Fast, normally aspirated cars

Tobster86

colino wrote: »

"more nimble IMHO than the E36 3-series, probably thanks to more sophisticated suspension and finger-light recirculating ball steering (though 6-cyl ones use heavier rack & pinion)." Pretty much exactly opposite of the truth. If BMW could have got the lightweight, precise, "ordinary" rack and pinion steering shoe-horned into the bigger engined cars, instead of the vaguer, woollier steering boxes, they would. They are constantly trying to improve the problem, from Active Steer onwards.

It was an opinion. I realise the unit itself is bigger and heavier, I was referring to 'daily drive' handling. My anecdote is from having owned an E36 323i, and there being two other E39 528i's in the family, plus my 540i. The 540i is much lighter handling (if a bit less feel) than the other E39s, and E39s on the whole are a damn sight more sure-footed than E36s were.

Gloomendoom

Chrysler 300C SRT8?

parking_question_chap

Horizon81 wrote: »

Turbo = more to go wrong, plus doesn't suit my extremely short daily commute, hence NA.

So you would you rather go for a non-turbo car build by the French compared to a turbo car built by the Germans or Japs?

iainscomputer

My choice would be a Subaru Legacy 3.0R, Flat six engine, nice spec with electric sunroof, some have factory sat nav, leather electric seats, 18 inch alloys, 4WD, with winter tyres nothing can keep up in the snow!
A true street sleeper with Japenese reliability.
Just choose the right version to get the cheaper road tax.

Mr_Mink

Horizon81 wrote: »

There's no real fast Hyundai Coupes is there? I'm sure even the V6 one is pretty slow.

Ah yeah, just double checked, the V6 is a 0 - 60 of 8.3. Though that isn't far off what you were after, there is indeed better out there.

daveyjp

iainscomputer wrote: »

My choice would be a Subaru Legacy 3.0R, Flat six engine, nice spec with electric sunroof, some have factory sat nav, leather electric seats, 18 inch alloys, 4WD, with winter tyres nothing can keep up in the snow!
A true street sleeper with Japenese reliability.
Just choose the right version to get the cheaper road tax.

Beat me to it. A true Q car.

Nodding_Donkey

dannyrst wrote: »

RX8...no no no no no. Please no.

Why not?

Wait's for the 'man in the pub' bull

They use more oil than petrol
They need a rebuild every 60k

etc etc

LandyAndy

Mazda3 MPS?


0-60 6.1s.

LandyAndy

dannyrst wrote: »

RX8...no no no no no. Please no.

I had one.

Great fun to drive forwards. Reversing, a nightmare.

Plenty of room for four adults.

Did 25mpg. Used a litre of oil approx. every 2500 miles.

Rear tyres £300 each every 9000 miles. Fronts at 27000.

I did 27000 miles from new and the only fault was a split sun visor.

Am I pleased I had one? Yes. Would I have another? No.

Strider590

LandyAndy wrote: »

I had one.

Great fun to drive forwards. Reversing, a nightmare.

Plenty of room for four adults.

Did 25mpg. Used a litre of oil approx. every 2500 miles.

Rear tyres £300 each every 9000 miles. Fronts at 27000.

I did 27000 miles from new and the only fault was a split sun visor.

Am I pleased I had one? Yes. Would I have another? No.

Not to mention the proper engine shut down procedure that almost no one ever followed, meaning unless it's brand new, it's probably f*****.

It's a car/engine that should never have been sold to the average Joe, a 4 pot can take a lot of abuse, but treat a rotary the same way and it just won't last.