1st -- 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX

Vehicle Tested:

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

MSRP of Test Vehicle: $35,114

What Works:

Euphoric acceleration, perfectly tuned suspension and steering, sticky tires, seats hold you tight in turns.

What Needs Work:

No side airbags or cruise control, undersized speedometer.

Bottom Line:

The best performance buy at the $35,000 mark. Arguably the best performance buy at any price.

2nd -- 2006 Subaru WRX STi

Vehicle Tested:

2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 4dr Sedan AWD w/Gold-Painted Wheels (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

MSRP of Test Vehicle: $32,995

What Works:

Stops and corners hard, revs with authority, sticky tires, roomy and comfortable enough for a road trip.

What Needs Work:

Personality isn't as intense as Evo's, steering isn't as quick or direct as Evo's.

Bottom Line:

Less capable than the Evo, but a satisfying compromise of performance and practicality for everyday use.

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drive...rticleId=109126

In cars like these, you'd want side airbags.

Anyway, its odd that for once, the tricked-out trim with paste-on rally accessories looks better than the stock version. Only with the Lancer.

In cars like these, you'd want side airbags.

No you don't.......that just adds weight!

I hate how Subaru bastardized the front ends of their new Impreza's. The old design Evo still looks better, even though it looks dated.

$35,114 Evo? The base price is only $29,149 and all they got for that was weight adding confort features. For $36,299 they could have been testing the MR with 6mt (btw, why hasn't Mistu made the 6mt standard on all of the Evo's yet?)