"marshknute" (marshknute)
03/25/2015 at 21:37 • Filed to: MINI, Cooper, 1.5T, Mustang, Ecoboost, Abarth, test drive
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"marshknute" (marshknute)
03/25/2015 at 21:37 • Filed to: MINI, Cooper, 1.5T, Mustang, Ecoboost, Abarth, test drive | 2
| 9 |
This week I made a remarkable realization: I graduating college in less than two months and will become a productive member of society. And what do productive members of society do? That's right, they buy cars! With actual money! And then, 10 years later, a college freshman will buy my car and use it to transport too many passengers/kegs/corinthian columns/etc.
Anyway, I currently drive a B7 Audi A4 2.0T quattro 6MT. It's the perfect all rounder, but it's a bit serious. I love it too much to get rid of it, so I've decided to buy a second car...a sporty car.
I want the same fun factor provided by my first car, an NA Miata. I'm looking to keep the price under $30K, but otherwise am not specifically looking for RWD or 50/50 weight distribution, etc. I don't care what the car is like on paper, I just want something that will make me smile. So this week I test drove three cars: A base Mini Cooper, an Ecoboost Mustang, and a 500 Abarth.
MINI Cooper: 1.5T I3
No, I didn't drive a Cooper S. I drove a base Cooper. With the little 3-cylinder engine. MINI's are premium cars, and I already own a premium car. To make it more personalized and fun, I would want to spend as much money on accessories as possible.
But how is that 3-cylinder engine? Pretty remarkable actually. For one it sounds great. It has a V6 growl to it. It's also remarkably torquey; just roll onto the gas and it'll pull up a steep Pittsburgh hill with far more ease than such a small engine should be able to muster.
Overall, it was a very premium feeling car, but not a particularly thrilling car. Like my A4, I would describe it as "competent." The styling and interior are very fun and quirky, but its everyday driving manners are too similar to those of my A4.
Ford Mustang Ecoboost: 2.3T I4
Admittedly, this is the oddball of the bunch. 30K gets you a a fully optioned hatchback, or a stripped out Mustang. But I gave it a chance. Spoiler: it didn't deliver.
The Ecoboost engine sounds kind of generic in a world of turbocharged 4-cylinders. That said, it is powerful. Unlike the MINI and the Fiat, the 'Stang picked up speed effortlessly and subtly. On hard throttle, it is less impressive. It's not slow, but it doesn't have enough power to hide its weight.
I found it an unsuccessful marriage of hot hatch engine and sports coupe chassis.
Fiat 500 Abarth: 1.4T I4
VROOMVROOOOOMVROOOOOOOOOOM!!!!! This one wins. Hands down.
The exhaust note is beyond fantastic, the overstyled bodywork and scorpion badges look amazing, the pedals are perfectly placed for heel-toeing, and the super short wheelbase makes it so nimble!
I don't even care about the cheap interior materials, or the lack of a 6th gear, or the cramped back seats, or the trunk that is only big enough to accommodate the optional Beats speakers.
Everything about this car has the fun dial turned up to 11. The upright driving position and tall windshield gives unrivaled outward visibility and fantastic sense of the car's extremities. The dash-mounted shifter is right next to the steering wheel, the steering is satisfyingly heavy, the clutch is buttery smooth, and the engine just sounds angry.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> marshknute
03/25/2015 at 21:57 |
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If you like the feel of your old NA, why not just get another NA or wait for the ND?
brjklein
> marshknute
03/25/2015 at 22:00 |
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Did you try the ST twins? Sounds like you'd want a Focus ST.
SlickMcRick
> marshknute
03/25/2015 at 22:10 |
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Are you looking to purchase new or used is my key question
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marshknute
> Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
03/25/2015 at 22:27 |
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Honestly, the Abarth was more fun than the Miata.
I definitely want to own a new Miata, but I want it's Italian cousin, the Fiat 124 Spyder. So far, there has been no mention on when it will be unveiled, let alone available in showrooms. Until then, I want something different, and the Abarth is right up my alley.
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marshknute
> brjklein
03/25/2015 at 22:39 |
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My roommate ordered a Fiesta ST which should arrive in the next 2-3 weeks, so I'll get a chance to drive his.
I went with him when he test drove the Focus ST. It was nice, but I'm looking for something that's fun to the point of being flawed. My A4 is more than competent enough to make frustrating, pothole-stricken, or tiresome journeys enjoyable. What the A4 can't do is enjoy a night out partying.
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marshknute
> SlickMcRick
03/25/2015 at 22:58 |
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New.
I know $30K will get me a plethora of used BMWs or Porsches, but I've already had a bad experience with a used BMW.
I don't have the tools or resources to do my own car repairs and I'm not prepared to deal with an arthritic old car.
JasonStern911
> marshknute
03/26/2015 at 00:51 |
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if you want a fun car, get a used Viper RT/10 before they appreciate.
if you want a practical car that you can try to pass off as a fun car, get the Ecoboost Mustang.
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brjklein
> marshknute
03/27/2015 at 22:17 |
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The Focus ST didn't do that for you? The flaws for me were ergonomics. Fiesta ST's ergos are better (I own one), but I'd say it's flawed in its suspension.
Two Drink Minimum
> marshknute
04/02/2015 at 14:47 |
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Late to the party, but here to say that your description of "fun to the point of being flawed" succinctly describes the Abarth. I've been driving my '13 Abarth for a year and it is a hoot. Get one cheap, add a UniChip piggyback and cold air intake for maybe $800, and you are pushing 195 hp in a car the size of a shoe (to quote Jeremy Clarkson).
A year after buying my Abarth, I am still concocting excuses to take it on drives (today, I need to go to the bank).