Missed OpportunitiesThe "Old School Brawl" ("Old School Fight Back," Apr. '06) article was a great concept, but testing criteria and some mysterious absences made it incomplete. The biggest flaw in the test was the tires! The R-compound tires on the new cars are worth several seconds per lap on any road course. All cars should have worn the same rubber. Three other cars come to mind for this test-the Mazda RX-7 Turbo, the Toyota MR2 Turbo, and the Porsche 944 Turbo S. I know first hand the 944 Turbo S will lap Willow Springs well into the 1:30's with minimal modifications. I think a retest is in order, but this time use stock examples of all cars, put the same tires on them, and let the chips fall where they may. Keep up the good work.Tom BoergerPittsburgh, PA
Newbie BluesI'm new to the sport compact scene, and even newer to SCC magazine. I want to build a car this summer, but I'll only have about $5,000 to spend, including modifications. I was just wondering if you guys could help me out with some ideas for a good, inexpensive build.Aaron HintzWisconsin Dells, WI
Check out the "Boost it Yourself" section in the Feb. 06 issue for three of the cheaper options available. Five grand may be pushing it, but it's enough to get you pointed in the right direction!
Missing MiataHey guys. I was just wondering, what ever happened to your gen. 2 Project Miata? I was thumbing through some back issues the other day and came across it. What gives? Great mag, by the way, and keep up the good work.Chris MorsbachFrom the Internet
It seems like if they don't get stolen, Project Miatas get vandalized beyond recognition. Bummer
Hate Mail Of The MonthOne thing I've always appreciated about SCC is good journalism, except when you write the odd piece here and there on European cars.
The misinformation about the new VW GTI in April 2006's Spinout is staggering. It was practically written by memory from notes taken down on a napkin at the L.A. Auto Show. First of all, the new GTI has an independent rear suspension, not a torsion beam. This is such a step up (finally, I'll admit) from the previous GTI that it should be the first thing any journalist writes about. Second, they're assembled in Europe, not Mexico like the Jetta. The car has also been on sale since January in the U.S., not this spring. As for the six-speed automatic, you could have at least mentioned it was the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) with paddle shifts.
The new GTI is a helluva lot closer to its long lost roots compared to the last generation, at least give it a chance to prove itself!John HuskFrom the Internet
We've never received so many letters about the same subject before. And we're sorry-being editorless wasn't easy. We've taken that freelancer out back to be tarred and feathered.
Love Mail Of The MonthI swung by my mailbox on the way to work and lo and behold, there was my new SCC license plate frame! Great! I couldn't wait until I get to work so I could tack it on my 2000 Civic during lunch. But the car stalled, and I couldn't get it to restart. Not so great.
A few hours pass, and I get the dreaded mechanic call. My timing belt had broken and the motor seized. My head now consisted mainly of bent and broken valves and I was left without a vehicle and a rather expensive repair bill.