Topic: The New Car Saga (and general auto chat) (Read 158892 times)

DaveBSC · « **Reply #170 on:** August 26, 2012, 04:44:32 PM »

The Miata is definitely a good choice. Always reliable, always fun, always affordable. The first Z4 was not as bad as some have said, and the 3.0i is actually pretty quick even with just 225hp. Avoid the SMG!! BMW's current dual clutch box is not the best but it's at least tolerable. Their earlier single clutch automated manuals are essentially undriveable.

2005-6 gen 2 Mercedes SLK350s are now selling in the $20K range, depending on miles. The first SLK was garbage, but the second was a genuinely good, fun car, with a high quality manual transmission option which is quite rare for Mercedes to get right. The 7GTronic is also excellent, really you can't go wrong with either gearbox. I don't know how reliable they are. 2006 was when the dark days began to end at MB, but some gremlins might remain. The power hard top is likely to be the trouble spot.

I've never liked the Solstice. The Saturn version was better looking and didn't have those ugly rear lights sourced from a Trailblazer or whatever it was, but neither car was very good. They rushed them to market, dealers gorged themselves on the initial fervor, people discovered that they actually kind of sucked, sales imploded and then they disappeared. Classic GM.

The S2000 was just too high strung for me. Not really a car that you want to go faster than about 60mph in, not unless you're wearing a race helmet. I'm meh on the MR2. Mid-engine on the really cheap, but that's it.

Anaxilus. · « **Reply #171 on:** August 26, 2012, 05:19:32 PM »

MR2 is more than mid-engine on the cheap. Unless you mean the gen2, it's the lightest MR you can/could get in the states other than a Lotus. There is no replacement for light weight. It was around 400lbs lighter than a Miata. That's like carrying around two dead goombahs in your trunk with the engine in the wrong place and less interior room. I don't see that as more fun than an MR2.

The first gen Z4 was pretty nice to drive but was susceptible to chassis cracking if they were made in the S. Carolina plant.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #172 on:** August 26, 2012, 05:56:24 PM »

The MR2 Spyder for whatever reason just didn't do it for me. The ultra lightness was cool, but car makers today still can't get electric steering right, and Toyota certainly couldn't then. It's also just an ugly car. Pushing the wheels to the corners works on the Mini, but it does not on the MR2. It has the same sort of "tub" look as the hideous Lexus SC430. Compared to a recent Miata, the interior looks to be out of a car from the mid '90s.

The Miata is little, but you can still fit a weekend's worth of stuff in it. The MR2 Spyder has room for a t-shirt.

Anaxilus. · « **Reply #173 on:** August 26, 2012, 11:47:54 PM »

Quote from: DaveBSC on August 26, 2012, 05:56:24 PM

The MR2 Spyder for whatever reason just didn't do it for me. The ultra lightness was cool, but car makers today still can't get electric steering right, and Toyota certainly couldn't then. It's also just an ugly car. Pushing the wheels to the corners works on the Mini, but it does not on the MR2. It has the same sort of "tub" look as the hideous Lexus SC430. Compared to a recent Miata, the interior looks to be out of a car from the mid '90s.

The Miata is little, but you can still fit a weekend's worth of stuff in it. The MR2 Spyder has room for a t-shirt.

You should drive a FRS and see how the electric steering feels now. People have lauded it considering what it is. The 01-03 was pretty ugly but the 04-05 looked much better especially w/ the requisite suspension drop and hardtop. Apart from the dash texture I think the interior cluster and layout is quite nice. Nice enough for Porsche to copy. 2001 MR-S ($25,000@2195lbs) v. 2013 Boxster ($70,000-$95,000@3100lbs).

DaveBSC · « **Reply #174 on:** August 27, 2012, 04:51:19 AM »

Anaxilus. · « **Reply #175 on:** August 27, 2012, 05:10:17 AM »

Umm no, the Miata doesn't do it for me and neither does the SC430. I'm a 3 gauge cluster w/ center tach kind of guy. Never had anybody ask me about my SC430. They have asked about my Porsche lol.

Maxvla · « **Reply #176 on:** August 28, 2012, 12:58:56 AM »

Had a NC2 Miata (2009+) in silver with the power hard top roll by my work today and it was fantastic. Looked like it had just been waxed it was spotless. I know I said much earlier in the thread I wouldn't go Miata, but these are really growing on me in the looks department. Gotta find one to try out soon.

Looked just like this one:

DaveBSC · « **Reply #177 on:** August 28, 2012, 03:16:25 AM »

It's a good looking car from most angles, though it still does suffer a bit from Mazda's happy face disease. If you're desperate to avoid that, the earlier years of this generation Miata don't have it, and they are otherwise basically the same. The piano black dash trim that Mazda used in those years is also better looking than the current aluminum look trim IMO.

Maxvla · « **Reply #178 on:** August 28, 2012, 03:38:39 AM »

I've read the NC1 Miatas have rather poor suspension compared to NB or NC2. I don't care for the smiley face, but it's not as bad as the 3 series grille. I could probably cope.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #179 on:** August 28, 2012, 04:13:39 AM »

Yeah the Mazda3 definitely has it the worst. The Miata wasn't designed around it, so its better on that car. Interesting that due to market timing, the Mazda6 managed to avoid it entirely. Gen 2 was already out before they introduced the smiley, and Gen 3 that's coming up soon is following the CX-5 back to the old 5-point grill.

Author Topic: The New Car Saga (and general auto chat) (Read 158892 times)

DaveBSC

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Anaxilus.

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

DaveBSC

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Anaxilus.

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

DaveBSC

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Anaxilus.

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Maxvla

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

DaveBSC

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Maxvla

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

DaveBSC

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

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Author Topic: The New Car Saga (and general auto chat) (Read 158892 times)