Has anybody else been keeping tabs on what the 2003 model year is going to look like for sports cars (including new once-Japan-only imports)? Based on what I've read in the mags and online (all of which is 100% purebred reliable, of course, like all mags and online stuff ), 2003 will see some REALLY cool and FAST cars. Here's what I've heard so far for 2003:

Subaru Impreza WRX STi -- 4 door AWD, 3000 lbs., turbocharged and intercooled boxer 4, 276 HP (conservative)...supposedly 13s out of the box, sub 5.0 0-60

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII -- 4 door AWD, 3000 lbs., turbocharged and intercooled 4 cylinder, also 276 HP, 17" Brembos, low 13s and sub-5 second 0-60

Nissan Skyline GTR -- 2 door, AWD, near 400hp using new Z 3.2 liter twin turbo

Camaro/Firebird -- supposed to make their return in 2003, estimates of 375 hp using new DOHC setup

Corvette -- 2003 is 50th anniversary for the Vette (isn't it?), and since it just CAN'T be outdone by the Camaros/Firebirds...who knows, 400 HP+?

Mustangs -- expected to be 300 to 350 hp, possibly a supercharger?

Lightning -- 3-valves/cylinder, 400 hp+, HD edition possibly

I get pumped just thinking about all of the possibilities for 2003. It looks like there will be some seriously fast muscle on the street then (assuming any/all of these "rumors" even pan out).

Does anybody else have any thoughts or anything to add to the above list?

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Martyr
2001 Silver Lightning

 

Most of that stuff is somewhat to way off.

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2000 Red Lightning
BedRug
95 Saleen S-351 Convertible/Triple Black
97 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic

 

Saleen,

I know it's all still rumor and speculation at this point (admitted it up front). I'm just trying to see what other people might have heard.

So which ones are way off? I have no idea myself, just curious.

----------------------
Martyr
2001 Silver Lightning

 

I wouldn't hold my breath on the Camaro/Firebird for 03. You're right though, 2003 does look promising. For what it's worth, I saw somewhere that the Cobra was supposed to be 380 hp for 03. If that is true, there will be one parked next to the L in the garage

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2001 Ford Lightning Red
1980 Z28 350 4spd T-Top

 

I'm sure the Mustang and Lightning info is true if not CONSERVATIVE. Team Mustang has a green light to go all out on performance and the L is almost 400hp now. Can 450 be far behind?

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Stevie-Ray
00 Red L #3460
JL Stage 2 Ram Air
Clear tails
Custom mats
ARE LSII
Bedrug
Keypad entry
Homedics Back Expert 2000

 

I spoke to a local dealer, setting up for Mitsubishi's return/entry into Canada and he was sure the EvoVII will come. Frank Sprongel, our local rally champ, already has a 2001 Subaru WRX with a cage, and his STi is confirmed on order. He is also sure that the EvoVII will come to give the WRX STi some competition. Now how about a 22B ?

[This message has been edited by BlackLight (edited 05-12-2001).]

 

Maybe by '03 Ford will have the "FIX" done for our L's I/C? What a joke, Ford has recieved the last $ they'll get from this sucker. AWD and sub 5 seconds to 60, BRING ON THE JAP CRAP


[This message has been edited by Redneck Ferrari (edited 05-12-2001).]

 

I'll be first on the list for the EvoVII. I have been trying to figure a way to get one into the US for 2 years now. That car will own the new M3's!

 

A good buddy of mine called and said he is buying the 2001 WRX and that he is going to stomp the L.....while getting AWD and awesome gas mileage for alot less money. He said he is going to do a chip/filter...blah..blah..

My response was I'll see ya on the track....plus that WRX is butt-ugly IMHO! Well, I better start saving some money to make my truck faster or I'll have some good competition.

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Red 2000 Lightning
No mods yet
Black 2000 Echo
Not pretty but good for wife commuter (40 mpg and Toyota reliablity).
A-300 driver-- 105,000 lbs of thrust from 2 G/E Turbofan engines

 

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII

What a joke. Anyone who is stupid enough to buy a Mitsubishi product deserves what they will get in return. I guess you haven't heard the reports where they just recalled 1.3 million vehicles and admitted to the fact that they have been lying to customers and holding customer complaints and problems with their cars a secret since the 80's. They have withheld information and produced some of the ****tiest cars ever made. I personally owned an '97 Eclipse GST which is/has/always will be the worst car i'll have ever owned. Two other people at my work have owned Galants and they had nothing but problems with them. Me and one of the girls at work have been told by two seperate mechanics that Mitsubishi were the worst cars to work on, break down the most, and aren't worth a dime. They are the absolute worst built cars. Do yourself a favor, do NOT buy Mitsubishi, unless you're stupid!

[This message has been edited by LikeLinus (edited 05-12-2001).]

 

You guys and you're mitsu' flames.

How about our very own Lightnings?

1.) intercooler
2.) Transmision
3.) Front end "clunk"
4.) Engine failures

I love my truck cause I do. I don't care that she's an anorexic Drug addict alcoholic...she's beautiful and a great time and everyone else wants to "do" her. It'll be the same with the Evo if I like it...

But thanks alot for the warning. I'm going to look a lot closer now.

 

Martyr,

What's going on? Are you going to be out tonight stop-light racing around Tulsa? If so, give me a call on the cell (I believe you have my number). Get this, at the office bldg off of 61st & Memorial, there is a '00 white L and a '01 red L! TOO COOL !

Take care Marty!

Ronald

 

Heya Ronald,

I might be out tonight, not sure yet. Might be going to the track too for midnights. I was gonna go out last night for Test and Tune but got rained out of course. Shoot me your cell number again (e-mail is fine) and I'll try to give you a yell if I do.

Also, in the news today...had my first race against an LS1. And if there was EVER any doubt about God having a sense of irony, this proves it...it was against another 30th Anniversary Trans Am!! It looked just like mine, coupe w/ T-Tops, but I think it was an automatic.

We were heading West on 71st at Harvard, we are at a red light with him in front of me. Light goes green, he gets on it, I floor it and pull around and friggin' PASS him and proceed to put 3 car lengths on him. My lead remained at 3 car lengths until we shut down somewhere between 80 and 100. I was flippin' out, couldn't believe it. I thought for SURE he'd start to pull on me once past 60, but nope. And I just murdered him off the line (from behind him no less).

Holy bat farts this truck scares the bejeezus out of me!!!

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Martyr
2001 Silver Lightning, bone stock -- this truck should be illegal it's so fun!

 

Martyr,

The cell is 232-3508. BTW, you mentioned that you were thinking about the Level-10 kit install in your '01 L, Damon posted/mentioned that the instructions for the install are "off" and he knows trannies well enought to install it correctly with very good results. You might make him an offer for a correct install and make it worth his while. Damon seems to be an excellent L tweeker, top-notch wrench turner and good guy! Hope this helps.

Well, hope to see you this evening at the Midnight Drags or greater Tulsa. BTW, Casi Lynn might be with me. We're sort of back on again ....

See ya'

Ronald

 

According to Car & Driver (yeah, I know, mag talk), they tested a U.S. Subaru Impreza WRX bone stock (227 HP) and ran 5.7 0-60 and 14.8 in the quarter. That's pretty darn good for a sedan with no mods. I would think a little turbo work to increase boost and exhaust flow and some computer work could have it in the high-13s or 14.0 range fairly easy. Note that this is just the WRX as opposed to its big brother for 2003, the STi.

The STi is rated at 276 HP (like the Evo VII) but that rating is said to be VERY conservative with estimated HP ratings really somewhere between 300 and 350. That 276 HP rating is supposedly due to some type of Japanese agreement to not produce cars with more than 276 HP -- I don't know the details, that's just what I've read, don't flame me. Of course, that also leaves me confused about other Japanese cars like the Supra, 3000 GT VR-4, 300ZX TT, Skyline, etc. that were all beyond 300hp.

As for Mitsu cars being junk...you are not the first person I've heard say that. I wish they would get their act together. I'm sure there are some Mitsu owners who would object though. Of course, there are alot of American manufacturers who have done lots of recalls as well, so I guess none have totally spotless records (e.g. Ford with the Cobra and that whole Explorer thing, Chrysler(?) with the back doors flying open, etc.).

Anyway, seeing 300hpish AWD sedans and 380hpish Camaros/Firebirds/Mustangs/Cobras in 2003/4 would basically set the current sports car/truck market on its ear. Maybe NONE of it will happen, but that's the scuttlebutt I've seen/heard. I just hope our L's get a corresponding boost in 2003 too -- 450hp would just ROCK!

-------------------------
Martyr
2001 Silver Lightning