Current make/model successors to B13

Fri Apr 20 19:38:29 CDT 2012

Too much oversteer in the S2000.  Miata handling is just right

kieran

----- Reply message -----
From: "Ben Fenner" <fenfam at sc.rr.com>
Date: Fri, Apr 20, 2012 8:07 pm
Subject: Current make/model successors to B13
To:
Cc: "se-r at se-r-list.org" <se-r at se-r-list.org>

Geo I think you have the Miata handling and S2000 handling mixed up. No doubt the Miata is a great sports car, but the S2k seems to have it beat in just about every area, including handling. I agree neither can be counted as the spiritual successor since they are RWD and not pedestrian enough. There have been spiritual successors to the SE-R throughout the years, but I don't think any of them have captured all of the magic, if you know what I mean. You might say the [Neon] SRT-4 was close, and if the Acura RSX-S were cheaper maybe that too... But nothing will be the same.

That's funny about the M Roaster talk... I just picked up this new daily driver:
http://listings.mcoupebuyersguide.com/images/LC62163-08.jpg

After a long search, I'm finally in the daily driver of my dreams.

-Ben Fenner
1994 Black SE-R
2000 Black M-Coupe

On 3/17/2012 4:17 PM, George Roffe wrote:
Try an M Roadster.  The S52 version (E36 M3 engine) has the same hp with lots of torque.  The S54 version (E46 M3 engine) is a monster.  The Z3 is a great platform. Doesn't handle a well as a Miata (what does?) but I'll bet it handles as well as an S2000.

Geo

Sent from my iPad

On Mar 17, 2012, at 2:33 PM, "Fancher, Jim" <Jim.Fancher at MCFA.COM<mailto:Jim.Fancher at MCFA.COM>> wrote:

Laugh if you must, but the Miata is on my list of favorite cars. I've always wanted one. I'd rather find a nice S2000. Now those look like a blast, but I've never driven one.

From: Benjamin Rockwell [mailto:benjamin_rockwell at yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2012 01:40 PM
To: se-r at se-r-list.org<mailto:se-r at se-r-list.org> <se-r at se-r-list.org<mailto:se-r at se-r-list.org>>
Subject: Re: Current make/model successors to B13

I hate to say it, but if you want a car that has a similar, if not better, driving experience, an MX-5/Miata (the poodle car for the old timers) may be it. It has some low end grunt, handles amazingly and the shifter is a shorty from the factory. Mazda has done a pretty good job at keeping it from becoming bloated as most other models have as they modernized.

Ben

On Fri, Mar 16, 2012 at 11:12 PM, Kieran A. Lavin <kieran at kieranlavin.com<mailto:kieran at kieranlavin.com>> wrote:
You have to take what the automotive journalists say with a grain of salt.  Ray and I overheard journalists at the NY Autoshow when the GTR first came out talking about how great the v8 under the hood is!  It's their JOB and they still don't have a clue

kieran

----- Reply message -----
From: "Ivan Chou" <chou.ivan at gmail.com<mailto:chou.ivan at gmail.com>>
Date: Fri, Mar 16, 2012 10:18 pm
Subject: Current make/model successors to B13
To: "se-r at se-r-list.org<mailto:se-r at se-r-list.org>" <se-r at se-r-list.org<mailto:se-r at se-r-list.org>>

Great suggestions.  The Mini Cooper base might be a tad slow with a 0-60 mph of around 8.4 seconds (according to Edmunds).  The Ford Focus ST specs look great, and I love how far Ford has come around in the past 20-30 years. The Civic Si fits the criteria pretty well.  I've read that the current model is a bit boring but I realize the journalists are comparing to the stiffer, 7800 RPM redline Si's of the past (which they criticized for having little off-the-line torque).  All told though, I think there isn't anything worthy to serve as spiritual successor (yet).  :(

Looks like fun - Ford Focus ST first drive:  <http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-ford-focus-st-first-ride-feature> http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-ford-focus-st-first-ride-feature

Ivan

On Wed, Mar 14, 2012 at 6:26 PM, Benjamin Rockwell <benjamin_rockwell at yahoo.com<mailto:benjamin_rockwell at yahoo.com>> wrote:

The upcoming Ford Focus ST...http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/focusst/

Ford has come a long way since the B13 days. If you can get past the racer boy styling, it fits the punch list pretty well.

On Wed, Mar 14, 2012 at 12:08 AM, Ivan Chou <chou.ivan at gmail.com<mailto:chou.ivan at gmail.com>> wrote:

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<mailto: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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