Looking to buy a used sporty car around $17k. I had a somewhat modded MCS, pulley, exhaust, cai, unichip and suspension but no engine work.
Would like to buy one with all bells and whistles (2 or 3 on Market place) or should i look at honda 2k with light mods, or newer neon SRT4.
Possibly tracking a few times per year. The mini's are more expensive and higher miles over the honda and neon's i am looking at. Are they that much better?
any input will be greatly appreciated.

ic

 

Buy and drive the one that makes you happy. For the record, those SRT4s EAT tires up front. They aren't very good at putting power down in the corners.

Hard to go wrong with an S2000, they're great cars, but I still like driving my MCS more. They're totally different cars.

Scott
90SM

 

-1 on the SRT4. Kind of cool when they came out than every douche who didn't own a Mustang bought one. Or had Daddy by them one. I'm not a fan of the S2000 either for some reason. Also in my area see a lot of asses drving them thinking they have a race car. If I was going for a sports car in that money bracket, I'd say Miata and mod the crap out of it. SRT4 for power numbers if you want that game. A 400WHP SRT4 runs like 12.80. Not impressive for the numbers. What about, say, an A4 or something like that? Depending where you live, AWD might be nice in winter.

 

you should get a 08Honda Fit Sport and mod it. will have a nice package at $18k.

 

If you were looking for a transport pod/appliance type car I'd say Honda Fit too. They are very nice for what they are.

Seems like that is not what you are looking for. I'd recommend an R53 MCS. You'll love it & there are tons of parts, so mod to your hearts content.

 

i love my mini, but the s2000 is indeed hard to pass in the lineup of options you mentioned. realize that the s2000 has no cargo room, and is a hand-full when driven hard....i would imagine the reward of mastering it would be worth it though.

the greatest part about the mini is that it is fantastic to drive any place any time.... it can turn any road into a good time, and thats at below or above the speed limit

look right passed the neon IMO.

 

I'm not sure if the OP is looking for a second car or an only car to use everyday. My reply assumed it was going to be his daily driver.

If it is a second car I'd say an S2000 would be a wonderful choice. The only problem I have with them is that the limits are so high that it would be very hard to enjoy them on the street. On the track that car will sing a sweet song. That is one of the reasons I bought my Miata.

 

Just say NO to Neon

 

Every time you open your MINI's bonnet & look what do you see? A lump of Neon.

 

wat the appliance version of the S2000?

 

No Ken, you know what I meant.

That wasn't a knock against the Fit. Just the way I see it. I like them just fine. Modding one seems a bit far out to me though.

 

they are a blast to motor in. try one.
im at a point to run coilovers on them and possibly
sell my MCS.

 

I have to say that the Fit is on the short list for my wifes Forester replacement. The candidates are a Cooper Clubman or a Fit. I'd wait for the next gen Fit that is about to come here before deciding. Then again the Forester XT has been a great car except for its huge thirst for fuel.

 

Hotness. What's sweet is as far as I've been told, the factory STi suspension bolts right onto a Forrester.

 

if you need AWD i wouldn't replace it with the Fit or the FitS. i can
manage to drive mine with less than 3" of snow on a/s tires but anything
more i just take my legacywgn. the car's too light without snow tires in
the snow. and no, im not going to spend money on snows cause why
not just use the AWD.

but considering the fit/finish, fun factor, mpg (im at 37-38mpg),
RELIABILITY, and just the fun of motoring and the fun driving to work
and wait..i feel like im repeating myself the FitS is one of the
biggest bang for the buck. the MT's gearbox is so damn smooth, excellent
gear ratio's, etc. you wont believe that it's only a 109hp motor. very quick.

 

You sound like a Honda salesman Ken.

I'm a believer in using snow tires. All of our cars wear them in the winter. Well except the Miata. I'd rather drive a 2wd car with 4 real snows than any car without them in a snow storm. If you put snows on the Legacy you'd be amazed.

Warning... Once you drive on dedicated snows there is no going back to all seasons.

 

LOL! no, although i like honda's, i am not a hondafanatic. i just
like the FitSport for wat it is as much as i like my R53. im not
a real MINIac, just a car enthusiast that just happens to luv R53's.

snows are fine, but i dont like the styling and noise associated with
them and the wear on dry roads. a/s works fine for me. i'd get a
set of snows if i didnt have a AWD car.

 

Thank you for all the comments folks.

I'm leaning to the Mini, as i had 2 in the past, but not with 230hp, Quaiffe, big brake and suspension work.
is the xtra 50hp on a mini S (02 - 04) worth putting down the $$$ as in seat of the pants driving.
I always had a smile on my face when driving the departed MCS's. Would that kind of power be face expanding? If i did get one a little tracking to really use the machine.

Thanking you all for your comments.

 

ohhhh my friend, you're so wrong here.
When I put set of snows on my Stage2 WRX i could not believe the difference. there was no weather that could stop me. I was actually praying for snow every evening .
Now I have snows on family forester and am planning on putting set on MINI too

 

I had snows on my Stg 2 WRX as well, and LOVED driving in snowstorms. The only limiting factor was the number of other vehicles that get in your way... The sinister side of me always figured that during a blizzard would be the perfect time to rob a bank if you had a turbo Subaru with snow tires as a getaway vehicle... LOL

To Marzeetc, I am somewhat confused. You initially said you had an MCS with pulley, chip, exhaust, and cai, but are questioning whether the 40% power increase over a regular Cooper is worth it? A simple test drive at a dealer between a Coop and and S should give you the answer better than anyone here can put into words.

 

ooohhhh you're so not my friend but you're also wrong. lol

i only have a non-turbo LegacyWgn and it's a butter smooth riding car,
but it's a dog. it does absolutely fine with a/s tires.

 

We have to convert some of these folks to the joys of snow tires.

A Scooby, no mater what the flavor just is a wonderful thing with a set of real snows on it. Our Forester wears Hakka 10's & is an amazing thing to behold in the snow.

My MINI wears a set Of Hakka 2's in a nice skinny 185 size. It too works very well in the snow, but not like Scooby.

 

im about to put my summers on this weekend....

 

Whatever...
How am I wrong telling you that car with 4 winter tires does waaaaay better in snow then a car with A/S tires? AWD doesn't help you stop and corner, you know.

 

a little pissy, are we?

you're wrong in the way that i dont go that fast anyway in the snow
AWD or not. i dont want another stack of wheels and tires just for
the legacy. i dont even like the car all that much. just because you
want high performance in the snow does not mean everyone does.
that's all. honestly speaking, i want to get rid of the car and
get something nicer.