price point (which has always been true with Subarus... you get less luxury for a better drivetrain). Also, it seems like the newer cars aren't quite as mechanically reliable as they used to be. Not to say they're bad or anything, just not quite as stout as generations past.

The first two issues can be addressed simply by getting a legacy or outback. They're the same drivetrain as the WRXs (so the reliability issues may still apply) but they're larger and nicer. And they draw less attention.

Also, the whole reliability thing may be trumped up in of itself just because more people are modding the cars more extensively, so it just seems like they break more often. YMMV.

Either way, it's hard to find anything more all season capable, fun, and useful than a Subaru. IMO, the best buys right now are '09 WRXs and Legacies. Thats the first year of the 265hp WRX and the last year of the better looking Legacy body style. The 2010 Legacy isn't terrible (the interior is nicer and bigger) but the LGT and OBXT peaked in '09 IMO.

I'm absolutely in love with my 2010 WRX hatch, if it wouldn't cost an arm and leg to go to the '11 I would gladly switch for the wide body and stance. I did a pretty good job fighting off the mod bug for the last 2 years, I've got a custom stage one tune with a Perrin catback. It's plenty fast, comfy, practical, a beast in the snow with appropriate tires, and it gets about 25-27mpg average. Haven't had to take it to the dealer for anything major... it's just the ideal car for me. Fast and no drama.

But just like most everyone on here, I am constantly looking at mods wondering about how much potential this little wagon has. Knowing that 300whp is just a downpipe away is pretty enticing.