I'd say C5 Z06. Those damn things are quick, getting cheaper, easy to drive.
The 996 is cool, and I still want one, but Intermediate Shaft Bearings and Rear Main Seals scare me and parts are 'spensive.
Viper's are mean looking and quick, but I has a Dodge Caravan feel to it when I sit inside one. Plus I am sure parts arn't cheap for that either.
I've never really been a fan of either the Corvette (every Corvette owner has a mustache, I swear!) or the Viper, but as of recently, I've been lusting over a C5 Z06. In that dark silver with black wheels on it! Ooooo buddy!
As far as a classic car, I have a 66 Ranch Wagon that is getting massaged while I am overseas. It is no mint car as it has alot of patina.
But I really want a car that looks and sounds the part but is mainly fun to drive. I may use it for autocrossing but would not use it for track days.
Teh E36 M3 wrote:
Elise?
Jason (Anti-Stance) is a tall dude. Though I think he would LOVE an Elise, I don't think he would fit. I could barely fit myself...
Anti-stance wrote:
But I really want a car that looks and sounds the part but is mainly fun to drive. I may use it for autocrossing but would not use it for track days.
Then the Viper won't fit your bill. Go 'Vette, or Elise would be a good choice too (though I haven't drive one, so can't vouch for the fun to drive thing personally).
rotard
HalfDork
4/10/12 11:24 a.m.
The Elise is fun, but too fragile. The passenger won't enjoy the trip, either.
Anti-stance wrote:
But I really want a car that looks and sounds the part but is mainly fun to drive. I may use it for autocrossing but would not use it for track days.
OK, then I'm going to have to replace your list.
Early Boxster, Z3 roadster, S2000.
Put a nice catback setup on whichever one you end up with.
How tall are you? Have you considered an LSX-swapped 3rd-gen Rx-7?
Every car on your list has good and bad in it. My choice from the 3 would be the Viper given your criteria. I raced one a few years back and it was simply a blast, with the added fun of really hot air. These things are HOT. Even the AC couldn't keep up. But it was a blast on track. Very tossable, easy to drive, really something like a big Miata in turn-in and controllability. No idea around town though. I'd make room for one in a heartbeat, especially the GTS.
The C5 is also fun, but in a different way. It's more refined, if that makes any sense since they are crude too, but it was much better as a daily driver. The interior though is a let down. Materials are cheap and they don't age well, but the seats are nice. They have their share of issues too if you track them, such as hubs, etc., but I'd still have one. In some ways it feels faster than the Viper.
I also like the Porsche, but the 996 is perhaps my least favorite Porsche of all, followed closely by the 964. The 993's are much better. I also wouldn't overlook a really nice 944 Turbo. Perhaps a bit more maintenance, but not as many repairs, and just as fast or faster depending on the year. If you have to have a 911, the 993 is the best of the breed listed I think. No real nanny's to spoil the fun, last of the air cooled cars...loads of fun.
racerdave600 wrote:
Every car on your list has good and bad in it. My choice from the 3 would be the Viper given your criteria. I raced one a few years back and it was simply a blast, with the added fun of really hot air. These things are HOT. Even the AC couldn't keep up. But it was a blast on track. Very tossable, easy to drive, really something like a big Miata in turn-in and controllability. No idea around town though. I'd make room for one in a heartbeat, especially the GTS.
The C5 is also fun, but in a different way. It's more refined, if that makes any sense since they are crude too, but it was much better as a daily driver. The interior though is a let down. Materials are cheap and they don't age well, but the seats are nice. They have their share of issues too if you track them, such as hubs, etc., but I'd still have one. In some ways it feels faster than the Viper.
I also like the Porsche, but the 996 is perhaps my least favorite Porsche of all, followed closely by the 964. The 993's are much better. I also wouldn't overlook a really nice 944 Turbo. Perhaps a bit more maintenance, but not as many repairs, and just as fast or faster depending on the year. If you have to have a 911, the 993 is the best of the breed listed I think. No real nanny's to spoil the fun, last of the air cooled cars...loads of fun.
So, since he's NOT going to track it, and MIGHT autocross it a few times, would your suggestion change? His criteria are for a fun, fast daily driver type vehicle.
What is with all the 964 hate in this thread? Proper old 911 looks, but faster and with better suspension. I've had one for 4yrs and I still can't figure out why nobody loves them. I guess it is good for me that lack of love keeps them cheap - otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford one.
I am 6'5" 260 lbs.
The S2000 is also a decent car that I would consider. Hmmm.
Also, I have no 964 hate or 993 hate. I just don't know if the 993s are typically in the price range are they?
In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:
The bumpers are too big. Plus they still have problems of all air cooled 911s - crappy A/C, oil leaks, etc. And they have a couple extra problems the earlier cars didn't have.
I'd still buy one.
Of the three cars proposed, the 996 is the only one whose cockpit I feel comfortable in. The driving position and exterior visibility in the C5 don't work for me at all. It's been many years since I sat in a Viper, but i remember it feeling foreign. It's an issue worth considering if you've not had personal experience with each model recently.
20 plus years later and people still think that the Ram and the Viper shared the same engine. I wish this myth would die.
Anti-stance wrote:
I am 6'5" 260 lbs.
The S2000 is also a decent car that I would consider. Hmmm.
Also, I have no 964 hate or 993 hate. I just don't know if the 993s are typically in the price range are they?
Ok, so Elise is out. I had no idea you were a gargantuan moose. You're going to want something big, with big balls, so that when someone starts talking trash about your, er, size, you can beat them to death with their own leg.
tuna55
UltraDork
4/10/12 1:36 p.m.
I keep going back to this. You want a good exhaust note, something you can be proud of, something that will make people notice, but not necessarily that fast, just fun to drive. This is not a newer car you're describing. It's a classic.
Pick one.
'71 Corvette Convertible still had chrome bumpers. Get a non matching numbers version with a four speed and you've ticked all of your boxes.
Datsun 2000 Roadster. Not that fast, but nice and easy to drive and very nice to look at - cheap. Sounds good.
Cobra replica?
Triumph TR4/3?
MG TD?
Fiat 124?
Lancia Fulvia?
Alfa Giulietta??
Those are the cars that get my attention. A C5 Z06 is the best performance bargain, the Viper is the best "LOOK AT ME!" and the Porsche is nice and competent and fun to be in, but if you see a 911, C5 and Viper running down the road with a 72 vette or a Lancia Fulvia, which will you remember?
It just seems like you're describing an older charming kind of car, not a newer track monster with A/C and 400 hp.
tuna55 wrote:
It just seems like you're describing an older charming kind of car, not a newer track monster with A/C and 400 hp.
Excellent point. I just wanted to add that with the current state of the hot rod industry, a classic car with 400hp and AC is nowhere near impossible.
tuna55
UltraDork
4/10/12 2:02 p.m.
unevolved wrote:
tuna55 wrote:
It just seems like you're describing an older charming kind of car, not a newer track monster with A/C and 400 hp.
Excellent point. I just wanted to add that with the current state of the hot rod industry, a classic car with 400hp and AC is nowhere near impossible.
Oh, agreed absolutely, but a Datsun 2000 out of the box will tick all of his boxes and look a lot more exciting than any of the choices he put forth with it's stock engine output.
That would be my choice. If you already have a commuter car, and already have a classic American iron car, and already have a DD, you need a Datsun 2000 or Lancia Fulvia. Top down is better.
unevolved wrote:
tuna55 wrote:
It just seems like you're describing an older charming kind of car, not a newer track monster with A/C and 400 hp.
Excellent point. I just wanted to add that with the current state of the hot rod industry, a classic car with 400hp and AC is nowhere near impossible.
My 71 Chevelle and 78 Trans Am both have great AC...Chevelle is the only one with 400HP though...well 365.
My father and I restored a 70 Chevelle 396 4 speed a decade ago that he still tools around in all summer. It sounds fan-berkeleying-tastic. I have been trying to get him to allow me to pro street the suspension and interior a little to make it drive and handle less like a farm implement but he loves it like it is. Were it better suspended with some steering changes and had some Recaros it would def tick all the right boxes.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:
My father and I restored a 70 Chevelle 396 4 speed a decade ago that he still tools around in all summer. It sounds fan-berkeleying-tastic. I have been trying to get him to allow me to pro street the suspension and interior a little to make it drive and handle less like a farm implement but he loves it like it is. Were it better suspended with some steering changes and had some Recaros it would def tick all the right boxes.
We try to hit the local Goodguy's show evey year. They always have an autocross style course set up and it's amazing what some of the old cars with pro touring suspension setups etc can do. A lot of them seem to be running full systems from air ride technologies and modern drivetrains like LS1s and new Hemis.
Appleseed wrote:
20 plus years later and people still think that the Ram and the Viper shared the same engine. I wish this myth would die.
Well, they both had 10 cylinders, isn't that the same engine 
Yeah, that and the cam-in-block, over-head valves, and 2-valves per cylinder LS is much higher tech 
i'd go with the C5 Z06. Viper is really cool as well.
