TopGear Review of the GT40

mattr762 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2003, 06:36 AM

http://homepage.mac.com/fluffy/.Public/TopGear_GT40.wmv

hockey44 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2003, 06:51 AM

great 7 min film clip! For those who live in Europe and know the "Top Gear" program- very entertaining stuff!

JRC3 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2003, 07:53 AM

Ah yes Mr Clarkson and his witty quips...

Thanks for posting this I enjoyed it a lot.

Matt,

You are more likely to have fun going around corners in your WRX than a Cobra!!! I know as I've owned the UK version of the WRX and a couple of Legacy Turbos. In fact I'm tempted to switch out my daily driver for the new STI - not that there are many roads with corners in Houston, but you get what I mean! I love Subarus.

I'm not sure what the 0-60 is these days for a WRX, but for my '98 UK 220HP Impreza Turbo, it was 5.4 seconds. My cobra is about 3.8 seconds with 470HP, depending on wheelspin etc. The Impreza is hugely forgiving - the cobra doesn't forgive and prefers to be pointed in a straight line before applying significant pressure to the loud pedal.

Just thought I'd pass this on!

anchor2 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2003, 08:00 AM

Great clip. After I got my Cobra there was never another car I ever really wanted. But then the GT came along.

mattr762 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2003, 08:42 AM

JRC3,
My WRX is modded to have about 285hp and is definately FUN FUN FUN! I love my car. It's perfect for an all weather daily performance commuter. I get 0-60 in about 4.8-4.9 seconds and do the 1/4 mile in 13.8 with an average launch. Great launching should put me around 13.5. I also get 25-26 miles per gallon.

I was under the impression a Cobra could corner with the best of them

. I see pictures all the time on an Auto-X course. I understand that the rearend could break away from you at anytime, but other than that isn't it a good corning car?

JRC3 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2003, 09:25 AM

Matt,

I was more referring to opposite lock 4-wheel drift around corners that you can do in your WRX - particularly when the roads are damp.

Cornering is generally OK in my car, but it is currently set up for street use. It can be greatly improved upon for track use, with a few simple mods like dropping the ride height (which is adjustable with SPF's) and switching out to 17" rims / low profile tyres. If you really want to understand the cornering capabilities, there are loads of guys that take their cobras to the track - they are the ones to ask.

What I love about my Cobra is the nonesense torque and acceleration you get from it. It is so different in terms of performance, that when I get into a regular vehicle the entire world appears to have slowed down.

Every outing is like some sort of expedition as it isn't a regular vehicle and requires some planning. Weather can really upset your weekend or evening plans

Have fun this weekend and put a picture of your car in your photo album.