Consumer cars with best driving dynamics

[brainhulk]

Why so many dislikes? Great driving!

Thanks! Lots of butthurt bmw and porsche fanboys im guessing...lol

 

[JulesMaximus]

Lotus Elise... totally.

 

[dbk]

Why so many dislikes? Great driving!

http://youtu.be/EdodJqwROck

 

[tinytim43]

BMW 3 series and Mini Cooper S, both hold the road extremely well, and have a bit of grunt!

 

[JCH13]

Miata.

OP asks about "best driving dynamics" not "fun" or "sporty" or [fill in the blank].

The good driving dynamics mean that the car is forgiving, communicative, responsive, and doesn't have any naughty habits. The best driving dynamic is the best of all of these categories. Given the price point: Miata wins.

 

[toronado97]

Miata.

OP asks about "best driving dynamics" not "fun" or "sporty" or [fill in the blank].

The good driving dynamics mean that the car is forgiving, communicative, responsive, and doesn't have any naughty habits. The best driving dynamic is the best of all of these categories. Given the price point: Miata wins.

Mazda wins in general at that price point. If you want a sedan, you're not going to find a better handling one in that segment than the Mazda 6, and they even offer the manual transmission. If you want a true sports car feel, the Miata is a fantastic driver, and if you want a compact that gets extremely good gas mileage and is better equipped than many sedans at its price, the Mazda 3 is the choice. I can't get enough of my 3s GT.

 

[SearchMaster]

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...

That's not a bad deal really...Subaru will be rolling out a 300hp turbo version that starts at $35,000, so that's a $10K premium. 100hp for an extra $3k? Yes! Obviously you lose your warranty and all, but the LS engine/tranny swap only adds 200 pounds so I doubt the dynamics are that much different.

 

[uOpt]

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

The Mazda3 is actually pretty stellar as a small zip-around car.

For bigger cars I have to say that Honda did a great job with the V6 coupe. They cleaned up the steering to have a lot more feedback (unlike BMW which went the opposite direction...). Great work. You can have it in manual, but they also have a very usable manual mode for the automatic. No balance to speak of, of course, but a really good ride for the cheap control freak who wants a bigger car and doesn't do too many curves.

 

[npaladin-2000]

The Mazda3 is actually pretty stellar as a small zip-around car.

"Stellar" isn't giving it enough credit, it's a freaking revalation sent down from the car gods as a blessing to gearheads everywhere. Or something along those lines. ()

 

[Wreckem]

"Stellar" isn't giving it enough credit, it's a freaking revalation sent down from the car gods as a blessing to gearheads everywhere. Or something along those lines. ()

You need to make a distinction between the Mazda 3s vs the Mazda 3i. The i is meh. The s is great.

For around the same price the 1.8 TSI Golf smacks the 3i around like a little bitch and it is also extremely competitive with the 3s.

 

[toronado97]

You need to make a distinction between the Mazda 3s vs the Mazda 3i. The i is meh. The s is great.

For around the same price the 1.8 TSI Golf smacks the 3i around like a little bitch and it is also extremely competitive with the 3s.

The Golf doesn't handle as well, and its interior is like a kids playhouse compared to the 3, especially the 3s.

 

[MongGrel]

I still like driving my old (Now) 2006 Mazda 3 Hatchback.

I bought one decked out to the gills att, and they are impressive little dudes IMHO.

I didn't realize how nice the things handled till I went out cold and drove a few cars back then.

I'm sure the 6's are probably similar.

Even for a 2006 it still looks good and drives well.

 

[Wreckem]

The Golf doesn't handle as well, and its interior is like a kids playhouse compared to the 3, especially the 3s.

We are talking about the same cars right? The 2015(US) Golf/GTI vs the 2014(US) Mazda 3/3s.

Lets not forget the Mazda 3s does not have a manual version in the states and there is still no telling when it will be offered.

And the Mazda3 may have slightly better handling than the Golf(not necessarily the GTI, depending on how its equiped), the Golf and GTI have better overall rides.

All are great cars. That said they could all be better if the US was given more options like the rest of the word. Its sucks both manufactures err'ed in the US packaging of the cars. Both have been switched to being made in Mexico, so we will see if the quality changes.

 

[toronado97]

We are talking about the same cars right? The 2015(US) Golf/GTI vs the 2014(US) Mazda 3/3s.

Lets not forget the Mazda 3s does not have a manual version in the states and there is still no telling when it will be offered.

And the Mazda3 may have slightly better handling than the Golf(not necessarily the GTI, depending on how its equiped), the Golf and GTI have better overall rides.

All are great cars. That said they could all be better if the US was given more options like the rest of the word. Its sucks both manufactures err'ed in the US packaging of the cars. Both have been switched to being made in Mexico, so we will see if the quality changes.

No, I was thinking of the GDI not the GTI. The GDI interior is crap, no idea on the GTI because I didn't think it has even been released for sale yet. Let's be honest though, VW isn't exactly renowned for having great driver environments. Reviews have been positive from journalists, but it's still more of a straight line ride, not a twists and turns sort of thing. As for the 3s, it has been strongly rumored that the 2015 model will have the manual 6-speed as an option.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

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

Agreed. Those cars are a blast. Especially if you have the stick shift and larger wankle. The lowest trim level with the 4 speed automatic is completely awful (handling is still there)

Definitely a weird entry, but I love the way the new Kia Optima drives, very fun car (for a 4 door sedan)

 

[OVerLoRDI]

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...

That is pretty awesome. That is a great car as it is, with that much power it would be a rocket ship.

 

[tortillasoup]

Fr-S and BRz are embarassing... Too expensive for too little of anything. Also the direct injection shit is having problems already.

 

[CurrentlyPissed]

Fiesta ST =)