The thrill is gone...

Post by **Snarlynx** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

It seemed not to long ago that we had no great new cars, Japan got them all and we were stuck modding FWD econocar pieces of crap. Then, like Manna from the heavens, the WRX came out. AWD, turbo, 0-60 in mid 5's for under 30k. It was great. Then the next year, new great cars all launched in this category. The STI, the Lan Evo, the RX-8, and the 350z/G35 coupe.... now after all those great cars launched I'm kind of sad. What's left to look forward too (besides them dropping to a more affordable price on the used market)?

I can only think of the slight chance of civic and RSX type R's and the Mazdaspeed variant on the RX-8 and Mazda 3. Well the Lotus Elise if you count that. The Skyline and Supra are coming eventually but they're way off in the distance (and going to be 50k+).

It kind of feels like the day after Christmas, you wait and wait and wait and then after you get everything, you like what you have but still can't wait for what else may be coming up.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is anyone else suffering from post-cardom depression?

Post by **Bubba1** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Nope. It sounds like your holiday glass is half empty. Remember the model years change in the fall. Besides, it's a wonderful time to be an enthusiast. There hasn't been this many choices for quick/agile cars in such a long time, and you listed a nice bunch of them. My friend just ordered an Elise, which is toyota powered, I believe. That's coming in April. Mazda is in process of redoing the Miata, and just introduced the RX-8 a few short months ago. The Covette C-6 is on it's way. I doubt Toyota is going to make the same stupid blunder with the Supra that Nissan did with the previous generation Z. That is, price it out of range from most of it's clientele. I think Toyota is a little brighter than that. FYI Nissan just introduced the AWD G, which is pretty dang impressive too.

Post by **crzycav86** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

The elise is gonna be a hoss. It has like a 180 hp(i think. It may have been tuned up a little) celica engine... and it still runs 12's.

Post by **Bubba1** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Yep. My friend intends to use his at the track. Can't wait to ride in it.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

How much do they cost? Theres a guy round here that I see all the time with a black one. What color is your friends Elise?

Post by **Bubba1** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

I believe he ordered a silver one. I'm not sure what he's paying. I'll ask him when I see him. I'm guessing it's around $40K. He told me he hopes to get it and have it broken in enough to use it at VIR in late April.

I haven't seen one yet, but I'm told they have few frills, and very small, but are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Yup I definately cant fit in one of those things. Maybe with a lil grease.

Post by **BuudWeizErr** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Man, hell no.

When the car companies release some more I4 RWD compacts, maybe then I'll be jaded, but since that will never happen again, I guess I'll never get bored.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Hopefully they'll wake up.

Post by **SmithSR** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

^^in response to jdmfreak, they (auto makers) ARE awake!

Nissan / Infiniti is selling RWD 6cyl coupes and sedans starting at what is today's entry level performance market standard, $30k.

You may have heard differently, but what I've seen & heard is that these cars are selling quite well.

Looks like there isn't a shortage of gainfully employed RWD factory performance seekers/enthusiasts. The market segment wouldn't be flourishing/growing if nobody was buying. ...just my opinion.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

True...true...

Post by **MainEvent212** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

i'd love for nissan to re-produce the S14 w/ the S15 front end, sort of a new age sil-80 for the masses of drifter wanna-be's

i kno i'd have one :-p

Post by **Snarlynx** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

...OR the actual s15 complete with blacktop SR.I'd have two.

Post by **Bubba1** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

MainEvent212 wrote:i'd love for nissan to re-produce the S14 w/ the S15 front end, sort of a new age sil-80 for the masses of drifter wanna-be's

i kno i'd have one :-p

Nice thought. Unfortunately most drifter wannabe's seem to be teenagers on small budgets. A better idea might be to go into business to sell "drift machines". Buy some old S-13's, fix them up right, add some of the usual ricey touches that appeal to drifters, and re-sell 'em at a nice profit. A drifter wannabe kid will more likely be able to afford $5-10K on a "drifting" car already set up, than $25-30K for a new car. Food for thought

Post by **Cold_Zero** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

I personally think this is a fun time to be driving. Automakers are producing sport compacts that the enthusiast actually want. GM/Ford/Chrysler have hopped on board and it will be interesting to see what they produce. I dont think the Sport Compact Revolution is over, I think its just getting started.

Post by **Mr1der** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

I agree, you know what it's giving us? a 200hp Supercharged Saturn. I don't know about the rest of you, but I really don't wanna lose races to a saturn:(

Post by **Cold_Zero** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

I look at Subaru and see some pretty nice cars coming out. You have the turbo Forrester, the turbo Baja and the Legacy GT (turbo). All of them AWD and turbo. There are a lot of choices out there for sport compact enthusiats. Some notable ones, Mini Cooper S, the GTI (with all of its different configurations), turbo Beatle, PT-Turbo and the SRT-4.

Post by **Bubba1** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Mr1der wrote:I agree, you know what it's giving us? a 200hp Supercharged Saturn. I don't know about the rest of you, but I really don't wanna lose races to a saturn:(

Yeah, that is a scary thought, but the horsepower wars have finally started up again and the dumbestics are jumping in with both feet.

GM: C-6, The new Grand Prix (alias old Holden Monaro)

Daimler: SRT-4, Newest generation Viper, The Hemi coming back,turbo PT Cruiser,

Furd: Anyone look at the SVT Mustank recently : 390 hp, supercharged? Wow.

Look at the European cars:Audi's S4 has 330 hp, the RS6 is a absolute monsterBMW- M3, Z4, M5 all with mo' powerVW - (as Cold Zero mentioned) a turbo Beetle, the recent W12 motorMini Cooper S (special edition ) Lotus Elise

If you have post "car-dom depression", take a test drive in any of these cars. That frown will turn upside down.

Post by **BuudWeizErr** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Mr1der wrote:I really don't wanna lose races to a saturn:(

My friend Ian's car....

I couldn't find a decent pic of his engine, but let me tell you this. He MURDERS me in acceleration. That car is ridiculously fast.

Post by **Mr1der** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

I'd imagine, forced induction or bottlefed saturns are scary. Almost as scary as that twin engine Tiburon a guy built to run in the 10's and still be street legal, It also ran on methanol I believe...

Post by **Snarlynx** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Bubba1 wrote:
If you have post "car-dom depression", take a test drive in any of these cars. That frown will turn upside down.

I know they're great. What I'm saying is for a while it was like "well if this car is this good, I wonder how good that car is gonna be" Now we know how they stack up and all the things on the horizon now are those late to the party.

Of course I think it's great that we have these cars now, I'm just saying (again) that I miss the anticipation of a new car.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

I see what your sayin.

Post by **Mr1der** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

perhaps you should anticipate BUYING the new cars when they arrive, or how the manufacturers will attempt to better the others....

Post by **Turb0wned** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

i think the 350z is the best you can get for the price......

Post by **Snarlynx** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

Mr1der wrote:perhaps you should anticipate BUYING the new cars when they arrive, or how the manufacturers will attempt to better the others....

I think you left out a word in there... do you mean I should buy them so they will make more?

If that's the case I am considering it. I just don't know if I want the insurance and the payment of an Evolution while still going to college, I want the option of not working much if classes get a little tough. The civic is paid off and the s14 is close. Just weighing the options you know?

and 95ka24de - I think you can figure out which one I think is best. :pface

Post by **SmithSR** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

A second-hand 350Z would be an incredible performance bargain...

In five or so years, when today's twenty-somethings are earning better money and becoming more stable, the current Z will be the RWD performance bargain..

I read somewhere that today's 240sx owners likely will move into the Z or G35 segment, because there won't be a cheaper rwd Nissan that will offer similar performance.

Post by **Snarlynx** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

I see your point SmithSR... my thing is it's NA and has no turbo equivilant. I don't want the hassle of turboing a NA car, espesially after dabbling in the Honda camp.

Now for a DD, I'd LOVE a g35 coupe.

Post by **iliketocrash** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

i didnt' read the entire thread but i recently read an article in the newspaper about car companies bringing back rwd. Something about having better technology to create better rwd cars or something. i skimmed over it real quick. anyone else hear something about this?

Post by **Mastaflash** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

FWD became popular to reduce gas consumption, and weight, and cost. today there are lightweight materials that cost less, so parts cost less, and theres less weight to cause poor gas mileage. fwd would still be cheaper, but rwd would cost less now than it did in the past.

Post by **Snarlynx** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:20 am

iliketocrash wrote:i didnt' read the entire thread but i recently read an article in the newspaper about car companies bringing back rwd. Something about having better technology to create better rwd cars or something. i skimmed over it real quick. anyone else hear something about this?

LOL, you're talking about the December 2003 Men's Health "Crankshaft Don" article. :pface

Basically it talks about that technology is making RWD a safer alternative. I live in CA so this doesn’t affect me but a lot of you know what it's like driving in the snow with a RWD car - not fun. Now with traction control and other safety features consumers can have the fun that RWD affords without the potential for careening off of a cliff.

The thrill is gone...

The thrill is gone...

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