Howdy! Buying! I think!
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Vilano Beach, FL
Howdy! Buying! I think!
Howdy Folks!
This is a slightly edited together set of posts I cobbled together from another couple of boards! (so it may sound a bit odd).
I just sold an amazing[ly modified] C5 Z06! I'm ready to move on to a convertible - I had assumed, it would be my 5th Vette, a C6 Vert (6-speed manual, Z51 package), but I started rethinking things. Maybe try something totally different and I have alternated between domestics (well, Vettes) and imports (Japanese) and I've got a little Japanese import on the brain just having bought the Wifey a 4Runner (Ltd V8 4WD) to replace her X5.
I'm looking specifically for a convertible. Not even interested in a targa! This would be a weekend only type of ride, maybe a little autocross or HPDE fun, and I'm SURE I would get crazy and have fun with modifications.
As far as modern convertibles, within financial reason (partially self-imposed), there's a few options:
Corvette
Viper
Mustang
S2000
Solstice/Sky
Audi 4-series
3-Series
Z series
Mini
SLK
Miata
Porsche 911/Boxster
Off the top of my head, those are all the sporty/sports/GT convertible options. I figured all those are available in a used, but new[ish] year. I don't think I'm interested in any luxo GT (so no 3-series, Audi 4's, SLKs), and the Mini is a little too goofy/kitchy. I'm also over wanting anything Viper related (just too many meatheads). If I was going to buy a Cobra Vert, I'd just go ahead and get a C6. The Boxster is a no go - I actually have kind of cross shopped a 911 Cab and found some nice cars for reasonable prices.
Not a ton of interesting options! (excluding exotics and classics)
OK, here's my 15 minute assessment of the S2K (which I hadn't looked at in a long time). The used ones were gone from the local dealer (they're slow to update the website), but they had a new '08 on the lot I sat in and fooled around with (didn't drive it).
It reminds me of like a small Challenge model F-car. Everything is super simple, and the things that don't matter to driving are secondary (even the single DIN space for the audio closes up behind a brushed aluminum panel).
The steering wheel and shifter are incredible. I clicked through a the gears just sitting in it. The clutch has short travel, I could easily heel/toe (the brake/gas are like 2" apart).
It feel bigger on the inside than it looks from the [out]side - from the front it actually looks much bigger since it's all nose. The OEM wheels (new style for '08) looked huge on it, and they're only 17". No wonder why nobody bothers with anything over an 18".
The top is insanely fast, must be under 15 seconds.
This one was silver with a black interior which is double stitched red over all the leather surfaces (which are quite a few). Looked great!
That was a few days ago, and from today:
OK. We stopped in at a different dealer and they had a sonic yellow '09 - the guy copied my license and tossed us the keys. We ran down US1 to 9A, up to Bay Meadows and back around. Top up until Bay Meadows, top down the rest of the way.
The top is nuts - 2 clips (~5-6 seconds) hold the top switch and it drops like a guillotine. I guess there's a boot cover that cleans it up too. The yellow is actually pretty tasty (it's very close to my MY Z). I think it's interesting enough to consider - it must have been popular since like 50% of the cars I see are *yellow*.
The seats are outstanding. In fact, all the driver ergonomics are excellent: seats, shifter, steering wheel.
With the top up, I was surprised that it was reasonably roomy (no head liner adds a few inches).
It's very noisy - lots of road feedback. Of course with the top down which is the whole point of the car, it equalizes the noise vs. other verts.
The engine is very smooth - it's definitely a little anemic on the low end, but it winds up quickly to the magical 6000RPM mark where, yes, the VTEC changes up the performance. It's not as some reviews have noted like a turbo kicking in, but more like an old school 4-barrel opening up all four butterflies. It's a hoot between 6K and 8K (the larger 2.2L has a lower redline than the 2.0L/pre-04 cars.)
The handling is just f***ing nuts!! I drove an M Roadster with coilovers and tons of suspension work and this felt the same (but just stock). When we got off 9A back to US1, the turn-in coming off the ramp was like a shifter kart. When we went under the overpass I had it sitting at 6K and let it rip when I was crossing lanes and it was just FUN. Would a Viper, STi, Vette, etc, etc., had been faster sure, but that's totally missing the point.
I like the simple stereo controls integrated into the left side of the dash, the AC is like 4 simple buttons (but seems to work well). The audio was actually pretty decent considering all the peripheral noise.
The woman totally dug on it and thinks I'll have way more fun - kind of in a Supra-like way - tweaking and fooling around with this vs. just buying a C6 and driving it. It's also a +huge+ shift from the previous ride.
I have been diggin on the hardtops (especially the aftermarket) for potential track usage.
This same car with 400+ HP from a Comptech setup would be >>insane<<.
It has way more in common with a Viper than anything else. Very purpose built, manual only, few options, no electronic extras.
Hahaha, who woulda thought I might head THIS direction?? The Woman says to just pick up one of the super low mile used 07's I found and try it out.
FWIW, I've had 4 Vettes, a Supra that was **highly** modified, 2nd/3rd gen RX7's (the latter for such a short time you almost couldn't call it "owned"), as some various sedans/SUVs from BMW and Lexus. The Wifey had a Z3 as well which we really miss. Plenty of pics of the Z06 and Supra if there's any interest.
I may have a Silver one by the end of the week (though I can't shake that really fantastic yellow, though in trying to get away from the last car, maybe I shouldn't do the same color again...)
Take care folks!
DT
This is a slightly edited together set of posts I cobbled together from another couple of boards! (so it may sound a bit odd).
I just sold an amazing[ly modified] C5 Z06! I'm ready to move on to a convertible - I had assumed, it would be my 5th Vette, a C6 Vert (6-speed manual, Z51 package), but I started rethinking things. Maybe try something totally different and I have alternated between domestics (well, Vettes) and imports (Japanese) and I've got a little Japanese import on the brain just having bought the Wifey a 4Runner (Ltd V8 4WD) to replace her X5.
I'm looking specifically for a convertible. Not even interested in a targa! This would be a weekend only type of ride, maybe a little autocross or HPDE fun, and I'm SURE I would get crazy and have fun with modifications.
As far as modern convertibles, within financial reason (partially self-imposed), there's a few options:
Corvette
Viper
Mustang
S2000
Solstice/Sky
Audi 4-series
3-Series
Z series
Mini
SLK
Miata
Porsche 911/Boxster
Off the top of my head, those are all the sporty/sports/GT convertible options. I figured all those are available in a used, but new[ish] year. I don't think I'm interested in any luxo GT (so no 3-series, Audi 4's, SLKs), and the Mini is a little too goofy/kitchy. I'm also over wanting anything Viper related (just too many meatheads). If I was going to buy a Cobra Vert, I'd just go ahead and get a C6. The Boxster is a no go - I actually have kind of cross shopped a 911 Cab and found some nice cars for reasonable prices.
Not a ton of interesting options! (excluding exotics and classics)
OK, here's my 15 minute assessment of the S2K (which I hadn't looked at in a long time). The used ones were gone from the local dealer (they're slow to update the website), but they had a new '08 on the lot I sat in and fooled around with (didn't drive it).
It reminds me of like a small Challenge model F-car. Everything is super simple, and the things that don't matter to driving are secondary (even the single DIN space for the audio closes up behind a brushed aluminum panel).
The steering wheel and shifter are incredible. I clicked through a the gears just sitting in it. The clutch has short travel, I could easily heel/toe (the brake/gas are like 2" apart).
It feel bigger on the inside than it looks from the [out]side - from the front it actually looks much bigger since it's all nose. The OEM wheels (new style for '08) looked huge on it, and they're only 17". No wonder why nobody bothers with anything over an 18".
The top is insanely fast, must be under 15 seconds.
This one was silver with a black interior which is double stitched red over all the leather surfaces (which are quite a few). Looked great!
That was a few days ago, and from today:
OK. We stopped in at a different dealer and they had a sonic yellow '09 - the guy copied my license and tossed us the keys. We ran down US1 to 9A, up to Bay Meadows and back around. Top up until Bay Meadows, top down the rest of the way.
The top is nuts - 2 clips (~5-6 seconds) hold the top switch and it drops like a guillotine. I guess there's a boot cover that cleans it up too. The yellow is actually pretty tasty (it's very close to my MY Z). I think it's interesting enough to consider - it must have been popular since like 50% of the cars I see are *yellow*.
Dear Chevrolet,
Why does this Honda have 20X better seating than the sportscar that creates nearly all your brand equity, *including* the $120K variant.
Why does this Honda have 20X better seating than the sportscar that creates nearly all your brand equity, *including* the $120K variant.
The seats are outstanding. In fact, all the driver ergonomics are excellent: seats, shifter, steering wheel.
With the top up, I was surprised that it was reasonably roomy (no head liner adds a few inches).
It's very noisy - lots of road feedback. Of course with the top down which is the whole point of the car, it equalizes the noise vs. other verts.
The engine is very smooth - it's definitely a little anemic on the low end, but it winds up quickly to the magical 6000RPM mark where, yes, the VTEC changes up the performance. It's not as some reviews have noted like a turbo kicking in, but more like an old school 4-barrel opening up all four butterflies. It's a hoot between 6K and 8K (the larger 2.2L has a lower redline than the 2.0L/pre-04 cars.)
The handling is just f***ing nuts!! I drove an M Roadster with coilovers and tons of suspension work and this felt the same (but just stock). When we got off 9A back to US1, the turn-in coming off the ramp was like a shifter kart. When we went under the overpass I had it sitting at 6K and let it rip when I was crossing lanes and it was just FUN. Would a Viper, STi, Vette, etc, etc., had been faster sure, but that's totally missing the point.
I like the simple stereo controls integrated into the left side of the dash, the AC is like 4 simple buttons (but seems to work well). The audio was actually pretty decent considering all the peripheral noise.
The woman totally dug on it and thinks I'll have way more fun - kind of in a Supra-like way - tweaking and fooling around with this vs. just buying a C6 and driving it. It's also a +huge+ shift from the previous ride.
I have been diggin on the hardtops (especially the aftermarket) for potential track usage.
This same car with 400+ HP from a Comptech setup would be >>insane<<.
It has way more in common with a Viper than anything else. Very purpose built, manual only, few options, no electronic extras.
Hahaha, who woulda thought I might head THIS direction?? The Woman says to just pick up one of the super low mile used 07's I found and try it out.
FWIW, I've had 4 Vettes, a Supra that was **highly** modified, 2nd/3rd gen RX7's (the latter for such a short time you almost couldn't call it "owned"), as some various sedans/SUVs from BMW and Lexus. The Wifey had a Z3 as well which we really miss. Plenty of pics of the Z06 and Supra if there's any interest.
I may have a Silver one by the end of the week (though I can't shake that really fantastic yellow, though in trying to get away from the last car, maybe I shouldn't do the same color again...)
Take care folks!
DT
and welcome.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,619
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From: Vilano Beach, FL
Originally Posted by s2k aok,Nov 12 2008, 07:50 PM
hello monster post!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 0
From: Vilano Beach, FL
Originally Posted by zacs2K,Nov 13 2008, 09:53 AM
i managed to read the first few lines, welcome
However, I just *won* an S2K on EBay - details in my new (and shorter thread)!!
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