Nagase

iTrader: (6)

I absolutely adore the engine in that car. The shifter is amazing, the steering phenomenal, balance is great, four adults fit very comfortably in it, the engine is absolutely astonishing in how it pulls so smoothly up to 9000rpm. It's not about power, that car is just oozing with character. Makes me want to redline it everywhere. The biggest issue I have is the high gearing. First gear ends at 41mph, and higher with a tune. Really needs a second gen drivetrain, or possibly a 5.12 to really have shifting fun.

Edit: Thinking about this, it's interesting how the engine characteristics are diametrically opposite between the RX8 and the NA/NB Miata, despite having a lot of the same feeling. The early Miatas were fun cars because of their engine. Running it hard felt like you were really doing something despite the lack of speed, since they were so rough. It's like whipping an asthmatic to run as fast as he can.

calteg

iTrader: (18)

Manual, about as "charismatic" as a sedan gets, probably still under your price range after you import one, can be registered as a vintage vehicle.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Must have been wet when they ran the M3 or something. I'm not a BMW fanboy, but same times as an RX-8 and 350Z smells fishy.

Sparetire

"The Millennium Falcon of supercars" - Evo


Good call.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Evora



01:25.1 Lotus Exige S Series 8, Episode 3
01:25.3 Porsche Panamera turbo Series 15, Episode 3
01:25.3 BMW M3 (E90 Saloon) Series 10, Episode 10
01:25.4 Ford GT40 Series 5, Episode 8
01:25.7 Lotus Evora Series 13, Episode 1
01:25.7 Audi RS4[6] Series 7, Episode 2
01:25.7 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder Series 8, Episode 7
01:25.8 Lamborghini Gallardo (wet) Series 3, Episode 4
01:25.9 Morgan Aero 8 GTN Series 5, Episode 5
01:26.0 Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black series Series 11, Episode 2
01:26.0 BMW Z4 M roadster (E85) Series 8, Episode 4
01:26.0 Noble M400 (Shown on Top Gear Revved Up DVD) N/A
01:26.0 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ320 Series 4, Episode 4
01:26.2 BMW M5 (E60) Series 6, Episode 9
01:26.2 Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (damp) Series 10, Episode 2
01:26.2 Brabus S Biturbo Roadster Series 9, Episode 4
01:26.3 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S Series 13, Episode 7
01:26.4 Lotus Exige (mildly moist) Series 4, Episode 1
01:26.5 BMW M3 E92 Competition Pack (moist) Series 16, Episode 5
01:26.7 Porsche Cayman S[6] Series 7, Episode 2
01:26.7 Jaguar XFR Series 13, Episode 5
01:26.8 Chevrolet Corvette C6 LS2 Series 4, Episode 10
01:26.8 Aston Martin V12 Vantage (Not Shown on TV)[4] N/A
01:26.8 Ferrari 575M Maranello GTC Series 5, Episode 4
01:26.9 Lexus IS-F Series 12, Episode 5
01:26.9 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG Series 6, Episode 1
01:27.0 BMW M5 E39 N/A

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

dcamp2

iTrader: (4)

pretty sure the only answer is '92 Ford Taurus SHO

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

I had a '94 SHO. If mine was a stick, I'd still have it. The car was terrible. Door panels fell off, the sunroof leaked, the blower motor in the dash was asthmatic, and parts for the engine were super rare. But 270HP Fail Wheel Drive missile that had OEM police duty suspension and chassis parts.

I'd always wanted to try the poo-poo'd SHO Miata swap. That was such a cool engine. Wish Ford actually made the mid-engined RWD car it was built for.

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

C'mon, I think everyone here would benefit from you making a build thread for a Shogun swap. Do itttt.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Well there is another choice.

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

My dream DD. Not so much for this though.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

The ZL1 from the last track day that I was instructing in was pretty stout at 580hp. It is still a big heavy car but there are some redeeming features. The brakes were quite large and really good.

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

How'd you think of it compared to the SS of that current body? I did a little 'autocross' when the SS was released at Barrett Jackson, and the dynamics were surprisingly good, but it was like trying to see out of the viewing slits of a tank and about the same size. Was the TC in the ZL1 tuned differently? Found the SS to have very intrusive control.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

There were five different levels of traction control and three or maybe five different levels of stability control. I was instructing the driver, not driving.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

The amount of work is more than an LS swap for less benefit. Heavier and more costly, plus super rare parts.

This is how I feel in every new muscley car. This high beltline no glass trend sucks. The Mustang is pretty decent, considering the Camaro, the ChargallangeragnumC SRT8, the 370z...

I'd DD something with no top. I figure if my car gets totaled out and I can still drive, I'd use the money to buy back the car and get an Exocet.

kaisersoze

iTrader: (8)

There is actually a Lotus Carlton for sale in Texas right now

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Frankly, the CTS-V guys at the track days seem to be having a blast and doing pretty darn well. Those cars have some go to them with that supercharged LSX and big brakes also. I can't comment on interiors or if the nannies are intrusive or not.

Too bad the Merc S55 isn't a manual. I always liked the look.

Back to the ZL1 Camaro, the car is heavy and I don't like having a low roof but the suspension is well damped and handles jumping curbs on the track without being upset at all. It had something like 385 width tires on it, too. And they were summer tires. I've poo-poo'd GM and the "big 3" for years but I thought they did a good job with the interior quality on the car as well. I'd rate it better than expected.

I like lightweight cars and that's why I mentioned the Evora. I have driven a newer, heavy Toyota Avalon and I can tell you that engine would be a hoot in a car as light and balanced as the Evora. Gobs of torque everywhere and likes to rev, too. And it isn't something you see everyday like a Bimmer or Merc. If Top Gear's list of cars that were slower than the Evora is any indication, it must be up to Lotus' serious handling and braking standards as well. And the drivetrain will be dead reliable.


Jeremy Clarkson gushes over it:

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

One of my good friends has a new ZL1 that I have gone out and ridden in around the street. It was his replacement for his 370z. As a passenger I thought the car felt heavy and was not "toss-able". It does haul *** in a straight line and the traction control seemed well done. I would expect so for the amount that he paid for the car. At the end of the day though it is still a Chevy, which no matter how fast is not exactly in the same category quality wise as the other cars you have talked about. I have fond memories of my other friends 97/98 Z28 and how crappy the quality of the car was after just 6 or 7 years.

calteg

iTrader: (18)

Seriously, drive an Evora first if you're considering buying one. The offset pedal arrangement KILLED that car for me. I went from an Evora fanboy to despising that car in about 3 minutes.

I'm also extremely saddened by the fact that the Panamera turbo is as fast as it is.