[filet.M2c]

So I have a deposit down with my dealer for a possible ED in about 12-14 months. After seeing the thesmokingtire video on the Exocet my interest was peaked. So I am most likely different than many of the other M2 buyers as this will be my "fun" car while I have to drive a larger SUV for work. So I would drive the car at a couple track days every couple of months but mostly on weekends and possible a couple of times during the afternoons. I automatically assumed I would get an M2 because I am no stranger to bmw coupes (this would be my 5th) but after watching that vid and doing quite a bit of research I am highly contemplating dropping the M2 for an Exocet. Basically, it would be about $18K for a turbo Exocet running about 220-240 whp only weighing about 1600 lbs vs the M2 for $55K and invevitable 1000s with the mods I'll end up doing. I know the exocet is a "toy" car and won't have all the daily comforts of the M2 but I am interested to see what you guys think.

Vid for reference:

[c1pher]

I'd rather have the motorcycle fr that type of the thrill. Check out a Ducati, BMW or maybe Triumph.

[gmzanatta]

Originally Posted by 228JB4

I'd rather have the motorcycle fr that type of the thrill. Check out a Ducati, BMW or maybe Triumph.

May I also suggest the Polaris Slingshot? That thing is more fun than one should be allowed to have.

[IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images...-s-450x274.jpg[/IMG]

[filet.M2c]

Originally Posted by gmzanatta

May I also suggest the Polaris Slingshot? That thing is more fun than one should be allowed to have.

[IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images...-s-450x274.jpg[/IMG]

Those are interesting, but they have less power, weigh more, and cost more than the exocet

[gmzanatta]

Originally Posted by synergist

Those are interesting, but they have less power, weigh more, and cost more than the exocet

Try one out if you can, I think you'd be surprised.

Is the Exo street legal where you live? Here they're not unless you buy and install an extensive list of mods to make the car street legal, which put it on par with the Slingshot in terms of price anyway.

[filet.M2c]

Originally Posted by gmzanatta

Try one out if you can, I think you'd be surprised.

Is the Exo street legal where you live? Here they're not unless you buy and install an extensive list of mods to make the car street legal, which put it on par with the Slingshot in terms of price anyway.

Yup, Arizona has some of the most laxed emissions laws. Kind of nice. I'll check out a dealer near me but I'm liking the idea of doing the build as well. We will see...

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by gmzanatta

May I also suggest the Polaris Slingshot? That thing is more fun than one should be allowed to have.

[IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images...-s-450x274.jpg[/IMG]

Those things are hideous. Get a bike.

[filet.M2c]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

Those things are hideous. Get a bike.

I would love a bike but I haven't ridden one in years since my dirt bike days in high school. Also, a lot of old drivers in AZ and I'd rather not have an old lady or a rock in the road turn me into a quadriplegic. Buddy of mine has been pressuring me though haha

[Smiley1175]

If you're happy to continue driving the suv daily and this is only going to be a fun car then I say go for it.
The M2 is great as a fun daily driver, this thing looks like more fun for the odd drive which seems to be what you're after.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by synergist

I would love a bike but I haven't ridden one in years since my dirt bike days in high school. Also, a lot of old drivers in AZ and I'd rather not have an old lady or a rock in the road turn me into a quadriplegic. Buddy of mine has been pressuring me though haha

I limit my exposure to the urban roads and search for the back roads. A lot more freedom and fewer people multitasking and driving at the same time. I feel somewhat safer. I just take my phone just in case. Who wants to sit in traffic on a motorcycle anyway?

[filet.M2c]

Originally Posted by 228JB4

I limit my exposure to the urban roads and search for the back roads. A lot more freedom and fewer people multitasking and driving at the same time. I feel somewhat safer. I just take my phone just in case. Who wants to sit in traffic on a motorcycle anyway?

I already will have limited time for exciting driving. I don't want to limit it even further because I have to choose the roads for my safety.

[Nine Lives]

Originally Posted by synergist

I already will have limited time for exciting driving. I don't want to limit it even further because I have to choose the roads for my safety.

Agreed,

Stick to four wheels,you'll live a lot longer

[gtr]

The M2 will probably hold value if low options thus, just buy it and drive it and if you decided it's not for you just sell it.

[BEM-S4]

I'd get the Exocet simply so I could quote top gun all the time and repeat the lines about the MIGs carrying the Exocet anti ship missile that can be fired from miles away

[3tekcorps]

Originally Posted by gmzanatta

May I also suggest the Polaris Slingshot? That thing is more fun than one should be allowed to have.

[IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images...-s-450x274.jpg[/IMG]

No, you can't suggest a trike. The only advantage this thing has is slipping through an EPA loophole.

[gmzanatta]

Originally Posted by 3tekcorps

No, you can't suggest a trike. The only advantage this thing has is slipping through an EPA loophole.

It's not a trike, it's a snowmobile on wheels

[filet.M2c]

Checked out a donor miata... thinking this is the route I am going to take but I still very much want an M2. Keep all yours in good condition so I can pick one up used in a couple of years once the largest depreciation has set in

[CosmosMpower]

Those things are slow POS death traps. If you want a fast track car get a Radical SR3 or Stohr. Even an Atom is better than that stupid Exocet.

[filet.M2c]

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Those things are slow POS death traps. If you want a fast track car get a Radical SR3 or Stohr. Even an Atom is better than that stupid Exocet.

I genuinely laughed at this comment. Have you driven an exocet? I love your solution is to spend atleast 4-5X the cost for a Radical lol. I also have not driven the exocet... but as an analysis exercise lets take a look at power to weight ratios in Kw/Kg.

Lets see here. The Exocet with 178 kW and weighing about 725 Kg has a power/weight of 0.246.

Next, lets take the M2. 272 kW and 1564 Kg results in a P/W of 0.174.

Now lets take a couple of your cars.

The Sti? P/W of 0.147. Your almighty 997 gt3? Depending on your engine (I chose the 331 kW) is 0.241...

So I may not have driven the car but I can't imagine how a car with a better power/ weight ratio than your gt3 can be classified as a "slow POS" Thanks for the laughs though.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by synergist

I already will have limited time for exciting driving. I don't want to limit it even further because I have to choose the roads for my safety.

How exciting can it be driving a fast car slowly from stop light to stop light? I don't think of that as any different than someone trying to find back roads to drive their sporty car.

[CosmosMpower]

Originally Posted by synergist

I genuinely laughed at this comment. Have you driven an exocet? I love your solution is to spend atleast 4-5X the cost for a Radical lol. I also have not driven the exocet... but as an analysis exercise lets take a look at power to weight ratios in Kw/Kg.

Lets see here. The Exocet with 178 kW and weighing about 725 Kg has a power/weight of 0.246.

Next, lets take the M2. 272 kW and 1564 Kg results in a P/W of 0.174.

Now lets take a couple of your cars.

The Sti? P/W of 0.147. Your almighty 997 gt3? Depending on your engine (I chose the 331 kW) is 0.241...

So I may not have driven the car but I can't imagine how a car with a better power/ weight ratio than your gt3 can be classified as a "slow POS" Thanks for the laughs though.

Have you seen one in person or sat in one? I have, there was a MP62 supercharged one owned by an acquaintance in my shared shop space for about a year, it's a pos home made kit car that was broken or being fiddled with to keep it running half the time. It has no aero and is a brick after 100 mph with no benefits of downforce in the corners plus the owner calls it the "death trap".

If you're just comparing power to weight of cars and think that automatically solely determines performance on a track I don't even need to discuss this with you. Maybe next you'll tell me a top fuel funny car should be faster around a track than a F1 car because it has a better power to weight ratio.

My STI is my cush daily driver and comparing it a barely legal street car with absolutely no amenities where half the gear is zip tied or home made sheet metal is asinine. Same with my street legal GT3 with full interior, a/c, stereo that I drive 600+ miles round trip to COTA 5-6 times a year. Cars like the Exocet should be compared to things like the Atom and SR3 but they can't even keep up with fast street cars like a GT3 or track prepped Z06/Viper. You can buy a older 1300cc Radical SR3 in the low to mid 30's, not much more than building an Exocet from scratch and will beat it around most tracks by 10+ seconds.

BTW the GT3 is still 5+ seconds a lap faster than the Exocet I mentioned (see link) earlier on a small 1.7 mile track. The difference is even worse on a big track like COTA.

https://www.facebook.com/NMHFR/?fref=ts

[3tekcorps]

I would find a cheap Lotus Elise over one of these. Even one with High Miles or a branded title might be a better option. The Elise is really simple and easy to work on. It's also got a full body and a huge following of track junkies.

I saw 2 of these at the last cars and coffee. It's a neat concept, but it looked pretty ghetto in some aspects. Both just look like a bunch of random parts stuck in a frame.

Last I check you could get into an Elise at about $24,000 with high miles.