If one word had to be used to describe the Subaru Impreza WRX, it would have to be "beast". This street demon is meant to own the road and get you from point A to B as quickly as possible. 

Equipped with a 2.5 L 265 horsepower turbo-charged Subaru Boxer engine, this car is quite sporty, and has more than enough pickup to win you a few drag races. With a 0-60 speed of just over 5 seconds, this car is more of a rocket-ship than your everyday sedan. 

In terms of suspension and handling, it doesn't get much better than this. One particular advantage the WRX has is that like many of its Subaru counterparts, it is equipped with all-wheel drive, making it a pleasure to drive in rain and snow. Having driven this car in the rain, I can safely say that the car took turns and curves as if there wasn't a drop of water in sight. 

In terms of pricing, the base model WRX comes in at $25,595 MSRP, going all the way up to the mid 37k range with the fully equipped WRX STI Limited model. To be quite frank, the limited and premium models are nice, but in my opinion overpriced. The base model comes standard with a hood scoop for maximum air intake and for your extra few thousand bucks, you get some interior features that are nice, but don't do much other than make it look a bit more luxurious inside. 

If I had to recommend a sporty, affordable, small sedan, I would definitely say the WRX is one of your best options. One of the major downsides is its not-so-great gas mileage, at 21 mpg combined, but if you're looking for a fun toy for under 30k, you can't do much better than this. Comparable cars include the more expensive Mitsubishi Lancer Ralli-Art, the Volkswagen GTI and the Honda Civic SI. For the amount you pay, Subaru really packs a lot into this small car, and if you're looking for high-performance and a fun ride, the WRX can most definitely meet your needs. 

Well, Game 1 of the NBA Finals is now in the books, and the Oklahoma City Thunder will be celebrating their 105-94 victory this evening. 

Miami jumped out to a quick start, looking sharp and extremely dangerous as they took a seven point lead in the first quarter. Kevin Durant and the Thunder wouldn't be silenced for long as they roared back in the third quarter and never looked back. Durant finished the game with 36 points and 8 boards, shooting an impressive 12-20 from the field, including 4-8 from deep. 

LeBron James had an impressive performance, delivering 30 points to go along with 9 rebounds, but it wouldn't be enough to stifle the red-hot Thunder. The rest of the Big Three seemed to come up short, as Wade quietly scored 19 to go along with Bosh's 10 points off the bench. Russell Westbrook was just two rebounds shy of a triple-double, as he shined in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 27 points, 11 assists and 8 boards. 

In the fourth, a series of missed three's and poor defense allowed the Thunder to make their final push, and the Heat were unable to stop the bleeding. 

Though they went unnoticed statistically, I believe specific credit is due to Thabo Sefolosha for a strong defensive effort in his 28 minutes of play. 

They say that the team that collects more rebounds always wins, and that was certainly the case this evening. Anyone watching the game could see how many rebounds the Thunder picked up as a result of their hustle, and the Heat simply looked lethargic out there. The Thunder were energetic, passionate and pertinacious, and their efforts were recompensed with a pivotal Game 1 victory tonight, as they take one step closer towards their ultimate goal. 

After a shortened season and many playoff surprises, it's almost that time of year again. Time to see which NBA team will reign national champion. From the West, you're looking at the young guns--the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fast, dangerous, passionate, and hungry to prove themselves to all the skeptics out there. From the East coast, after a hard-fought battle that went seven games, the Miami Heat were able to secure their second consecutive trip to the championship, and will look to finish what they were unable to last year. 

Both teams are extremely talented and physical, but a number of factors will determine the victor in each individual contest. Defense, play off the bench, and shot selection will play a huge role in this series. After winning four straight games to down the red-hot San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder seem invincible, but they will certainly have their hands full with the Heat and the Big Three. 

But the Thunder may have something the Heat don't--Serge Ibaka. Sure, Ibaka only delivers about 10 points per game, but it isn't uncommon to see him shut down the opposing teams' big man. Ibaka will be a presence in the paint who will certainly cause trouble for any Miami player who ventures towards the basket. Offensively, both teams are more than capable of scoring 100 points in a game, making defense (in my humble opinion) the factor which will determine the winner of this series. 

Though quiet, Kevin Durant is a dominant offensive player who demands attention from any defense. Russell Westbrook and James Harden also pose a threat on offense, with Kendrick Perkins playing the post. Oh, and don't forget about Derek Fisher, because if you do, he'll hit a clutch three-pointer or get himself to the line for a pair of free throws. 

Miami has a sharp starting lineup, but rushed shots and selfish play nearly cost them the series against Boston. The Heat looked very beatable on numerous occasions this playoffs, and LeBron, Wade, and Bosh will truly be tested when they have to face the young and seemingly indefatigable Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, who has averaged 27.8 ppg this playoffs, hitting over 50% of his shots and hauling in nearly eight rebounds per game. 

My prediction--the Thunder proved themselves against the Spurs, and while the Heat have a dangerous squad, it doesn't seem likely that they'll be able to stifle the running, gunning Thunder. If they do intend to win, they'll have to play smart on all ends of the floor, and limit their turnovers, while sharing the ball and simply playing fundamental basketball.