Test drove a C7 coupe the other day.
It was tighter than you would think with their fat-old-guy target demographic.
It worked fine without a helmet.
With a helmet required all sorts of compromises to get my head away from the B-Pillar Halo and I was just below the targa top.
Top was transparent, so lower profile, not sure the painted top would work.
Car was an automatic, again not sure I could comfortably work a manual.
I had a decent test drive with top both on and off.
Even though it wasn't a true convertible, I think it meets my open-air desires.
Plan on trying a painted top manual to see if I can make that work.
Price is certainly more than I was hoping, but in line with a BMW M2 that isn't open air.

 

Went and drove a manual C7 with the painted top.
It was noticeably smaller than the transparent top.
But even with the seat adjusted for helmet, I think I can drive a manual.
Don't know for sure since my test drive was only in the dealer parking lot.
As I got ready to go, noticed the left rear tire was way low... got out and there was a nail in it.
Guess it wasn't meant to be, but C7 is still on the list.

 

Vets are hawt. Nuff said. I've never personally looked closely at one since they are a bit out of my price range. I especially like the C7 Stingray. But I'll always love the C6 generation.
Cheers!
-Icer

 

Realized I haven’t posted in a year.
Mostly because nothing particular interesting has happened with the Z.
Still doing the usual weekend drives to breweries & wineries… occasional ice cream trip.
Otherwise, it sits since I can’t do the track anymore.
Love the car just wish I could occasionally play on the track… nothing real serious.

Of course, I still constantly research cars and pretend I might get something different that fits me with a helmet.
My latest rabbit hole has been the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the mods to make it track worthy.
Plenty of headroom in these and they are ridiculously fast in a straight line.
They are a fun test drive and 50% off for a 2022/2023.
It’s just missing something and the inside is just a bit too weird to excite me.

Still considering C6 and C7 Corvettes, but still not quite convinced I fit right in them.
I’ve been thinking I may have to rent one for a weekend to really know.
With the transparent roof it might work.

 

Test drove some of the hot hatches this weekend.
Toyota GR Corolla - way too small
Honda Civic Type R - technically I fit, but it was just wrong and wasn't comfortable. I think a lot of that was due to the 250lbs vice the 6'3"
VW Golf R - I fit great and was actually very comfortable. I went on an extended test drive and that thing really moves. I don't have a lot of experience with a turbo and you could really feel it when it kicked in. It also had a DSG dual clutch. That was a blast to play with and real smooth. You really had to shift fast if you floored it because that engine revs up quick. The added complexity and heat on it would worry me some. At least I finally found a car that fits me well.

I had planned on trying a BMW 128i but it sold before I got there - I suspect that will be too small.
I was also going to try another C7 with the transparent roof but it was in for maintenance.
Overall a fun guy version of going shopping.

 

My bro had a MK-IV R32 (2004), no turbo like the new Golf R, but an absolute blast to drive. I love the wookie noises those VR6s make. I was pissed when he sold it. The new 4 cylinder Turbos in VW/Audi products have a lot of known issues. So do your homework on these before buying.
Cheers!
-Icer

 

Yeah, thanks for the warning.
I get excited easily, but luckily rarely make impulse purchases.
I'm always impressed by German performance, but leery of their reliability.
I can do basic repairs with my you tube training, but not enough to afford a maintenance nightmare.
Turbos in general worry me with the additional heat and maintenance.
It's insane to think that a turbo spins at 150,000 to 250,000 RPM.

I've been digging in a bit on the EA888 engine.
Looks like the Gen 3 solved the critical issues - loose timing chain, thin piston rings/oil consumption, ignition coil failure, thermostat housing...
That leaves random water pump self-destruct, unreliable PCV, and intake valve carbon buildup.
If I can find a well-maintained Golf R, I might keep it on the short list.

 

I'm curious, if you're looking at "hot hatches", why haven't you checked out a Ford Focus RS? Of the 3 major hot hatches 6-7 years back (Civic Type R, Golf R, and Focus RS), the Focus RS appeared to be the better option. Now this is purely from what I remember looking at automotive reviews and specs on paper. I know Ford had head gasket issues on all 4 cylinder ecoboost engines during the mid-late 2010s, but I think this has already been addressed on most vehicles under warranty.

Anyway, just another cool hot-hatch to check out. They make great power and also have AWD.
Cheers!
-Icer

 

Decided the BMW 128i will work well for me - inline 6, no turbo, ergonomics are good, I fit with a slick top and it drove really nice.
Regrettably manuals are fairly rare and even more so without a sunroof.
And the rest of the internet has now decided the this is the exact car to push prices up on.
I had one bought out from underneath me a few weeks ago – guy bought it sight unseen over the phone as I was driving to the dealer.
I even tried Bring a Trailer, but that just has you bidding against people with a lot of money who aren’t afraid to use it to win an auction.
I’m thinking of shifting away from the nicer examples, but then you have to wonder how well they took care of the engine if the body and interior aren’t looking so hot.

Local one I lost out on:


Bring a Trailer - I got outbid:

 

Are these using the N52 inline 6? I didn't realize the 128i even had an option for a 6 cylinder.
Cheers!
-Icer

 

Yes, N52 - fairly reliable for a BMW and can be worked on.
Few common oil leaks but they can be repaired - oil pan gasket, oil filter housing gasket.
Electric water pump that randomly fails every 60k.
And ignition coils and spark plugs seem to be consumable items.
135i is faster with the turbo and more troublesome N54/N55, but the 128i still drives very nicely

Most importantly, the fit just seems right for me - legs, shoulders, head, seating position, etc.
So far after sitting/driving dozens of cars this and the Golf R fit me best.

 

Test drove another BMW 128i... only sort of fit and hesitant with the mileage and maintenance issues on these old BMWs.

Test drove another C6 and C7 Corvette... I really don't fit that well.

Test drove another GTI... perfect fit.
And I found one the Grassroots Motorsports built for dual duty Street-Track on Cars and Bids.




Amazingly it went for what I thought was a fair price.
Just had it shipped up from Florida.
Now just need it to warm up.

 

Congrats on the purchase. But GTI and Golf-R aren't exactly the same in terms of engine/performance. But if you like the fit, then I suppose that part is pretty much the same. I'm no VW expert, but I do recall there being some critical reliability issues with late model GTIs. I don't recall the specific years impacted, but I know there was a timing chain tensioner issue.

Sounds like this one has been sorted already.
Cheers!
-Icer

 

All the real big issues were previous Gen thru 2013.
2015 and newer have
random water pump failure - just replaced
PCV issues which lead to carbon fouling - I have new PCV and just walnut blasted
Hopefully I don't have other random German issues.
You can send this quote back to me in a few months/years if I am bitching about my POS GTI.

GTI vs Golf R was a debate.
Golf R is basically the same engine with bigger turbo and some better internals for increased power.
GTI people often put the bigger turbo on their cars.
I know is blasphemous - but the GTI is plenty powerful/fast for me, I have no plans for more power - after all I am perfectly happy with 350Z Roadster power.
We will see what I am saying in a year or two.
Also as you dig into the tech - the R AWD is a bit of a disappointment - ending up being great for launches and often a let down in the twisties.
Many road track people recommend the GTI over the R.
So, in the end - price and availability of a good car got me in the GTI now.
It will get my son and I on the track this spring, vice continuing to debate the perfect car someday.

 

Son and I had our first day on the track this year in the GTI.
It was a simple follow the leader format with no passing, which was perfect because they allowed us to ride together.
It was also a good opportunity to just get the feel of the car - it did great, plenty fast and handled well.
Now we can get signed up for some more track days and HPDE.

The Z is now exclusively for warm days and breweries.