Considering a car change in March-April next year and looking to spend upto 45k

[[TW]Fox]

Also, the 335 may only be 30bhp down, but its also nearly a second slower to 60!

I'm not going to get into a 335i v TT-RS debate as Gibbo isnt considernig a 335i and neither do I think it's the same type of car as a TT-RS but the two important points here are that the official figures for the 335i are ridiculously conservative - Car and Driver timed it at just 4.9 to 60 - and of course the TT-RS has the benefit of Quattro for getting off the mark quickly.

34 more than a 335i. Not quite sure what that's got to do with anything though

I'm just trying to highlight why I think the TT-RS is the odd one out. It's not hugely more powerful than the top non M power BMW 3 Series. It is, in this company, up against the legend that is the Porsche 911 and the sheer brute force of the Corvette Z06. It's trying to satisfy a guy who thinks a Nissan GT-R is a bit boring. It's going to take a serious precision instrument or something really lairy to win Gibbo over. And Audi TT is none of this.

It is out of its depth, which is what I was attempting to highlight with the 335i comparison.

Everyone would quite rightly laugh if it was suggested that he should consider a 335i. The TT-RS isnt a world away.

 

[mjt]

It is out of its depth

I disagree, but then it was Gibbo who mentioned it in the OP..
Stick on a grand's worth of mods and it's quicker than an R8!

Everyone would quite rightly laugh if it was suggested that he should consider a 335i. The TT-RS isnt a world away.

Again, I disagree. The Z4 M Coupe is the clear rival here.

335i = S5

 

[[TW]Fox]

Stick on a grand's worth of mods and it's quicker than an R8!

If all he wants is numbers on paper then he should keep the Evo.

Again, I disagree. The Z4 M Coupe is the clear rival here.

The Z4M Coupe was discontinued just as the TT-RS entered production! So not really

335i = S5

Absolutely - but as I was at pains to suggest, that wasn't my point. I was putting the stock power output of the TT-RS into context.


And as you seem completely unable to grasp my point (I mean serously, the Z4M Coupe comment?), I think I'm going to give up and go to bed

 

[MikeHiow]

I'd also be concerned with the running costs of the GT-R.

It seems they overheat something chronic the moment you take them somewhere for a real thrashing (The chap I know with one claims having to drive up and down the road for half hour trying to cool it down after achieving a mid-ish 7 seconds around the 'ring).

Then there are the stupid conditions imposed on the warranty - there are loads of niggles with the brakes for example. I believe you need to keep a power washer away from the calipers as this can cause something to fail and Nissan won't cover it.

Then there is the comedy that is the £11k repair bill when that GT-R nudged a tow bar, doing nothing initially other than cracking the bumper in a small circle.

Upon talking to a GT-R owner, I will never, ever own one. Sad really, as I really like them.

 

[mjt]

I think the problem with the GT-R is that despite it's relatively modest price, it has true supercar running costs. If you're taking out the majority of the purchase on finance, it's not really worth even considering is it? Sounds like ****ing money you don't really need to waste up the wall.

If the Corvette really is that cheap to run, then it really seems like a stonking deal. Although if the width really would force to change your route then it'd be such a shame, and almost defy the object of the purchase. But, as you said you can try it for a few months and if it doesn't work out, trade it for a TTRS

And as you seem completely unable to grasp my point (I mean serously, the Z4M Coupe comment?), I think I'm going to give up and go to bed

You don't even know what your point is

 

[MikeHunt79]

Gibbo, I remember you said a few posts back that you liked the Evo X as it was small enough for narrow B-roads.

The Vette is less than 5 inches wider than the Evo X, if wikipedia is to be believed...

So I think it would be a good for the B roads, maybe LHD give the illusion of oncoming cars being closer than they really are?

 

[Gibbo]

Gibbo, I remember you said a few posts back that you liked the Evo X as it was small enough for narrow B-roads.

The Vette is less than 5 inches wider than the Evo X, if wikipedia is to be believed...

So I think it would be a good for the B roads, maybe LHD give the illusion of oncoming cars being closer than they really are?

Yeah you are right!

LHD though is easy, but you are at a dis-advantage on narrow lines because of it.

Then remember in an EVO X you sit higher up, so better view, gives more confidence to push hard in narrow places as well.

The corvette is wider, you sit low down and its LHD which on narrow lines does result in you been a little cautious in the twisty bits. Wheras in a narrow, RHD with higher seating position EVO X, you just drive it like a hooligan.

Yes LHD can give that false illusion, but illusion or not its still worrying.

 

[MissChief]

I can't believe the love the TT is getting. it's an AUDI TT, a posh TT or not, it's STILL a TT!

Gibbo it's got to be the vette. Whilst a Porsche is nice, you've always got the Porsche tax on anything and everything you ever need done to it or fixed on it. The vette, whilst it may drink more sounds positively heavenly and has so much more presence. Most people on the street have seen a Porsche. Kids will point and stare at your Corvette!

 

[Backslick]

Vaffanculo, I go to the pub and this is still going on. Look, lock this thread and go drive them all. If you buy anything but the 997 you're either an idiot or so hamfisted you deserve a terrible sports car.

 

[-Neil-]

Gibbo , out of those three I'd go for the Vette.

The TT is just a great engine in a dull chassis which looks like all the other hair dresser variants out there. So what it's quick when remapped, there's more to cars than going fast in a straight line!
Still suffers from the same old Audi lifeless steering/understeer city.

As for the 911, great car but more of a GT and if you didn't gel with the CSL then the same will apply to the C2S. The only Porsche that tickles my fancy would be a GT3/GT3RS.

Neil.

 

[MikeHunt79]

Yeah you are right!

LHD though is easy, but you are at a dis-advantage on narrow lines because of it.

Then remember in an EVO X you sit higher up, so better view, gives more confidence to push hard in narrow places as well.

The corvette is wider, you sit low down and its LHD which on narrow lines does result in you been a little cautious in the twisty bits. Wheras in a narrow, RHD with higher seating position EVO X, you just drive it like a hooligan.

Yes LHD can give that false illusion, but illusion or not its still worrying.

If the Corvette was available in RHD then would you more likely to choose it? It would be nice to have I think if only for more confidence on narrow lanes.

If so it may be possible to get a RHD conversion, I have no idea how much this costs but I came across this photo and it looks like RHD is possible:

Of course you could try a RHD conversion yourself but it could end up looking like this if you're not careful!

 

[Joshy]

Again, the fact that Gibbo (and pretty much everyone else who is pro TTRS) can't mention the Audi without saying something about tuning and remaps says it all.

I might be up for a bit of flack here but in my mind it is not massively different from having a tuned Skyline on the list or something. Impressive numbers when tuned of course, but A) You've got to tune it and B) It is still a Nissan/Audi at the end of the day. The only difference here is that the Audi manages to be modern and half decent to look at and live with, but "Half decent" at £35k+ isn't good enough for me personally.

Speaking of Skylines. It is also worth reminding those who are creaming themselves over the specs of the TTRS that little men in Japan were getting similar numbers and immense tuning ability out of cars BACK IN THE 80s. Not saying in anyway that a 22 Year old Japanese Saloon car is a viable alternative to a TTRS but put the numbers into perspective please.

 

[grudas]

'vette for sure.. for that price id want something MAD which is exactly what the corvette is..

Porshe while good in technical aspect but looks boring compared to cars like 'vette/r8/GTR.. think about it how many Porshes do you see a day? at least 10here.. vettes? we'll in the 6 years living in London I've seen less than 10..

personally corvette is a clear winner here.

 

[Joshy]

I don't think you'd want a Corvette or any LHD car in London!

Overtaking a bus = Death .

 

[grudas]

I don't think you'd want a Corvette or any LHD car in London!

Overtaking a bus = Death .

get a camera in your front bumper

 

[Scania]

I don't think people would be moaning nearly as much if it was any other Audi RS model? So why the TT?

Given his past steeds, I'd be amazed if Lord Gibbo opts for a Queer Hairdresser's dream car! And why on earth would he drop such a large sum on something that, frankly, looks bland (and cheap imo!)

Still, I think you'd be mad to consider anything but the Porsche out of those three.

There, I agree with you entirely.

I think he'll go with the 'Vette though - It has "The spitit of the Mustang"....

I don't think you'd want a Corvette or any LHD car in London!

Overtaking a bus = Death .

I don't think he had many issues with the LHD 'stang did he?

As with overtaking any large vehicle, as long as he's not up its arse (i.e with a completely obscured view), he should not have too many overtaking issues, I'd be interested to hear his thoughts on LHD on RHD roads mind you....

 

[spaz]

Given your budget and that you seem to fond of the TT-RS, surely the 1 series M is worth a shout as it should be out by the time you're looking to buy? (Presuming it will cost what they say it will!)

 

[Lashout_UK]

MikeHunt79, you can get RHD converted (properly) Corvettes in Australia. It's about the only place - although there are a few independant branches over here that convert them. They have to be RHD by law in Australia....

Like this one, for example (bit extreme but you get the idea):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CORVETTE-CALL...1120733?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c17f696dd

Gibbo, the owners on the CCCUK seem to average 20-25mpg out of a Z06 with a mix of hoonery and daily use. One guy got 34mpg cruising at 'motorway speeds' to Le Mans and back! I've never driven one though, only been in one, and don't know how they're working that out so you'll have to take it with a pinch of salt I'd probably work off an average of about 18.

 

[JRS]

I don't think you'd want a Corvette or any LHD car in London!

Overtaking a bus = Death .

Only if you're incompetent

Seriously - LHD isn't that big a deal. If I could thread my dear-departed Oldsmobile through Burton without annihilating something poor old dear's Hyundai I'm sure Gibbo (who already has LHD car experience) can manage a 'vette just about anywhere.

 

[Mr_White]

Stop mincing about and just get the ****ing Vette