Cougar Replacement

[Jeff Stuart]

I'm thinking about replacing the Cougar, but I'm not really sure what I want to replace it with, so I figured I ask you guys for some suggestions. I have a few guidelines, though none of them are set in stone:

* I'd like to stay in an SK class, preferably SK2, but SK1 is cool too.
* This car will be my daily driver, so it needs to have a bit of cargo room (more than a Miata or S2000).
* I'd prefer something either new, or with low miles. As was discussed at length in the National SK Class thread, I'm not exactly knowledgeable when it comes to working on cars (though I'm learning), so I don't think it would be a good idea to get an old/high mileage car that is more prone to breaking down/needing work.

With all that said, the Impreza WRX ('09-'10 non-STi) is on my radar, but I'm hearing they're not great stock.

In terms of price, I'm comfortable with the thought of buying a new Impreza WRX, but that's getting close to my limit.

Very interested to see what you recommend, and feel free to try and talk me out of my guidelines ;)

Thanks in advance!

[Max Hayter]

When I read "Cougar", I thought of something else!

Anyway, wait for the 2011 WRX - will have the STi widebody and other goodies. It will be out late summer. I would expect the 2010 to drop in value a lot once these 2011's appear. Randy Chase has been running a 2010 WRX lately, so he can give you good feedback. I would think the car needs a FSB and some shocks pretty badly, but then would be a great DS Pro Solo machine.

Other choice would be a Mini Cooper S

[George Schilling]

Your new car awaits sir:

Hyundai 2010 Genesis Coupe

[George Schilling]

When I read "Cougar", I thought of something else!

Oddly enough, so did I.

[Max Hayter]

Your new car awaits sir:

Hyundai 2010 Genesis Coupe

Oh yes, excellent choice as well.

2.0T R Spec or something like that.

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

When I read "Cougar", I thought of something else!

Same here.

[Jeff Stuart]

Your new car awaits sir:

Hyundai 2010 Genesis Coupe

Yeah, that's on my radar as well. My step-dad just bought one recently so I'll get a chance to test drive it this weekend when I go home.

Max: Are you saying to wait for the 2011s so that the 2010s will be cheaper, or because the 2011s will be better?

[Leonard Cachola]

I agree, the Genesis Coupe. If not, get a Mini S. Loved driving Adrian's car at the Pro, but there are tire eating and reliability issues.

[Max Hayter]

Max: Are you saying to wait for the 2011s so that the 2010s will be cheaper, or because the 2011s will be better?

If you can afford it, I would wait for the 2011. There are some useful suspension/wheel enhancements on the 2011 that will make it a better stock car than a 2009/2010.

If you're short of cash and don't care about having a car without manly fender bulges, get a 2009 or 2010.

[Max Hayter]

Annie bought the Genesis last year.

She says it handles well, but it is a BIG car. It's wider than Kirstie Alley!

[Leonard Cachola]

It's wider than Kirstie Alley!

I remember when Kirstie Alley was thin.

[Jeff Stuart]

Stock wheels on the Genesis are 19x8 front and 19x8.5 rear... What do I do for tires on that?

Edit: Ignoring the fact that I could probably get DOT-Rs for the cougar for the same price....

[Leonard Cachola]

Stock wheels on the Genesis are 19x8 front and 19x8.5 rear...

Ouch. Hope you got a big tire budget... Bridgestone makes RE-11 in the size you want from the looks of it - about $300 per tire depending on the size.

[Annie Bauer]

The Genesis has a wide rear end, far bigger than it looks. Measuring my car to Jerry Lamb's Shelby Mustang, the Genesis is a full 5" wider in the rear measuring from the edge of tread to the edge of tread.

That said, it doesn't seem to have many bad habits.

Get used to shifting to third, as 2nd is stupidly short (like 52 mph?). However, it's power band is like a diesel or something, all the power down low and flat to redline. So, there's enough punch in third you're not lagging everywhere. And turbo lag is minimal with a free flowing exhaust.

You have to get the R Spec if you want to be competitive, as it's much lighter than the Track version. And you want the suspension/Brembos/LSD you get with the Track / R Spec. The car has almost NO body roll right off the showroom floor. Oh, but the camber kit in the trunk isn't legal

So far we've ran 235 / 19" Hoosiers and got decent tire wear. We've yet to try the 265's - I suspect with almost no camber we'll get more outside tire wear. Some people have complained of cording wide Hoosiers in under 10 runs, so we're a bit fearful...

[Leonard Cachola]

Oh, but the camber kit in the trunk isn't legal

Ouch. I didn't know that. I would have wholeheartedly recommended if it was...

[Jeff Stuart]

Thanks for the input Annie! Very helpful.

[Leonard Cachola]

Looks like the R-Comps would cost just as much as the Bridgestone RE-11 if you bought the Genesis. At that point, you might as well run R-Comps.

[Jeff Stuart]

Looks like the R-Comps would cost just as much as the Bridgestone RE-11 if you bought the Genesis. At that point, you might as well run R-Comps.

Yeah... The tire cost of the Genesis is quickly becoming a big check in the 'cons' column.

[Annie Bauer]

Jeff, no prob, ask questions, I'll try to answer!

We got a lot of runs out of the 235's. And anyone who's seen me drive knows I drive a bit aggressively!

Leonard, without the camber kit and loosening up the front suspension to get as much negative camber as possible, we maxed out at a whopping -0.75 degrees

:barf:

[Max Hayter]

Yeah... The tire cost of the Genesis is quickly becoming a big check in the 'cons' column.

On the plus side, you may have more luck with the ladies (cougars obviously) in the Genesis, over the Mini or WRX!

[Annie Bauer]

Jeff, your grin will be as fat as the car in the Genesis though - nothing like a capable rear wheel drive car to do that. Believe me, I've autocrossed a number of FWD (or Wrong Wheel Drive - WWD) cars, including a well set up Mini S. The Genesis is MO BETTA... nuff said :gpower:

[Leonard Cachola]

Jeff, your grin will be as fat as the car in the Genesis though - nothing like a capable rear wheel drive car to do that. Believe me, I've autocrossed a number of FWD (or Wrong Wheel Drive - WWD) cars, including a well set up Mini S. The Genesis is MO BETTA... nuff said :gpower:

O yea, nothing like a rear-wheel drive car for grins, FO SHO! :gpower:

[Annie Bauer]

Plus the Genesis can double as a drift car!

[Leonard Cachola]

With all that said, the Impreza WRX ('09-'10 non-STi) is on my radar, but I'm hearing they're not great stock.

You might want to talk to Andrew - he runs the '10 WRX in our class and is doing pretty well in it, but you still have to catch those Minis and Integras in D-Stock.

[Annie Bauer]

I had a 2009 WRX and just recently bought my FIFTH Integra Type R. The WRX is good but is not the top of the class