Favorite A Class Cars

[Hoplee]

Some of my favorite A-Class cars:

1st tier
Viper GTS-ACR (built for grip, this thing will NOT oversteer!)
Tommy Kaira Subaru M20b (I hate driving tuner cars for some reason, but this one refuses to let me hate it)
BBB Integra (I am awful in this car, but it belongs up here)

2nd tier
Porsche 911T (paint it like the RUF Yellowbird and let her fly!)
1984 Ferrari GTO (my little Dino is all grown up!)
Lotus Esprit (kinda like a British Ferrari. timeless design and it's not an Elise/Exige!)

3rd tier
Honda NSX-RGT (snorkel, nuff said)
Ferrari Dino (is there anything it's not good at?)
Buick GNX (still refuse to paint these anything but black)
Eagle Talon TSi (SAATL)
TVR Tuscan S (still trying to get a TVR that works below S-Class)
1966 Ferrari 250 GTO (I sure wish this car was good at something)

Is anyone else building out cars for A-Class? I got tired of chasing the Mugens in B-Class last night and had a ball running A-Class instead. There was more variety in car selection and more powahh. Plus, I've been in love with the Viper a looooong looooooong time. The group I was running with last night asked me if I was sure I wanted to run it on Mugello Long with simulation damage on. I smiled and said, why not? The stock engined snake cornered with the best and ran clean and fast to a second place finish. I continue to be impressed by the stability and forgiving nature of the spiritual successor to Shelby's Cobra.

In the next race, the Yellowbird replica reminded me why I love 911s. The car turns in really well at the end of your braking zone, then understeers for a few yards as weight tranfers rearward under acceleration. Then as you leave the corner, weight transfers to the back and outside, swinging the tail of the car around for some amazing exit lines. Every corner I would watch as my chosen line crossed twice over the line I would prefer in almost any other car. If you're not ready for it, the car fights you. If you are ready for it, it can make you look like superman. Simply amazing and one of the very few truly unique sports cars. 'Porsche-There is no substitute'

[DirtDriver]

This looks interesting...can you explain the tier system? I like it. I think...LOL

DD

[Hoplee]

The tier is system is my preliminary estimation of the car's performance potential given my current A-Class builds for each car. Each car was purchased and then built up for ultimate grip, period. I've been testing them on Laguna Seca and taking note of how fast they lap and how consistently they can do it. Tier 1 are the cars that I believe have the most potential.

The evaluation is incomplete in that so far I am only comparing grip builds. The Viper is currently on top because it grips as well as anything but the m20b. The m20b can't keep up with the Viper's speed. The tier 2 cars are VERY close to the tier ones, but fall a little short in one or more areas. The cars currently in tier 3 all fall short in some area, if not numbers then in my ability to drive them quickly.

This is a very preliminary estimate, and I won't deny that my desire to drive certain cars may be influencing the decision making at this point. Once I decide on a track I want to focus on with an A-Class car, I can start making more conrete judgements about its performance.

Did I mention I love that Viper?

[DirtDriver]

How do you like the viper?

LOL, nice breakdown. I have been toying with the idea of a 500-600 hp class for ALS. The Viper and the C6 were my only reasons for even contemplating it. But it would have to leave A class to be workable for a full class of cars.

DD

[Hoplee]

But it would have to leave A class to be workable for a full class of cars.

DD

whaddya mean?

[DirtDriver]

Hell, I don't know what I mean...they lit up my vodka drink last nite hoping I would tip better...taking coffee mainline this morning!

I am thinking that moving to S class would give a full range of upgrades to otherwise class limited cars...that's all...LOL

DD

[Hoplee]

Ah, yes, I have considered the same thing but the competition in S-Class can be pretty ugly. My impression of A-Class so far is that it may offer more parity than either B or S. Time will tell.

[Hoplee]

pm sent

[Hekalite]

Hell, I don't know what I mean...they lit up my vodka drink last nite hoping I would tip better...taking coffee mainline this morning!

I am thinking that moving to S class would give a full range of upgrades to otherwise class limited cars...that's all...LOL

DD

Dirt, you may want to pop over to Exodus and check out the Speed GT board.  We are getting set to start the new Series (tomorrow night) and you might be able to pick and choose some of the rules and apply them to the ALS cars.  The following is from the final Speed GT rulebook post...

- Toyo DOT (Sport) tires (or if the car comes with DOTs stock, use those)
- Adjustable front splitter and rear wing. Manufacturer doesn't matter (Forza 2, BMW, etc.) as long as it's adjustable downforce. All other body kit parts are allowed but not mandatory.
- Maximum 525HP.
- Maximum 910PI.
- NO weight restriction.
- NO engine/drivetrain swaps.

Now this may not be exactly what you are looking for, but we have tested a bunch of cars for this series and if it fits the spec, they are generally pretty close.  Maybe you can take something there to help find a good balance.

[DirtDriver]

Good deal, Hek...I am headed that way....

You guys do know I am talking out of my ass right now. I have done absolutely no development work on this concept...The reason I like the tier concept is that it resonates with the ALS/400, ALS/600 separation.

DD

[DirtDriver]

returned your pm, Hop...you are sworn to secrecy, of course...LOL

DD

[Big Mooing Cow]

My favorite A class cars aren't based on what's competitive, but rather what's fun to drive.  I don't care too much about winning... I'd rather lose in a fun car than win in a boring car.

I like the Grand Sport Vette in A, to an ALS build.  It's rock solid, has tons of grip, and enough power that so long as you get a good exit on a corner you won't be embarrassed on the straights by anything but the fastest cars.

I also love my Legacy in A class.  I have a grip tune and a power tune.  The car handles power really well, so I only use the grip tune for short tracks.  The car has great transitional handling just like the real thing, where your foot on the throttle effectively determines your slip angle on corner entry.  It's one of those magic cars like the 911 where I can drive it without mid corner lifts and brake tapping.

Of course the 911 Carrera is one of my favs... I've said so much about it in the past... I'll just leave it at "awesome".

The new 911's are pretty nice, too.  Both the AWD ones for brain-dead handling and the RWD ones for a more knife-edge ride.  Very fast cars that will grip like crazy so long as you don't abuse them.

[landstuhltaylor]

I used to run a Honda NSX-R for A class, but I got bored of running it all the time. It got to the point that these times were EXTREMELY CONSISTENT:
Road Atlanta: 1:22.2
Suzuka: 2:04.5
Sunset Infield: 1:28.2
Sebring: 2:06.4
I found that you could crank the downforce all the way and it had a marginal effect on top speed.

My favorite for the lone tracks is a C6 Z06 that is able to pull very similar times on Road Atlanta and faster on Sebring. I also like my pure grip build on a Subaru S204 for Silverstone GP; the 4wd really helps on those tight corners.

I like the Grand Sport Vette in A, to an ALS build.  It's rock solid, has tons of grip, and enough power that so long as you get a good exit on a corner you won't be embarrassed on the straights by anything but the fastest cars.

I'm actually building that car into an '85 Showroom Stock replica for B class, and so far it is very promising.

[bimmerlovere39]

I agree; A-Class seems to be a very nice class, pretty even too.

[Silent Flower]

i love A class, it's my favorite class, most my usual cars are attempted tuned for that class, i have a pretty good Ford Focus ST in that class, with the stock 5cyl engine in it still, awesome little car.