"Erik V. Berg" wrote:
> From: "Erik V. Berg" <erikb@elrond.sp.TRW.COM>
>
> I asked about cars with this list of requirements:
>
> >1) Cheap ( <$5K US )
> >2) Rear wheel drive
> >3) New-ish ( >1989 )
> >4) Light ( <2500 lbs )
> >5) Well balanced
> >6) Need a trunk
> >7) 5 speed
> >8) Rack and pinion
> >9) 4 wheel disks
>
> I got quite a few useful responses. Thanks, everyone!
>
> For me, the most *interesting* responses were:
>
> MX5 Miata
> Toyota Supra
> Nissan 240SX (2 votes)
> 3 series BMW (3 votes)
> Porsche 944
> Alfa Romeo Milano (2 votes)
> any good 1L bike
> gen1 MR2 (2 votes)
> Merkur XR4ti
>
> Of these, my favorite comment of all was:
> > any good 1L bike (thanks, Jim, and yes I'm in So Cal)
> because direct steering is *even better* than rack and pinion
> steering ;-) Too bad it doesn't have a trunk OR a hatch ;-)
>
> Seriously, I've been tempted to buy a Ducati twin for years. The
> only problem is, using something like that as a commuter vehicle,
> I'd be afraid of either getting killed by someone making a left
> in front of me in heavy traffic, or of killing myself by
> becoming over-exuberant in some twisty bits. I'll probably buy
> another motorcycle some day, but if so, it certainly wouldn't be
> for use as an everyday vehicle!
>
> I love my Miata, but I feel bad about parking it outside all
> the time because the soft top gets weathered so fast. I can't
> fit in a Miata with the hard top (I know; I tried!) Actually,
> I barely fit in the car with the soft top. Amazingly, I can
> find a much more comfortable driving position for my 6'3" body
> in an Elan than in a Miata! Also, the Miata trunk is poorly
> designed, with less usable room than an Elan boot despite being
> bigger volumetrically. (thanks, Peter)
>
> I didn't know that the 240SX came as a notchback. Hmmm. That
> may bump it to the top of my list, tied with the AE86 Corolla.
> What years did they make the notchback? (thanks, Rod!)
All years 240SX except the last iteration body style, had two types
available, the notchbacks and the fastbacks. The last one (one year only I
believe) was *only* available in a notchback. I've always liked them all.
The last year was, I understand from articles, a bit less sporting (not
sure how, exactly) but you'd have to drive one to see for yourself.
>
>
> I really like the gen1 MR2, and in fact I almost bought one
> before I got my Miata. But the trunk is pretty much for show
> only (thanks Brian, and Jason!)
>
> If I was going to consider a Porsche 944 (which of course I
> would, if I didn't need a trunk!) I would in any case probably
> buy a gen2 RX7 first. I've always wanted to try a rotary
> powered car... never had one yet.
Now, based on personal experience, I would have suggested an Gen 2 RX7
first (wt. = ~2800 pounds) if you hadn't said you needed a real trunk
(boot). Rotarys are extremely smooth, low maintenance and bulletproof if
they're taken care off from the start (or unless they are Turbo IIs). I
have an '88 GTU, which has big brakes and a limited slip as standard
equipment and I consider it the best of the Gen 2s. Beginning in '89, they
had ABS. If I had to take ABS, I'd go all the way and get a '93 Gen 3 (one
of my real dream cars but they are higher maintenance and expensive to
maintain, unfortunately).
My car handles very well. The l/s makes it understeer slightly under power
in longer turns but it's balanced well enough that you can make it be
neutral with a little judiciousness of throttle, steering and position on
the track (er... road). In lower speed turns, it can be tossed nicely and
grips well under power.
If you look for one of these, get one that's been treated well and you
can't go wrong.
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