JohnC wrote:I never personally liked any Corvette model but I agree that the C6 was most tolerable out of all of them, at least from the outside
My favorite part of the Corvette is the large pushrod V8 in the nose.
I don't really get wrapped up about interiors. As long as I can heel toe, the manual gearshift has a good feel, and the seats are grippy, it's acceptable.
Captain Ned wrote:Flatland_Spider wrote:That MGB GT may be even better then the Singer. It's definitely quirkier. If it was the MGB GT V8 using the 3.5L Buick V8, it would win hands down.
It's certainly in a price range that mere mortals can afford and, after being stepped on, that Miata motor is pushing power equivalent to a stock Buick/Rover V8 with a lot less weight on the nose end. When you're playing in the small & light end of the sports car market it never hurts to remember Colin Chapman's design rule, namely "add lightness".
But it's not a V8.
The Mazda engine has more horsepower, but less torque then the Buick/Rover V8. How much does the Mazda engine weight? I can't find the figure.
The Rover V8 weights in at 375lbs., and the original Buick alloy engine weights in at 318lbs. I can't find the weight of the 1.8L engine, but I did find a source that said the Buick V8 was 40lbs. lighter. (
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside ... -rover-v8/) It's hard to tell which number they actually mean.
Anyway, the Mazda I4 is a nice upgrade. It would be fun to raid the Flyin' Miata parts catalog to soup up the engine. There are only a couple RWD I4 drivetrains that could be better, but they aren't being manufactured anymore.
I know what you mean. Small sport/sporty cars happen to be some of my favorites. They're light, and they can be run hard without getting too illegal.