Considering a CTR

[Unobtanium]

Since you've already test driven a CTR I think your best bet is to drive the other cars you want. Cars are pay-to-play, so everything ultimately comes down to your budget. If you're coming from an EV this car will not scratch the same itch, you may even be disappointed with the acceleration.

My personal experience is pretty limited with sports cars, this is the first I've owned. Though I have also cross shopped and driven a Nissan Z, Elantra N, Mk V Supra, civic SI, etc. I don't think any of them are directly comparable, but the Nissan Z felt boring and lifeless (only able to drive an auto), the Supra felt too cushy and soft, the Elantra N felt like it had no torque, the SI didn't feel like it accelerated fast enough. I went with the Type R because it's like babies first sports car, easy to learn manual on, practical with the hatch (though I'll die on the hill that 4 doors are useless with less payload capacity than a base civic), fast when it needs to be, and looks pretty good.

From all your posts I don't think this is necessarily the car for you, unless you really want a manual and a larger hatch.

Maybe its not, but it's the most fun Ive had driving a car in a long time, and mechanically I really like the ctr.

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[Unobtanium]

Visiting a friend of mine with a G80M3 manual. I rode in it last night and hes offered to let me drive it. Its definitely faster obviously, and imo nicer in some ways, but already the ctr seats win. The riding in it experience was good, and Ill have more opinions after driving it. So far though, for the feels, it hasn't made me want to spend the extra $40k. Maybe that will change once driven.

 

[Xmetal]

Visiting a friend of mine with a G80M3 manual. I rode in it last night and hes offered to let me drive it. Its definitely faster obviously, and imo nicer in some ways, but already the ctr seats win. The riding in it experience was good, and Ill have more opinions after driving it. So far though, for the feels, it hasn't made me want to spend the extra $40k. Maybe that will change once driven.

If you're not convinced on the G80, just pickup up an FL5 and invest the difference. Enjoy the FL5 now while your investment grows. If it grows enough to the point where the FL5+investment can get you something that you really want in the future, buy that.

 

[Unobtanium]

Will there be a 2028? I ask, because they refreshed the 2027, and didn't do it as a Final Edition, so I presume they want at LEAST 2 YM's out of their re-tool?

 

[Xmetal]

Will there be a 2028? I ask, because they refreshed the 2027, and didn't do it as a Final Edition, so I presume they want at LEAST 2 YM's out of their re-tool?

That would be my assumption as well. But remember that there's always an MSRP bump every year, with the 2027 already pushing over the $50K mark. And if you want Red or Black, 2026 would be your last chance!

 

[Unobtanium]

Alright, I drove the G80m3. The shifter wasnt bad at all. The 1-2 shift did have the same learning curve, if not worse, than the CTR. The engine had similar turbo lag. Power when it came on (not that it took long) was linear and obviously superior to the CTR. Traction here on San Antonio roads sucks. Always has. A gentle rolling pull in 2nd from 3k resulted in spin once boost built by 3500-4. The car is very well buttoned down, but I felt the weight both in the steering wheel and the handling in general. Overall, I think the m3 would make a better commuter but it felt less special to me than the CTR. It felt like I could win some drag races but might slide it off the road having too much fun in the twisties, while the civic gave the opposite impression. M3 owner is going to drive a CTR tomorrow and will share his take. Both of us have owned and driven 500+hp cars on and off track, but far from competitively. Id say Im a barely competent novice, personally.

 

[Unobtanium]

That would be my assumption as well. But remember that there's always an MSRP bump every year, with the 2027 already pushing over the $50K mark. And if you want Red or Black, 2026 would be your last chance!

I like boost blue personally. Id like to buy the HRC, if possible, or at very least the last YM FL5. Im less concerned about money than happiness.

 

[Xmetal]

Im less concerned about money than happiness.

That is the ultimate goal!

 

[Unobtanium]

My friend who owns the G80 gave it a drive. The CTR on the lot had a godawful "AWE" exhaust and PRL intake and a "flash tune", so it sounded like total shit and that was a huge negative, but the steering, pedals, suspension were superb in his opinion. He basically described it as "A sharper version of my M3 with less power", which is pretty much my take as well. It exceeded his expectations as well. Which, matters to me because he is invested in his M3, and I was worried I was making the CTR out to be better than it actually was, as it will indeed be a lot cheaper than anything else I considered, which while money is secondary, it's not nothing. Friend with the M3 is considering replacing his wife's 2022 S4 with a CTR as she misses a manual, even.

The tires were stock PS4's with 50% or so tread remaining, yet it couldn't even hook up in 2nd at 3k rpm. THe one I drove was same, except it handled a WOT pull in 1st just fine. The roads here in San Antonio are SLICK! I remember doing an AWD drift in my CX5 non-turbo on them, just leaving the neighborhood once, lol!

 

[jtlctr]

Also, remember that if you are disappointed with the power of the CTR, a good tune and a downpipe really wakes this car up. Add a flex fuel kit for a bit more fun!

 

[Unobtanium]

Also, remember that if you are disappointed with the power of the CTR, a good tune and a downpipe really wakes this car up. Add a flex fuel kit for a bit more fun!

Based on how this one did, even though SA has some slick roads, I think stock power is about all that's usable in this car even from a highway roll unless I go with a sub-200TW tire. Regardless, they're slow, and always will be slow. It's not about speed for this car, it's about smiles and fun and driving. They are about like a stock C5 corvette from what I've seen, which is adequate.

 

[jtlctr]

Based on how this one did, even though SA has some slick roads, I think stock power is about all that's usable in this car even from a highway roll unless I go with a sub-200TW tire. Regardless, they're slow, and always will be slow. It's not about speed for this car, it's about smiles and fun and driving. They are about like a stock C5 corvette from what I've seen, which is adequate.

True, these cars are not meant to be dragsters. But a simple tune makes it much more enjoyable, for me anyhow.

 

[Unobtanium]

True, these cars are not meant to be dragsters. But a simple tune makes it much more enjoyable, for me anyhow.

The one we test drove today had a tune supposedly. Power wise it felt nothing special to me. THe magic is in the chassis and controls.

 

[Unobtanium]

Out of curiosity, is there anything else new, sub 100k I should drive?

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