Car suggestions to replace my S4? I'm thinking Miata, here's why...
10-10-2003, 10:08 PM
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Car suggestions to replace my S4? I'm thinking Miata, here's why...
My situation is thus: me and the Virginia cops don't get along. I drive too fast even for a V1 to protect me well enough. I'm not usually *nuts* but my standard cruising speed is high enough that I've been tagged by laser and instant-on enough times that my license finally got taken away for 30 days.
Along with the 30 days, I have a 30 day suspended sentence that could be unsuspended anytime in the next year if I don't play my cards right. Also, the DMV is requiring me to take a defensive driving course in order to keep my license.
My conclusions are two-fold. First, I won't enjoy my 350hp S4 very much for the next 11 months driving around like a grandmother. Second, I'm not really disciplined enough to actually drive like a grandmother all the time if there's 400 lb-ft of torque awaiting my foot anytime I succumb to temptation.
So what I want to do is sell my beloved S4, and buy something that's still fun to drive and handles very well, but is relatively weak, by comparison. Something that won't tempt me to challenge other cars in acceleration or to launch myself forward towards a hole in traffic 100 meters ahead. Something inexpensive would be nice too, because it would allow me some free cash to put towards an old truck, a trailer, and a track car.
The problem is, most cars that have sporty trims with sporty suspensions, transmissions, brakes, etc., also have powerful engines. The SVT Focus and the Civic Si are examples. The non-SVT Foci seem to be utterly unfun, and the SVT version can only be had with a 200hp engine.
The only cars that I can think of that fit my bill are the MINI Cooper, the Toyota MR-2 Spyder, and the Mazda Miata. The MINI Cooper would be fun, but half the fun is the crazy options you can get for it, and it seems like the one I would want is about $26K, even without the supercharger or Works package. A new Miata is similarly priced, with the sport suspension and limited-slip diff. The MR-2 is about the same. I'd prefer something less expensive, so I'm thinking a used car would be good. The MINI is too new to save much money by buying a used one and I think I prefer the Miata to the MR-2 (just as fun, but has a usable trunk). So I'm pretty much settled on the earliest year of the latest model Miata, with the limited-slip diff, sport suspension, and 6-speed tranny.
The 1999 10th Anniversary edition Miata totally seems to fit the bill. It's the year the current model was introduced, it has everything I want and has a color (sapphire blue) and interior look (blue synthetic suede and black leather) that I love for obvious reasons given what I drive now. It should cost me about $15K to get one.
Does anyone have any other suggestions that I may have overlooked?
Along with the 30 days, I have a 30 day suspended sentence that could be unsuspended anytime in the next year if I don't play my cards right. Also, the DMV is requiring me to take a defensive driving course in order to keep my license.
My conclusions are two-fold. First, I won't enjoy my 350hp S4 very much for the next 11 months driving around like a grandmother. Second, I'm not really disciplined enough to actually drive like a grandmother all the time if there's 400 lb-ft of torque awaiting my foot anytime I succumb to temptation.
So what I want to do is sell my beloved S4, and buy something that's still fun to drive and handles very well, but is relatively weak, by comparison. Something that won't tempt me to challenge other cars in acceleration or to launch myself forward towards a hole in traffic 100 meters ahead. Something inexpensive would be nice too, because it would allow me some free cash to put towards an old truck, a trailer, and a track car.
The problem is, most cars that have sporty trims with sporty suspensions, transmissions, brakes, etc., also have powerful engines. The SVT Focus and the Civic Si are examples. The non-SVT Foci seem to be utterly unfun, and the SVT version can only be had with a 200hp engine.
The only cars that I can think of that fit my bill are the MINI Cooper, the Toyota MR-2 Spyder, and the Mazda Miata. The MINI Cooper would be fun, but half the fun is the crazy options you can get for it, and it seems like the one I would want is about $26K, even without the supercharger or Works package. A new Miata is similarly priced, with the sport suspension and limited-slip diff. The MR-2 is about the same. I'd prefer something less expensive, so I'm thinking a used car would be good. The MINI is too new to save much money by buying a used one and I think I prefer the Miata to the MR-2 (just as fun, but has a usable trunk). So I'm pretty much settled on the earliest year of the latest model Miata, with the limited-slip diff, sport suspension, and 6-speed tranny.
The 1999 10th Anniversary edition Miata totally seems to fit the bill. It's the year the current model was introduced, it has everything I want and has a color (sapphire blue) and interior look (blue synthetic suede and black leather) that I love for obvious reasons given what I drive now. It should cost me about $15K to get one.
Does anyone have any other suggestions that I may have overlooked?
10-10-2003, 10:18 PM
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The Miata sounds like a good way to go, but for the record, the SVT Focus and Civic Si don't have
200 hp engines. The Focus has about 170 and the Si has 160. Taking into account their larger weights in when compared to the Miata I can confidently tell you that they would offer up all that much in the way of increased danger of tickets in comparison to the Mazda. They won't have the chassis balance of the Miata of course, but the added practicality and security of having a proper roof might be worthwhile to you. Then again they might not :P
10-10-2003, 11:03 PM
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Also, a low power celica would likely perform much the same as the SVT and Si, only have a bit less
go, and if the suspension is like that on the high power model, handle a bit better than the Civic and Focus thanks to its light weight, if I remember correctly. Just another option that might be woth considering.
10-11-2003, 02:14 AM
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Wow, from an S4 to a Miata? Talk about complete opposites!
I've driven a few Miatas and the best way to describe them is as "toys." They are completely impractical two seaters that totally suck in the winter (assuming you live in a part of the country that gets snow). If you ever want to go on vacation, forget that too, because it has very little room for anything. Two seaters are all fun and dandy around town, but when you go on vacations with friends you'll find them a real pain in the *** when you want to go out and gotta bring a second car for your buddies... Just my $.02...
10-11-2003, 05:23 AM
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Re: Car suggestions to replace my S4? I'm thinking Miata, here's why...
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/29340/twin-corrados.jpg"></center><p>Find yourself a well maintained VW Corrado SLC. I had 2. Best handling front wheel drive car ever made. The design is timeless.
10-11-2003, 07:31 AM
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Re: Car suggestions to replace my S4? I'm thinking Miata, here's why...
"Best handling front wheel drive car ever made."
??????????????????
That's a pretty bold statement! Any evidence to back that up?
You obviously have not driven on of the modern Alfa Romeos. 156 for example.
??????????????????
That's a pretty bold statement! Any evidence to back that up?
You obviously have not driven on of the modern Alfa Romeos. 156 for example.
10-11-2003, 08:29 AM
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If you're thinking handling/fun/$, how about...
a Mazda Protege? Granted, it's not on the list of Top 5 Fun Cars that everyone thinks of. But for that price range, the handling is awesome, has good quality, looks sporty but not too eye-catching (to cops), and it's not bad in the snow with decent all-season tires.
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10-11-2003, 09:10 AM
#8
Why not try to find a used Mini Cooper S......I found one with 9000miles on it.....
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36810/mini1.jpg"></center><p>all the bells and whistles ~$21,000 - very, very fun car....
Just a thought....
Just a thought....
