BRZ vs S2000 vs Cayman S (my take)

[Jordanwolf]

Lotus???

[Pat]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

...and I hate BMW's general BS attitude/way of doing things/holier than though approach.

Can you explain this more, please? I'm unsure how that is. (I've only owned BMWs built before 1991.)

[WolfpackS2k]

^^an Elise would be great. An Exige amazing (but way out of price range). And Evoras are also too expensive, plus their clutch jobs scare the crap out of me (basically split the car in 2 pieces to replace it).

^sorry I really just meant of late. Their infuriating iDrive systems, stupid turn signals, octagonal gauges (wtf?) and just bizarre styling. The BMW community as a whole I think is wonderful. Heck, I wasn't even referring to the "asshole" stereotype they have. Apologies for any confusion :-P

[Goingnowherefast]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

^^an Elise would be great. An Exige amazing (but way out of price range). And Evoras are also too expensive, plus their clutch jobs scare the crap out of me (basically split the car in 2 pieces to replace it).

^sorry I really just meant of late. Their infuriating iDrive systems, stupid turn signals, octagonal gauges (wtf?) and just bizarre styling. The BMW community as a whole I think is wonderful. Heck, I wasn't even referring to the "asshole" stereotype they have. Apologies for any confusion :-P

My three weird suggestions (all three easily within your budget and then some):

1. NC3 Miata Club PRHT - This may be a weird suggestion, but I think it is an excellent one. NC3 is a larger inside than the ND generation, has decent power, is pretty damn quick, has great aftermarket support and in PRHT trim, it's not really a convertible. They make rollbars for the PRHT, and even with the weight increase (~2,600 lbs wet), you would still be lighter than almost every car on the road, including the GT86. 09+ cars has forged internals too, making the engine incredibly strong. People have no problem boosting them and they hold up to track work while FI too.

2. BMW 128i - This is going to be a really odd suggestion, but you can get these things for DIRT cheap. Most of the M3 components will bolt up, and the NA inline 6 (while not powerful) is pretty bulletproof. Consumables are fairly cheap, and OEM+ upgrades from the 135i and M models are available for cheap also.

3. Camaro V6 1LE - This probably doesn't need an explanation, but these things are utterly ridiculous on track. So much speed, for so little money. Best part? They need nothing to track hard at HPDE4+/instructor levels of speed. You can make okay power on the V6 w/ bolt ons and flex fuel and it revs pretty high. Definitely an option to put on your radar.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Goingnowherefast

2. BMW 128i - This is going to be a really odd suggestion, but you can get these things for DIRT cheap. Most of the M3 components will bolt up, and the NA inline 6 (while not powerful) is pretty bulletproof. Consumables are fairly cheap, and OEM+ upgrades from the 135i and M models are available for cheap also.

3. Camaro V6 1LE - This probably doesn't need an explanation, but these things are utterly ridiculous on track. So much speed, for so little money. Best part? They need nothing to track hard at HPDE4+/instructor levels of speed. You can make okay power on the V6 w/ bolt ons and flex fuel and it revs pretty high. Definitely an option to put on your radar.

These are some good suggestions (and underrated cars generally). They tend to fly under the radar vs the 135i and ss 1le, but arereally good dual use street/track cars.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by Goingnowherefast

3. Camaro V6 1LE - This probably doesn't need an explanation, but these things are utterly ridiculous on track. So much speed, for so little money.

I rented a V6 Camaro w/manual trans on Turo, and I have to agree the engine is very very solid and it is very fast. However...everything on it feels like bottom barrel rental car cheap. I guess if you throw out the entire interior and all the amenities it would be a little less noticeable.

[Goingnowherefast]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

I rented a V6 Camaro w/manual trans on Turo, and I have to agree the engine is very very solid and it is very fast. However...everything on it feels like bottom barrel rental car cheap. I guess if you throw out the entire interior and all the amenities it would be a little less noticeable.

Are you sure it was a 6th gen? Honestly I think the interior w/ 1LE package is much better quality than ours is.

[jflogerzi]

Yup I second the v6 1LE. Really great track car and solid supercharger kits to add power down the road. Saw one for 26k lightly used on car gurus

Sent from my GM1915 using Tapatalk

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

Lotus???

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

^^an Elise would be great.

[ZDan]

If it's not gonna be a daily, Elise x1000. I get to go around the track in a lot of different cars, Elise stands out, it's the only car that made my S2000 feel like a barge in comparison!

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Unfortunately we don't get the latest version, at least street legal.

[WolfpackS2k]

I daily my GTI (tuned for 300/350). Usage for a car being discussed in here would be for track use, mtn driving, and pleasure cruises (roughly 5,000 miles a year or less).

A friend of mine has an SS 1LE that I need to test drive. The small windows and horrible cockpit layout, however are pretty big turn offs at this point.

I don't like the BMW 1 series, so they're out. That's not to say I don't appreciate their abilities though. One of my local friends (and track buddies) has built his high mileage (bought for one hell of a deal) 135i into quite a track beast. All gutted out, rollcage installed, pushing over 400 (reliable on track) hp on an E85 tune. I think he's getting a wing next. Though what he really needs is a brake upgrade - lol. He goes through rotors and/or pads every track weekend - car just destroys them.

[Tokay444]

Lol@v6 Camaro.

[Goingnowherefast]

Originally Posted by Tokay444

Lol@v6 Camaro.

Ah, one of these guys.

The V6 Camaro w/ 1LE absolutely destroys our cars by an LOL 14+ seconds in car and drivers lightening lap competition (https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...storical-data/). Actually, it beats our cars by every single performance metric available. Lol indeed.