Entry 3 - Motoring Weekly
Hey, we are all set! The director is ordering us to sit on the sofas in the studio! Double time!
Whenever we have a break from racing, this is our 2nd job. Me, Takanori, and Nobuyuki are hosts of Motoring Weekly. As the title suggests, the episodes are aired weekly showing different segments of motoring ranging from new car reviews, race highlights, and even used car buying tips. Today, it's Takanori's turn, and I am waiting for that big screen to show the segment he filmed during the past week.
Director: "Okay, 3... 2.. 1... Action!"
Takanori: "Good morning, everyone! Welcome to Motoring Weekly!"
As custom dictates, the three of us stand up and bow in front of the camera as our names flashed on the screen.
Takanori: "Today, I have a letter with me! And it's written by one of our viewers. Let me read this.
Dear Motoring Weekly,
I am one of your avid fans of this show. I wish you all the best. I hope you can read this, because I am stuck in buying a sports car. I own an everyday car to commute me from home to work, vice versa. However, thanks to your racing exploits, I also want to try out in weekly track days in various circuits around Japan.
My dilemma is that I can't find a proper sports car under 3 million Yen. I have saved up that kind of money for years since I do intend to let off some steam in one of those. Also, I do prefer a car that has aftermarket and accessory support. Can you help me?
Thanking you in advance,
Tatsunari Kawabata
Well, you seem to have a lot of money there, Kawabata-san! Consider yourself lucky to have saved that much despite our country's economy and increasing prices. Don't worry though, I have filmed this segment for you and I have received this letter just last week. I have already found 3 cars, and I hope this would be a helpful tip for you."
Director: "And cut! Okay, roll the review!"
And so the review is here. The three of us just watch... I'm even curious.
*********************************************************
Takanori: "Kawabata-san, I am currently here at the recently refurbished Ibaraki circuit, in... well, Ibaraki prefecture! This has been abandoned for quite some time, until a new owner decided to re-open and refurbish this track. Today, this track is closed all for you. So, I have gathered three cars here, based on your budget and performance levels. We also took into consideration the mileage and the reliability as well. So, without further adieu, I shall take the covers off!"
Takanori: "First, is the Mazda RX-8. This cost just 2.2 million Yen now. Brand new, it started at 3.5 million.
Takanori: "Second, is this Nissan Silvia Spec-R Aero. It's hard to find now, as most Silvia S15s in the used car market are Spec-S models. This costs just 1.8 million Yen. Pretty much a bargain for something hard to find."
Takanori: "And last, but definitely, not the least, is this Audi TT 3.2 quattro. This is quite a bargain for a German sports car, as this now costs just 2.9 million Yen! With all the three being introduced, let's start first with the Audi. I shall also record a lap time for your reference as well."
So the next clip shifts into Takanori driving the Audi. An Audi under 3 million Yen? Quite a steal, I must say...
Takanori: "You might be surprised that this Audi fell into your budget range, Kawabata-san. But here's good news. This is a sophisticated and dedicated German engineering you can get for less! I got here some soft touch materials here on the dashboard that give you a sense of luxury as you get in. And these are paddle shifts, hence this car is equipped with a quick-shifting 6-speed double clutch gearbox.
The ride is smooth, which is expected from a car like this. So, will the smooth ride compromise the handling?"
Takanori: "No it didn't! After all, this car is equipped with Audi's legendary Quattro 4WD system! You get this sharp steering, but a sense of security and stability through the turns. It feels neutral here in this corner, and thanks to the gearbox, I can also get out of corners faster and accelerate faster too."
Takanori: "The engine? This car has the 3.2 liter naturally-aspirated V6 producing 250 horsepower. Actually the three cars in this test produce the same amount of power. However, this engine would respond to your inputs nicely. 0-100 kilometers per hour is possible in 6 seconds thanks to this dual clutch gearbox."
Takanori: "Oops... understeer! This is to be expected on a 4WD car."
Takanori: "Okay, according to the stopwatch, I recorded a 1 minute and 59.7 second lap time. Now, let me tell you the things you should watch out for, since this is a used car.
This soft-touch materials here? Better check them for scratches. You don't want to re-upholster the entire interior, do you? I still prefer substance over style. So hard plastics normally found in cheaper cars are much better.
Second, make sure this gearbox works properly. As far as I know, Volkswagen, the parent company of Audi, organized a massive recall on all DSG-equipped vehicles, as they fail to shift, and break easily. And this gearbox would cost you a pretty penny to replace it. Better find a manual transmission-equipped model, as it is cheaper and more engaging.
Third, these back seats are utterly useless and even children might struggle to sit there. Well, to redeem itself, you can put some more items there if you want, in case the trunk is full.
And with a spare 100,000 Yen, it won't be enough to purchase the accessories you want for this car. It's up to you, though, if you want to keep it stock."
Next, Takanori goes to the Mazda. I wonder what he would say? I find RX-8s fine for me...
Takanori: "The Mazda RX-8. You would definitely stand out with this car. The suicide doors, head-turning styling, and the Rotary engine would make you set apart from other sports cars.
In this straight though, I find it hard to detect 250 horsepower here. See? This is the drawback of a Rotary engine. This engine has a narrow torque band, and you can only feel its grunt on high rpms. This is not good should you flail at the corner exits. Sorry, Aniki... I got to be honest."
Takanori: "However, this is where the RX-8 compensates. The cornering abilities of this car are just godlike. Thanks to the 50:50 weight distribution and lower center of gravity, you can take the corners with ease! And you don't get snap oversteer and wheelspin since the engine lacks torque at low rpm ranges. Hence you can keep your foot planted on the accelerator."
Takanori: "The engine is so smooth, that this car is equipped with a rev indicator. You will hear a beep once the engine reaches its redline, telling you to change gear. It's been equipped in its predecessors too."
Takanori: "I have no problems in stability at all. This weight distribution is something that even supercar makers struggle to reach."
Takanori: "1 minute and 57 seconds dead. Wow! 2 seconds faster! But before you will spend that 3 million, allow me to warn you some negatives for this car.
These suicide doors, they might be cool, but entering the back is just a chore. And with the lack of a B-pillar, safety is a major issue. The back seats are cramped for legroom too, but this car's headroom is way better than the Audi's.
And as for aftermarket support, this car is being criticized for the lack of it. Tuning parts for the RX-8 are a handful. Hence some owners would even go as far swapping the engine, ranging from the RX-7's 13B twin turbo engine or the peripheral, custom-built 3 rotor engine from RE Amemiya. So, maybe that spare 800,000 Yen could be enough for you to buy accessories or not, depending on your preferences.
Let's move on to the Nissan Silvia S15."
Takanori: "Now, this is something you would feel that you are driving over 250 horsepower here. Thanks to a turbo, you get a boost ahead as you exit the corner. I like this boost gauge located at the driver's A-pillar."
Takanori: "Woah... some understeer here. This car is not as composed as the RX-8, nor as secure as the Audi TT. I have to feather in the throttle to avoid some wheelspin."
Takanori: "It rolls!!! I can't seem to reach the Apex there..."
Takanori: "However, if you steer a bit early and control the throttle, then it corners well. You just need to exert effort in this, which actually makes it more fun."
Takanori: "Lap time? 2 minutes dead. Woah... I had high hopes for this car, actually. I'm surprised that it didn't even match the pace of the RX-8.
Now, time for this car to redeem itself. With 1.2 million Yen spare, you can purchase plethora of aftermarket parts for this. The engine is also durable, hence you can put in as much horsepower you want. And this is the cheapest car of the bunch, yet it offers pretty much similar performance levels as the two. You can improve its suspension to make it handle as nicely as the RX-8 and still have money to spare. Quite a bargain! This is also a tuner's favorite toy, mind you.
Well, that pretty much sums up this shootout for today. With all these factors and qualities of each car, I hope these would help you decide on which car to buy. Used sports cars aren't so bad at all. They are making your dreams come true! Just make sure you have to look at them meticulously first, before spending all the hard-earned cash.
Now, back to studio.
What an informative review. Hmmmmm.... well, I've been doing used sports car hunting too. And what Takanori just said is true. I do hope that Kawabata-san decided for a car.
And so, it's LUNCH TIME!!!
Nobuyuki: "Nice review there."
Takanori: "I had high hopes for the Silvia, actually. I'm just surprised..."
Takuma: "At the end of the day though, Rotary still for the win!"
Takanori: "Bah! I don't see RX-8s conquering any type of race."
Takuma: "Oh really??? In a recently concluded Tsukuba Rotary race, a 3 rotor RX-8 not just won, but also set the fastest lap time."
Takanori: "All thanks to the 3 rotor, but how about the ones that kept the original RENESIS engine?"
Takuma: "Whatever, the director gave you the C7 Corvette shootout."
Takanori: "WHAT!? NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
And that wraps it up... Oh such a wonderful day. I hope it ends well...
Motoring Weekly - End