Jackelope

We print a bunch of the automotive forms (luckily i don't have to do them!) very, very strict.

JDM-P5

No kidding? He selling any of the old ones?

Jackelope

http://superfastminis.com/index.html - he's on the web

Anarchistchiken

The crossfire is a joke. A dirty joke by a very mean person. First of all, it's one of the ugliest cars on the road. Secondly, it is a PIG. I just personally despise the way they handle and their overall road manners. I'm sure they're great cruisers as long as you don't have any luggage, but for the price tag, you're better off buying, well, anything!

I personally can not wait until the Solstice/Sky comes out. I think that car is going to dominate the market just as hardcore as the Miata did when it came out. I'm very much looking foward to it.

1) Solstice/Sky
2) 95-96 Miata + turbo/super
3) Jeep Hurricane (maybe in your wet dreams)
4) 2nd Gen RX7
5) Older MR2 (I don't like the spyders)
6) S2000

This list is not in order of what I'd recomend, just thing that popped into my head.

juddz

Is this based on your experience driving one? Looks are subjective.... and I guess driver feedback to chassis response is as well. However, judging a car's handling takes firsthand experience behind the wheel. I will probably test drive one soon. After that, I will let you know what I think. From everything I've read on it, the chassis is definitely not a "pig" and offers good driver feedback as well as a broad envelope.

By the way, thanks for the additions to the list.

Roddimus Prime

I say you stick with the mazdas and find yourself a nice FC chasis and do it up like me.

juddz

Crossfire stats (from Car and Driver):
ACCELERATION (Seconds)

Zero to 30 mph: 2.1
40 mph: 3.5
50 mph: 4.7
60 mph: 6.5
70 mph: 8.2
80 mph: 10.2
90 mph: 13.1
100 mph: 16.1
110 mph: 19.8
120 mph: 25.5
130 mph: 32.2
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.9
Top-gear acceleration, 30–50 mph: 10.2
50–70 mph: 9.5
Standing 1/4-mile: 14.8 sec @ 96 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 151 mph

BRAKING

70–0 mph @ impending lockup: 161 ft
Fade: none light moderate heavy

HANDLING

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.91 g
Understeer: minimal moderate excessive

Roddimus Prime

i'm still saying to buy a cheap car and put the goodies in it....save that money for what you really wanna lean towards. My pinto looks junk but it's super fas in a straight line....sure it doesn't turn for crap but it goes like stink.

Anarchistchiken

I actually did drive one a few months ago. Nearly made the salesman **** his pants too. He was from the GMC lot, so apparently not used to cars, lol. It doesn't handle like total crap, but I just don't like the feel of it. Maybe it is just personal, but I just don't like it. Plus it has next to nothing in trunk space, cramped interior (for me at least), and I really dislike the styling. The engine kick's *** though. Very responsive, good powerband (4000-6000) and it'll move the car along nicely.

For the money, I'd definatly rather have an FC or something like an S2000 if you want a newer car.

I still say wait for the Solstice before you decide though.

Roddimus Prime

w3rd 2 ya *****....I 'm hanging out there to see what the Sky looks like. If it comes through decently priced I may have to buy one. My family will disown me though. They almost removed me from their will for buying a japanese car (now I've bought 5 of them).

juddz

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosins...A01-217876.htm

...interesting article on the Solstice.

And... a picture of the Saturn Sky. This could very well be the first Saturn for people that actually appreciate a fine car.

juddz

Okay, folks -
I drove a Crossfire, and wanted to share some impressions on it with you. First, It is a cramped little bugger. I think if you were a touch over 6ft, you would be in trouble. At 5'11", I fit comfortably inside. The column telescopes, and the controls are well placed. The stubby shifter is at elbow level, and offers nice, short shifts. Clutch letout is a little late, but smooth and crisp in its motion. The dash and door sills are high, and the broad rear pillars mean that you have to rely on your mirrors a lot. This pinched view of the road ahead makes for an exhilirating ride, similar to a fighter jet. The steering is well wieghted and feels reasonably accurate to me, better than I had assumed (since it is a recir ball unit instead of rack and pinion). The ride over Michigan's potholed streets is not bad, and just how stiff this platform is becomes self evident after just a few tight curves. The V6 has a throaty sound to it, and it hauls ***. I've driven a lot of fast cars recently (including a 5.7L Hemi Magnum), and even though the numbers on this one aren't as good as those newfangled muscle cars, the Crossfire feels a lot faster (perhaps due to the tight controls and the view over the boat-inspired grooved hood). Any notion that this is a secretary's car falls by the wayside with every stab at the throttle. This car has *****. Think of it as a German sports car in the league of a Mercedes SLK or BMW Z4, and you get the picture. Actually, that's not far off. A lot of the switchgear is lifted intact from the SLK, and the entire car is built in Karmann (Germany). US parts content is a meager 1%.

Now, get this. I have found a way to get this car (brand new, never titled) for about 22K. I won't tell you how, but again, look at where I live! For such an awesome car, that's a steal. Sure, I could build any number of project cars for a lot less money. But, they will never have the level of sophistication in the chassis or powerplant that this one has. If I can get the deal that I discussed above, and unload the P5 for a fair amount, it will be a done deal. Stay tuned.