A4 seats

[Mark R]

Taka... define "better."  I've only instructed in (and not driven myself) a
GT3.  I've not been in a GT2 (which I think is what you're referring to).
GT3 is wicked quick, but the Turbo has more power, and the additional weight
is more than overcome.  The AWD is SO EASY to drive fast, whereas the GT3 is
more twitchy (not unlike SOME of the Corvette characteristics).  The GT2 is
no doubt the king of a fast lapping Porsche.  I've been in 2 Carera GTs, but
as yet seen a GT2, let alone got to instruct in one.  Typically the real
track cars (GT2/GT3/Challenge 360) are owned by other instructors or very
fast students.  I REALLY enjoy being a coach and that's another aspect of
what draws me towards the cars which scare other instructors.

I have a good friend (who's an Audi guy, but runs a SPEC Miata at track
events).  He's a newer instructor and was scared of the faster cars.  I told
him "it doesn't matter, it's all about weight transfer to manage 4 contact
patches.   The inputs are the same, it's just that the forces and speeds are
higher."  AWD, FWD, and RWD; Front, rear, and mid engine cars all have their
nuances with power delivery, but the inputs to tell you what should be done
are the same- vision, sound, and feeling in your butt.  He's getting much
more comfortable- we traded cars for about 1/2 a day at NJMP last fall.  I
got a bunch of seat time in his SPEC, and he drove the Z06.  I also got to
coach him for a session in the SPEC... and shaved off 2 seconds per lap!
Yay!
Man, it's scary how you fling those little cars.  Brake DEEP and pitch.
With such little mass, you can totally get away with being less smooth.
Either that, or I'm a chicken when I drive my own cars.  =)
I thought a used Gallardo was at least $125K.  Either way, I'm not in the
market.  In the past 1.5 years it was marriage, honeymoon (bareboating in
the BVIs for 2 weeks on an Oceanis 393), first house, used 34 foot boat,
first child.  I just leased a new 2.5 Jetta for the wife (her first new
car).  I'm poor!  Actually, with the economy I'm thinking about holding onto
my 2003 Escalade EXT another year.  My plan was always 5 years and 100K
miles.... I'm  just over 5 years and at 107,000.  the only thing wrong with
it was the driver's window regulator was going- so I just changed that.
Otherwise, it's all just been regular maintenance.  And get this.... the
window regulator for ALL GM trucks is the same from 1997-2007 (Silverados,
GMCs, Cadillacs).  Aftermarket was $65.00, including the motor and
shipping!  After replacing so many 2 door VW regulators, I was shocked how
inexpensive it was.  Higher volume.  I'm hoping to do a bigger garage at my
house (I own a lift, but I need a bigger garage) this year.... so that's
also factoring into the "keep the truck another year" equation.

But I really, really like the Gallardos.  My wife doesn't.... but with a
Gallardo... I could get a new wife!
LOL!!!!

Mark Rosenkrantz
On Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 11:52 AM, Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com> wrote:

> Mark-
> If you can buy a new R8, you can easily afford a used Gallardo. If the R8
> isn't a consideration, please disregard my comments.
>
> After all, the Gallardo is the same chassis as the R8, just with more
> power, better colors, better styling, more panache. :-)
>
> Isn't the GT3 a better drive than a Porsche turbo, though?
>
> Taka
>