Test Day Pics

Ok, better late than never, but here are a bunch of pics form test day at Pocono last Friday. I'm just posting a bunch of random pictures -- I did not take many good ones so next year I'll bring an actual photographer with me.

Please note that this is not supposed to be a competetive event and no helmets are worn on the track. It's sort of odd to be sitting in the back seat of a Mini Cooper S Convertible with no helmet whipping through the north and south course. It's even more odd to be driving a Dodge Sprinter Van or a Diesel SMART or a Subaru Legacy or a BMW 760Li on the track. All in all, this is an interesting event. You get to drive stuff on the track that you may never get to drive on the street. It's great variety and no pain when you get into the pits!

If anyone wants to hear anything specific on anything PM me, but some of the more "interesting" comments are below.

Oh, and sorry no M5 driving or pictures or discussion. :-x

Good Cars:

- Audi S4 Convertible :: Trounced the M3 Convertible. I'd never buy it but it kicked the M3s ass all day. Sorry, guys, but it did.

- Lotus Elise :: Good GOD! This thing is absolutely amazing. I whipped some laps with a Subaru employee in the passenger seat so look for a re-engineered WRX to come soon.

- Porsche 997 Carrera S :: Technically, not part of test day, but I did get some seat time and I'm impressed with the car. It'd be a killer daily driver and it's gonna be an impressive vehicle in GT3-R trcak configuration!

- Mercedes/McLaren SLR :: Eh. Don't get me wrong, it's cool looking and hella fast, but it's just sort of Eh. I was hoping someone would set the brakes on fire, but it never happened...

- Maserati Quattroporte :: Also not technically part of test day, but HELLA cool nonetheless. It's gonna make a fine addition to the Stabilo Buttuz one day!

- Mini Convertible :: Yo, this is a hot car. Hot car. Get one now!

- Subaru WRX STi :: The WRX for this year is different than last year. I'm not sure how, but it seems edgier and more ready for corners. Maybe I had my torque split dealie in the wrong position last year, but this years car is VERY impressive. I may buy one as my daily driver in LA until my Aston comes in. Seriously. (If I move, if I buy the Aston, if, if ,if...)

- Acura NSX :: The same NSX as always, but they're always cooler when shiny and new!

- Honda S2000 :: Finally, I don't have to rev to 6,500 to get some power! Same cool S2000 in and out!

- BMW 645 :: Comfy, fast, unbelievably good looking, great exhaust note, etc., etc., etc. Spools up unbelievably quickly. Gordon at BMW gently scolded me for making his clutch smell funny. I told him to come to NYC for a ride in the Murcielago.

- BMW 530d: Power from the moment you go, but not much in the way of speed. Very interesting to drive at moderate speeds.

- Audi TT 3.2 with SSG :: The color on the car was like vomit in my eyes. The stitching on the seat was like vomit on my thighs. But the transmission was like nothing I've ever shifted. Hella cool.

- Magnum SRT-8 :: Damn. Fun, fast, exciting.

- Neon SRT-4 :: I'd buy this car in a heartbeat for my kid. It's a real performance car and not like the TSX.

- Crossfire SRT-6 :: Finally, a red hot American roadster! Really sort of odd looking, but it goes like stink!

- Mercedes Benz SLK350 :: Even with the automatic you can throw this thing around the track and it responds every step of the way. The first Mercedes that I truly enjoyed on the track. Great new interior and much sexier than others in this space.

- Honda Civic Hybrid :: Actually fun to drive unlike the Prius which is like driving a brick with drum brakes.

Good Cars:

- Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Honda Element, Honda Civic, Acura TL, Chrysler 300, Ford Focus, Mini Cooper, Mini Cooper S, Ford Escape Hybrid, Acura RSX, Mercedes Benz E55 AMG, VW Golf R32...

Not so Great Cars:

- Cadillac STS 4 and XLR and CTS V-Series :: Ick! The XLR was cool, but the brakes terrified me. The Sprinter Van had better brakes! The others in their top-end trimlevels were just so junky. They try to be everything to everyone at such a low dollar amount -- make a good driving car, then put the luxury in it!

- Ford 500 :: Crap, crap, crap, crap. Buy a Chrysler 300.

- Cayenne (V6) :: If you can't swing the Cayenne with the V8, buy a VW Toureg (or however you spell it). PS, the Toureg with the Diesel V10 was really, really, really cool. There's just no point to the V6 Cayenne.

- Continental GT :: Sexy looking, yeah, but drive a Phaeton and then drive the CGT. It's the same car inside with different materials. It looks great, goes like a dream, handles "Eh" but not a fan...

- VW Phaeton :: Put a Lexus badge on it and you'd have a hit. With the VW badge, people are just confused by it. Fun, not much low-end torque (All the W engines are that way, in my opinion)

- Anything Saab :: Heavy, bloated, under powered...

- Anything Jaguar :: Heavy, bloated, under powered, poor handling...

Again, these are my opinions and impressions, your mileage may (should) vary!
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

All three did really well on the track and on the road. Very strong performers and very fun to drive.

I'd not go for the R32 for this type of duty. Don't get me wrong, the R32 was hot, but I think it's a tad bit over priced and a tad bit small for ski patrol work.

As for the STI v. EVO debate, I'll let you decide as the cars are almost identical in road feel, acceleration, and performance specs. (However the Evo has noticably better brakes). Personally, I like the STi better. The Subaru has, in my opinion, a nicer cabin, a better fit and finish, proven awd engineering and just looks better.

 

Either the car is now in the hands of a journalist that lives in your neighborhood or someone from Bentley, Volkswagon, or one of their press agencies or transport companies lives in your neighborhood.

Also, the CGT we drove was not the red one, it was a silver one. The red one was on display only.

 

Yeah, but in order to drive, you've got to be a member here:

http://www.impa.org

 

It's hard to not compare this car to the RX-7 -- but the two are worlds apart.

If I needed a car with a back seat, I'd put this in my list of stuff to consider. It is fun to drive, can be modded easily, and has some nice interior details and appointments. A stiffer suspension and 40 more hp and it'd be a big hit with the tuner crowd.

If it had a different name and didn't immediately evoke memories of the RX-7, it'd probably sell much better.

 

Probably, but when that cute blonde smacks your ass through the twisties on the way up to Bear Mountain and you cannot keep up in your Acura TSX -- how would that make you feel?

I'm not too keen on the Digital Dash and the ride is a bit hard, but it's a well-powered roadster. Everyone always wants a Miata with more power. To do it right, you have to tighten the suspension, add bigger brakes, tighten the steering -- you'd get an S2000.

 

Agreed. Carbon Creations has an RX-7 and an RX-8 pair that will knock your socks off!

 

The M5 was unavailable for driving or photographing.