Sporty Cars ~30-35K USD

[MazKid]

Loud I would have a first year production RX-8...they've been working on the design and engine since the RX-Evolv(what the RX-8 started as) in 1999. 4 years is a long time, and I belive that it's just as reliable as the other cars in this poll, if not better.

 

[milefile]

Originally posted by Josh
Why does everyone say that?! Is it because you constantly see other people saying it?

I bet 99% of you who have said the S2000 would make a bad daily driver have never even started one, let alone driven one.

It's a two seater convertible tuned for high speeds. I read a review of it and learned the power band is at like 7000 RPM. Not many opportunities to enjoy it in traffic.

Did I mention it's a two seater convertible?

 

[risingson77]

Originally posted by pupik
Don't get me started...

The S2000 is a convertible, when it's all said and done...why not? You don't have to shift at 6k, just as said before. (Besides, having to shift at 500rpm in the Caterpillar might get tiresome, too.)

More tiring than shifting at 6k in the S2000 for sure.

 

[LoudMusic]

I have to agree with Josh about the issues of the S2000. I've ridden many a mile in one and found it comfortable, actually. And just because the power band is in the upper range doesn't mean that's where you HAVE to shift. Around town you'd drive it just like any other car - in the lower 1500 to 3000 RPM range.

Not many opportunities to enjoy it in traffic.

And which car would you enjoy in traffic? Any one of them you're going to have to get into high revs to make it fun, and as soon as you do in traffic you're putting yourself and everyone around you at risk.

I drove up to a local state park the other weekend and as I was about to make a left turn onto the route home I noticed a sign I hadn't seen before - "Next Three Miles Crooked and Steep". I thought to myself, "How have I not seen this before? Lets check it out ..." Wow, that's a nice three miles. I'll be frequenting that with a new car in the near future.

 

[milefile]

It's a two seater convertible. I also read the storage areas were very poorly planned, i.e. console and glove box. It's just not a practical car. I don't think it's a bad car, if you want a Honda. But it's not a good daily driver. It's a pleasure/sports car.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by milefile
It's a two seater convertible. I also read the storage areas were very poorly planned, i.e. console and glove box.

The only reason I could see the two seater convertible part becoming a problem for daily driving is if your daily driving involved hauling your entire family around.

Poorly planned storage? What did they mean by "poorly planned?" Small, or not enough of it? If so, who cares? Last time I checked you didn't need a ton of storage space for a daily driver, unless you take hundred mile road trips everyday.

 

[Frustrated Palm]

Originally posted by Josh
The only reason I could see the two seater convertible part becoming a problem for daily driving is if your daily driving involved hauling your entire family around.

Poorly planned storage? What did they mean by "poorly planned?" Small, or not enough of it? If so, who cares? Last time I checked you didn't need a ton of storage space for a daily driver, unless you take hundred mile road trips everyday.

Josh is correct. Its not like you are going to be hauling a weeks worth of luggage with you wherever you go. Another thing to add is the 350Z has this big Anti-roll bar in the back which makes it hard to fit a fat object in the back (since its right in the way ). You dont need to be going fast to enjoy a car. Tight twisty, winding, hilly, roads are VERY enjoyable. I know and I was only in the passenger seat (1992 3000GT VR4). You cant enjoy any of those cars in traffic. If you in traffic you have other cars around you no matter what you are driving...........unless its the Cat then you just need to push them out of the way . Plus the open conditions of the Cat are easily fixed. Just by the enclosed version and put in your own AC . A little Plexi Glass goes a long way. And I personally think the RX8 is butt fugly. Its looks like some sort of diseased bug or insect or something...

 

[milefile]

Originally posted by Josh
The only reason I could see the two seater convertible part becoming a problem for daily driving is if your daily driving involved hauling your entire family around.

Poorly planned storage? What did they mean by "poorly planned?" Small, or not enough of it? If so, who cares? Last time I checked you didn't need a ton of storage space for a daily driver, unless you take hundred mile road trips everyday.

It was something about when you open the glove box everything falls out. And I have in my car, every day, my lunch box, phone, assorted papers and mail, travel mug, tire pressure guage, sometimes a book, flashlight, CD's and tapes, etc. And if you have to stop at the store you'll have more stuff. And you may also have a passenger from time to time, including, but not limited to your family. Sports cars are not good "daily drivers." They are for one or two people to go driving for the sake of driving. They are not meant for practical, daily use.

 

[Famine]

What milefile said. And I've driven one...

My daily driver is - drive to the station (can have some fun here, but with only a 5 minute drive I don't want to work the engine). Park at the station. Drive home from the station (ditto). That will cost me £10 a week in petrol in an S2000.

On a Saturday I hop into my car and maybe go to the garden centre or Asda. Not really going to be fitting 6 bags of compost, or a month's shopping in an S2000. Not to mention last month when I bought a widescreen TV. The 3 FOOT box fitted in the Fiesta nicely. An S2000? Nuff said.

Every month or so, I troll 240 miles up to Sheffield. Sit a Supra in 6th gear at 1200rpm, you're doing 70mph. Plant your foot even in 6th and you're surfing a wave of torque from 1400rpm+. Try that in an S2000 (okay, so the Supra isn't in the comparison, so it's a bit unfair).

RX-8 for me please!

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Josh

I bet 99% of you who have said the S2000 would make a bad daily driver have never even started one

You mean with that red button?

Fackin' vroom!

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Frustrated Palm
Josh is correct. Its not like you are going to be hauling a weeks worth of luggage with you wherever you go. .[/COLOR]

My 'daily drive' is slightly under six hours and takes so long that I only replicate it once a week (instead, staying for a week at its destination - requiring - what else? - a week's worth of luggage), putting Josh clearly onto the 'wrong' side of things.

 

[Frustrated Palm]

Actually that was a typo. There wasnt supposed to be an "A" between "hauling" and "weeks" since I meant weeks pluraly. So your on the other side of things . BTW, what do you do anyway?...

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Frustrated Palm
Actually that was a typo. There wasnt supposed to be an "A" between "hauling" and "weeks" since I meant weeks pluraly. So your on the other side of things . BTW, what do you do anyway?...

I've got an oil field in East Texas that rarely needs my assistance anymore.

 

[LoudMusic]

About the only cargo I carry with me are other passengers, and rarely more than one at a time. My trunk currently has a small fair of summer park toys like baseball equipment and some frisbys. This will all fit in the trunk of an S2000. Any additional stuff that I might need to take to work would fit in the front seat and floorboard. The S2000 would make an utterly ****TY vacation car, but driving around town and to work would be no problem at all.

Now the events I attend where I am moving 3 or more people along with myself (total of 4) would be a bit of a cramp in an S2000. It's rather difficult to squeeze 3 girls into one of those things - but I garountee you I'd try (:

 

[HRT_Maloo]

The only thing these cars have in common is the price. You cant compare a IS300 to a 350Z or a S2000. They are meant for completely different reasons and people.

The first (and only at the moment) comparo Ive read of the RX8 and 350Z didnt choose a winner because they are different cars.

****ing stupid comparo

 

[quicksilver1122]

Havn't you guys heard of a family van???

I'm sure you guys are right on the practical side. I personally did choose the s2000, but as much as you guys want to argue, you know it won't fit due to all your life needs if were the only car you could use. I mean, I'm sure it could fit enough groceries if you wanted to and it would be a great "around the town, speeding down the highway" car, but if you wanted to go anywhere with more than 1 person, it would be pretty difficult. I mean, let's all be reasonable here...

See, it's reasons like this why you get your parents to buy a SUV or something and you get a 2 seater sports car (you know the ladies love em) for yourself.

 

[StevieMo]

Originally posted by Frustrated Palm
And I personally think the RX8 is butt fugly. Its looks like some sort of diseased bug or insect or something...

Aren't you the guy that drives the SRT-4?

 

[LoudMusic]

Originally posted by HRT_Maloo
The only thing these cars have in common is the price. You cant compare a IS300 to a 350Z or a S2000. They are meant for completely different reasons and people.

The first (and only at the moment) comparo Ive read of the RX8 and 350Z didnt choose a winner because they are different cars.

****ing stupid comparo

You're a ****ing stupid comparo.

The IS 300, RX-8, and TSX are all direct competitors. The 350 Z and S2000 are sports car competitors. I like them all so I put them in a poll together. Screw off cockbite.

 

[Magic069]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie


Cars for me have to have aircon, which I don't think is available on the Cat,otherwise I would have had that!

You may want to reconsider. Check this out, aircon is available:

Caterpillar Operator Station

Of course this is on newer models.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by M5Power
My 'daily drive' is slightly under six hours and takes so long that I only replicate it once a week (instead, staying for a week at its destination - requiring - what else? - a week's worth of luggage), putting Josh clearly onto the 'wrong' side of things.

Driving 6 hours, and staying for a week is hardly a 'daily drive' in my eyes. That's a damn vacation. A paid vacation in your case.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by M5Power
You mean with that red button?

Yes, that'd be the one.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by LoudMusic
You're a ****ing stupid comparo.

Screw off cockbite.

Gold.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Josh
Driving 6 hours, and staying for a week is hardly a 'daily drive' in my eyes.

Yeah, but it's a drive to work, so it counts, or something.

Of course, the S2000 would be perfect for that drive because of its relatively fuel-efficient engine and ability to maintain high rates of speed for long periods of time. But I don't like it because too many 47-year-old bald men drive yellow ones.

 

[HRT_Maloo]

Originally posted by LoudMusic
You're a ****ing stupid comparo.

The IS 300, RX-8, and TSX are all direct competitors. The 350 Z and S2000 are sports car competitors. I like them all so I put them in a poll together. Screw off cockbite.

Shut the **** up ********. Like I said, all these cars are meant for different people (except maybe IS300 and TSX). In that comparo I read of the Z and RX8, it said the Z the more of a drivers car and the RX8 "feels rolly and soft", and didnt draw a winner because they are different cars.

 

[vat_man]

Ahem!

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by vat_man
Ahem!

Yes?

Weren't you abhorred by Loudmusic's blatant use of the term 'cockbite?' He's always been so docile in the past...

 

[advanR]

Originally posted by M5Power
Yeah, but it's a drive to work, so it counts, or something.

Of course, the S2000 would be perfect for that drive because of its relatively fuel-efficient engine and ability to maintain high rates of speed for long periods of time. But I don't like it because too many 47-year-old bald men drive yellow ones.

wow, you really do know **** about cars. those are miatas, pal. jk.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by advanR
wow, you really do know **** about cars. those are miatas, pal. jk.

I've seen about ten S2000's recently being driven (very quickly) by men well older than me, and much larger, too, including one just today, in yellow no less.

 

[risingson77]

The S2000 is not especially easy on gas. I believe Honda rates it at 20 city/26 highway. Short gears will do that, you know.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by M5Power
I've seen about ten S2000's recently being driven (very quickly) by men well older than me, and much larger, too, including one just today, in yellow no less.

Probably because there aren't very many young people willing to spend $32,000+ on a Honda.

I usually only see old men driving them as well. I usually see old men driving black, or silver ones, though. Back when I had mine I used to be good friends with a girl who's mom had a red one. I think she was the only female I've ever seen driving one. The yellow ones are usually occupied by Asian males in their early twenties. I don't see too many yellows, though.