Hey Fritz, how is that 996 GT3 treating you?

Also, who here has considered a Gen II Viper GTS? This is a car that has always really alluring to me, however it is hard to find a reputable driving impression for one. I've seen reviewers say it is a white knuckled sledge hammer with little feedback and others say it behaves like a bigger Miata or S2000 with good tires and alignment.

Too busy to even title it yet. Weather has also been really cold and nasty for over a month so I'm just not motivated at all.


I'm going to VIR in March so I may use it if my FD isn't ready to roll by then. I don't expect too much from it because I'll be driving on street tires (NT01s 315 rear 245 front so it's likely to push pretty bad) and it won't be aligned etc...... When these cars are setup they are fun to drive and have excellent braking control, really good steering feedback and awesome grip into, through and out of the corner they are simply badass track cars!!!! I felt the 997 RS was easier to drive than my FD and I had very little seat time in it (like 6 events or so).

I was wondering why you got rid of the 997 so quickly. That was a Gen I if I recall correctly? What were your likes/dislikes about it? A GT3 has always been a car on my bucket list, but it is going to be a few more years before I can afford to get into one. I think our interest in what we look for with how a car drives are very similar. I have always been a double A-arm car fan, Miata, S2000, FD, etc. (See sig). Each car pretty was almost buildup and prep for the next one up, but more so dependent upon budget. I am at the point now where I don't know what the next step will be from here now that I own the FD's. I obviously want something nicer with more street presence, something that will offer a bit of a different driving experience. However, I don't want to have to modify it...much. I want something more complete out of the box. A big engine / big torque car has a lot of appeal, i.e. the Viper GTS. However, I am afraid that I am going to hate how it drives. I have always liked said cars above because of their willingness to do what you want and their engaging driving experience. I don't mind a loose car, as long as it can be controlled with a disciplined foot and some common sense. Every GT3 video I have seen with a good driver behind the wheel shows how good those cars really are. Viper GTS footage rare and few. The only track footage I see are people more or less pimping, never bringing the car to the limit, and at the limit behavior is very important.

I agree how the car drives is the most important thing to me. If it doesn't feel good I don't care about lap times etc....

I unloaded the 997 because it needed about 20k invested in the susp mods, 3k in fixing an oil leak, 1k in windshield, cost 4k a year (ins and tx) etc... I'd like to own another one some day and possibly even go with the 3.8 but I'm worried those engines won't stand the test of time like the 3.6 has proven to do.

To me the viper feels even worse than the corvette because of it's size and weight. I think it would be cool to have one for a while but it would be a hard car to dedicate myself to long term. My understanding is the handling is very good but in any car with that much power and that much grip it's going to take a good driver to make the most of it. Tommy Archer (famous pro racer) has run some SICK fast laps in his ACR at VIR. I think he ran like a 1.28 or 29 on VIRs N course (my best is a 35).

To push a GT3 you must be very comfortable with over steer and staying ahead of the car or they will bite hard and that's true of even the newer models if the traction stuff is turned off but if you like driving a car from the rear end (similar to the FD) you will absolutely love a GT3. I'd say about 1 a month eats a tire wall on the p car forum. The pull of the engine is extremely linear like an s2k with much more power so it's super easy to modulate throttle and staying in the power band isn't a problem because the gearing is designed well. The bottom line is porsche has been perfecting the car for a long time so it's a pretty frikken good/reliable sports car that's a hoot to drive.

I am toying with the idea of replacing the FD with a BMW 1M ..... anyone have any experience with them? Other than the unicorn tax one has to pay to acquire one?

From what I've heard, the most difficult part of owning a 1-series is coming out of the closet to your parents

^^:rofl:

I did that already when I brought the FD ......

Anyone?

I'd want something with an edge and offbeat, too... like an Aston Martin V12 Vantage S or a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale.

With a realistic budget, maybe a Nissan Silvia S15.

I've driven a few 1M's. They are pretty fast. Handling is tight, yet can be really forgiving and comfortable for street use. Reliability is meh. They tend to get carbon build up on the intake valves, injector failures, high pressure fuel pump failures, turbo issues, etc. But the new vehicle warranty these cars have is damn good and covers all of that stuff.

The biggest thing I can recommend is going out and driving one for yourself and determining if you think they are worth the hefty price tag. A 135i with a few mods can fare quite well with a 1m, for a lot less cash. And if you do get any of the newer turbo BMW's, extended warranty is your friend.

ONLY AN R34!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nothing less than an R34

maybe a veron so i can sell it and buy all my dream cars LOL

I'd get an NSX...I actually had one before the FD, sold it for a C63 AMG...super regretted it. Ended up selling it and getting the FD.

I still want an NSX, but probably once I'm done paying off the FD.

I'd get a new car like ft1 or something debuting. None of this old stuff anymore. Thatll be the only way id get rid of it but I know I won't because I'm not ballin that hard and if I were, I wouldn't have to sell the fd for down payment cash so it's my keeper forever.

I had to give up my FD (well, I didn't actually give it up but it went into storage when I moved to the UK). When I got to London I bought a 330ci, which was nice for a year but just wasn't exciting enough. So I sold it and bought a Lotus Elise 111r. Now that was a great car - fast, great handling and good looks. Then my wife became pregnant so I sold the Lotus and bought an M3 (e46). A year later and the M3 was just too small for a kid and all the things that come along with one. So I traded in the M3 for an X5, which is the perfect family car, except it just isn't fun to drive. I've come full circle and now have another FD along side the X5. So to answer the question - if I had to give up the FD it would be for another FD.

Lol, exactly...
 

I'm in exactly the same boat. But, i'm trying to avoid all the in-between cars and just stick with the FD. Right now i'm borrowing a Subaru outback to handle the kids when we can't take the wifes car. I love the Lotus, but its silly small even compared to the FD. The M3 has always sounded interesting on paper but looks boring.

I'm eyeballing the new Miata and thinking, man if they just beefed everything up maybe another 400lbs in size/strength, made a coupe and added a 3-400HP motor it's back to ideal. Because it looks like a perfect baby rx7. I'm even willing to be sacrilege and not worry about the rotary...

Right now I am leaning towards either a new Viper GTS or perhaps an NSX. I really like the NSX, but to meet my likings I would have to modify it quite a bit. The new Viper is pretty much all around complete enough to hop in and just drive/enjoy. The styling brings back the looks of the original GTS (which I love) and the GTS interior is nicer than anything I own now anyways. Dodge seems to really have improved upon everything from the previous models. With the recent price drop and depreciation, they should be affordable within a few years for low mileage examples because lets face it, no one seems to put miles on them. If you have ever shopped Vipers its not uncommon to see the average selling with less than 20k miles on the clock. I'd take the extra 40 lbs of sound deadening and the Laguna leathers in the GTS to have that extra bit of comfort/premium feel because with 600 lb/ft of torque, 40lbs extra is nothing. I will have my Z4 M Coupe paid off in another two years. At that point I should have my projects buttoned up enough to where I will be looking to take on another car.

It's sad to say that there is really not much else out there that excites me. Most modern cars are too electronic, no longer available in a manual, too heavy, smaller F/I engines over exciting N/A engines, etc.

I think a sports car with a whopping naturally aspirated engine with a manual transmission and exotic looks is an awesome thing in today's world. It's a shame all these douche bag journalists bagged on the car so much calling it archaic and nitpicking the hell out of it. I hope the price drop boosts sales and allows Dodge to keep producing it.

I'm a big fan of the new Viper, too.

Here's a nice video of the TA at Buttonwillow Raceway: WR Magazine

If you haven't driven a NSX, I would HIGHLY suggest it, still to this day, one of the best cars I have ever driven. Should power be a concern, you always have the option of going FI. The handling and driving experience is second to none. Highly regret selling my FD for a 99 Viper GTS - should have gotten the NSX. Then sold the Viper for a Gallardo which I hated and that only lasted 3 months, didn't even register it. I now own a LP640 (Verde Ithaca) and couldn't be happier.

I'll always have an FD, I can't really imagine totally replacing it with anything as it is an amazing car. Especially considering its value relative to a Porsche, NSX, Supra, Lotus, ect. But I'm VERY seriously eyeing the 2015 Mustang GT w/ track package as a DD. :)

A nicely sorted NSX with a little bit of boost for ~400-ish rwhp

Jason

I dont think I could ever replace the FD with another car. Hell, I'd rather take the FD off the road and store it in my garage for years if it's given me trouble until I could get it back to right (like I've been doing since DGRR '12 :lol:).

The only other outlet that can take its place (for the sake of maintaining sanity) for me would be a Sport Bike... I used to have a CBR1000RR and now I've got an RSV4 R. A bike can feed the desire for power, agility, and style (not to mention they both attract dude attention just the same :rofl:)

The FD has many faults ... I think that may be one of the reasons I like it somuch . I have thought about it . But honestly for a person in my situation there is no better car , no car that really Fits the bill better . if It ever came time where i couldnt keep the FD I'd buy a honda civic and put the FD in some storage until I could.

With now having owned an FD coming from 10 years of owning FC's I think the only car I'd really replace my FD with would be a Mclaren F1... as other than the FD the Mclaren is my all time unobtainable dream car... but that's not even being realistic.

If I was forced, I guess I'd get a C6 Z06 and look the other way anytime I saw an FD

Honestly, I've considered selling the FD lately. The ONLY thing in my price range that appeals to me is the Subaru BRZ. It's pig slow out of the box but it just needs more power. Other than that, the platform is incredible, can be had NEW for as low as $24k, trunk, rear seats, 6speed manual...And you know what? I think it looks incredible.

I could see myself selling the FD, buying a BRZ, and boosting it. I'd be fine with 350whp in it and calling it a day. Would be a ton of fun on and off the track.