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nilfinite
nilfinite New Reader
12/28/14 11:22 p.m.

Assuming someone (not me) wanted to splurge on a new AX/DD car to run in stock/street class, what do you think is the most competitive AX car in the $60-$80K range?

I've been thinking through the following:

BMW M3/M4

Camaro Z28

Corvette C7 w/ Z51

Alfa Romeo 4C

What do you guys think?

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
12/28/14 11:36 p.m.

None of those cars are legal to run in any of the Street classes (AS-HS), so uh, none of them?

nilfinite
nilfinite New Reader
12/28/14 11:54 p.m.

Oh really? I must be confused...

I thought some of the cars were classed or anticipated to be in a street class for 2015?

Corvette (SS), Z27 (AS), 4C (SS)

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
12/29/14 5:44 a.m.

The Alfa would be the front runner for me.

Mike
Mike GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
12/29/14 5:51 a.m.

I haven't seen a 4C in person. It looks like only one US magazine has a real review of a US spec Alfa. I'd wait for more people to review it if it was my money, but this looks to me like the car that would change direction the best in your list.

Actually, I'll be near an Alfa dealership soon. I might drop in just to lay eyes on. I just bought a car a few months ago, but the 4C is so dammed pretty in photos that I want to have a look anyhow.

JtspellS
JtspellS Dork
12/29/14 7:12 a.m.

Would have to say the 4c of this group, but if lotus makes the evora in north america next year I would look at that as well.

Gearheadotaku
Gearheadotaku GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
12/29/14 7:44 a.m.

Z/28 would be a fun racer/weekend toy, but not so hot as a DD. For an 'all in one' I'd pick a C7 Z51.

pinchvalve
pinchvalve GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
12/29/14 7:57 a.m.

The 4C will not work as a DD. Even the Z28 would be tough. The Corvette could work, but the BMW would be the best option. If I had to DD and compete, I'd want the M4. With kids...the M3.

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
12/29/14 8:42 a.m.

In reply to nilfinite:

SS is Super Stock and doesn't follow the Street rules. The new Z/28 comes with 60TW tires straight from the factory and cannot run in Street.

NOHOME
NOHOME SuperDork
12/29/14 9:53 a.m.

I did a bit of noodling on the interwebs to see what initial thoughts were on the 4C.

Other than drop dead looks and cool concept, the 4C does not come across as a car I would own in a world that offered 2.5 Miatas or the Cayman as an option. Especially since it comes saddled with Alpha's stellar reputation for needing a tow-truck on retainer for all voyages.

Now, if I had the $$$ to spare, it sure as E36 M3 does LOOK like a car I would want to own just to say "I own one".

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
12/29/14 9:56 a.m.

In reply to pinchvalve:

Why do you think a 4C won't work as a DD? Plenty of people in the UK dd Elises, too.

Autolex
Autolex Dork
12/29/14 9:57 a.m.

Brand New Cayman S and Vette would both be on that list for me. (Z06 specifically)

captdownshift
captdownshift GRM+ Memberand Dork
12/29/14 10:00 a.m.

In reply to Autolex:

This, Cayman S and ignore the options tabs.

oldtin
oldtin UberDork
12/29/14 10:11 a.m.

Cayman S and use the spare change for an old miata. Auto x the miata, and take the Cayman to a track (Caymans and Boxsters don't tend to do well at auto x - stock gearing works better on a road than a parking lot).

clutchsmoke
clutchsmoke Dork
12/29/14 10:14 a.m.

I vote Lotus Evora.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson PowerDork
12/29/14 11:29 a.m.

New S500 Shelby GT350 Mustang?

aussiesmg
aussiesmg MegaDork
12/29/14 11:40 a.m.
Adrian_Thompson wrote: New S500 Shelby GT350 Mustang?

All the way

LopRacer
LopRacer Dork
12/29/14 12:11 p.m.

I'm in the Cayman S camp as well, even if an inferior ATX car I am an inferior ATX driver so it's a wash.

skierd
skierd SuperDork
12/29/14 12:33 p.m.
Adrian_Thompson wrote: New S500 Shelby GT350 Mustang?

Winner winner chicken dinner, imo.

kanaric
kanaric Dork
12/29/14 12:40 p.m.

Cayman S would be better than the Alfa, also my friend DDs one.

I would get a Cayman S.

New S500 Shelby GT350 Mustang? Winner winner chicken dinner, imo.

For autocross? No.

yamaha
yamaha MegaDork
12/29/14 1:03 p.m.
kanaric wrote: Cayman S would be better than the Alfa, also my friend DDs one. I would get a Cayman S.
New S500 Shelby GT350 Mustang? Winner winner chicken dinner, imo.
For autocross? No.

For a street class and wanting to be ultra rules nazi competitive, I agree with you.....however, the guy driving the muscle mustang at an autox is probably having much more fun than someone worrying about that last thousandth of a second they're missing on the course. Plus, CAM exists in many regions now.....SM+200TW tire rules but with v8 rwd only goodness

pinchvalve
pinchvalve GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
12/29/14 1:28 p.m.
BoxheadTim wrote: In reply to pinchvalve: Why do you think a 4C won't work as a DD? Plenty of people in the UK dd Elises, too.

Hey, you can DD a motorcycle in Greenland if you really want to. From what I have read, the 4C is loud, very loud, has no storage space, has a harsh ride, and requires a lot of attention to keep it on the straight and narrow. It wants to turn, which is great on track, but not so good for the highway commute. If you are OK wearing earplugs, a kidney belt, and only carrying what will fit in your pockets, the 4C might be a good DD. I am OK with some discomfort in exchange for performance, but most auto journalists I have read agree that the 4C is too much.

Any what's wrong with a Cayman? Can you get them in that price range?

atm92484
atm92484 New Reader
12/29/14 1:36 p.m.

I'd go with the Z51 C7. The ride is actually very livable, you wouldn't know GM made the interior, the highway gas mileage is nice, and its a hatchback with plenty of cargo space. Then since you had the dough for a nice sports car you can probably afford a used Miata to autocross - dilemma solved!

amg_rx7
amg_rx7 Dork
12/29/14 1:53 p.m.

Another meaningless vote for the Vette. Drive them all and buy what you'd prefer to spend time in.

boileralum
boileralum GRM+ Memberand New Reader
12/29/14 2:40 p.m.
Javelin wrote: In reply to nilfinite: SS is Super Stock and doesn't follow the Street rules. The new Z/28 comes with 60TW tires straight from the factory and cannot run in Street.

No, Mr Pedant - SS is Super Street and does follow Street Class Rules. SSR is Super Street- R (for R Comp tires). And the Z/28 can run in Street class as long as it is running on class legal tires, which are specifically allowed by the rules to be changed.

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