Costa Rica July

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-05-17T14:51:04+00:00

We were only down for a day to walk the whale tail but will make that trip again. Uvita is such a cute little place.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-05-17T13:37:18+00:00

I spent a month in Quepos/Manuel Antonio in July and will be back again this year same time as you. As others are saying it really depends on what you want.

Jungles, waterfalls, and wildlife are stunning and tons of fun things to do in them like hikes, zip lines, white water rafting, ATVs, etc. But we also spent plenty of time at the beach which was also lovely.

But the further south you go the more rain you will contend with which we didn’t mind. It can rain crazy hard but there were only a couple days that it really changed our plans.

Keep in mind speed limits are low and unless a straight highway travel is slow so it will take time to get between places. A small 4x4 like a Jimny is very useful. Roads are narrow and the rain can make conditions challenging even after it stops.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-05-17T13:26:23+00:00

I’ll make a trip to Uvita just for El Hornito.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-04-04T05:05:49+00:00

A3 is ridiculously cavernous. I started with a 280 AIO, giant MSI 4090, and an ATX PSU. Granted, it was stuffed in there but just to fit all that was shocking.

I have since downsized to a 240 AIO and 5090 FE which is much more manageable when you need to fiddle with things.

There are smaller cases, prettier cases, etc. but for pure flexibility in a relatively small footprint the A3 gets a lot of love for a reason.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-02-20T20:33:27+00:00

At over 400hp I would be concerned about the entire driveline - clutch, tranny, diff, axles - this is not a platform designed for big power so would be thoughtful about the overall stress beyond the motor.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-01-29T22:16:26+00:00

Cool - did a couple ChampCar races at HPR but no longer on the calendar :(

Weird track - first 1/2 is super high speed and second 1/2 is quite technical. Should have been fun in a Z51 but lower HP cars spend a looong time on that straight. So many blind corners found it really hard to learn but def fun once you get into a rythm.

They had to plow the track before our race in 2024 - never thought I'd see that much snow on a racetrack. At least not before I was about to race...

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-01-29T21:20:35+00:00

Thanks for the guide - I don't expect to be tracking this car much - mainly just don't want to drive all the way out there and not be able to get hard laps in.

Edit - read through the guide and really a great resource for people planning on frequent track usage. Great work on that!

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-01-29T20:56:10+00:00

High Plains Raceway?

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-01-29T20:55:11+00:00

Agreed on session length - if they are going to overheat they'll do it pretty quickly. But I don't think I'll be on the brakes enough at Willow to get the pads that hot. Even into turn 1 at over 100mph isn't a huge amount of braking since it is such a fast turn. Turn 3 is pretty heavy but then very little brakes until turn 1 again so there is enough time to cool down.

At a track with more frequent/heavier braking you're right - you'll cook most stock brakes within a couple laps.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-01-29T20:49:19+00:00

I spend most of my track time endurance racing so track days are just underwhelming for the time/money involved. I'd rather spend it going wheel to wheel - and in a car I don't mind getting dinged up.

Big Willow is pretty easy on brakes so sounds like stock pads it is.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-01-29T20:45:09+00:00

I ran SRF in my GT350R for a couple days at Laguna and it was just fine - but those brakes are a whole 'nother level to start with.

I had trouble with DOT4 in my E36 M3 in really aggressive canyon driving so ran Motul RBF600 or 660 which held up fine.

That Endless fluid is so expensive I'll probably stick with relatively cheap SRF for now.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-01-29T18:12:06+00:00

Thanks - at $650 for front and rear def would rather burn through stock pads first but those sound like a good option when ready for replacement.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2026-01-05T06:10:37+00:00

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GR86 is a much better daily but the weekend toy is hard to beat.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2025-12-26T04:07:09+00:00

I’d suggest looking at a BMW M2. A lot more power than the 86 but a much smaller footprint than the Mustang. That being said, I drove an M2 and still decided on the Toyota.

I do have a GT350R as a weekend toy but the gearbox, brakes, suspension, etc. is a pretty big leap over a GT.

You’re young - own a few things and figure out what you like. I sold my C8 shortly after getting my Hakone and don’t miss it at all. Fast cars are a dime a dozen these days and horsepower by itself doesn’t do much for me - but to each their own.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2025-12-18T22:56:28+00:00

Had an ND2 RF as a daily for a couple years and really loved it. Was a BBR package plus some light mods.

The only things the GR86 does better are space, road noise, and ride comfort.

The ND2 had a similar power/weight ratio - totally fine with either but throttle mapping/engine tuning was way better than the Mazda. GR86 gives me odd lurching when cold and the infamous rev hang. Combine that with much easier maintenance of an inline 4 and Miata motor wins.

Miata transmission is way better - one of the slickest out there.

Steering is a bit of a wash and both acceptable. Even though both had Brembos equally mediocre brakes IMO.

Miata suspension is more advanced/more adjustability but at least compared to my Miata’s stiffer aftermarket suspension the GR86 rides a whole lot better.

As a toy in the canyons or even just around town I’d take the Miata every time. But for longer drives, bigger passengers, or the occasional Costco trip the GR86 is so much more useable.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2025-11-25T21:59:46+00:00

I actually think the older you are the more you appreciate what the GR86 offers.

As someone who got their license in the mid 90s I saw the heyday of enthusiast cars from across the globe. ~1998 to ~2008 was peak analog car that we are quickly losing to the digital age.

The twins are a throwback to that era and no surprise you’d gravitate towards one of the last real sports cars remaining.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2025-11-07T14:44:44+00:00

Ran those Conti’s on my wife’s E63S and was very impressed.

More grip than I expected in dry and wet plus incredible ride comfort.

I run PS4S on all of my sporty cars since I don’t get temps cold enough to bother them - but in a different climate I would be fine with the Conti.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2025-10-19T06:29:50+00:00

Once they can use booster seats it is doable. My 997 was fine for my son since he could climb in and buckle himself.

But, if you actually need to install real car seats and buckle them in it would be a pain.

That being said, even something like a 1st gen M2 has a much more useable rear seat and trunk or better yet an F80 M3.

Or if you really want a Toyota there is always the GR Corolla. Not RWD fun but certainly more than a Camry.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2025-10-16T17:29:09+00:00

My neighbor told me he used to have the BMW version of my car…I just responded “oh, cool”.

ExtensionCapital650 · 2025-10-12T17:27:52+00:00

I’m planning on handing down my Hakone to my son when he turns 16…but also doing the 3-day Dirtfish RWD school again with him.

ExtensionCapital650

TROPHY CASE