Consumer cars with best driving dynamics

[xaeniac]

I want to talk about cars costing 30k or less that have good driving dynamics. I will start with vehicles that I have heard have good driving dynamics. Are there any larger cars? Feel free to list other small cars as well

Mazda 3
Ford Focus
VW GTI

 

[DominionSeraph]

FR-S?
Mustang GT is $31.2k MSRP. Someone will have to chime in on how stripped down it is at that price.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Mustang GT is $31.2k MSRP. Someone will have to chime in on how stripped down it is at that price.

Nobody should be complaining about cheap strippers when they have that much heat under the wrapper. Camaro V8 can be had for right at $30,xxx with some haggle/discounts.

WRX
genesis coupe
mazdaspeed 3

 

[satyajitmenon]

Fiesta ST?

 

[DominionSeraph]

Nobody should be complaining about cheap strippers when they have that much heat under the wrapper.

Ever been in an early WRX wearing summer tires?
♪ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR♪

And stripped? Describes the paint as soon as it brushed up against this thing we call "air."

There are limits to economy in a DD.

 

[Kaido]

FR-S?

Yah, I'd say probably the BRZ and the Fiesta/Focus, which have been getting a lot of attention. Ford is really making some nice advances lately...1.0L Fiesta, aluminum F-150, etc.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Mazda 2
Miata
Civic Si

 

[vi edit]

Focus is twitchy and the steering is pretty vague with the electronic assist. Mazda does a better job.

I'm very interested to see how the MKVII GTI's end up performing.

 

[theeedude]

Anything Mazda. They got steering and handling right. Try Mazda 6 if 3 is too small, although 3 feels bigger inside than it looks on the outside.

 

[mmntech]

Mazda RX-8 if you don't mind going used.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Lotus Elise
S2000
NSX ($$)
986 Boxster (97-04 Boxster but save money for repairs)

Again if you don't mind going used ^^^

New:
BRZ
Miata

 

[996GT2]

S2000 is probably the best balance of handling, reliability, low parts/repair cost, and daily driveability.

 

[Jumpem]

Miata and WRX.

 

[jlee]

CTS-V

Any MR2

 

[xaeniac]

Any family sedans that are worthy of this distinction?

 

[996GT2]

Any family sedans that are worthy of this distinction?

New and under 30k? Not really. Maybe a Focus ST or WRX, though both of those are a bit small to be considered a "family sedan".

Used? One of these:

 

[QueBert]

I love how my Sky Redline handles. You have traction control which works great, or you can set it for competition mode or turn it off completely. All 3 give you a noticeably different ride.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Any family sedans that are worthy of this distinction?

Your closest bet as a new car would probably be the Mazda 6.

 

[MagickMan]

Used Boxster or Cayman.

 

[rancherlee]

Any family sedans that are worthy of this distinction?

The Fusion is the only affordable Midsize family sedan besides the Mazda 6 that actually feels pretty sporty. The electric power steering is a bit numb on the newer models but it still has decent "feedback" combined with great handling.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Scion FR-S
Subaru BRZ
Mazda MX-5

 

[Lonyo]

Scion FR-S
Subaru BRZ
Mazda MX-5

Don't forget the Toyota GT86!

 

[Kaido]

Don't forget the Toyota GT86!

WGP now offers a 400HP V8 LS swap for $13k installed: (or DIY $8k complete or $3.75k BYO engine)

http://shop.weaponsgradeperformance.com/collections/subaru/products/wgp-brz06-frs-brz-ls-swap-kit

I'm curious as to how that would affect the driving dynamics...

 

[brainhulk]

Honda s2000. Totally way faster than any 911 or M3

http://youtu.be/ivFk5zG0FCM

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Honda s2000. Totally way faster than any 911 or M3

http://youtu.be/ivFk5zG0FCM

Why so many dislikes? Great driving!