No CGI here shot at 10000 frames/sec

[Au575]

Originally Posted by mazda-monkey

That's a Miata / MX-5.

Or an Exige.

[mazda-monkey]

Originally Posted by Au575

Or an Exige.

Those are rocketships at the track. Very fast straightline speed and cornering.

But, for most people (me) a Lotus or most cars being discussed here just are beyond affordable.
If you are looking for a inexpensive well balanced car for the masses, MX-5 / Miata is the best value.

[foofighter]

here's some more speculative specs on the GTR spec V

Those spy shots we showed you yesterday of a higher-performance GT-R have been confirmed by inside sources as the Spec V model, which will both shed poundage and gain power compared to its baser sibling. Weight is expected to drop by over 300 pounds thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber, and as for how much power the twin-turbo 3.8L V6 will make in Spec V trim... some are saying 550 - 600 horsepower, though we think that's a bit optimistic as well as just overkill. These shots show the GT-R Spec V attacking a corner at the Nurburgring, and in the German sun we can see the new front splitter below the grille and carbon fiber rear wing much clearer. The current GT-R's performance has already surprised us all, but it's clear that this is just beginning for Nissan's new halo car.

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by foofighter

yes that's a rude rude thing to do did you hear bout the guy out here that won an ebay auction for a brand new M3 sedan and the dam dealership didnt want to honor the auction...after much harassment from the interweb community and some pro-bono attorney work they changed there minds and he's the owner of a BMW M3 sedan for 60k!

the Z06 is a great performer when it comes to bang for the buck but dammit if i'm not enthralled with the new GTR (so are the magazines) did you see the shootout they did with the Z06 and the Porsche Turbo? it SPANKED both of them it's an awesome car.

Have you ever seen a forum thread with over a 1 million views in just about 2.5 weeks. That was a monster story that hit auto blogs and many different car forums. Glad it all worked out for him.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127993

ZO6? definitely best bang for the buck but as a former E46 M3 owner and future E92 M3 owner I can tell you many of us are not looking for the 'best bang for the buck' but no doubt the newest M3 is vastly overweight though

[Au575]

Originally Posted by mazda-monkey

Those are rocketships at the track. Very fast straightline speed and cornering.

But, for most people (me) a Lotus or most cars being discussed here just are beyond affordable.
If you are looking for a inexpensive well balanced car for the masses, MX-5 / Miata is the best value.

True, the Exige is a bit much - both in terms of dollars and lack-of-drivability. A used Elise, however, can be a fantastic bargain (or at least it was for the fellow to whom I sold mine...). Still not exactly for the masses, but way more involving and more in keeping with the cars that started this thread.(end hijack 1)

The GTR seems a compelling choice in the high-dollar class of sports cars, but I just don't get the lack of a manual transmission. I know the dual-clutch auto setup is faster, but it takes too much out of the experience for me. 2800 lb Spec V with a 6 spd, please. (end hijack 2)

I'd love for BMW to squeeze the M3's V8 into the engine bay of the current MCoupe. That would light my fire.

[foofighter]

or lighten up the new 135 that thing is a PORKER for a small as it is...they need to drop some LBS on that sucker and give it that 2002 heritage that they so frequently allude to

[northshore]

Originally Posted by faded1004

isnt' there a website for that? i heard it from my friend... let me ask him about it... i think there are 2 gtr's that are crashed already...

Yes:

http://www.wreckedexotics.com/

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by foofighter

or lighten up the new 135 that thing is a PORKER for a small as it is...they need to drop some LBS on that sucker and give it that 2002 heritage that they so frequently allude to

1 series just got approved for tii versions

[foofighter]

indeed it did!!!

[1TrackMind]

Z06 is an awsome car for the $$$. It's an awsome car for twice the $$$. I have driven my father-in-laws no less than a dozen times on twisty back roads in GA and this thing is the real deal. But this one has to go when his 09 ZR-1 shows up at the dealer. 650hp...I can't wait to get behind the wheel of tha beast

Here is his Z06...

[Keith B]

Originally Posted by foofighter

or lighten up the new 135 that thing is a PORKER for a small as it is...they need to drop some LBS on that sucker and give it that 2002 heritage that they so frequently allude to

I read a report recently on vehicle structure and they were predicting that the general kerb weight rise was about to cusp and we could expect to see new models with a parity to the weight of out going models as safety structures reach limits and engineers persue lower weights to improve gas mileage whilst still providing the extra power people still expect from a new model.

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by Keith B

I read a report recently on vehicle structure and they were predicting that the general kerb weight rise was about to cusp and we could expect to see new models with a parity to the weight of out going models as safety structures reach limits and engineers persue lower weights to improve gas mileage whilst still providing the extra power people still expect from a new model.

good point Keith, the new B8 chassis for the A4 is stiffer but also a 100lbs LIGHTER which is a big feat for that car as we all know how porky they can be.

[Keith B]

The weight of the car should give you a rough idea on brake and tyre wear for your given driving style and tyre choice. (I like Continental and Yoko's)

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by Collette

IS-F anyone? I'm actually not a big paddle-shifting fan myself, but I've always loved the look of the IS.

YES! I love the love of the IS as well. That's what I'm getting once my raise comes.

[SAR_boats]

When the new GTR can beat the Ariel Atom around a test track, then I'll be impressed. Until then its just another rice rocket.

[foofighter]

Chris that's an extreme comparison man LOL

[G-Ride]

Originally Posted by Rivet

The M3 has turned into a pig. There is no reason for that car to weigh 3650lbs other than to accessories it for the poseurs and Coto moms. The E30 and even the E36 were drivers cars. BMW need to do a stripper version of that car that weighs 1000lbs less. As it is now it's just an S4 without the ridiculous understeer.

Absolutely. I have a manual E36 coupe. 2970 lbs. of pure cornering ecstacy.

Originally Posted by Collette

IS-F anyone? I'm actually not a big paddle-shifting fan myself, but I've always loved the look of the IS.

Now this car is going to be a beast. 5.0L, 416 hp, 170 mph top speed, but 3,800 lbs. Will the IS-F have true paddle shifters? I used to have a first-generation IS, and those were tiptronic, which was a huge reason why I got a manual. Tiptronic shifters won't downshift if your rpm is too high. It handled pretty nice, but nothing like the E36 BMW. Haven't driven one of the new ones yet.

[foofighter]

it's not a sequential if that's what you're referring to

[ryandood]

A BMW that drives nicely, is quick and weighs less? You mean the 135 coupe? Apparently it doesn't drive quite as nicely as it's big brother but to me the 1 series is the new 3. The 3 (like all cars today) have grown physically in just about every dimension. The 3 is still an awsome car.

Nissan GT-R - Amazing car that has shaken the other major manufacturers' bones. Strangely, I've seen two of these already on the road and nearly killed myself one of the times trying to follow it and take pictures of it from different angles. Awsome car and for the money it's even more amazing. Sure it has computers that help guide it around the track but it is still an incredible achievement by Nissan. On a side note, I couldn't be happier they brought it over as a Nissan vs. Infiniti.

Regaurding the cars that are lightweight and don't take use of the crazy computers, ie; miata, exige, elise, atom, S2000 etc. Very true that these cars are amazing pound for pound and around the track I'm sure they just eat up the competition. I'm sure if I was actually racing in this car and this was my sole use for the car, then it would be a serious consideration. Otherwise I'm not sure I would want one of these cars (except the miata/S2, seems livable) for daily use or even a sunday car. The other cars (M3, RS4, GT-R, Turbo, etc) are also ridiculously unnecessary too (noone will explode if they don't drive a $50k+ car) but they offer more civility than the lightweights IMO(again the miata/S2 seems very reasonable as a daily driver).

IS-F - I like the looks alot but no real stick? I know these dual clutch trannies will shift it in the same time it takes god to blink but come'on!! To those manufacturers who refuse to give us a clutch (Benz, and now Lexus) I ask why? This car looks like it's got all the components of a very competitive sports sedan but I doubt it will take the number 1 spot.


Don't you love talking about these cars as if you could afford them? One day....

To those of you who already do own one of these cars or have the means to do so, i hate you.