Just a few general comments. First of all I had a blast with this competition, so many thanks for CSLACR for allowing a newbie to join in, and to the others of you that I PMd for some advice along the way.
I have definitely improved since I started this shootout, although I certainly still have a long way to go to get into the same league with drivers here like mike_gt3, CyKosis73, and Praiano. I was just happy I broke into the 8:30's with a few cars
I also certainly had an easier time with some cars than others. I think my style definitely favors FF (and AWD) vehicles, partially because this is what Ive driven all my life. (Im pretty much an Acura poster child.) My first new car was an Acura Integra and Ive driven Acuras ever since, so I felt right at home with CSLACRs entry. I got much better with RWD cars simply through practice during this shootout, but my times still show that I'm more comfortable with the FWD vehicles.
For this reason, I apologize in advance to if I didnt do your tunes justice. I especially had trouble with cars with excessive oversteer. I hope to improve this in the future.
In any case, without further ado, first are the lap times for the main purpose of the shootout. (also stealing the format used by others). More detailed reviews are below in Driver's Choice section
Lap Times:
1. 08:37.812 CSLACR - PSN: CSLACR //
Acura Integra Type-R '01
2. 8:39.315 CyKosis1973 - PSN: CyKosis1973 //
Ford Focus ST170 ´03
3. 8:39.994 Rotary Junkie - PSN: RoJJieE //
Mazda RX8 Type E `03
4. 8:40.207 Hermanvongerman - PSN: Jontank5 //
Honda CR-X SIR ´90
5. 8:40.988 Tuner // car : Onboy123- PSN: Onboy123 //
Hyundai Tiburon GT ´01
6. 8:41.033 Chuyler1 - PSN: chuyler1 //
Toyota MR2 Spyder (6MT) `02
7. 8:41.725 praiano63 - PSN: praiano63 //
Toyota MR2 G-Limited '97
8. 8:41.775 Theo777 PSN: Zigatan //
Ford Focus ST170`03
9. 8:43.663 DigitalBaka - PSN: DigitalBaka //
Mazda6 5-door ´03
10. 8:43.807 Johnnypenso - PSN: Yuritardid //
Nissan Silvia Spec-S AERO (S15) ´99
11. 8:44.850 tris_73 - PSN: TRIS_73 //
Toyota MR2 Spyder (6MT) `02
12. 8:44.923 Jackthalad - PSN: CHRYSTALBUDS //
Toyota MR2 Spyder `99
13. 8:45.873 VTiRoj - PSN: RoJJieE //
Honda Insight LS '09
14. 8:46.823 Motor City Hami - PSN: MotorCtyHamilton //
Mazda Roadster RS (NC) '07
15. 8:47.521 C-ZETA - PSN: V16T91 //
MG TF 160 '03
16. 8:48.731 sean10mm - PSN: sean10mm //
Mazda Roadster RS (NC) '07
17. 8:49.119 SolidSnake7735 - PSN: SolidSnake7735 //
Honda CR-X SIR ´90
18. 8:49.891 sheephead99 - PSN: sheephead99 //
Volkswagen Lupo GTI `01
19. 8:52.410 oppositelock -PSN: oppositelock27 //
Mazda Roadster RS (NC) '07
20. 8:53.873 Krenkme - PSN: krenkme //
RENAULT AVANTIME ´02
21. 8:54.354 -raVer- - PSN: CSLACR //
Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5 16 Evolution II 91
22. 8:54.873 MrGrado - PSN: MrGrado //
Nissan 280Z '78
23. 8:32.074 XDesperado67 - PSN: XDesperado67 //
Toyota 2000 GT ´67
24. 8:57.444 LineR32 - PSN: LineR32 //
Toyota MR2 1600 G `86
25. 8:58.607 Cowboys965 - PSN: Cowboys965 //
BMW 120D `04
26. 9:08.851 oopssorryy - PSN: CyKosis1973//
Toyota Celica SS II ´99
27. 9:12.618 Jahgee1124 - PSN: Jahgee1124 //
Vauxhall VX220 '00
28. 9:26.663 bypo - PSN: bipito //
Toyota MR2 Spyder (6MT) `02
29. 8:55.310 (no PSN FR response) Rallywagon - PSN: rallywgn81 //
Toyota 2000 GT ´67
Driver's Choice:
For me personally there were two key aspects to this shootout - how fast I could drive the car and how much fun I had doing so. So my rankings here are based on a combination of those two factors. In addition to lap time and comments I give each car a fun rating on a 10 point scale, 10 being the highest.
1. CSLACR PSN: CSLACR (Acura Integra Type-R 01)
Lap Time: 8:37.812 / Fun Rating: 10
It's fitting that my best time was in the Integra. What a blast to the past. The balance is great, and this car definitely has the best cornering and braking of it's class - the heavier FF sports coupes
2. Rotary Junkie - PSN: RoJJieE (Mazda RX-8 type E '03)
Lap Time: 8:39.994 / Fun Rating: 10
This was the first of the RWD cars in the competition that I got the hang of. I really enjoyed driving it. Great balance, extremely responsive and it just glides through the corners. The only RWD car I was able to get under 8:40 (just barely)
3. CyKosis1973 - PSN: CyKosis1973 (Ford Focus ST170 '03)
Lap Time: 8:39.315 / Fun Rating: 9.5
I really loved this car as well. It was quite a surprise having not driven it before. Great handling. Very nimble and quick
4. chuyler1 - PSN: chuyler1 (Toyota MR2 Spyder (6MT) '02
Lap Time: 8:41.033 / Fun Rating: 9
Of the several MR2s entered, this was the one I found to be the best handling and most fun to drive. The car really hugs the road, and you can really shoot out of the corners without worrying about oversteer. If I were more comfortable with RWD cars in general this may have been the fastest for me
5. Theo777 - PSN: Zigatan (Ford Focus ST170 '03)
Lap Time: 8:41.775 / Fun Rating 9
This car was a little slower for me than the other Focus entered, but it was still one of the most fun to drive. Still excellent balance and control. I wish I could say what the main difference was, but I'm not that advanced yet.
6. Hermanvongerman - PSN: Jontank5 (Honda CR-X SiR '90)
Lap time: 8:40.207 / Fun Rating 8.5
This was another fun little car. When I was a kid I wanted one of these but never got one. Anyway, great tune. Great top speed one of the highest in the competition. Excellent handling (but maybe I'm biased because I'm an Acura fan). However it's interesting that you can really notice the discrepancy in brakes and cornering compared to big brother Integra.
7. Onboy123 - PSN: onboy123 (Hyundai Tiburon GT '07)
Lap Time: 8:40.988 / Fun Rating: 8.5
This was a surprisingly quick car, and the handling was excellent. Strangely, even though it was fast it had kind of a sluggish heavy feel, otherwise it would have been up with the top cars I think.
8. praiano63 - PSN: praiano63 (Toyota MR2 G-Limited '97)
Lap Time: 8:41.725 / Fun Rating 8.5
This car also has great balance and lots of speed just like chuyler's MR2. For me the only reason it got a slightly lower rating and I was a little slower is that it's a little harder to handle. It's a little more loose on the track and there's much more of a tendency to accidentally slide off into the greass. I think this resulted in slightly more conservative driving. In more skilled hands it seems it might be a little faster, but I still enjoyed it.
9. johnnypenso - PSN: yuritardid (Nissan Sylvia Spec-S '99)
Lap Time: 8:43.807 / Fun Rating: 9
This car was a blast to drive, another surprise. Responsiveness was superb. One of the best cornering and most balanced cars in the group. I felt like I had complete control of the car at all time. Handling characteristics to me seem very similar to Rotary Junkies RX-8. I feel like the only barrier to faster lap times with this car is my skill.
10. Jackthalad - PSN: CHRYSTALBUDS (Toyota MR2 Spyder '99)
Lap Time: 8:44.923 / Fun Rating: 9
Really enjoyed this car! Excellent balance, great brakes, loved the way it glides around the course and is very responsive to changes in throttle. Didnt need to rely so much on the brake. This was one of the earlier cars I tested last weekend, and I really wanted to try it again today but I ran out of time. I'm sure I could have shaved a few seconds off this time.
11. tris_73 - PSN: TRIS_73 (Toyota MR2 Spyder (6MT) '02)
Lap Time: 8:44.850 / Fun rating: 8
Good balance, a little more squirrelly than other MR2s, but time about the same, could have had a little more top speed but maybe accel was the trade off. I probably could have recorded a faster time with this car as well given a few more laps with it.
12. Motor City Hami - PSN: MotorCtyHamilton (Mazda Roadster RS (NC) '07)
Lap Time: 8:46.823 / Fun rating: 9
This was the fastest (for me) of the Roadster's in the competition. Really enjoyed it. In general these cars are just a little too slow compared with the other entrants.
13. sean10mm - PSN: sean10mm (Mazda Roadster RS (NC) '07)
Lap Time: 8:48.731 / Fun rating: 9
I couldnt agree more with sean10mm in his assessment of this car. Super tight, great cornering and great handling. Very easy to drive. A little too slow overall
14. DigitalBaka - PSN: DigitalBaka (Mazda 6 5-door '03)
Lap Time: 8:43.663 / Fun Rating: 7
In the same family as the Acura and Tibuorn, a bulkier FF. Easy to drive, very balanced handling. Also surprisingly low time. Not as exciting though as those two.
15. sheephead99 - PSN: sheephead99 (Volkswagen Lupo GTi '01)
Lap Time: 8:49 / Fun Rating: 8
This was the very first car I drove in the shootout a couple weeks ago when the thing hadn't even officially started yet. My original time was something like 9:10. I'm glad I was able to try it again today and get a better time. It's actually a fun car to drive, great handling and very responsive. It's major weakness is primarily acceleration. Also, brakes should be better on a car this light.
16. SolidSnake7735 - PSN: SolidSnake7735 (Honda CR-X SiR '90)
Lap Time: 8:49.119 / Fun Rating: 7.5
Great handling as to be expected from the CR-X. Marked difference in acceleration and top speed compared with the other CR-X, which made the difference in lap time. Braking could be a little crisper too for faster lap times
17. VTiRoj - PSN: RoJJieE (Honda Insight LS '09)
Lap Time: 8:45.873 / Fun Rating: 6
Oh that dreadful noise! As others have mentioned I had to turn down the sound to almost nothing to drive this car. Other than that the car handled perfectly and I felt right at home since its a Honda. Just a bit slower in the acceleration and top speed department but thats the only difference from the leaders.
18. C-ZETA - PSN: V16T91 (MG TF160 '03)
Lap Time: 8:47.521 / Fun Rating: 6
This car was very well balanced and pretty easy to drive. No problems with the cornering. Weight transfer was very good which made it forgiving and nimble. My only major complaint is lack of top speed. It wasnt that much slower, but it didnt feel like it had much power. This took away from the fun factor and made the car not so exciting to drive.
19. krenkme - PSN: krenkme (Renault Avantime '02)
Lap Time: 8:53.889 / Fun Rating: 8
This car had surprisingly amazing handling! And therefore it was actually very fun to drive. I found myself wanting to see how fast I could actually make it go. Of course its heft is what keeps it from being in the class of the fastest cars. But the acceleration was surprisingly good. (Compare it to the Celica for example which is 600 kg. lighter). It took a little while to get used to the braking especially on downhills, but thats to be expected. Overall a very surprising and enjoyable entry.
20. MrGrado - PSN: MrGrado (Nissan 280Z '78)
Lap Time: 8:54.873 / Fun Rating: 7.5
ABS!!! After figuring out that ABS was set to zero and correcting it, this was great handling car. Very smooth through corners and easy to drive reliably. Top speed was middle of the pack so I can only conclude the slower lap times are due to an issue with acceleration
21. oppositelock - PSN: oppositelock27 (Mazda roadster RS (NC) '07)
Lap Time: 8:52.410 / Fun Rating: 6
Compared with the other two Roadsters entered, this one had a little oversteer. Also, kind of slow acceleration and top speed was below average.
22. -raVer- - PSN: CSLACR (Mercedes Benz Evo '91)
Lap Time: 8:54.354 / Fun Rating: 5.5
Just a few little things that added up to make for an average experience all the way around. A little too much oversteer exiting corners. Car feels heavy. Weight transfer issue impedes speed. The car slides around track too much requiring more precise steering to avoid spinning out.
23. Cowboys965 - PSN: Cowboys965 (BMW 120D '04)
Lap Time: 8:58.607 / Fun Rating: 6
This handles very well and corners superbly as to be expected from BMW. It is simply way to slow to be competitive.
24. LineR32 - PSN: LineR32 (Toyota MR2 1600 G '86)
Lap Time: 8:58.519 / Fun Rating: 6
I found this car to be OK, but a bit loose and with a bit of oversteer. Sometimes hard to keep in a straight line due seemingly to a weight transfer issue, and thus a bit more touchy and sensitive to drive, which decreased the fun factor and lap time for me. I was much more comfortable with the other MR2 entries
25. XDesperado67 - PSN: XDesperado67 (Toyota GT 2000 '67)
Lap Time: 8:56.235 / Fun Rating: 4
I will start with the caveat, that this problem may very well be my own and not the car's. That being said, this car was one of the most sensitive and least forgiving cars in the competition for me. I attribute part of this to my lack of skill with rear-wheel drive vehicles. That being said I was able to do better with others such as the MR2s and MX-8. On the Toyota GT, I found there to be too much tendency to oversteer. Weight transfer problems made it harder to make quick movements causing me to need to drive more conservatively and resulted in lower lap times. For my style, I would probably need the LSD with higher braking and accel sensitivity. I experimented with this a little just for fun and found a 12/25/10 setting made the car less stressful to drive
26. oopssorry - PSN: CyKosis1973 (Toyota Celica SS-II '99)
Lap Time: 9:08.851 / Fun Rating: 5
Car handling was just fine, well balanced, no weight transfer problems, etc. But acceleration was very poor, and top speed was lower than average. Braking distance increased as well. The car felt heavy even though its the same weight as CSLACRs Integra. Overall somewhat boring to drive.
27. Jahgee1124 - PSN: Jahgee1124 (Vauxhall VX220)
Lap Time: 9:12.618 / Fun Rating: 4
This car had a bit too much oversteer for me which made it harder than other RWD vehicles for me to control. It was also a bit slower, so overall was not a very pleasant experience.
28. bypo - PSN: bipito (Toyota MR2 Spyder '99)
Lap Time: 9:26.663 / Fun rating: 2
I must be a moron because I just couldnt drive this car. So much oversteer! It was way to touchy with the accelerator to keep the car from sliding off the road very hard. I had to simply drive very slowly to even complete a lap. I apologize to the tuner but I just didnt have the time or patience to figure this car out. I gave it equal time to other cars but this was all I could do.
(don´t remember when i take it out 
