What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

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?

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Dont you need 4 seats?

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

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.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Cobra

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

I agree.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

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.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Cobra

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

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.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

You can always buy my protege! It's in damn good shape and she's got 4 doors! Check out the classifieds.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

How exactly does this relate to the thread?

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

What happened to running that boat against my evo? get scared or what? ;)

How about an E36 M3 w/ Eurosport supercharger setup? Freeking quick setup right there!

Meh, maybe *just* an evo instead :)

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

He said he'd end up buying a beater and I offered him my protege instead.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Ahh ok, my appologies then. For some reason that part of his post slipped my mind.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Keep the Goat and get a Miata! Cheap and fun as hell. I like the Mazdaspeed Miata even better than the S2k. Also check out the BMW M roadster, 315 hp in 2001/2002, different feel than the S2k though, it isn't as light. How about a G35 or 350Z?

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Given the choice between the two, I think in the long run you would end up liking the S more. I don't know what my deal is, but Corvettes just seem so impractical to me. I think you would end up liking the S more.

I wouldn't mind having a Cobra. But I vote Evo over all.. Go figure huh?

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

The Mazdaspeed Miata is a VERY fun car! It is more fun than the S2k, but its just so small inside I couldn't even imagine daily driving that thing. The S2k is faster and does handle better, its not quite as flickable/tossable though.

The G and Z are nice cars too. They are heavier though and don't have the feel of a "true" sports car. Both will make a great daily driver though.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

A G35 would be a fucking sweet daily driver. When I hit the lotto I'm getting that for my anytime car. Black with tinted windows and some chrome rims. Fuckin' Mafia Tauni here I come! :cool:

Yah but you are right. I don't don't think Nate would enjoy driving the Miata daily. It would DEFFINATELY look funny seeing Nate's tall ass in that little Miata haha!

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Blahh get a E46 M3 Coupe. Dish it, tint it, chip it, do exhaust, and ball it. Not really in your price range though... but you can find them from around 26k.

I dont think I could ever get a 2 seater, just way too impractical for me.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

I've had both the C5 and the S2000. Quality wise, the S wins hands down. Fun per dollar, the C5 wins in spades. I personally thought the S2000 was kinda slow and boring. The C5 just plain does everything well and is easy to mod up.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Don't forget the fact that you see way more vettes on the street. I don't know how much you care about 'originality,' but I appreciate seeing an S2000 much more than any Vette. (performance aside...)

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

I looked into and test drove a 350Z when I was debating on a car to buy, and the fact that they only have 2 seats, weigh over 3000lbs, aren't extremely moddable, and don't look awesome sways me away. That and the 03's had massive trans issues. All in all, it was a great car, but not what I'm looking for.

The G35 is an awesome awesome car, but it is plain out boring. Its quiet, unresponsive, and just too dumbed down for me.

Once again, Cobra is a big ick. I didn't even get to the handling and the fact that the chassis is almost 30yrs old. Way better cars for the money IMO.

Oh, and originality is a non point for me. I don't care how popular the car is, as long as I enjoy the piss out of it.

C5's just seem soo hard to beat for the money and mod potential. Only car I can think of that has more cheap mod potential is a Cobra, and they suck at everything but strait line accel, which is exactly what I don't want. A one trick pony is not my ticket.

Miata. I wanted one for the longest time, and still do. Being 6'3 and 220lbs has extremely made me turn away from them though. Just too small. The S2000 interior feels roomy compared to a Miata. They also have that rearend issue I hate, haha. They are also climbing in price again. Even 90's are going for like 5,000 now. I would love to build a SPEC miata, but prices for miata's are rediculous.

E46 ///M - Yup, almost a dream car for me. Slighty too expensive, and BMW's out of warranty scare me. Probably the best all around ~30k dollar used car though.

M coupe/roadster (M-Shoe) - Fantastic cars with the S52 motor, but again, moddability really isn't there, and BMW's are not cars I would want out of warranty. Boy is that a great chassis though.



I really wish that Viper's would drop to the 20,000 dollar range. You can find 95-96 GTS's with 40,000ish on them for 30,000 now, but that is too much damn money for me.

I'm guessing come spring I will end up going out and test driving a bunch of vehicles again, and make my choice from there.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Whatever you get, we are takin' to the shootout again this year!

-A. Swift

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

The fact you were rollin' around on snow tires doesn't help.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Snow tires don't really make a car feel slow. Compared to a C5 a S2K is slow.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

Snow tires won't make it feel slow, but it'll take the fun away in the corners and make the suspension feel unresponsive i.e. boring. Yeah for sure compared to a Vette the S2k is slow. Compared to similar cars such as the 350Z or Boxter the S2k is right up there, and will destroy regular Miatas (in a straight line) and those new gay things from Pontiac/Saturn. I've personally outrun a 350Z and from what I've heard/seen, a S2k will hang with a stock EVO on the highway (I'd like to give this a try).

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

C5

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

I'd go c5. The s2k is a sweet car, but I think you will be happier with the c5.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

The only thing I don't like much about the C5 is the interior. It is pretty crappy. Bang for the buck it is pretty hard to beat though. Interior/trunk space would be the only other reason I would shy away from it for my only car.

Re: What to do this spring?? Car related!
 

One thing to keep in mind regarding the GTO is that 2006 was the last year of availbility for them so the value may be appreciating. Tonight I rode with a buddy test driving a 2004 and the dealership was pretty firm on their price as they've had a good demand for the GTOs because of GM discontinuing the vehicle.