Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Test drove 2 potential "fun" cars

Here's the skinny: I'm about to graduate and start working in August. My fiance is working already. We're getting married in Sept. so we're not buying anything soon. Right now, I'm just having fun looking. I'll be walking to work every day (2 blocks ) so I'm looking for a car that's: Fun, quick/fast, handles well. I'd like something that handles well from the factory so I don't feel the urge to tinker with the suspension, but I wouldn't mind tinkering to get a few extra ponies.


So I went out and testdrove a 2005 MAZDASPEED Miata a couple days ago, then testdrove a brand-spankin-new 2006 Honda S2000 today. Here's what I thought:


Mazda: Drove very nicely. Firm but comfortable suspension. Good power and a really nice shifting transmission. I was pretty impressed with the fit and finish of the car.
Mazda Pros: Small, fun, comfy, "loaded" with all the performance stuff and no fluff. Sort of a sleeper. It felt like a toy!
Mazda Cons: Small (I had to duck see stop lights through the windshield). It's got good power, but there's no doubt that Flyin' Miata would be getting business from me.


Honda: Wow. Drove very nicely in the city and likewise on the interstate. I really enjoyed the feel of the suspension, too. I thought the power was very linear, but I admittedly only brought it up to about 6500 RPM. I guess the VTEC is just barely kicking in at that point. Either way, it still drove nicely at low RPMs and would be very easy to putt around in. The shifting was very smooth, too.
Honda Pros: Fun, unique, very refined feel, all the performace stuff, no fluff. Enough power that I wouldn't want to tinker (and I've also looked at aftermarket stuff...it looks like Honda has extracted every ounce of power out already). Honda reliability.
Honda Cons: Lots of $$$. I'd have to buy one used (2004+ with the 2.2L), which isn't all that bad. There was a pretty badblind spot with the top up.



So, if you were in my situation, what would you choose? I'm open to some more suggestions on a fun car...chances are I've already considered it but haven't test driven. I'm not stuck on convertables, either. I DO NOT like cars that are coupe-turned-vert (like the Z, Mustang, TT, etc); for some reason I just don't like the way they look.

What would you choose?
MAZDASPEED Miata
Honda S2000

miata, more value... Sure the S2000 is bad ass. but the Miata just has been around longer, its legendary you get a turbo plus Ive been hearing that the s2000 actually has a lot of problems.

Voted Mazda because you could likely get a longer warranty and it is a sick handling car. In addition to that it had fewer cons on your list.

For me, I like Honda. Just sup'm about them & the way they're built/drive/sound in stock form. Quiet, solid, smooth (although sometimes rubbery feeling. Weird.). The superior feel of the car as a whole is difficult to dismiss.

You won't find a bigger Mazda fan. But come on, the S2000 kicks ass. And it should for at least twice the price. Personally I don't see how you can compare the two, the price difference is huge.

True, price difference is huge. But, I can compare the two because they're both roadsters.
But I agree, they're kinda in a different class from eachother. Maybe I should go drive a Boxter so I can say I've tested the entire gambit of roadsters...

The s2000 is a better car, but having driven both, I'd get the miata and mod it, just personal preference on how they feel to me.

Saturn Sky Red Line or Pontiac Solstice GTP

Not a fan of the MS Miata.

Hmmm...good input.
I hadn't considered those, so I had to look at them online.

I don't like the front end of the Solstice (looks like a Remmington razor if you ask me), nor the interior. But the Sky looks pretty sharp. I don't like the way either car looks with the top up, but top down they look good. They both seem to be a bit on the heavy side, and 245 rubber seems a bit overkill for 177 hp, eh? Maybe with 260 hp that'd be ok.

I've never been a big GM fan...it'd probably take a lot to get me into one at this point.

What about the Z4 w/ 3L?