As the weather warms up, so does the interest in cars that provide a little more performance and fun. For around $40,000 you can choose everything from a four-door sports car to a convertible to a modern-day American muscle car.
Although each has their own appeal, it is the ability to make the driving experience a little more exhilarating that makes some cars more attractive.
Three cars that represent the breadth of product in this category are the Mazda RX-8, Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder and Mustang GT.
Mazda RX-8
Who said you cannot make a real four-door sports car?
The new Mazda RX-8 is a living example that it can be done, albeit with rear doors that are hinged from the back and that are smaller than most bar fridge doors.
The RX-8 is a true sports car that is powered by a small and unique, cylinder- and piston-free 1.3-litre rotary engine that produces an impressive 238 horsepower that is capable of propelling the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.
Although the power is good, the torque is dismal, at only 159 lb-ft. To compensate for the low torque you need to keep the rpms in the upper range, and I mean a stratospheric 8,000 to 9,000.
The good news is that even at this high rpm, engine noise is minimal and the engine feels like it could run flat-out all day long without working up a sweat.
Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a smooth six-speed transmission and the shifter placement is among the best of any car I have driven.
The front double-wishbone, rear multilink suspension and gas-filled shocks on all four corners help give the RX-8 flat and stable cornering at speed and even over rough surfaces.
If handling is your priority, this car is the best of the bunch.
The interior is nicely appointed and seating up front is heated and comfortable with ample room for six footers. Getting into the rear seating is made somewhat easier by the rear doors; however, once inside, you quickly feel like you are in a torpedoed submarine heading to the bottom of the north Atlantic.
Most controls are within easy reach and the gauges are large and easy to read even for the fiftysomething crowd. I found the analogue tachometer combined with a digital speedometer a great feature for a quick check on how much over the speed limit I was going.
Good pedal placement makes heel and toeing easy (if you have to ask, then an automatic may be a better choice) and the drilled metal pedals give a distinctive racing accent to the interior.
The overtly positioned hand brake intrudes too much and is positioned on the right-hand side of the transmission tunnel, making it awkward to reach especially for executing hand brake turns (great for sports car club skill tests and autocross events -- now that is real summer fun).
Passive safety features include front, side and head curtain air bags. The ABS system benefits from an electronic brake force distribution systems that work to haul the RX-8 down from 100 km/h in just 31.5 metres. A three-year or 80,000-km warranty covers factory defects, with the power train components given five-year or 100,000-km coverage.
If you are looking for a sports car with a permanent roof that will give you lots of enjoyment driving through the twisty bits of road, the RX-8 is worth a closer look.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT
Mitsubishi has been making cars and just about everything else under the sun for many years, but their automotive products are just getting established in Canada.
The Eclipse Spyder GT is a front-wheel-drive, two plus two, convertible that is powered by a normally aspirated three-litre V-6 that produces 200 hp and 205 lb-ft of torque.
Although down on power, when compared to the other two, the Spyder produces 95 per cent of the engine's torque under 3,000 rpm. When mated to the five-speed manual transmission, the Spyder reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and stops from the same speed took a longish 34 metres.
Full-throttle acceleration runs were hampered by the lack of traction control and gear ratios that required a shift into third to reach 100 km/h. The engine revs freely and produces enough of a "pocket-rocket" sound to let those around know that this car can perform.
Like the RX-8, the Eclipse has a unique style that often evokes the question, "what kind of car is that?"
The suspension is relatively compliant, which results in a good-quality ride for everyday driving and limited performance handling.
When pushed hard, the Spyder tends to display lots of body lean and a tendency to plow through the corner.
This is not a sports car, but the independent four-wheel suspension with MacPherson struts up front enable an aggressive driver to toss the Spyder around without losing control.
The front seating is aided by a 12-way adjustable driver's seat, although taller drivers will find the leg room a little tight and the windshield has such a pronounced rake that it can effect sight lines.
The dash is well laid out and the uniquely combined analog speedometer and tachometer is easy to read and well positioned.
There is a lack of amenities such as steering wheel controls for cruise and audio and heated seats. The rear seat, like the other cars tested, is really not intended for adults.
There is an understated, well-made feel to the interior of the Spyder that carries over to the paint and exterior trim.
However, one gets the impression that Mitsubishi's focus was on the exterior design and a few engineering features rather than enhancing the interior and performance.
Passive safety includes both front and side air bags. The power top is easy to raise and lower and latch and, when up, there is abundant headroom. Warranty coverage is similar to the others with three-year or 60,000 km on most things, five-year or 100,000 km on the power train, and a three-year or 60,000-km road service program.
If you are looking for a convertible that has a distinctive style, with front-wheel drive, and that offers reasonable performance and blends fun with practicality, the Spyder is worth a drive.
Mustang GT
There is just something about cars that have a powerful V-8 and can create the gurgling sound of power from exhaust pipes that is part of the rites of summer for some of us.
The Mustang GT is quite capable of producing the sound and, when mated to a five-speed manual transmission and stuffed into a convertible, shod with 17-inch "Bullitt" wheels wrapped in meaty P245/45ZR17 tires, it is a perfect cruising machine.
Driving the Mustang GT convertible with the top down on a warm sunny day, with the exhaust note in perfect harmony with Steve "Bullitt" McQueen's 1968 Mustang, can cause you to start looking for some steep San Francisco-like hills and a couple of bad guys in a black Dodge Charger to chase.
The 4.6-litre V-8 engine produces 260 hp and an impressive 302 lb-ft of torque that is enough under full throttle acceleration to lift up the front end of body work and spin the rear tires into second gear.
Accelerations runs to 100 km/h were accomplished with ease in 6.5 seconds and stopping from the same speed was a respectful 32.5 metres with no fade or pull. The five-speed transmission feels a little notchy and is not in the same league as the other two.
The suspension is very tight, producing minimal body roll, and resulting in an acceptable ride on smooth pavement that turns harsh at the slightest imperfection in the road. The GT remains flat under hard cornering and has a slight tendency to slide rather than produce body roll.
Unfortunately, the solid rear axle creates a handful of hopping and skipping under hard cornering, especially on rough roads. Cowl shake, common on convertibles, is much more noticeable on the Mustang than on the Spyder.
The interior is very plain, although most controls are easy to reach and gauges are legible. My test car was equipped with stainless steel pedals and some metallic trim pieces that help bring the inside to life.
The lack of features such as heated seats, steering wheel audio controls, and side air bags put the Mustang at a disadvantage when compared other products in this price segment.
The top is powered up and down at the touch of a button and requires manual latching and the manual installation of a tonneau cover. It is best to limit the use of the back seats to small items.
Safety equipment includes ABS brakes and front dual stage air bags. A three-year or 60,000-km warranty and a five-year or 100,000-km power train warranty are augmented with a 36-month or 60,000-km roadside assistance program.
There are more powerful and faster versions of the Mustang; however, the GT is a genuine American muscle car that will provide the owner with lots of summer time fun.
The exhaust note alone is worthy of a test drive.
