Remembering a fun car

Shovelman · 10-05-2021, 06:11 PM

In 1990 I needed a reliable car that would go far on a few dollars. I bought a new Geo Metro. I hear your groans, but no! Mine was the 4 door, optioned at the top of the humble line, and with 5 speed stick. It had the 3 cylinder Suzuki engine which was small but eager with no turbo lag. The 4 door with decent tires rode and handled well. The 5 speed required plenty of rowing but after a few years in 36 and 40 hp Beetles it was relatively fast. (relative to my experience) Everyone who drove it agreed that it was fun.

Some years after selling it I had the misfortune to get stuck in a Metro rental car for a day. It was a 2 door with the cheapest interior and a 3 speed automatic. It was noisy, poor handling and horribly slow. It was awful. Worst car I ever drove. I couldn't believe it was related to my old one. The choppy wheelbase, cheap tires, cardboard interior and hopeless transmission just ruined it.

230iZTR · 10-06-2021, 12:49 AM

Most of today's B-segment subcompacts - Mini Cooper, Honda Fit, Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, etc - are quite fun when optioned with a manual, some minor handling upgrades, and decent tires. I assume it would be the case for older generations of similarly positioned cars.

flypenfly · 10-06-2021, 02:13 AM

Minis are amazing fun no matter what… reliability is another matter.

mb67 · 10-06-2021, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 230iZTR

Most of today's B-segment subcompacts - Mini Cooper, Honda Fit, Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, etc - are quite fun when optioned with a manual, some minor handling upgrades, and decent tires. I assume it would be the case for older generations of similarly positioned cars.

I have a friend who is looking for a manual Mazda 2 because it's such a hoot to drive.

EDIT

I'd like to get an '06 Mini Cooper for the same purposes.

leftoverture · 10-06-2021, 05:30 AM

A manual transmission can make a lot of cars fun to drive, too bad they aren't offering more cars with them these days. If you want a really fun little sedan with a manual that has bulletproof reliability, try a Mazda 3.

freakystyly · 10-06-2021, 06:07 AM

Can confirm, had a first year 03 mazda 3 manual and it was a hoot to toss around. It rusted out before needing major work though. A buddy had an early model Yaris and somehow it fit 4 people in it, was also fun feeling like a little go kart.

GoldfishRT · 10-06-2021, 07:41 AM

I was briefly in possession of a manual Scion iA (Mazda2). Tremendously good driving vehicle, especially for the price. You could even step the tail out with a bit of trail braking on wet surfaces. Only weighed around 2400lbs if I recall correctly. I think I paid 13 for it out the door and it would happily return 43mpg.

Some of those cheap cars I do legitimately find more fun than far, far more expensive cars. It's horrendous to look at and touch but, I've still got a vivid sense of the impression the Fiesta ST left on me. So much so that if a meteor were to strike my car and I needed a replacement, it would still be on my list. First world problems, I don't know that I would be able to get over the interior though.

PeanuKeeyes · 10-06-2021, 09:53 AM

Fun post, thanks for sharing. Was on a similar mission with helping my girlfriend pick a cheap, reliable, and modestly fun car recently. Shopping for such a car in the current market proved tough but when looking for a used manual, there are still deals to be had since fewer first time buyers know how to drive them.

We found a first gen Yaris, four door, 5 speed. Sounds like a very similar setup to that Geo Metro. And to echo freakystyly , yes it really does handle like a go kart. We both love driving it and because it’s a 2010, it has decent safety features for what it is, including curtain airbags and everything still works including AC. I’m certain the motor will last a half million miles at least. Not as certain about the transmission.

TAZ007 · 10-06-2021, 10:49 AM

The best "go kart" feel I ever owned was a '00 Miata. Alot of fun taking corners and banging through the gears. Reliable too.

leftoverture · 10-06-2021, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAZ007

The best "go kart" feel I ever owned was a '00 Miata. Alot of fun taking corners and banging through the gears. Reliable too.

My 91 Miata BRG was the most fun car I ever owned, and I have owned many, including 3 Corvettes.

TAZ007 · 10-06-2021, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftoverture

My 91 Miata BRG was the most fun car I ever owned, and I have owned many, including 3 Corvettes.

I would have to agree. As much fun is my numbers matching 1980 C3 4spd is, the miata was better.

maxdriver · 10-09-2021, 06:29 AM

Another former Miata owner here. Mine was a '92 that I bought in 2000 from the original owner. Great gearbox, alot of fun!

jliuod · 10-09-2021, 10:04 AM

I am on my 6th Miata. Hands down the most "fun" car you can drive legally on the road.

TAZ007 · 10-09-2021, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jliuod

I am on my 6th Miata. Hands down the most "fun" car you can drive legally on the road.

As much as I would like to agree, my G29 Z4M40 is alot more fun.

dradernh · 10-09-2021, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftoverture

If you want a really fun little sedan with a manual that has bulletproof reliability, try a Mazda 3.

This is why the wife's Mazda 3 is what I daily. Naturally, she chose the hatchback, the 2.5-liter engine, and the 6-speed. Oddly enough, I didn't have anything to do with her choices. Even with all-season tires, if you keep your foot in it the car can perform quite decently on the street.

Curious thing: in terms of length, width, and height, her MZ3 is virtually the same size as my M240i, yet it feels dramatically smaller on the road, especially in town. It's ~425# lighter and fits like a glove on the inside; those are the reasons I think it feels so much smaller and, often, responsive.

cwilsong · 10-09-2021, 04:35 PM

98 Miata was the most fun one I ever had until I got my 19 230i that is!

God I love this car!

vballer · 10-10-2021, 01:10 AM

Yet another former Miata owner here. I had a 1990 and then a 2003 special edition. I still miss the gearbox, but my older body appreciates the refinement of my 2018 M240i vert as it was starting to get harder to get in and out of the Miata.

jliuod · 10-10-2021, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vballer

Yet another former Miata owner here. I had a 1990 and then a 2003 special edition. I still miss the gearbox, but my older body appreciates the refinement of my 2018 M240i vert as it was starting to get harder to get in and out of the Miata.

As I get older I too found it getting difficult to get in and out of my Miata. It is lowered a bit over an inch.

I took my M240i on a road trip from the San Francisco Bay Area to Vegas to play golf. The car was super comfortable and performed flawlessly.

leftoverture · 10-10-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vballer

Yet another former Miata owner here. I had a 1990 and then a 2003 special edition. I still miss the gearbox, but my older body appreciates the refinement of my 2018 M240i vert as it was starting to get harder to get in and out of the Miata.

Getting older kind sucks, doesn't it.

Sportstick · 10-10-2021, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftoverture

Getting older kind sucks, doesn't it.

Certainly does...I had just one experience driving my son's Cayman and realized I can/will never have a Porsche (or something similarly configured). Outstanding drive, but he helped me stand my aging 6'2" back up!

10-05-2021, 06:11 PM	#1
Shovelman Lieutenant 244 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 2017 230i Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Remembering a fun car In 1990 I needed a reliable car that would go far on a few dollars. I bought a new Geo Metro. I hear your groans, but no! Mine was the 4 door, optioned at the top of the humble line, and with 5 speed stick. It had the 3 cylinder Suzuki engine which was small but eager with no turbo lag. The 4 door with decent tires rode and handled well. The 5 speed required plenty of rowing but after a few years in 36 and 40 hp Beetles it was relatively fast. (relative to my experience) Everyone who drove it agreed that it was fun. Some years after selling it I had the misfortune to get stuck in a Metro rental car for a day. It was a 2 door with the cheapest interior and a 3 speed automatic. It was noisy, poor handling and horribly slow. It was awful. Worst car I ever drove. I couldn't believe it was related to my old one. The choppy wheelbase, cheap tires, cardboard interior and hopeless transmission just ruined it.
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10-06-2021, 12:49 AM	#2
230iZTR Lieutenant 316 Rep 444 Posts Drives: Signal Orange wrapped 230i THP Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV iTrader: (0)	Most of today's B-segment subcompacts - Mini Cooper, Honda Fit, Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, etc - are quite fun when optioned with a manual, some minor handling upgrades, and decent tires. I assume it would be the case for older generations of similarly positioned cars.
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10-06-2021, 02:13 AM	#3
flypenfly Private First Class 43 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2020 Cayenne, 2015 Msport 228i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Minis are amazing fun no matter what… reliability is another matter.
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10-06-2021, 05:30 AM	#5
leftoverture Captain 438 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 228i Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Edina, MN iTrader: (0)	A manual transmission can make a lot of cars fun to drive, too bad they aren't offering more cars with them these days. If you want a really fun little sedan with a manual that has bulletproof reliability, try a Mazda 3.
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10-06-2021, 06:07 AM	#6
freakystyly Lieutenant Colonel 3008 Rep 1,798 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Can confirm, had a first year 03 mazda 3 manual and it was a hoot to toss around. It rusted out before needing major work though. A buddy had an early model Yaris and somehow it fit 4 people in it, was also fun feeling like a little go kart.
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10-06-2021, 07:41 AM	#7
GoldfishRT Private First Class 76 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 228i M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	I was briefly in possession of a manual Scion iA (Mazda2). Tremendously good driving vehicle, especially for the price. You could even step the tail out with a bit of trail braking on wet surfaces. Only weighed around 2400lbs if I recall correctly. I think I paid 13 for it out the door and it would happily return 43mpg. Some of those cheap cars I do legitimately find more fun than far, far more expensive cars. It's horrendous to look at and touch but, I've still got a vivid sense of the impression the Fiesta ST left on me. So much so that if a meteor were to strike my car and I needed a replacement, it would still be on my list. First world problems, I don't know that I would be able to get over the interior though. __________________ 2014 228i M-Sport 6MT "And the Porsche is still behind us..."
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10-06-2021, 09:53 AM	#8
PeanuKeeyes First Lieutenant 366 Rep 311 Posts Drives: E34 \| MX5 Join Date: May 2019 Location: New Haven, CT iTrader: (0)	Fun post, thanks for sharing. Was on a similar mission with helping my girlfriend pick a cheap, reliable, and modestly fun car recently. Shopping for such a car in the current market proved tough but when looking for a used manual, there are still deals to be had since fewer first time buyers know how to drive them. We found a first gen Yaris, four door, 5 speed. Sounds like a very similar setup to that Geo Metro. And to echo freakystyly , yes it really does handle like a go kart. We both love driving it and because it’s a 2010, it has decent safety features for what it is, including curtain airbags and everything still works including AC. I’m certain the motor will last a half million miles at least. Not as certain about the transmission. __________________ E34 525iT 5 spd \| 228i ZTR 6 spd [SOLD] \| MX-5 NA 6 spd
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10-06-2021, 10:49 AM	#9
TAZ007 Colonel 1847 Rep 2,760 Posts Drives: 2021 Z4 M40 Join Date: May 2021 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Z4 M40 [5.00]	The best "go kart" feel I ever owned was a '00 Miata. Alot of fun taking corners and banging through the gears. Reliable too.
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10-09-2021, 06:29 AM	#12
maxdriver Second Lieutenant 88 Rep 238 Posts Drives: ‘23 GRolla; MDX S Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	Another former Miata owner here. Mine was a '92 that I bought in 2000 from the original owner. Great gearbox, alot of fun!
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10-09-2021, 10:04 AM	#13
jliuod Second Lieutenant 147 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 21' M440I Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: northern california iTrader: (0)	I am on my 6th Miata. Hands down the most "fun" car you can drive legally on the road.
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10-09-2021, 04:35 PM	#16
cwilsong Private 30 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 230i Join Date: May 2018 Location: WV iTrader: (0)	98 Miata was the most fun one I ever had until I got my 19 230i that is! God I love this car!
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10-10-2021, 01:10 AM	#17
vballer New Member 8 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i vert 6MT Join Date: May 2021 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Yet another former Miata owner here. I had a 1990 and then a 2003 special edition. I still miss the gearbox, but my older body appreciates the refinement of my 2018 M240i vert as it was starting to get harder to get in and out of the Miata.
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