Went to check out the auto show at Javits with the wife today and was pretty underwhelmed.
I check out autoblog and was wondering why coverage was so weak - there's pretty much not a lot to write about.

A lot of CUVs SUVs and sedans, and hybrid versions of them; a lot of the displays were even very similar.

It did give me the opportunity to consider what future toys to consider. We are getting a weekend house close to Lime Rock Park so I want some wheels to toss around, that are different from a Miata and a 911.

Type F-R
M4
Viper Carbon
GT-R Nismo
4C
Vantage GT
R8

It was good at least to see these under one roof, though it was quite competitive trying to sit in some cars, there were several four-eight year-olds in any open car - I guess Gymboree was closed today.

Thinking out loud about a big first world problem, NYC on top of it all. I'm setting a $500k budget for performance vehicles so I'd appreciate any thoughts from people that have had any of these. I prefer manuals and RWD but it seems the world is changing.

PS-Has anyone ever done a track day in their SUV? I'd love to see what our X6 can do.

 

We had a guy bring out his X6M a few months ago. Other than the main straightaway, he didn't seem to be having fun. Go figure.

GT-R would be a completely different and amazing experience from what you're used to, but it goes against your RWD/Manual request. I also don't know if an M4 would be worth the money, as it will not offer an experience unique enough to justify the cost.

A Viper would stand out and be an insane track car. The upcoming Z07 would also be great.

 

Did you get a chance to sit in the Alfa or the F-type R I'm curious to see how fit and finish are in both also noticed your a 911 and miata guy too prior to your nc did you have any other miatas?

 

I'm feeling the Viper and Vantage more and more, sort of the beauty and the beast of them all with the 911 being a good baseline.

I sat in the Jag and it felt comfortable: Good seats, adjustability - I got the sense that the dash felt a bit high, not that the seats were low. Didn't have that crisp look and feel in the inside, maybe it was too many molesting hands leaving fingerprints everywhere.

The NC is my first and appreciate it's "old school" nature, no techno nannies in driving experience. I just wish it had more; with the wife in front, a full tank with AC on makes it a dog in pickup and handling.

Sadly the two alfas were locked up, but were beautiful with their visible mid engines. Cabin did look snug with nil rear/side visibility.

(Because of my bikes, my bar is set pretty high in terms of performance, control, ergonomics and feel, and don't tend to tolerate superfluous weight or performance detractors.)