Want to buy a weekend runabout, and im torn.

jayhawk · July 8th, 2006, 5:06 PM

So in two years my Sunflower...er, fire will be paid off. I WAS going to buy a Toyota Yaris, but my wife came up with a better idea. "How about just hanging onto the Pontiac for commuting and get a car you REALLY want?" What I want is a weekend car, a day trip car Sonia and I can use for road trips. Also it would need to be about 5 years old in 2008, with exception of the Corolla.

So here is the poll. Remember I live in America, so good fun car choices can be limited. Or does anyone have a suggestion other than what I listed?

un-dee · July 8th, 2006, 5:20 PM

Of these choices its the S2000 easily, or that Saturn Sky/Pontiac thingie with a decent engine.

Buba · July 8th, 2006, 5:30 PM

Wasn't there a Miata with 180 bhp or even more? I'd be worried about a 4/5 year old car that revs close to 10000...

BerserkerCatSplat · July 8th, 2006, 6:11 PM

Saturn Sky Redine. 8)

thedguy · July 8th, 2006, 7:06 PM

Since it's in 2 years, if you can get a Solstice GXP/Sky Redline without being ripped off, I'd go for either them, though the Sky needs less tweaks to look excellent.

Buba makes a good point with the miata, perhaps a Mazdaspeed miata. It's the older chassis with the 170hp engine.

I say go out and drive them and look at them. The sky/solstice you can't try now, but the others, go into dealers and check 'em out. The GM's build quality leaves a bit to be desired, and I wouldn't want to work under the hood of those (tilt forward hood).

edit:...
The miata and the S2000 are different animals. Yes they are rwd, 2 seater sports cars, but the miata is all about it's weight. The s2000 is heavier and a little more powerful. My friend loves his.

I look at it this way
Miata = Solstice/sky
S2000 = Solsice GXP/ Sky redline

If you look at thier PwR's and tire sizes and all that good stuff, thats about how it will work out. The s2000 and miata's are both pleasure's to drive, the GM's I can't say for sure. What I do know is, the Ecotech has loads more potential in it than the s2000's f20/f22 (Honda just tuned the piss out of it from the factory).

If you want something you can mod I'd go for the sky/solstice over the others. There's loads more room for wider taller tires, and it uses the GM parts bin. Ecotec's are cheap to build up as well.

You need to remember something with the Corolla, they are going on 25 years old in some cases, your other choices are 16 years old at best. And thanks to Initial D they've gone up in price a bit, though if you know where to look they can be had for what they are worth.

flyingfridge · July 8th, 2006, 7:10 PM

No contest. S2000 hands down. I own a Non VTEC honda and it's so good. There's a reason why Jeremy Clarkson likes the S2000 as much as he does, there's also a very good reason why it's won the Top Gear Customer Satisfaction Survey two years running.

No Contest.

"It scores top marks in pretty much every category" - James May 2004

"I've been banging on about that for years, that's the best sports car, and now you've proved me right" - Jeremy Clarkson 2005

Kebab gud · July 8th, 2006, 7:14 PM

if you love the enviroment .. dont buy the S2000...

(dont know if its true.. but the engine usses alot more fuel and crams out alot more shitt after about 80.000km.. but i dont know if its true..)

FATMOUSE · July 8th, 2006, 7:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kebab gud

if you love the enviroment .. dont buy the S2000...

(dont know if its true.. but the engine usses alot more fuel and crams out alot more shitt after about 80.000km.. but i dont know if its true..)

But if you love sports cars, whyever not.

M3lover · July 8th, 2006, 7:27 PM

The Miata or the solstice would be a good choice, but the S2000 is Miata or solstice x2 in every way. More power, more grip, more fun, but also more running costs (haven't looked the costs up, but that's what I would imagine).
IMO the Trueno is more the hardcore enthusiasts choice.
I wouldn't buy the mini, since it's more of a everyday car. With a weekend car I think you should go for one that has something that might be "inconviniant" for everyday use, but special and fun for weekends like softtop, sports suspension, high revving engine etc.

96vtec · July 8th, 2006, 7:33 PM

VTEC motors when taken care of are some of the best in the world. My B18C has over 210,000 km on the motor and is still strong, good fuel economy, and aces emissions tests without a problem.

S2000 would be the best bet if you want something with an open top, or else Id be partial to a Cooper S.

This is my personal taste though, I know it may be a bit out of the price range and maybe a bit old, but as a second car for an enthusiast, Id be tempted to get something along the lines of an M3, and take care of it.

patrick10 · July 8th, 2006, 7:44 PM

http://hotrod.com/projectbuild/hdrp_0605_solstice_v8_project_car_23_z.jpg

with the turbo motor thats coming

un-dee · July 8th, 2006, 7:48 PM

I don't get what it is with the US and Chrome Wheels. They are hideous and deserve to die.

Cobol74 · July 8th, 2006, 8:23 PM

Chrome is Ok in the right place, those places are on a very short list - one of which is a bling motor - Escalade for instance.

Back on topic - s2000 by a mile. Does not VBH have one I seem to recall?

llpc60 · July 8th, 2006, 9:56 PM

miata. cheap, cheap, cheap. more feel than the s2k (lighter), and you can mod the fuck out of it for so little (cheap)

no contest

Redliner · July 8th, 2006, 10:38 PM

I can't decide between the S2000 and the Miata. Not that I know what I am talking about, since we don't get those here... images/smilies/cry.gif

llpc60 · July 8th, 2006, 10:53 PM

^ at least you can drive what you got without 342542352cops on your ass even when its in the middle of the desert

AG.Daiba · July 8th, 2006, 10:58 PM

my cousin works at a honda dealship and i know honda occasionally offers some very attractive leasing plans for the s2000. dont quote me but i think a few months ago it was 3000 down and $299 a month for 39 months, thats not bad. a large dealer is happy to get 1-2 s2000s off his lot in a month, that shows u how slow sales are. this granted u are willing to lease...

jetsetter · July 8th, 2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Un-Dee

I don't get what it is with the US and Chrome Wheels. They are hideous and deserve to die.

One could say that non chrome wheels should die. It's personal preference. The US has always been into chrome. Europe not being inot chrome as much does not make it better or worse.

jayjaya29 · July 9th, 2006, 12:16 AM

Test drive em and see which you like best.

fbc · July 9th, 2006, 1:29 AM

Very close call between the Miata & S2000... but S2000 gets it by a nose.

View Poll Results: Best roadster/fun car?
Mazda Miata.	17	17.35%
Pontiac Solstice / Saturn Sky.	11	11.22%
Honda S2000	61	62.24%
1983-1987 RWD Toyota Corolla (Levin / Trueno).	3	3.06%
Mini Cooper S.	6	6.12%
Voters: 98. You must log in to vote in this poll.

July 8th, 2006, 5:06 PM	#1
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Aurora, IL. Age: 34 Posts: 6,475 Car: 07 Subaru WRX, 09 VW Tiguan. Rep Power: 234	Want to buy a weekend runabout, and im torn. So in two years my Sunflower...er, fire will be paid off. I WAS going to buy a Toyota Yaris, but my wife came up with a better idea. "How about just hanging onto the Pontiac for commuting and get a car you REALLY want?" What I want is a weekend car, a day trip car Sonia and I can use for road trips. Also it would need to be about 5 years old in 2008, with exception of the Corolla. So here is the poll. Remember I live in America, so good fun car choices can be limited. Or does anyone have a suggestion other than what I listed? __________________ Instead of attending the circus, I visit Autoblog to see the clowns comment instead.

July 8th, 2006, 5:30 PM	#3
Buba Wants Rick Astley's Babies Joined: Nov 12th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Regensburg, Bavaria Age: 28 Posts: 6,384 Car: Golf V GTi DSG LFS Status: Rep Power: 51	Wasn't there a Miata with 180 bhp or even more? I'd be worried about a 4/5 year old car that revs close to 10000... __________________ [18:11] MXM: it means buba is better than you now [18:12] sam-l: In what way? [18:12] Slycer: longer penis

July 8th, 2006, 6:11 PM	#4
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 12:33 AM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,889 Car: ZJ 4X4X5 Rep Power: 168	Saturn Sky Redine. 8) __________________ OSPhoto

July 8th, 2006, 7:06 PM	#5
thedguy ^ will bore you to death Joined: Jun 18th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Under the Counter at McD's Posts: 7,433 Car: 1990 Mazda MX-5 & 91 318i. Rep Power: 148	Since it's in 2 years, if you can get a Solstice GXP/Sky Redline without being ripped off, I'd go for either them, though the Sky needs less tweaks to look excellent. Buba makes a good point with the miata, perhaps a Mazdaspeed miata. It's the older chassis with the 170hp engine. I say go out and drive them and look at them. The sky/solstice you can't try now, but the others, go into dealers and check 'em out. The GM's build quality leaves a bit to be desired, and I wouldn't want to work under the hood of those (tilt forward hood). edit:... The miata and the S2000 are different animals. Yes they are rwd, 2 seater sports cars, but the miata is all about it's weight. The s2000 is heavier and a little more powerful. My friend loves his. I look at it this way Miata = Solstice/sky S2000 = Solsice GXP/ Sky redline If you look at thier PwR's and tire sizes and all that good stuff, thats about how it will work out. The s2000 and miata's are both pleasure's to drive, the GM's I can't say for sure. What I do know is, the Ecotech has loads more potential in it than the s2000's f20/f22 (Honda just tuned the piss out of it from the factory). If you want something you can mod I'd go for the sky/solstice over the others. There's loads more room for wider taller tires, and it uses the GM parts bin. Ecotec's are cheap to build up as well. You need to remember something with the Corolla, they are going on 25 years old in some cases, your other choices are 16 years old at best. And thanks to Initial D they've gone up in price a bit, though if you know where to look they can be had for what they are worth. __________________

July 8th, 2006, 5:20 PM	#2
un-dee I hate your sig! Joined: May 21st, 2004 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Age: 25 Posts: 1,482 Car: Mazda MX-3 Rep Power: 35	Of these choices its the S2000 easily, or that Saturn Sky/Pontiac thingie with a decent engine.

July 8th, 2006, 7:10 PM	#6
flyingfridge Joined: Jul 1st, 2005 Last Online: June 6th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 24 Posts: 2,349 Car: R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec, FG Falcon G6 Rep Power: 24	No contest. S2000 hands down. I own a Non VTEC honda and it's so good. There's a reason why Jeremy Clarkson likes the S2000 as much as he does, there's also a very good reason why it's won the Top Gear Customer Satisfaction Survey two years running. No Contest. "It scores top marks in pretty much every category" - James May 2004 "I've been banging on about that for years, that's the best sports car, and now you've proved me right" - Jeremy Clarkson 2005 __________________ 1/4 Mile: 12.426 (Calder Park) Winton: 1'38.890 Sandown: 1'27.179 "The old Skyline GT-R felt exciting even when it was in a carwash." - Jeremy Clarkson "Those who know GT-Rs can't explain. Those who don't cannot understand." - frankiess

July 8th, 2006, 7:14 PM	#7
Kebab gud Joined: Apr 2nd, 2005 Last Online: June 29th, 2008 Location: somewhere in yupe Posts: 1,511 Rep Power: 0	if you love the enviroment .. dont buy the S2000... (dont know if its true.. but the engine usses alot more fuel and crams out alot more shitt after about 80.000km.. but i dont know if its true..) __________________ The Kabab Hut: http://the-kebab.blogspot.com/ (working on a better layout)

July 8th, 2006, 7:27 PM	#9
M3lover Joined: Nov 23rd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: The milkyway, Earth, Denmark, Copenhagen Age: 23 Posts: 982 Car: Pedalpower for now... Rep Power: 18	The Miata or the solstice would be a good choice, but the S2000 is Miata or solstice x2 in every way. More power, more grip, more fun, but also more running costs (haven't looked the costs up, but that's what I would imagine). IMO the Trueno is more the hardcore enthusiasts choice. I wouldn't buy the mini, since it's more of a everyday car. With a weekend car I think you should go for one that has something that might be "inconviniant" for everyday use, but special and fun for weekends like softtop, sports suspension, high revving engine etc. __________________ Mmmhh, gotta love living in Denmark. We have 180 % tax on cars. Yep, an M3 cost about the same as a 997 Turbo does in Sweden, and sadly i'm not kidding!

July 8th, 2006, 7:33 PM	#10
96vtec Joined: Nov 8th, 2005 Last Online: December 15th, 2008 Posts: 48 Rep Power: 0	VTEC motors when taken care of are some of the best in the world. My B18C has over 210,000 km on the motor and is still strong, good fuel economy, and aces emissions tests without a problem. S2000 would be the best bet if you want something with an open top, or else Id be partial to a Cooper S. This is my personal taste though, I know it may be a bit out of the price range and maybe a bit old, but as a second car for an enthusiast, Id be tempted to get something along the lines of an M3, and take care of it.

July 8th, 2006, 7:44 PM	#11
patrick10 Joined: Dec 1st, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: ohio, usa Posts: 1,250 Car: 240, audi 5000, soon to be 240#2 Rep Power: 22	with the turbo motor thats coming __________________

July 8th, 2006, 7:48 PM	#12
un-dee I hate your sig! Joined: May 21st, 2004 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Age: 25 Posts: 1,482 Car: Mazda MX-3 Rep Power: 35	I don't get what it is with the US and Chrome Wheels. They are hideous and deserve to die.

July 8th, 2006, 8:23 PM	#13
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 12:18 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 8,592 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 126	Chrome is Ok in the right place, those places are on a very short list - one of which is a bling motor - Escalade for instance. Back on topic - s2000 by a mile. Does not VBH have one I seem to recall? __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

July 8th, 2006, 9:56 PM	#14
llpc60 Banned Joined: Jun 1st, 2006 Last Online: September 2nd, 2008 Location: LAND OF THE FREE (AHAHAHA) Posts: 1,018 Car: 93-NA . Mariner Blue Rep Power: 0	miata. cheap, cheap, cheap. more feel than the s2k (lighter), and you can mod the fuck out of it for so little (cheap) no contest

July 8th, 2006, 10:38 PM	#15
Redliner Joined: May 19th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Brazil - South America Age: 30 Posts: 5,288 Car: Fiat Palio 1.6 16v Rep Power: 114	I can't decide between the S2000 and the Miata. Not that I know what I am talking about, since we don't get those here... __________________ God told me to give you candy.

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July 8th, 2006, 10:53 PM	#16
llpc60 Banned Joined: Jun 1st, 2006 Last Online: September 2nd, 2008 Location: LAND OF THE FREE (AHAHAHA) Posts: 1,018 Car: 93-NA . Mariner Blue Rep Power: 0	^ at least you can drive what you got without 342542352cops on your ass even when its in the middle of the desert

July 8th, 2006, 10:58 PM	#17
AG.Daiba Joined: Apr 25th, 2006 Last Online: November 15th, 2009 Location: New Jersey - we don't like you either. Posts: 96 Car: BMW 330xi Rep Power: 0	my cousin works at a honda dealship and i know honda occasionally offers some very attractive leasing plans for the s2000. dont quote me but i think a few months ago it was 3000 down and $299 a month for 39 months, thats not bad. a large dealer is happy to get 1-2 s2000s off his lot in a month, that shows u how slow sales are. this granted u are willing to lease...

July 9th, 2006, 12:16 AM	#19
jayjaya29 Joined: Mar 18th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Lindenhurst, NY Age: 21 Posts: 5,241 Car: 2000 Nissan Altima Rep Power: 36	Test drive em and see which you like best. __________________ Check out my Gallery. Check out my Car.

July 9th, 2006, 1:29 AM	#20
fbc Moderator Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: November 11th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 34 Posts: 11,776 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 128	Very close call between the Miata & S2000... but S2000 gets it by a nose. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

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