Backup plans - what's yours?

[Tickle]

I also love the GT4. Plus it's naturally aspirated and sounds great. Driving position is awesome and the dimensions are...

The car is just perfect. It makes me dream of the RS.

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[hhkb]

I also love the GT4. Plus it's naturally aspirated and sounds great. Driving position is awesome and the dimensions are...

The car is just perfect. It makes me dream of the RS.

The embargo on the new GT3 RS was lifted. Check out those videos!

 

[Tickle]

The embargo on the new GT3 RS was lifted. Check out those videos!

I've watched a handful of them already. lol.

 

[JBO]

If the GT4RS or forthcoming RS Spyder had a manual gearbox I would have sold a few internal organs to get one. But without a manual...not for me. And the price is...challenging. $400k fully loaded in Australia for a GT4RS - $260k USD...

But for a daily driver I am willing to accept an auto or dual-clutch if the chassis is good enough.
Anyone who has not driven an Alfa Giulia Veloce or Quadrifoglio needs to have a go. They are very very good to drive.

 

[rui]

I'll be honest and say the GT4 has basically ruined me. Most other cars feel like garbage by comparison. So when I test drive I try to judge whatever I am test driving against my Fiesta ST.
And - being 100 per cent honest - the Fiesta is more fun to hustle than the RS3.
RS3 is just point, shoot, hang on, and look cool doing it. That's enough for some people, but not for me.
These are just my opinions based on my perspectives and benchmarks.
Your results may differ!

Nice garage you have there! Is the Fiesta still enjoyable, after driving the GT4?

 

[JBO]

Nice garage you have there! Is the Fiesta still enjoyable, after driving the GT4?

Absolutely. It's a different kind of driving but the chassis is faithful, the turn-in is good and like my old clio RS if you dive into a corner and lift off the gas, the inside rear wheel will come off the ground allowing a slight swing/drift into the corner. It doesn't do it as well as the Clio, but then nothing does... It's a shame the US never got to experience the Clio RS. It's the best hot hatch ever built (2002-2005) and the final Clio RS 200 (before they went to crappy paddle gearboxes). Such a lusty NA engine and the best steering and handling of any hot hatch. And nice and compact.

After driving the RS3 yesterday I got back in the GT4 and drove home. My god, what a car!

 

[TypeSiR]

 

[FL5ogger]

Absolutely. It's a different kind of driving but the chassis is faithful, the turn-in is good and like my old clio RS if you dive into a corner and lift off the gas, the inside rear wheel will come off the ground allowing a slight swing/drift into the corner. It doesn't do it as well as the Clio, but then nothing does... It's a shame the US never got to experience the Clio RS. It's the best hot hatch ever built (2002-2005) and the final Clio RS 200 (before they went to crappy paddle gearboxes). Such a lusty NA engine and the best steering and handling of any hot hatch. And nice and compact.

After driving the RS3 yesterday I got back in the GT4 and drove home. My god, what a car!

Have you driven any of the N cars from Hyundai? Interested to get your toughts.

 

[VarmintCong]

I have said this before on the forums, but the problem with the CTR (FK8) is that while it has a really good chassis and good brakes it really lacks in engine, sound and acceleration grip.

The engine is super laggy (maybe it will be better on the FL5) and it sounds like crap. New exhaust only makes it louder, not better sounding. Then because of the FWD it just spins up its wheels all the time unless you have really optimal conditions. I had about 380hp but it just felt so slow all the time. You could not use that power until end of 3rd gear maybe.

There are some things that are good with the CTR but in general I prefer an M2 (first gen) over it.

I definitely prefer rwd partly for that reason, better traction and when the wheels spin, it’s fun rather than frustrating. What sucks is there’s so few choices especially with a 6mT now that BMW is sucking golf balls.

 

[VarmintCong]

For those like me who must have these two things:

1. Manual transmission
2. Four doors

I am compiling a list of all of our options. These are new cars available in the US:

• BMW M3
• Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
• Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
• Honda Civic Hatchback
• Honda Civic Si
• Honda Civic Type R
• Hyundai Elantra N
• Kia Forte
• Mazda 3 Hatchback
• Mini Cooper
• Mini Clubman
• Mitsubishi Mirage
• Nissan Versa
• Subaru Impreza
• Subaru WRX
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Corolla GR
• Volkswagen Golf GTI
• Volkswagen Golf R
• Volkswagen Jetta

Let me know if I missed anything!

Nice list! Can’t think of any more.

 

[TypeSiR]

For those like me who must have these two things:

1. Manual transmission
2. Four doors

I am compiling a list of all of our options. These are new cars available in the US:

• BMW M3
• Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
• Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
• Honda Civic Hatchback
• Honda Civic Si
• Honda Civic Type R
• Hyundai Elantra N
• Kia Forte
• Mazda 3 Hatchback
• Mini Cooper
• Mini Clubman
• Mitsubishi Mirage
• Nissan Versa
• Subaru Impreza
• Subaru WRX
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Corolla GR
• Volkswagen Golf GTI
• Volkswagen Golf R
• Volkswagen Jetta

Let me know if I missed anything!

Staying in the family: Integra Type S , TLX S

And Hyundai * N-Line, and N everything on its lineup.

 

[VarmintCong]

Staying in the family: Integra Type S , TLX S

And Hyundai * N-Line, and N everything on its lineup.

He said 6mT. Think that's only the Elantra N. Hopefully Type S is both.

 

[JBO]

Have you driven any of the N cars from Hyundai? Interested to get your thoughts.

I haven't yet but from what I have researched the i20N is good but the Fiesta is still better dynamically. I would also like something a little bigger.
i30N I haven't tried...but not a fan of the looks or the interior.

The big plusses for the CTR are I like the looks, I like the interior, I like the practicality, and the previous model was the hot hatch handling and driver involvement benchmark of it's time, so the new one should be an improvement even on those lofty standards. And, most important for me, the individual mode is now available.

Went for a surf this morning and took the Fiesta. Still a great car. The Type R will need to be convincing. And pricing will be critical.

 

[caraholic]

I also love the GT4. Plus it's naturally aspirated and sounds great. Driving position is awesome and the dimensions are...

The car is just perfect. It makes me dream of the RS.

the GT4 is an amazing vehicle but got board of it within a year. Will still go down as one of the greats.

 

[JBO]

Done 30,000kms in mine. About to do my third Adelaide Rally. Last year did a 4000km road trip to Uluru and Kings Canyon in four days. Also 3000km round trip to Tasmania. Not bored. Not in the slightest! The harder you drive the car, the better it is.

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