Good Deal #1

What: Buy A 2010 Suzuki SX4 For Under $15,000
Where: Suzuki Dealers
Regular Price: $15,849
Black Friday Price: $14,599
Savings: $500 Holiday cash on top of current deals, for a total savings of $1,300.
Why Its A Good Deal: You won't find a better utilitarian vehicle in this price range. Better yet, it comes with an in-dash navigation system featuring Garmin software.

Good Deal #2

What: GM Dealer Closing Sale: $2,000 Off For Certain Customers
Where: Cadillac, Buick-GMC, Chevrolet Dealers
Regular Price: Already heavily discounted
Savings: $1,000-to-$2,000
Black Friday Price: Between $1,000 and $2,000 cheaper
Why It's A Good Deal: Nearly one-million customers living near a closing dealership will receive a letter in the mail this week offering them an additional $1,000-to-$2,000 to purchase a vehicle at a dealership staying open. Deal ends at the end of the month.

Good Deal #3

What: BMW Diesel Luxury Sedans — More Than 10% Off
Where: BMW Dealers
Regular Price: $43,900
Savings: $4,500
Black Friday Price: $39,400
Why It's A Good Deal: BMW is trying to get U.S. buyers to accept diesel vehicles as luxury vehicles and is putting $4,500 in cash where its mouth is. Powerful and efficient, BMW diesels at a discount is a great deal.

Good Deal #4

What: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V: $5,000 Savings
Where: Cadillac Dealers
Regular Price: $58,575
Black Friday Price: $53,575
Savings: $5,000
Why It's A Good Deal: The CTS-V is a world-beater and the few remaining 2009 vehicles on dealer lots qualify for a $5,000 cash back deal. It's the fastest stocking-stuffer on the block.

Good Deal #5

What: Remaining 2009 Dodge Rams Up To $5,500 Cash Back
Where: Dodge Dealerships
Regular Price: $21,510 - $39,935
Black Friday Price: Up To $5,500 Off
Savings: $5,500
Why It's A Good Deal: Dodge is hoping they'll have a few less 2009 Rams sitting under their tree and are offering up to $5,500 in cash back if you'll help rid them of a nicely-loaded one.

Bad Deal #1

What: Ford's Year-End Sales Event Unremarkable
Where: Ford Dealers
Regular Price: Fairly Cheap
Black Friday Price: $1,000 less plus 0% financing
Why It's A Bad Deal: Ford is not as poorly positioned as other American automakers so they're offering a measly $1,000 cash back and 0% financing. This is a good deal — on Black Friday 2006.

Bad Deal #2

What: Baja MotorSports Phoenix 250cc Street Motorcycle A Bad Deal Free
Where: PepBoys
Regular Price: $1,999.99
Black Friday Price: $1,499.00
Savings: $500.01
Why It's A Bad Deal: Even with a $500 discount you're still buying a cheap-for-a-reason Chinese bike that's going to require riding lessons, a license and possibly being abandoned two weeks later on the side of the road.

Bad Deal #3

What: Get Less Than 3% Off Of A BMW M3
Where: BMW Dealerships
Regular Price: $54,850
Black Friday Price: $53,350
Why It's A Bad Deal: BMW knows it has a great product in the M3 sports sedan and it's throwing its smallest cash back offer on them. For less than 3% off most buyers won't notice it.

Bad Deal #4

What: Get A "Free" Upgrade To An AWD Charger You Didn't Want
Where: Dodge Dealerships
Regular Price: $30,540
Black Friday Price: $25,700
Why It's A Bad Deal: Dodge has a slate of attractive incentives for those wanting to buy a new car from them, but the "free" upgrade to an AWD Charger is selling you an unpopular AWD upgrade instead of more cash off the car you actually wanted.

Bad Deal #5

What: Subaru Donates $250 To Charity For You
Where: Subaru Dealers
Regular Price: Regular Price
Black Friday Price: Still The Regular Price On Many Models
Why It's A Bad Deal: We think Subaru's "Share The Love " event is great for the five charities that get $250 when you buy their car, but it's not a great deal for consumers. Blame it on Subaru building cars people want.

In addition to those wheels, the Special Edition gains 16-percent stiffer front springs 29-percent firmer rear dampers, stronger rear subframe bushings, and the rear swaybar grows 1mm. It also drops the HID headlights in favor of halogens, drops automatic climate control for manual HVAC and loses the fancy 10-speaker stereo for a 4-speaker item. All that should help keep the cost down around the same $35,690 as the regular STI.

Here's the release:

The 2010 WRX STI Special Edition is aimed at the driving enthusiast who is willing to trade a few amenities to gain an extra measure of handling performance over the already extraordinary WRX STI. Suspension for the new version of this high-performance machine is adopted from the Japanese domestic market WRX STI spec C model, which adds a 1-millimeter thicker rear stabilizer bar, stiffer rear sub-frame bushings plus upgraded and retuned springs. The front springs are 16-percent stiffer, while the rear shocks have been stiffened by 29-percent.

Available in early Spring, the first 125 units of the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition will be painted in exclusive Aspen White, set off by the charcoal-colored 18 x 8.5 in. 14-spoke alloy wheels from the JDM WRX STI spec C. The WRX STI Special Edition will then become a regular production model later in 2010, available in standard colors.

The WRX STI Special Edition was developed by Subaru Tecnica International, the high-performance and motorsports subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Compared with the standard 2010 WRX STI, the WRX STI Special Edition features halogen rather than HID headlights; a single-disc CD player / 4-speaker audio system instead of the 6-CD /10-speaker system; manual air conditioning in place of automatic climate control, and body color side mirrors.

All other aspects of the WRX STI Special Edition remain as on the standard model, including the 305-horsepower / 290 lb.-ft. turbocharged/intercooled Boxer engine, 6-speed manual transmission and a high level of driver-selectable powertrain- and dynamic handling-control systems. The car's bulged fenders and rear quarter panels, rear gate-mounted spoiler and aerodynamic ground effects give the WRX STI a direct link to Subaru competition cars. The hood scoop, brake-cooling air intakes and engine heat outlets are all functional.

The Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, which remains exclusive to the Impreza WRX STI, offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to six manual center differential locking settings. The WRX STI is in addition equipped with limited-slip front and rear differentials. The Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system features three driver-selectable positions. On all WRX STI models, the 18-in. wheels are fitted with Dunlop SP600 245/40R18 tires.

The Brembo Performance Brake System employs ventilated 4-wheel Super Sport anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Side-curtain airbags and front seat side airbags are standard. The Incline Start Assist feature can momentarily prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on an incline.

Though BMW and Toyota aren't the only major automaker to not make the list of 27 vehicles, they're the most notable considering Chrysler managed to get four vehicles on the list and Volvo managed the same despite having belts on their XC60 disengage in a side-crash.

Click on the thumbs in this gallery and you can see the full list of IIHS-ordained cars in each category. For the most part, it's a sign of the cars you're least likely to want to drive. For instance, they explicitly exclude the WRX and SI versions of the Impreza and Civic.

Large Cars:
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize Cars:
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door with optional electronic stability control
Dodge Avenger with optional electronic stability control
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

Small Cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door

Midsize SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

Actually, "acceptable" is the highest achieved by any car and only a few vehicles actually qualify, and the leap Subaru made is quite large in terms of pricing. It'll now cost you $3,202 less to crash into a barrier at 6 MPH in a 2010 Subaru Legacy than it did in a 2007 Legacy. Seriously, it cost $4,049 to collide at 6 MPH in an older Legacy?

Subaru makes strides to lower repair costs

Bumpers that don't bump, resulting in costly damage in what should be minor crashes, are the norm for cars evaluated in Institute low-speed crash tests. One exception is the redesigned 2010 Subaru Legacy. The Legacy's bumpers are a big improvement over those on its 2007-09 predecessor. The new Legacy earns an acceptable rating in a recent series of tests to assess and compare how well bumpers resist damage in everyday fender-benders. In contrast, the previous Legacy is rated poor. Fifteen of 17 midsize cars evaluated by the Institute are rated marginal or poor for bumper protection.

"The Legacy's performance shows what automakers can do when they pay attention to damage prevention in the low-speed crashes that happen every day," says Institute senior vice president Joe Nolan.

The Legacy is only the fifth car the Institute has tested to earn an acceptable rating for its bumpers. The others are the Ford Focus, Mazda 6, Scion xB, and Smart Fortwo. No car has yet earned a good rating. The Legacy is the first car the Institute has tested to limit damage to the bumper system in all 4 tests, and it's the first car with all 4 damage estimates under $1,000.

The Institute rates bumpers good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in 4 tests - front and rear full-width impacts at 6 mph and front and rear corner impacts at 3 mph. Each vehicle is run into a steel barrier that mimics the design of a car bumper, with the barrier's plastic absorber and flexible cover simulating typical cars' energy absorbers and plastic bumper covers. These tests are designed to drive bumper improvements that lead to better damage resistance in real-world crashes.

The biggest improvement for the Legacy was in the front full-width test. The ‘07 model sustained more than $4,000 damage (based on ‘09 parts and labor costs) when the bumper underrode the barrier. In contrast, the 2010 model sustained less than $900 in the same test.

"Subaru made some simple changes to the Legacy's front bumper," Nolan explains, "and they paid off in significantly lower repair costs." Compared with the new model, the 2007 Legacy sustained nearly 5 times as much damage in this one 6 mph impact. The main difference is that the 2010 Legacy's front reinforcement bar is a little taller, more than 6 inches wider, and more than 1½ inches higher off the ground. This kept the Legacy's bumper engaged with the barrier during the test, preventing it from sliding under the barrier. Plus the bumper bar extends to the corners to help protect headlights and fenders.

"The Legacy leapfrogs the competition for bumper protection," Nolan says. "These common sense bumper changes will help keep repair costs down in low-speed crashes."

[Source: IIHS]

Powered by a momentous 356cc two-stroke, two-cylinder, air-cooled engine belting out a prodigious 25 HP and 25.3 lb-ft of torque (the 0.3 is important, it's 1.1% of total torque) hooked up to a four speed manual and delivering acceleration best described as suicidal, all while returning a hybrid-embarrassing 66 MPG. This one's outfitted for parts running for Las Vegas-area Subaru's in-house performance shop, where the motto is "Fast Parts, Slow Delivery." We like this very much.

Car: Tata Nano
Place on the list: 49
Reason it's BS: The Tata Nano isn't ugly, it's simply space efficient. Given the constraints of price, footprint and upright packaging, it pulls off the microcar shape rather well actually. There are certainly uglier cars on the market in India and China right now.

Car: Ferrari Enzo
Place on the list: 42
Reason it's BS: Save the Enzo's! The Ferrari Enzo wasn't built to win beauty contests, it was designed to showcase Ferrari's F1 racing pedigree and tie those techniques and technologies to their road cars. Form follows function and while it's not classically beautiful it's fast and unique. In any case compared to the Mondial, it's a supermodel.

Car: Plymouth Prowler
Place on the list: 31
Reason it's BS: When the Prowler was introduced in 1997, it was the coolest car on the planet, bar none. Unfortunately it was packed with an engine from an Intrepid, and suspension tuning best described as one-of-a-kind. Despite its glaring flaws and how you might feel about the retro-mod style, it was certainly a car that got people looking. When you spot them today, you turn and look longer than you should, admit it.

Car: Lamborghini LM002
Place on the list: 25
Reason it's BS: BusnessWeek complains about "geometric doors, angular fenders, and a busy hood." Perhaps they forgot it was introduced in 1986 when everything cool was geometric, angular and busy. They don't even mention the fire-breathing (for the 80's) 5.0 liter V12 from the Countach under the hood and the take-no-prisoners attitude. You don't get a moniker like "Rambo Lambo" by being lame.

Car: DeLorean DMC-12
Place on the list: 20
Reason it's BS: Are they joking? The DMC-12? Of any car from the 80's this one still plays well on public streets. The stainless steel body is unique, the ridiculously heavy gullwing doors draw crowds and the fastback style screams 80's coke dealer, and nobody was more up on all things stylish in the 80's than coke dealers.

Car:Subaru Brat
Place on the list: 18
Reason it's BS: Apparently BusinessWeek's too busy adjusting its top hat and monocle to enjoy the finer things in life, like riding in the jump seats in the Subaru Brat's cargo bed. It's even got decent capability for an early soft-roader.

Car: Aston Martin Lagonda
Place on the list: 16
Reason it's BS: Oh come on? Really? The Lagonda? It pushed the limit of longer, lower, wider to absurdity and mixed in out of control braggadocio. By all account it was admittedly every bit British reliable, but who cares? Hire a team of mules to pull it around town as you look out upon the unwashed masses from your obnoxious 80's chariot.

Car:Volvo 240
Place on the list: 13
Reason it's BS: Don't you go messing with the 240 BusinessWeek. You have no idea the depths of Volvo love out there, especially by the boxy-but-trusty 240. We dare you, dare you to find a more dedicated owner base. Fine, it's a bit boring, but so is the Camry and that's not on the list. We actually find it handsome, especially with the quad headlight design. You best watch your back BusinessWeek.

Car: Bricklin SV1
Place on the list: 11
Reason it's BS: Okay, this one's a bit on the ugly side, if you look only at the outside, but it was one of the first cars to push the idea of safety in a sports car, even though because of its heavy construction it wasn't particularly sporty. It's got a logical shape, and the nose is designed to prevent expensive damage repairs. Sure it's a bit cluttered in places, but come on, gull-wing doors.

Car:Chevy El Camino
Place on the list: 1
Reason it's BS: Number one. They've got to be kidding. Two words on this one: Screw. Off. First of all, lumping the entire series into one big pile is just plain ignorant. Secondly, it's rude. The El Camino from the outset was a looker and stayed a dynamite design all the way until the fall in the 70s. But then again, everything was pretty fug in the 70s. If they even try to say the 1960 and 1972 were ugly, they might get a Jalopnik-shaped shoe to the butt.

Photo credit: SuperChevy

There's also this awesome video to see it in action as it doesn't so much drift around the snow drifts as it plows through them.

This student rendering combines a Bimota Tesi-style suspension setup with the turbocharged four-cylinder from a Subaru WRX and the gearbox from a Mitsubishi Evo. The style and function might be un-original, but we'd still like to see more actual bikes use powerful car engines, all those revvy inline-fours just get old after a while.
[via Flickr]

Here's some vital stats on the Subie super-racer:

Vehicle Length: 4,730 mm
Vehicle Width: 1,920 mm
Vehicle Height: 1,210 mm
Wheelbase: 2,750 mm
Tires: 280-710R18
Engine: 2.0-liter Horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder DOHC turbo gasoline engine
Displacement: 1,994cc
Transmission: 6-speed sequential
Drive: AWD (of course!)
Suspension (front/rear): Double wish-bone suspension

What's that? You can't imagine a Toyota that might consider offering a fun, affordable, two door with a modicum of sportiness and some seriously interesting style? Might we introduce you to the Toyota FT-86 concept — the first Toyota (barring the epic Lexus LFA) we've been genuinely excited about since the... um... Supra? Wow, that took entirely too long.

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept is just that for now, a concept. Providing a lot of pretty surfaces and concepts we should look at as direction for Subarus to come. Look closely at all things interior as we're told it gives a good indication of where Subaru is heading in the future. The car also telegraphs elements of a future product offering from Subaru, a hybrid they're planning on offering in the 2012 model year. Now, for sure it might have the Symmetrical AWD system but the 27 HP motor connected to the rear axle and the 13 HP front motor used to generate power for the lithium battery pack and provide additional oomph for hill-climbing might see some changes, but we'll see. Let's just say this should be seen as the direction Subie is headed in.

Yes, the true lines of the Toyota/Subaru-powered Subaru Coupe are partially shielded beneath some layers of camouflage here, but we can finally hear what that Subieyota boxer engine sounds like with some leadfooted test driver beating on it. Follow the link to ft86club and you'll even see a Zapruder-esque interior shot.


[ft86club, thanks to Nate for the tip]

Co-developed with the Toyota FT-86, the Subaru should be mechanically very similar yet beneath the camo appears to depart radically from the FT-86's handsome proportions.

Like the FT-86, the Subaru coupe will be rear-wheel drive and use a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine putting out something between 200 and 250 HP through a six-speed transmission. Expect both cars to be smaller in length, width, height and weight than the Nissan 370Z, yet feature a longer wheelbase of 101.2 inches. [via DiabloMotor]

The Toyota FT-86 concept is the fruit of cooperation between Toyota Motor Company and Subaru, and as such will wear a common chassis and some degree of engine commonality, at the least a 2.0 liter, four cylinder boxer engine dubbed the "C-45 Boxer" and making between 200 and 250 HP will power the rear wheels through a manual six speed transmission, and get this - no hybrid system.



Perhaps most telling are the car's overall dimensions. At 163.7 inches long, 69.3 inches, a wheelbase of 101.2 inches, and 49.6 inches high, it's thankfully compact, smaller in length, width and height than the Nissan 370Z, and slightly longer in wheelbase. It's also the first car to wear Toyota's new swoopy styling with some gusto. Dare we say it, we actually like the look of it. It's... exciting, we're so confused here. The interior is obviously all show-car glam and may serve as direction, but we'll be shocked if there are many zippers on the production car's dash. [via FT-86 Club]

The 2011 Subaru Coupe is the fruit of cooperation between Toyota Motor Company and Subaru, and as such will wear a common chassis and some degree of engine commonality, at the least a 2.0 liter, four cylinder boxer engine dubbed the "C-45 Boxer" and making between 200 and 250 HP will power the rear wheels through a manual six speed transmission.

Perhaps most telling are the car's overall dimensions. At 163.7 inches long, 69.3 inches, a wheelbase of 101.2 inches, and 49.6 inches high, it's thankfully compact, smaller in length, width and height than the Nissan 370Z, and slightly longer in wheelbase. [via Speedlux]

It may represent the height of irony that the the first car built by Fuji Heavy Industries would be so small it wouldn't look out of place hanging from the charm bracelet of a pre-teen. Malcom Bricklin attempted to import these starting in 1969, and that alone pretty much guaranteed the little car's failure. They moldered on dealers lots, and even a single-make racing series with the leftovers failed to generate any interest as spectators were faster walking past the straights than the cars were on them.

The 360 - which denoted its tax-limited engine displacement - debuted both as a model and as the vanguard of the Subaru brand in 1958. Seemingly taking a page from the book How I Did It by Ferdinand Porsche, and then cutting the fat, the 360 is powered by an aircooled, rear-mounted engine. Additional Beetle-esque features are the hunched-over, two-window body and swing axle rear suspension. That's not to say that Fuji Heavy simply grabbed a Bug and set their Xerox machine to copy at 78%, as the 360 has some features that are not found on the people's car from der fatherland. First off, that 359-cc engine isn't a flat-four, but a two-stroke twin, and the doors open in the suicide fashion, which will get the Goth Girls all excited. Finally, while the VW is able to maintain freeway speeds with aplomb, the 360 - much like Sammy Hagar - can't drive 55. Also, like the Hagermeister, the littlest Subie isn't comfortable with groups, and while it has four seats, those occupying them should have the familiarity of a pair of swingers couples as it's going to be tight.

That's because this car is small. Really small. It's so small that, if sentenced to prison, it would be somebody's bitch within the five minutes on the yard. But that won't be your problem with this white over red '70. Having passd only 4,900 miles under its Krispy Kreme-sized tires, there's plenty of life left in this 360. Of course, with a 37-sec. Zero to AARP time, that life may pass you by and not wait for you to catch up to it. There's 25-bhp under the louvered engine cover, and, like last week's Citroën, that's enough to get you into trouble, but likely not enough to get you out of it. Despite that, and the I might as well be sitting on the handlebars of Robbie Knievel's motorcycle crash safety, this quirky little car will make an interesting addition to any collector's herd. And, due to rarity, there'll be lot's to talk about with the Birkenstock and flannel-wearing other Subaru owners when you toddle into the club meetings. Of course, that $6,000 asking price may be a sticking point, as other than as an interesting piece of automotive history, the little 360 doesn't offer a great deal. There's not a lot of driving excitement to be had, and, while it is quirky, it's not Isetta-quirky.

So, do you have a really small spot in your heart, and driveway, for a neat little car? And if so, would this seller be able to pry $6,000 out of you for it? Or, does that price make you do a 180 away from this 360?

You decide!

Milwaukee Craigslist or go here if the ad disappears. Hat tip to tempesjo!

A Legacy In The Front Three-Quarters
The original Toyota AE86 is a legend, offering the fun of RWD in an extremely light-and-tossable platform. Despite having econo-car dimensions, the AE86 was able to incorporate a sports car look with its long, sloping hood and a line carrying itself through the A-pillar. Click through to see how this element transformed into the final concept.

Toyota's Design Evolves In Profile
The RWD is teased in the Hofmeister Kink, which goes through quite the metamorphosis before ending up with a look that combines the wild integrated kink of the first sketch and concept with the practical C-pillar on the original coupe and three-door.

A Sexy Swoop In Back
The new swoopy design language on the FT-86 has less to do with the AE-86 and more to do with where Toyota is going as a company. The two-box design coming to a point at the rear evolves from the LF-A Roadster concept to something more dramatic on the sketch and concept before ending up with a design incorporating the same rotary look into the trunkline.

Looking To The Future Up Front
Toyota has lacked a distinctive front fascia for years, with little similarity between a Camry, Corolla and Avalon, to give just one example. Though you don't quite see the emergence of one in these drawings, it's clear with the introduction of the 2010 4Runner that Toyota is attempted, at least, to create a more aggressive look with the use of a trapezoidal shape.

Conclusion
The FT-86 in name and purpose is the heir to the AE86 legacy but is far more important to the brand. Though still a concept, this near-production vehicle is perhaps Toyota's best answer to Aiko Toyoda's complaint that the company has become distant from its customers.

We're assuming this video of the FT-86 concept on the Grossglockner and the track means we'll be seeing the little Subaru-powered Toyota coupe concept in GT5 whenever the game ends up coming out. We're only wondering which'll come to market first — GT5 or the Subieyota.

In case you missed the press photos from this morning, here's a refresher, below.

(Hat tip to Brad!)

The Toyota FT-86 concept is the fruit of cooperation between Toyota Motor Company and Subaru, and as such will wear a common chassis and some degree of engine commonality, at the least a 2.0 liter, four cylinder boxer engine dubbed the "C-45 Boxer" and making between 200 and 250 HP will power the rear wheels through a manual six speed transmission, and get this — no hybrid system. Saints be praised.

Perhaps most telling are the car's overall dimensions. At 163.7 inches long, 69.3 inches, a wheelbase of 101.2 inches, and 49.6 inches high, it's thankfully compact, smaller in length, width and height than the Nissan 370Z, and slightly longer in wheelbase. It's also the first car to wear Toyota's new swoopy styling with some gusto. Dare we say it, we actually like the look of it. It's... exciting, we're so confused here. The interior is obviously all show-car glam and may serve as direction, but we'll be shocked if there are many zippers on the production car's dash.

We're men enough to admit that combined with the recently unveiled 2010 Toyota 4Runner, we're about to shed a tear over what looks to be the return of the old, fun AE86 sports coupe-building Toyota.

That number two contender is the Booby Prize Racing '96 Nissan 200SX, a car that the LeMons Supreme Court picked during the BS Inspection as the Under The Radar Candidate Most Likely To Contend. Looks like we guessed right this time!

In third we have the 1993 Honda Civic driven by Team "Corvette." No, we don't get the team name either.

Right behind the Honda is one of the top finishers from the last New England LeMons: the Scuderia Limoni Alfa Romeo Milano.

In fifth, we have another dominating New England veteran, the Scuderia Testa di Spillo Milano. Oh yes, two Milanos in the top five. Could this be the first-ever LeMons victory by an Italian car? Check in later to find out!

Subaru has traditionally offered quirky, sporty fun in an affordable package (with varying mixes of the three). The Tourer Concept shows off design language that's downright Italian, kicking the quirk to the curb in favor of design you don't have to get used to.

As for the hybrid system, the vehicle is still primarily powered a 2.0-liter direct-injection horizontally-opposed turbo gasser putting down power through Subie's Symmetrical AWD system. The "hybrid' part comes from a 27 HP motor connected to the rear axle for acceleration and power boosts and a 13 HP up front used to generate power for the lithium battery pack and provide additional oomph for hill-climbing.

Also, because it's a concept, it has giant doors, only four seats, and a system called EyeSight+ that watches everything around the car and advises you when you're about to run in to someone or something. [Subaru]

Yesterday was close, but in the end the Bagheera bagged a Crack Pipe vote of 55%. Despite that car's Jungle Book-sourced appellation, it wouldn't be your first choice when you need to go deep in the bush. For back roads and no roads you need something with a little more ground clearance, maybe four wheel drive and a brush guard. A bed to hold all the empty beer cans wouldn't hurt either.

What we have here is a Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter or ‘BRAT' from all-wheel-drive Sensei Subaru. The ad omits the year, but as it's a second generation - and still sporting the bass-ackwards bed seats - it falls in the '81-'85 range. The asking price is $2,350, which seems about what it must have cost to replace all the parts listed as new. The ad also shows the BRAT in it's natural environment- hooning it up on the dirt whoopdies. This is a car made for those Here, hold my beer. . . moments that precede the inevitable trips to the emergency room.

If you're not familiar with the Subaru BRAT - say you just stumbled over here by accident from Jezebel and became morbidly intrigued - it's a derivation of the Leone unibody sedan, with an open bed replacing the rear bodywork, a pair of little removable roof panels, and. . . well, let's just have octogenarian cougar Ruth Gordon explain it from beyond the grave-

There, wasn't that easier? This Subie also has the center driving light which is hidden under the grill badge. Having that is kind of like having a superfluous nipple- a conversation starter, but really of little practical value. It's not like you would ever be in danger of over-driving the main sealed beams, as the 1.8 litre flat four - up under the front-mounted spare tire - puts out a meager 78 bhp at a lazy 4800 rpm.

Not so lazy are the rear-facing plastic thrones that allow passengers an unfettered view of where you've been, and just how freaking big a Peterbilt badge is from 5 feet away. Seatbelts will keep them from leaping overboard in panic, and the kick-in step ahead of the rear wheel allows for easy egress. Sadly, like diving boards and Lawn Darts, these have been actuarially frowned upon.

So, $2,350 for an I Love the ‘80s BRAT. Is that price nice enough for door number one? Or do you pick door number two, behind which lies nothing but crack?

You decide!

Come on Jezebelians, your vote counts too. Just try not to hurt anybody, okay?

City of Angles Craigslist or go here if the ad disappears. Mad props to Mad Science for the tip!

Help me out with NPOCP. Click here to send a me a tip, and remember to include your commenter handle.

[NihonCar]

Ha-ha, you suck American consumer. Once again the JDM market roolz you. 900 STI Spec C's will be cooking the tires all over the Japanese islands and they'll be doing it faster than you silly gaijin. The engine gets an upgraded turbo with better bearings and an ECU recalibration resulting in 304 HP, the suspension gets tighter and the car gets special wheels wearing sticky Potenzas. More power is great, but they also attacked the weight, with thinner windows and lighter body panels and battery. Have fun with that Japan, we'll never see it on these shores.

Ken's a master of sliding sideways in his specially-equipped Subaru. And as you can see, he gives May the ride of his life — even if he doesn't have the guts to say it. And by guts, we mean of course playing his role as the anti-stereotypical "Captain Slow" by decrying his inability to drive fast in a straight line. Whatever — USA! USA! USA!

And on a personal note, we're glad to see even Top Gear's fabulous production team's taken to adding a bit more Planelopnik into their shot selection. Jolly good show, chaps!

The New York Times piece also lists the nation of origin for each vehicle's engine and transmission, and the overall effect is to provide tirade ammunition for both ends of the political spectrum. For example, if you know that unions (and the hand-wringin', gun-confiscatin', Kyoto-treaty-signin' parlor-pink liberals who enable them) have systematically destroyed everything that was once good and true about this country, you'll be able to point to the proof, right there for all to see! Likewise, if you have no doubt that the same oligarchs who rammed Taft-Hartley down our throats are out to crush the last vestiges of American labor dignity (their hands still red with the blood of Sacco and Vanzetti!), you'll see the truth on this map!

[New York Times, thanks to Franzouse for the tip]

Reader Lars, who goes by the handle "GRID," designed this incredibly awesome concept of the STI. It's simultaneously realistic in ways normal automaker concepts hardly ever are, while being effortlessly aggressive. The sight lines might leave something to be desired, but we can practically picture ourselves on a desolate gravel road out in the boonies, bombing through the countryside at unsafe speeds.

[GRID]

Why you should buy the 2009 WRX:
You've got the need for speed but also the need for a car you can live with, the need for a car you can afford to fill up, the need to explore new routes, the need to move more than one person around simultaneously, the need to store things and the need to not spend all your money on a car payment.

Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You've got the need for speed but also the need to drive a car that looks like it was built for an adult, the need for smooth roads, the need for big engines, the need for loud noises and the need for something impractical.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: Yes
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: Yes
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: Yes
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Trash: No
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: Yes
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
• Mitsubushi Lancer Ralliart
• Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T
• 2010 Ford Mustang GT
• Mazda Mazdaspeed3

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Subaru
• Model: WRX
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $25,495
• Price as Tested: $26,835
• Engine type: 2.5-Liter DOHC Intercooled Turbo Boxer 4
• Horsepower: 265 HP @ 6000 rpm
• Torque: 244 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
• Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
• Curb Weight: 3,200 lbs
• LxWxH: 180.3" x 68.5" x 58.1"
• Wheelbase: 103.1"
• Tires: 225/45 R17
• 0 - 60 mph: 5.4 seconds (manufacturer quoted)
• Top Speed: 140 MPH (limited)
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 18/25 MPG
• Jalopnik Fuel Economy: 18.8 MPG (city/highway mix 25/75)
• NHTSA crash test rating: *****/*****

Also see:
• 2009 Subaru WRX: First Drive
• 2009 Subaru WRX: Part One
• 2009 Subaru WRX: Part Two

Exterior Design: **
The Subaru does not put its best face forward. Even with the addition of the STI grille, standard spoiler, and LED lights out back the WRX is odd-looking — and not odd with a dash of cute like previous generations. Fortunately, it manages to differentiate itself from the rather boring options in the economy class. Unfortunately, it's most often compared to the much-more-attractive Evo X.

Interior Design: ***
What the designers would like you to believe is this is not just a sports car. This is a luxurious grand tourer. Yeah, right. The gauge face coloration, sweeping needles and extra level of metallic-colored insets all hint at this, but deep STI seats combined with a Mattel interior scream cheap-but-fast. Despite the misleading features, everything inside the WRX is perfectly located and the low seating position enhances the driving experience without sacrificing visibility.

Acceleration: *****
As mentioned yesterday, the WRX's acceleration is a prime example of delayed gratification. Try a typical one-foot rollout and, like Peter, it'll deny you. "I don't know him, I don't know him, I don't know him" and then the cock crows at 3K and it's something holy. Turbo lag is often considered a negative, but in this case it gives you enough time to grab onto something before the car lunges forward. With a conservative 0-to-60 MPH time of 5.4 seconds, there's very little both cheaper and faster.

Braking: ****
Other cars in this class have bigger brakes than the Subie, but the combination of good pedal feel, sticky tires and calipers with python-like grip provide an excellent braking experience. After even a strong beating on the brakes there was little fade.

Ride: ****
Considering the sporting credentials of the WRX you wouldn't expect it to be comfortable. You'd be wrong. It's downright cushy over typical roads and, when the road disappears, you're anything but jarred despite the low ride-height and thick front and rear stabilizer bars.

Handling: ***
If you find yourself being chased by terrorists, militant socialists or libertarians your best strategy is to look for the nearest park, skating rink or swamp. On the street the jellybean does fine, with well-tuned variable assist steering and a relatively small turning radius (35.4 feet), but you have to stay on the throttle or else you risk being foiled by understeer. Hit the trail and the magical AWD system keeps you firmly planted on whatever surface you find yourself on.

Gearbox: ***
The five-speed in the WRX is exactly where I want it and the large knob fits just right in my hand. Throws are a touch on the long side and it's slightly notchy, but the clutch engages quickly and without much effort. If only the shift boot wasn't made of rice-paper-thin pleatherette.

Audio: ***
The 6-speaker audio system provides just enough noise to cover the sound of the Subaru boxer four... as if you'd want to. The controls are fairly straight-forward, relying more on buttons than nobs, but the display is unfortunately only 14 characters across. There's an auxiliary jack for music players but no special iPod hookup.

Toys: **
There aren't many options for the WRX other than a mirror with dimming and a compass but, once again, who cares? The car itself is one big toy. Who needs GPS? Who needs a sunroof? Who needs Bluetooth? We don't even need the radio.

Value: *****
At just $26K with the goodies you want, the WRX is faster than nearly everything cheaper than it and just a few ticks slower than bigger, badder vehicles like the 2010 Mustang, Nissan 370Z, and Hyundai Genesis 3.8T. Plus, it's got seating for four adults and a real trunk. We can think of few new cars able to offer the same balance of fun, speed, and space.

Overall: ****
Thirty years from now we find it hard to imagine a WRX is going to be polished and parked alongside the pretty metal in some beachfront Concours. Instead, people competing in LeMons endurance racing will be scouring used car lots and the internet for this car. We don't get why Subaru thinks they have to choose between style or substance, we're just glad they made the right choice.

Also see:
• 2009 Subaru WRX, Part One

It's a testament to Subaru engineering and the benefits of aftermarket safety upgrades. The car was outfitted with a harness bar and safety harnesses along with the flashier stuff like a carbon fiber nose, but the driver is probably thanking his lucky stars he'd installed the safety bar. We're glad this Subaru gave its life to save its occupants. Details below:

I got a call from my buddy at 1:30am this morning, I assumed it was drunk dialing and went back to sleep. I guess I was wrong. Apparently when he swerved to miss a deer (NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!!!) the rear end came off the ground, hit a tree, flipped twice, took out a stop sign and another tree. Thanks to a harness bar his and his passengers lives were spared (they walked away). He's a lucky SOB.

(Hat tip to Ed!) [also via FinalGear]