On the cross-shopping question, I have several I'm thinking about. Criteria for short-listing are pretty open as I need no more than 2 seats, but include:
1) excellent neutral handling characteristics, no torque steer for the FWDers; good "tossability"
2) good power - minimum of 7 sec to 60 without dropping the clutch and spinning the tires; 14 sec through the quarter. Good mid-range torque.
3) excellent road feel through the wheel and communication with the driver about where the car is with respect to its limits.
4) maximum smiles per mile - fun to drive a key criterion
On my to-drive list (by ascending price):
1) FiST
2) 2015 BRZ (power and torque bump anticipated for 2015 MY which will fix its current failure on requirement 2)
3) Mk7 GTI
4) 2015 S550 Mustang (?) - expected to be down 400 lbs and drop 14 inches in length.
5) Mk7 Golf R
6) BMW M235i coupe
7) Corvette C7 with Z51 and magnetic shocks - great value for money, but as it requires a lot of the latter it will have to be truly exceptional to be chosen
Unfortunately everything on this list but the FiST and the Vette will not be available to drive until next year. If either of those 2 strike just the right note on a test drive I may not wait.
1) excellent neutral handling characteristics, no torque steer for the FWDers; good "tossability"
2) good power - minimum of 7 sec to 60 without dropping the clutch and spinning the tires; 14 sec through the quarter. Good mid-range torque.
3) excellent road feel through the wheel and communication with the driver about where the car is with respect to its limits.
4) maximum smiles per mile - fun to drive a key criterion
On my to-drive list (by ascending price):
1) FiST
2) 2015 BRZ (power and torque bump anticipated for 2015 MY which will fix its current failure on requirement 2)
3) Mk7 GTI
4) 2015 S550 Mustang (?) - expected to be down 400 lbs and drop 14 inches in length.
5) Mk7 Golf R
6) BMW M235i coupe
7) Corvette C7 with Z51 and magnetic shocks - great value for money, but as it requires a lot of the latter it will have to be truly exceptional to be chosen
Unfortunately everything on this list but the FiST and the Vette will not be available to drive until next year. If either of those 2 strike just the right note on a test drive I may not wait.