Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Small Car recommendations...

I didn't any posts after yours (Tom's) so I don't know the other responses. "I didn't want to spend $25,000 on a Subaru" caught my interest. Subarus are excellent cars.

Tom, Miata, Miata, Miata. Someone 6' tall, unless maybe their upper torso is unusually long, should "fit" well in an MX-5.

Tom,

Lots of great choices out there depending on what you want out of the car. One of the best places to find out what some of these cars are all about without test driving everything is to go to their forums and see what the real owners say about their enjoyment, true maintenance costs and problems, many times you can find great buys off these forums from guys that have been very meticulous about their vehicles.

As Michael pointed out you ought to test drive a GT-R or a ZR1, they both set the bar pretty high in power and handling, and that will help you decide where along that line you want to go. Last year after seeing all the specs. on all the new cars I wanted a new sports car, but my wife gave me that are you crazy look, so rather than buying I've spent the last year modifying my Acura,(Supercharger,headers,exhaust,air induction and a bunch of other goodies)Now It's running around 440hp and weighing less than 2900 lbs, it can be pretty scary when jumped on, but there's nothing like knowing the powers there So my advice is get a little more than you want in power and handling to keep the car exciting for years to come.

Good luck with the hunt.

Didn't Tom say something about a $20k budget?

We always like to stretch budgets, but there are some very nice cars available in that price range, RX8's, 350Z's, Corvettes would be some of my choices.

Ditto on the Subarus. I have a friend who I have been semi-seriously trying to talk into selling me his 06 WRX. He seems to have had zero issues outside of general maintenance and it sure is fun to drive.

I also know a few folks whit Foresters who swear by their toughness, although I honestly never researched Foresters so I can only pass on their comments.

I've never considered Subarus to be all that economical or powerfull(exc wrx), but I've heard they are reliable.

Also styling is questionable.

No, not super powerful but it's the perfect compromise for our climate here. Unlike most sports cars, I could actually drive it year round (all wheel drive & reasonable clearance for winter ) or without fear of bottoming out on our horrendously awful roads here. With no native stone, (except crumbly sandstone,) all our roads sink into potholed or bumpy patched hell in just a couple of years after a fresh paving.

I actually like the subdued styling in that it doesn't scream midlife crisis. If I see another convertible Miata or Audi TT Roadster driven with a guy wearing a brand new Tilly tied around his neck, I'm going to scream.

So, if I promise to eschew the Tilly, we're okay then?

I meant no offense to Subaru, their owners or devotees. I agree that they are good cars. They just don't invoke the emotional response - FOR ME - I'm looking for right now.

I need to find a 2006 or later Miata with the retractable hard top and see how I fit.

Forget the Tilly hat, Tom. Get yourself a baseball cap and a lowered Honda with spinners and your all set homie!