So I'm clearing out the garage. Naturally the empty space starts speaking to me, "you need to put something in there". So, fire up the search engines and I start looking.
I set some parameters for myself. I want power(in excess of 250bhp), rear or awd, manual. I should add some context, i like rally cars. As well, the homogation specials for those cars. While I know that the Lancia Delta, Focus RS, Seat Corsa, Abarth 131, etc were never imported. You'd think that there'd be a couple of cars in that bloodline imported to the States.
Well.... they weren't. The Subie STI and the Golf RS are watered down versions of what the rest of the world recieved. The Merc 190 Cosworth is not only rare, but difficult to service and an Audi Quattro Sport is untouchable.
So, I'm reaching out. What rally based car am I forgetting about? I can't come up with anything.
I need help..
XR4Ti, Lotus Cortina if you want old school, Austin Mini,
Miata
well I guess the Mini may be lacking in power. You could do the Lancia Stratus Replica
E30 M3 with 2.5 or 2.7 VAC stroker motor should EASILY net your 250+ hp while sounding amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS8AMrBnYHM
Volvo 240 flat hood turbo with more boost. Lots more boost.
If you are crossing the 190e 16v off your list for only the reasons you mentioned you aren't trying hard enough. If you just don't like it that's different though.
Celica All-Trac? just add more boost.
What's your price range?
Mazda 323 GTX, Mitsu Galant VR-4, Suby 2.5RS, Audi Quattro Coupe.
You can buy my WRX. I'll even drive it to your doorstep.
Now we are getting to the good stuff. The Cortina would be awesome, but getting any real power won't happen with the original engine. But its still cool. The Stratos replica would be fun, but at 6'1, I'm doubting I'd fit.
No Travis, that's not the only reason to eliminate the Cosworth Merc. It wasn't that great of a car.
Celica all-trac, I'm going to look into that more!
Ther Merkur would be ok, but we didn't get the Cossie engine. Just a warmed up 2.3.
Thanks gents, this has helped. That and only 6 more years to legally import a Delta Evo!
Peugeot 405 Mi16 with a turbo and converted to AWD by importing a parts car.
Build an Evo 3 from an imported Canadian "Parts" car and a mirage chassis?
For the Cortina, consider a Zetec swap. That would get you in the ballpark.
Also, would you rather have a rally car you can drive around, while sacrificing a bit of comfort, or a rally-inspired street car? If the former, just buy a built Production or Group-2 car and have fun.
mazdeuce wrote:
Volvo 240 flat hood turbo with more boost. Lots more boost.
This was going to be my vote; I've always loved the Volvo rally cars.
John has the winner!
The 190e cosworth is a great car and can still be purchased for a reasonable amount of money.
Starlet? RWD, still can be found and swaps galore:
Triumph TR8 with some basic mods hits all of your targets. There was a nearly finished rally built TR7 V8 that sold in Cali a couple of months ago for around $6K.
EVO VIII, IX or X
Pretty fast easy to get more power out of. Kind of rice-y on the westcoast 
In reply to JohnRW1621:
My friend owns this car now, (the bottom one) it has an AMC 390 v8 and a 727 trans in it.
