Grassroots Motorsports
Issue link: http://grassrootsmotorsports.epubxp.com/i/397024
Last issue, Publisher Tim Suddard asked our readers to name the best- driving car of all time. We got some passionate responses. I agree with you that "driv- ing is a complete experi- ence," and I'm sure I will never in my life experience driv- ing a McLaren F1, but for me in my limited exposure to perfor- mance cars, I would have to say that my 1988 Toyota MR2 SC is the best-driving car ever. I wash it every Saturday in preparation for the following day 's drive. I drive it once a week: early Sunday morning at sunrise. As the car warms up, I remove the T-tops, tell- ing myself how much weight I'm removing. I roll the win- dows down, lowering the center of gravity that little bit more. I slip into my Recaro race seat (passenger seat has long been removed). I strap myself in and put on my amber shades. I look at the temperature gauge, waiting for it to slightly move above bottom as I gently rev the engine every so often. I slowly pull out of my driveway and head up to Mul- holland Drive. As the regular street ends and the canyon roads begin, I drop into second gear and start attack- ing the corners, revving the motor around the 6K area. The roads are winding, the motor is screaming, the wind is blowing cold air as the heater is blowing out warm air, and you're cocooned into the seat. Rolling hills with early-morning fog could make you swear you're in a Euro- pean countryside. Maybe I never want to drive a McLaren F1 because I will never be able to afford one. In my world, this wonder- ful lightweight, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, loud, stiff sports car is the best-driving car ever. Charles Lightfoot Hands down, the best I've ever driven happens to be the lowly 1989-'94 Nissan 240SX. The factory interior feels molded around the driver, the steering feel is direct, and the brake and gas pedals are set perfectly together. The view over the hood is great and inspires confdence when look- ing through the A-pillar. The braking system gives the S13 chassis that "fickable" feel, and the torque is about perfect for getting tickets. Honestly, I can't think of another "fun" driving car that gives you everything. Krystal and Ian Fairbanks In 2006, my Ford Escort GT (they came with a Miata engine, a special deal between Ford and Mazda), which was a nice, fast and well-handling car, burned to death in a Publix shopping center in Stuart, Florida–an alternator fire. For weeks I searched locally and on the Internet for another one, but the closest one I could find was in Wash- ington state. Searching nearer to home for a Ford Escort, I found a ZX2 in Fort Pierce, Florida, and went to see and drive it. Not much you can tell going around a couple of suburban blocks under the watchful eye of the salesman. Looked under the hood and saw what appeared to be a cold-air box. The salesman said, "Uh, that must be some aftermarket thing." Yeah right, painted the same color as the valve cover. I also noted that it was a ZX2 S/R. I said I would call them. Went home, logged on to the Ford Escort website, and asked them what the S/R meant. I told them what the dealer wanted for it, and the instant response was, "Buy it, and if you change anything, keep the old parts." Turns out this was a special, with an uprated engine, sus- pension, brakes, you name it– and only 2000 were manufac- tured. My husband and I went to the dealership that night and bought it. I have never been sorry. It runs like a top and handles beautifully (loves interstate WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? TELL US AT EDITOR@GRASSROOTSMOTORSPORTS.COM READER LETTERS "THE SALESMAN SAID, 'UH, THAT MUST BE SOME AFTERMARKET THING.' YEAH RIGHT, PAINTED THE SAME COLOR AS THE VALVE COVER." Grassroots Motorsports 40