%100 appreciate the response. And yes I have heard about the water pumps not being up to par. So it seems like a consensus that and LSD of some sorts is the way to go.

 

Hell I have been a car magazine driver since the late 80'd early 90's when the ISF's digital clock came about lol. I never saw that review. Thanks for the post man.

 

What color? That's pretty competitive with the pricing I have seen for an 08'. Like another post said get an aftermarket LSD. I may not be doing a ton of nasty things in mine. But the LSD is a piece of mind

 

I have to try and give them ****. I have never read that article. Good read thanks for another positive article

 

An article I have never seen great read thank you for the quote my friend.

 

I think that 2010 at the Kia if it is still around for a bit longer I may ****** it up. I love the varying opinions and suggestions since I have only dirven the 2011 and was really happy with it.

 

I wouldn't base my decision on having the factory Torsen. I have one of those in my Supra, and it's half lame. Better than nothing, but half lame compared to a real LSD like the Giken Superlock. I have both. The Giken is head and shoulders better than the Torsen. JMHO.

 

My '08 is MM, to be honest not my first choice of color (love 'em in USB), but I really dig the look under cloudy NW skies.

I found a 2011 diff @ CarParts.com I'm gonna install myself after seeing the writeup in this forum. I agree the OS Gikken's performance is head & shoulders above the factory unit, but from a cost / benefit / durability perspective (no clutch plates), decided the torsen was for me.

 

Mercury Metallic? So you are saying the factory LSD is more durable than the Gikken? But the Gikken is far better? I think I that from a tracking perspective you guys probably know about what is better than what. I don't really plan on tracking the car. Once in a while I will probably take it in a QM at the strip in Union Grove WI. The car will nto becoming to ND. My plan to stay in ND for one more year, buy another place and then get the ****** out of here. I have never had an incredibly fast car. The closest thing I have had to an ISF for speed was that Syclone. But as far as handling. I have not had a car of this caliber. Have to start somewhere. I see that you can start adding to an 08 to make it as good or better than a 2011 or 12. But in doing that I will end up I'm sure at the price for suspension and LSD where I would be at with the price of an 11'. But like others have posted it comes down to what I'm really wanting to do with the car. Sure it could be easy to say "go text drive them both". But that isn't feasible for me without spending hundreds if not thousands to do that going from state to state. That's why I have to rely on the people here for input which I do appreciate. Heck. If the time comes and a member here has a great deal on his or hers, then I may ****** that up as well. More or less people selling privately will be more reasonable since the stealerships will rip them off

 

Yup, MM = "mercury metallic".
I knew going in that I wanted the adjustability of coilovers, especially as there are so many aftermarket choices for the F. And the Giken is very durable for a clutch type diff with it's forged housing and large number of plates. But will it still perform after 50 - 100 k mi. of dual purpose use?
Some on the board have had issues with the durability (theres that word again) of the dash & door panel material on 2008 cars. The threads I've read say the materials were changed for the '09 - up cars, under new part numbers. The problem appears most prevalent for those in hot, humid climates. IMO this is the most convincing argument for choosing a later car. My 2008 was originally sold in Alaska and spent it's entire life in moderate west coast climates, and it's interior is as close to perfect as one could expect in a 7 yr. old car, but, who knows what the future will bring.
I wish I had educated myself as well as you have before making a purchase. Your knowledge & patience should assure you'll end up with a great vehicle at the right price.
Dennis

 

Well that's great to know. Just like after the 2001 model IS300 they had the melting dash board problems. Which after warranty I'm sure wasn't cheap to fix. I'm not sure you can go wrong with any color ISF. Surely some people like certain colors more than others. And well black always looks good on a sports car. Silver is a great color to hide blemishes if you will. But if you are picky about your car like I would hope you are, you can make any car look amazing with a great polish and sealer. Patience was gone after they dropped that price on the 2011 in Denver. But I couldn't make the move. I think the fact there are choices out there and I can shop the car, and I don't need one I want one gives me the upper hand. It's not like what heppend when i saw the Syclone for sale for 12,500 and had to make a move that day to buy it and come up with another 8500 by the next day. I just want one by next spring is all. But winter time is a great time to buy a sports car no doubt. I know what I am willing to pay and I really hope to get this refi done soon. Thanks again.

 

I remember the Syclone. OMG, what what an amazing vehicle, especially for it's time. With apologies to the Raptor, Syclone is the baddest a$$ truck (from the factory) of all time. I remember reading a Car and Driver comparison test versus a 348 Ferrari (which it beat 0 - 60 & in the 1/4 mile).
Wasn't there an SUV version, too (Typhoon)??

 

Yes there was the Typhoon as well they were produced in 92 and 93. I stole that Syclone I'd post a picture of it if I knew how to attach one from my cell. It was built in the first week of production. It had 41k on it and nary a scratch anywhere on it. I sold it for 14750 a month later as I was looking to buy a house. That guy even got a steal on it. It was about being at the right place at the right time. The guy that I bought it from bought it at an auction where some old farmer had it sitting in a barn I guess for 6k so he made his money and I did mine. But go to eBay and look at what they are fetching now with lower miles. It's nice that other people can appreciate all types of vehicles not just the ISF's. My God was that truck fast. It had more like 360 lb/tq and from a dig was just halacious. Word was that they were underated because the Vettes were being embarrassed. Take it to 2000 rpm release the brake and hold on. But as much as I started to look for another one I can't justify the poor reliability of them to see people get embarrassed when they had no idea what they were racing, even though they are classics.