996 competitors?
05-31-2018, 05:02 PM
#31
05-31-2018, 05:31 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
Agree completely (with your entire post and especially the quote above). It's been a mystery to me why the factory didn't build the S2000 and BRZ (and Miata also) with a small turbo just to give it some low-end guts. The brand new BRZ I drove wasn't just "not fast", it felt slow in normal driving. I did, however, think that timid performance might make the BRZ a pretty good (safe) first car for my son when he gets his license.
05-31-2018, 05:49 PM
#34
Three Wheelin'
I haven't personally driven the FRS/BRZ but I'm familiar with the specs. I have driven an S2K - I'd imagine its a similar experience, with the S2K being faster if you drive it like you stole it. The BRZ is probably a blast to drive on twisty roads - feels sporty - and doesn't have enough power to really get you into trouble. It will feel fast going around corners but in an open stretch you'll quickly realize just how underpowered it is. The same really applies to the BMW Z4. The 2.5s are really just completely underpowered - while the 3.0 (thats the one I had) had enough low end grunt to feel pretty fast on back roads. It felt light and easy to throw into corners with throttle - completely predictable. On the highway it didn't even compare to a 996 though.
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igrip (02-21-2024)
05-31-2018, 05:50 PM
#35
Rennlist Member
It's been a mystery to me why the factory didn't build the S2000 and BRZ (and Miata also) with a small turbo just to give it some low-end guts. The brand new BRZ I drove wasn't just "not fast", it felt slow in normal driving. I did, however, think that timid performance might make the BRZ a pretty good (safe) first car for my son when he gets his license.
05-31-2018, 06:00 PM
#36
Three Wheelin'
05-31-2018, 07:43 PM
#37
In addition to the e46 z4 m coupe I mentioned earlier
one car in our family stable is a 2006 John cooper works competition edition mini , they made 64 of these for Canada but I think you got the works gt version in the states .
Its more fun than my 996 , not as fast on a long track ( but faster on a track like streets of willow springs) or as comfortable on a long trip but with the full JCW package , smiles per miles the next level .
Check out out the second Gen JCW too , easier to find
we are keeping our first Gen jcw as its one of the last cars to come out of the original jcw shop before it was bought out by bmw and moved in house, bookends our early 1275cc cooper s nicely
one car in our family stable is a 2006 John cooper works competition edition mini , they made 64 of these for Canada but I think you got the works gt version in the states .
Its more fun than my 996 , not as fast on a long track ( but faster on a track like streets of willow springs) or as comfortable on a long trip but with the full JCW package , smiles per miles the next level .
we are keeping our first Gen jcw as its one of the last cars to come out of the original jcw shop before it was bought out by bmw and moved in house, bookends our early 1275cc cooper s nicely
Last edited by Vancouver996; 06-01-2018 at 12:24 AM.
05-31-2018, 11:08 PM
#38
Shameful Thread Killer
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
In the $25k range, and what you can get that is a competitor, I would go with the Ferrari Mondial QV, which will be hard to find at that price. Also the Porsche 928 S4 5sp, and the Honda S2000. The Ferrari has a similar go-kart kind of feeling to drive, and it's no problem to get it up near the danger zone. The 928 is cast as a touring car, but with the right trans, and some decent shocks, remove the rear seats, and sunroof junk they will be pretty fun. The S2000 is tossible and fun, but it has no panache, which is likely why it sold so poorly. Honda took the boilerplate definition of a sports car, and that was the result. But - it would do the job.
I've never been a Corvette fan, but I know there are some out there in the price range that will be fun or fun-like.
Blasphemy I know, but the 996 is not the be-all, end-all of the genre. However, I have enjoyed my car quite a bit.
I've never been a Corvette fan, but I know there are some out there in the price range that will be fun or fun-like.
Blasphemy I know, but the 996 is not the be-all, end-all of the genre. However, I have enjoyed my car quite a bit.
06-01-2018, 12:52 AM
#39
Rennlist Member
06-01-2018, 02:32 PM
#41
Rennlist Member
What about an 04-06 Pontiac GTO? Same price as a 996, and looks decent on paper, but I don’t know how good they are. And I hate to say this, but would you rather have a Pontiac or a Porsche if the price were the same?
Although GTOs are kinda cool and not exactly common.
I might take the Pontiac [LS] engine in my Porsche though.
Although GTOs are kinda cool and not exactly common.
I might take the Pontiac [LS] engine in my Porsche though.
06-01-2018, 02:53 PM
#42
Rennlist Member
Agree completely (with your entire post and especially the quote above). It's been a mystery to me why the factory didn't build the S2000 and BRZ (and Miata also) with a small turbo just to give it some low-end guts. The brand new BRZ I drove wasn't just "not fast", it felt slow in normal driving. I did, however, think that timid performance might make the BRZ a pretty good (safe) first car for my son when he gets his license.
I gave it to my son after taking him to some advanced driving schools. He drove it for 6 months on his learners permit. I warned him of the dangers of a quick, tight and light car...
He put it into a guardrail ON THE SECOND day he had his license! Totaled it. I was SO pissed off you have no idea. Yes, he was safe, yada yada, but damn, he totaled my future auto-x car!
As to the topic at hand, I drive a 2011 BMW 328i RWD M-Sport 6spd as my daily. I've driven every M car Bimmer makes on the track and I have to tell you, my little 200hp N/A straight six will at least keep up around the turns. I just LOVE driving that car. Front engine, RWD, 50/50 weight distribution is all hard to beat. I've only owned my 996 for a few months and limited winter driving. It's a BLAST to drive and it turns A LOT more heads than my Bimmer. But, I'm also not afraid to take the Bimmer to the mall or to valet park it. Hell, I'm also not afraid the engine will suddenly grenade on me if I don't change the oil twice a week! I drive it like a Honda in terms of reliability. At 96k miles, so far I'm loving every minute of it. But yet getting into my 911 is much more exciting (and I even paid less for it than the 328).
I'll report back when I get the 911 to a DE day. But it is very cool and so far, I'm very happy with it.
A Vette, S2000, BMW (even an M), WRX and nearly everything else mentioned except for the Ferrari will not have the same impact. Is that good or bad? I dunno. The owner must decide for him/herself I guess. Hell, that Honda Accord pictured always makes Car and Driver's top 10 list and they say it's an amazing car for the money. Best handling appliance you can buy, as they say. Boring!
I also drive a `64 GTO and a modern Rubicon lifted on 35's, so I enjoy diversity. They're like children. You love them all, just differently.
I say 911 over anything on those lists except for Ferrari. Do I want to own one of everything? SURE! But I'm not Jay Leno.
06-01-2018, 03:11 PM
#43
Rennlist Member
As to the topic at hand, I drive a 2011 BMW 328i RWD M-Sport 6spd as my daily. I've driven every M car Bimmer makes on the track and I have to tell you, my little 200hp N/A straight six will at least keep up around the turns. I just LOVE driving that car. Front engine, RWD, 50/50 weight distribution is all hard to beat. I've only owned my 996 for a few months and limited winter driving. It's a BLAST to drive and it turns A LOT more heads than my Bimmer. But, I'm also not afraid to take the Bimmer to the mall or to valet park it. Hell, I'm also not afraid the engine will suddenly grenade on me if I don't change the oil twice a week! I drive it like a Honda in terms of reliability. At 96k miles, so far I'm loving every minute of it. But yet getting into my 911 is much more exciting (and I even paid less for it than the 328).
I'll report back when I get the 911 to a DE day. But it is very cool and so far, I'm very happy with it.
A Vette, S2000, BMW (even an M), WRX and nearly everything else mentioned except for the Ferrari will not have the same impact. Is that good or bad? I dunno. The owner must decide for him/herself I guess. Hell, that Honda Accord pictured always makes Car and Driver's top 10 list and they say it's an amazing car for the money. Best handling appliance you can buy, as they say. Boring!
I also drive a `64 GTO and a modern Rubicon lifted on 35's, so I enjoy diversity. They're like children. You love them all, just differently.
I say 911 over anything on those lists except for Ferrari. Do I want to own one of everything? SURE! But I'm not Jay Leno.
I'll report back when I get the 911 to a DE day. But it is very cool and so far, I'm very happy with it.
A Vette, S2000, BMW (even an M), WRX and nearly everything else mentioned except for the Ferrari will not have the same impact. Is that good or bad? I dunno. The owner must decide for him/herself I guess. Hell, that Honda Accord pictured always makes Car and Driver's top 10 list and they say it's an amazing car for the money. Best handling appliance you can buy, as they say. Boring!
I also drive a `64 GTO and a modern Rubicon lifted on 35's, so I enjoy diversity. They're like children. You love them all, just differently.
I say 911 over anything on those lists except for Ferrari. Do I want to own one of everything? SURE! But I'm not Jay Leno.
06-01-2018, 03:12 PM
#44
Three Wheelin'
. Glad that he's safe -- all that matters -- but I'd be pissed too. My son has raced go karts and iRacing for a long time, so he's actually a much better driver than I will ever be, but I'm still scared when he is first on the open road. He will be the one that autocrosses it. I'll let him learn in the Q5, but I may still eventually end up getting him a BRZ when he's ready for his own car (because its performance is somewhat safe). He keeps sending me links of RX-7's and Supras for sale that have been turboed to 700+ HP -- that ain't gonna happen.
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igrip (02-21-2024)
06-01-2018, 03:19 PM
#45
Rennlist Member
I agree about multiple cars. I've got 4 now but it's becoming a burden. They are all hobby-able, meaning each one has clubs, forums and events. What to do when? lol
