Car Shopping

[transio]

Hey Chopper,

Yeah, I had an S2000 for 3 years. I had the old 2.0 liter model. Little higher compression, little less grunt, but a better track car than the 2.2 if you ask me. It was very similar to the Elise in terms of performance, only more subdued. Same VTEC acceleration curve (basically, you have to keep it over 6k rpm at all times), same twitchy handling - pretty significantly less responsive, but you won't ever notice the difference until you drive an Elise.

The S2000 is a great car overall. I love the looks - probably one of the most beautiful cars produced in recent years, imo. A future classic design. It's the perfect track car for someone who wants to also get some comfortable road-use in.

The Lotus is not for the faint-of-heart or soft-of-arss. It requires a significant investment of commensurate commodity (literal and figurative) due to difficult (expensive) maintenance, perpetual discomfort, poor visibility, a literal headache on ingress (when you bang your head), and many other quirks that make it what it is.

If you're not sure of your other options, though, you may want to consider the Mini Cooper S, Pontiac Solstice, a used Porsche Boxster S, a used C5 Corvette Z06, or a used '05 Elise. All can be had in the 25-35k range, and all are decent-to-great track cars.

[Chopper]

Transio- no front drivers, nix the GTI and Mini. The GM engine in the Solistice/Sky is underwhelming, to say the least. Love the German but the "drop the engine for everything" imperative is a bit much. Yeah, I know it's easy...still. I'm 6' 3" and 185, the Lotus (or even Miata) won't really work, I tried...I really did. Hate you little guys-you get all the good stuff. Back to the Honda. Not so much a compromise as a conclusion. Oh, yeah the Vette. Everyone, really, everyone at our shop has a Vette! The shop itself has one. I began tearing it down two years ago, to do a re-do... lost interest, And it's been eating up a good spot inside ever since. Wayne

[transio]

I'm 6' 3" and 185, the Lotus (or even Miata) won't really work, I tried...I really did. Hate you little guys-you get all the good stuff.

Little guys? I'm 6'2½ and 220 lbs and I drive my Elise almost every day (with a hardtop on!) - size is not an issue unless you make it one.

You may also want to consider a used Z3 M Coupe (get the 2001 or 2002 with the 315hp S54 engine) - freakin amazing car and you can get a steal on one these days with the Z4 M Coupe being introduced. Oh, and it's styling would really complement the VX well... would make a great stablemate (go black and black!)

[WormGod]

I dunno about little, but average? 5'11 and I tend to fit in just about everything. Luck of the draw, as it seems most car designers design around themselevs and most of them must be my height.

I heard that the Elise is actually a VERY roomy car. I have seen them up close and even seen guys taller than me getting in and out of them, so they either deal with the small space or the car will conform to their height. I know that my WRX is slightly on the tight side, even for me, but I also think I prefer to feel a little bit packed into a car cause it makes me feel a little more secure and in control. Too much room and I feel like a hot dog thrown down a hallway (don't think too hard about that one ).

[mbeach]

The WRX's seat has mad adjustability -at 6'2", I could put on a helmet and have room to spare.

Which was a nice change from my S14, which forced me to do "the gangster lean" whenever I donned a skid lid.

[WormGod]

Ya, the seat is quite adjustable. My only complaint is arm room. I have arms like an ape.... lots of reach. I feel a little impacted on the sides because of that, but I will adapt. Everything else the WRX has to offer more than makes up for that though. It's a little dream.

[Chopper]

Steve- you must be "gifted'' I've been e-baying 01-02 M coupes for two weeks now. There's a nice one just outside Philly. 30 or so... sounds good. Seems we think alike. Wayne