Best sports car under $50k

[ClothSeats]

Yes, there are 4 modes for the ELSD. More details are in the performance supplement to the owner's manual. PTM seems good for the track, but on the street I like the competitive driving (MDM esque) setting you get in sport mode + traction off twice. The throttle feels more linear to me. Alternatively track mode + pressing traction off once gave me the same throttle feel. There are so many setting permutations lol.

[ClothSeats]

Compared to E92M it is not as quiet or luxurious but it is more savage and visceral. E92 was too comfortable for me- I felt like I could fall asleep lol. That was the most comfortable track-oriented car I've driven. Definitely targeted at an older crowd but still very impressive.

[BrewRifle]

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

Compared to E92M it is not as quiet or luxurious but it is more savage and visceral. E92 was too comfortable for me- I felt like I could fall asleep lol. That was the most comfortable track-oriented car I've driven. Definitely targeted at an older crowd but still very impressive.

That's interesting as I feel the car is like a bat out of hell when I get on it due to the induction noise and exhaust.

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Perhaps you've become acclimated to the torque of the mustang.

When I get in my e46m after driving the e39m for a couple days, it always feels slow... even though my M3 has ~30 hp more than my M5 and weights almost 1000 lbs less (and blows it away in a drag race).

The torque makes the car feel faster than it is.

Then I get back in the M5 and am accidentally bouncing off the limiter and driving around at 3500 rpm instead of 2000, because I'm acclimated the other way (and tend to way overcook corners, because holy shit it's a boat in comparison). I far prefer a revvy engine to a torquey engine, but even I have the "this thing is gutless!" experience when I first switch cars.

Not that I'm arguing in favor of the e9XM (as you know, I far prefer the e46m to the e9XmM), but to give it a fair shot you should perhaps trade cars with your wife for a week to you your brain re-calibrated for revs > torque before your next test drive.

I feel like the e9XM should be the perfect car for you-- as you certainly prioritize chassis stiffness and ride quality more than most people I know, which are two areas where the e9XM excels!

Yo!

I had that exact though about the torque and you do have a point - the Mustang, now fully broken in, is something to behold in the power department. It's...... really effing fast.

BUT! While the first few moments back in the 46 do have me scratching my head it quickly goes away and I'm reminded how much I love a precision, HSO motor. The long flat torque curve is actually far more full filling than the peaky, point and shoot 5.0.

Back on topic - you're right and have been all along. The 46M has more oomph, and thus excitement, in normal situations than the E9XM. It feels faster in the low-mid, to me, and, frankly, the rest of the car is not enough better to justify the money based on my experience thus far. Yes it's more rigid and more comfy but it's not as "fun".

I may be pulling the trigger on a local IR/Black 46M....

[Obioban]

Lol.

Well, it'll be awesome to have you back!