Backup plans - what's yours?

[caraholic]

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.

Totally agree with that comment as that when the car comes alive. That was my problem is I didn’t get much time to take it to the track to really extract the car. Also amazing in the mountains but majority of its driving was around town which wasn’t its element with its gearing. Still think about picking up a deman 4.5 GT4 which seems like a blast around town.

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[007]

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

When I test drove it, I found that it was simply too fast for my liking (same as my M2C). Gearing sucked too. Believe it or not, I get bored of cars that do triple digits in no time. Where’s the fun in that, unless you’re a track rat and lap times matter.

I spent most of my youth chasing fast cars with refinement. Now I’m chasing slower cars with as little refinement as possible.

If one can get over his ego and the badge, there are a lot of cool cars out there.

My dream garage would consist of two cars: FL5 CTR and GR Yaris. Maybe throw an S2K in there, as well. Best of three worlds. I would need nothing more. Mission accomplished; I win at life lol

 

[VarmintCong]

When I test drove it, I found that it was simply too fast for my liking (same as my M2C). Gearing sucked too. Believe it or not, I get bored of cars that do triple digits in no time. Where’s the fun in that, unless you’re a track rat and lap times matter.

I spent most of my youth chasing fast cars with refinement. Now I’m chasing slower cars with as little refinement as possible.

If one can get over his ego and the badge, there are a lot of cool cars out there.

My dream garage would consist of two cars: FL5 CTR and GR Yaris. Maybe throw an S2K in there, as well. Best of three worlds. I would need nothing more. Mission accomplished; I win at life lol

First gen Cayman with the flat six? I want one of those.

 

[rui]

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!

That's great to hear. I may end up with an ST and a GT4 as a two car solution. Sounds like it wouldn't be a bad outcome.

 

[JBO]

It's a very good outcome! The RS3 taught me more isn't always more. With a GT4, it needs mountains, b-roads, and empty country roads, or a track. If you don't have access to those or time in your busy life to get to locations where those things exist, it is not worth it. I am lucky that those things are on my doorstep, and Australia offers some incredible road trips. Uluru was an eye-opener for sure. Kings Canyon is one of the best roads I've ever driven.

 

[Robert.C]

When I test drove it, I found that it was simply too fast for my liking (same as my M2C). Gearing sucked too. Believe it or not, I get bored of cars that do triple digits in no time. Where’s the fun in that, unless you’re a track rat and lap times matter.

I spent most of my youth chasing fast cars with refinement. Now I’m chasing slower cars with as little refinement as possible.

If one can get over his ego and the badge, there are a lot of cool cars out there.

My dream garage would consist of two cars: FL5 CTR and GR Yaris. Maybe throw an S2K in there, as well. Best of three worlds. I would need nothing more. Mission accomplished; I win at life lol

I share your sensibilities. I'm actually not really interested in fast cars anymore. The FL5 is really about as fast a car as I would ever need. And I'm happy to say that it will be joining my S2000 in the garage.

I wholeheartedly agree that "less refined, more engaging" is where the sweet spot is. I'd much rather have an F355 with a stick than an F8 Tributo or 488. I've been hunting for a 911 forever, and found the 991 that I test drove much less enjoyable than even a 996. I'm actually a bit worried that the Type R might be too refined, too, but at this point I'm already committed.

 

[hhkb]

I share your sensibilities. I'm actually not really interested in fast cars anymore. The FL5 is really about as fast a car as I would ever need. And I'm happy to say that it will be joining my S2000 in the garage.

I wholeheartedly agree that "less refined, more engaging" is where the sweet spot is. I'd much rather have an F355 with a stick than an F8 Tributo or 488. I've been hunting for a 911 forever, and found the 991 that I test drove much less enjoyable than even a 996. I'm actually a bit worried that the Type R might be too refined, too, but at this point I'm already committed.

997 GT3 4.0 sounds like the solution

 

[Robert.C]

997 GT3 4.0 sounds like the solution

I wouldn’t turn it down!

 

[hhkb]

I wouldn’t turn it down!

Hahaha. If I ever win the lottery that is the first car I will buy and use as my daily.

 

[Turbonium]

Honest question, I'm new to the forums for this new generation. I really want to get into the new CTR but I highly doubt I'll be able to drive one before I buy (and I've never driven the fk8 either). I've only driven BMW M cars the last 20 years or so (e46 M3, and now 1M), but I really want a car that's more practical, cheaper to own and one that I'm not as worried about on a day to day basis. But I cannot give up having a 6Mt and having 4 doors will be really nice. I don't drive much (<5k miles per year), so mileage hasnt ever been an issue on my cars. That being said, will I enjoy driving the CTR? Or am I spoiled by driving 6MT RWD M cars. I really want this CTR but a part of me is worried I may not enjoy if I'm lucky enough to get one, and worry the build quality may not justify the price. Backup option is (was) the new M2 but that car looks pretty terrible from the leaks, and I really wouldn't mind saving $25k or so! Plus, I'm keeping the 1M so that will always be there to scratch that itch. Not trolling, honest question, and would love to hear from those that have experienced both.

I'm as much of a honda fan boy as anyone here but dont take most of these suggestions too seriously, drive it for yourself. Ctr is not leaps and bounds better than a subaru or bmw. Allt of these guys are like kids on YouTube that hear one thing and go hard. Similar too the s2k fanboys, the cars slow asf but fun to drive. Probably the same feeling your going to get with the ctr

 

[CTR]

I'm as much of a honda fan boy as anyone here but dont take most of these suggestions too seriously, drive it for yourself. Ctr is not leaps and bounds better than a subaru or bmw.

In terms of Subaru, the FL5 is a far superior vehicle overall and for BMW probably a lot better in terms of driver engagement. I haven't driven an FK8 yet but from what I've gathered it should be similar to my previous vehicle (S2000) but in more practical form.

 

[JBO]

update on my test drive adventures...

Drove a CLA 45s today (as a hatch was not available). Ostensibly the same car.
Interesting machine.
I liked the interior more than the RS3, but it had button/function/setting overload for a minimalist like me. I assume one would become familiar with it all over time.
It's a more serious car than the Audi.
Better steering, more of a planted, locked-into-the-road feeling (which I prefer), and more reliable and stable under braking.
Comfort mode was good.
More hardcore settings introduce vibration into the cabin which was comical at first but may grow tiresome in the long run.
The car I drove did not have the bucket seats, but I tried them in another vehicle and they are WAY better than the standard items. Essential option.
It's certainly fast enough - Audi felt faster but not by much.
Merc was less laggy as well.
It was only a short drive and I want a longer go in it, but...I liked it. Amazing to think we live in a time where a hot hatch has 310kw and 500nm from a 2.0L four-cylinder...
The small matter of $113k on the road is somewhat challenging, but second hand there are a few good ones about.
Next year could be a good time to have a look.
Next test drive - Giulia Veloce and Giulia Quadrifoglio.

 

[Toprarnen]

Next test drive - Giulia Veloce and Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Has Alfa resolved some of their QC/reliability issues? Not trying to dissuade you; I just remember that Road and Track's review vehicle (2018 Guilia Quadrifoglio) spent something like 80 days with the dealer after 40,000 miles over the course of 14 months

 

[JBO]

From my research, avoid 2016/17 cars.
In 2018 the early cars in that year had issues, later builds ok.
Anything from 2019 onwards is no problem.
It was updated in 2021 and there is a final update coming in 2023.

 

[caraholic]

update on my test drive adventures...

Drove a CLA 45s today (as a hatch was not available). Ostensibly the same car.
Interesting machine.
I liked the interior more than the RS3, but it had button/function/setting overload for a minimalist like me. I assume one would become familiar with it all over time.
It's a more serious car than the Audi.
Better steering, more of a planted, locked-into-the-road feeling (which I prefer), and more reliable and stable under braking.
Comfort mode was good.
More hardcore settings introduce vibration into the cabin which was comical at first but may grow tiresome in the long run.
The car I drove did not have the bucket seats, but I tried them in another vehicle and they are WAY better than the standard items. Essential option.
It's certainly fast enough - Audi felt faster but not by much.
Merc was less laggy as well.
It was only a short drive and I want a longer go in it, but...I liked it. Amazing to think we live in a time where a hot hatch has 310kw and 500nm from a 2.0L four-cylinder...
The small matter of $113k on the road is somewhat challenging, but second hand there are a few good ones about.
Next year could be a good time to have a look.
Next test drive - Giulia Veloce and Giulia Quadrifoglio.

I know it may seem out there and not sure if you even have them. A 392 XR Wrangler is a blast to drive. It’s not a sports car by any means but is a lot of fun in a different way. I mainly came from sports cars and sporty cars and didn’t give too much thought of a Jeep till I drove one seven years ago. Since then I have never been without some sort of wrangler. The 392 just adds that extra bit of fun to an already fun vehicle.

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