_______ / _____ \ | / | | _________ | | |_| /____ ____\ | | ___ | | | | \ / | | _______ | \_____/ | | | / ___ \ \_________/ | | |_/ \ | | | __| | |_| |__ | _ | | | \___/ | \_______/ Table of Contents: 1) Introduction/Updates 2) Cars 3) Performance Tests 4) Bang for the Buck 5) Legal Junk/Special Thanks 1) Hello all. This is my first FAQ that I've submitted, so I'm sorry in advance for the shoddy graphics (See above). This FAQ is solely designed to advise users on the best second cars to buy in Gran Turismo 3. I've made a list of cars ranging from just above 18K (The maximum amount of money available to you from the start) to 60K, since you probably will not want to save more than that amount before buying your second car. I hope this will help everyone who wants a bit of help with their buying. Updates 11/6/04: Formed FAQ, added list of cars, tested a few to be added in the `Performance Tests' category. Included were Acura, Audi, BMW and a few others. 11/7/04: Added Alfa Romeo, and finished the Chevrolet fleet. 11/8/04: Learned G-Faqs rejected my first draft. >_< Today I'm submitting the third version. Anyways, today I added Fiat, Ford, and finished the Honda fleet. On to the M category! 11/10/04: Tested and added the Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and Mitsubishi fleet. G-FaQs rejected my second draft! >_< Ugh! Using Notepad instead of Microsoft Word now, maybe that'll work. 11/11/04-11/22/04: Tested the entire Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, and Renault fleet and will add them periodically until they are all in the system. 11/24/04: Tested Subaru, Tommy Kaira, and Toyota; added them all to the list. Also completed section 4. FAQ is done. Hopefully G-FAQ'S will accept it! ***************************************************************************** 2) OK, on to the list of cars. There are quite a few here, so bear with me. | Make | | Name | Price | Acura: Integra Type-R $27,480 3.2 CL Type-S $34,230 Alfa Romeo: 156 2.5 $38,910 Audi: S4 $39,730 TT $46,580 BMW: 328ci $50,690 Chevrolet: Camaro Z28 $22,830 Camaro SS $29,530 Corvette Grand Sport $40,010 Corvette Z06 $54,000 Fiat: Coupe Turbo Plus $21,030 Ford: Mustang SVT Cobra R $31,150 Honda: CR-X del Sol SiR $18,730 Civic SiR II $18,890 Civic Type-R $19,980 Integra Type-R $25,160 Accord Euro-R $25,330 S2000 $33,800 S2000 Type-V $35,600 Lotus: Elise 190 $58,530 Mazda: Miata (MX-5) 1.8 RS $22,950 Miata (MX-5) LS $23,280 RX-7 Savanna Infini III $32,200 RX-7 Type RS $37,780 RX-7 Type RZ $39,980 Mercedes-Benz: SLK230 $55,310 Mitsubishi: FTO GP-R $21,600 Lancer Evo VII RS $25,180 Lancer Evo VI RS $25,980 Lancer Evo IV GSR $29,980 Lancer Evo VII GSR $29,980 Lancer Evo V GSR $32,480 Lancer Evo VI GSR $32,480 Lancer Evo VI GSR T.M.E. w/o stripes $32,780 Lancer Evo VI GSR T.M.E. w/ stripes $32,780 3000GT VR-4 Turbo $43,230 3000GT VR-4 $43,230 Nissan: Silvia Varietta $27,980 Skyline GTS-t Type M $23,850 Skyline GT-R V-spec II $52,600 Skyline GT-R V-Spec $53,900 Skyline GT-R V-Spec $55,980 Skyline GT-R V-Spec II $57,480 Silvia K's 2000cc $20,360 Silvia K's 1800cc $18,860 240SX K's Aero $23,950 Silvia Spec-R Aero $25,600 240SX Fastback Type-X $24,980 300ZX TT 2-seater $39,900 300ZX TT 2by2 $43,980 Opel: Speedster $38,390 Peugeot: 206 S16 $23,360 Renault: Clio Sport V6 24V $43,400 Subaru: Legacy B4 RSK $26,430 Impreza Sedan WRX STi Version VI $29,290 Impreza Wagon WRX STi Version VI $29,190 Legacy Touring Wagon GT-B $29,330 Impreza Sports Wagon WRX STi $29,980 Legacy Blitzen B4 $30,000 Impreza Sedan WRX STi $31,980 Impreza 22B STi Version $50,000 Tommy Kaira: ZZ-S $56,800 Toyota: Celica SS-II $19,700 MR-S S Edition $19,800 Lexus IS $20,600 Celica SS-II $21,360 MR2 G-Limited $23,750 Altezza RS200 $24,000 MR2 GT-S $27,130 Celica GT-Four $32,600 Supra SZ-R $34,700 Supra RZ $44,800 ****************************************************************************** 3) As I progress through the cars I'll add more to the list. I tested all these cars at the Complex String track with a manual transmission, an oil change and sport tires to make the cars a bit sportier. (And also because these should be your main two upgrades when buying any car) I alsoturned the ASM and TCS completely off. If the times seem a bit slower than yours don't worry, I'm not the best driver out there, so that's where the sorry times came from. For every car I rate it's 0-60 times, braking ability, and steering ability. At the end I add my own comments for each car. All right, enough talk, let's go! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Acura: Integra Type-R Track Time: 5:31:812 0-60: 8.9 seconds Braking: Very solid Steering: Smooth Comments: This would be an excellent car if it had more punch. Excellent brake feedback and predictable handling still stick out as a reason to buy this car. The engine problem can easily be remedied with some engine upgrades. 3.2 CL Type-S Track Time: 5:29:132 0-60: 7.6 seconds Braking: Average Steering: Sluggish Comments: Do not, I repeat, DO NOT make the same mistake I did when buying this car. It has ample power, but the brakes are only average and steering is slow. As I said, the V6 has ample power through 3rd gear but just drops off after shifting into 4th; odd gear ratios just waste this engines potential. If you have some money to dump into transmission and weight-loss upgrades, this isn't too bad of a car. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alfa Romeo: 156 2.5 Track Time: 5:36:264 0-60: 8.5 seconds Braking: Stable, but a bit slow Steering: Secure Comments: A very plain car. Braking and steering were average, but are backed up by a stable chassis. Engine performance was decent; the 2.5 6- cyl provides good hp/torque levels, but overall this is just a small engine in a big (Relatively) car. If you want a `sporty' sedan as a second car, the Accord Euro-R has better stats, plus it's nearly 15K less. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Audi: S4 Track Time: 5:18:681 0-60: 5.8 Braking: Very good Steering: Average Comments: The S4 has an ample amount of power, and it's used well with 6 gears. Brake performance is very good, and the handling isn't too bad. You just have to get used to braking and the steering into the corner instead of braking while entering. A good second car that would be more attractive if it had a lower sticker cost. TT: Track Time: 5:28:970 0-60: 9.5 Braking: Below average Steering: Sluggish Comments: What can you say about the TT? It's slow, period. Sub par brakes, sluggish handling, and a weak engine = S-L-O-W. The only reason I can think of to buy this car is for the Tourist Trophy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BMW: 328ci Track Time: 5:30:075 0-60: 7.1 seconds Braking: Solid, but a bit off par Steering: Very smooth and solid Comments: A very nice car. The 2.8 6-cyl gives a nice dose of all around power and torque. The steering was solid and predictable, though a bit sluggish through very tight corners. The braking was average due to the higher than average weight. A good car, but it's too impractical as a second car at a steep 50K. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chevrolet: Camaro Z28 Track Time: 5:15:486 0-60: 5.5 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Average Comments: A good car for less than 23K. Brakes responded well and the handling was average. The real deal-maker, however, is the V-8 powerplant. It carries smoothly through the gears and has a near- limitless amount of torque. Overall, buy this car, but buy some tires first. Camaro SS Track Time: 5:10:363 0-60: 5.3 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Average Comments: The big brother of the Z28, the SS boasts more power for 5K more. I think it's money well spent. Acceleration is noticeably improved. Handling and braking was much the same between the Z28 and SS. For the extra 5K, the SS is a good buy. But for those on a budget, the Z28 will do just fine. Corvette Grand Sport Track Time: 5:09:051 0-60: 5.4 Braking: Solid Steering: Sub-par, tail-happy Comments: The Corvette Grand Sport has an ample amount of power. If driven carefully, it's a very rewarding car. If not, you've essentially flushed 40K down the drain. Braking and engine performance both get A's, but handling will net it a C. It's VERY risky. Buy at your own risk, even if you're good with throttle control Corvette Z06 Track Time: 4:59:925 0-60: 4.8 seconds Braking: Solid at lower speeds, dicey at higher speeds Steering: Very good, but oversteer is always prevalent Comments: For a bit north of 50K you have a very potent car in your hands. The V8 powerplant is very useful, easily netting speeds upwards of 150 mph. Steering response was good, but beware of mashing the gas out of any corner. (This can easily be rectified through throttle control) Braking was excellent at lower speeds, but if you mash the brake above 110 mph you'll have a tough time getting down to speed. All in all a very good car if you're willing to shell out 54K for a second car. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fiat: Coupe Turbo Plus Track Time: 5:28:592 0-60: 7.7 seconds Braking: Strong Steering: Quirky Comments: This is probably the best non-American car that can be bought for under 25K. Strong brakes and a spirited inline 5-cyl engine (Turbo- charged out of the box I might add) make for a fun combination. The only downside is the odd handling. It just stiffens up when you accelerate while turning. The best way I found to combat it was to brake early and then coast through the turn, delicately accelerating out of the corner. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ford: Mustang SVT Cobra R Track Time: 5:07:004 0-60: 5.4 seconds Braking: Average Steering: Poor Comments: Simply put, this car is a beast. The V-8 engine puts out about 350hp stock. This easily makes it the car with the most stock hp for the money. Braking was average, but handling was just...bad. Even with the most delicate throttle control the SVT was prepared to swing out at any time. If you really want this car I'd suggest saving up for some racing tires to accompany it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Honda: Civic del-Sol SiR Track Time: 5:38:513 0-60: 9.0 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Good Comments: This car really surprised me. I thought it'd do a bit better than it did. Brakes were average and handling was spirited, but the engine is a big letdown. However, it is cheaper than most cars out there, so what you don't spend on the car you can invest in a useful engine and/or transmission upgrade. Civic SiR II Track Time: 5:33:036 0-60: 8.7 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Good Comments: A better alternative to the del-Sol, the SiR promises less weight in a sportier package. Brakes were good and so was the handling. The small 4-cyl was the only drawback, but that's easily changed by adding on a few engine upgrades. Civic Type-R Track Time: 5:32:350 0-60: 8.6 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Good Comments: The big brother of the SiR-II boasts more power, but for the money, you're getting practically the same car. The Type-R has more power to carry its extra weight; brakes and handling were both good. As with the previous Civics, the Type-R is a bit slow off the line, so I'd recommend some engine upgrades. A decent second car, but there are better choices out there. Integra Type-R Track Time: 5:24:644 0-60: 8.5 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Very Good Comments: The parent car of the Civic triplets, the Integra Type-R, has much more muscle than it's kids. Boasting a smooth 1.8 liter 4-cyl, the Integra Type-R easily outperforms the Civics. Braking was good and handling was improved. The only downside of this car is the higher sticker price compared to the Civics. Accord Euro-R Track Time: 5:34:863 0-60: 8.4 seconds Braking: Solid Steering: Jumpy, but still secure Comments: A good deal for around 25K. Decent acceleration with a top speed of around 160 mph makes this a very quick FF car. Steering response was sort of twitchy, so it takes a little while to get used to. Brake response was solid as a rock, you can trust this car to slow down when you mash the brake. S2000 Track Time: 5:12:073 0-60: 6.3 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Very Good Comments: The S2000 has good brakes and superb handling. Unlike the Civics, the S2000 has a great engine, easily carrying the car up to 5th gear. However, it seems to develop severe lag when you reach the middle of 5th gear. It's not too bad, though. In the middle of 5th you should be carrying around 130 mph, probably the tops you're going to hit anywhere else with the exception of SSR11 and the Test Course. A good car for a decent price. S2000 Type-V Track Time: 5:12:384 0-60: 6.2 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Very Good Comments: The S2000 Type-V is a minor upgrade from the S2000. It's extra ability is a slight handling upgrade that assists during extremely tight corners at lower speeds. Since there weren't too many tight corners at the Complex String it didn't help too much. Braking and steering matched the S2000's with near-precision. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lotus: Elise 190 Track Time: 5:08:286 0-60: 6.1 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Very Good Comments: This is one capable car right here. At a measly 180 hp, this car managed to outrun the entire Lancer family and nearly tracked down the mighty Mustang SVT. Braking was good, and the steering was very good due to its light weight. At 59K, it's far from cheap, but if this is a car you really want, then I'd suggest saving up for it, because you won't be disappointed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mazda: Miata (MX-5) 1.8 RS Track Time: 5:39:722 0-60: 9.5 seconds Braking: Average Steering: Excellent Comments: This is a nice little car with extraordinary handling, but other than that it's unimpressive. The brakes are average, and the engine (Sizeable for a car of this size) just doesn't deliver. The Miata LS is a much better choice. Miata (MX-5) LS Track Time: 5:33:684 0-60: 7.9 seconds Braking: Excellent Steering: Very good, but kind of tail-happy Comments: An excellent car for under 25K. The 4-cyl powerplant puts out deceptively low numbers, but performance is very good due to the Miata's low weight. You can't beat the acceleration for the price, braking was excellent, and so was the handling with the exception of the odd wheelspin out of tight corners. Overall the best car for under 25K. RX-7 Infini Savanna III Track Time: 5:38:112 0-60: 7.1 seconds Braking: Average Steering: Good Comments: This car is pretty good; built in turbo, decent chassis, and a good engine. It's only downfall is it's price. For 32K you can get a much better Evo/WRX. But for the diehard RX-7 fans, this car doesn't disappoint. A decent engine, brakes, and steering make for a good package priced a few thousand north of where it should be. RX-7 Type RS Track Time: 5:01:188 0-60: 6.2 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: For 5K more you can get a car that blows the Infini Savanna RX-7 away; and for 6K more, you can get a car that will soundly beat the Mustang SVT. Engine response is excellent, brakes and steering are very good, and the price isn't too bad. An excellent second car. RX-7 Type RZ Track Time: 5:02:358 0-60: 6 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: The RZ is a bit more ritzy than the RS; ultimately it's slower than the RS, but for more money. Specs were nearly identical to the RS, with the exception of the engine, which is a bit less powerful. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mercedes-Benz: SLK 230 Kompressor Track Time: 5:28:875 0-60: 7.5 seconds Braking: Average Steering: Good Comments: The SLK is a good car to have around, if you can manage to pay the stifling 55K price. Brakes were OK ans steering was good also. Engine response was OK, but nothing special. This is probably the best car for the Mercedes Benz Tournament, with the exception of the CLK 55 on the Test Course. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mitsubishi: FTO GP-R Track Time: 5:25:483 0-60: 8.3 seconds Braking: Good Stering: Very Agile Comments: This is an excellent car for the money. Brakes were good, but the steering is the main focus of my praise. It has just the right combination of twitchy and stable, making it one of the easiest cars to handle. If you buy this car you've got a 6-cyl engine, but it's too small to make too much over 120 mph. An excellent car overall. Lancer Evo VII RS Track Time: 5:08:943 0-60: 4.9 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: The Evo VII RS is a much better car than its GSR counterpart. Handling seemed to be much better. Other than that, this car is nearly identical to the GSR. Being the cheapest Evo, it's also one of the best, outdone only by the Evo VI GSR T.M.E. Lancer Evo VI RS Track Time: 5:11:653 0-60: 5.7 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Good Comments: The Evo VI RS is a decent car to have, but there are better cars out there for the price. Acceleration, braking and steering were all good. One small thing to point out is that this Evo is governed at 135 mph, kind of a low speed to have. Ultimately, though, the Evo VII RS is better, and for a more attractive price. Lancer Evo VI GSR Track Time: 5:14:168 0-60: 5 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Average Comments: I really thought this car would out-do the Evoe VI RS with the better gear ratios, but I was wrong. The steering was quirky, brakes were very good, and the engine response was excellent. If you think you can deal with the handling, then this is your kinda car. Lancer Evo VI GSR T.M.E. (With and without stripes, I'm not testing both of them, the only difference is the paint job) Track Time: 5:07:751 0-60: 5 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: The Evo VI GSR T.M.E. is the best Evo, period. It got great gear ratios, a good engine, great handling (Fixed from the regular Evo VI GSR), and even better braking. If you're willing to spend 7K more than you would for its closest rival, the VII RS, then you're ready for anything. Lancer Evo VII GSR Track Time: 5:12:832 0-60: 4.6 seconds Braking: Decent Steering: Below average Comments: This is a decent car for around 30K, but it's nothing special. Acceleration was stellar until 5th gear, when the engine just seemed to lag. Braking was good, but steering was a whole different story. It was extremely loose going into the corner, which caused me to slide on more than one occasion. The car is much better suited to rally conditions instead of street races. Lancer Evo IV GSR Track Time: 5:24:063 0-60: 5.3 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Average Comments: The Evo IV is a decent second car. There are no frills here: decent acceleration, decent braking, decent steering. If you want an average car then this is it. As an added bonus (Although this comes on every Evo/WRX) you get a free turbocharger. Lancer Evo V GSR Track Time: 5:11:551 0-60: 5.1 seconds Braking: Excellent Steering: Very Good Comments: A very nice blend between the Evo VI's power and the Evo IV's stability. Braking was very good as was the handling. The engine seemed to have a wide output ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 rpm. However, the real fun begins when you shift into 4th gear. You'll see what I mean ;) 3000GT VR-4 Track Time: 5:12:770 0-60: 5.1 seconds Braking: Excellent Steering: Good Comments: The 3000Gt is a surprisingly good car, considering its weight. The 3.0 6-cyl is certainly no slouch when it comes to speed, rocketing the nearly 1700kg car from 0-60 mph in a mere 5.1 seconds. Steering was good considering the weight it was pulling around. The same could be said for the brakes, which dutifully brought the car down to a stop quickly. 3000GT VR-4 Turbo Track Time: 5:15:258 0-60: 5.2 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Good Comments: The slower 3000GT twin, the VR-4 Turbo, isn't too bad of a car. But when considering that you can buy the quicker car for the same amount of money, it's kinda a no-brainer to opt for the better car, right? Anyways, the VR-4 Turbo has a few extra kilos to lug around, which is why performance is a bit worse. And the extra weight is noticeable, too. Whe driving, the weight is quite noticeable: slower acceleration, slower handling, and longer braking make the VR-4 Turbo a bit less attractive than it's sister car, the regular VR-4. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nissan: Silvia Varietta Track Time: 5:39:676 0-60: 8.9 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Very Good Comments: I was surprised with this car, I thought it'd do much better. Brake response was good and steering was very good. If the engine was a bit better I'd give this car a better 'grade'. Too bad this car is on the more expensive side, because I'd suggest engine mods with the money you saved. Skyline GTS-t Type-M Track Time: 5:35:442 0-60: 7.5 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Good Comments: The track time for this car is more like 5:30:***, but I messed up in the last parts of the track. Anyways, very good brakes, good steering, and a nice engine make this a pretty cool car. It's not TOO much money, and you get a free built-in turbo with it, what's not to like? Skyline GT-R VSpecII (R32) Track Time: 5:09:845 0-60: 5.1 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Excellent Comments: This car, while expensive, is definately worth considering as a second car. You get a smallish 6-cyl engine with a built-in turbo (Nice!), plus you get very good braking with superb handling, thanks to the handy 4WD. If you're ready to pay for it, this car won't disappoint. Skyline GT-R VSpec (R33) Track Time: 5:06:495 0-60: 4.8 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: This Skyline has more punch than the R32, and it shows. Even with a accidental 360 the R33 came in more than 3 seconds quicker than the R32. Braking and steering were very good, my only problem with this car was its greater tendency to spin out compared to the R32. Still a good deal if you've got the money. Overall my favorite Skyline: It mixes a good amount of power with one of the best chassis' I've ever driven. Skyline GT-R V-Spec (R34) Track Time: 5:01:345 0-60: 4.6 seconds Braking: Excellent Steering: Very Good Comments: Wow....this car nearly took down the Z06, too bad, it just needs a bit more power. Brakes were excellent, and the handling wasn't too bad, it's just very twitchy, which may put some people off who aren't used to that type of handling. Engine response was excellent. Skyline GT-R V-SpecII (R34) Track Time: 5:06:882 0-60: 4.6 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Good Comments: Even without the spin, this car wouldn't have been much better. Brakes seemed somewhat soft compared to the V-Spec (R34), and steering was actually worse due to its unpredictability. The engine is just about the same as the V-Spec (R34). Out of the Skylines, I hated this one the most, it is just too technically tough to drive, even for me. SILVIA K's (S13, 2000cc) Track Time: 5:34:784 0-60: 7.8 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Subpar Comments: I really thought this car would do better than it did. Engine response, aided by a turbo, was very good as were the brakes; but the steering just let this car down. When it wasn't tight, it was loose; there's just no neutral steering position. You can buy some chassis upgrades to help with the steering, but you're better off looking elsewhere. SILVIA K's (S13, 1800cc) Track Time: 5:27:960 0-60: 8.2 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Good Comments: This car is much better than its older sibling, the 2000cc. Steering was improved, brakes were very good, and the engine wasn't bad considering it is only a 1.8 liter. An excellent car for the price, giving the Miata LS a whipping in price AND performance. 240SX K's AERO Track Time: 5:31:285 0-60: 7.5 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Poor Comments: Blegh. I absolutely hated this car. Throttle response was good, but wasn't anything spectacular. Brakes were good but the handling was downright horrible. Like the SILVIA 2000cc when it wasn't irreperably loose it was agonizingly tight. Buy at your own risk. SILVIA SPEC R AERO Track Time: 5:21:207 0-60: 6.8 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Twitchy Comments: Like the 240SX K's, the SPEC R has some major steering issues. First it won't turn, then it'll but then spin out; aggravating.... Anyways, if you can get past the handling, this is a good car. 240hp and a 6-speed out of the box is almost unheard of. Brakes were decent. If you want this car, I'd suggest saving up for some chassis upgrades. 240SX Fastback Type X Track Time: 5:24:758 0-60: 7.6 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: good Comments: The best of the SILVIA/240SX group. It's not the fastest, but it's most certainly the easiest to drive. Decent throttle response, great brakes, and good handling make this an attractive buy. 300ZX (2-seater) Track Time: 5:14:775 0-60: 6.5 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Good Comments: The 300Zx has an excellent powerplant backing it up, but its drawbacks are only average brakes and handling. For the money you pay, the RX-7s are much better. 300ZX (2-by-2) Track Time: 5:17:637 0-60: 6.5 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Good Comments: Wow...the extra weight realy shows in this car. Stats are basically the same as the 300ZX (2-seater) with just a bit more weight it's lugging around. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opel: Speedster Track Time: 5:16:168 0-60: 6.6 seconds Braking: Average Steering: Excellent Comments: This is an excellent car to have, if you're willing to pay the 39K dollar sticker price. For the money, the Speedster is better than its rival, the Elise 190. But on the track the Elise just blows it away. Brakes were OK, handling was excellent, and engine response was decent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peugeot: 206 S16 Track Time: 5:44:239 0-60: 9.9 seconds Braking: Excellent Steering: Very Good Comments: For all practical purposes, this car should've been lumped in with the beginner cars. It's slow, period. Even with a very low weight, the 140hp isn't nearly enough to help this car. Brakes were excellent and steering was very good, but the engine just isn't willing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Renault: Clio Sport V6 24V Track Time: 5:10:204 0-60: 6 seconds Braking: Average Steering: Good Comments: This car actually surprised me. When I first saw the specs I saw a decent V6 that could've used a lot more power. Through the first 4 gears the engine is good, but it suffers afterwards; don't expect any high-speed runs with this car. Braking and steering were both good, but nothing spectacular. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subaru: Legacy B4 RSK Track Time: 5:24:546 0-60: 5.8 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Heavy Understeer Comments: This car really disappointed me. The engine is excellent and the brakes do their job, but the handling of this car is just abysmal. Even moderate corners require excessive braking to get through. If you buy this car, I'd suggest your first upgrades to be tires and a VCD controller to help loosen this car up. Impreza Sedan WRX STi (Version VI) Track Time: 5:12:017 0-60: 5.7 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: This car is very good for the money. Excellent engine response is coupled with pretty good brakes and superb handling. Probably one of the best cars you can find for under 30,000. Impreza Wagon WRX STi (Version VI) Track Time: 5:09:055 0-60: 5.8 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: This car actually turned out to be a bit better than its sedan twin; I think it has something to do with the extra weight in the rear helping with traction. Excellent car; superb engine response (Aided by a built-in turbo) is tied in with the great brakes and handling. Legacy Touring Wagon GT-B Track Time: 5:22:952 0-60: 6 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Good Comments: The extra weight of this car is very prevalent, especially in the turns. Engine response was excellent, brakes were great, and handling was only average because of its tendency to be sluggish. A good car, but the Imprezas area better if you're looking into buying a Subaru. Impreza Sports Wagon STi Track Time: 5:08:459 0-60: 5 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Excellent Comments: I was REALLY surprised with this car. Tipping the scales at a hefty 1430 kg, I thought handling was going to be compromised, but I was wrong. The 300hp engine has more than enough power to haul this beast, with a solid 0-60 timeof 5 seconds to prove it. Brakes were good and handling was excellent. You should seriously consider this car when looking around. Legacy B4 Blitzen Track Time: 5:17:693 0-60: 5.5 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: Out of the Legacys, this one was the best. It hauls more ass than the other two, and has better handling to boot. Excellent engine response coupled with superb braking and handling stats make this a decent buy. Impreza WRX STi (Sedan) Track Time: 5:04:931 0-60: 4.8 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Excellent Comments: Wow.....just, wow. This is a superb car in every way. You've got a killer throttle response, very good brakes, and handling to die for. Granted it's a higher price than most, but I think it's worth it. I strongly suggest this as a second car. Impreza 22B-STi Version Track Time: 5:02:018 0-60: 4.7 seconds Braking: Excellent Steering: Excellent Comments: Wow, this car never ceased to amaze me. A helluva engine, and great brakes and handling to go with it make this a very attractive car. The only downsides are 1) You're never gonna top 150 mph without a transmission upgrade and 2) at 50K, it's a steep price to pay. If you've got the money and want it, go and have a blast. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tommy Kaira: ZZ-S Track Time: 5:08:137 0-60: 6.7 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Excellent Comments: The second best MR car out there for under 60K. Excellent steering feedback, brakes, and a decent engine make this a pretty cool car. The only bad thing about this car is the styling. If you've got the money (And don't want the Elise 190), this is a good car. One word of advice though, its got a surprising amount of oversteer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Toyota: Celica SS-II Track Time: 5:30:529 0-60: 9.4 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: I was actually surprised by this car. Although the 0-60 time isn't great, the engine is actually pretty decent. Brakes and handling were both extremely good. Probably the best car you can buy for under 20K. MR-S S-Edition Track Time: 5:30:328 0-60: 7.7 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Excellent Comments: This car is pretty decent for the money. You get a decent 4-cyl engine in a light MR car along with excellent handling and good brakes. The only trouble with cars like this is that, even with upgrading, your car just doesn't get much quicker. Lexus IS Track Time: 5:41:371 0-60: 9.4 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Good Comments: Not surprisingly, the car that has only 4 gears is also very slow. It really is too bad. If there was more hp out of this engine and one more gear it'd be a much better car. Brakes and handling were both good. Overall a mediocre car worth less than you're paying for it. Celica SS-II (ST202) Track Time: 5:34:390 0-60: 8.7 seconds Braking: Excellent Steering: Very Good Comments: This car would be so much better with a bit more powerful engine under the hood. Brakes and handling were both great, but the engine is just lackluster. Fortunately, what you don't spend on the car can go into very helpful engine upgrades. MR-2 G-Limited Track Time: 5:30:024 0-60: 6.9 seconds Braking: Avergae Steering: Excellent Comments: A pretty decent car for the money. Great engine feedback, excellent steering, and halfway decent braking make a good deal. However, it's sibling, the MR-2 GTS, is a better choice. Altezza RS200 Track Time: 5:24:238 0-60: 7.7 seconds Braking: Good Steering: Very Good Comments: This isn't TOO bad of a car if you think about it. Decent engine, decent brakes, and great handling. Although a bit pricey, this car has the potential to be competitive. *** NOTE: This car is better than the Lexus IS in the Altezza Cup. *** MR-2 GTS Track Time: 5:13:965 0-60: 6.3 seconds Braking: Poor Steering: Excellent Comments: A great engine and a great chassis make this such a great car. The only problem is the brakes, which are pretty pathetic. If you want this car, I'd suggest saving up for the Brake Upgrade. Celica GT-FOUR Track Time: 5:17:984 0-60: 6 seconds Braking: Average Steering: Very Good Comments: This car is a little disppointing; I thought it'd be better. You've got a decent engine, but it's truly underpowered. Brakes were average but handling was very good. Overall, there are better cars out there than this. Supra SZ-R Track Time: 5:15:420 0-60: 7.5 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Very Good Comments: This car actually surprised me with its smooth acceleration. Despite only having 215 hp, the Supra's transmission makes good use of it. Brakes and handling were great. On the downside, 35K is a lot of money to pay for a car with stats like this. Supra RZ Track Time: 5:08:984 0-60: 5.9 seconds Braking: Very Good Steering: Poor (Very tail-happy) Comments: I thought the RZ would be much better than the SZ-R, and to a certain extent it is. The engine is great, but the oversteer on this car is just overbearing. Brakes were great. IMHO, the RX-7's are better for the price you're paying for this. ****************************************************************************** 4) Performance Tests Keep in mind that these cars are my opinion only. There are a few cars that I picked that are actually slower, but they were easier to drive. ---Best of the entire field: Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Sedan) --------Why I did: This is the most amount of car that you can get for your money at 32K. Honorable Mention: Mazda RX-7 Type RS -----------------------------Other awards:------------------------------------ Evos: Mitsubishi Evo V GSR (I would've chosen the VI T.M.E., but this one is much easier to drive than the VI T.M.E.) Honorable Mention: Mitsubishi Evo VI T.M.E. WRXs: Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Sedan) Honorable Mention: Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon WRX STi Turbos: Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Sedan) Honorable Mention: Mazda RX-7 Type RS NAs: Chevrolet Camaro SS Honorable Mention: Corvette Z06 FFs: Honda Integra Type-R Honorable Mention: Fiat Coupe Turbo Plus FRs: Mazda RX-7 Type RS Honorable Mention: Chevrolet Camaro SS MRs: Lotus Elise 190 Honorable Mention: Tommy Kaira ZZ-S 4WDs: Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Sedan) Honorable Mention: Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon WRX STi 4-cyls: Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Sedan) Honorable Mention: Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon WRX STi 6-cyls: Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Turbo Honorable Mention: Nissan Skyline GT-R VSpecII (R32) 8-cyls: Chevrolet Camaro SS Honorable Mention: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Under $20,000: Toyota Celica SS-II Honorable Mention: Honda Civic Type-R $20,000-$30,000: Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon WRX STi Honorable Mention: Chevrolet Camaro SS $30,000-$40,000: Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Sedan) Honorable Mention: Mazda RX-7 Type RS $40,000-$50,000: Mistubishi 3000GT VR-4 Turbo Honorable Mention: Renault Clio Sport V6 24V $50,000-$60,000: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Honorable Mention: Lotus Elise 190 ***************************************************************************** 5) Special Thanks/Credits/Copyrights/Trademarks I'd like to thank the music of Rob Zombie, Metallica, Soundgarden and a few other bands for keeping me company while typing this up. I'd like to thank PD for making a great racing game, and for many more Gran Turismo's! I'd also like to thank those of you (Yes you! Don't think I can't see you...) that read this FAQ and actually come down to read all this! -This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for -personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise -distributed publicly without advance written permission. You can use this FAQ if you'd like, but just let me know about it first. I will most certainly let you have it, provided that you say I made it. Also, feel free to send me any comments, tips, or to notify me if I made spelling errors that spell-check didn't catch. E-mail me at haloexpert2003@hotmail.com Copyright 2004 Brian Printy -All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by -their respective trademark and copyright holders.