COMPETITORShttp://editorial.carsales.com.au/car...t/blueline.gif
Direct competition? None. No other vehicle offers four door, four seat versatility in a high performance sports coupe body for under $60,000. However, there are cars which do supply similar in-cabin versatility and scintillating performance.
The base-model Mazda RX-8
Holden Monaro CV8 is one,
BMW 325Ci is another, though performance on the price competitive 320Ci is not strong. Consider also the
Honda S2000,
Audi A4,
Lexus IS200 and
Nissan 350Z, which match some of the RX-8's abilities, but not all. Consider also the
Subaru Impreza WRX in high performance STi form, though its links to the basic $20,000 Imprezas harm any prestige aspirations.
Possibly the most logical cmpetitor is the
Subaru Liberty GT, scheduled for Australian launch in September 2003. It has similar performance from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, though it is all-wheel drive and has a more conventional sedan body. Tough choice that one.