I'm in the market for a new car and I'm curious to get feedback from anyone who has owned or driven these cars. Please spare the responses if you've never driven the cars or are just a fan of the way they look or what they've done on a track. I'm looking for honest first hand experienced feedback 93-98 MK4 Supra (Auto or 6spd) (n/a or turbo) 93-96 Mazda Rx7 99-07 Honda S2000 03-08 Nissan 350z 04-05 or 06-07 Subaru Sti 03-05 or 06 Lancer Evo 09 Genesis Coupe (2.0 turbo) 09 Lancer Ralliart 00-03 Toyota MR2 Spyder Please keep in mind I'm not looking for an all out drag racer, in fact I am more of the road racing type but I'm in the market for something with a decent mix of everything and is fun to drive for all types of driving and racing. Power and Performance can be made with money so that can be put aside. My thoughts: Supra: Expensive for such an old car. Great motor and looks (opinion) but quite heavy and not sure what driving one is like. Expensive to modify? Not sure if handling is a strong point in this car. Rx7: beautiful car with great handling (one of my favorites). Rotary can be a pain but it won't be a daily driver either S2000: good looking, light, incredible response and handling n/a, but a tad too slow if n/a (although apparently those f20/f22 motors are taking well to boost even on the stock blocks so a turbo or supercharger can fix that) 350z: good looks, heavy, common on the road, expensive parts (although the 07+ hr motors are proving to be strong and responsive to mods) Sti: strong tranny and motor, looks are meh, all around performance seems good, pricey over the rest Evo: great motor, tranny/tcase issues scare me, looks are ok but it is a lancer, matches the sti in all around performance and price Genesis: looks are alright (was disappointed seeing one in person). 4b11 is nice but not nearly as strong as it's evo or srt brothers. great price new. no clue about handling though Ralliart: Essentially an Evo without some of the big sellers such as the brembos, some cosmetics and a smaller turbo, but I would change that anyway. I think the motor, tranny and awd system is the same too. Only comes in paddle shifters so that sucks (the whole auto only thing was a big reason I didn't consider an SRT-6). However is the price a bit too high? MR-S: father owned one, not quick bone stock but a kswap or a 2zz turbo can fix that easily. not too expensive upfront, perfect weight distribution and incredible handling and at only 2200 lbs it can be a great platform for a track car and even faster than other cars with more power.
when we were searching for a replacement car for my wife, we both test drove an S2000. i like it. it handle very well in the shape turn getting on the freeway. power was in the high rpms. needed more power but has great potental being a roadster. it was way over priced for us to buy at the time, otherwise we would have bought it, and shortly after we picked up the PT EDIT: good luck with your future purchase.
Hope this helps some... 94 RX7 6 speed with the stock rotary engine and turbos...the thing was in the shop more than on the road. Great car to drive on the fun factor and felt like king of the road as you could do anything you please in that little thing, from a driving standpoint. My beef was the reliability of it bought it used with 6K miles and sold it 3 years later with 24K miles...it was my daily driver. For reference my Jeep is an 06 with 56K and I prolly drive less now than I did then. I had turbo timers everything to make that thing run day in and day out but the damn thing was just always broke...again fun car when it's running though. I do have a buddy with the ls1 swap will see if he can get you some info if you like, it is his "track car" 94 Supra turbo 6 speed...better than the RX7 but not as fun to drive around town. Never had any real problems with it but owned it for just over a year. I got an offer that you could not refuse, people want those things. Got looks everywhere I went in it. It felt like the fastest car I have ever been it from 60mph and up. Just was kinda a beating driving around town, but mine had different clutch system and living in Orlando at the time with the traffic it just sucked... Fun cars overall...I loved the RX7 but just cost to much to keep on the road. The Supra was cool if you want everyone to notice you, I think they are still that way just overpriced IMHO for what it really is. Unless you like highway "racing"
How did it feel inside? I understand it's a roadster and lacks a lot of amenities inside but I'm curious about the position, did it feel too big with the long hood, how was the driving position etc. Yeah, honda's make power late, but was that really a downside, because I know the response is peppy and on point. Please do let me know about the ls1 rx7. I like the rx7's over the supras personally but that rotary is a killer it seems and ls1 cars are expensive. But will the ls1 ruin that fun factor is my only fear (turbos are a lot of fun). Hearing a v8 out of an rx7 somewhat bothers me only because I feel I should hear some sort of import motor from a jap car like that. How did it feel driving the rx7 aside from performance and reliability. Steering, positioning, smoothness etc? Did the supra feel like a whale? My friend told me he wasn't sure if I'd like driving one so now I'm curious if the position is bad, or the power delivery is weird or its uncomfortable or if you don't really feel like you're in a performance car because it's so big inside and heavy or something. I am not sure what he means by that. I'm sure modifying one is relatively expensive as well.
hahaha whats big is the camero i use to have. im fairly small. 5'5/160 and the S2000 fit me comfy. my wife is 5'3 and she said it was perfect for her. I dont remember the accessories all to much, but from what i remember it was all with in reach and a digital display with a large tach that ran on the whole upper part of the dash (something i didnt car for), i was more into the corning affect and power, but we were very tempted to buy it. we were looking for a car she could take to the track every other weekend and well we got that car but not for that type of track. LOL. im trying to remember all the details about it but i drove that almost 2 years ago. but one thing for certain, i wanted it for a track car. first of all try and think what you'll be using it for. daily, track, everything. look at what you want to do with it then start eleminating cars. if your into everything (dirt, tarmac, gravel, corners, strights) like i am id say go with an EVO or STi
i had a 94 vr4 that i drove for about a year. tranny needed a rebuild...cost? 9k. the end. ive driven all the cars on the list. Supra: bullet proof but hard to find. i liked driving it but its hard to be a DD. Rx7: i loved the 96 rx7 my cousin owned, fairly quick modified and overall a lot of fun. as far as being in the shop, i dont think he ever had an issue with it. my brother drove a 1990 rx7 through high school and he also never had an issue. my cousin fell out of love with it when his 10k in mods lost to my cheaply modded 01 camaro. S2000: fun girls car, i might buy one for my future wife. high revving and fun. 350z: too slow, too heavy no point even bringing this car up in a convo. Sti: best bang for your buck. if the looks didnt suck, id own one. Evo: second best bang for your buck. if the looks didnt suck and the tranny have more problems than our dodges, i would own one. Civic Si: there is no way i would drive a commuter car. my old gf owned one, i didnt even like parking it for her. RSX: another waste of time and money, another cousin of mine had the type S or whatever, i thought it sucked. felt like a honda.
The RX7 with a LS1 sounds good but looking at that car and hearing that sound is terrible in my opinion. I do know that he was having a terrible time with tuning but that is something all together different not associated with the ride. Will try and get him to post or allow me to give you his number so you could call him, he's not on this site. I'm right at 6' 165lbs and the seats are decent for short times not something I would want to drive cross country in, pretty smooth overall, just the type of thing you just point and shoot. The Supra is a big "sports" car. It does not handle quite like all would like for it to by any means it is a BIG heavy car no doubt. Again if the RX7 is on the road consistently it would still be 1 of my favorite cars I have ever owned
93-98 MK4 Supra (Auto or 6spd) (n/a or turbo) I have driven a few six speed and automatic both had 750+ rwhp I will say the car is nice the boost takes to long to come on and its a fat cow. Looks wise very nice and in a 1/4 hooks good and fast. 93-96 Mazda Rx7 (auto or 6spd) (ls1 swapped or rotary) Yes Three rotor and 2 rotor 3 rotor was a full on race car. 2 rotor 6 speed 450 at the wheels single turbo full suspension and body kit very light in the back fun to drive and looks awesome one of the best car shapes. hard to keep tuned. 99-07 Honda S2000 Light fast driven boosted non boosted. You have to keep it in the higher rpm 7K to keep the power on no tq. 03-08 Nissan 350z yes from stock to 700 hp handles ok penny ion a penny jar. 04-05 or 06-07 Subaru Sti No ridden in them 03-05 or 06 Lancer Evo Awesome motor and power plant bulletproof loads of aftermarket parts handels good higher hp means turbo lag got to be in the higher revs. 06+ Civic Si NO 05+ Acura RSX Yes FWD pass. My suggestions if you are looking to track a car more than 1/4 mile it look into the new Hyundai Genesis I am test driving one now and they are supoer nice or a Miata MX5 best handeling car out of the box for mass production.
Being from the import world I have 2 places to call if your looking for the best of the best! and best bang for the buck and they will help you out just tell em george sent you. www.intensepower.com ask for Han www.dm-spec.com ask for Richard Both are the best in the field and can help you out if needed oh here is the genesis we are prototyping on.
Imports The Genesis in Richards baby we are prototyping on but I like the V6 310 hp track package under 30 K looks like a Aston Martin from the back and a Jag up front interior is nice clean handels nice a little push but not bad.
yeah who would have thought hyundai would finally copy a car better than the originator? the thing looks just like a beefier g37 with more power.
I'd pobably wait for the money to get an r spec. I heard those motors are not nearly as strong as the evo and caliber srt4 varints. Otherwise it's not bad but idk if it's my type of car but who knows I have never driven one
They put 1.9 bar or 27 pounds of boost on the stock motor and it held up went into limp mode because of lack of fuel.
I own a 2004 STi that I bought new in mid-2003 (traded in a 2002 WRX). I bought it with the intention of modding it with a free flowing exhaust + Cobb tuner (similar to the Predator) for decent gains under $1500, but I enjoyed it enough at stock levels that I never modded it. This was my daily driver for a few years until my wife and I switched over to her car as a daily driver (2001 Outback, then 2007 Legacy GT, and now 2007 Mag SRT8), and I loved it. I just flipped 45k miles yesterday. Obviously, I do not drive it much anymore and have only put on 20k miles in the last 3 years, but when I do drive it always makes me happy. I keep thinking about trading it in on something new (370z, Charger SRT8, Camaro SS), but every time I pull out of my garage my lust for a new car is gone. It's very satisfying to drive. Quick Pros & Cons that I have encountered in my long term ownership: Pros: * Nice and heavy clutch, which I prefer. * 6-speed is well spaced for city driving. * Very stable and almost impossible to get it squirrelly in normal driving. It's an incredible feeling when passing someone in the rain and the car just digs in and goes straight under heavy throttle, or even just slamming the throttle at a stoplight in the rain and getting slingshot forward with no slip (can't even attempt 10% throttle in the MSRT8 in the same conditions). * The Subie community is by far the best - I still get waves and head light hellos from other WRX/STi guys. * Minimal turbo lag (especially compared to the WRX). Cons: * It rattles like a car twice its age and it has always rattled since day one. * The seats suck. My WRX prior to the STi had better seats. Why we did not get the Recaros that the rest of the world received is beyond me. If you are tall (as I am), long drives may make your legs go numb. Hooray for cruise control! * Most people (non-enthusiasts) hate the wing or think it is ricey regardless of my explaining it is stock + adds down force + power to the rear wheels (usually get the glazed over stare). My original intention was to buy the normal WRX trunk without the wing and install it, but I got used to the STi's Godzilla handle pretty quick. After a few weeks, I stopped noticing it in my rear view mirror. * Every d-bag thinks you are racing. No matter how gentle you leave a light or make a pass, people want to race (worst offenders: 350z/G35 guys). It sucks, it's annoying but I have learned to ignore it. Mostly. * AWD launches can be tricky - expect to bog a few times. * The ride is stiff (and the seats have no support amplifying the stiffness), but I find it tolerable. If looking at a used car, things to look out for: * Rear strut thunk. '04s - '05s had an issue with the right rear strut either cracking or breaking. There was a TSB on it a few years back. If you hear a thunk from the right rear, the strut will need to be replaced (and depending on the age the car may be out of warranty). * Ask about mods. Ask again. Ask one more time. I would estimate the majority of STis out there are modded. While things like canned tuners, exhausts, front mount intercoolers are perfectly acceptable, there are mods to watch out for: CAI (bad for the WRX/STi without a proper tune - even with one it's dicey) can cause the car to run lean and over time you know what happens; BOV (just walk away if it has one on a stock intercooler/turbo setup) is useless without a big turbo setup as the stock bypass is more than enough for the stock turbo. If you test drive one, you may notice the hood scoop and the wing violently shaking/shimmying. This is perfectly normal - there is a lot of flex in both parts. I don't even notice them doing it anymore. All in all, I love my STi, but only when I drive it solo. If an outing with friends or family is planned, the MSRT8 is always selected. Anywho...here are some quick pics: The day I brought her home: Garage mates:
s2000 is terrible to drive daily, makes power very late and makes it difficult to deal with on a day to day basis. the SI is a nice car and all but will not ignite the soul of an enthusist. the two of that list that i would personally go for would be the sti or evo both amazing dailys and very very fun to drive.
