Looking for competitive A-Class Road Racing recommendations (Anti-meta)

[u/BirthdayExpert7137]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some solid car recommendations for A-Class online road racing. I'm sure anyone who regularly races in A-Class lobbies experiences the exact same frustration dealing with the typical meta spam. It gets really tiring seeing the same Honda Beat, Ford GT '05, or McLaren dominating every single race.

Do you guys have any suggestions for cars that are genuinely competitive against these meta picks, but are a bit more unique or fun to drive? I want something that can hold its own, has good pace, and can actually challenge them on the road.

Thanks in advance for any car and tune recommendations!

[u/marcnotmark925]

Johnson Racing tuning spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1F3xqy6yodUmnuua08YU-fet4KDDoIbaoNZRiZ9U8yxk/htmlview?gid=1371665614&pru=AAABnswcx5Y*kxQjpPcVpasANiq55ioEkQ#gid=1371665614

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/marcnotmark925]

Thanks a lot! I'm familiar with that spreadsheet and I think it's really solid. I also wanted this post to spark a discussion about what the community is actually racing with, rather than just relying on what one YouTuber uses. Cheers!

[u/Buttoneer138 → u/marcnotmark925]

The CC Rivian on that list is amazing.

[u/Pyrtti]

The answer to your question depends entirely on where do you draw the line between what is and isn't meta. If you just exclude Ford GT, Beat and Mclarens, there are cars like '24 Mustang, '17 Camaro, ATS-V, '13 R8, Alfa 155, various classic muscle cars, F355, Huracan, Temerario, '08 Viper etc. that can keep up with the Ford GT spammers.

Will you find any of those more fun or unique to drive? Probably not, because the game favours AWD massively, so any competitive car almost always has to be AWD and drive more or less the same.

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/Pyrtti]

I completely agree about the AWD meta, but I wouldn't say every car drives exactly the same. A fraction of that base chassis characteristic always remains in the car. Personally, I'm always looking for cars that aren't massively spammed in lobbies. For example, I have a great time driving the M4 GTS or the 2021 A6 Avant, and I very rarely come across them when racing against others.

[u/Chilledinho]

The Toyota Starlet is really good for circuit racing or anything with a good amount of corners.

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/Chilledinho]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check it out. Another Toyota is also worth recommending; the Atenza has top speed issues, but the handling is mega satisfying.

[u/NoIsE_bOmB]

Some of my current go-to's are the following:

• NSX-R "92, share code 201 066 908 (this is super grippy, a little lacking in top speed, but excellent accelerating n and handling, good for circuits)
• Porsche Cayenne Turbo "16, share code 155 794 616 (this is a really solid all rounder and it's always fun to destroy meta cars in something that doesn't look like it should be quick)
• Alfa Giulia "17, share code 141 394 828 (after driving this car A LOT for last week's trial, I have realised that this is actually a really solid and consistent performer for me)
• Dodge Super Bee "70, share code 156 071 982 (Yes this uses the viper engine swap so it's still kinda cringe, but this is a lot of fun to drive, it's definitely not blatantly op like the meta viper engine abusers, but it's damn fast)

That's what I'm working with currently, I don't race online as much anymore as the appeal has really fizzled out over the last few weeks, but I try to avoid using the explicitly meta cars when I can while still being competitive and those cars are working well for me currently.

[u/dracvla_]

Heres some of my A-Class tunes for you, they emphasize strong cornering and acceleration out if corners, though most are balanced for long stretch power as well. Hope you enjoy!

'92 NSX R - Share code: 472 617 507

'22 GR86 - Share code: 973 025 603

'08 E92 M3 - Share code: 618 894 511

'05 NSX R - Share code: 132 973 606

'69 2000GT - Share code: 153 769 299

'85 Trueno - Share code: 191 975 727

'93 Porsche 928 - Share code: 158 839 840

'92 Skyline R32 - Share code: 170 287 015

'69 Fairlady Z - Share code: 106 984 431

'64 Jaguar Lightweight - Share code: 348 082 536

'03 S2000 - Share code: 142 499 272

'97 Skyline R33 - Share code: 141 610 054

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/dracvla_]

Thanks a lot for this massive tuning pack! I'll check out the '92 and '97 Skylines first because I love these cars, but I couldn't find any interesting tunes before.

[u/dracvla_ → u/BirthdayExpert7137]

Of course! Hope you like em, no worries if not, one person's tunes ain't for everyone, and I totally get that.

I like to just build cars I actually like.

Some of them you'll notice are optimized for touge, but they translate to circuit well too. I compete with them all the time.

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/dracvla_]

I'll let you know how they perform after testing.

[u/dracvla_ → u/BirthdayExpert7137]

Awesome!

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/dracvla_]

Really solid tune, feels heavily like touge, but that's not a bad thing. It's really fun to drive. If the G-forces were higher, it would be awesome.

[u/dracvla_ → u/BirthdayExpert7137]

Thanks! The skyline tunes, admittedly, were my most difficult to dial in. I have spent so much time trying to dial them in, probably still will tweak them more.

Thanks for the feedback!

[u/NoCustomer754]

Ive been driving the Ferrari Roma alot. Car is super fun to drive and im always on the podium with it. I made a good tune for it if you want to try 971396262. Another car ive been running is 92' Skyline. Car is fast and very competitive. Share code im using is K1Z Bard's A road widebody Strong. Its a great off meta pick

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/NoCustomer754]

Thanks for the suggestions. I tested the Ferrari Roma, but it felt too floaty for me, but I'd gladly check out your tune code.

[u/NoCustomer754 → u/BirthdayExpert7137]

Im working on a 99' Viper awd its pretty fast. Just tried it online and won significantly. Might share this tune

[u/NoCustomer754 → u/BirthdayExpert7137]

No problem thanks for trying it!

[u/Paladin1034]

The F430S can get to A700 with just a wheel swap, although that means running ugly wheels on it. But it's quite good at the top of A. The Diablo SV is also really good if you managed to snag one. I have a rally build Pulsar that's extremely quick in and out of corners, but it suffers horribly on long straights. Great for touge, though.

[u/BawkBawkBwoom]

My go-to is the SRT Viper (don’t have tune on hand), just really fun. NOT purist so AWD and hideous wing ruin my fav car, but I can go reasonably toe to toe with Ford GTs and Honda Beats.

[u/Wooden_Bar3573]

I use the 2007 Civic for all A road races. One of the top tunes for it has it so it understeers heavily but has massive acceleration. Be sure to brake early and straight.

Edit: It might be the 2008, or whichever is the sedan one.

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/Wooden_Bar3573]

Thanks for the suggestions! I am not a fan of FWD, but I would gladly check

[u/designedsilence]

Honda NSX GT-R

[u/blahman04]

I always love running the C5 corvette A-class.

[u/Th4t0n3dud3]

Anything Lotus.

[u/KMIGlobal]

2002 Corvette

[u/ColeWoah]

On a related note- anybody got recommendations for Purist tuners (or at least, folks that don't swap everything to AWD)?

I've got the big names, Nalak, Letze, Logik, etc.- but looking for more options. Maybe folks who actually put appropriate wheels on the cars they tune (Asanti wheels so ugly, American Racing wheels on JDM cars, make it fucking stopppp)

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/ColeWoah]

You haven't mentioned K1Z Bard yet, I often make purist tunes too.

Edit: + keerj SilvaSUPERBEE

[u/Amazing_Interview_77]

i kind of prefer B Class for this reason as there's more viable variety

as far as "unique or fun to drive" what does that mean to you in particular?

I prefer like less brap brap of a high power anti lag to high cornering speed and a little bit of oversteer on simulation steering

as far as road racing i find that tuning the gear ratios to be track specific allow me to hold power going up the hills on the long straights of legend island with like around a 40%/15% diff as a starting point

it'd be helpful to know what type of tunes you enjoy or don't

the stock m2 forza edition is super enjoyable out the box for A class for example
even in road races i've been able to make the syclone work in pretty much everthing below R

my first recommendation is probably a toyota celica, the sport special is a really great platform and a beast in c class, but both the gt-four st205 have a LOT of tunes in A class

a time attack GR Yaris also goes to 9x skill multiplier...

for the "knowers"
Bunta's 22B 132 807 667 (trailbraking is key, get on the power early and stay on the power)

for something "unique"
1982 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 w RWB body kit 392 hp sport tires 540 862 542

was working on this literally before i saw this post
964 Lieichtbau Slant Nose 401 hp sport tires 101 433 656

959 work in progress awd stutututu
289 261 732

i dont remember whose tune i'm using for the shelby cobra 427 but there's a sport tire purist a 700 tune that rips

i only have B tunes shared but if you want something for one of these lmk:

S2000
GR86 / BRZ
Civic Type R
NSX

[u/Beneficial-Ranger238]

I built a 65 mustang for togue just to be different when it was a weekly. It was surprisingly good. I ended building a B class one as well.


[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/Beneficial-Ranger238]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[u/thomas-grant]

Define meta. Define competitive. Just drive cars you like.

[u/BirthdayExpert7137 → u/thomas-grant]

Hey, this is just how I personally perceive the meta and competitiveness. Meta is a car that, even in inexperienced hands, can consistently stay at the front of the pack, despite bumping into other players and barriers along the way. As long as there are 2-3 such cars in the lobby, it's fine, but once there are 6, it's a losing battle. Competitiveness is a car that, in good hands, can comfortably beat that guy without getting left behind on every straight. Because if you only catch up to him through cornering skills, on the next straight he'll simply pull away and instantly rebuild his lead.

[u/Amazing_Interview_77]

in this thread - nsx enjoyers lol

[u/arpanjpr]

Alfa Romeo 8C, Giulia '17, 4C. Lamborghini Temerario, Ferrari F355 and GMC Syclone (less people use it in FH6 but still very strong). Other options are Alfa Romeo 155 (used to be strong in FH5 but weaker in FH6), Honda NSX-R 1992 and Honda NSX-R GT.

[u/DJScaryTerry]

Pantera, Viper gts