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View Full Version : What to do this spring?? Car related!


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dumb_ricer
12-18-2006, 01:21 AM
Okay, so right now I own a 2004 Pontiac GTO that is pulling year round duty. One of the reasons I bought the car was the fact that it had 4 seats, had an LS1, and was generally a fantastic car. This has been proven to be true, but only to some extent.

As some of you know, the GTO is a fucking tank (almost 4000lbs lol 3kgt/stealth) and tends to have mediocre (sp?) handling. I handles great when it settles itself into a corner, but just throwing it in it tends to understeer or snap oversteer when you give it too much gas on exit. All in all, I love handling, and believe cars should be built around it, so I am probably going to be selling the goat come spring.

Now comes the questions. Both cars I have in mind are very nimble fast cars around a track, but they have extremely different ways of doing it.

1. C5 FRC or Coupe 6speed. (FRC has a short rear glass and a long trunklid, Coupe has rear glass all the way back to the rear bumper almost). The FRC is generally a better handling, lighter, and better performing car. Its a little more rigid as the top doesn't come off, so performance is better. But man do coupes look sexy:). This car would be a 6speed with between 50 and 80k miles on it more than likely, and has an LS1 in it, so great mod potential. Handling is world class with the Z51 package, and it is extremely quick around tracks stock, and everything about the car has mod potential. They tend to be reliable 12.6-12.8 second cars stock trapping around 110mph. Fantastic and strong IRS along with a great 6speed means a clutch is all the driveline needs to be 10sec capable. Maybe even 9's, lol. So therefore it can be a awesome allaround car and do pretty much anything well. Stock shortblock is about 650whp capable. 600 safely. 600whp seems to put 6speed in mid 10's at 132ish.

2. Honda S2000. I have test driven many of these cars, and every time I come out with the same feeling. God damn is it small, but I'll be damned if this isnt the funnest thing I have ever driven. I am possibly too big for one, at 6'3 and 220lbs, and probably look funny driving them, but they are so sexy and so easy to throw around in corners. The fun potential is there stock, and even more so modded. Drawbacks for me are:
1. Rearend. Breaks with boltons and wheelhop, haha. Some companies (comptech) do make aftermarket housings which possibly seem to help, but still might not. Problem lies in flexing of the cap bolt areas under stress. Very hard to fix. Gay problem, huge downfall IMO.
2. Motor. 350whp on stock shortblocks seems to be the blowup ticket. At those power levels the car would be insanely fun, but of course I would want more, and a built motor is just going to bring the car over the top for what I would more than likely end up doing with it.

On the upside, the transmission is fantastic, it handles sweet, brakes good, and in general, feels like an F1 car with body panels and 2 seats. I also love the looks.

Given these 2 choices, which would you choose, assuming each costed right around 20,000 dollars. You can get both for 15,000ish, but a good one of either is right around 20,000.

I think my mind is set on a White 1999ish Corvette Coupe with tinted windows and Polished C5 Zo6 wheels, but what would you get?

tim
12-18-2006, 01:35 AM
Dont you need 4 seats?

9guy9
12-18-2006, 01:44 AM
C5, EVO, STI, Cobra I would take any of them over a S2K.

I was wanting a Cobra, or a GTO before i fell into my EVO. But I have been very happy with the EVO. A few bolt ons and a tune and its a great all around car that can still seat 4 people in comfort.

Super Bleeder!!
12-18-2006, 02:06 AM
Cobra

tim
12-18-2006, 02:07 AM
Cobra
I agree.

dumb_ricer
12-18-2006, 02:09 AM
1. I will not buy a 03/04 cobra. They are awesome cars, and the mod potential of the 4.6 modular motor is immense, but I cannot get over how shitty all the transmissions feel that I have felt (even though they have a T56) and I cant/wont get over the interior. That and the fact that they still go for 23-25k and its a no go. I also dislike mustangs.

2. As much as I like the Evo and STi, they are not what I am looking for. Both handle awesome and have great mod potential, but lookswise I am not a huge fan of either of them. I also prefer a RWD to an AWD car. Yeah, I'm crazy.

And I don't need 4 seats. I wanted 4 seats for many reasons, but now I will just end up buying a beater first gen neon and whatever else I drive.

Super Bleeder!!
12-18-2006, 03:15 AM
Cobra

Kracka
12-18-2006, 09:31 AM
Good choice on getting rid of the Goat, my Dad has an '04 and it seems to love falling apart. Its ok to drive, its quick in a straight line but the handling/braking definitely is not there.

Alright, now for my opinion between the C5 and the S2k (I'll try to not be biased):

If you're looking for a car to go fast around the track in, the C5 wins hands-down. A course has to be very tight for a S2k to run with a C5, but I have seen it done with a good driver manning the VTEC. I actually have a video of a S2k vs. C5 at Laguna Seca and its pretty funny to watch them both just destroy a WRX.

If you're looking for a fun street car that will always leave you smiling then the S2k would be your ticket. The S2k will also be the more reliable choice with a much better interior quality and layout/design. No scheduled maintenance until 105k miles (except engine oil, tranny fluid, and rear diff fluid) is definitely a plus too if you want something fun, reliable, and cheap to maintain.

I really would not worry about the rear-end on the S2k at all, drive it properly and it won't break. There are people have have numerous track days, many trips to the strip, and countless street-racing launches on them and they are still holding strong. It is all in proper launching technique for the car.

You are about right with your ~350whp before needing a built motor. The stock engine can take about 7-9 psi with a proper tune/fuel supply before needing to be built up. You're looking at a lot of money to get to that power level though.

The guy I bought my S2k from traded in a '00 C5 with 7k miles for it. He said he hated the C5 and it was a total rattlebox already. Again, that is what HE told me so please, nobody jump down my throat for that comment. I will say though everytime I've looked at C5's I've been less than impressed with the interiors.

I guess thats about all I have for now. Let me know if you have any other questions about the S2k though and I'll do my best to answer them objectively.

P.S. If it came down to either Cobra (which I know you hate) or C5, I'd take the C5 without even having to think about it.

HiImBrian
12-18-2006, 11:01 AM
You can always buy my protege! It's in damn good shape and she's got 4 doors! Check out the classifieds.

Kracka
12-18-2006, 11:02 AM
You can always buy my protege! It's in damn good shape and she's got 4 doors! Check out the classifieds.

How exactly does this relate to the thread?