Thanks, Executive. How appropriate your timing.... I just came in from outside after replacing the brake pads on my ultra-powered RX-7. Took it out for a winding road drive and... WOW!!!! I have simply not driven an other street car that comes anywhere close to its handling. "Razor sharp", the words that come to mind. Combine it with 500HP, 2600 lbs and you got a ultimate street weapon.

Yes, I do know how to replace brakes and you're right, likely many of the testers do not.

Albert

 

The basic car configuration that earned such bad reputation to that car, and almost killed me, is still there.

Like that Porsche racer said:

"You can not make a racehorse out of a pig but, you can make an awful fast pig. "

So, the pig is still a pig, just that it has been dressed up in some fancy robes. And, yes, I only dislike one category of cars; those with engines behind the rear axle. Nothing would/could ever change my opinions on them.

Albert

 

We're never going to agree. Let's move on.

 

We all buy and like different cars for different reasons. I could easily buy and enjoy any of the cars mentioned here. From a performance/price perspective I think Jaguar's XKR, GT, and F-type, roadster, offer a lot for the price. From a pure performance/price perspective who can argue with the Nissan GTR, but it's not for everyone. Porsche owners are loyal and pay dearly for their loyalty. Personally I would not pay $200,000 for a Porsche 911 turbo S. I test drove the 911 Carrera S and could not wait to get out. Did nothing for me. One pays a severe premium for power in the Porsche line up. Too severe for me. If I want to drive a superb performance car I drive the Nissan GTR. If I want to drive a superb street performance car I drive my XKR. If I want to drive a performance roadster I drive my Merc SLK 55 AMG and I got all 3 for less than the price of a Porsche 911 turbo S.


I can see myself owning any of the performance oriented cars mentioned here for the right price. I love them all for the right price. I wish Jaguar could make the C-X75 at a reasonable price and offer it is a production car.

 

Coincidently, I was going through an application on my phone called Carbuzz. Great place for automotive news by the way.

They had just posted a video on their site Matt Farah. talking about the 911. He compares it to the Corvette giving it 7 out of 10. F type 8 out of 10 and of course, places the 911 above all.
But, he also states that Cayman with it's mid engine chassis is superior than the 911.


Enjoy it gentlemen...

 

Last week I actually dialed a nationwide Corvette dealer to put down the deposit for the upcoming 625HP ZO6, a full year away from production. The attack only last a few minutes and I finally recovered from it. Phew... I had almost purchased a "sloppy" car that will cost less, is rated only "7" by the above tester and would only outran the 911 by an easy 10 sec. per lap at VIR....

The question is who drank the cool-aid? The above tester or those other early testers who said that the base Vette was the best handling car on the market, bar none. Imagine the ZO6 with a lot more power, tires, downforce... (as my fingers are tapping on the phone dialer...)

Albert

 

I would not listen to anything Matt Farah has to say. He did a review of the Jaguar 2011 XKR 175,on youtube, which I owned at the time and said all kinds of false assumptions about the car. He praised the car saying it was loaded with modified components, mainly suspension, which made the car unique and exceptional. The Jaguar 175 only came with the speed pack, body kit, no performance enhancements like the dynamic pack or performance exhaust. He made the car much more special than it really is, a standard black XKR with a body kit. I traded my 175 for a 2013 with the above mentioned performance enhancements.


From 4:00 on... Just a bunch of BS. The European 75 was the car released with all the performance enhancements and later introduced as the dynamic pack and performance exhaust in the 2012 XKR as options and included in the XKR-S as standard. I don't like it when car reviewers just say anything to make the car look good it makes their option worthless and doesn't do anything for the car buyer. Although, I do agree with him on the XKR being the best GT available. If I were in the market to buy a 2011 XKR and I bought a 175 based on his false assumptions I would be pissed.