[rxter]

On the way home from the local Office Depot and Grocery run yesterday I happened on a new M3 at a long light. Young guy, so I figured he was actually planning to use the torque in that beast. As the light went 5 reds, my young friend did indeed bury his right foot. This is a good intersection with long delays between reds and greens, and great visibility for a mile up the road, so I obliged, and buried my right foot as well, and dumped the clutch as fast as I dared.

Not to my surprise the M became smaller pretty quickly. To my great surprise a WRX came blasting around my right side (3 lane road) up the middle lane and took off after the M. Not blown either, at least I couldn't hear any wastegate stuff. Suddenly, my 968 felt pretty tired, and pretty worn out. Simply not enough torque in her, and even the high rev catch up speed was a bit sad.

At the next light I pulled along side the Subie owner, who had pulled up behind a shiny new lipstick metallic red Lambo - gorgeous. I said 'can you beat him'? and Subie said "I'm gonna try". Even I knew not to tempt a Godzilla killer. But Subie did, and Lambo let him go.

2 questions for you all.

1) How much is enough? I really don't want a new M3. Couldn't afford one if I did anyway. They are too big. I like smaller cars, but I sure would have expected a Porsche to stay with a Subie. With 95K on the clock is it unreasonable for me to ask that? Is this car simply a topless GT with guts to beat a Camry? I can live with that, but just barely.

2) When are we putting the RSWest in place? I am thinking that the only way I can really get all the grunt out of my 3 liters is to redo the head, and there is no way I am going apex's DIY route. I'd put that work ahead of everything else on my list, as it will provide the best platform for everything else.

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[Ryan]

Just plop down your $4200 and get the new SC kit . You know you want one.

I can't believe no one has gotten one yet. I wish I could pull it off now!

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[94SilverCab]

Sounds like you're a bit down becasue of newer cars bringing more power to the table, Physics just doesn't change (Power:Weight). My Miata could beat a 968 head to head. Not nearly as enjoyable a ride though.

My own take on the 968 is that it does everything I want it to do. Balanced handling, smooth power, comfort, style and rarity

I love my 968 for what it is, not hate it for what it isn't. If you want to beat guys out of a light, buy a 'Vette. Cornering? Buy a Lotus, Comfort? Cadillac...etc.

I have looked at and would consider trading for an NSX. But I would miss this community, a lot...

I really like the new Infiniti G37S (Convertible, of course). If I didn't have the Porsche I could probably convince the wife that I should have one.

Jay

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[T-Bone]

Interesting about the Subie. I too had a run-in with a non-turbo version this weekend. He had the tin can muffler and it was sufficiently "riced" out. I had my daughter in the back so I had to keep my cool but they were staring at me as the light was red. I could tell he wanted a piece so I dropped the hammer when the light turned green. Not even close... I had a car length on him in mid-second gear. We only went one light and I didn't run it that fast but we were on a 50 mph, 3-lane road with good visibility. But, it was enough for me to smile all the way to my destination. I heard the Subie singing so I know he gave it all it had. He did give me the thumbs up as he went by so I'm thinking he knew he lost. BTW, the full turbo would leave me choking in his dust.

Maybe you didn't keep your foot in it enough before shifting? You have to remember that these cars are 15+ years old. I remember when I was a kid bragging that my dad's 79 corvette had 235hp and a 0-60 time of 7.3 and 1/4 of 15.7. Hell, my wife's Volvo can almost do that. Compared to what what on the road at the time, these cars were in the top tier of performance. You have to look at everything in context.

Lastly, the best part of my "win" was that my 5 year old daughter said she was proud of me at the next light... Too funny!

T-Bone

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[94SilverCab]

Funny Volvo comment..

Last weekend my wife and I were out running errands with her S60. I'm behind a Lexus LS430 who is sitting beside an Acura Integra comepletely riced out. The Integra revs and tries to take the Lexus...no way! The Lexus was 3 car lengths ahead in about 6 car lengths and the distance keeps getting larger.... The kid is still flogging the Integra as I roll next to him in the Volvo...

We waved as we flew past him...bummer for the kid...

Jay

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[flash]

lol - t-bone - i think i saw you - on golden lantern at the intersection of marina hills? i was on marina hills preparing to turn left when you went by at a pretty good clip

a supercharger would indeed be a good answer, and as soon as somebody comes up with a package that actually is safe and reliable, then i agree - of course california emissions, as well as a number of other states, will be an issue

getting these cars to run off the line is hard - you have to do a pretty good clutch dump at full throttle, and shift way up at redline, with a very slight touch on the clutch, while never lifting of the throttle - shifting must also be a single diagonal motion of the shifter, not 3 independent ones in a "Z", simultaneous with the 1/2" or so of clutch pedal - very hard on things, but very effective

moving away from stoplight racing, there are a lot of things you can do to make the car more fun, and have more power, but in the end, the weight will be a penalty - if you want to really play with it, you can trim that puppy down a couple hundred pounds, but it'll cost you some money to do it, seats and exhaust being a huge part

the mileage doesn't help either - if your compression is down, which is likely, you're working from a deficit - get it back to full power and you may feel very differently - it's a pretty straight ratio - 10% compression is 10% power - 180lbs will only be outputting about 215hp on a stock engine - that's not a lot when you figure that a bone stock cab is 3240lbs - add your kid and the junk we all carry around, any extra stereo gear and such, and you are well up over that - at that point a honda accord will stomp you

no free ride whichever way you look at it - that doesn't mean the car can't still be fun to drive - you just have to stick to what it does best

jay put it well though - you have to look at the car for what it is - it isn't a 0-60 car or a 1/4 mile car - sure, we all use these as yardsticks, but what this car does it does well - it is not a sportscar, and it isn't a dragster - it's a GT car - it's comfortable, stable, and extremely predictable, with adequate power - neither the suburu or the lambo can say any of those things - take either of those cars out into a canyon and run them, and you will long for the 968

i often have a hard time remembering that myself

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[T-Bone]

Jay,

That's too funny. I did the same thing one time in the XC70. A kid was trying to impress his girlfriend in his 240SX or similar. The XC has a little punch off the line with the turbo but loses steam after about 4k. Needless to say, he was pretty bummed when we pulled up at the next light and didn't try it again...

T

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[ds968]

Hell, a one legged man on a tricycle can beat our cars off the line nowadays, but pull up to those M3s ( well, NOT the new 8cyl one ! ) or some WRX STIs, going around 40 mph in 2nd, and then shift at redline all the way until you're in 6th - even on a perfectly straight course the result will be a grin on your face. I you want to take on a Lambo, stick with the Countach... whether 0-60, or the 1/4 mile you'll keep within a half car distance with a stock coupe.. but don't think that luck will hold much beyond that mark.. those babies do pick up serious steam around 100mph..

As many have said, this car has so much to offer and is superior in its balance ( of so many attributes ), that its shortcomings off the line or even 1/4 mi when compared to newer cars can easily be ignored and when put in the right perspective..

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[Gotter]

Had a Subaru incident about two weeks ago myself. He came flying up behind me and I heard the wastegate from about a block away. We did two runs, but the first one I don't think he knew. We flew from 840RPM and I had him for a good two or three car lengths before I let off the gas (45MPH zone). The second light he flew from a good 3000RPM - me not so much. Not at 146K on the old lady. But I ran for a little bit just to see. Man, can you imagine if the 968 had AWD and turbo on it?!?

If I had the extra cashflow - well, I think I know what everyone on here would do with it.

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[flash]

lol - buy a ferrari?

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[rustech]

rxter,

I believe subaru imprezza comes in 3 main models:

Imprezza base (2.5l n/a AWD ~200hp)
Imprezza WRX (2.0l Turbo AWD ~250hp)
Imprezza WRX STI (2.0l Turbo AWD ~300hp and tall wing)

If it was a "WRX", than it was one of the Turbo cars. 0-60 in ~5 sec.

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[ds968]

<!--quoteo(post=78082:date=Aug 17 2009, 02:39 PM:name=J.C.)-->QUOTE (J.C. @ Aug 17 2009, 02:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If I had the extra cashflow - well, I think I know what everyone on here would do with it.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


It all depends on how much cashflow, doesn't it ?

A disposable $ 150k - Audi R8.

A disposable $ 300k - DB9

Any more than that a Ferrari might be indeed tempting..


However, if you're talkng about used cars.. would you really replace the 968 with something else, and then deal with the similar but probably much costlier headaches those vehicles are likely to bring on, just for the incremental fun factor ? Guess I probably would, though off hand not sure I can think of more than four or five other cars I'd go for
without hesitation..

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[rxter]

Thanks all. I do feel better now. Yes getting stomped off the line was no fun. So I drove her into work today just to enjoy the sound and feel. Everything is relative.

Having said that.... I would like to see about tightening up the old girl. I noticed that question # 2 was artfully sidestepped.

Dan you had your's recently redone. Would you do it to only improve the compression and not as a critical repair? Does the car feel stronger now than it did?

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[Gotter]

Wow. Blasphemers!!!

I was talking about ~$75000 and I don't know that for that amount I'd do anything other than soop (soup?) my stock Cab. I was thinking Engine rebuild, spec turbo, RS Cat et al, try and reach that mythical 300BHP and lower curb weight.


BLASPHEMERS!!!!


[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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[flash]

$75k will buy you a nice 360 ragtop or a very sweet 355 these days

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[968Syncro]

Joe,

Was this the Subaru you saw: <i><b>Subaru WRX 530whp Drift</b></i> (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1szPu5rV5Y). [ I know this has been around before, but I just love this video.]

Roland

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[ds968]

<!--quoteo(post=78090:date=Aug 17 2009, 05:13 PM:name=rxter)-->QUOTE (rxter @ Aug 17 2009, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Dan you had your's recently redone. Would you do it to only improve the compression and not as a critical repair? Does the car feel stronger now than it did?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I would never spend spend that kind of money for a non-critical ( my case was no choice ) repair simply to freshen up the engine, unless it was running really, really sluggishly.

Doesn't really feel much different than before in the "seat of the pants" anyway, but I did have a freakishly strong car to start with. It might be a fraction of a second faster here and there but that's all.

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[rhudeboye]

<!--quoteo(post=78066:date=Aug 17 2009, 01:33 PM:name=94SilverCab)-->QUOTE (94SilverCab @ Aug 17 2009, 01:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I love my 968 for what it is, not hate it for what it isn't.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

That's a damn good sig line right there. Mind if I steal it! not really asking..


Loosing to cars 15 years newer and with more HP <b>and </b>bigger engines really shouldn't get you down. Its not apples to apples! Consider the cost, what they had to spend vs what you spent. Consider the 1995 equivalent of there car. How would that model do vs your 68? 15 years is a long time considering how far technology has come. But even with that our 968s do very well in 2009. Add the SC and you now have a beautiful looking German car that can keep up with there 6 and 8 cyl cars at a fraction of the cost.

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