Calgary Car Talk

[Me&You]

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Does anybody know much about the new NSX (other than what is on the Acura website)?
http://www.acura.com/future/NSX#1

More specifically, how well do the proposed drivetrain of electric motors up front and gas driving the rear wheels work? I have heard they are similar to a NOS system, in that driving hard for a few minutes will drain the batteries of the electric motors and you will be out the extra power until they are recharged. Anybody know if this is true? Does another car currently use this system?

I was a huge fan of the original NSX, and am excited to see it being brought back. But I want it to be as good as the old, and fear they are making it a bit too complicated. Maybe not though.

I haven't been paying attention to the new NSX because frankly, they've been talking about it for years with nothing solid developing, though it sounds like they're making progress now.

It sounds like Acura is going the same active hybrid / KERS route as the upcoming supercars from Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren. KERS stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System and works typically by mounting small electric motors at the wheels (usually either both front or all four) and a battery pack. The batteries capture and store the kinetic energy from braking and distribute it to the electric motors to provide an extra boost under acceleration, or in some systems, allow the vehicle to drive exclusively on electric power... The new Porsche 918 for example gets better highway mileage than a Prius!

The system is used extensively in F1 and is trickling down to road cars, albeit the cars I mentioned before start at over $900,000

[freeweed]

I suspect the new NSX will either be delayed yet again, or be seriously underwhelming. Acura is on a bit of a weird kick the past couple of years, trying to re-find itself within the marketplace.

The prototypes sure look sexy as all hell though.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

As for the BRZ, that's one car I'd love to give a test-drive to as well. The world needs more cheap RWD cars that are built for driving.

Get a used S2000 Cheap, reliable as hell and other than a lotus exige, the best driving experience out there.

[rotten42]

The RX8 is a fun car to drive too. I had one for 4 years. Wow could you throw that car hard into a corner...BUT.....the worst reliable car I've ever owned. Even worse was the service from the mazda dealers in town. If I was in the market for another cheaper toy I would also go for an S2000.

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Get a used S2000 Cheap, reliable as hell and other than a lotus exige, the best driving experience out there.

I've considered one in the past actually, as I've always been a fan. Honda reliability, fantastic looks (although a lot of them are riced out, which kind of cheapens the appeal for me), and all around fun car to drive.....what's not to love?

Well, in the end I passed on it because:

1) I'm just not really a convertible guy.
2) Rear visibility when the top was up was atrociously bad. And considering our climate, it was going to be up most of the time.
3) I don't want to spend all my time north of 7000rpms. Prefer a little more torque.
4) Zilch in terms of any storage space, so not a great car for road trips. I wasn't looking for a real trunk, but it was pathetic.

[CorporateWhore]

I should add, in terms of a cheap RWD car, it's still really really hard to beat a Miata for fun had per dollar spent. Mazda in general just seems to do cheap basic fun really well.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

I should add, in terms of a cheap RWD car, it's still really really hard to beat a Miata for fun had per dollar spent. Mazda in general just seems to do cheap basic fun really well.

Disagree. Miatas are good, but for only a bit more you can get an S2000 and really enjoy a car.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

I've considered one in the past actually, as I've always been a fan. Honda reliability, fantastic looks (although a lot of them are riced out, which kind of cheapens the appeal for me), and all around fun car to drive.....what's not to love?

Well, in the end I passed on it because:

1) I'm just not really a convertible guy.
2) Rear visibility when the top was up was atrociously bad. And considering our climate, it was going to be up most of the time.
3) I don't want to spend all my time north of 7000rpms. Prefer a little more torque.
4) Zilch in terms of any storage space, so not a great car for road trips. I wasn't looking for a real trunk, but it was pathetic.

See below my rice

1. Why? It makes driving so much more pleasurable, interesting (night sky/sounds/looks) and you could be stuck in endless gridlock but with tunes/hat/glasses who cares.

2. Not great no, but the mirrors and size of the car allow you to 'feel' you space much better than cars with better visibility. Heck I drive mine with a racing seat and harness which prevents shoulder checks.

3. I'd love a bit more too and to each their own, but 6000-9000 is magical.

4. Ah yes, the trick. I can fit a golf bag AND hockey bag in mine with 12 beer in the bottom. The trick is to remove the ridiculous inner lining and spray it with a rubberized bed liner. I shit you not, it creates a good sized trunk. Because of my rollbar I also removed the mid car bulkhead so i can push the clubs right up almost behind my seats.

A couple of shots of the ricemobile

(http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww170/SpeedwayPerformance/Road%20Racing%202009/IMG_5386.jpg)


(http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww170...2009/Event%201/IMG_4529.jpg?t=1240243455)

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Disagree. Miatas are good, but for only a bit more you can get an S2000 and really enjoy a car.

Ha, that's exactly the mental upsell i used on myself. Used Miata > used s2000 > new 128i > used Cayman.

I don't disagree that the s2000 is probably a better car than the Miata, but it's usually a good 5k jump at least, which can be make or break.

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

See below my rice
1. Why? It makes driving so much more pleasurable, interesting (night sky/sounds/looks) and you could be stuck in endless gridlock but with tunes/hat/glasses who cares.

Mostly comes down to not wanting to be on "view" to others all the time. Maybe I'm just not that comfortable with myself? ha

Also just prefer the extra rigidity of a coupe (although wasn't as much of an issue with the s2000, felt really solid), and much prefer the design lines of a coupe over most convertibles. Usually most verts look like balls with the top up, and being in Alberta, it's going to be like that a lot.

When everything comes together right though, they are definitely magical.

3. I'd love a bit more too and to each their own, but 6000-9000 is magical.

Don't get me wrong, it was a still a good time....but I could see it getting a little tiring in day to day driving. Wasn't my biggest issue though, I'm sure I could enjoy it just fine! My car only really comes alive around north of 4000 as well.

4. Ah yes, the trick. I can fit a golf bag AND hockey bag in mine with 12 beer in the bottom. The trick is to remove the ridiculous inner lining and spray it with a rubberized bed liner. I shit you not, it creates a good sized trunk. Because of my rollbar I also removed the mid car bulkhead so i can push the clubs right up almost behind my seats.

That's a nice trick for sure. It definitely felt tiny to me as is, although again, not a deal breaker.

One of the biggest benefits of a mid-engine car is that I actually have two trunks....a hatchback in the back, and a frunk in the front. Combined it has the same amount as an Accord. Nobody is going to confuse it for a wagon, but my wife and I managed to drive cross country in it just fine with all our gear (3 large carry ons, camera bags, purses, and a whole whackload of other small stuff). I'm always surprised how much fits.

A couple of shots of the ricemobile

I love the car, but I gotta say, the rice look is just not for me. But hey, different strokes.....and I'm sure behind the wheel, none of that matters anyway.

[Coldrsx]

So you have a Cayman?

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

So you have a Cayman?

Yeah, 07 base.

[Coldrsx]

Great car. Pops has a base boxster which is far more fun for long distance than my car and it feels much more stable, but lacks a lot of the fun.

Only car to get me out of the s2000 (which i would keep and cage/strip) would be a 911 GT3/RS. Hoping to find a used one in a couple of years.

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Yeah, 07 base.

Yeah, so when do I get to drive it?!

[kw5150]

I have a convertible....Its called a bicycle! lol. I would love a convertible, it is the only way to go for a skyscraper nerd.

[CorporateWhore]

Only car to get me out of the s2000 (which i would keep and cage/strip) would be a 911 GT3/RS. Hoping to find a used one in a couple of years.

Yeah, that would be one awesome addition to the garage! 996 or 997?

I can see a s2000 being more fun than a Boxster (and probably Cayman) in certain situations....it's a not quite as stable, which often times makes things more exciting. Kind of like how the BR-Z is supposed to be really fun because they put some skinnier tires on it that slip and slide a bit.

The only issue with my Cayman is that it's a 2 seater, and now that we have a child, it's a bit of a bummer in terms of road trips. I can put in a car seat (Recaro baby!), but then I have to leave the wife at home. I'm been toying around with the idea of getting something with a backseat, but haven't really found something I like as much for the price.

Originally Posted by Wooster

Yeah, so when do I get to drive it?!

I believe our gentlemans agreement was you bring us out to the cabin, and you can drive the Cayman. Still applies! *

Chances are though, we'd have to bring the Volvo.

* Only applies in late-spring/summer/fall

[Coldrsx]

^996 more realistic, but 997 or hey why not... 991 4.0

'leave wife at home' - and?

[Coldrsx]

Also, 911s have room for car seat/kids.

If not, what about a used RS4 or S4.

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

^996 more realistic, but 997 or hey why not... 991 4.0

There's something about the 996 design that just leaves me a little cold...997 and 991 seem to get back to the good stuff for me. All depends on budget though of course....GT3's arent cheap! But hey, you only live once.

'leave wife at home' - and?

Haha, well, speaking of only living once....sadly my reality is that if I'm bringing baby along, my man-breasts are suboptimal for breast feeding. That's one thing I didn't have to even think about when I originally bought the car, but that's life.

And crazily enough, I like having my wife with me! She actually really loves road trips as much as I do, which is great.

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Also, 911s have room for car seat/kids.

If not, what about a used RS4 or S4.

Yeah, I'm actually thinking of perhaps going back time-wise and getting a 993. I'd love to get a 997, but it's out of my budget range for a few more years at least (I'd love to get a CS4 Targa). I've even toyed with getting a 928 as an addition to the Cayman, but they don't seem to be the most reliable of Porsches if not maintained by the previous owner. Plus I'm already short on parking spaces.

Most VAG products off-warranty scare the crap out of me. That's one reason I'm a fan of Porsches (and yes, they are owned by VAG now), most of them are really reliable for the long term (err, as long as you have no IMS issues, ha). Not Honda reliable perhaps, but up there. In my 2 years of ownership, the only thing I've had to do was basic maintenance. It's been a lot cheaper to maintain than the Saab 9-3 I had before.

An RS4 wagon would be pretty awesome though....don't think they come in a manual though anymore. That's one of the few things that are non negotiable for me.

[You Need A Thneed]

I don't have much to add, but when I sat in a Miata at the auto show once, that was not a good experience (and i'm only 6'1"). I was essentially looking over the top of the windsheild, so I don't know how it would work to put the top up.

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

I don't have much to add, but when I sat in a Miata at the auto show once, that was not a good experience (and i'm only 6'1"). I was essentially looking over the top of the windsheild, so I don't know how it would work to put the top up.

Yeah, I'm not a big guy (5'10 on a good day) and I prefer small cars with glove-like cockpits, but even I felt a little weird sitting in a Miata. It's a common complaint of the car, and a lot of bigger guys can't even consider driving it.