What car could get you off your bike???

[Daks]

I ride because I can't afford a car. So something electric or with 60+ mpg I imagine.

But something that new and expensive would be costlier to insure....

[80MPHdownhill]

I have 4 cars and one ninjette.

All my cars are pretty fun to drive (here's 2 of them), but 99% of my commuting miles over the last year have been on the ninjette!

[Samer]

Originally Posted by menikmati

I'm torn between the FRS/BRZ and the WRX, anyone have any experiences with both?

Really? I guess everything is a matter of opinion, but for me every Subaru is so ugly, I wouldn't buy it no matter how good the engine is. The FRS, maybe because of Toyota, is actually decent looking. Also, you don't really need AWD unless there is snow or ice on the road. Most other times it just wastes fuel.

Originally Posted by 80MPHdownhill

I have 4 cars and one ninjette.

All my cars are pretty fun to drive (here's 2 of them), but 99% of my commuting miles over the last year have been on the ninjette!

You can't make a post like that without listing what your other two cars are

[dfox]

Originally Posted by menikmati

I'm torn between the FRS/BRZ and the WRX, anyone have any experiences with both?

i think it's more about what you want... they're completely different cars. one is an awd turbocharged sedan/hatch, the other is a rwd naturally aspirated 2+2 coupe.

fwiw, I have a friend who is selling his BRZ and buying a WRX because he can't fit anything in it.

and awd is much more than just something that helps in snow... it helps in lots of other aspects of driving. cornering, rain, snow, ice, etc. you have more usable power than any 2wd car. if you're looking at a car as an appliance to get you from point a to point b, sure, maybe you don't see much of a difference, but when you're cross-shopping a BRZ and WRX, AWD will make a difference.

go drive them. sit in them, get into the back of the BRZ, imagine packing to go to the airport, etc.

[thisisbenji]

Probably a built STI, it would have to do 0-60 somewhere in the 3 second region, and maintain reliability.

[Dragone]

This rig does not substitute my bikes, but it fits in well for most things. The excursion also makes it out of this valley on rough days. (the car that would get me off of the bike topic)

[/URL]

[iplante]

Nope, already got my dream car 2007 VW GTI Fahrenheit

[iceknyght]

Originally Posted by dfox

i think it's more about what you want... they're completely different cars. one is an awd turbocharged sedan/hatch, the other is a rwd naturally aspirated 2+2 coupe.

^^ This.

On a side note, Subaru's are selling like hot cakes lately and they are having trouble keeping up with demand! Their cars aren't particularly eye catching (IMO), but they have a good balance of price, features and high customer feedback. People who drive them, love them!

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by dfox

i think it's more about what you want... they're completely different cars. one is an awd turbocharged sedan/hatch, the other is a rwd naturally aspirated 2+2 coupe.

fwiw, I have a friend who is selling his BRZ and buying a WRX because he can't fit anything in it.

and awd is much more than just something that helps in snow... it helps in lots of other aspects of driving. cornering, rain, snow, ice, etc. you have more usable power than any 2wd car. if you're looking at a car as an appliance to get you from point a to point b, sure, maybe you don't see much of a difference, but when you're cross-shopping a BRZ and WRX, AWD will make a difference.

go drive them. sit in them, get into the back of the BRZ, imagine packing to go to the airport, etc.

Originally Posted by iceknyght

^^ This.

On a side note, Subaru's are selling like hot cakes lately and they are having trouble keeping up with demand! Their cars aren't particularly eye catching (IMO), but they have a good balance of price, features and high customer feedback. People who drive them, love them!

One of the main reasons that the WRX attracted my attention was that it is AWD, even though I probably wouldn't tell the difference between RWD and AWD during normal commuting and in usually sunny weather.

Carrying capacity has little impact on my decision, as I rarely drive with any passengers and usually only have to carry my backpack and textbooks. My friend has an Impreza hatchback and I was amazed at all the space, but I realized that they're also a lot more active and have to carry sports equipment on a daily basis, which I do not. I've been reading that it's impossible to fit two people in the rear seats of the FR-S/BRZ but that is not a concern for my current needs.

Yeah, I'm a newbie when it comes to cars.

[JeffM]

Interesting thread. My wife doesn't like me riding and actually approached me with an offer: Get rid of the bike and get a Fiat Abarth. Really.

< edit, I told her no >

I do not need a practical car.

So,realistically, probably something like this:



However I wouldn't mind the barking mad Hawk HF3000 Lancia Stratos replica (Lancia only produced 500 street legal Stratos $$$$$$$):

[ForceofWill]

No offense but an Abarth wont make me get rid of the bike. Maybe if she said I could pick up a new c7 in addition to the mustang.

[choneofakind]

Abarth? no. I sat in one at the auto show. It felt so... wrong. Too high, too to bubbly. Not nearly as sporty inside as the exterior would suggest

[Jefft]

While the little ninjette is a blast on every ride, I have to admit, my DD is hella fun. I think I'll keep her.

[thisisbenji]

Originally Posted by iplante

Nope, already got my dream car 2007 VW GTI Fahrenheit

Do you have a manual or the DSG? I'v been thinking about picking up the DSG version so that my girlfriend can drive my car.

[massacremasses]

this too

[sharky nrk]

Realistically no car could get me off my bike permanently. I have a 300whp Bugeye and a brand new BRZ and still couldn't imagine not having a bike.

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

Realistically no car could get me off my bike permanently. I have a 300whp Bugeye and a brand new BRZ and still couldn't imagine not having a bike.

Dudes....want.....

Is there anything negative about the BRZ that you can think of? I know that the FR-S is a more bare-bones version of the BRZ in terms of fit and finish (complaints about the tacky interior, but that doesn't bother me).

[sharky nrk]

^^ Nope. I absolutely love the little car. Its a bit nicer place to be than my WRX to be honest so it serves a different purpose. The WRX is fast and ungainly even at times, big sticky tires and that turbo hit that only a car like it can have. Stiff and willing to rotate, its a party with 4 doors but honestly a reflection of maybe a bit of who I was when I got it new in 02 and was single and in college.

10 years later the BRZ is just a wonderful little car, tight, precise, light, and just enough power to use it however you want. But mine is a Limited and loaded too, heated seats, touch screen nav, optioned out, and it a nicer better built more comfortable car that the wife and I can take out (again a bit of a reflection of now vs then)

[CThunder-blue]

Tesla Model S with a chauffeur. If I had to commute on 4 wheels, I don't want to be the one driving.

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

^^ Nope. I absolutely love the little car. Its a bit nicer place to be than my WRX to be honest so it serves a different purpose. The WRX is fast and ungainly even at times, big sticky tires and that turbo hit that only a car like it can have. Stiff and willing to rotate, its a party with 4 doors but honestly a reflection of maybe a bit of who I was when I got it new in 02 and was single and in college.

10 years later the BRZ is just a wonderful little car, tight, precise, light, and just enough power to use it however you want. But mine is a Limited and loaded too, heated seats, touch screen nav, optioned out, and it a nicer better built more comfortable car that the wife and I can take out (again a bit of a reflection of now vs then)

Does the 200hp of the BRZ seem sufficient? I keep on thinking of the WRX because it's turbocharged at 265hp and has a lot of aftermarket support.

[ForceofWill]

This thread needs moar 'Merica!!

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by menikmati

Does the 200hp of the BRZ seem sufficient? I keep on thinking of the WRX because it's turbocharged at 265hp and has a lot of aftermarket support.

Check out the google and the youtubes. Aftermarket is in love with the brz as well. Check out some of the professional jobs. The guy who built ken blocks subie engine likes the brz engine a lot; says it's able to produce more power with less modification than the wrx engine.

That engine is subie's first new engine in a long time. They put a lot of effort into it. That car is my dream car for now.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by ForceofWill

This thread needs moar 'Merica!!

I do like me some old school american muscle. I need to build me another camero or chevelle.

My current funmobile

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Check out the google and the youtubes. Aftermarket is in love with the brz as well. Check out some of the professional jobs. The guy who built ken blocks subie engine likes the brz engine a lot; says it's able to produce more power with less modification than the wrx engine.

That engine is subie's first new engine in a long time. They put a lot of effort into it. That car is my dream car for now.

now if only it could tow a motorcycle trailer then I would be considering it over hot hatches as a car that I would own down the road.

[Jocaakes]

I would love to have either an S2000 or a Mazda3 (Non speed, or speed3, either/or).

[00NissanNinja]

@menikmati I've been flip flopping between the WRX and the BRZ myself. I'm pretty settled on getting a BRZ though as I've wanted a small RWD coupe for a long long time. But the WRX is more practical, quicker, has AWD, and is more versatile, which keeps me coming back to it. The aftermarket for the BRZ and FR-S is huge, there are almost too many options. You should wait till the L.A. Auto Show, the new WRX is supposed to be revealed at the show and will supposedly be using the FA20 (BRZ engine) turbocharged to produce more hp than the current models. I'm planning to get a BRZ soon(if I get a good deal), since my current car has been having several issues since I brought it here.

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by 00NissanNinja

@menikmati I've been flip flopping between the WRX and the BRZ myself. I'm pretty settled on getting a BRZ though as I've wanted a small RWD coupe for a long long time. But the WRX is more practical, quicker, has AWD, and is more versatile, which keeps me coming back to it. The aftermarket for the BRZ and FR-S is huge, there are almost too many options. You should wait till the L.A. Auto Show, the new WRX is supposed to be revealed at the show and will supposedly be using the FA20 (BRZ engine) turbocharged to produce more hp than the current models. I'm planning to get a BRZ soon(if I get a good deal), since my current car has been having several issues since I brought it here.

As of right now I'm still leaning towards the FR-S, but I keep on having the WRX on my mind due to it being turbocharged and at around relatively the same price point.

I won't be getting either until early next year so I'll have a lot of time to think about the pros and cons of each car.

Hearing a WRX with the Cobb SF intake makes me just want that damn car.

[sharky nrk]

But she doesn't keep me off the bike



And neither does she

[MagicMike]

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

Probably a built STI, it would have to do 0-60 somewhere in the 3 second region, and maintain reliability.

hahahahaha

So, you aren't planning on getting off the bike then?

[thisisbenji]

No not really. Honestly, the bike is a completely different animal than any car. I love cars more than I love bikes, but I don't think I would trade my bike for any car. I would rather just have a high performance car and a high performance bike. It's a different sensation.

[00NissanNinja]

@menikmati I hear you on that. Well tuned Subi's make for some great audio.

[ninjamunky85]

[Treyzian]

One of the main reasons I have a bike is to commute. I only got my bike to save my car from miles...

And that love of my life is:

[OCMagnum]

Jeff, that second shot is awesome. Where in CA is that?

[JBizzle]

Ariel Atom, 'nuff said.

[Treyzian]

Originally Posted by OCMagnum

Jeff, that second shot is awesome. Where in CA is that?

Thanks, it's at Glendora Mountain Road

[Kscreations08]

Turn this thread into a zombie... back from the dead. I would just get the car version of the Ninjette

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Sirref]

funny, I've always likened the ninjette to a miata. Light, sporty, low on power but the handling is good. There are cars/bikes that are better at everything but part of what makes it fun is its limitations and the fact that you can reach them without going at supersonic speeds, meaning that you can do it reasonably daily.

[InvisiBill]

As some others said, I don't know if anything could completely keep me off the bike. It's good to have a variety of toys.

I have a Cobalt LS XFE (with a manual, to save $900) that I bought brand new. It was cheap (the spare tire is considered an option) and it's been very reliable for 5 years of commuting (unlike every other vehicle I've owned). It's only rated at 155/150, so it's obviously not a "toy", but the stick and decent torque make it feel a bit like a gokart at least.

I also have two Syclones (one doesn't even have holes in the engine =( ). They aren't amazing for top speed, but the acceleration is killer - it's comparable to the EX500 in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. They're rated at "0-60 in 4.6s ... in the rain" thanks to 400+ lb.ft. (500+ with a chip swap) going through the Corvette-like 700R4 and AWD. They can beat a Ferrari and are more fun than a 3000GT. They're really good at "just going" from a stop. The spec sheet says 280hp/350tq, but Performin' Norman's #1536 put down 292/404 at the wheels. Not too shabby for a pickup with a pushrod V6.

Here's a shot of the new one:


It was recently restored and painted metallic raspberry. I'm hoping to finish up the last little bits and do some minor modding this year.

[choneofakind]

Lol. A Ferrari that does the 1/4 mile in 14+seconds. Beating one of those isn't much to write home about. What's a ninjette's 1/4 mile? 14.8? 15?


Great narration though. I enjoyed the article Those performance numbers are a humbling reminder of how far cars and bikes have come in 20 years.