Performance is not just about HP. And the biggest bone of contention this time around is not about HP at all.
What the mfrs decide to give you as raw material to work with does say something about their commitment to supporting whatever it is about cars that interests you the most. This isn't limited to the various measures of performance.
That’s right. Look at the new Porsche GT3RS. It punches way way way above its weight. To be fair, it’s rated at 520hp and the GT department manger was quoted saying it’ll make that power, on a summer day, in Death Valley.
My truck costs $5k, insurance is about $400 a year, and gas is nothing compared to what I will actually use at the track. If you can dish out several hundred dollars for the event, plus regular consumable items (tires, oil, brakes), then you can afford it. If you can afford a $75k Camaro, you can afford it. You guys must be used to luxury. I bought my truck as a workhorse. It isn't pretty, but it is reliable.
It's not just about the cost. You have to be able to put those extra things somewhere, and not everybody can. Even street parking isn't doable for me, and I've got more driveway space than most of my neighbors. Garage isn't usable as such (too small). Apartment dwellers and condo owners have it worse still. Kitty is all set to pounce on the next driver who hits my mailbox while making a 3-point turn because they missed the "NO OUTLET" sign down the block.
Granted, my 1LE is not a DD, but it is actually great on the street especially considering its track prowess. With the magnetic ride suspension set to Tour, it is actually very smooth and comfortable even on crappy roads. As is well known, the visibility is better on the Mustang, but if you set the mirrors correctly and learn to use them, it isn't horrible. The standard Alcantara Recaros in the 1LE are comfortable and supportive. The Camaro has almost zero storage inside, a useless center compartment and although the trunk is fairly big, the trunk opening is tiny.
Both Ford and GM warranty vehicles driven on the track. What's not warrantied by either camp is when you run a vehicle in a race sanctioned time event.
It's not just about the cost. You have to be able to put those extra things somewhere, and not everybody can. Even street parking isn't doable for me, and I've got more driveway space than most of my neighbors. Garage isn't usable as such (too small). Apartment dwellers and condo owners have it worse still. Kitty is all set to pounce on the next driver who hits my mailbox while making a 3-point turn because they missed the "NO OUTLET" sign down the block.
And then there's the matter of justifying that $5k + (closer to $1k/year here) insurance + gas + likely repairs for a vehicle I wouldn't like to drive to begin with and would only use maybe a couple dozen times a year at most.
Norm
I live in storage unit hell. There is always space to keep stuff if you have money.It's not just about the cost. You have to be able to put those extra things somewhere, and not everybody can. Even street parking isn't doable for me, and I've got more driveway space than most of my neighbors. Garage isn't usable as such (too small). Apartment dwellers and condo owners have it worse still. Kitty is all set to pounce on the next driver who hits my mailbox while making a 3-point turn because they missed the "NO OUTLET" sign down the block.
And then there's the matter of justifying that $5k + (closer to $1k/year here) insurance + gas + likely repairs for a vehicle I wouldn't like to drive to begin with and would only use maybe a couple dozen times a year at most.
Norm
It's funny - part of my reasoning for not buying a trailer ( I already own a pickup that could easily tow a vehicle) is that I don't want to make room in my pole barn for it and I would hate to park it outside. I also let that guide my car purchases. If it has to sit outside it's one too many cars for me to own.
Norm
Heh . . . with my welding stuff and a tall cabinet and some shelves on one side, three roll-around tool boxes on the other, and shelves and an upright freezer against the end wall I've got all of about 200", nine feet wide for anything else. And after almost 40 years here, let's just say there's plenty of that that isn't a car. One complete engine, a few engine blocks, a couple transmissions, two stacks of tires for her car (seasonal-use) and track tires for me, some shingles, ramps, floor jacks, and the list goes on.
Ford leaves much more open to interpretation and allows the dealer to decide what is covered. GM is more up front about covering track use, very clear actually. Not looking for an argument here, but please don’t mislead.
Do you have evidence of Ford dealers turning down warranty coverage due to amateur racing?