Dream Drive Exotics 3 Lap Driver Experience: POLL

[dylpro]

I'm sure everyone here is familiar with the exotic driving experiences. Well about a year ago (in fact 362 days ago) I got a certificate as a birthday gift and after not being able to find a time to redeem it, I'm tentatively looking to schedule it sometime in April of this year at the Gateway Motorsports park near St. Louis.

It's a 3 lap event with one of their instructors. I'm pretty excited as it'll actually be my first time ever on an actual track in an actual car. And for that, I've got to pick the right one.

A year ago it would've been an easy choice out of the 4 they had in their lineup:
Lamborghini Gallardo 560-4
Ferrari F430 Spider
Ferrari 360
Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The Z06 was the fastest, but IMO, dull compared to being able to drive a Lamborghini, by far and away my exotic favourite brand. I've ridden in a F430 Spider before so it was off the list, as was the 360, because why choose an older, slower 430?

Well now it's not so easy. Their lineup has changed and gotten quite a few more interesting additions. Their current lineup is:
Lamborghini Gallardo 560-4
Lamborghini Gallardo 550-4 Spyder
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ferrari F430 Spider
McLaren MP4-12C
McLaren 570S

All 4 of those new additions make it quite a bit more difficult to pick! The 430 is still off my list. Like I said before, I've always been a big Lamborghini fan boy since growing up, but the Gallardo is probably lower down on the list compared to every other Lamborghini, even in Spyder guise. Whereas the 458 has been one of my all time favourite Ferraris. Then there's the 12C and its albeit slower successor. I have always been really fascinated by the 12C after watching that Top Gear episode where the guys took their cash strapped convertibles to Spain. It was just blisteringly fast. Of course in the end all 3 decided they'd pick the

Spoiler

458

As of now, I think I'd pick the 458, but still wavering back and forth between the bunch
I'm just curious as to what the GTP population would pick and why! I'll be sure to let everyone know what I decide in the end!

TL;DR
3 Laps around a track, pick from the poll

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Personally, I'd go for the cars that supposedly offer the best driving experience, and those would be either the 458 or the 570S. I've spoken with people who've done these events and nobody ever likes the Aston or the Lamborghini the best, because neither are really meant for the track. The other bit of feedback I've heard is that the instructor makes more difference than the car. Some let you drive a lot faster than others, so if you have a choice on the day that's a major consideration. That said, both the 458 and 570S are supposed to be excellent.

Then there's the 12C and its albeit slower successor.

I'd wager that the 570S is faster than the MP4-12C. It's not a direct replacement (that's the 650S, then 720S) but it weighs almost the same and is only 30 bhp down, and I don't think you'll notice the difference between 560 and 590. What you may notice is the extra 5 or so years of development spent on the chassis and engine tuning, which is why reviewers love the 570S but weren't as favourable towards the old 12C.

 

[McLaren]

I’d grab the 458. The 570S is probably a close second, but a Ferrari on the track is a great way to see why the marque is held in such a high standard as far as driving emotion.