C&D The Best-Handling Car in America for Less Than $100,000

[r0tor]

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7) Volkswagen GTI
6) Chevrolet Corvette Z06
5) Nissan GT-R
4) BMW M3
3) Mazda RX-8 R3
2) Lotus Elise SC
1) Porsche Boxster Spyder


The good 'ol RX8 still getting the job done  
video link-> http://www.caranddriver.com/features/10q3/the_best-handling_car_in_america_for_less_than_100_000-video

[omicron]

I'd take every car on that list.

The RX-8 result is evidence that Mazda has no excuse to produce anything but brilliance.

[Tave]

*GASP*GT-R*GASP*

Oh but I thought it was just a Playstation controller with no driver involvement whatsoever. Say it isn't so!

[MrH]

No Miata in the comparison?  No 911?

Lame-o test.

[sportyaccordy]

*GASP*GT-R*GASP*

Oh but I thought it was just a Playstation controller with no driver involvement whatsoever. Say it isn't so!

Well, what was the criteria? I'm sure a computer could figure out the best way to meter out grip + acceleration through a slalom

[Tave]

No Miata in the comparison?  No 911?

Lame-o test.

Why? So they could've been beaten by the Boxster and RX-8?

[sportyaccordy]

I need to see the criteria.

[Tave]

That sounds like a personal problem.

[MrH]

Why? So they could've been beaten by the Boxster and RX-8?

I question whether they could.  Depends on the criteria.

[SVT666]

The only two cars in the test that I would not but are the top two.

[SVT666]

Buy, not but.

[Tave]

I question whether they could.  Depends on the criteria.

At the very least, the Boxster is regarded by everyone as a better handler than the 911, even Porsche itself. I'd wager the RX-8 is the clear winner over the Miata as well, although I know Onslaught thinks his NA offers better feedback and a better experience over his 8 (of course, the NC is not the NA).

[the Teuton]

Probably doesn't help that you'd have a hard time getting into and out of an Elise. I do, and I'm a touch over 5'7".

[r0tor]

I question whether they could.  Depends on the criteria.

Not really...

[Xer0]

This thread made me look at used RX-8 prices for shits and giggles.  Well, looks like I can pick up a low mileage (~25k) pretty decently loaded RX-8 for 15k.  That is a very tempting idea.

[Laconian]

Best handling doesn't necessarily mean fun, which is probably why the Miata isn't on this list. It's a hoot but it does have its limits.

[Tave]

I doubt that. My guess is the Vette has higher objective limits than several of the cars in front of it.

[r0tor]

This thread made me look at used RX-8 prices for shits and giggles.  Well, looks like I can pick up a low mileage (~25k) pretty decently loaded RX-8 for 15k.  That is a very tempting idea.

Doooo it... Its practically gods gift to the poor driving enthusiast who wants 4 seats

[Submariner]

*GASP*GT-R*GASP*

Oh but I thought it was just a Playstation controller with no driver involvement whatsoever. Say it isn't so!

IIRC, the magazine article criticized it's feedback. 

[giant_mtb]

*GASP*GT-R*GASP*

Oh but I thought it was just a Playstation controller with no driver involvement whatsoever. Say it isn't so!

Sure, it could be the best-handling car in that it goes around corners the best, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best handler from an entertainment standpoint?  Of course not.  If it goes around corners like it's on rails but feels very uninvolved, it can still be a best-handling car, but not very fun.

[cawimmer430]

Where the hell is the Ford Excursion!? 

[Raza]

Doooo it... Its practically gods gift to the poor driving enthusiast who wants 4 seats

And hopefully have short commutes and high maintenance budgets!

[68_427]

ZO6 please.

[Onslaught]

Best handling doesn't necessarily mean fun, which is probably why the Miata isn't on this list. It's a hoot but it does have its limits.

Yep. My Miata is more "fun" then my RX-8 for mountain drives and stuff like that. But it can't even come close to what the 8 can do in the turns. You put more power in an MX-5 so it be the same as an RX-8 and the RX-8 would still destroy the MX-5.

[Onslaught]

I've looked around and still can't find the video of a comparison between most of these cars at Laguna Seca by one professional driver. I know I saw it when looking for a new car last year. The RX-8 didn't have the best numbers but he liked it the most and said it was the easiest to drive out of all the cars.

This will have to do to show even more why Rotor's car and mine are so fucking awesome it hurts.
http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/112_0810_americas_best_handling_car_track_testing/index.html

[Onslaught]

My brother is looking into getting a Lotus Elise in the next year or two. If so then I'm going to have sex with it.



The car, not my brother.

[r0tor]

I've looked around and still can't find the video of a comparison between most of these cars at Laguna Seca by one professional driver. I know I saw it when looking for a new car last year. The RX-8 didn't have the best numbers but he liked it the most and said it was the easiest to drive out of all the cars.

This will have to do to show even more why Rotor's car and mine are so fucking awesome it hurts.
http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/112_0810_americas_best_handling_car_track_testing/index.html

True dat!

[Onslaught]

This is one of the ones I was looking for

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4LIXUHgidw

[SVT666]

I wonder where the new Mustang GT would have landed.  Right behind the M3 or right before the GTI? 

I gotta admit, the RX-8 is intriguing, especially the one Onslaught has.  It looks spectacular.  I wish it was an MX-8 and not an RX-8 though.

[the Teuton]

My brother is looking into getting a Lotus Elise in the next year or two. If so then I'm going to have sex with it.



The car, not my brother.

Whichever you end up doing, I'm sure North Carolina finds it both legal and acceptable.