Best and Fastest Car ~$60k

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by mremg

Audi TT RS.

I was gonna say, get a TTRS with APR tune and you can spend the rest on a CPO luxo-cruiser.

[nholmes]

Originally Posted by Andrew115

going on a limb here so don't flame me but how about a CTS-V with some mods. Seems you could get a used one reasonably priced and they can make some serious power with decent interior options.

These are total sleepers. I've heard good things about them on track.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Since you did a Volvo before have you looked at a CPO Polestar? Drove a wagon a few weeks back at the suggestion of a friend. Not my cup of tea but was surprised and impressed.

The S60R (at the time) had little aftermarket support and the handling feel was just not congruent with the actual capabilities. Since then, I haven't really looked back into Volvos.

I traded a 530i sport in for the S60R then replaced the S60R - quite some time later - with a CLK55.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by Andrew115

going on a limb here so don't flame me but how about a CTS-V with some mods. Seems you could get a used one reasonably priced and they can make some serious power with decent interior options.

Nah, won't flame you. A buddy of mine has a CTSV coupe and its a beast. Just feels really heavy though.

I've seen modded ones go like stink in a straight line though.

I like it, but think the similar Vettes and Camaros might be a bit more fun in the twisties.

If anyone has the contrary experience, I'd love to hear it. Thanks guys!

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

I was gonna say, get a TTRS with APR tune and you can spend the rest on a CPO luxo-cruiser.

Is the TTRS in the same straight line category as the Vette, 997 Turbo and the GTR? I know they're crazy quick 0-60 but don't they drop off after?

I don't know them well at all so would love to hear more.

[Andrew115]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Nah, won't flame you. A buddy of mine has a CTSV coupe and its a beast. Just feels really heavy though.

I've seen modded ones go like stink in a straight line though.

I like it, but think the similar Vettes and Camaros might be a bit more fun in the twisties.

If anyone has the contrary experience, I'd love to hear it. Thanks guys!

I see your point. If you want cooled seats and other goodies not many options in the used market better than the ctsv. Thanks for the support.

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Is the TTRS in the same straight line category as the Vette, 997 Turbo and the GTR? I know they're crazy quick 0-60 but don't they drop off after?

I don't know them well at all so would love to hear more.

They are pretty quick - C&D tested it 0-60 3.6 sec and 12.1 sec 1/4 mile stock. With a couple bolt-ons and tune you are down to 3.2 sec and a 11.5 sec 1/4 mile for half the price of a 911 turbo. Of course that's because the chassis is a VW whereas the 911 is a Porsche. The other 2 big differences are AWD and having the engine sit over the front wheels instead of the rear wheels. You can have fun driving it year-round if you are in a cold weather climate. And because it's half the price of a 911 turbo, you can still buy a luxo-cruiser daily driver so you can have your creature comforts when you want them. For people on a budget it really depends on whether you want 2 cars for different purposes or whether you want to compromise and get 1 car.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

The S60R (at the time) had little aftermarket support and the handling feel was just not congruent with the actual capabilities. Since then, I haven't really looked back into Volvos.

I traded a 530i sport in for the S60R then replaced the S60R - quite some time later - with a CLK55.

Like I said I know next to nothing about the car, just went for a quick spin in Princeton and was pleasantly surprised. Think there's a new one coming out - and I am highly optimistic of anything Swedish with BIG Chinese $ behind it these days after driving the XC90.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

They are pretty quick - C&D tested it 0-60 3.6 sec and 12.1 sec 1/4 mile stock. With a couple bolt-ons and tune you are down to 3.2 sec and a 11.5 sec 1/4 mile for half the price of a 911 turbo. Of course that's because the chassis is a VW whereas the 911 is a Porsche. The other 2 big differences are AWD and having the engine sit over the front wheels instead of the rear wheels. You can have fun driving it year-round if you are in a cold weather climate. And because it's half the price of a 911 turbo, you can still buy a luxo-cruiser daily driver so you can have your creature comforts when you want them. For people on a budget it really depends on whether you want 2 cars for different purposes or whether you want to compromise and get 1 car.

Holy crap. I totally glossed over it when it came out because they said they weren't bringing the DSG cars to the US.

Will dig deeper on the used market for these.

Anyone have one or know of their reliability?

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Holy crap. I totally glossed over it when it came out because they said they weren't bringing the DSG cars to the US.

Will dig deeper on the used market for these.

Anyone have one or know of their reliability?

My bad, sorry to get your hopes up. I was reading up on this again because those numbers seemed too good to be true. Turns out I was looking at the euro spec version of the TTRS earlier The US spec only does 0-60 in 4.0 sec and a 12.7 1/4 mile. The key difference is the Euro spec got the 7 speed DSG with launch control, whereas the US spec got the 6 speed manual without launch control. Boooo

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

My bad, sorry to get your hopes up. I was reading up on this again because those numbers seemed too good to be true. Turns out I was looking at the euro spec version of the TTRS earlier The US spec only does 0-60 in 4.0 sec and a 12.7 1/4 mile. The key difference is the Euro spec got the 7 speed DSG with launch control, whereas the US spec got the 6 speed manual without launch control. Boooo

No worries, thanks for following up! But boo on Audi (maybe took a page from Nissans experience with early GTR transmissions grenadine themselves). At those US spec numbers might as well keep the 2er.

[Andrew115]

Forgot to consider the xf-r. Maybe a used one will be what your looking for.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Nah, won't flame you. A buddy of mine has a CTSV coupe and its a beast. Just feels really heavy though.

I've seen modded ones go like stink in a straight line though.

I like it, but think the similar Vettes and Camaros might be a bit more fun in the twisties.

If anyone has the contrary experience, I'd love to hear it. Thanks guys!

The V can turn too. Same magnetic ride suspension on the V.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by Andrew115

I see your point. If you want cooled seats and other goodies not many options in the used market better than the ctsv. Thanks for the support.

C7 has heated/cooled seats too. If you don't need the backseat, the C7 is where it's at. NO need to worry about reliability.

[MarkM5]

Little late to the thread but have significant experience with a few of these cars. Start with the two only options imo.
The GTR and a R8. Very different beast but best bang for your buck. The stock seats in the GTR are sh*t! Replace those and you have my favorite. Tracked the hell out of it and it did everything(drift, grip, carried stupid amounts of stuff). Never felt more secure in a car. Never over heated it went through tires and rotors like crazy. Ride is a little stiff but not too sporty.

The R8 is a gentleman's car. Felt like a S550 most of the time till, great daily driver. Put it in sport mode and became really aggressive. No space though, really. Little bit more rear end bias than the GTR.

The ZR1 was cool but spend 30 min doing highway pulls and the differential would heat up way too much(inches from the seats). My back would be sweating stupid amounts. Straight line acceleration was top notch, the torque was insatiable. Just couldn't get past looking stupid all sweaty.

The vipers are very under rated. Again very similar to the corvette great overall but the pedals aren't in line with the driver and steering wheel. The tunnel for the massive engine pushed them a few inches to the left. Really weird.

All great cars and you won't be disappointed with any. Just what you can and can't live with. Also what will satisfy you. Drive them all. Side note probably miss my E60 M5 most. Just got fed up with 10mpg. Reminded me of the Canyonero commercial from the Simpsons.

[Mywifes335]

I really appreciate personal account. Nothing better. The XFR V8S and R8 V10 prices are still high at the moment, but I love them both. I think XFR is sex on wheels. The R8 is definitely baller status and the V10 gives it the muscle to back it up.

R8 V8 lost marginally to my Evo repeatedly on the highway. I was surprised and the driver was mad. The guy ended up taking off driving like a jerk cutting people off. His license plate was NJ tag OCHO8....in case anyone knows him. But I have no idea what it's like in the twisties. I'm assuming phenomenal.

It looks like the votes for the GTR are heating up. I like the fact it's a 2+2. It's got a polarizing exterior. Personally it's similar to the Evo I had...functional, a bit ugly, and kinda ricey. But, I've been on the track with them and all I can say is RESPECT. So, the next question is...are they reliable or not? I'm not talking 900hp+ built motor GTRs. I'm talking a FBO or even stock GTR.

During my hunt, I found a lot of horror stories from GTR owners.

I'd love to hear more owner experiences.

Same with the 997 Turbo - still the winning vote.

My buddy had two souped up 996s and despite their Boxster looks and orphan reputation, they were bulletproof reliable.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by MarkM5

Little late to the thread but have significant experience with a few of these cars. Start with the two only options imo.
The GTR and a R8. Very different beast but best bang for your buck. The stock seats in the GTR are sh*t! Replace those and you have my favorite. Tracked the hell out of it and it did everything(drift, grip, carried stupid amounts of stuff). Never felt more secure in a car. Never over heated it went through tires and rotors like crazy. Ride is a little stiff but not too sporty.

The R8 is a gentleman's car. Felt like a S550 most of the time till, great daily driver. Put it in sport mode and became really aggressive. No space though, really. Little bit more rear end bias than the GTR.

The ZR1 was cool but spend 30 min doing highway pulls and the differential would heat up way too much(inches from the seats). My back would be sweating stupid amounts. Straight line acceleration was top notch, the torque was insatiable. Just couldn't get past looking stupid all sweaty.

The vipers are very under rated. Again very similar to the corvette great overall but the pedals aren't in line with the driver and steering wheel. The tunnel for the massive engine pushed them a few inches to the left. Really weird.

All great cars and you won't be disappointed with any. Just what you can and can't live with. Also what will satisfy you. Drive them all. Side note probably miss my E60 M5 most. Just got fed up with 10mpg. Reminded me of the Canyonero commercial from the Simpsons.

Sweaty back from a hot rear diff? Jeez. I wonder if they solved that with the C7. Maybe it's the transaxle?

What do you miss about the M5? I miss it too. But it spent way too much time on the lift.... Two major issues were the SMG pump failure and the Vanos oil pump. Otherwise amazing on the track for a 4000lb car and without the limiter I got it up to 172 before. Bonkers.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by BoostedRide

C7 has heated/cooled seats too. If you don't need the backseat, the C7 is where it's at. NO need to worry about reliability.

Several friends are pushing C7 hard. Including a former owner.

[MarkM5]

Yeah I heard the SMG was awful. Bought a 6 speed. A six speed 4,000 sedan is almost comical. Miss the sound the most. Definitely the highlight as well as the stupid amount of top end torque. What about you?

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by MarkM5

Yeah I heard the SMG was awful. Bought a 6 speed. A six speed 4,000 sedan is almost comical. Miss the sound the most. Definitely the highlight as well as the stupid amount of top end torque. What about you?

I miss the engine sound - totally sounded exotic - and the absurdity of the car, and how that thing kept getting faster as you go faster. Also miss the rawness despite the all the creature comforts.

[BEM-S4]

Saw a gorgeous F type convertible at your price point the other day. Can't beat jag for a good cpo bargain. They don't hold for shit.

[Chihuahua]

996 turbo and mod the bejeezus out of it?