[syr74]

Actually, I guess understeer is all in the eye of the beholder. Reason being I have read one review where they claimed the GT understeered more than the Modena, and another that claimed just the opposite. However, it is worth noting that I believe one comparison was in reference to a standard Modena while the other was comparing it to the more race ready Stradale. Suspension tuning could easily account for the difference, but the Stradale is a little extreme in the interior "appointments" department as a road car goes.

As for the GT being in 911 GT2 and 550 Maranello price territory, it isn't even close. The 911 GT2 is a 200,000 dollar car and the 550M is even more than that. A standard Porsche 911 Turbo costs more than a new Ford GT, and Ferrari's "entry level" 360 Modena is significantly more than the Ford as well with that 550M making the Mdoena look bargain basement.

I will say that I like the comparison of cars Jimster has brought up, and I think that is a pretty accurate cross shopping list for a guy in this range. I would have to drive these cars to really make up my mind, but from what little I do know....."here goes."

For a daily driver it would seem to me that the Aston and the 911 Turbo are the obvious choices. Close call between those two indeed. However, even as nice as 911's are unless the Aston's driving experience was a let down..... the Aston's luxury,V-12, and gorgeous looks would probably do it for me between those two.

The other cars could be used as daily drivers, but I would be less likely to pick them over the Porsche and Aston for this purpose. Not a problem though, as I am certain people with the means to buy these cars have several in their "fleets" to choose from.

For a toy, it would come down to the Ferrari and the GT. With it's big horsepower numbers and classic race car look I would have to take the Ford. The Lambo is juts too "rolling gold chain" for me, and the Lotus, while gorgeous and a bargain, is getting old and has to show it compared to the others. Also, I think the Lambo is going to end up "weak" as far as performance numbers go comapred to the others from what I have seen already.

Overall, if I was grading these cars. The Lambo gets a C+ for the garrish looks and mediocre performance for the money, the Lotus gets a B- for great value and power, even in such an old platform, the DB7GT gets an A- for being the uber-powerful luxury car that does a better job of being a Vanquish than the Vanquish, the 911 Turbo gets an A- too for being great all around, but pricey and not quite gorgeous enough, and the Ferrari gets a A- as well for being beautiful, but a step back in looks from the 355 and for it's relatively practical and still a race car attitude. I give the GT an A (nearly an A+) for value, awesome looks,and serious power and handling.....the A+ is reserved for when the handling improves enough to be noticeably better than the Modena (Assuming this ever happens) and another 100 horsepower shows up (An assumption, and a hope, as well).

And, around a road course, the GT is almost certainly going to be much more than just a few tenths quicker than the Modena. The ultimate Modena, the Stradale, couldn't beat the GT around the circuit, and a Viper wouldn't outrun a Stradale on the road course if you shot it from a cannon. However, as the Viper really isn't in the league of the rest of these cars, and isn't in this comapro either, let's let this go at that and stick to the topic.