GT350R Surrogate

[Angrey]

I thought one of the cars that Ford benchmarked was the E92 M3. I've read it called the spiritual predecessor to the GT350 and some have said that it shares more with that car than it does a mustang GT.

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[DrumReaper]

Personally I think the GR is going to be overpriced for what you get. I had a Focus RS and loved it. The GR is down 50 hp, 0-60 guesses are mid 5 seconds, and starting price is guessed to be $39k...

Have you thought about a Nissan Z? The CTR would be my choice from that list. I'm in the same boat. I'm planning on selling my 350 and want something to tide me over until Porsche prices return to normalish...

Haven’t considered the Z cause last time I was in a Z it was a very unpleasant experience. The NVH and washboard suspension was difficult to tolerate.

I’m likely to go the way of the CTR and have made some calls. Unfortunately, I’m finding Honda dealers are not much different from Ford dealers when dealing with low-production volume HP cars… they’re talking all kinds of stuff that doesn’t make sense or correlate with the car’s production.

The Acura will need 325hp at least to fight in this club.

 

[Mustang406]

Haven’t considered the Z cause last time I was in a Z it was a very unpleasant experience. The NVH and washboard suspension was difficult to tolerate.

I’m likely to go the way of the CTR and have made some calls. Unfortunately, I’m finding Honda dealers are not much different from Ford dealers when dealing with low-production volume HP cars… they’re talking all kinds of stuff that doesn’t make sense or correlate with the car’s production.

The Acura will need 325hp at least to fight in this club.

How to close to 350R performance are you trying to get?

 

[DCShelby]

Used RS3

 

[Atlas1]

Used RS3

Only if you have a warranty and a maintenance plan worked into the deal. I think @DrumReaper is looking at new cars anyway

 

[DCShelby]

You can get a certified RS3.

 

[Atlas1]

You can get a certified RS3.

That still leaves the issue of maintenance. I have an Audi plan on my car so I don’t care but the costs are staggering for some of the required service if you have to come out of pocket.

 

[RPDBlueMoon]

I'm looking forward to the Integra Type-S. It's shaping up to be a 4 door liftback, manual, 272-300HP and Civic Type-R underpinnings for around 39-40K. Should be a fun car with a nice ride, and Honda quality.

Same, hopefully Honda will use the K20C4 engine which is what's in the Honda Accord and Acura RDX. I was looking into the Integra as a replacement for my DD but its just too low on power, it has the same rating as my DD. I need something more exciting, and a bit more faster to warrant the cost.

I am eagerly awaiting the new Civic Type R, and will probably get that but I think the idea of an Integra Type-S with a K20C4 is also really cool. When both get announced I honestly won't know what to choose, whatever one I can get for MSRP will be the deciding factor

 

[DrumReaper]

How to close to 350R performance are you trying to get?

It’s not that I’m trying to get “close” to GT350R performance, but rather trying to get character, reliability, speed and value in a package around $50k or less.

The R had tons of character and I don’t think we can match that, but so far the CTR and GR are topping that list.

The RS3 is a nogo… it’s a formidable machine, just doesn’t fitwhat I’m looking for.

It’s looking hard to top the CTR… hopefully, Honda will get the exhaust some more aggression, but that’s a 170mph car all day and lap times are not far from HP Mustangs.

 

[Champale]

Unlikely that Honda will make the new CTR any louder - they already added terrible fake noise to the last ones (disabled it on mine which made the car much more enjoyable along with a Sequence catback). The CTR is absolutely incredible to drive despite being FWD. Hard to understand until you drive one hard - I was a nonbeliever until I got to flog one and then fell head over heels for it.

 

[Mustang406]

It’s not that I’m trying to get “close” to GT350R performance, but rather trying to get character, reliability, speed and value in a package around $50k or less.

The R had tons of character and I don’t think we can match that, but so far the CTR and GR are topping that list.

The RS3 is a nogo… it’s a formidable machine, just doesn’t fitwhat I’m looking for.

It’s looking hard to top the CTR… hopefully, Honda will get the exhaust some more aggression, but that’s a 170mph car all day and lap times are not far from HP Mustangs.

My opinion would be this: If you are going to track this car then the CTR. For a daily and all around performer I say GR.

I think you'll enjoy either one.

 

[mavisky]

You're trying to get the character of an $80,000 car that had more character than some $100,000+ cars, and you're trying to do it for only $50,000 with a warranty....

That's an uphill battle if I ever saw one. Every car listed here is going to be a disappointment.

Your best bet is to buy the cheapest 6 cylinder Cayman S you can find and deal with the maintenance/lack of warranty.

 

[RPDBlueMoon]

My opinion would be this: If you are going to track this car then the CTR. For a daily and all around performer I say GR.

I think you'll enjoy either one.

The CTR isn't that very good of a track car because of the heat soaking from the engine. It can pull timing just after one lap if you are going very hard. Lots of people have tried to address this with cooling modifications but there is a limit before the car becomes very far from stock. Your skill level also has a big role in this as well. Some people dont push the car hard enough. Hopefully the upcoming generation has better cooling to address this problem.

The CTR is still better than the GR Corolla as a daily. The GR Corolla is pretty small in terms of cargo space and legroom. The only thing it has over the CTR really is that its 4WD not FWD.

 

[Ewheels]

Well, there’s no replacement for the R, but maybe a surrogate. There’s a few good cars with manuals coming out prior to an all-out electrification:

1) Toyota GR Corolla
2) 2023 Civic Type R
3) Golf R
4) Mach 1

These are in the price range of a surrogate car I’m considering and so far, the CTR and the GR seem to be the most fun of the lot (the M1 doesn’t have the versatility of the others and is likely to be limited and unfortunately ADM-prone).

Anyone got any faves or other ideas of fine upcoming possible GT350R surrogates that won’t break the bank?.. and yes, I know all about P-cars and would love to have a 911 Carrera GTS but that’s like unobtanium given that Ukraine is burning.

If I may share my thoughts:

1. GR Corolla - not a ton of info yet but a very strong contender
2. Type R - probably best choice for a new car. Good power, very light weight, amazing handling, have proven themselves on track.
3. Golf R - another solid choice but a tad heavy for the given power. I like to stay below 10:1 power to weight and this does not have that. Plus VW uses wheel lug bolts rather than lug nuts. I can't get passed that.
4. Mach 1 - too heavy. When you drive a nearly 4000 lb car compared to a nearly 3000 lb one, it's very apparent which one is more fun to drive. Also much cheaper on consumables.

5. Supra 3.0 - It sounds like no manual is a deal breaker for you but I only consider fun to drive, ease to drive, and lap times. Paddles shift faster and it's one less thing to think about while on track. Anyhow, some wheels/tires and a bit of camber and this car is perfect. Little on the expensive side though.
6. Supra 2.0 - better price but again, doesn't meet the 10:1 power to weight ratio
7. BRZ/86/Miata - epic handling cars but again, the 10:1 ratio
8. 370z/400z - I've heard of numerous reliability issues but on paper, seem to check every box. Could be worth some research
9. Used C6/C7 - my personal top choice. Great handling, light weight, great power, massive aftermarket.
10. Used Cayman - same thoughts as the Corvette path. Not as much power but also weighs less. Legendary Porsche handling but I'd be scared of horrifically expensive maintenance.

 

[WItoTX]

How has the Fiesta ST not been mentioned??? Veloster another good choice. Other than that, I think the rest have been listed.

If it were me? GR Corolla. The Type-R is trying too hard, like that guy in the Ferrari shirt, the Golf isn't trying enough, like Joe Biden, and the Mach 1 has lost the essence of being a Mach 1. It's an boxer who somehow ended up in the MMA ring.

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