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

[topspeed]

What model/options? Do they put the V-12 in the 3 series yet ?

That's an M3 cabriolet. 333 hp, 19" wheels, SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox), although I'm not sold on the paddle shifters yet. I drove one and while I liked it in manual mode, it was pretty spooky in auto mode. It literally feels like someone puts the clutch in, slowly shifts gears, and then releases the clutch. It's not close to smooth and you certainly don't look very cool as your head bobs back and forth between shifts. The trouble is, the 6 spd manual isn't much better; very notchy and hates to be rushed. Why is it only Mazda and Honda know how to build a slick gearbox? Speaking of Honda, you owe it to yourself to test a S2000 before your write the check on the Miata. I'd still buy the Miata because it's more everyday friendly but the shifter in the S2000 is amazing. You don't shift it, you think it throught the gears. The throws are just ridiculously short!

is that the manufacturer (Sunbeam) that stuffed 5.0s' into those little cars?

Yep, they took the I-4 out and dropped in a 4.2L Ford V-8. Do you wanna guess who oversaw the development? I'll give you a hint; he's famous for his work with another Brit sportscar outfit called AC.

[piece-it pete]

An M3!! Wow, congrats, that has got to be one of the best overall cars of all time. I've never driven a paddle shift though have heard good things. Well, you'll let us know .

I'll look at the Honda but it's quite a bit more expensive. Didn't they have a crazy redline, like 9000?

Pete

[topspeed]

Yeah, the limiter is up in the stratosphere. The S2000 is the closest thing I've driven to a motorcycle with 4 wheels. You really have to drive it like you hate it because all of torque is above 7000 rpm, but that's part of it's charm .

Used S2000's aren't too expensive and being a Honda, at least you can feel confident in the quality and durability. Very, very fun. Again however, I'd still probably stick with the Miata. If you are buying new, the trick Mazdaspeed version is supposed to be an absolute ball to drive and at $25K, a helluva lotta bang for the buck.

[Geoffcin]

The most fun I've had is with my new Mustang GT convert. I've owned some pretty fast cars but I've never owned a ragtop until this car, and you'll never get me out of one now. There's just something about being out in the air that changes the whole way you feel about driving.

I had some work done to bring the performance inline with the hardtop. I've added a welded subframe to stiffen it up, free-flowing catback with Flowmaster mufflers and 3" SS exaust. A 70mm Cobra throttle body with oversized mass air and free flow filter for the induction . These modest changes turned the car from just good fun into; Ye-ha! wer'e on on way to 75 mph in less than six seconds kinda fun. The engine is pre-drilled to accept a roots type supercharger, and next year that's on the list of "things to do" along with a set of Cobra R wheels and 4 piston Brembo brakes with cross drilled disks.

Oh, it runs BETTER on regular gas. Don't ask me why.