Best handling econobox car ever?
- Thread starter Klutch9
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Had a 2003 Mazda Protege which was hard to beat, slot car like handling.
Honda Fit
It has been such a de-facto go-kart that comparos don't even include it anymore at all.
That speaks volumes.
And dirt cheap too.
And thankfully women don't like the way it looks. The Miata on the other hand...
It has been such a de-facto go-kart that comparos don't even include it anymore at all.
That speaks volumes.
And dirt cheap too.
And thankfully women don't like the way it looks. The Miata on the other hand...
Originally Posted By: DemoFly
88-91 Civic hatchback. Specifically Si.
What about the CRX?
88-91 Civic hatchback. Specifically Si.
What about the CRX?
My vote would go to the B13 Sentra SE-R... I would kill for one of those even to this day (They never came to Canada)
First gen and second generation both of Neon are good handlers. I had a 2001 R/T and that thing would hold an onramp like no other. Really an under respected car in my opinion, with 5 years of ownership of one under my belt. I miss that car a lot.
First gen and second generation both of Neon are good handlers. I had a 2001 R/T and that thing would hold an onramp like no other. Really an under respected car in my opinion, with 5 years of ownership of one under my belt. I miss that car a lot.
Originally Posted By: Klutch9
By far, my favorite thing about my Focus is how incredible the handling is. For a cheap little car, you never really expect much of anything in the 'WOW' department, but the Focus really does deliver. Where I live there are plenty of twisty, tight, windy bits of road that I can throw the car around in. The steering is point-and-shoot, no tire squeal, no body roll, just fantastic cornering and a great driving feel.
In my limited experience, this is a characteristic of most small cars in general; this may be supported by the fact that a multitude of different cars has been given in response to your original post. Some years ago, I owned a 2007 Toyota Corolla. It was, by far, the best handling car I'd ever driven. It felt very light on its feet, very communicative, very direct, and very fun to drive. Everything you wrote about your Focus would apply to that Corolla as well.
I still miss that car. It was a 5-speed, so that probably helped some. And I had good tires on it. Any cloverleaf could easily have been taken at double the warning speed. It was a very spritely little machine, one I wish I still had today.
By far, my favorite thing about my Focus is how incredible the handling is. For a cheap little car, you never really expect much of anything in the 'WOW' department, but the Focus really does deliver. Where I live there are plenty of twisty, tight, windy bits of road that I can throw the car around in. The steering is point-and-shoot, no tire squeal, no body roll, just fantastic cornering and a great driving feel.
In my limited experience, this is a characteristic of most small cars in general; this may be supported by the fact that a multitude of different cars has been given in response to your original post. Some years ago, I owned a 2007 Toyota Corolla. It was, by far, the best handling car I'd ever driven. It felt very light on its feet, very communicative, very direct, and very fun to drive. Everything you wrote about your Focus would apply to that Corolla as well.
I still miss that car. It was a 5-speed, so that probably helped some. And I had good tires on it. Any cloverleaf could easily have been taken at double the warning speed. It was a very spritely little machine, one I wish I still had today.
Obvious answer is Integra Type R. Able to lap a roadcourse as fast/faster than an E30 M3. But rule #2 comes into effect there.
2) It cannot be a special or performance edition of said car
The Integra GS-R probably breaks rule two also.
Someone mentioned the B13 Sentra SE-R. I like that car a lot, but the SE-R badge probably fails the criteria.
Someone else said Corolla. Do you mean AE86 or do you mean like E110/120/130...Corolla? I'll accept AE86 and I may even agree with you (but it probably breaks rule two as well) But any just "E" Corolla? No. They are competent and reliable cars but fun is outside the Corolla Venn Diagram.
Unlimited selection of compacts regardless of year? Mazda RX-3, Opel Manta, BMW 2002ti, and 3-series....all make interesting noises and all handle really well for their time.
The Scirocco and 510 were capable cars, but didn't make the same sounds as the above.
Widely availiable compacts? Look no further than the number "3" BMW 3-series if you can afford it. Mazda 3 if you are on a budget.
2) It cannot be a special or performance edition of said car
The Integra GS-R probably breaks rule two also.
Someone mentioned the B13 Sentra SE-R. I like that car a lot, but the SE-R badge probably fails the criteria.
Someone else said Corolla. Do you mean AE86 or do you mean like E110/120/130...Corolla? I'll accept AE86 and I may even agree with you (but it probably breaks rule two as well) But any just "E" Corolla? No. They are competent and reliable cars but fun is outside the Corolla Venn Diagram.
Unlimited selection of compacts regardless of year? Mazda RX-3, Opel Manta, BMW 2002ti, and 3-series....all make interesting noises and all handle really well for their time.
The Scirocco and 510 were capable cars, but didn't make the same sounds as the above.
Widely availiable compacts? Look no further than the number "3" BMW 3-series if you can afford it. Mazda 3 if you are on a budget.
Originally Posted By: Falken
Honda Fit
It has been such a de-facto go-kart that comparos don't even include it anymore at all.
That speaks volumes.
And dirt cheap too.
And thankfully women don't like the way it looks. The Miata on the other hand...
If it had a sunroof I'd probably have bought one by now. Inexpensive, high quality, good on gas (not the best), great cost of ownership, handling, and utility. Nearly perfect for me but I've grown to love having a hole on my roof and oddly enough Honda doesn't offer one in the Fit.
Honda Fit
It has been such a de-facto go-kart that comparos don't even include it anymore at all.
That speaks volumes.
And dirt cheap too.
And thankfully women don't like the way it looks. The Miata on the other hand...
If it had a sunroof I'd probably have bought one by now. Inexpensive, high quality, good on gas (not the best), great cost of ownership, handling, and utility. Nearly perfect for me but I've grown to love having a hole on my roof and oddly enough Honda doesn't offer one in the Fit.
I guess it all depends on what you drove before.
Of current, no special handling package trims like GTI, MazdaSpeed, Type R etc. I think Mazda 3 wins hands down.
I drove few newer cars in this segment like Kia Forte, Cobalt and Corolla and they feel like mules in comparison. Lots of lean and no steering feedback. Honda Civic was the only one that I drove that felt comparable.
The smaller segment like Honda Fit, Mazda 2 or Ford Fiesta may beat Mazda 3 though.
Of current, no special handling package trims like GTI, MazdaSpeed, Type R etc. I think Mazda 3 wins hands down.
I drove few newer cars in this segment like Kia Forte, Cobalt and Corolla and they feel like mules in comparison. Lots of lean and no steering feedback. Honda Civic was the only one that I drove that felt comparable.
The smaller segment like Honda Fit, Mazda 2 or Ford Fiesta may beat Mazda 3 though.
You guys can laugh, but I had a lot of fun with my 95 ford escort sedan. It was the old 1.9 with a 5spd. Had to turn off the a/c when trying to merge into fast moving traffic
I used to beat the [censored] out of that car though and it never left me down. Only trouble it ever gave me was an alternator and it sheared some teeth off the timing belt at about 112,000 miles, but that was due to me not ever replacing it and beating the tar out of it. Had 167,000miles on it when my ex decided to make a left in front of a chevy astro and totaled it. Maybe not the best handling car, but its probably the best handling car I've owned. My Scion isn't bad, but I don't really get crazy enough behind the wheel anymore to really test its limits.
I used to beat the [censored] out of that car though and it never left me down. Only trouble it ever gave me was an alternator and it sheared some teeth off the timing belt at about 112,000 miles, but that was due to me not ever replacing it and beating the tar out of it. Had 167,000miles on it when my ex decided to make a left in front of a chevy astro and totaled it. Maybe not the best handling car, but its probably the best handling car I've owned. My Scion isn't bad, but I don't really get crazy enough behind the wheel anymore to really test its limits.integra..with that said, the integra itr is the absolute best fwd ever made
I tend to keep cars a while, and I'd be more interested in what's out there in aftermarket parts for a particular model, like TRD, because you will be replacing the OEM at some point.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Obvious answer is Integra Type R. Able to lap a roadcourse as fast/faster than an E30 M3. But rule #2 comes into effect there.
2) It cannot be a special or performance edition of said car
I owned an Integra Type R for a few years, until it was stolen. When I'd do an evasive lane change to avoid road obstacles and a passenger was present the sideways force would crack their head on the side window. (Whoops, sorry!) Ladder, truck tire, car hood.
I noticed rental cars in England had tighter suspension than US cars. You needed it too. Very unforgiving roads. 1990 Ford Fiesta XR2i got a lot of rattles in 1000 miles, but had good handling. I used to crack *my* head in that car.
Obvious answer is Integra Type R. Able to lap a roadcourse as fast/faster than an E30 M3. But rule #2 comes into effect there.
2) It cannot be a special or performance edition of said car
I owned an Integra Type R for a few years, until it was stolen. When I'd do an evasive lane change to avoid road obstacles and a passenger was present the sideways force would crack their head on the side window. (Whoops, sorry!) Ladder, truck tire, car hood.
I noticed rental cars in England had tighter suspension than US cars. You needed it too. Very unforgiving roads. 1990 Ford Fiesta XR2i got a lot of rattles in 1000 miles, but had good handling. I used to crack *my* head in that car.
Originally Posted By: randomhero439
I had a 1999 Neon R/T, fun car until i killed the engine.
I had a 98. Mine was simply not killable. 36 mpg, too!
Super entertaining at the track, rotated like a precision instrument. Extremely fun for a wrong wheel drive platform, and did 115 in 4th gear.
I had a 1999 Neon R/T, fun car until i killed the engine.
I had a 98. Mine was simply not killable. 36 mpg, too!
Super entertaining at the track, rotated like a precision instrument. Extremely fun for a wrong wheel drive platform, and did 115 in 4th gear.
Originally Posted By: abycat
1100 pounds in the front row would be nuts. My car which is my fav econobox would be maxed out with that kinda weight.
My brother in law weighs a hefty 300 lbs (he is losing weight, down to 230 now) and was sitting in the back of our Prius. We were going over some washboard Iowa roads and all of a sudden THUMP krrrrrrr I was like WHAT WAS THAT?!?!?! and got out to inspect the car, no damage done, but the BIL had made the back end drag when we went over that bump. I felt it under my feet even.
1100 pounds in the front row would be nuts. My car which is my fav econobox would be maxed out with that kinda weight.
My brother in law weighs a hefty 300 lbs (he is losing weight, down to 230 now) and was sitting in the back of our Prius. We were going over some washboard Iowa roads and all of a sudden THUMP krrrrrrr I was like WHAT WAS THAT?!?!?! and got out to inspect the car, no damage done, but the BIL had made the back end drag when we went over that bump. I felt it under my feet even.
What about Fiat 500? I've heard these are fun, although probably not speed demons unless you go for the Abarth version.
Seems like only '07 Focii are allowed.
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