Fun cars.. last of the "nearly fun", "potential for fun" ..

1]  Mazda 2
Absolute lightweight , very easy to throw around sharp handling
Out of the box has the following characteristics:
Has about 1050 Kgs weight with a manual box, thats very light for a  production car with all the mandatory safety features.
Comes with an electrical power steering but is not numb to inputs from the road, not overly assisted.
Also has a variable assist means it will change the amount of "effort" fromt the  electric motor depending on the speed.

Has a 100 Hp DOHC  engine which is paired to a very nice manual gearbox..
This brings the fun back into daily driving ..u need to understand your powerband to make best use of the engine. Unlike a big engined powerful car which has enough torque to not "challenge you" enough to plan your driving...

Has smaller 15 in wheels stock..

Has  perfect view of the road.. not as good as some of the earlier 90's cars but still better than the most .. u don't end up staring at the dashboard which covers half the lower end of the windscreen.
Has good visibility.

Potential for mods
Final drive ratio can be altered to get better  acceleration at cost of higher top speed
Short shifter
Slight tweak to toe angles for harder turn in..
Better exhaust
Smaller wheels with lowered suspension(ride height adjustable coilovers)
Reflash


2] Old school Mk4 2.0 8valve :-)
This is something which is difficult to explain, this is about going back to basics and even more raw ..and not caring about anything else

   A golf Mk4 comes with a  rack and pinion based hydraulic power steering, this can be easily converted to a "pure manual" by getting rid of the hydraulics.. kits are available which can delete the assist and still retain your AC. Easily done.

Metal mounts, bushings etc for the steering, subframe to replace all rubber bushes etc and reduce teh sponginess

Lower control arms with a better geometry for handling

Sequential gearbox

Engine - nothing , the BEV variant of 2.0 makes about 128 lb/foot @2800 rpm :-) which is less but how many non turbo cars u see with a tune aimed at such a low rpm.. ?

Also also those idiots who say 2 valve heads is < 4 valve head don't know crap abt engines
2 valve = lesser volume of air flow but higher velocity = better low end torque ..



..to be continued

3] Mini cooper non turbo BUT PLZ AVOID  - its the world's most unreliable car.
I will wait for a stable version to come and BMW figures it out all the issues
..to be continued

4]  96 Honda civic coupe
Double wishbone suspension, screamer D16y8 SOHC engine
Amazing road visibility, sit very low down
..to be continued

5] Old Mini cooper with  a Honda engine swap