Cougar Replacement

[Leonard Cachola]

One thing I did want to mention is that while the Miata is small without much cargo room, I've had a Miata as my only car for almost five years now. You just have to recognize there are compromises involved and plan things out accordingly. You have to limit impulse buys of large, expensive items, you're never asked to help move other people, and when more than one passenger is needed, you take someone else's car. The bad news is that you have to borrow a car to carry more than a few bags of groceries (or make multiple trips) and you have to have large items shipped to your door (or borrow/rent a vehicle to pick them up). Also, they're pretty reliable and built for autocross. Tires are fairly inexpensive, especially if you have one that uses 14" or 15" wheels. Plus, there's the Mazda Motorsports program - you save so much in parts when you need them (my mechanic was shocked how cheap I was getting parts for).

[Ron Tsumura]

How about an F-Stock Mustang?

[Jeff Stuart]

How about an F-Stock Mustang?

No Mustang for me... I'm definitely not a Mustang guy. Just don't like the looks at all.

[Kurt Rahn]

Having gone through this exercise very recently myself with almost the same prerequisites, What I found was:

* The Genesis was high on my list, but the cost and lack of options regarding tires was a deal breaker. Plus is that it now runs in the Mini-less GS with a more favorable PAX.
* The WRX was also a finalist, but there's soooooooooo much weight over the front wheels that it oversteers like crazy. Also, Koni doesn't make off-the-shelf Yellows for it (yet), so you'd have to pay someone for something custom.
* The Mini is a fun car, but you have to treat it like a two-seater. If you just fold the seats down, you have a ton of cargo space. A set of StarSpecs costs only $500 (and you'll need them, as the OEM run-flats are horrible).

We can talk more at the next event.

[Jeff Stuart]

A set of StarSpecs costs only $500 (and you'll need them, as the OEM run-flats are horrible).

I bet you're pretty familiar with that fact after the Pro, eh?

We can talk more at the next event.

For sure, I'll find you.

[John Stimson]

If you're looking at the WRX, how about the Lancer Ralliart?

[Max Hayter]

If you're looking at the WRX, how about the Lancer Ralliart?

Oh, the horror :barf:

[Jeff Stuart]

Oh, the horror :barf:

Care to explain?

[Max Hayter]

Oh, the horror :barf:

Care to explain?

Hairdresser's car, ugly, heavy...

Never seen one at AX - not sure if that makes it bad, or just very rare!

I remember reading it has some fundamental flaw(s), but I don't recall what they are. Perhaps someone else can chime in.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

From the Edmunds.com review:

Still, the Sportback Ralliart doesn't exactly rocket off the line under hard acceleration; the electronic nannies keep things civil in order to prolong the driveline's life. Stomping on the throttle results in a rather pregnant pause, followed by a brief, slow crawl. About a second after throttle application, the initial crawl becomes a rush of acceleration. For the uninitiated, this pause can be disconcerting, but after enough time behind the wheel of the Lancer, the delay in power can be anticipated.
http://www.edmunds.com/mitsubishi/lance ... drive.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's also a second slower to 60 than the WRX, and the "stability control steps in rather early," not a sign of capable handling. The 253 pound-feet of torque would be more impressive if the car didn't weigh nearly 3,600 pounds.

[Mako Koiwai]

Just compare their weights/hp and torque

If you want to do well, nothing like looking at what cars are already winning ... or read the Grassroots Motorsports a few issues ago in which Andy Hollis goes thru the very detailed steps of which car to pick for a new class ... STR in his case.

[Mako Koiwai]

I would certainly test drive a new WRX ... and wait for the new one if you can. Tom Denham did quite well with his SK2 WRX. Of course John Kestler won SK1 with his stock STI. He didn't even put in aftermarket shocks or front sway bar.

Tom might be returning to SK2 now that his foray into DS and R tires is over ... so you'll be able to see him on ST tires again.

But take note that most of the Team Blew members have migrated to RWD cars after enthusiastically entering the sport with their Suby's ... Jeff Barco, who's WRX won STX Nationals, Max H, twice ProSolo National Champ with STI's, Greg Peng, Pete Loney, Karen and I, Mark Coleman, Kestler, Flaherty's, and Chad. Jason Flores and the Rio's went to a FWD ST cars after starting with Suby's.

WRX's and especially STI's are Fast and Fun ... it's just that RWD "sports" cars (and ST Civics) are More Fun.

[Max Hayter]

I don't know Mako - winning in my STI was more fun than mid pack in my MX5!!! :unimpressed:

[Mike Simanyi]

1. Used C5 Z06.
2. Co-driver (who buys tires.)
3. Drive your tail off.

28 mpg highway, room to carry the R compounds inside (admittedly, it's a tight squeeze), and 400 hp sound like a great combo.

Mike

[George Schilling]

1. Used C5 Z06.
2. Co-driver (who buys tires.)
3. Drive your tail off.

28 mpg highway, room to carry the R compounds inside (admittedly, it's a tight squeeze), and 400 hp sound like a great combo.

Mike

Damm Mike.....you have me sold!

[Mako Koiwai]

KJ was not happy when he found out that Karen already had dibs on Brian's Z06.

[Kurt Rahn]

Oh, the horror :barf:

Care to explain?

Max is an STI guy, so naturally he has to hate Evos. I read a review that asked going in whether the Ralliart was more a de-tuned/stripped Evo or a tarted up Lancer. The conclusion they came to was the latter, and having test driven both cars, I'd agree. The Ralliart was never on my list of finalists.

[Kurt Rahn]

1. Used C5 Z06.
2. Co-driver (who buys tires.)
3. Drive your tail off.

28 mpg highway, room to carry the R compounds inside (admittedly, it's a tight squeeze), and 400 hp sound like a great combo.

Mike

That sounds like a blast, but it doesn't meet Jeff's criteria.

[Mako Koiwai]

winning in my STI was more fun than mid pack in my MX5!!!

You weren't winning RIGHT off the Bat with the STI either.

[Kurt Rahn]

A set of StarSpecs costs only $500 (and you'll need them, as the OEM run-flats are horrible).

I bet you're pretty familiar with that fact after the Pro, eh?

Painfully. It would've been frustrating enough to place in the bottom half of SK2, but getting my ass handed to me in STX was humbling, to say the least. Just confirmed that tires are the most significant single mod you can make to a car.

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

Mazda RX-8. Four doors, back seat that fits two adults or a set of four race tires and a decent sized trunk. New they can be had in the very low 20k range, and good used ones are around 12k. Engine warranty till 100k.Factory parts program and contingency money.

Fuel mileage is not great, ours is 17 city, 22 hwy with my normal commute seeing about 20.5mpg.

Some of the early cars, 2004, had a lot of issues, and this made a bad rap for the whole line. Our car has been to the dealer three times in its life for mechanical issues: AC control, marginal EVAP pump and a seat issue. Has around 70k miles on it with five years of autox abuse by two drives.

The cars are competitive in stock (although not likely to win Natls this year) and in STX. The car is easy on tires, and cheap to setup for stock/SK classes.

[KJ Christopher]

KJ was not happy when he found out that Karen already had dibs on Brian's Z06.

She's lucky I still talk to her....

[Michael Smith]

Didn't the Palero Cash for Clunkers Accent do well in HS?
Great gas mileage, room for 4, and low cost tire size.

[Mark DeShon]

1. Used C5 Z06.
2. Co-driver (who buys tires.)
3. Drive your tail off.

28 mpg highway, room to carry the R compounds inside (admittedly, it's a tight squeeze), and 400 hp sound like a great combo.

Mike

That sounds like a blast, but it doesn't meet Jeff's criteria.

Well, depending on his price range, it may. I found several '02-'04 Z06s in the $20k-$25k range with 30ish thousand miles. Mike laid it out. Decent gas millage, and you can fit a decent amount of stuff in them. However, tires will be EXPENSIVE!
Mark D.

[Mike Simanyi]

1. Used C5 Z06.
2. Co-driver (who buys tires.)
3. Drive your tail off.

28 mpg highway, room to carry the R compounds inside (admittedly, it's a tight squeeze), and 400 hp sound like a great combo.

Mike

That sounds like a blast, but it doesn't meet Jeff's criteria.

What part doesn't meet his criteria?