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I cross-shopped the IS500 last year but ultimately went with the RS3. I’ve owned several V8 cars, never owned something AWD (because most AWD drive like poo-poo), so the RS3 was something really fresh and different to me. I also loved the smaller size for navigating around LA. Howeve, other than the amazing engine sounds, I really loved the interior quality of the Lexus, but ultimately part of why I went with the Audi was the ADM the Lexus dealers wanted in my area. I really hadn’t second guessed my decision much, but your video definitely has me doing a bit of:
@MingusDew
Now that’s pretty funny, because I was on the list for a new RS3, dealer called - $15K markup! Lol!! I thought it was too high. And I couldn’t find a new one to test drive anywhere!
The LE 500 popped up on CarsAnBids, and I won the auction with quite a deal - tad less than MSRP but with minimal miles. Flew down and drove back 1000 miles. CA to WA and it was an amazing drive.
I also had an allocation for the G80 M2, and M3CompX - (dravit gray - love the color)…but I was able to test drive the M3CX, and it didn’t do much for me. The turbo v6 noises were awful, and although fast, I was just not connected to the car. I really wish I was, because I love the new M3CX’s, I’m probably one of the only that actually loves the new beaver teeth The 500 interior is very nice, probably the most comfortable seats that actually keep you in place for the street.
Your RS3 is incredibly sexy as well, and I bet it’s a blast to toss around with the smaller size - same reason the IS500 is, but RS3 probably even a tad smaller.
Since the Honda Civic Type R Is on the list, I will add the Hyundai Elantra N.
2024 gets improved engine mounts, urethane rear bushings, Changes to improve steering feel, and styling tweaks that make it...ahem...less ugly.
I have a theory that some people, including me, find driving almost any type of vehicle a lot of fun, under the right circumstances. Cars of all kinds, boats, whatever.
Case in point... A few years back, I rented an oversized Ford cargo van (was raised and extended, IIRC) to ferry one of my kids and all his crap to school a few states away. On the way up, it was very heavy with all the cargo. But on the way back home, in very light traffic, I had a blast.
Even though this vehicle was tall and ungainly, and on tires that seemed too narrow for the weight, and had a crappy suspension, it was still capable of having some fun. The thing had plenty of power and I found I could push it a little more than I initially suspected.
Another time, I was at the helm of a sailboat, at night, doing a race in very light wind conditions. It was a struggle just to keep to the course due to sporadic light wind. And yet I had a blast doing that, too.
I just like driving things. It's almost always fun.
I think we will always be in search of the most fun car. Having said that, here is my list from the cars I’ve actually owned, as I believe you need to drive it for a good while before determining if it’s truly fun or not.
In order from the best to least best.
718 GT4 Manual
718 GTS 2.5T
EVO IX
991.2 GTS PDK
992 S PDK (current car)
G80 M3C
Focus ST (newest gen)
2016 Camaro SS
Neon SRT4
S2K (turbocharged)
Integra GSR
RS3 600hp+
Bunch of other really fast cars but not nearly as fun.
Based on my experience owning vastly different cars, my ideal recipe for a fun car is:
Lightweight (sub 3K lbs)
400-450hp depending on torque
Manual
Stiff Chassis
Medium dampers and springs
Dynamic exhaust note (GT4 had the best exhaust note but with aftermarket exhaust, out of all cars I’ve owned)
High redline with linear power band
I’m sure if I owned a Lotus, that would be in the top 3. Looking forward to test driving an Emira.
I think we will always be in search of the most fun car. Having said that, here is my list from the cars I’ve actually owned, as I believe you need to drive it for a good while before determining if it’s truly fun or not.
In order from the best to least best.
718 GT4 Manual
718 GTS 2.5T
EVO IX
991.2 GTS PDK
992 S PDK (current car)
G80 M3C
Focus ST (newest gen)
2016 Camaro SS
Neon SRT4
S2K (turbocharged)
Integra GSR
RS3 600hp+
Bunch of other really fast cars but not nearly as fun.
Based on my experience owning vastly different cars, my ideal recipe for a fun car is:
Lightweight (sub 3K lbs)
400-450hp depending on torque
Manual
Stiff Chassis
Medium dampers and springs
Dynamic exhaust note (GT4 had the best exhaust note but with aftermarket exhaust, out of all cars I’ve owned)
High redline with linear power band
I’m sure if I owned a Lotus, that would be in the top 3. Looking forward to test driving an Emira.
I bet the Honda would be higher if it wasn't turbocharged.
I have a theory that some people, including me, find driving almost any type of vehicle a lot of fun, under the right circumstances. Cars of all kinds, boats, whatever.
Case in point... A few years back, I rented an oversized Ford cargo van (was raised and extended, IIRC) to ferry one of my kids and all his crap to school a few states away. On the way up, it was very heavy with all the cargo. But on the way back home, in very light traffic, I had a blast.
Even though this vehicle was tall and ungainly, and on tires that seemed too narrow for the weight, and had a crappy suspension, it was still capable of having some fun. The thing had plenty of power and I found I could push it a little more than I initially suspected.
Another time, I was at the helm of a sailboat, at night, doing a race in very light wind conditions. It was a struggle just to keep to the course due to sporadic light wind. And yet I had a blast doing that, too.
I just like driving things. It's almost always fun.
Agreed. I used my wife’s old RX350 as my bike and dog car for a while there and it was fun chasing down sports cars with it in the mountains with a mountain bike hanging off of the back. Throwing some PS4 All Seasons on it made it even better.
I bet the Honda would be higher if it wasn't turbocharged.
Not really. I know I’m not in the majority when I say this, but I didn’t find S2K as engaging and fun as people claim. Definitely more fun than most cars out there, but not compared to fun cars I’ve owned or driven.
You should check out @ jeff.c.rhoades on IG if you haven’t already. Dude is constantly doing adventure road trips with a pop up tent on his 991.2. He is already at 124k miles and is regularly drifting in the snow, driving dirt roads, and tracking it.
You should check out @ jeff.c.rhoades on IG if you haven’t already. Dude is constantly doing adventure road trips with a pop up tent on his 991.2. He is already at 124k miles and is regularly drifting in the snow, driving dirt roads, and tracking it.
No disagreement here - if I could only have two cars it would be Miata & 911 (no offense to my GTI & M2).
'99 NB (owned since new - 144k miles) & '23 992
Literally have been thinking about the same setup lately. I’ve got a 992S PDK now but I want a car I can toss around, row through gears, all without worrying how fast I’m going.
My 997 GT3 is the most fun car I've owned and is the one I still own. Great power level, great driver inputs. Really couldn't ask for much more. But it's not going to be a great daily driver or be as usable as the 992. 991.2 GT3 and 992 GT3 that I have seat time in are fun as well, although do lose some of the fun that the 997 has.
I'd say any Ferrari is incredibly fun to drive too. My friends 430 is a great driving experience and so is the 296 that I've been able to drive. Many will say the 296 is too modern, but it is absolutely amazing.
Really depends what you're into and what you value in a driving experience that will correlate to the level of fun. I have friends that just want something that is fast and they find that fun, in that case, 992 Turbo S is great. If you value sound and handling for fun, then GT3.
01-12-2024, 12:09 PM
The 500 interior is very nice, probably the most comfortable seats that actually keep you in place for the street. 
