Nick offered his RX-8 that he used to race frequently earlier than the pandemic. Now that he’s relocating to North Carolina with some candy driving roads he needs to get one other sporty automotive. He prioritizes steadiness and dealing with over horsepower. What automotive ought to he purchase?
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Here is the situation:
I lately offered my beloved RX8 race automotive. The pandemic interrupted racing for me, and I discovered I valued the time I used to be spending with my household greater than I did bombing round race tracks throughout the Midwest. Now we’re transferring to the mountains of North Carolina, which have virtually nothing however nice driving roads. I’m nonetheless a driver, even when I’m not racing anymore, and I discover I need that sports activities automotive feeling once more. I don’t want a really highly effective automotive. Honestly, I like wringing probably the most out of a automotive at comparatively protected speeds greater than I do having my breath taken away by brutal acceleration. I raced an RX8, in spite of everything.
I do a whole lot of biking. I’ll most likely preserve my truck to haul bikes round, however I do have at the back of my head this dream of getting a enjoyable automotive to drive to and from the paths. But that’s not likely suitable with the listing above.
I’m pretty open however the must-haves are a handbook and rear drive. The solely factor I actually don’t need is an American automotive, all of them appear too heavy. My funds is pretty open, if I can get an awesome automotive for $25k that will be splendid, but when I’ve to push as much as $50k for the proper trip I would be capable to swing it.
Quick Facts:
Budget: as much as $50,000
Location: Asheville, NC
Daily Driver: type of
Wants: Good dealing with, RWD, 6MT
Doesn’t need: Anything American
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Did You Say Good Handling?
If your precedence is a automotive with steadiness over uncooked horsepower, there are a variety of excellent choices. Naturally, the Boxster/Cayman is the go-to however the Porsche market has gone completely bonkers so it’s arduous to search out the values that had been as soon as there. If creature comforts will not be excessive in your listing, I say go proper for the Lotus Elise.
While the Elise is a reasonably bare-bones automotive, what it lacks in facilities it makes up for in cornering capacity. With a Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter motor sitting behind your shoulders and a chassis tuned to tear up an autocross, this automotive goes for max engagement. The solely actual concern is they aren’t tremendous widespread, nor low cost. A high quality instance from 2005-2006 goes to run within the $40,000 vary. The excellent news is that these vehicles have been hovering at that worth level for thus lengthy, any additional depreciation will likely be minimal. Here is one in Ohio with the right shade combo for a British sports activities automotive.
Expert 2: Lalita Chemello – Again, The Answer Is Always Miata
Well Nick, at first, earlier than seeing the remainder of your specifics to your needs and desires of this fun-driving car, I assumed one thing like a V6 Mustang could be fairly becoming and inexpensive. And since you might be transferring close to NASCAR nation, you’ll be a hero on the highway. You don’t essentially want the V8 energy, however a Mustang can deal with the windy roads with out making you’re feeling such as you’re in an ocean liner on the tough seas, like many different American sports activities vehicles.
But you threw within the “not American” particular and somewhat (and virtually missed) be aware a couple of 6-speed handbook. This actually narrows the choices. So, I’m going to take up the honorable torch from my author brethren, and counsel the one and solely, Miata.
I may wax poetically about how that is the driver’s automotive – the way you’re assured to be planted in your turns, how rowing by way of your gears will make sure you by no means cross a mountain highway with no smile. But we’ve performed this earlier than. So much. And that’s why it’s the reply 99.9999 % of the time.
What’s even higher about this selection is you’ll simply hit nearer to that $25k price ticket. Hell, you may get a brand-spanking new one as a result of these infants begin at $28k. Do you need two? Build what you need. I even discovered this used 2022 crimson RF with solely 662 miles on the clock for $34k, which feels steep, however automotive costs are nonetheless having some moments. You can clearly discover cheaper.
Nick, simply do it. Buy the Miata. You know you’ll adore it. Everyone does.
Expert 3: Steve DaSilva – Get Your Knuckles Greasy
Nick, you’ve bought good style. Within your specs and funds, you can find yourself with any variety of vehicles — used BMWs, Lexuses, a Supra or two. But you need one thing that’ll maintain a motorbike, and I can let you know that is suitable along with your wishes. You simply have to know the place to look.
Specifically, you have to have a look at the GR86/BRZ platform. I owned one in all these (an FR-S) earlier than working at Jalopnik, and I can affirm that a big body, 29″ wheel mountain bike will slot in again with solely the entrance wheel eliminated — no roof rack or SeaSuckers essential.
With your budget, you could pick up a new GR86 (like this one for $33,565 in Hickory, NC) and call it a day. They’re incredibly fun cars, whether you’re taking them out to track days or sliding them through the snow. But if you want truly unbeatable handling, that too can be arranged within your budget.
First step, you’re going to reach out to Feal Suspension. Get yourself a set of adjustable coilovers, and set them up based on the advice of their in-house suspension wizards. Grab some adjustable sway bars and end links while you’re there.
Next, you may realize that you want more power. That too has a solution: Put a K24 in there and call it a day. This step could get a little tight for your budget if you’ve bought a new car, but there are plenty of used Toyobarus nearby that you could grab instead. With that, you’d have a dead-reliable high-revving engine to complement your exquisite chassis and fantastic suspension. All with room for a bike in the rear.
Expert 4: Rory Carroll – This Could All Be So Easy
Look, a lot of sports car people have a natural bias against American cars, because half a century ago they were heavier than an MGB or whatever. But, times have changed. If I were you, I would buy this Camaro SS 1LE.
The ND Miata is about as fun as modern cars get, the Elise is an all-time great handling car. But the Miata comes with some limitations as far as interior space/practicality. The Elise has similar limitations while also being a twenty year-old Lotus. And a Toyobaru with a DIY suspension might work out well, but you’ll be futzing with it for the whole time you own it.
The SS 1LE is massively fun to drive, an all-time great handling car and it has a healthy V8 between the front wheels. You said you don’t need a lot of power, but does that mean you don’t want it? It’s right there. It is heavier than the other cars on the list, but you wouldn’t know it unless you put it on a scale. The power and the MagneRide suspension just eat the weight up. Listen to Randy. He knows.
Do you get to fake you’re some elite, overseas automotive snob who would by no means set foot in a Chevy dealership? No. But you stated it your self, you’re a driver. This is the automotive you wish to drive.
Source: jalopnik.com