2









I, too, am thinking about this car. Thoughts such as:
Why doesn't the paint on any of the body panels match?
Are crooked gaps in body panels normal?
Which Maaco painted that rear bumper; and, is there a warranty?
Who gave that guy a sawzall and told him to eyeball trimming the front fenders?


[Edited on September 29, 2011 at 1:12 AM. Reason : s]

9/29/2011 1:02:25 AM

Quote :

"I appreciate each engine for its respective merits. "

e

Same here. I like the rotary in concept, for its specific advantages, and just for the cool factor. I even said that some of those engines might hold a little advantage here or there over the LSx, but the LSx is just about impossible to beat as a total package, unless you flat-out disregard cost.

I'd like to have an FD-chassis RX-7 with a 13b, but whenever it blew up, if I wanted it to go faster, I wouldn't spend the money on building a beast of a rotary...I'd swap in an LSx without hesitation.

9/29/2011 1:20:15 AM

95-2001 Audi A4

or

95-2005 Jeep Wrangler 4x4

Need winter wheels

[Edited on September 29, 2011 at 3:42 AM. Reason : ya]

9/29/2011 3:39:23 AM

Quote :

"I'd like to have an FD-chassis RX-7 with a 13b, but whenever it blew up, if I wanted it to go faster, I wouldn't spend the money on building a beast of a rotary...I'd swap in an LSx without hesitation."

In some ways it is the easier route, but it is not a route I will ever take on my own Rx-7. I like my Chevy engines in Chevys.

But I think you have too low of an opinion of the Corvette chassis. I like my LSx engines in Corvettes. I think they handle just fine; I don't find them large or brutish at all, even in comparison to the lithe FD Rx-7--but a Camaro is a different story.

If anything, the Corvette suspension and overall chassis is the rotary engine of the suspension world. There's really no reason to use it, but it performs admirably and on paper it still has certain advantages.

9/29/2011 9:58:47 AM

never had one, always wanted one. blue or white OEM TT or OEM+...



[Edited on September 29, 2011 at 11:30 AM. Reason : mmm]

9/29/2011 11:29:50 AM

nice image there chief

9/29/2011 11:58:05 AM

thx. those are timeless cars in design.

hard to believe z32 had twin turbo 3L with 300hp in 1990 with same gas mileage. ...and here we rave about 335i 20 years later with same output and efficiency.

10/2/2011 9:49:22 PM

LOL

10/2/2011 9:50:35 PM

Quote :

"But I think you have too low of an opinion of the Corvette chassis. I like my LSx engines in Corvettes. I think they handle just fine; I don't find them large or brutish at all, even in comparison to the lithe FD Rx-7--but a Camaro is a different story. If anything, the Corvette suspension and overall chassis is the rotary engine of the suspension world. There's really no reason to use it, but it performs admirably and on paper it still has certain advantages."

Yeah, it has certain advantages. I do think it feels large and brutish. It IS large and brutish, haha. It comes alive and feels better when you drive the dogshit out of it, and any way you cut it, it's fucking fast.

10/3/2011 1:40:45 AM

Based on all this RX-7 talk, this one:



Obviously I'm a little biased.

10/3/2011 4:14:44 AM

I really want a ctsv wagon.......

really really bad

10/10/2011 3:48:31 PM

m5 with the v10

10/10/2011 3:56:51 PM

a guy over on the S2000 message board just got rid of his S2000 for this:

10/10/2011 3:57:33 PM

LS something ?

10/10/2011 3:59:11 PM

Yeah it's an LS9/LS2 hybrid of sorts. Also with a 1/4 tank of gas the curb weight is 2849 lbs. Pretty nasty power to weight ratio there...



[Edited on October 10, 2011 at 4:04 PM. Reason : pic]

10/10/2011 4:03:59 PM

Quote :

"hard to believe z32 had twin turbo 3L with 300hp in 1990 with same gas mileage. ...and here we rave about 335i 20 years later with same output and efficiency."

335 has a broader torque curve and the 335 has a lot lower emissions. I suppose fuel economy depends on the specific applications you are comparing.

10/10/2011 5:09:14 PM

the 3000gt vr4 and 335i are identical power right?

10/10/2011 6:53:31 PM

What car to get -- ughghghghghghg! 20k total, can be used for 1 car or to buy 1 car with 80% of that and a beater for the snow with the other 20% (I live up north). Id be driving the 'sports' car most of the time, so some priority lies on reliability/mileage/comfort but I still want fun.

Im not big on the s2000 but its probably the cheapest and lots of fun. The c05 is a turd on the inside but you cant match that power. The wrx is the normal choice but Im single and mid/late 20s so this is my chance to get something less than practical. Ive just always like the Zs and I can get a coupe (good thing), with decent power which doesnt have the hvac of a suburban or the vibe of a trailer park ferrari / mid life crisis. I like the Z the most but its not the fastest, prettiest, lightest or most anything. Ughghghghgh.











or what I'd really want but wont get:

10/10/2011 8:11:54 PM

Out of curiousity why aren't you a fan of the S2000? Have you ever driven one in anger?

10/10/2011 11:31:23 PM

I have owned two S2000s; they are great cars.

That said, buy my C5 Z06. It will motherfucking sodomize any other car you listed (or anything else attainable for < $20k), then jump up, beat its chest, and snap into a slim jim. All the while, getting great gas mileage and hauling two suitcases in the trunk.

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/2621341439.html



[Edited on October 11, 2011 at 1:20 AM. Reason : it's in FL, but I can bring it to NC before too much longer if you're very serious about buying it.]

[Edited on October 11, 2011 at 1:21 AM. Reason : You can buy the car without the extra wheels if you want, too]

10/11/2011 1:10:32 AM

Ahh cars... the only time forcing anal sex on someone is a good thing.


20% snow means get some snow tires and still drive a rwd car.


I have a subaru... based on that exact chassis actually and i love it.... but occasionally i wish i could power on oversteer. My legacy is fast.... but a 400+hp rwd car will have more fun on the highway. And the occasional drift/ burnout can be had when you feel like being a kid again.

10/11/2011 12:39:43 PM

Quote :

"the 3000gt vr4 and 335i are identical power right?"

If you are comparing a 91-93 3000GT to an N54 powered 335 then yes they have the same nominal horsepower output.

10/11/2011 12:57:41 PM

Quote :

"I have a subaru"

yeah we get it dude, every other post you mention it

10/11/2011 2:14:17 PM

actually i don't talk about it much anymore....


p.s. it was fucking relevant and i didn't tell him to get one...


in conclusion...
suckit.



[Edited on October 11, 2011 at 2:30 PM. Reason : .]

10/11/2011 2:29:34 PM

Nothing against s2000's as cars at all, I'm personally just not big on convertibles The only reason it's in the running is that it's a unique little car with a fun engine, good handling and smooth transmission. I guess I could buy a hardtop, but, eh.

Im fighting all instincts to not get an 07 Z with ~45k for like $17k, given that I can get an 02 c5 for a grand or two more which will smoke it. I just love the way the Z looks and hate the aura of the vette. The Z is moderately 'fast' but its so linear/smooth that there's not much rush at all when driving it, making it feel slower than it is. I think the 400hp, or honda redline, would be a lot more engaging. If you havent noticed, Im awful with decisions.

The subaru is cool but I can get a wrx, or a similar car, at any point in my life, so even though it meets all of my criteria, its probably last on my list as I'm at a good age / point in life to get something dumb and have it not impact me.

10/11/2011 3:33:54 PM

^I understand you a bit with the S2000. I bought mine in spite of it being a convertible. I'd greatly prefer it to be a coupe, but what can you do. A word of warning if you buy one and want a hard top: Honda stopped making the OEM hardtop and it can be very difficult to find one. If you do, expect to pay at least $2500-3000 (from what I've seen).

I'm biased, but I prefer them over the Zs for a few reasons.
-superior handling
-equally as fast but a more entertaining and involving drive
-better quality (my buddy's 2003 interior looks like complete crap)
-more reliable
-less common

10/11/2011 3:59:43 PM

Quote :

" My legacy is fast"

lol!

10/11/2011 4:35:25 PM

It kinda blows, I'd been considering several different sports cars but after driving one of these, I don't want anything else

10/11/2011 4:53:08 PM

^just be sure to get one with a proper roof.

10/11/2011 5:16:52 PM

this popped into my mind. In some ways it's like a poor-man's GT-R.

10/11/2011 5:20:41 PM

Not gonnA happen for 20k.

S2k would've been better as a coupe, yes.

370z has the brake fade issue if you want to track it.

10/11/2011 5:33:02 PM

S2k has a great engine? Funny I was thinking that car would be fun w/another 100hp and 100ft-lbs. Only if they'd made a coupe...

911s suck, if you drive one hard you don't want anything else in it's price range. That said, a 4S cab is the most Mercedes like of the bunch. However, they make fantastic convertible -and I'm not a convertible dude either.

C5s have terrible build quality, maybe a z06 would be worth considering if you feel like having a capable car but it's still a boat.

370z seems like a decent car, I haven't driven one. Oddly enough, I don't like the G37/370z "aura", ALMOST as bad as a vette IMO.

I am thinking about a 911 twin turbo, coupe of course.

10/11/2011 6:12:29 PM

I hate 911 convertibles, both aesthetically and in principle. 911 coupes, I love.

C5s do have crappy fit and finish. They are large, and even the Z06 drives large. When driven hard, though, it comes alive and feels a lot better...I can't really explain--it just seems to wake up and be like "OH? You're ready to do this for real, now? Check this out!" Primarily the best thing about it is that it will accelerate and corner like a fucking mad dog for relatively dirt cheap, and gets great gas mileage and has a pretty decent trunk, making it a pretty good daily driver considering its performance.

10/11/2011 6:58:17 PM

Give the s2000 engine a break. It was designed in the late 90s and only had two relatively minor update.

10/11/2011 7:38:41 PM

My 84 f150. I thought about selling it to get a better truck. Then I started working on it tinkering and fine tuning things here and there and realized why I still own that old lug.

10/11/2011 7:47:40 PM

for when the s2000 was designed, and for what it is--a fun, agile sports car with good control feel and one of the world's greatest manual gearboxes--it has plenty of power and torque. The chassis would be happy with another 150 hp (not sure if the brakes would be, and the rear diff certainly wouldn't be), but it's still a great sports car right out of the box.

It is not, however, comparable to a 2010-spec, horsepower-war benefitted road-rocket. If you view it as the ultimate evolution of the classic British sports car--picking up where the Miata left off--it's an incredible car. If you compare it to, say, a 2010 Boxster S, or a 370z, or God-forbid a Corvette, it's a disappointed, limp-wristed little bitch.



To make a motorcycle analogy, the SV650 was a fantastically improved modern interpretation of the Honda Hawk (MG/Triumph/Miata), and as good or better in many or most ways than the Ducati Monsters of its day (Z3, Z4, Boxster, whatever that shitty little Mercedes was called). Viewed like that, it's one hell of a great motorcycle. If you want to compare it to a new ZX-10R and say "the SV isn't much of a sportbike", well, I mean...you're not wrong. You're just making a ridiculous argument.

10/11/2011 7:56:39 PM

There's a reason you can find 911 convertibles all day long on the internet in the mid 20s (and always cheaper than the coupes)...nobody wants them.

10/11/2011 8:28:28 PM

I was not impressed with the SV650. I may ride it again just to make sure i wasn't having a kawi green or nothing day. I put over 60 miles on it though.

10/11/2011 9:29:36 PM

i'll sell you some kawi green on the cheap. spare motors included

10/11/2011 9:42:10 PM

The s200 has a 'fun' engine -- there are not many comparable cars that you can rev to shit, handle/toss well, and have some reliability. I certainly take a little issue with the fact it's a droptop and there's not that instant torque that a vette has (or even a 350z) to give it a little pep around town.

Ahmet, I'm a little surprised you haggle the s2000 so much -- from what I've gathered, you seem to like pure cars with good feel (e36, 911s) so I figured you'd appreciate a 30k (msrp) that moves somewhat well, has a great 6mt and handles really well. I get the general hatred toward 350z (fat, some reliability issues at first, interior quality) but the s2000 surprises me a little.

[Edited on October 11, 2011 at 9:50 PM. Reason : ]

10/11/2011 9:49:28 PM

just get a e46 m3 and call it a day.

10/11/2011 10:00:43 PM

Well ok, I love the "idea" of the S2000 on paper. I -unfortunately- have never driven one as hard as I would like. A few friends/acquaintances have let me drive them off track but I'm not comfortable pushing somebody's car when they're not comfortable with me doing so. If anybody reading this wants to let me drive their S2k, I'd take you up on it. They're eager to turn in, but not to rotate. The engine does have a high redline, but it feels so gutless. If it's making a racket, I'd like to be propelled forward, hard. And the steering, don't let the fast ratio and fantastic turn in cloud your thinking, it has very poor feedback. Sort of reminds me of the EVO. It's also very springy back to neutral, a lot like Subarus.

RE: Vette, the C5 Z06 does indeed come alive when pushed. Never has a car shrunk so much in my hands. Driving Duke's around CMP was fan-f*cking-tastic. I say that after having owned a modified C5 (with a few laps on track even) and instructed in a dozen of them, racing against them, etc. Unlike Duke though, even with the in your face acceleration, I just have no interest in living w/a Corvette of any flavor on the street. Different strokes. It must be said, it's an incredible buy, on paper...

10/12/2011 12:20:43 AM

I think we have very similar opinions of the C5Z. It's a hunk of shit in some ways, and playing a totally different sport from other sports cars anywhere near its price point in others. There are elements of its design (the hugeness, the numb feel around town, etc) that I don't like at all, but that largely evaporate on the racetrack or even autocross course. The stupid overhangs, the gigantic butt, and the crappy fit & finish...well, you're kinda stuck with those.

Part of me wants to keep it and put stiffer springs/shocks/sways on it and a set of poly bushings...and maybe a set of race buckets, harnesses...and headers, intake, and tune. I'm sure it would drive awesomely on track and totally melt your face at all times...but I have a boner for a Seven, and I struggle to commit that kind of cash that I'll never get back to building a C5Z street-track monster. Maybe one of these days I'll buy one that's at least largely already done.

Quote :

"that instant torque that a vette has"

The Corvette doesn't have torque. The Corvette has the will of God. For serious, it will effortlessly smoke 295-width street tires (~300 treadwear) from a standstill in 2nd gear. It will break traction at 50 mph with ease--like, when you're not even trying, aren't even quite at WOT, and don't want it to. Hell, it wouldn't even be much trouble to never even use the first 2 gears, and it will, with careful clutch-work, move away from a standing start in 4th gear without touching the throttle.

[Edited on October 12, 2011 at 12:37 AM. Reason : ]

[Edited on October 12, 2011 at 12:38 AM. Reason : and it sounds like a Winston Cup car while doing it, and will get 20-30 mpg or so if you drive easy]

10/12/2011 12:35:07 AM

Quote :

"just get a e46 m3 and call it a day."

Please no... I finally drove one of those a couple weeks ago (full disclosure: it was a convertible). For an engine with an 8k redline, it sure fell on its face after 6k. I was stunned--I thought these things like to rev?? I was expecting something like the outgoing M60 M5 V10 engine, which really does like to rev. It was still smooth though, and it had a great clutch.

Interior just looked like typical mid level BMW, besides the seats. Nothing impressive there unless you compare it to an Evo or something.

Handling was pretty good but it felt nose-heavy (convertible didn't help). It reminded me of a Mark IV Supra actually.

10/12/2011 9:49:38 AM

Quote :

"911s suck, if you drive one hard you don't want anything else in it's price range. That said, a 4S cab is the most Mercedes like of the bunch. However, they make fantastic convertible -and I'm not a convertible dude either. "

Yeah, I considered Mercs because what I want is a convertible luxury sports car with a decent amount of power. The problem with Mercs is they haven't made a manual transmission since the early 90s so that basically disqualifies them. First I wanted a Boxster S, but they were pretty under powered until 2005. I was basically set on an M Roadster after that, but after test driving a few 996 Cabs, I know I'm gonna buy one eventually so why bother wasting money on anything else first. The 4S is nice because it has a lot of the upmarket options, including traction control, stock which makes the search a little easier. Plus there is a rarity factor as they only made the 996 4S Cab for a couple years.

10/12/2011 11:44:30 AM

add some rumble and god i wish i could afford this as a DD

10/12/2011 11:55:16 AM

^ I met a guy with an Evo 8 who daily drives one of those. He said it was comfortable and fun to drive and people are regularly stunned at how quick it can be off the line.

10/12/2011 2:36:04 PM

Quote :

"The problem with Mercs is they haven't made a manual transmission since the early 90s so that basically disqualifies them."

and they also don't make any sports cars and haven't in many decades, as far as I can think of, save the SLS AMG.

10/12/2011 2:55:07 PM

Aston Martin DB9

10/12/2011 2:55:49 PM

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

10/12/2011 2:59:39 PM