To those that immediately hate it for being a weird little German car: So then you've driven a 250 HP AWD Golf? Or rather, what are you basing the impression that it's not worth driving/checking out on? A little open-mindedness is okay, this is not the typical shizzbox the average Joe drives in England and we all know that, this car happens to have about 200 more horsepower than that.

You guys (that were around and licensed to drive back in the real muscle car era) picked relatively crappy or at least generic run-of-the-mill cars and stuck engines and, occasionally, suspension packages into them and turned them into great automobiles. What makes this much different?

We're all Camaro fans here (even me), I'm not questioning how awesome that car is, but I'd hate to see a car that's potentially great in its own way put down for no clear reason.

Just trying to understand here since I'd hate to be ignorant.

 

I've been to Europe several times, so I have a sense of what you're talking about. But if you want to know the truth, I'd rather drive a 5 speed Aveo with a sporty yet compliant suspension every day...than an automatic Taurus with a soft wallowy suspension.

 

You have a right to an opinion, but I'm just curious as why you would say that.

 

It's simple. While I do recognize the VW's might be pretty quick little cars. And, I have been thoroughly impressed by what I've seen them run down at E-town. I'll give em' that. What I'm saying is for ME, I hate small little cars, I feel like I'm about to die, everytime I've riden in them. With all the vehicles on the road so much bigger, at times ppl don't even see me in my Camaro. I just can't handle a small little car. Now If You, or anyone else can.........fine get it. It's just they simply do nothing for ME.

 

Funny you should feel that way about a smaller car and yet you have a Buell in your sig.

 

I guarantee you, my Buell...........Is way more flickable than any small car you can throw at me. It's not even close.

 

You weren't talking about being "flickable"....you were talking about fearing death from larger vehicles.

 

I would too. Driving a Taurus is like driving a big pointy ship. Sloppy, disgusting suspension dynamics, anemic unmotivated powertrain, but felt like a tank. There is a way to do a pillowy soft suspension and still have a modicum of control in the dynamics of the car, look at the LExus LS. That's okay, I prefer my tiny death trap that can outmanuever and pass a car on a dime (thank God for 5 spd. manuals!).

 

Ok but still riding a bike is alot different from being caged up in a tiny little car. Do you ride? All I'm saying is, there is a market for such cars even if it's not ME.

 

How am I wrong? Go drive a regular 2.0 Golf with a manual. Then go drive a regular Saturn Ion or any other non performance small domestic car with a manual. Tell me which one has better handling, a firmer suspension, and a slicker gearbox.

 

Do I ride? Are you kidding? Bikes scare me.

 

Sooner rather than later. The next ION will be very, very interesting.

 

That's too bad, your missing out! It's really a lot of fun, and if you take it seriously, and don't ride f-ed up or anything, take a MSC you should be good. It's really the next progression from cars, you cannot get more connected to the open road. It's a beautiful thing! I like the Buell, cuz (among other things) it reminds me a little of the old musclecars, idles a little lumpy, load & obnoxious, and when you crack the throttle it really rips. Well....... its enough for me anyway, even if its not the fastest poduction bike, it makes a good bit of low end tq. just like a SBC! But it handles alot better than they did! Hell get a Blast it is after all a blast, and anybody can ride that.