CLpower

which would you choose, I'm gonna probably be pulling the trigger on one of them this fall.



I love the R/T, but am slowly leaning away from it because they are having some problems S/Cing them and that's the only way I'd do it. But the look of this thing has got me since the prototype a few years back, it really has that hot rodded chopped look to it.


I really like the GTO, I mean it's got the LS2. Heads and Cams will put that motor at if not over 500hp w/ a mild cam. The only thing I don't like is i'm not to keen on it's handling (which can change w/ some modifications) and it is a PIG in the weight department (3800 lbs).


the G35C is another choice, nice all around car, just not that quick. It does handle better then the GTO IMO, but I'd definately have to boost this car right away, and that may not be in the budget. I'm also a little sad they got rid of the brembos in the new 6 speeds. This car is a little bit lighter then teh GTO but not much at 3600lbs.


Evo, well the name says it all, I've driven all of these cars and the EVO is definately the most fun. But how will it hold up? I plan on keeping it 5 years, i'm also concerned it may be just a little bit small for me. But it's just f'ing raw. I've driven an auto since my first car, i can deal w/ a stick as an every day thing, but the evo can be a tricky beast in traffic.




I'm definately leaning towards a manual (although the R/T doesn't have one, I may puss out and get an auto w/ the GTO just because it's always nice to have a ton of horsepower and not worry about shifting ) If I got the G35 it'd have to be a 6 speed, and the evo doesn't leave me w/ a choice.





What would you pick, and why?

Zapata

infiniti if you want 5 years of worry free driving. The coupe is low 14s in the 1/4. Pretty decent. Not a fan of the interior or the seats but it's a solid ride.

cusdaddy

I'm in a similar situation as My Z goes off lease in 9 months or so. I know its a bit soon, but I'm already starting to think of a replacement. I'm actually looking at the GTO, Evo, G35c , STi or possibly a 300C

GTO - I love the fact the GTO has a LS2, but that and a decent interior are the biggest plusses. On the downside, the styling is boring, its too heavy and it doesn't handle great. I still am in love with the LS2 so its high on my list.

G35c - I need to try out the new 298hp G35c as it should hopefully make it a little peppier than the last version. It is a great car and a great choice IMO, but it may be a bit too similar to my Z in my circumstance.

Evo - I have 2 friends with this car, and I agree it is a total blast to drive. It would probably be at the top of my list, but it is very unreliable from my experience. My friends have a list of problems that numbers 15+ each. They have a love-hate relationship with the car as it is a blast, but just not reliable. I'd recommend staying away from this one personally.

STi - It is a very nice car, but not as fun to drive as the Evo and ugly as sin IMO. It probably won't be on my final list as my gf said she would disown me if I got one.

300C/Magnum - The Hemi is another great engine, but I've personally had a bad experience with Dodge/Chrysler (I used to own an Intrepid) and both seem a bit too "old" for me. Nice cars though.

I'd personally recommend either the GTO or G35c as my top recommendations.

CLpower

yea Cus, those are basically what it's comming down to for me, the GTO and the G35C. I have a friend that is a GM tech and he has hated every POS model until the GTO, he says the fit and finish is nice and it's a great car. We'll have to see. I need some more seat time in both.

95selegend

G35 coupe or sedan does it matter (well do u want the back seat) anyway nissan just tuned the engine so BOTH 6spd g35's are putting our 298 HP 298 so u get the sedan or coupe dont tell anybody about it beign and 05 and blow the doors on a brand new 350z also i drove an 02 sedan (bro rented it) turned the tcs off and well HOLY SH!T!!!! this thing is quick (im used to driving my 200hp legend with fwd)

anyway there are a bunch of super chager kits and turbo kits for these cars do some lookin i know stillen has some hide it under the hood nobody knows it will look compleatly stock

MattT516

I think I would go with the GTO. Considering that a ton of people have the G35c (I'm almost sick of it) and I'm really not crazy about the Evo because it's still an unreliable Mitsubishi, I'd have to go for the good 'ol American muscle. The GTO could also be upgraded to some serious horses with a few little modifications, and I think the styling is very underrated. The car is also very comfortable inside, I must say.

Whiskers

The Magnum was on my list, but I too had an Intrepid which turned me off to Dodge. If the reliability is good, I would get the Magnum.

cusdaddy

Sorry to hijack the thread, but the 05 G35c won't blow the doors off the Z. It is still over 300-400lbs heavier, and the 298hp engine actually has 14 lb/ft less torque than the regular 350z's VQ.

Just for your reference, the 300hp/260tq 05 350Z Track/30th Anniversary (uses the same engine as the 05 G35c) is actually slower in a few recent tests than the usual Z's 287hp/274tq VQ.

The upside is that it is a more pleasant and usable engine due to the higher redline and smoother persona, but it won't be much faster than the 04 G35c or Z.

CLpower

I need to go drive some of my friends boosted G35's. I will not be able to live w/ that car w/o forced induction.



I have literally cried myself to sleep the last 6 years for getting my stupid first gen w/ this SHITTY transmission

Zapata

thank you......

cob3683

If it were me, I would go with either the G35 or GTO. Sounds obvious but I would go drive them both back to back and whatever one feels the best, get it. If you want reliability, I would go with the G35 or even look at the Nissan Z. If you want balls to the wall driving, GTO would be the choice.

Both are solid cars and I think you would be happy with either.

CLpower

The Z doesn't have enough trunk space for me, I still will need to cart around my detailing stuff, no way in hell I could do that in a Z



what's the trunk in the G35C like? Never opened one up when I think about it.

car_lost

honestly, i couldnt see you in an EVO or G35c. i can totally picture you in the magnum or the gto though. between those two, i would go with the magnum. im sure the s/cing problems will be fixed all in due time.

CLpower

They've been trying to put a blower on that motor for over a year now




and I hear ya, a part of me still really wants a turbo diesal chevy pick up

CLpower

First gen had a BIG trunk at 12 cu ft. The G35C only has 7.8 and the GTO has 8, Mitsu has 10, and the magnum has 27.2 ft

EZZ

I would seriously look at the Mustang GT. Fast, a better handler than the GTO, and it'll have a HUGE aftermarket. It'll probably be your best bet

Water-S

can you wait a 1.5 or 2 years on getting a new car or is it an emergency?
If you can wait. I heard 2007(model year)
Subaru WRX Sti will be redone.
If it was my money I'd go with a current Sti.
I don't like the GTO because they styling is boring in my opinion.
I don't really like the G35C because it seems like everyone has them. plus I don't like the trunk on them
The Dodge- I used to have a Dodge it's a Piece of crap.
Evo- 2 things. first thing the ride on the Evo is a little too harsh for my taste(i've ridden in a Evo and a Sti the Evo rides harder) the second thing is after 30k even with stock parts I've read where Evo owners are killing clutches. . That tells me they are putting on shitty clutches. if they put on shitty clutches what else on the car shitty?

SeCsTaC

Just something I picked up around the G35 boards but the reason they got rid of the brembos was because the current breaks do the same job at breaking as the brembos. And also they were too touchy. I'm pretty sure i read this over there at G35driver. Im not 100% sure on this though.

Water-S

if you're gonna get a diesel truck I'd recommend a Power Stroke(as we call em down at the fire station "Strokers") we use "Strokers" in our ambulances plus a lot of guys have them in their personal trucks.
There's one guy down at station. He has a 2004 F-350(single rear wheel)(keep in mind how heavy this thing is) 4x4 "stroker" automatic he pulls 14's with it. i'll admit he has a 125 hp chip in it, larger injectors, bigger exhaust, different ram air intake, and larger turbo. I drove that truck once It's an animal. I think if he hooked onto a semi loaded he'd pull it no problem. I was messing around at a stop sign to see how much power it had(we had the power chip cranked all the way up because it's adjustable) I stomped on it, smoke was rolling off the back tires, and it felt like I got shot out of a cannon. it's amazing for the size of that truck how fast it is.

cusdaddy

This is pretty much true. The stock brakes on the Z and G35c have almost the exact same stopping distances as the Brembo's, but they don't fare as well on a track. The stock brakes defintiely fade much quicker.

For everyday driving and anything outside of the track, you won't notice a difference. The biggest benefit of the Brembo's is that they look cool. Not a huge loss IMO.

SanJoseRoller

GTO hands down... its Raw V8 American Muscle, my friend drives one and the sound of it with flows is !!!!! Torque like no other but hes already gone through 3 sets of tires only been like 6 months


i envy him every time we go out in it, when i have to return to my car at the end of the night.... the 3.0 feels REALLY bland, the new look isnt all that bad smooth lines and gives a sense of comfort with a nasty V8 rumble. I should cutt off all my hair and grow a mullet shouldnt i

Chopsie

GTOwnes j000 Scott.

I like em. Raw V-8 LS2 Muscle and still with room for people in the backseat.
May want to IM and get his take on how much he likes his.
Thinking about it for my next car (Get Dad's GM discount )

Sarlacc

I thought the G35C was pretty damn quick when I drove it...course I drive a 2.3.....

Anyway, that car gets my vote. Unless you need more room for towing shit, then the R/T

1killercls

Gto

GreenMonster

Out of those, I'd pick the G35. I'm not a big fan of the GTO.

03typeS6spd

g35c.... performance is pretty good

hands down winner as far as reliability and maintenance, but I also prefer the Infiniti dealership to almost any I have been to, at least in the DC area, they have been on top of everything with my fx...

all around package imo...

F23A4

Stopping power has more to do with tires than clamping force. That said, I understand with both the Evo and G that brake service on Brembos is a VERY expensive proposition.

That said, I'd probably get the G35C out of this bunch. The only caveat to me is that I see G35 coupes everywhere now (here in NJ). The Magnum is a much rarer sight around here with only remote posibilities of seeing an R/T on the roads.

CLpower

A used twin turbo S4 is also an option

Zapata

well yes that and brake pads.

DownUnder

The GTO looks like an awesome car but is missing some key features for me like HID, NAV system, sunroof, auto climate control, stability control etc. But that 400HP LS2 could probably make you forget about those things really quickly once you step on the gas.

bigman

It totally depends what youwant from your car. All the cars you selected are very different from each other. The GTO and the G35 are the closest as far as being coupes. The G35 is the best all around car in your selection. It has handling, power and looks. The magnum has gobs of power, but doesnt handle, but can be fitted with all wheel drive and has good storage space. The GTO is a hot car also, handling is ok, but it's nothing that some suspension work cant fix, since it is independant rear not solid. Also it is heavy but i have seen track runs of low 13's stock and high 12's with just tires. Plus that motor is so mod friendly it makes other car owners sick. Now the EVO is taking things in a whole different direction. That car is as JDM as you can get. Its raw, handles pretty good, and can make tons of power with some work. The only thing is that modding these cars can be expensive if you dont do it right the first time. I have a friend that blew his motor because of boosting too much. Once again these cars are all so different from each other, you have to test drive them all. Also wait a while for the magnum, get something sporty now.

gdubb

I pick GTO, I will be looking at getting one myself soon.

joedokes28

Go with the Goat

LS2 with mods = FUN!!!

Scrib

G35c

F23A4

The GTO does lack the amenities of the G but it's a lot nicer car than the outgoing Mustang Cobra. For a purpose built muscle car, it's a pretty comfortable daily driver with plenty of power on tap.

blxmjx

Magnum- beautiful car, but i know you'd be pissed when the srt one come's out.

G35c- meh, you know how played out those cars around here. Basically, as common as a camry or accord around here. Fair all around performer but nothing eyepopping. You know how many we work on at the shop. None of them get a rise out of me. Even forced induced they don't overly impress me. They look really nice but are way too commonplace now.

Evo- you know what the car can do. You've driven a done up one already. I know you don't mind the rough ride since your cl was pretty rough already. If you want all out performance you know which car is the best choice.

GTO- I personally think this would be the best choice for you. Awesome power out of the box. Potential for tons more hp. You don't need a 4 door since its just you and adri. You'd kick yourself if you passed this car up.

ShopTalker

Gto>*

Shawn S

GTO

CLpower

that's what i'm thinking Arnold, but I still can't get your evo out of my head

Should of never driven that beast





What do you think about an S4 turbo in the mix w/ all of these?

an SRT8 magnum may not be out of the question depending on what the final price is.

Minch00

For me, the Magnum R/T AWD............great all around car.