Lately I've been thinking of getting another car. Something a little more raw than my V8V, definitely with more power. I've dyno'd my car and the conversion for that dyno puts me at 410 bhp. Not bad, but these cars are heavy for how small they are. The weight is definitely felt on the track. I also want something with paddles. I hate to admit it, but I'm no Ayrton Senna. I know, I was surprised when I found out, too. But I'm not. And, frankly, I can't heel-toe for **** and downshifting when diving into a corner on a track is a bit of an issue for me and my self esteem.

One alternative is basically to get a second V8V with flappy paddles and gut it for the track, leaving my current one in all of its wonderfully 6-speed, manly rowing goodness. I can get a salvaged one, in good mechanical condition, and piece it together. Body panels can be any color because it'd be getting wrapped anyway. Much of the reason for this is because I love working on cars and that'd be worth it alone. Yes, this whole V8V track car thing has been discussed. No, it isn't ideal. But that doesn't matter. Because. Just because.

The other alternative is to trade my V8V in for something more suitable for the track that I'll still enjoy driving on the street. So yesterday I tested a Ferrari F430, and today I tested a McLaren MP4-12C. Not too long ago I tested a V8VS.

The F430 wasn't bad. It didn't feel as fast as it should have, and it had some odd tendencies to be touchy at weird times - for example, mostly-steady partial acceleration in first gear suddenly giving a ton more power than it did just half a second prior. The F1 transmission wasn't bad, it was easy to work with so long as you know how to ease off the throttle a touch when shifting. I also love the F430's styling. Love it. Overall it was a pretty good car, but I didn't want it.

The V8VS was everything my 4.3L V8V is, but more. It was a beast and took a beating like a Catholic schoolboy in a nun tornado. I had no complaints about the transmission during my test drive, but I'm sure there were a lot of scenarios I didn't go through that could hang it up (this applies to the Ferrari's F1 transmission as well). Being another Vantage, it was very familiar to me in just about every regard, and all that had to be relearned was the transmission. I got back in my 4.3L and immediately missed the extra power of the 4.7L. That alone made me seriously consider trading up.

The MP4-12C was glorious. The exterior styling is very subdued compared to how the car performs. AM of Washington, which is now a McLaren dealer, also had a 50th Anniversary Edition. If anyone has $320k burning a hole in their pocket, buy it and give it to me. To sweeten the deal, I'll give you a ride in it sometime as a, "Thank you for the $320k car." It has a P1-inspired front air dam that fixes the styling entirely. It's possible to get the front air dam slapped onto a standard 12C, but it costs $20k and that's just too many k's for my alphabet soup. Anyway, I drove a 12C Spyder, and I loved it. It was better than I expected it would be. It's the first car that has given me butterflies since I drove a V8V for the first time 3-4 years ago. I was tingly, y'all. The dual-clutch transmission performed flawlessly. It pretty much ruined any hope of me being satisfied with an automated manual single-clutch transmission. The handling, the power, the transmission, the driveability, the comfort, the build quality, everything (except kinda the exterior). It was slap-yo-mama glorious and I loved it more than I love any of you so don't you dare say anything mean about it or I will strike you down with holy vengeance.

The local Ferrari dealership also has a gorgeous F430 Scuderia, but I want something I can enjoy off-track so I didn't even bother asking to drive it. I sat in it and my butt immediately said no. There are exactly zero ounces of padding in the seats. I don't want anything that hardcore.

Anyway, feel free to discuss but please leave the petty squabbling out. It's been difficult to get on this forum lately with all the bickering.

 

You should drive the scud. It is great on the road too and is actually quite comfortable in spite if the thinly padded seats. It's an 80/20 car. That is 80% road, 20% track. While people talk about it being "raw," it's not a track only car by any means.

 

Thanks for the input, Racer. I think after driving that 12C, though, I might be stuck on getting a McLaren. I really fell in love with driving that car!

 

Drive the Scud. The car is completely different than a F430. Once I drove one I never looked back at the F430, V12V, 12C, Gallardo Superleggera, and GT3 RS (all cars I was considering). As RacerX said, it's an 80/20 car. Also talk to Jonathan at FoW. He's great to deal with and was very patient with me and my barrage of questions over a 6 month sales cycle. Feel free to say Ross mentioned him since I'll be looking for a new car in the near future

 

You've perfectly described a 991 Porsche GT3. Order one now, it will make you a track day hero and wow 'em on the street, too. Plus, those models are tenacious on re-sale value as well. Bonus points because it only comes with a PDK trans so you don't have to make excuses to your other car pals "err....ahhh...I'd have order the manual BUT ITS NOT OFFERED".

Now if you really want to climb in and out of a tub car (McLaren) then I've heard that $ 80K discounts off MSRP is the norm on those.....

 

I know everyone is ranting and raving about the new GT3, and I love everything I've seen about them, but I'm honestly scared of pushing one. I'm used to balanced cars (FD RX7, E46 330i, V8V) and nose-heavy cars (3 Subarus), and the last Subaru I had I got very used to pushing really hard. So my instinct and natural reactions will be nose-heavy based. I'm worried a 911 would swing out on me during an emergency maneuver. Apparently the car is set up so that shouldn't be an issue, but it's still in the back of my mind. The other thing is that in a tie, I'll opt for whatever is more different. I've never seen a 12C on the road aside from the two or so that have shown up at Katie's.

And yeah, I've heard that about the discounts, too. It's an extra push toward the McLaren

 

That's two votes for the Scud. Maybe I'll have to go back. The one they have looks just like yours. You didn't trade yours in, did you?

 

No I didn't. Mine is Nero Daytona (black metalic) and that one is Nero (black). The reason I bought the Scud was to feel a thrill every time I drive it and the Scud gives that in spades. I haven't tracked it and probably never will but it's obviously very capable. The sound and the feel of the car are simply amazing. It's the best car I've owned hands down. Have Jonathan take you for a spin and then switch seats with him. It will be well worth it just for the fun even if you decide to not purchase .

The 12C scares my wallet. I like the car a lot and really want one but 80k off new and the used market are 30%+ under retail is scary. I feel I stand to lose a lot of money, which I'm not comfortable with.

My next car will most likely be the 991 GT3. I'm 4th on the list at my local dealer which is looking like mid-late summer. I don't think the GT3 will be anything like the Scud but I have to try the GT3. The reviewers are drooling over it for a reason. It's also an economical no brainer (for cars, not as an asset). Depreciation on GT3's has historically been extremely low and new MY usually hold new car sale prices due to high demand and lack of available cars.

Keep us posted on what you decide!

 

Modified V8V like yours. Then V12V with quicksilver exhaust. Now this, fancy nose and all. There is nothing like it for under a million dollars. Call Philly MC. They will hook you up with a deal.

 

A GT3 is a fine driving instrument and I anticipate the 991 variant to be even more so than the 997. Modern Porsches really don't have the bad habits of the older ones, they have tamed them out and with modern traction control and dynamic stability, you're not going to be looping into the armco if you lift off with some trailing throttle oversteer as in days gone by in a 70's era 911.

It seems you're not really looking for a track car, but a cool car that you will take out a couple times a year to a circuit occasionally - and in that case most anything you are looking at will do. So you get what strikes your fancy and go have some fun...

 

If youre considering the MP4.. why wouldn't the 458 be an option? Just curious? There is value that comes with the Italia , not just the price.

Outstanding Handling, acceleration, speed, responsiveness.. Feels like you're driving a MBZ when you take it easy..an absolute beast and faster than all that is holy when you tap the left paddle twice and dump the gas.. Hey, and it doesn't look too bad either.... Doesnt have the rawness of the scud but the performance is there along with some subtle luxuries...

I was skeptical at first but after putting some real miles on them the convenient features (Visual Nav, practical radio controls, and full electronic display of anything imaginable that is adjustable) Just makes for a super nice car.

And theres space!! Im 6' 7" 240lb... tons of room, no kidding

 

No first hand experience with a 991 GT3 here, but Duane's comments are borne out by all the reviews (including those done by journalists who know what they are doing, like Chris Harris).

If you notice the weight of your V8V on track, I wouldn't be too sure that you will solve this issue with any of the cars mentioned, including the MP4, 991 or 458. They are all heavy street cars and if you are really going to "push it" as you say, you had better have your wallet ready for brakes and tires. Of all the cars mentioned I suspect the 991 GT3 would be the best choice if you plan to do track days, though.

Why not keep the V8V (or get a V8VS) and add to your stable a light weight car better suited to track days, but still streetable, like a used Exige or Elise?

 

If you are looking for very fast fun car to track Why not keeping the Aston and add radical as your track car ?

 

Than you all for the awesome input!

The financial hit does scare me a bit, but the discounts being offered softens the blow. Next time I go in, I'll let them know you sent me!

Phillip from Philly MC is setting up AM of Washington as an MC dealer. Great guy, and he's the impetus behind me driving and loving the car so much.

For a seller of fine woodwork, you sure do know the workings of the human mind.

Yes, I'm looking for something I can track at least a few times a year. But I want something that can excite me any day of the week. I want to walk into my garage and know that, even if I'm not driving it that day, it's there and I love it and I get excited just thinking about driving it.

I'm a nicely comptact 5'7" 165 lbs, so space is rarely an issue for me. I originally priced myself out of a 458, but having driven the 12C and seeing how staggering the difference for price is, I might have to bite the bullet. Stepping into a V8VS I can do any time, and an F430 wouldn't be difficult. But the price difference to a 458 or 12C is a bit more an I'd have to wait a bit to get one. But again, the difference in driving excitement and satisfaction between a V8V and a 12C is enough that I'm seriously considering biting the bullet.

The 12C was very nimble and the curb weight is only about 3300 lbs. Not the best, but a solid 300 lbs lighter than a V8V. Between the loss of weight and the trick hydraulic suspension, it really moves through corners.

There is a local guy thinking about selling his Ariel Atom for a reasonable price and that definitely isn't off my radar, either.

 

There is a local guy thinking about selling his Ariel Atom for a reasonable price and that definitely isn't off my radar, either.

A neighbor of mine just sold his Atom, it was too much hassle to drive on the street. Virginia won't license it, because it has no windshield and windshield wipers it can't pass inspection - so he had Montana Tags on it (apparently Montana will register just about anything he told me). But the real problem was every single time he took it out the cops hassled him because it doesn't look street legal. And every pull-over was a 15 to 20 minute affair, sometimes he would get pulled over twice in a single afternoon outing. As you know from living in No VA, we have no shortage of cops looking for something to do. it got to be so annoying with the police hassles that he sold the car and bought a couple of Ducati's instead to go with his pair of 430's...