3rd Place - Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Highs: Fantastic high-end engine grunt, supple ride, an interior worthy of the sticker price.
Lows: Vague, overly assisted steering; flaccid power below 4000 rpm, a chassis set to terminal understeer.
The Verdict: ROCK - Plenty of power in need of some finesse
2nd Place - Volkswagen R32
Highs: Spine-tingling exhaust note, smooth power delivery, an interior you could live in.
Lows: Stiff ride, only marginally better performance than the GTI's.
The Verdict: PAPER - Requires a certain amount of intelligence to properly appreciate.
1st Place - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR
Highs: Yaw control that abolishes understeer, awesome grip, great low-end torque for a turbo.
Lows: Needs a telescoping steering wheel, one more gear, and an interior worth of the price.
The Verdict: SCISSORS - Simple and effective at its single purpose of easy speed.