[NHG35GUY]

So I've put about 600 miles on the car this weekend. Needless to say I absolutely love it! It needs a few little things here or there to make it perfect for me, but so far has been a ton of fun to drive.

The car takes a raw, minimalistic approach to everything. No need for swaths of leather or plush carpeting. This car offers aluminum and lots of it. The seats while compact are big enough to support my 6'-1" frame comfortably and provide all day long support for my bad back.

The steering response is damn near telepathic. It feels every inch of the road and tells you precisely what is happening with each foot of pavement travelled. The ride can be a bit harsh at times depending on the condition of the concrete below you but if you plan your way around obvious holes or divots the ride is firm but comfortable.

The seating position itself is very race car like in that you have a knees up position with your legs and the steering wheel is centered nicely to your chest with little reach to the loop. The shift lever is in easy reach and provides great feedback through out the gear box. Ahhh the gear box. This is one of the nicest systems I have had the pleasure of working through. While simple, the shifts are crisp, smooth and tight. The box is not gated but still provides a compact pattern as you move throught the cogs.

The act of driving and understanding what the car is saying as it transitions from right to left is incredible. I think Jeremy Clarkson said it best by saying "if you run over a bug it will tell you how many legs it had." The transitions are quick and nimble all while providing a flat cornering posture. There is little to no body roll and the faster you go the more settled the chassis feels.

The brakes are ok so far. I think she needs front rotors. That and steel braided lines for 110.00 seem like the best investment for ample braking.

As for power the 1800cc Toyota plant get the car to 60 quicker than the big ol' G. While not as impressive feeling due to lower torque numbers, it is deceptively quick. There were several times when I thought I was short shifting the car only to look down and see I was doing 65 or greater in a 30 MPH zone. Once you put your foot into it, you can feel the cam timing change at 6000 RPM. It literally feels like mild turbo and really starts to move up to the 8500 RPM redline.

What I really like is the chassis response on throttle, if powering through an apex (on a good long off ramp) the front tires just seem to dig in and it feels like it is begging to get through the corner as quickly as possible.

Lift throttle transitions can be deadly. With most mid-engined cars, when in doubt, put your foot in it. That applies here 100%. I was forced to lift on a long sweeping corner (doing well above 65) on a back road near my moms place and I could feel the weight transfer start to pendulum. I planted my right foot again and she settled back in allowing me to decrease speed with a bit of trailing throttle and a quick hint of neutral counter-steer. I take full responsibility here in saying that I typically do not drive like this on public roads. I thought I had mitigated as much risk as possible from the situation but did not take into account a dog on the side of the road.

In traffic it is fine, the fans kick on at 211' and cool the engine quickly. I get plenty of looks, thumbs up, and smiles. Sadly I also get mistaken for being in a lamborghini. (This has happened twice now) What amazes me is the sheer stupidity of some people young and old. One kid delivering pizza in an accord came flying up to the bumper on 293 Friday night, only to pull along side, snicker, speed up and almost hit the back end of a dump truck pulling a trailer trying to show off. Another instance had to do with some Douche bag in a MX6 trying to show me how cool he was at age 45(at least!) and damn near hit a jersey barrier headlong in a construction zone on the Everett Turnpike north in Merrimack. I mean he missed this thing by a foot or less at 70 MPH and just managed to keep his mirror.

So, next weekend I am free, I know its mothers day and all but if any of you guys are up for a drive somewhere lemme know.