THOTH Posted November 10, 2002 Report Share Posted November 10, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Accelerated:The prob with AWD's is that most of them are heavy understeerers, which frankly takes the fun out of driving...But the Sti is more or less neutral, dont know about the Audi though.Yes your correct. There are certain tradeoffs. And I will likely miss not being able to (easily)throw the tail out like I can do in my MR2 (supercharged!)...but we'll see. I am also concerned with the Turbo lag..I like the kick - but I like linear power...I think if I was willing to specnd the $ I would get an M3 convertable...I would be willing to pay the $35k+ for the Mustang Cobra convertable but my wife has nixed that (beacuase we already have a convertable Mustang...however its a much older one...and while it is fast (4 barrel v-8 it isn't a monster such as the Cobra. And because of family I can no longer get a two seeater - otherwise I would have much interest in the Honda S-2000 (great car!) or in a 300Zx (particualry if they comeout with a rag top at some point). So I await the STi...we shall see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted November 10, 2002 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2002 quote:So I await the STi...we shall see...A couple of months ago, the Sti won the 'Bang for your Bucks' competition in the most respected Australia performance car magazine. Basically its all about the amount of performance you get for your money, the Sti narrowly beat the M3 and the Nissan 200SX (Silvia). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted November 10, 2002 Report Share Posted November 10, 2002 quote:Originally posted by THOTH:...Look Azat - I didn't even mention girls once! (well just once just now...)I had to reread it twice I was so shocked. I am sure there was a girl or two in the car when you test drove that Supra couple of years back, but you did not want to make all of us geeks cry again. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted December 13, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2002 THOTH, I was wondering if you've ever driven the rotary powered Mazda RX-7. Apparently, its a very potent tool, light with great dynamics and of course twin-turbocharged twin-rotor engine. And now with the RX-8 coming out, Mazda is allready developing the next RX-7. [ December 13, 2002, 12:35 AM: Message edited by: Accelerated ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted December 13, 2002 Report Share Posted December 13, 2002 Yes the rotary is awesome on the revs (and great power to weight ratio for the last car) - but lacks torque. (I pretty much could keep with them with my Supercharged MR2...though barely) I am keeping an eye on the RX-8 - its loks shrp - should perfprm well 9though not quite STi range)...and as it has 4 seats (and more or less 4 doors) it fits the bill...I will certainly test drive it when it comes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted December 13, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2002 quote:but lacks torqueIs torque really all that important for a performance car, escpessially one that is as light as the RX-7? quote:I am keeping an eye on the RX-8 - its loks shrp - should perfprm well 9though not quite STi range Yes, it certainly looks great, and the new Renesis engine although 30% smaller than the RX-7 engine packs more power in atmo form and revs to 9 grand. And although I havnt seen the faclifted Impreza on the street yet, it really looks terrible in the photoes. When you're paying such big money you want the car to have at least a little bit of style. I dont know about the US, but here the stock standard WRX has been updated mechanically also, almost putting it on par with the Sti. The difference in price being around US$7000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted December 13, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2002 In other news.... The Nissan Skyline GT-R has been revealed to have a twin-turbo 3.3 Ltr V6 engine that will pack more than 300KW and cost around US$60000. Toyota has confirmed the development of a supercar dubbed the 5000GT, packing a V10 engine. And there are also rumors of a new Supra being developed to compete with the 350Z and RX-8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted January 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 From www.car.com quote:LOS ANGELES — Through artificial snow and smoke, U.S. journalists caught their first glimpse of the eighth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The 2003 model is the latest “Evo” in a line of rally sports-inspired cars that were first introduced in 1992. This launch is the first of four new products that Mitsubishi will introduce over the next 13 months. The Lancer Evolution VIII sedan is powered by a 271-horsepower, 2.0-liter, dual-overhead-cam, intercooled, 16-valve engine that mates to a full-time, all-wheel-drive five-speed-manual transmission. Large Brembo brakes help stop the car after it reaches 60 mph in just 5 seconds. The Evo VIII gets decent fuel economy at 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Unibody construction on the front-wheel-drive sedan is credited for much of the car’s superior performance. The exterior design features a new bumper that meets stricter front-impact requirements and, thanks to a redesigned and reinforced steel bumper structure, improves airflow and intercooler efficiency. Wider front fenders and headlight assemblies project a stronger visual stance. The new headlights also cast a longer, stronger beam for better nighttime visibility. Inside, the Evolution uses the same layout as the other Lancer products. The suggested retail price for the Lancer starts at $28,987. The Evolution VIII will be available in U.S. dealerships as early as February. The typical driver is a married male between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. The Japanese automaker expects to sell about 6,500 units in the first year. Mitsubishi cars are also true performers in the Hollywood sense. The Lancer Evolution VIII and the Eclipse Spyder will be featured in “2Fast 2Furious,” the sequel to the street-racing movie “The Fast and the Furious.” Tyrese, the sequel film’s co-star, performed during this afternoon’s event. The movie is due in theaters June 6. As of Jan. 1, 2003, Mitsubishi Motors North America is its own entity in the Mitsubishi business family. For the fourth straight year — and marking another record sales year for the company — Mitsubishi enjoyed a 7 percent sales increase in 2002. The Sti was notably absent from the LA Auto Show. But the EVO is a much more focused tool - lighter, more powerful, better AWD system. THOTH, you may consider getting this instead of waiting for the Sti. http://drive.fairfax.com.au/content-new/images/2003/01/03/03evo4.jpg http://drive.fairfax.com.au/content-new/images/2003/01/03/03evo2.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 http://www.toyota.com/images/shop/look_ahead/cruiser.jpg Retro Land Cruiser Ready for some gene splicing? Start with a 1967 FJ-45 Land Cruiser. Throw a modern-day Land Cruiser chassis beneath it. Wedge a torquey Toyota V8 under the hood. Add Millen-custom coil-over shock assemblies -- and 35-inch tires with military-style beadlocks -- for 12.5 inches of wheel travel. Give it circumnavigational prowess with dual 9,000-lb. Warn winches, a satellite phone and (since you don't know just where you'll end up) two Kevlar skid plates. Retro Cruiser: the DNA of the old and the technology of the new. A more volatile test tube we've never seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted January 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 A pic of what the next Nissan GTR will prob look like (or close to it) http://speed.supercars.net/cboardpics/2002-9-26/288524a.jpg and click here for a close-up [ January 05, 2003, 02:10 AM: Message edited by: Accelerated ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 way to fast for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 Hey, Sip! I looked at the off-roading pics on your site! Will you take me with you on one of those trips someday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Stormy:Hey, Sip! I looked at the off-roading pics on your site! Will you take me with you on one of those trips someday? My mommy told me not to trust strangers I meet on the net. Talking of offroading, a few buddies of mine went down to Baja (mexico) for New Years... I had a choice to go with them but instead went skiing in the cold. Here are a couple of pictures that they took WOW! Pic 1Pic 2 I am definitely going to go there with them next time ... screw skiing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted January 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 For anyone who doesnt know, the Nissan GT-R is considered to be the 'Japanese Ferrari', and can certainly match low-medium priced Ferraries in performance, but only costs a fraction. This new GT-R is going to be on sale in 2005 and does 0-100 in 4.5sec! Oh, it also has a 7speed CVT (Formula 1 style) gearbox. All for around US$60000, thats a fully optioned C-class Merc. quote:way to fast for me And you prob wont find the full potential of this car on the street, unless your Shumacher or Makinen. But it looks very sexy, almost as good as the Supra quote:... you guys can buy me any of those ...After I get one for myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vava Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Accelerated:low-medium priced Ferraries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 ... you guys can buy me any of those ... but DON'T GET me this one. http://zr2.cs.ucla.edu/Sip/zr2/barf.gif. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 Accel - Yea I know th EVO - and its a great car - but doesn't do it for me for several reasons. Mostly I just don't trust Mitsubishi (gearboxes & overall build quality). I also actually prefer the WRx styling (particularly the hatch/wagon - though don't know if it will be available in STi version - probably not). And why do you think the AWD is better in the EVO? Hard to believe. And arent the Horsepower and performance numbers pretty much the same? And what is it with the STi release in the States? Whats the delay? Anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 was anyone at teh LA car show ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted January 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 Yeah, I know, it should read lower-medium priced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted January 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 quote:Mostly I just don't trust Mitsubishi (gearboxes & overall build quality).Yes, Mitsu built quality is indeed questionable, but Subaru gearboxes/drivelines/clutches are also prone to failure under hard use. quote:And why do you think the AWD is better in the EVO? Hard to believe. The AWD system in the EVO is much more advanced. In the Sti, its just two LSD up front and back, relativelly simple. Check out the Honk Kong Mitsubishi site, last time I checked there was a lot of info on the EVO AWD system, and its in english quote:And arent the Horsepower and performance numbers pretty much the same? Horsepower is similar, but the EVO is significantly lighter, and therefore a little faster and quicker around the track (also thanks to the AWD system) quote:And what is it with the STi release in the States? Whats the delay? Anyone know? I wouldnt have a clue, but the EVO is going to be released this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 The new EVO VIII cming to the States this year willnot have all the fancy AWD components BTW. Miys decided that it would raise the price of the car too much (over $30K US) - so just a basic limited slip fore & aft...too bad really...(but typically - dumb down cars for the US...just like BMW used to do for the M3...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted January 8, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 Well, thats too bad. I would have chosen the Subie over the EVO anyday (for a variety of small reasons), but now with the EVO being tonned down, its no contest (in the US anyway). Hang on though....at US$29000 isnt the EVO in standard WRX price territory? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 Standard WRX is more like 23-24K...I suspect the STi could be in the 27-30K range. This is why I think Mits wanted to keep the ECO under 30K. I agree wirth you - the Suburu has much more apeal - for a variety of reasons. The company is also ot such a giant as Mitsibishi - and is more interesting. And the car is more appealing - IMO. The EVo is way to much a boy racer look - and just seems tinny to me. (not tiny - I don't care about that - I actually like very small cars - tinny - as in flimsy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accelerated Posted January 8, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 quote:I suspect the STi could be in the 27-30K range.In that case, the EVO would be overpriced, even at 29K, without the advanced AWD system (and I suspect less horse-power) it should be closer to the standard WRX price. quote:- tinny - as in flimsyYes, I remmember a year ago reading a review of the EVO VI Makinen Edition. And the test driver said something along the lines of "...it feels like its about to fall apart (on the track), but it never does..." not very confidence inspiring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted January 12, 2003 Report Share Posted January 12, 2003 This stuff is from today ... nothing too serious .. just messing around at a local offroad "recreation" area ... that hill is very very steep. All the bike guys where like WOW!!!! They haven't seen too many 4x4s doing that I guess around there ... most people that go to these parks with their cars just drive around on dirt roads. My buddies and I had some fun on the "bike" trails though! Those hills are INSANE http://zr2.cs.ucla.edu/Sip/zr2/misc/sip_mud.jpg http://zr2.cs.ucla.edu/Sip/zr2/misc/sip_hill1_tn.jpg http://zr2.cs.ucla.edu/Sip/zr2/misc/sip_hill2_tn.jpg http://zr2.cs.ucla.edu/Sip/zr2/misc/sip_hill3_tn.jpg http://zr2.cs.ucla.edu/Sip/zr2/misc/sip_hill4_tn.jpg(click for bigger) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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