Circa 500HP Club

Which do you choose ?

Aston Martin Vanquish 520hp
Ferrari F430 490hp
Ford GT 550hp
Lamborghini Gallardo 500hp
BMW M5 507hp
BMW M6 507hp
Cheverolet Corvette ZO6 505hp
Dodge Viper SRT10 500hp
Ford Shelby GT 500 475hp
Mercedez Ben SL55 AMG 493hp

Anything else you could buy in '06 that is anywhere from 475hp to 525-550hp
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My choice: Ferrari F430 :grinyes:
http://www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2005/ferrari.f430/05.ferrari.f430.f34.500.jpg

i'd either go with the F430 since it's one the best looking cars ever, or the Lambo. Italian supercars rule.

The F430 is magnificent, but if I were buying one, I'd go with the Z06, just for the sheer value of it.

I would go with the Ford GT.

Best power/cost is the Z06 by far
Most practical is the M5
But I think the best would be the F430 in Ferrari red, with the F1 shifters

So If I could have any of them, with another car as a daily driver (say... a E90 330i), I would take the Ferrari. It is just too good. They sound absolutely glorious.

If it were my own money and my only car, I would probably go with the M5. Clarkson practically said that it was as good as the F430, except it has two more doors.

Is the M6 heavier than the M5, Dinan? Also, was it a mistake to make the M6 when you have the M5? Last one, who's the M6's competition...the SL55 AMG?

ford GT for me. the F430 is ugly as sin and even uglier in person. i saw the F360 CS next to a F430 and it saddens to me see how ugly the car evolved. no magazine would praise the F430 for being gorgious like the other ferrari's either. they all try to be nice and say that " its not the prettiest ferrari ever made"

so yeah with that out of the way i pick the ford GT who's true output seems to be 600hp. that or the Zonda S.

Is the M6 heavier than the M5, Dinan? Also, was it a mistake to make the M6 when you have the M5? Last one, who's the M6's competition...the SL55 AMG?

The M6 is a bit lighter (3935lbs v. 4110lbs). They did alot of work on the M6 to make it lighter (eg. Carbon Fiber roof). It will perform better then the M5.

The biggest competition for the M6 would actually be the Porsche 911 Carrera S. This season Top Gear compared the 911S, the M6, and the AMV8. The 911 won because of Hammond and May, but Clarkson said that the Brit in him would vote AMV8, but he really liked the M6. More on the luxury side lies the Benz CL500, which the M6 is far better then for a similar price. The CL55 AMG is closer in performance, but is significantly more expensive. An arguement could also be made that the CLS55 AMG competes with the M6 because it is a "4-door coupe" which I personally think is a load of marketing crap.

I wouldn't say that making the M6 was a mistake. It definitely won't sell as well as the M5, but coupes rarely sell as well as the sedan, especially when the coupe costs more. It is still a great car. Not everyone wants a sedan, and honestly the M6 looks a bit better then the M5, and will be more rare. Its bigger and more comfortable then a 911, and faster in a straight line. For someone who wants something sportier then a Benz CL but nicer then a Porsche, the M6 is a great option.

Personally, I think the M5 is the better buy. Theres just something about the fact that the M5 is full sized sedan that makes it so imposing. I would argue that the M5 is the best sedan ever made (yes, better then the Continental GT and the S-Class AMGs), while the M6 is not the best coupe ever (far from it). There is alot more practicality in a sedan. Plus, I would love the look on the Corvette, Porsche, or Ferrari owner's face when they lost to a big 4-door boat. The difference in performance between the M5 and the M6 isn't enough for me to justify losing 2 doors.

Plus, I would love the look on the Corvette, Porsche, or Ferrari owner's face when they lost to a big 4-door boat.

Got to win first. ;)

Got to win first. ;)

I wouldn't underestimate the E60 M5. This car is set up to be incredibly fast. Launch control, SMG, 7 speeds, 500+ hp.

Here are some examples of the new M5

M5 v. 911 Turbo X50
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1554545651231980506&q=BMW+M5

Sabine Schmidt at the N-Ring with the ring taxi
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2051407003323665977&q=BMW+M5

M5 v. Gallardo
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8814065833562820484&q=BMW+M5

M5 v. 360 Spyder
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7103802401570738202&q=BMW+M5

M5 v. modified 550 Maranello
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4335216127704358656&q=BMW+M5

M6 v. M5
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-997803908557772668&q=BMW+M5

Top Gear's M5 segment (you have to watch the whole thing)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5363968757069908445&q=BMW+M5

996 v. M5
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2003363401277137663&q=BMW+M5

550 v. 911 Turbo v. M5
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8416820080462715557&q=BMW+M5

I love google video :)

I'd take the F430, it's undeniably the best chassis ever made, though realistically I'd wait for the Challenge version. It's not as pretty as previous Ferrari's but it still looks damn good after you get used to it.

Other than that the M6, it is an extremely gorgeous car, especially in Burgundy.

http://eluxurycar.co.kr/newwork/image-download/car_page/Pagani%20Zonda/2003%20Pagani%20Zonda%20C12%20S%20Roadster/zonda_roadster_01.jpg

zonda roadster
555hp @ 5900 RPM
533lbs @ 4050 RPM

Exotic, fast, topless, mid engine what more could you ask for?
Close second going to the Z06 that thing is hella quick
3rd finding the Lambo I love lambo the exotic looks,the scissor doors,V12 but like tiff said they went and installed tractiong control and other such driver aids that dampen the fun :( i want lambo to make another diablo pure "automotive porn" to quote jermey clarkson

Got to win first. ;)

the launch control on the new M's would make it incredibly hard to beat. they make it so that my grandma could do 0-60 in 4.1, consistently, every race, while it would take a professional driver, or at least someone with a lot of skill of experience with a certain car to do that consistently. not that there are a lot of cars that can do 4.1 to 60 period.


my vote would go to the M6, but i plan an having a family someday, so i'm going to have to go with the M5 :)
the Ford GT and the Aston Martin come in tied for a close second though. The Vanquish is the best looking car on the list, if not one of the sexiest cars ever made and i'd say that the Ford GT is the second best looking car on the list, plus it's arguably the fastest....in fact, i might just screw having a family and go for the GT....who knows?

I've cut them down to this.

Ferrari F430 490hp (I'd take it to red-line just to show off with that Ferrari sound :grinyes:)

Ford GT 550hp (best looking here by far)

Cheverolet Corvette ZO6 505hp (I love Corvettes and love this one)

Ford Shelby GT 500 475hp (American muscle at its finest)

I'm going to go with this...

1.) Ford GT (it just can't be beat and it's so damn sexy)
2.) Ferrari F430 (this thing is probably the best car to show boat in)
3.) Shelby GT-500 (it's a Shelby, what more needs to be said?)
4.) Corvette ZO6 (great value here and great speed that really can't be beat)

Emmm circa 500hp? Nismo skyline GT-R R34 Z-tune for me :) it kicked 360challange's ass on tskuba circuit....

But if something exotic then.... Gallardo converatble in Monte Cairo Blue, red interrior and lightly chromed or smoke gray rim plz :)

Emmm circa 500hp? Nismo skyline GT-R R34 Z-tune for me :) it kicked 360challange's ass on tskuba circuit....

But if something exotic then.... Gallardo converatble in Monte Cairo Blue, red interrior and lightly chromed or smoke gray rim plz :)

I'd love to have an R34 here in the states, but when I lived in Japan they weren't really a big deal after awhile. From this list, I'd have to pick the Ford GT. May as well pick an exotic if money's not an option, and the GT is going to be as much fun to drive and turn as many heads as any car.

Corvette Z06, there is no better high performance car for the money.

aston martin v12 vanquish, i just love british cars

Emmm circa 500hp? Nismo skyline GT-R R34 Z-tune for me :) it kicked 360challange's ass on tskuba circuit....

But if something exotic then.... Gallardo converatble in Monte Cairo Blue, red interrior and lightly chromed or smoke gray rim plz :)



skylines are fast but they are also pretty fugly. especially without and body mods.

im gonna have to go with the zo6. with the money i save on it i can put on some twin turbos and kick some european ass.

emmm personally....i don't buy car to show off...i buy them because i love them and thats why i would go with the Z-tune...

I dont have to say which car. All I have to say is biggest bang for the buck. If theres no respect for a car that can trounce on the cars that are worth 2 to 10x as much... You are just biased. *Not that I am not* Name the cheapest car on the list that can do 0-60 in under 4 seconds. (3.4 seconds in one comparo.)

Name the cheapest car

Definitely sums up the interior.

Definitely sums up the interior.

That's the only real flaw the car has, and since it's relatively cheap it's acceptable for it have a relatively cheap interior, but what it lacks in interior it makes up for everywhere else, the engine is fantastic, the looks are great, the performance is among the best in the world for ANY production car, I fail to see how any true sports car enthusiast can't like this car:screwy:

There are cars under 60k that have amazing interiors...dont know why GM insists on skimpy out on ZO6 having a decent interior...I am not asking for wood grain, leather, heated seats and such...just a better looking interior than a Malibu.

There are cars under 60k that have amazing interiors...dont know why GM insists on skimpy out on ZO6 having a decent interior...I am not asking for wood grain, leather, heated seats and such...just a better looking interior than a Malibu.

Yes there are cars with better interiors for <60k, but those cars don't offer anywhere near the performance the Z06 does and that is why the interior is justifiable. The same argument could be made for the 350Z, there are cars with nicer interiors for the same money, but again those cars don't the same performance.

There are also alot of cars with nicer interiors. That get spanked by the Corvette. Strangely, I would rather pay 60k for that performance, than 150k for some nice interior. But its okay, you can have interior as your complaint.. when we are talking about performance. Sure says alot about the car, if you ask me.

The only two for me, don't matter which:

1. 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/SevenFlipZ/340fd3f3.jpg
2. 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/SevenFlipZ/10cca23b.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/SevenFlipZ/10cca23b.jpg

That's a nice looking Corve...err Ferrari. Does anybody else see it or is it just me?

is just u...sorry i failed to see it...vette is more agressive...599 is more sexy

That's a nice looking Corve...err Ferrari. Does anybody else see it or is it just me?

I see more Supra than Corvette.

575 > 599

http://www.motorcities.com/media/image/640/05J28162121659B/2004-Ferrari-575M-Maranello-F1-B.jpeg

575 Maranello FTW!

I see more Supra than Corvette.


yea me too. more like an ugly supra.

575 > 599

http://www.motorcities.com/media/image/640/05J28162121659B/2004-Ferrari-575M-Maranello-F1-B.jpeg

575 Maranello FTW!

:1:

that 599 is looks horrible, at least from the angle in that picture a few posts back, but the 575 is one of the best looking cars i've ever seen

The 575m is one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen. Ferrari just decided to be a bit more radical with the 599. You can question the looks all you want, but its hard to judge a car until you see one in person.

I think the 599's looks will grow on me, but until then, I'll just drool over the performance numbers. 6.0L V12, 620hp, 3,475lbs, 0-100kph in 3.7. I loved the 550/575m, but performance wise the 599GTB will blow it away. I only wish they would replace those wheels with something better looking from BBS. (CHs anyone?)

You can question the looks all you want, but its hard to judge a car until you see one in person.

good point. there have been many a car that i've disliked the looks of just from pictures, but then loved them in real life: RX-8, and any car that BMW has made in past year or two, just to name a few