[414bhp]

For scenic weekend drives, do you all like classic cars or modern sports cars better? I've never owned a classic car and I'm discovering that it is a blind spot in my car experience.

I got a chance to drive my dad's 1963 Porsche 356 this summer and found it equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. As a result, I'm hankering to explore older cars (anything pre-2000's) to see where the sweet spot in driver involvement is for me.

My enjoyment of the 356 pretty much boiled down to the "it's more fun to drive a slow car fast" argument. Trying to keep up with modern traffic in the 1963 Porsche is no small feat, especially when hills are involved. And managing the carbureted engine (which sounds great!), the long and imprecise shifter, the "classic" brakes/tires and the heavy manual steering was a rewarding and involving challenge. I came away enjoying my at-the-speed-limit drive much more than I would have in any other car.

(I wrote 1500 words about the drive here.)

A point which was proven when I jumped into my friend's 2021 MX-5 Miata, doubled the cautionary speed limit through the corners, and still found myself comparatively bored by the numb steering and refined engine.

The back-to-back experience has me thinking I should explore some 1980's BMWs and Porsches, to see if I can mix the challenge, feedback and involvement of the Porsche 356 with more confidence inspiring brakes, transmission and engine.

Do you all have a favorite 1970s - 1990s car you'd suggest I try? I'm in Northern California, so something that works well on mountain roads is what I'm looking for.

Thanks!
Mike

[Efthreeoh]

If you want an open-top classic (BMW) car experience for the weekend, get a Z3 Roadster. I have one, but it was my wife's daily we bought 1997 (i.e. she's the original owner). Going on 27 years now, it still drives great, has more than enough power for modern traffic and has that old school BMW magic that it gets better as the revs and road speeds increase.

The Z3 is easy to maintain, new parts are plentiful, and it's not expensive to buy used and own it. The later years have better build quality; it basically was the first BMW model built in BMW's Spartanburg production facility, so there were some 1st model build pains as BMW spun up the factory.

It's a modern classic. It's mostly analog, but in the sweet spot of BMW (Bosch) digital Motronics, which means digital ignition and fuel injection mated to a real throttle cable. Having two other BMWs in the fleet, both with the N52, you can tell the Z3 has a throttle cable because it's just a tinge different in throttle response than the fully digital N52. Mine has the 4-cylinder M44. You can also get a Z3 with the 1st-Gen M52 throttle-by cable, it's just a bit heavier up front.

I live in the mountains of central Virginia. We run the Z3 locally and into West Virginia and Pennsylvania all the time. We've three times taken it out to the Rockies and ripped around the trifecta: Glacier/Yellowstone/Tetons.

My 2 cents.

[FC4]

1990's Japanese sports cars or a G-body Porsche. Either of those to me maximize the fun specifically for my favorite drive which is Alice's to the fire station and back. At proper pace.

[CLTMDA]

I have a 1973 Mustang Convertible that is quite "exciting" to drive in the mountains. It has 425 hp in a 3400lb car, but the rear-end is geared for highway, so quick, it is not. I have upgraded the brakes and suspension, so it handles ok, but I would not call it an unchallenging drive. It is fun though and pulls strong with that torque.

[///MPhatic]

This is 100% personal preference. Fun is very different from fast, but some define fun as fast, while others define fun as engaging. You have to define these things for yourself to know which is best for you, and to that end you need to drive more cars.

If I were looking like you are, I'd join the closest classic sports car group and attend their meetings.

I always wanted a '67 Corvette...until I drove one. Always loved the old Porsche 930's...until I drove one. Worshipped the NSX...until I drove one.

You just have to drive more cars.

My RX-7 was great, so was my MR-2, and my Miata, and my S2000, but it was the Exige that finally brought it all together for me.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

If you want an open-top classic (BMW) car experience for the weekend, get a Z3 Roadster.

The Z3 wasn't on my radar, but it is my brother in-laws obtainable dream car. I'll put it on my to-try list!

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

This is 100% personal preference. Fun is very different from fast, but some define fun as fast, while others define fun as engaging. You have to define these things for yourself to know which is best for you, and to that end you need to drive more cars.

If I were looking like you are, I'd join the closest classic sports car group and attend their meetings.

I always wanted a '67 Corvette...until I drove one. Always loved the old Porsche 930's...until I drove one. Worshipped the NSX...until I drove one.

You just have to drive more cars.

My RX-7 was great, so was my MR-2, and my Miata, and my S2000, but it was the Exige that finally brought it all together for me.

Driving more cars is my aim, and I've already discovered that fast isn't always fun. Some of my favorite modern cars so far are the NC Miata (on the cheap end) and 997 GT3 on the expensive end. I had a short test drive of a Lotus Elise that was phenomenal, but I'm not sure I'm hard core enough to deal with such a stripped out car.

In modern cars I look for chatty steering, a great soundtrack, willing engine, a crisp manual transmission and tireless brakes.

I'll keep driving! That's were the fun is!

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by FC4

1990's Japanese sports cars or a G-body Porsche. Either of those to me maximize the fun specifically for my favorite drive which is Alice's to the fire station and back. At proper pace.

Which is your favorite 1990's Japanese option?

[pikkagtr]

E85 Z4 M Roadster with the S54, hydraulic steering and top down ITB noises
Add a CSL intake and listen to the glorious S54 echo off the mountains on highway 9
Pure perfection