Performance version; how about base versions?

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535) 09/28/2018 at 21:39 • Filed to: None

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Road and track did an article on cars that need performance versions. And although I agree with them; I also think some cars could use some stripped out base models. Here is there list:

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A car that I’ve always thought could have been an accessible enthusiast hit was a stripped down ATS with the 2.5 4 cylinder but an available manual with the LSD; but skip the magnetic shocks, big brakes and no tech. Maybe it all wouldn’t have come together right but I think it has potential . What about you guys, is there a car that you think could be an enthusiast hit with a few extra options left off?

daender > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/28/2018 at 22:05

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Miata RS:

Base ND Miata but you get the LSD and bracing from the Club model. No Brembos, no BBS, no stupidly-placed touch screen on the dashboard ; a blank canvas for you to paint on...by modding it.

If I had a buy a ND Miata, then I’d buy the base and drop the LSD and bracing into it.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/28/2018 at 22:06

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They’ll never do it but the Boxster S engine in the 911. Call it the 912; Cloths seats, stick shift, etc. Sell it $10,000 less than a Carrera.

BMW 2 series E30 edition. M2 parts but with their new 300hp turbo 4. Do something similar with the M3/4 engine in an M5 chassis. RWD only and call it the E28 edition

nermal > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/28/2018 at 22:10

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A sleeper version of the Civic Type R. Basically, keep all of the go fast stuff but make it look like a regular boring Civic.

Also a stripped version of either a Range Rover or MB G-class. All of the good off-roady bits, non of the overly expensive “luxury”.

Finally, I’d like to see VW offer AWD on the Jetta / Golf / GTI instead of just on the Golf R. It’s technically feasible due to the shared platforms, and would greatly help sales in places with snow.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/28/2018 at 22:13

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The 912 idea is a great one. But yeah, in the words of Dana carver “not guuuun doit”

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > nermal 09/28/2018 at 22:13

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The top suggestion is a no brainer. There’s a hell of a gap between the Civic Si and Type R. A 250 hp Civic “ GT” would sell really well.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > daender 09/28/2018 at 22:13

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This is a good idea

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > nermal 09/28/2018 at 22:20

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I like the type r idea.

And I like what you’re saying about VW. The Golf wagon can be had with 4 motion and the 1.8T  for $25-26k so yeah you’d think there would be some sub Golf R AWD possibilities.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/28/2018 at 22:28

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You’re looking at this like stripped down = performance.

I want like rental car spec Mercedes sedans to get a nice, big car with an NA V6/V8 feel, but without the 6 figure price tag and a bajillion gizmos and 1000 horsepower.

I want vinyl seats, analog gauges, no touchscreens, no electronics to detect when a pregnant mother in the car behind the car behind me thinks about moving over into an exit lane, no radar guided cruise missile control, and so on and so forth. Give me a 40k “Big Benz” sedan with a wheel, lots of seats, and like 300- 350ish G erman horsepower.

...Leave some of the sound deadening though.

smobgirl > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/28/2018 at 22:41

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THIS. For any car, really. I don’t need things beeping at me every two seconds when everyone around me isn’t paying attention. I’ve alrrady noticed that Captain Minivan is playing lane ping pong.

HammerheadFistpunch > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/28/2018 at 22:59

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Land Cruiser 200. oh yeah

Steel wheels, vinyl floor, cloth seats.

and yes, manual transmission. Technically this is a cheap shot since it actually does exist, but not here. Did I mention it has a turbo diesel V8?

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > HammerheadFistpunch 09/29/2018 at 00:01

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I think off road cars make a lot of sense for my question; I just know nothing about them. But I can appreciate none the less.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/29/2018 at 00:03

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Well, yeah, I just want a 200hp lightish weight sedan with a stick and an lsd but that’s why I asked what other people want.

I’m just thinking out loud, would a Chrysler 300 in rental spec  fit thre bill for you?

Dusty Ventures > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/29/2018 at 00:13

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Every pickup truck.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/29/2018 at 00:45

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That (cheap spec 300C) already exists - it’s called a Dodge Charger.

It’s okay, but it has the usual amount of slop you expect from FiatChrysler after re-re-reusing old technology.