Motor Trend: Left Overs Edition (Camaro 1LE vs M2 vs Focus RS vs GT86 vs 124 vs 718)

[unhappymeal]

Not a bad finish for a cheap, under powered car with shit Prius tires.

Jonny Lieberman: “An incredible driver’s car. Anyone who says differently doesn’t really understand cars.”

Christian Seabaugh: “This car is the type of car folks buy and immediately begin modifying and tuning. Don’t do it. Stickier tires and power adders will ruin an otherwise sublimely engineered experience.”

Jason Cammisa: “This is a total blast and a fantastic sports car in the traditional sense.”

Chris Walton: “You can drive this car at its limit all the time and never worry that it’s going to spit you off. That’s what makes this car special—it has no bad habits or pitfalls when it’s being driven hard.”

Mark Rechtin: “This car will really get you into drifting.”

Randy Pobst: “I didn’t want to quit driving it. Total pure driver’s car.”

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/fiat/...r-s-toyota-86/

[mazeroni]

A bit shocked by the 3rd place finish - in a good way.

I incorrectly guessed the final order as:

6: Abarth
5: 86
4: RS
3. 1LE
2. M2
1. Boxer

A bit disappointed the Abarth doesn't have the snarl of the 500. Could fix that with an exhaust and tune, probably.

[funwheeldrive]

I agree with the "Rebuttal" section for our car. The clutch pedal feel is way too vague for a car that emphasizes driving feel. I have been driving manual transmissions my whole life, and I still stall this car occasionally. It's the only thing that frustrates me about this car. I don't want to have to change the clutch cylinder on a car that I'm still making payments on.

[8RZ]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

I agree with the "Rebuttal" section for our car. The clutch pedal feel is way too vague for a car that emphasizes driving feel. I have been driving manual transmissions my whole life, and I still stall this car occasionally. It's the only thing that frustrates me about this car. I don't want to have to change the clutch cylinder on a car that I'm still making payments on.

Have you removed the clutch helper spring? Makes a world of difference in clutch feedback.

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by 8RZ

Have you removed the clutch helper spring? Makes a world of difference in clutch feedback.

I've thought about it, but I heard that after you do that, there is some slop or looseness when the pedal is disengaged. I have adjusted the pedal height though and it helped a little. I might buy an aftermarket spring.

[gramicci101]

This part is great.

Originally Posted by Motortrend

Christian Seabaugh: “This car is the type of car folks buy and immediately begin modifying and tuning. Don’t do it. Stickier tires and power adders will ruin an otherwise sublimely engineered experience.”

Followed by,

Originally Posted by Motortrend Rebuttal

And features editor Christian Seabaugh observed that between 1,700 and 3,000 rpm, there’s just nothing happening.

Has he actually driven a modified 86 so he can say with authority that it ruins the sublimely engineered experience? I'd like him to drive a 100% OEM car back to back with a car that has a header and stage 2 tune, maybe even with TRD springs and TRD wheel and tire package, factory-offered parts, to see if it really does ruin the experience. And that's only barely modified; it doesn't even come close to what some people are doing to their cars.