These cars have a very limited potential. Everything needs to upgraded on them. Have a look at Evo's and STi's. They have all the suspension and brake setups on them, and their engines and gearboxes can take the punishment. If you want something different that is actually a high performance car... have a look at the Mazda MPS cars... lots of potential.
i like the sr20DET's reported potential and that of turbo cars in general.
the ABS, traction control and 4wd of the attesa give the impression of control, safety and 'harness-ability', further enhancing 'potential' appeal.
if i did ever have the money and necessity to purchase a newer car, then given my likes, the evo X might be a goer, but so might a nissan juke. normally, there would be a slight bit of shame in going the direction of the evo/sti (for a number of reasons), however i love that 'galant' look, which looks best on vr4/legnum: another car i would go for before going brand new. the legnum especially, as i can sleep in the back if i'm in the city and intoxicated or tired.
the attesa has everything i need, plus a conservative guise. it's certainly fast enough (but hey, who doesn't like a bit of extra g-force?).
i'm using it to learn about about cars and engines - come from a family of mechanics and engineers and still don't even do my own oil changes, yet day dreams of the ultimate rebuild get me through the day.
the mazda mps is awesome. i am keeping a lookout for newer cars in the 4 cyl turbo category. for a while i thought the configuration was becoming obsolete or unappealing to manufacturers, and that vvt and electricity were taking over. until the golf r arrived.
still, for less money, i can experience the x-trail gt. it might be getting old, it might be expensive to repair, but 'sr20vet' just sounds like fun. and again, in a weird or unlikely body.
for now it's attesa ftw. maybe an x-trail gt next. and, i'm sure that by the time i can afford a new car, there will be so many amazing options available. there already are and they're only gonna get better. i have the meanwhile to catch up with technology by practicing on the outdated type. the potential of my car and any other car have the exact same limit on potential at the moment, that being my funds!
a turbo here and a cam there are relatively small outlays requiring no loans so for now, i'll be continuing to spread the gospels of 'don't judge a book' and 'it's what's on the inside that counts', in my granny-mobile!
one question: if everything DOES get upgraded on one of these, doesn't that make it kind of like a new, improved car? extending the lifespan and lowering its rate of deterioration? especially given that there is no current intention of ever selling the vehicle