How practical does it need to be? A VX220 or a late MR2 should be good fun being mid-engined, even at reasonably tame speeds if you provoke them enough.

How practical does it need to be? A VX220 or a late MR2 should be good fun being mid-engined, even at reasonably tame speeds if you provoke them enough.

More practical that that!

To be honest the days of me doing mini scrap heap challenges and stuff are long gone. Absolute worst case scenario now =

21 laptops (+ chargers, mice etc.)

30 training manuals (A4 binders)

2 small rapid prototyping machines (800x600x600mm each)

Some bits and bobs 3D scanners etc.

I could drop to a Focus sized car but no smaller. TBH the question is a hypothetical (ish) one as I'm not in the market fro anything new yet. Also whilst part of me loves the idea of a "raw" driving experience part of me wants something easy to drive for the daily slog so really two cars is what I need :p

I've already got my eye on a couple of replacements for the Octy when I get shot of it in 2012/13 one of the main contenders being the new Renault Sport Megane.

What I really need is a new house with better driveway so I can have bland work mobile + something fun with space for SWMBOs car. At the moment I can just squeeze 3 cars on the drive but it is tight (would make it awkward for the neighbours to get in and out) and requires a 3 car shuffle to get the one up the end out.

Edited 11 April, 201016 yr by lordrobs

According to the EVO greatest drivers cars of all time it would need to be a Renaultsport Megane or clio.. or a MX5 which are all in the top 10.. the next current "hatch" is the Focus RS at number 39.

To a point i can agree with them.. I had a couple of clios before i got the fabia vRS.. even the 1.2 16v had a lusty and darty personality.. something that is missing from most modern cars..

My current mx5 mk1 has made me re-discover driving.. when i first got it i thought it was cramped and uncomfortable.. but as soon as you give it a corner and get close to the redline it just makes me smile like no previous car ive owned.

Trouble with the pocket rockets is that they can only accomodate drivers with the stature of a garden gnome.

If you are 6 or above, forget it. Even if you do manage to squeeze-in, the pedal positions, seat position and foward visibilty are c*rp.

Please, please, please manufacturers, you've fixed the engines, gearboxes, running gear (Excluding the Fabia front suspension), make the next big step foward in design driver ergonomics.

Eliminate the sloping window pillar (Wrapped glazing ?) and wheel well intrusion into driver foot well (Straightened-up driving positions). Put pedals on adjustable bar (Like steering wheel). Do away with clutch and make them all DSG flappy paddle - the best of DSG are quicker than a "crash" manual change now.

Nick

Edited 13 April, 201016 yr by Clunkclick

Trouble with the pocket rockets is that they can only accomodate drivers with the stature of a garden gnome.

If you are 6 or above, forget it. Even if you do manage to squeeze-in, the pedal positions, seat position and foward visibilty are c*rp.

I've had people 6ft+ drive my Micra without complaints...admittedly not with anyone sat behind them, but it's accommodated the driver just fine. :wonder:

Do away with clutch and make them all DSG flappy paddle - the best of DSG are quicker than a "crash" manual change now.

Whilst quicker, they're also less involving to drive than a traditional gear change - pocket rockets are supposed to be fun to drive, not clinically efficient (if you want that, buy a BMW or an Audi)...

My current mx5 mk1 has made me re-discover driving.. when i first got it i thought it was cramped and uncomfortable.. but as soon as you give it a corner and get close to the redline it just makes me smile like no previous car ive owned.

My neighbour does suspension setup for track cars and they race their own MX5/Miata I think theirs is an import. As the design has been around a while there are some good 2nd hand buys about. Easy to tune as well but great fun straight out of the box

Gota say Neo I am loving your sig

Caterham 7?

Westfield?