We'll see. I had a FoST for a year, and now have a GTI w/PP on order (after test driving one extensively - on rural roads and around VIR at speed.) They're pretty different cars despite seeming so similar... I'll have a full report as soon as my GTI shows up hopefully next month, lol. But in a nutshell I expect that…

"Will the $1495 performance package increase as well?" Apparently it's now $1895 as per the dealer I ordered mine through in November. My car should be built in the next week or two and in my hands next month hopefully, but he told me yesterday that he will need another $400 before handing over the keys.

FoST is stiffer, and faster, especially down low in the rev range... also a hot mess of torque steer and lift throttle oversteer when pushed. What a hoot to drive! I had one for a year... it was fun, but already falling apart after 11k miles and would only go 200 city/300 highway miles on a tank which got annoying.

Yep. I've got the DW's on an E46 and it's fine on dry or wet pavement down into the 20's. They do tramline more (especially since they're not small... 265 all around) and are noisier and get flatspots if the car has been parked for a week or more, but otherwise, agreed that most folks wouldn't even notice, or care...

I call BS on his "years of training in advanced car control and plenty of track time"

Focus ST (mentioned in the article) =/= Fiesta ST (mentioned by a commenter above) when it comes to power or acceleration... the Focus is noticeably quicker than the Fiesta in a straight line. Agreed that it's no Porsche, but also I'm sure it would roast an Odyssey all day long. ;-)

Very much this. If you're a novice, look for a HPDE with instructors, not a track day without...

That's easy - sponsors (like Visa and Mastercard!)

Correct, on the back wall. Big painting print, just put there in the last year or two. Pretty neat

You mean "shortened suspension" or "lowered car", not "lowered suspension"... and thanks to Top Gear for putting that flawed term into our vocabulary. ;-)

Similar situation here, driving in Virginia since 1991. For interstate/highway travel set the cruise at 76-77 (or 6-7 over the posted limit, whichever is lower) and you'll be just fine.

From memory, something 2200 made for north america with the small engine (S52/E36 M3) and like 700 made with the big one (S54/E46 M3.) Not sure about Z4 platform versions but those are pretty rare too. Always loved these cars, though many hate 'em

The 16cyl 917 was on display in NC late last year & early this year, with much other Porsche hottness too. http://ncartmuseum.org/exhibition/por…

...and then get it all re-federalised because it's a different model, right?

A couple years ago I got upgraded to an E90 BMW 328 at a certain Florida airport. It had only one barcode tag AND a plate frame and trunk sticker from a nearby dealership. My guess was that they got a deal on it as a leftover because of the color (dark gray w/black leather) in such a hot climate, but who knows. It was…

Considering the skills of the average VA driver even just in rain, it's probably good that everything shuts down. Here in Richmond it only takes a few inches in the forecast to clear out the Krogers and empty the roads. Then it's hoon-thirty

This car lost me at "Firehawk Indy 500" white letter tires. Walmart didn't have anything else in stock I assume?

I can certainly appreciate the effort involved, and there's something pretty badass about the entire concept of illegal cross-country "racing." But in this age of busier roads than ever, full of worse drivers than ever... I think anyone doing it has a death wish. What happens when you're zipping by at 100+ and someone…

"The right way" is any reputable HPDE (here in the USA anyway) where every novice - and often also intermediate - driver will receive guidance from an in-car instructor for as long as necessary. In fact this video serves as a great example of why people shouldn't be allowed on track by themselves without demonstrating…

Very much this. Only run with reputable HPDE groups and it's a non-issue (or as mentioned earlier, dealt with very quickly.)