I was just curious if any one has had the chance to mess with a RUF CTR? I was told the difference you get in performance isn't really worth the cost of one. Much respect for Alois Ruf though.

 

It is possible to add boost to a stock car like a Viper or 'Vette, or add higher levels of boost to a Porsche Turbo or Corvette Zr1, or a Lotus or a Mini Cooper S for that matter, and get stunning performance. I've seen (but have not driven) a verified 1400 HP from such cars. It is fun -- briefly.

But this is the automotive equivalent of a rather beautiful woman getting massive breast augmentation surgery. It adds a very large meausre of "improvement" in an area thought to be important but that actually matters far less than one thinks. The car is imbalanced and ultimately interesting only briefly (just like the woman) and then rather embarrassing, actually.

The best car I have ever owned, by far, is my current Aston. It has a paltry 380 HP for 3500 lbs weight, and in a straight line is no faster than my '04 Porsche 911 was (13.3 1/4 mile, etc., and noticeably slower in the 1/4 mile than my '02 ZO6 was stock -- about 12.5 1/4 mile (not to mention compared to that car after "breast augmentaiton surgery" to double its HP with a full 7 liters and 10 lbs of boost-- 10.2 1/4 on street tires).

Power is important, but not the most important thing. I love beautiflly designed, balanced cars. I've learned that generally they come from the factory that way and adding boost and HP generally screws them up for anything more than a one-night stand.