[6spdhyperblue]

Originally Posted by Bosse'sBoss

I remember that I tried a Cayman S with the beloved DCT PDK when I was on the middle of replacing my Corvette C7 Z51 AT. I was not able to be amazed by the Cayman, I was trying to find an alternative to the MT since my wife was the reason that I went to AT. The weak engine noise, and the lack of power, no push in the back feeling while shifting compared to a strong V8, the shifting of the DCT felt just like playing with a video game, lack of excitment compared with a nice shifting MT that provides more driver's involvement feeling. The interior was very cramped, more cramped than the cabin of my prior Porsche Carrera 911. Don't have any doubt that the PDK is a very fast and precise shifter but the Cayman S which was one of my dream car, wasn't the car for me, instead I went to get a 6th gen Camaro SS and was very happy to go back to a V8 with a 6MT.

Actually owned one and felt the same. After selling and hitting the start button on a gm v8 all was right in the world

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

Actually owned one and felt the same. After selling and hitting the start button on a gm v8 all was right in the world

Roughly 1 year ago, I was getting gas the night before my first track day. While getting gas a bmw m2 competition arrived. I was considering eventually getting an m2 comp instead of eventually upgrading to zl1. Anyway I waited for him to start up his car before I started mine up because I love hearing performance cars I like start up. Anyway after he started his car, I was a little upset. I literally was like “that’s it?”. It sounded so weak. I then started my car and i immediately remembered why I drive what I drive and I am no longer considering getting an m2 comp.

[Bosse'sBoss]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

While I think a SS 1le would be right on par with the regular gt350 and possibly the Mach 1, it will not come close to the GT350 R. Motor trend compared the 350 R to the zl1 and it was surprisingly close even though the R is down 125 horsepower.

At VIR C/D's lightning laps, the Mach l was faster than the GT350R and SS1LE.

[Bosse'sBoss]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Roughly 1 year ago, I was getting gas the night before my first track day. While getting gas a bmw m2 competition arrived. I was considering eventually getting an m2 comp instead of eventually upgrading to zl1. Anyway I waited for him to start up his car before I started mine up because I love hearing performance cars I like start up. Anyway after he started his car, I was a little upset. I literally was like “that’s it?”. It sounded so weak. I then started my car and i immediately remembered why I drive what I drive and I am no longer considering getting an m2 comp.

Road and track did a comparison and the SS1LE beat the BMW M2 Comp https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...camaro-ss-1le/

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by Bosse'sBoss

Road and track did a comparison and the SS1LE beat the BMW M2 Comp

I read it. I was interested in the m2 comp simply because of the smaller size. I wasn’t too serious about getting one in the future unless the test drive blew me away. It’s hard for me to pay the same amount of money for less performance as performance is always my number 1 priority when purchasing a sports/toy car.

[N Camarolina]

Originally Posted by Bosse'sBoss

At VIR C/D's lightning laps, the Mach l was faster than the GT350R and SS1LE.

As much as I find C/D tests informative, you can't strictly compare vehicles from those times when the tests were done in different years, as it's not apples to apples. Ambient temps, driver skill, and willingness to drive to the limit all affect lap times.

The 350R should be faster than the Mach 1, as they both use the same chassis parts and tires, but the 350R has more HP (same torque I believe) and lighter wheels. Unless the gearing is different, there should be no way that a Mach-1 is faster at VIR.

Now how all that compares to an SS 1LE is a fair question. My buddy has a Mach 1, and based on his most recent VIR times and the fact that we run together on that track, I'd think it's now a pretty close match to the SS 1LE; Somewhat slower corner exits with the Mach 1, but bit better cornering grip because of the Cup2 tires.

[Bosse'sBoss]

Here it shows the results by C&D Lighting lap.

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

As much as I find C/D tests informative, you can't strictly compare vehicles from those times when the tests were done in different years, as it's not apples to apples. Ambient temps, driver skill, and willingness to drive to the limit all affect lap times.

The 350R should be faster than the Mach 1, as they both use the same chassis parts and tires, but the 350R has more HP (same torque I believe) and lighter wheels. Unless the gearing is different, there should be no way that a Mach-1 is faster at VIR.

Now how all that compares to an SS 1LE is a fair question. My buddy has a Mach 1, and based on his most recent VIR times and the fact that we run together on that track, I'd think it's now a pretty close match to the SS 1LE; Somewhat slower corner exits with the Mach 1, but bit better cornering grip because of the Cup2 tires.

I agree with this. There is no possible way a Mach 1 is faster than a GT350 R, especially at a track with 2 pretty long straight aways.

[PizzzzzaForPresident]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

I agree with this. There is no possible way a Mach 1 is faster than a GT350 R, especially at a track with 2 pretty long straight aways.

Did the Mach 1 have the A10 transmission and handling package? If it had both of those I can believe it.

[N Camarolina]

Originally Posted by PizzzzzaForPresident

Did the Mach 1 have the A10 transmission and handling package? If it had both of those I can believe it.

Good point about the A10 - that would definitely yield an advantage to the M1 on corner exits and straights.

Handling package on the M1 shouldn't be any advantage over what the 350R had (MRC, suspension arms). I can't see the extra front spoiler making that much of a contribution, especially considering the 350R is lighter car.

VIR Grand course has a lot turns in the infield section, so I'm still thinking over all time should be lower with the 350R.

[Grimlock212]

I really wouldn’t use these times as a benchmark. We are talking about an amateur behind the wheel. Sure he club races, but this isn’t Randy Pobst.

[Grimlock212]

Originally Posted by Bosse'sBoss

At VIR C/D's lightning laps, the Mach l was faster than the GT350R and SS1LE.

Newer R compound tire tech, a different day (track conditions), some GT500 bits on the Mach-1, etc. An SS 1LE is about equal with the Mach-1 if both cars are running the same tires. Randy Pobst already did the test. The 350 R should beat both the Mach-1 and SS 1LE mostly due to less unsprung weight if everything else is equal. Put Carbon Fiber wheels on the SS 1LE, and then you have a close race.

It’s hard to overstate what an upgrade CF wheels make to overall performance.

[Bosse'sBoss]

Per C/D: "The Mach 1's 2:51.4 time is 0.4 second quicker than the GT350R's. " https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...lightning-lap/

[Bosse'sBoss]

In the past the Camaro and the Mustang, both American muscle cars have beaten the BMW M badge track reputation: https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...m3-comparison/ https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/c...let-camaro-ss/ https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...camaro-ss-1le/