While in Florida I road tested a few cars while my wife went shopping. I wanted to try out a Porsche Cayman with an optional suspension; however, the only car on the lot with that suspension was a Carrera S for $100k or something like that. The salesman drove that one (darn it) but he also raced cars (420hp 944GTP) and made the test drive really fun!! My kind of test. He pulled the car off the road to wait for traffic to clear before flying through the curves.

Next in the lineup was the Mini Cooper. It was pure fun and I made up my mind to order one as my next run-about car. (more later)

Finally, I thought I'd try something off beat and took out Toyota's answer to the Land Rover; I think it's called FJ. This big boxey thing blew around in the wind like a kite. I couldn't wait to drive it back. Definitely not for me.

Back in Michigan I tested a base Cayman (third time I've driven one) and I'm still impressed. The dealer will be getting an S model with the features I think I want. In about 3 weeks I should have one to bring home for an over night long term test drive which can include the wife.

Yesterday I drove to the state's only Mini dealership which was 92 miles away. What a different experience in this state. I thought I was going to loose some teeth thanks to Michigan's shity roads. I was truly disappointed as I thought the Cooper S was a real blast to drive when the roads smoothed out. BTW, all three sales persons were ladies. I picked out the best looking one.

Throughtout all these tests it was clear that NOTHING shifts as nice as the S2000. It really is one sweet car.

 

So, might we see a Porsche at SF? And what about the Mini, is it off the list now?

 

The Cayman S is certainly droolworthy, hopefully your wife will find the ride comfortable.

 

The MINI has now moved from my A-group to the B-group. If they were to open a dealership closer and I could test it on the roads I would be driving on regularly I would definitely try it out again.

 

Dave Have you looked at a Mazda Speed3? I found it quite alot of fun, may get one in October when the lease runs out on my wifes Pilot. 263HP in a 3000lb car. Acceleration is brisk (0-60 in 5.8), handles well, and the torque steer for a FWD car with that much horsepower is managed well. It isn't qiute as much fun to drive as a S2000, but it's close. As a hatchback, you can call it practical as well for $22K base nicely equipped. I was pleasantly suprised at the build quality as well. Most of the articles I've read so far have high praise for the car.

 

The Mazda Speed3 falls into what I call the pocket rocket group which includes WRXs, Evos, etc. Frankly my old body doesn't enjoy high-hp/short wheel base cars anymore. I quess the Mini Cooper S would fall into that group; perhaps from my life long love of little cars and especially the Mini, I was wishing for something that's not possible.

My testing continued today with a Corvette. Just the low-ball 400 hp one. They had a nice black & tan convert on the show floor but I got to drive an ugly rusty orange coupe with the top panels off. I must say I like it. It didn't shift too smooth and the clutch felt too light but I'd be going for the old farts automatic anyway. The frustrating part was they would only let me drive it around a long country block! They didn't want to put on any mileage for fear it would turn off a buyer. They didn't have any used '06s to play with. Although it had massive torque I personally preferred the Porsche; on the other hand, it might work out better for the wife with a less jarring ride. So it's at the bottom of my short list for a sporty car.

More and more I find myself thinking maybe I should look into getting 'old iron'. One of those really big old boats out of the 60s that drove down the road like you were sitting on a sofa. They would be easy on the wife's bad back, give a cool ride, and even without modern safety equipment the old tank would probably still win in most mishaps.

 

[QUOTE=dlq04,Mar 28 2007, 05:53 PM] ......More and more I find myself thinking maybe I should look into getting 'old iron'.

 

Dave,

There's a reason that "they don't build 'em like they used to." I suspect that the "land barges" of the '60's won't measure up to your standards today.

Keep us informed on your shopping. I'm too cheap to buy anything for a number of years, but can live vicariously through the experiences of others. I love cars, and I wish I could think of expenditures on autos as anything other than delaying my retirement date.

 

Jerry,

It's hard to change a life time of loving small fur'n stuff. Boy, I almost wish I lived closer I might be tempted by that '67 Benz but only if my Golden could fit behind the seats. If you do stop by there let me know what you think of that car.

 

I want a Copper S convertable for my next DD, but Mrs. GM3 isn't going to allow that to happen.

I have loved the Cayman since it came out. It is one of only 3 cars that have come out in the past 5+ years that made me give thought to getting rid of the S. Unfortunately, all three cars are over $50,000.