Which car? Your opinions please - Page 2 - LotusTalk

...m... · 05-25-2009, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aschen

MR-S is another good choice but I dont think it makes much sense over a miata. There are so many practical advantages to owning a miata that come from it being the best selling sports car in history...

...i concur - the MR2 is a great car, but the MX5 offers at least as good a driving experience with so much more usable space and aftermarket support...

wantanelise · 05-25-2009, 07:46 AM

Miata... but in that price braket I definately think a Z4 has the most going for it by a long shot. For some reason you cant give them away, used ones are dirt cheap. I also like cooper S in this category too.

BUELL XB12R · 05-25-2009, 10:06 AM

My brother has a 1990 Miata that he put a Ground Control coilover kit, Tokico Illumina shocks, and Flyin` Miata sway bars on. It's just a blast to drive, it's way more fun than my RX-8 or a S2000. It's the second best handling car I have ever driven, and I have driven quite a few cars. The only problem with a Miata is most people think it's a girls car.

evomind · 05-25-2009, 12:26 PM

i think i would walk..

PhlypSide · 05-25-2009, 01:11 PM

^^^^ LOL @ evomind

S2000 (AP1, the AP2 has .2L more so should be an S2200 LOL!)

or

Miata (N86CE, 1994-1997 models)

(In that order.)

Green Ghost · 05-25-2009, 01:19 PM

A good condition BMW M Z3 could be a vary fun and nice car to have, but other wise I say look for a Mazda speed mx5

Minnis · 05-25-2009, 02:11 PM

MR2 turbo or if front engine okay for the money (low teens) a Z4 with the 3.0 6sp manual sport package- better than s2000 and slightly quicker. High 13's poss. in the quarter which pretty much puts it ahead of that other stuff.

Chris S · 05-27-2009, 05:51 AM

NC Miata set up like Geezer's (do a search) - among the most fun cars I've ever driven! (and I've owned a couple of S2000's)

ACE51 · 05-27-2009, 06:23 AM

the miata is lots of fun, look around a lot there are tons of different variations. if you can find an R package (94-97) they come with bilsteins, limited slip, cooler looking front and rear lip, and no PS. I STOLE mine out of craigslist

geezer · 05-27-2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichS

Hmmm....

I know that a Mini Cooper can be a lot of fun, but that's the first time I've ever heard anyone say that it handles better than a Miata. The Miata is quite good, but I've not personally driven a Mini Cooper in anger. Have you done both?

In terms of actual tracktimes the Cooper actually holds up pretty well. There is enough of a power difference to mitigate some of the handling differences and the Cooper is going to be easier to drive fast. The flip side, of course, is that you don't have as many options with the Cooper (i.e. the car won't do as much as the MX5 will ultimately so the driver doesn't necessarily have the choice to do exactly what he/she wants.)

That said, I'd love to have a Cooper for an all-in-one track minimonster - throw a roll bar in it, haul some tires to the track and at then end of the day pack up (there's actually a lot of room back there) and head home in a more comfortable ride than a MX5.

The other (admittedly subjective) thing about the Cooper is that the seating position is weirdly high. That freaks me out.

Tracktimeplz · 05-27-2009, 06:45 AM

Just bought an AP1 S2000, its a blast!

lotusforsale · 05-27-2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadfael_tex

Mini Cooper - will handle a lot better than either the miata or the s2000 and can get setup just about anyway you like it.

I owned an 06 Mini Cooper S. Great fun. Steering was actually quite a bit more sensitive than the Elise's and Exige I've owned (one at the same time I owned the Cooper). The Lotus' steering felt heavy/numb by comparison.

BUT, actually handle better than a Miata? The Cooper's handling was great fun, but I wouldn't say it's better than a Miata or S2000, not by a long shot.

BUELL XB12R · 05-27-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotusforsale

The Lotus' steering felt heavy/numb by comparison.

Are you on crack?

6_speed · 05-27-2009, 12:24 PM

If you're planning to mod, then Miata.

If stock, S2K.

If fixed top, RX-7 (yes, 7 not 8)

05-25-2009, 10:06 AM	#23 (permalink)
BUELL XB12R No, it's not Italian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hobbs NM Posts: 494 Images: 1	My brother has a 1990 Miata that he put a Ground Control coilover kit, Tokico Illumina shocks, and Flyin` Miata sway bars on. It's just a blast to drive, it's way more fun than my RX-8 or a S2000. It's the second best handling car I have ever driven, and I have driven quite a few cars. The only problem with a Miata is most people think it's a girls car. __________________ 2005 Elise Saffron yellow, Touring, LSS, SS, Hard Top 2004 Buell XB12R 2004 RX-8 2002 Z06 (Sold) 2002 Boxster S (Sold)

05-25-2009, 12:26 PM	#24 (permalink)
evomind J. Caesar Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicagoland Posts: 5,406	i think i would walk.. __________________ Vati. C6 ZO6. THE OBITS, YO! KEEP CRYIN! WHAA! REDNECK = PERSON WHO LIVES IN A DUMP BUT DRIVES AN ELISE! I never played by the rules, and I never really cared My nasty reputation takes me everywhere It is admitted by all that he was much addicted to women, as well as very expensive in his intrigues with them, and that he debauched many ladies of the highest quality; among whom were Posthumia, the wife of Servius Sulpicius; and Lollia, the wife of Aulus Gabinius.

05-25-2009, 01:19 PM	#26 (permalink)
Green Ghost Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: orange county Posts: 1,184 Images: 26	A good condition BMW M Z3 could be a vary fun and nice car to have, but other wise I say look for a Mazda speed mx5 __________________ Track Pack, LSD, & Touring Pack

05-27-2009, 05:51 AM	#28 (permalink)
Chris S Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 46	NC Miata set up like Geezer's (do a search) - among the most fun cars I've ever driven! (and I've owned a couple of S2000's) __________________ '08 E90 M3 '08 Miata GT '08 Ridgeline RTL '07 KTM Super Duke (FOR SALE) '07 KTM 300 XC-W

05-27-2009, 06:23 AM	#29 (permalink)
ACE51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Summerfield, NC Posts: 612	the miata is lots of fun, look around a lot there are tons of different variations. if you can find an R package (94-97) they come with bilsteins, limited slip, cooler looking front and rear lip, and no PS. I STOLE mine out of craigslist __________________ 06 Exige CO BWRized 05 Civic "Special Edition" 05 Elise CO, Trim shop interior and other things...SOLD

05-25-2009, 07:46 AM	#22 (permalink)
wantanelise Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: upstate NY Posts: 1,298	Miata... but in that price braket I definately think a Z4 has the most going for it by a long shot. For some reason you cant give them away, used ones are dirt cheap. I also like cooper S in this category too.

05-25-2009, 02:11 PM	#27 (permalink)
Minnis '010 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vegas/Phila. Posts: 770 Images: 1	MR2 turbo or if front engine okay for the money (low teens) a Z4 with the 3.0 6sp manual sport package- better than s2000 and slightly quicker. High 13's poss. in the quarter which pretty much puts it ahead of that other stuff.

05-27-2009, 06:45 AM	#31 (permalink)
Tracktimeplz Race lines on the mind Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northwest Florida Posts: 1,085	Just bought an AP1 S2000, its a blast! __________________ 2003 Honda S2000 - Suzuka Blue 2005 Magnetic Blue Elise Forcefed 275 turbo - Sold 05/20/09

05-27-2009, 12:24 PM	#34 (permalink)
6_speed Highway Star Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 633	If you're planning to mod, then Miata. If stock, S2K. If fixed top, RX-7 (yes, 7 not 8)

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