unfortunately, it's a description that fits most moderns

 

Seems that most cars launched post-S2000 are depressingly bad.

I just hadn't realised HOW bad until I drove that pile of junk.

I've now officially lost interest in moderns, too.

 

It's the 1999-2001 V6 GSi, the 200 BHP one with the hand fettled engine.

Later 2.6 ones looked the same but were less powerful, although they had better standard kit!

I'll get me (Vauxhall branded) anorak!

 

It looks so sweet. Why couldn't they make it rear wheel drive with a lovely high revving engine and not much weight in that beautiful body; that would be an amazing car.

 

Because everything's heavy nowadays. Reasons:-

1) Need to fit lots of kit to satisfy market (apparently)

2) Need to keep to a certain price despite said kit, so:-
2a) Need to use cheaper structural components...ally?!? Far too pricey.

3) Need to adhere to ever-stricter crash-regs

4) Need to post ever-quicker N'schleife times because no performance car is anything currently if it can't sub 8'30"...which requires more grip and more power...and hence more weight.


The reason i've got the S is because I wanted close to an Elise/VX type of experience, but with a bit more comfort/practicality/cabin width without going all German. Nothing else in the market at the moment, unless you go to a classic like a 968 or an E30, or you modify something like an MX5 (or go fwd like the 'teg).

I tell you, a 'current prod'n rwd high-perf'ce sports cars under 1,400kg' list would be rather short...best you'd get is a Z4 3.0/Z4 Coupe, an S2000, or an Elise 111R...not even sure the Box-S would squeeze in (I assume it would, but not certain).

 

Okay this alfa is the one I want, scroll down to see the pic that someone has posted-

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...?f=23&t=286483

 

Cadillac???

 

Am taking the Brera for a test drive next Friday; sat in the GT and it was very uncomfrrtable (seats and clutch position). The Brera interior was lovely, but the back end looks like the new Civic imo.

Sales man wasn't too happy when I told him that, and tried to argue with me...

Then he didn't know if you could put a tow bar on it (you can with the GT apparantly), and then told me he couldn't allow me to adjust the seat settings as the battery was disconnected (electric seat). While hew asn't looking I pressed the start button, which seemed to allow me to operate the electrics

 

I'm kind of glad to hear it, as I fancied the Alfa before my Mrs put the brakes on it for being too small.
But just 'why' is it that very few manufacturers want to make cars in the up to

 

That's interesting - I'm test driving one of them on Friday too !

Toying with the new S3 when it comes out, S4, Alfa, or Impreza (all 2nd hand - not gonna take the depreciation on them ecxept possibly the S3).