What car... should've gotten a V8 edition

Since my 350Z was killed this spring (RIP), I've been living with an RX-8 with no torques. It's not bad, but I miss torques. I like its handling versus the Z, however. Anyways, I've narrowed down the replacement choices to the following and what I would plan on doing with it. Intended uses are as a fun streetable car/autocross car. It would be a 2nd car. Note that MI does not have emissions checks.

1. 2002-2004 Corvette Z06 - stock except for possibly R-Comps
2. 2000 Corvette FRC - stock...
3. 98-2002 LS1 Camaro - destined for ESP
4. 1992-1996 C4 Corvette - destined for BSP

I have little interest in modding the RX-8 because I don't have the chops to do an engine swap/turbo/supercharger, and I would be in no-man's land in autocross if I did. I don't think BSP mods would get me to the ~280 or so HP I'd desire in an RX-8.

Personally, from that list my choice would be a no-brainer. '02-'04 Z06 all the way. Great street car, and would probably still easily outrun a modified C4 or last gen modded Camaro on an autox course.

In reply to Klayfish:

Agreed, even though I have no personal experience and my opinion is based solely on what I read on the internets.

Unless a deal could be found(sub 7k) on a 98-02 f-body....and I'd personally recommend the t/a vs. the schrimp......the correct answer to this is C5 zo6.

I'll just leave this here.

http://teamtac.org/e107/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?73029

I saw this car before and his price had come down to 15k

It looks disgustingly cool and made me want a BSP C4, the C5 z06 is probably a better daily/occasional driver on street and is high on my list for possibly replacing the miata down the road

The question is can I get torque and still have nimble feeling steering :P? Miata is great but so was my SVT focus

well first i need to ask why do u feel u do not have the ability to do an engine swap? maybe my opinion is scewed but i feel as if u can tackle things like a clutch or even a suspension rebuild u can tackle an engine swap.

Hmmm. ..... sounds like my 88 would be the perfect car for you! lol

JG's FRC was wicked fast. The car was prepped for NCCC stock-class rules, so it was even more stock than SCCA. That or a C5 Z06 would be my Easy Button.

David S. Wallens wrote: JG's FRC was wicked fast. The car was prepped for NCCC stock-class rules, so it was even more stock than SCCA. That or a C5 Z06 would be my Easy Button.

This. The FRC is cool if you want the ultimate weapon for Solo2 A stock, or if you just want a cool, off-the-beaten-path sports car. But the price premium of the Z06 more than pays for itself with the additional performance. Don't buy a rat. Pay real money for a good car. There's enough of them out there that you should be able to find one easily. Take care of it and you'll get back every cent you paid when it's time to move on.

jg

corvette!

I like the FRCs. Basically a z06 minus the engine and the car to have in Astock. Theyre cheaper than the z06 and if I remember correctly, they're cheaper to insure too ( I looked at c5s before I got my s2k). The only thing that turned me off from the car besides the cheap feeling interior was the consumables, AKA tires. I could have afforded the vette, but not the accessories needed to be competitive in the autocross world. Of course that differes from person to person. If you can swing tires to go along with it, then I think it's the way to go.

NSX maybe?

If entry price is a consideration, C4 Corvette is the one to get. A well-sorted example will run with C5 coupes in autox. If you have the scratch, the C5 FRC or Z06 would the most competitive choices.

How far from 280hp is the RX8, I thought they had 255hp

aussiesmg wrote: How far from 280hp is the RX8, I thought they had 255hp

Believe it's 238hp in the US.

Originally launched at 250 or 247 or something... then revised due to different HP ratings to 238.

aussiesmg wrote: How far from 280hp is the RX8, I thought they had 255hp

Stock is 230hp. From what I've read, people have been only able to pick up about 20ish hp within a Street Prepared type ruleset.

The other issue is that if I were to modify the RX-8, it would require the purchase of a 2nd car anyway, because it would wind up being undrivable in winter. As it is, it's borderline for winter use.

I'd rather sell the RX-8 and replace it with 2 V8s - 1 Corvette/Camaro and 1 truck that can tow/drive in snow with impunity.

Pontiac GTO? I had the good fortune to drive one recently, and it was a hoot.

While I know the 2000 FRC Corvette is likely the most likely to be successful in its class in autocross, it's also the rarest of the bunch. What would be the 2nd choice in terms of pure competitiveness, assuming SCCA classes? I'd consider the C4 both in BS and BSP, BTW.

Well the Z06 is pretty stout in SS, but I can see a BSP C4 doing well too.

Tough to beat a C5 for bang for the buck.

2002-2004 Corvette Z06 - stock except for possibly R-Comps

why are any other cars on the list?

Having driven both a C5 Z06 and RX8 extensively I recommend the Z06. The steering ratio in the Z06 is quicker than an FRC(and every other C5). The stock suspension is perfectly comfortable (at least to me) for daily 3 season driving in the Chicago area where we have horrible roads. The Z06 won't depreciate like the other C5 cars and is 110% worth the price premium. I also have a feeling the insurance will be cheaper on the Z06 compared to the F bodies(tho an F body is much lower buy in).

Small footnote, but C5 Z06 prices seem very, very fair at the moment. I saw a nice one on c-list a while back for less than $20k. Judging by what I saw in the ad, it was clean and stock. Plus that car came with some of the best OE wheels ever. It also looks good in just about any color.