What's the most fun car you've ever owned?

[dean_martin]

Until recently (3 weeks ago to be exact), I had never owned a "fun" car. My previous rides had all been need-based due to things like money, interior size, etc. About the closest thing to fun I had owned was a little Jeep Comanche pickup with 4sp manual, but it was bought based on the need to haul stuff.

But 3wks ago I got a new Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart w/5sp manual. I took delivery on Sat. and that Monday my wife and I drove it from here in South West Ala. to Austin, TX. We did it in 12 hrs. (I drove all the way and if it wasn't for her bladder and the need to gas up we wouldn't have stopped.) No driver fatigue, great in curves and turns, smooth at high speeds. I've finally realized that I've simply been too pratical in my adult life. Rural, bumpy backroads that I used to dread in my grandma car (2000 Mitsu Galant) are now my favorite routes. My teenage boys can't believe I got a version of the car first seen in the US on a video game.

[piece-it pete]

Dean,

That is supposed to be fun!!

Pete

For the unwashed, a pic:

[topspeed]

I'd have to say our Mazda Miata 5 spd. I've had cars that were faster (the one I'm driving now, for one), had more horsepower, stuck better, etc. but brother, the Miata just puts it all together like no other car save a Porsche Boxster. It is only moderately fast and isn't the stickiest car, but that's part of the charm. In fact, one of the Miata's most endearing qualities is its complete controllability even when executing a luscious 4 wheel drift. You can drive looking out your side windows all day long without fear that it will come back and bite you. While this isn't the fastest way around a track, it sure is the most fun ! The icing on the cake is that Miata's are darn near indestructible. The bottom end on the engine is so overbuilt you can hang a supercharger on it and still not need a major overhaul until 200k! You gotta love that!

Now, ask me this question in about 4 months and I (hopefully) will have a different answer.

How did you get a picture I can only get a link?

[piece-it pete]

Hey, TS, I was hoping you'd stop in!

That's not the first time I've heard praises about the Miata. And as it fits with: Spouse approval, Budget approval, and the class of car I've been happiest with realistic-wise I think I'm going to get one for the SO when my current work car expires.

Which BTW is a Geo Metro!! Notice it did NOT make the "fun to drive" list, although it does have go-cart characteristics, if a go-cart handles poorly and goes slow. I have written this tongue-in-cheek review:

As the owner of a 1996 Geo Metro I can assure you that we know all there is to know about Ferraris.

The original Metro was actually secretly designed by Enzo, and shares many components, as you can tell immediately from the high performance 52 hp inline three. He needed a mule to work out the bugs before he could "go public".

It's a good thing, too. The shifter has a certain "feel", some would call it - rubbery? limp-noodlely? downright crappy? The torque band is about 3 rpms' wide, while the HP peak comes immediately after engaging the 1 oz. clutch. The sensation of no acceleration when stomping the gas pedal is exhilerating.

Of course, it's loaded with options, like a starter, brakes, and openable doors. Mine has the optional heater, 3" front discs and roll-down windows. I added an aftermarket steering wheel, this is a big improvement I strongly recommend, for driving.

When I changed my tires I upgraded to a $20.00 tire, this bumbed up the skidpad g's to a whopping .3 before showing its' remarkably predictable, and absolute, understeer.

The phenomenal durability is amazing, the headliner stays on for at least 15,000 miles and the transmission is relatively easy to change, which is good, as is the 2 pint radiator.

_______________________

I felt bad about slamming it so hard, so I wrote a "real" review:

It's funny, once I started writing that review I couldn't stop!

But the "real" truth:

I drive a 1996 Metro back and forth to work, it now keeps the miles off the big Mercury (my "good" car). I've owned it since '97, I bought it with 10k on it, in almost perfect condition for $7600, still under factory warranty. It's theoretically a Chevy, bought & rebadged from Suzuki, but the doorjam sticker says "Built by Cami Automotive" - in Canada. Who knows??

It's a four door sedan that has the (as I tell the parts store guys) "big" engine, the 76 hp I4, 1.3 liter, mated to a 5 speed that really is "limp-noodley". The little all-aluminum engine I consider something of a marvel, though, and I know they use them in airplanes due to power to weight ratios.

It's not THAT bad, better than I thought when I bought it (a bad time, you can imagine, I'm a big car guy), particularly for the money. Consider the twin pocketbook fatteners of the original price and an actual 39+ mpg, me driving combined. Although in '99 when gas here hit $.89/gl I felt a little silly! $5-6 fillups.

And overall it's been reliable. I drive cars pretty hard (partic. the Metro, 'cause it's easy to push such a small envelope) but also maintain them well, very well.

The a/c never worked right (the dealer changed EVERY SINGLE main component including the compressor under warr.) but the car has done 117k miles now with only these issues (outside of routine maint.):

Headliner, down at 70K (left off).

Radiator, inside of end caps "peeled" and plugged, 75K (replaced rad, still needs heater core, only blows "warm", not hot) Note: a hillbilly friend of mine, we go WAY back, while looking in the engine compartment says: "Gawd d_mn, Peyt, if'n you ever need watter you could jus' piss 'n fill it up" lol.

Transmission, 100K, primary drive gear stripped a full third around. This was the only time it stranded me.

Has always had a tick, lifter?, I call the car "the tic". Chevy said: "Normal valvetrain noise" .

The body has held up well but is rusting in the back wheel wells, can't see it yet but by this winter it will be BAD.

Overall a good car, I had to set the record straight out of fairness.

Although you WON'T be picking up any chicks in this car, unless you're into young chickens.

BTW, it came LOADED, PS, PB, A/C, Rear window defrost and am/fm radio!

_____________________________

Sorry for the long-windedness.

You mentioned in an earlier post that your dad had a E-Type Jag. Did you get to drive it? Was it the V-12?

Have you ever driven a car like Deans?

How did you get a picture I can only get a link?

I'm just that good lol. I don't know, did you try just posting one?

Pete

[piece-it pete]

Hey that's not a Miata!