Current make/model successors to B13

[Ivan Chou]

Great thread, though we've gotten far away from the original NX2000 price
question. :)

if I may ask, what are folks' opinions of a current spiritual successor?
 Something that continues on from the original BMW 2002 / Datsun 510
criteria - economy pricing, sporty, sips gas, deceptively quick / stealthy
looking.  Finally there are the "just right" criteria with the driving
experience.  I'm talking about buttery shifts, nice seats, and SR20-like
power band (I really miss the 3rd gear 4000-7500 RPM feel at WOT).

To me, the closest thing is the Mazda3 sedan, and that's not saying much.
 If we include hatches, maybe the something like the Mini Cooper S would
apply, though they are relatively underpowered compared to vehicles in
equivalent model years (for those who don't keep tabs, most newer minivans
can do 0-60 mph in 7.x seconds!).  I've seen long-time list members with
cars like the Mazdaspeed3 and Lancer Evo, but these aren't econoboxes, and
don't have good fuel economy.  Is it so hard for car companies to replicate
the formula?  Or maybe just not profitable?

The upcoming 2013 Subaru BR-Z / Scion FR-S probably have the right specs,
but they are way too flashy for me.

Ivan

On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 1:37 PM, <wc701lists at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> On 3/13/2012 6:57 AM, Greg Amy wrote:
> > The Acura RSX-R is what the NX2000 *could* have been, had Nissan
> > delivered it to the USA with the SR20VE, a 6-speed, and a decent
> > interior.
>
> They changed the 2005 & 06 RSX "Type S" models a lot, and they were
> basically identical with the "R" in other countries.  The 1991 & 92 SE-R
> seats were superb, and Car & Driver called them the "best ever" in a
> production car till the Acura NSX (not RSX) came out.  One C&D writer
> even bitched they were "over bolstered" - this from the mag' that
> constantly complained about seats lacking lateral support.  The NX2k
> seats were not as great, but I have no gripes about the interior of the
> B13 SE-R & NX nor the RSX.  The classy yet austere interior of the RSX
> was a lot of was sold me on it.
>
> -Wayne
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