I have owned my '07 GT/CS for about a year. In that time I added FRPP 3.73 gears, FRPP handling pak, FRPP big brake kit, J&L intake with Brenspeed tune, Corsa exhaust and take-off GT500 wheels and tires. My goal was to finish building the suspension and then go FI. The problem I ran into was I wasn't able to drive the car as much as I would like because it didn't have the room I needed to haul my kids around. I found myself driving my truck 95% of the time.
A couple of weeks ago I decided the Mustang needed to be replaced with something more practical. The replacement car needed to have 4 doors and still be fun to drive with performance at least on par with a stock Mustang GT.
I started looking for a replacement at the local Pontiac dealer in the form of the G8 GXP. That car is very quick, but just didn't impress me much in the handling department. The interior also left a lot to be desired (not that this is a Mustang strong point either, but for $41k I expected more). I really wanted to like this car because of the 415hp LS3, but I just couldn't overlook the cheap interior and somewhat numb handling.
My next stop was the local Infiniti dealer where I drove the G37s. This car was worlds ahead in the interior department compared to the G8. Also, the handling was better sorted out. The steering felt more responsive and better weighted, and body roll was more controlled. The problem with the G37 is the engine. Don't get me wrong it makes good power throughout the rev range, but it has an unrefined feeling to it. At full throttle the engine sounds kind of thrashy and lacks the nice bellow of a larger displacement V8.
I probably could live with the engine in the G37 had it not been for the test drive I took next. I came across a used 2008 Lexus IS F with less than 5,000 miles on the clock. Even used this was by far the most expensive car I drove, but after spending some time in the Lexus I knew it was the one.
If your not familiar with the IS F it is Lexus' attempt to build a car to compete with the like of the BMW M3, Audi RS4 and Merecedes C63 AMG. At the heart of the car is a 5.0L 32v V8 engine that puts out 416hp and 371 lbs ft of torque. The engine is back by a modified version of the Lexus 8 speed auto that has a manual shift mode that allows lightening quick shifts via paddles behind the wheel. Lexus claims shifts take .1 second which is faster than the Audi DSG and even the Ferrari Enzo's gearbox. The driveline is backed up with other go fast goodies including 6 piston Brembos in the front clamping 14.2" crossed drilled rotors, 19" forged BBS wheels and a sport tuned suspension.
I fell hard for this car. It has a very upscale and user friendly interior with great seats, a nice nav and a pretty good factory stereo. Add in things like adaptive bi-Xenon lights, sunroof, push button start and memory seats and this car has about all I could ask for. The rear seats are a bit cramped compared to the G8, but my kids are 3 and 4 so they don't complain. The factory exhaust has a nice roar to it when you get on the gas. Speaking of getting on the gas, this car is fast. Most magazine test show it to run between 4.2 and 4.4 0-60 and in the high 12s at over 110 mph in the 1/4 mile. Not bad for a 4 door grocery getter.
I'm going to miss my Mustang. I got way more attention in the stang then I do in the Lexus. I'm also going to miss the thriving aftermarket support for the Ford. The IS F is such a limited production car that there is very little in the way of aftermarket and what is available isn't cheap. Also, the F will never sound as sweet as my GT did.
I hope a true car enthusiast ends up with my Mustang.
I hope I don't catch a lot of crap for buying a Japanese car. I really feel like it is the best car for me right now. Someday I would love to give a car like the new CTS-V a try, but for the money I am very happy with being a "ricer" for now.
A couple of weeks ago I decided the Mustang needed to be replaced with something more practical. The replacement car needed to have 4 doors and still be fun to drive with performance at least on par with a stock Mustang GT.
I started looking for a replacement at the local Pontiac dealer in the form of the G8 GXP. That car is very quick, but just didn't impress me much in the handling department. The interior also left a lot to be desired (not that this is a Mustang strong point either, but for $41k I expected more). I really wanted to like this car because of the 415hp LS3, but I just couldn't overlook the cheap interior and somewhat numb handling.
My next stop was the local Infiniti dealer where I drove the G37s. This car was worlds ahead in the interior department compared to the G8. Also, the handling was better sorted out. The steering felt more responsive and better weighted, and body roll was more controlled. The problem with the G37 is the engine. Don't get me wrong it makes good power throughout the rev range, but it has an unrefined feeling to it. At full throttle the engine sounds kind of thrashy and lacks the nice bellow of a larger displacement V8.
I probably could live with the engine in the G37 had it not been for the test drive I took next. I came across a used 2008 Lexus IS F with less than 5,000 miles on the clock. Even used this was by far the most expensive car I drove, but after spending some time in the Lexus I knew it was the one.
If your not familiar with the IS F it is Lexus' attempt to build a car to compete with the like of the BMW M3, Audi RS4 and Merecedes C63 AMG. At the heart of the car is a 5.0L 32v V8 engine that puts out 416hp and 371 lbs ft of torque. The engine is back by a modified version of the Lexus 8 speed auto that has a manual shift mode that allows lightening quick shifts via paddles behind the wheel. Lexus claims shifts take .1 second which is faster than the Audi DSG and even the Ferrari Enzo's gearbox. The driveline is backed up with other go fast goodies including 6 piston Brembos in the front clamping 14.2" crossed drilled rotors, 19" forged BBS wheels and a sport tuned suspension.
I fell hard for this car. It has a very upscale and user friendly interior with great seats, a nice nav and a pretty good factory stereo. Add in things like adaptive bi-Xenon lights, sunroof, push button start and memory seats and this car has about all I could ask for. The rear seats are a bit cramped compared to the G8, but my kids are 3 and 4 so they don't complain. The factory exhaust has a nice roar to it when you get on the gas. Speaking of getting on the gas, this car is fast. Most magazine test show it to run between 4.2 and 4.4 0-60 and in the high 12s at over 110 mph in the 1/4 mile. Not bad for a 4 door grocery getter.
I'm going to miss my Mustang. I got way more attention in the stang then I do in the Lexus. I'm also going to miss the thriving aftermarket support for the Ford. The IS F is such a limited production car that there is very little in the way of aftermarket and what is available isn't cheap. Also, the F will never sound as sweet as my GT did.
I hope a true car enthusiast ends up with my Mustang.
I hope I don't catch a lot of crap for buying a Japanese car. I really feel like it is the best car for me right now. Someday I would love to give a car like the new CTS-V a try, but for the money I am very happy with being a "ricer" for now.
