iRacing Car Reviews:Post them here!

[swiftwilly]

Given that you need to purchase cars without any trails or buy before you buy, I thought that veterans of their respective cars that is not included in the basic membership pack could write up a short review of the cars and what to expect. As each car is $11.95 to buy, I thought it would be good for GTP users to share their thoughts on the cars to help new racers decide on which cars to use.

As we progress, I hope we can come to some sort of basic format for each review. Some ideas:
- fun factor
- difficulty factor vs base line car (vs MX5?), can touch on learning curve (how long did it take you before you were winning races?)
- FR/MR etc
- series activity (is there a lot of drivers in the series?)
- general description
- series fun factor (that the car can enter)

I think there is a real need for this, as I am progressing I am not quite sure what car to purchase, would hate to regret my purchase.

Remember, non basic membership cars as we can't really try them.

The more reviews the better, the more views we can have so we can compare.

 

[tissimo]

I was apprehensive about getting the Riley DP without trying it first. But it turned it just as i expected. The handling even with the base setups are outstanding, much more predictable and easier to drive then the MX5. I haven't raced with it yet though, just tested on tracks. But my .02c

 

[swiftwilly]

Cheers tissimo, I wouldn't mind reading some reviews on the Skip, Mustang, V8 etc.

 

[Blaze_409]

I was apprehensive about getting the Riley DP without trying it first. But it turned it just as i expected. The handling even with the base setups are outstanding, much more predictable and easier to drive then the MX5. I haven't raced with it yet though, just tested on tracks. But my .02c

Easier than the mx5. Interesting. I thought the mx5 was basic. This sounds fun. I want to get the Riley now, the hpd, and maybe the corvette an ford. How are those cars?

 

[tissimo]

Easier than the mx5. Interesting. I thought the mx5 was basic. This sounds fun. I want to get the Riley now, the hpd, and maybe the corvette an ford. How are those cars?

I hate the mx5, way to twitchy, unforgiving and not predictable imo. The DP i can drive hard with confidence. I find the legend better than the mx5.

 

[swiftwilly]

I hate the mx5, way to twitchy, unforgiving and not predictable imo. The DP i can drive hard with confidence. I find the legend better than the mx5.

I am the opposite. I disliked the legend, thought that was unpredictable coming out of the corners. Mazda is well balanced in my opinion.

 

[S30Zenzow]

I'm thinking about getting one of these in the future: Skip Barber Formula, Mustang or Riley DP. Which one of these should I get first? I'd like some reviews of theme too

 

[Jav]

I want to get the Riley now, the hpd, and maybe the corvette an ford. How are those cars?

Pretty much the best cars in the service! Pic one and stick with it while you get the funds for the extra content.

 

[sandboxgod]

Riley DP (Please keep in mind it just switched to NTM and I havent raced it yet, just practiced)

- Fun factor
4/5? It used to be a 5/5 easy but now it might have went down a notch. Maybe I just need a new setup.

- difficulty factor vs base line car (vs MX5?), can touch on learning curve (how long did it take you before you were winning races?)

I've never won a race. Only came in 2nd. It took me many weeks to get there but I'm a turtle. Mostly a hobbyist

- FR/MR etc
???

- series activity (is there a lot of drivers in the series?)

Every Tues & Thurs at 7pm / 9pm we went official. Sat & Sun we had some races too. Depends on the track. Schedule MUCH better this time around. Will have more participation but races will be long (up to 80mins)

- general description

My main gripe is the community map voting seems controlled by like 1 guy. Its not fair, open voting like Prototypes & GT. But at least the schedule isn't terrible this coming season cause a bunch of us spoke up. Races are way too long though for someone just trying to learn. You'll get bored fast after 30 mins as u watch the aliens lap you. This is why I like Fixed series so much better. Everyone uses the same setup so you can finish much closer. you dont feel like you're just getting farmed by the vets

- series fun factor (that the car can enter)


Acura HPD

- fun factor
5/5, this is my baby bar none

- difficulty factor vs base line car (vs MX5?), can touch on learning curve (how long did it take you before you were winning races?)

My highest finish was a 4? Keep in mind HPD fields are full to the brim 24/7. Tough competition. It is a true honor to place top 5. Aliens are many.

Much easier to drive than any other car perhaps

- FR/MR etc
??

- series activity (is there a lot of drivers in the series?)
Most popular series perhaps if you combine Open & Fixed.

- general description
Only downside since iRacing wants money you cant join a full hosted session unless you own all 3 cars. Not sure if they fixed that in new build?

- series fun factor (that the car can enter)
5/5, I love this series. Only problem is lots of fighting between GT cars and HPDs but this new season it will be much better due to the HPD nerf (increased, realistic weight, no longer super fast)


Indy car

- fun factor
5/5

- difficulty factor vs base line car (vs MX5?), can touch on learning curve (how long did it take you before you were winning races?)

Much easier than the MX-5. Top level cars are much easier to handle but tough to close the gap on the leaders.

Only done 1 road race so far. Was busy with Grand Am & Prototypes

- FR/MR etc
??? Transmission?

- series activity (is there a lot of drivers in the series?)
Indy car Fixed is booming on both oval & road.

- general description
- series fun factor (that the car can enter)
5/5

 

[Blaze_409]

- series fun factor (that the car can enter)
5/5, I love this series. Only problem is lots of fighting between GT cars and HPDs but this new season it will be much better due to the HPD nerf (increased, realistic weight, no longer super fast)

wait im confused? The HPD is supposed to be faster right? i noticed it kind of struggled against Vette on the straights but wouldnt that make it even worse to slow it down?

and someone tell me whats wrong with the MX5 lololol and why its the base car!? The legends car is worse than the MX5! so is the spec racer lol.

 

[Jav]

wait im confused? The HPD is supposed to be faster right? i noticed it kind of struggled against Vette on the straights but wouldnt that make it even worse to slow it down?

and someone tell me whats wrong with the MX5 lololol and why its the base car!? The legends car is worse than the MX5! so is the spec racer lol.

The car is way faster than the Vette, 10 seconds faster at Watkins! But keep in mind that the Vette has arround 600 HP and the HPD has arround 480. Now that car is absolutely brilliant on the brakes and glorious on the turns!

 

[sandboxgod]

Before the HPD would lap a Vette/Ford GT over & over during a race. Now we're like 3 seconds slower or something. So overall the GT cars will be lapped less

The HPD is only faster than a Vette on a race track with turns, etc but I think a Vette would smoke an HPD easily on a long straight. It's a compelx topic being discussed here

The Corvettes have always been faster than the HPDs on the straights. The only reason you guys have been able to pass us on straights at all is that you're starting from higher exit speeds out of the previous corner. Now your exit speeds will be considerably lower and your straight line acceleration, too.

It's a double edged sword for class interaction. The HPD having its proper weight now will slow it down the most through the corners, which will reduce the crazy closure speeds and increase safety. But at the same time, HPDs will be less able to pass on the straights at all, increasing their urges to attempt dive bombs into the corners.

I think that overall, however, it's going to quell the class interaction problems quite a bit.

 

[swiftwilly]

Sandbox, awesome reviews really helps. Now HPD got to think about hmm..Mustang...Ford...HPD...argh...

 

[Eric.]

Picked up the Mustang a few weeks ago to run this season. A bit disappointed that it stayed on the OTM. Its easy to drive but takes time to adjust. Partly due to its weight and a lot due to being on the OTM. Of note, turn in is generally very slow and steering feel is lacking. I blame the OTM for these. What I dislike the most is that the tires squeal before you're at the limit so its hard to get used to pushing it further once you start hearing the tires. Its a lot more interesting to drive than the MX5 because you can really adjust your line with the throttle. Sometimes its helpful to get a little rotation out of the car. I've actually taken Turn 1 at Laguna Seca with full opposite lock a few times in races this week. Maybe not the fastest way around but not particularly slow either. Participation level in Mustang Challenge is really good, but poor in Grand Am.

One thing to note when driving the Mustang, you should always shift not much later than when the yellow lights appear on the rev counter. That's around 6200rpm.

The Mustang is one of two cars (Solstice is the other) equipped with ABS.

 

[Keef]

Call me a terrible driver but I hate the Miata. Damn thing won't trailbrake without taking the whole solar system into the grass with it. The last time I drove pretty much any car in real life, it didn't do that.

Eric and I have already argued this point thoroughly. I'm going to trying my new steering wheel settings tonight but I don't have high hopes for this annoying little car.

 

[tissimo]

Call me a terrible driver but I hate the Miata. Damn thing won't trailbrake without taking the whole solar system into the grass with it. The last time I drove pretty much any car in real life, it didn't do that.

Eric and I have already argued this point thoroughly. I'm going to trying my new steering wheel settings tonight but I don't have high hopes for this annoying little car.

I agree with you 100%. I'm scared to approach the limit on the mx5 as imo its unpredictable, and seems to have a hairline limit between good and out of control.

The Riley is drastically different. You can approach the limit and exceed it and its predictable and controllable the whole time.

 

[swiftwilly]

Anyone able to do one on the Skip seeing that it's so popular?

 

[sandboxgod]

I still can't handle that car but the series itself is top notch. Full repairs is such a huge ++++. Acura HPD, if you hit a wall its lights out, period. Skippy, I got taken out and bounced back from the grave. Multiple splits and the series leads into Star Mazda series which is also full to the brim.

I'd give the series 5/5.

I think the car has a lot of lessons to teach and I feel it has a lot of fun factor if you are very good

It is close to that skippy-clone from netkar pro. Sorry cant recall the name of the entry formula car

 

[swiftwilly]

I still can't handle that car but the series itself is top notch. Full repairs is such a huge ++++. Acura HPD, if you hit a wall its lights out, period. Skippy, I got taken out and bounced back from the grave. Multiple splits and the series leads into Star Mazda series which is also full to the brim.

I'd give the series 5/5.

I think the car has a lot of lessons to teach and I feel it has a lot of fun factor if you are very good

It is close to that skippy-clone from netkar pro. Sorry cant recall the name of the entry formula car

If you have problems with the Skip what chance do the rest of us mortals have? Series looks super top notch but this car sounds very very difficult..Sr deathtrap?

 

[noshog]

I have become a bit of a fan of the Skip so I might be a tad biased
The series and the community are awesome, full time 7 day racing, virtually never a unofficial race, everyone from rookie to D1 drivers. The weekly forum thread always has someone posting tunes and reference laps etc etc.
Took a bit of getting used to, but there is heaps of useful info in the Skip forums in regards to driving tips and techniques, the main one is really to always keep a bit of gas on, as soon as you are used to doing that the car starts to feel more stable.
They have a saying, if you can master the Skip you can master anything, and so far I think it might be true, I started doing some practice in the Star Mazda and the Radical the last couple of days, and have felt pretty comfortable straight away, and can't help but feel that's down to learning the Skip first.

 

[swiftwilly]

I have become a bit of a fan of the Skip so I might be a tad biased
The series and the community are awesome, full time 7 day racing, virtually never a unofficial race, everyone from rookie to D1 drivers. The weekly forum thread always has someone posting tunes and reference laps etc etc.
Took a bit of getting used to, but there is heaps of useful info in the Skip forums in regards to driving tips and techniques, the main one is really to always keep a bit of gas on, as soon as you are used to doing that the car starts to feel more stable.
They have a saying, if you can master the Skip you can master anything, and so far I think it might be true, I started doing some practice in the Star Mazda and the Radical the last couple of days, and have felt pretty comfortable straight away, and can't help but feel that's down to learning the Skip first.

Are you able to see/know when to change gears on the Skip easily? I realsed theres no dot system for it like the GT cars

 

[noshog]

Are you able to see/know when to change gears on the Skip easily? I realsed theres no dot system for it like the GT cars

Yea that took a bit of getting used to as well, my view is set up so I only see about half the gauge too so cant tell you roughly the revs either sorry. After a bit of practice you'll know just by engine sound pretty easily.

 

[sandboxgod]

If you have problems with the Skip what chance do the rest of us mortals have? Series looks super top notch but this car sounds very very difficult..Sr deathtrap?

Oh I'm not very quick at all. I just try to work hard and give it my best shot anyways (someone has to come in 6th, 7th, etc lol). My iRating is slowly increasing. To be frank, at my low point I was down to like 900 iRating cause I sort of fast tracked up to Class C and lost a lot of iRating due to some bad races.

I have a lot to learn still!

 

[Blaze_409]

A Star Mazda review would be much appreciated here. I want to run that to get through Class c. Wither that or the DP series.

 

[Jav]

The Star Mazda is a great car Blaze, before the NTM it was a pretty popular series. Now with the NTM I can only think it's more popular. The quality of racing and racers is excellent and it is a pretty fun car to drive!

 

[Mad94d]

A Star Mazda review would be much appreciated here. I want to run that to get through Class c. Wither that or the DP series.

Star Mazda was popular on the Old Tyre model, but seems to be even more so now on the NTM. I found it a bit unrealistic on the old tyre model.... Turn it in at full tilt then worry about what happens when you need to. Now you need to really use good racing lines and technique be fast. You must drive very smooth and almost always sliding is slower. The slower you drive it (Well smoother you drive it) the faster it goes.

Great car though, definitely be a good series to run in. I plan on doing some races in it this season that's for sure. 👍

 

[swiftwilly]

Ok going to give it a go on the Skippy...

Skip Barber

NTM

- Fun factor
4/5
Very fun to drive, sort of like a slower F1 car so at least you have sometime to react. The cockpit view is good for a sim game like this, you do get to see a lot of the car which helps you understand tire lock etc. Great car to drive, Fun, great learning experience. Its funny how I jumped out of the Skip after a few laps, went into my very first car the MX5, did a lap on the track which I have been playing all week and I nail on average one of my fastest laps, did a race in the MX5 and it was a podium.


- Difficulty factor
4/5
Probably the most difficult car in the game? So much to learn, just by looking in the forums with all the help threads, tips etc, just shows how much there is to learn. iRacing school videos even show the Skip in the videos.

- series activity
5/5

I did a lot of research about series participation about buying the Skip, looking at last season, I don't think I even saw a unofficial race? Yes, this is how high the participation level is so your going to find some great competition here around your level.

- general description
I would have to call the Skip MY "kinky kylie". It is so hard to learn, IF one day I learn how to drive this right and get 10 laps with 1 incident only or something I can't imagine how happy I will be. The series/participation levels are so high its mouth watering. I mean, it sucks to play a car, get good at it yet cannot find a race right? Not in the Skip, I am working hard for it because I want to participate in such a series, but learning curve is very very high...I might not ever reach it, and that thought is annoying enough to give the Skip a "minus" for a few notches. I do feel that the learning curve is maybe too high and too unforgiving with this car. I can totally imagine even top pro drivers in a 20 lap race spin out, just one second of focus lapse and you put too much throttle or letting off the brakes too fast and you will spin out, can't even correct it and your out of the race. Thats how demanding this car is. But if you nail it, its like landing on the moon I imagine.

I would do a review of the V8 but I don't feel I spent enough time in it. I bought the V8 as I also wanted to race in it but I like the Skip better. The Ford V8 feels like a "local pub Bob" to me, nice bloke, really strong but if he gets drunk too much and you say something wrong he'll sucker punch you in the face.

Skip is my kinky kylie, naughty, sexy but she'll slap you hard if you do something wrong but it feels so good...you just want more....


Anyone able to do a radical review? that car looks pretty good.

 

[superbike81]

The Skip Barber car is difficult because it was designed to be difficult. It is an open wheel training car and it forces you to have good driving techniques, this applies in real life and the iRacing counterpart. If you can handle the Skippy, you are ready to move up to faster open wheelers. The purpose of a car like the Skippy is to be difficult so when you are in the faster (and easier to drive to some extent) cars later in your career, you can hopefully use those techniques to get yourself out of bad situations.

 

[sandboxgod]

Skippy taught me how to "catch" a car that's bout to spin and how to apply "inputs" to make a car steer in the direction I want (rather than yank the wheel and just expect the car to go where I want). This season I'll be practicing with Skip some more.

Skippy is like a dungeon full of secrets that one has to unravel

 

[Patrocles]

I have become a bit of a fan of the Skip so I might be a tad biased
The series and the community are awesome, full time 7 day racing, virtually never a unofficial race, everyone from rookie to D1 drivers. The weekly forum thread always has someone posting tunes and reference laps etc etc.
Took a bit of getting used to, but there is heaps of useful info in the Skip forums in regards to driving tips and techniques, the main one is really to always keep a bit of gas on, as soon as you are used to doing that the car starts to feel more stable.

I second the comments on the skip. This car was my first exposure to open-wheelers and it was a handful to master for me. I now find it a fun car to drive and have some great races.