Reading Jstein's Focus RS thread got me thinking. Having a NA and NB in the driveway, and formerly owning a '08 Mazdaspeed 3, I seem to have developed a penchant for these two types of cars. Which would be more fun to own?
Reading Jstein's Focus RS thread got me thinking. Having a NA and NB in the driveway, and formerly owning a '08 Mazdaspeed 3, I seem to have developed a penchant for these two types of cars. Which would be more fun to own?
Since you have had both of each kind, what is your finding so far?
Fun in different ways. The MS3 wasn't much of an autocrosser because it couldn't get the power down, but on-ramps were way more fun than the Miata for sure....and the MS3 was a lot more practical fitting 4 people or sizeable cargo with the seats dropped down. But for twisties and MPG, the Miata for sure.
The FoRS isn't going to have the same problem getting power down as the MS3, and I'm guessing less torque steer and obviously even more power, so it's likely to be a lot more interesting than the MS3 rounding the cones..
I did not track the MS3 and likely wouldn't track the FoRS due to their value and consumables cost...older Miatas are much better for that purpose.
Daily the RS would be more interesting. There are so few places you can (safely) test handling in the real world. However, if noone is in front of you, you can easily find the point where the pedal touches the floor which is guaranteed to be more fun in the RS.
I've had people suggest that full throttle blasts get boring after a while. Two and a half years of spinning up the tires in the V Wagon and it's still fun to me!
Power is fun in its own way, but the sensation of speed still generally gets numbed from the factory through a variety of mechanisms as actual speed potential increases. Resulting in the vicious cycle of power/speed escalation we see going on today.
For me, the only automotive pleasure on the street more enjoyable than topless motoring, is doing so enthusiastically in a light weight, balanced handling, RWD car. The kind that makes it feel like you're using more of the cars potential more of the time. I find that actual speeds are mostly irrelevant when it comes to good old fashioned smiles per mile.
Luckily, there are cars available out there that are better than ever able to suit most individual preferences.
Power/power increase in any given car, at least for me, has ALWAYS been something that I get used to eventually, thus the thrill always deminishes over time. Taking pleasure in a great handling car and pleasure in skillfully using that handling prowess, NEVER gets old or routine. So for me, in this case, the answer would actually be The ND Answer.
Autocrosser, no question it's the Miata.
I think for daily driving it's personal preference.
I drive a Fiesta ST.
It is freaking awesome.
Adding power, AWD and more space would take it into another dimension. Ford Performance for the win here, Bob.
I find that the type of road I am to drive determines which car is funner. The 96 civic with 100hp koni yellow, sways, eibach proline springs, bigger brakes blah blah is WAY more fun on secondary roads. the 300 HP or so Volvo wagon with blah blah blah is a much better highway/interstate car. It does seem the RS could be most of both (if not an actual race car...).
In reply to pinchvalve:
Funny thing is that FiST is about as close to the middle between the 2 that you can get.
Also mid 30k price range, V8 exocet. More miata than a miata, more power than the RS.
captdownshift wrote: Also mid 30k price range, V8 exocet. More miata than a miata, more power than the RS.
OP said DD... I love V8 Exocets but I DD a Golf R for a reason...
I suppose somebody somewhere DDs an Exocet. I remember when Factory Five first came out with their Cobra there was a kid in southern CA who built one inside the shipping container (used as a garage) and then drove it as his only DD.
I would expect the RS to be a sort of MS3+. Faster, but also a bit more "race" then the MS3 comfort wise. Low mpg (if not driven super careful, but why would you do that) and premium gas will of course be something you will have to put up with. Depending on you neighborhood, theft risk and everyone wants to race you might also be issues.
As is always the case though, driving a slow car fast is more fun then a fast car slow and other then on ramps, pushing the RS in normal driving will likely put you into the danger zone in a hurry.
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