[Humdizzle]

not a fan of big cars. i'll probably never own a truck/suv for that reason. My F80 is about the biggest thing i would want at nearly 3500 pounds. The F80 is like my 7 series.

My BRZ and 458 have been two of my most fun sports cars to own. My GTR was fast, but at 3800 pounds you can feel that mass in the corners. It would definitely grip hard once settled, but couldn't really change directions very quick.

[baege]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

not a fan of big cars. i'll probably never own a truck/suv for that reason. My F80 is about the biggest thing i would want at nearly 3500 pounds. The F80 is like my 7 series.

My BRZ and 458 have been two of my most fun sports cars to own. My GTR was fast, but at 3800 pounds you can feel that mass in the corners. It would definitely grip hard once settled, but couldn't really change directions very quick.

interesting how you don't consider the 458 to be a big car
at 76 inches wide and 178 inches long, it's not exactly compact
similar size to the C7 I had which I found big

I guess the 458 is so good that size doesn't matter

[thebmw]

I have a 6-spd, V8 F13 650i coupe one-of-one. The best of all worlds and nothing like it will ever be made again

[ASAP]

I personally enjoy smaller cars... I think it's very difficult to hide or cheat size or weight... I think even the difference in between a 2 and 3 series is quite large. The enjoyment from a smaller / lighter car is very hard to replicate in a larger car. I think if you want a larger / more comfortable car you have to accept that it won't feel the same... an M5 is a dream car but it's a genuine boat all things considered and even with 600 hp cannot feel like a car that has 450 hp but weighs 600-700 lbs less.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by baege

interesting how you don't consider the 458 to be a big car
at 76 inches wide and 178 inches long, it's not exactly compact
similar size to the C7 I had which I found big

I guess the 458 is so good that size doesn't matter

By size I mean weight. If the f80 was 4000 pounds like the rs5 or something it would have been an absolute no for me.

Dimensions don't really matter. The 458 and c7 are closer to lemans car dimensions than say something like a Miata.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

Dimensions don't really matter.

Actually, dimensions do matter (in general...maybe not for you specifically though). Of course weight matters, but we all know that so I won't discuss it. Size, more accurately, wheelbase, totally makes a difference from a ride quality standpoint. So it depends on what you are looking for. Handling will be sharper with a smaller car, but as many people get older, they want to retain some of the sportiness and handling while having a more compliant ride.

To me, with BMW's recent line up, this only means either get the 2 series or the 6 series (in whatever trim the buyer sees fit). This is assuming the buyer is looking for a car vs SUV.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by thebmw

Actually, dimensions do matter (in general...maybe not for you specifically though). Of course weight matters, but we all know that so I won't discuss it. Size, more accurately, wheelbase, totally makes a difference from a ride quality standpoint. So it depends on what you are looking for. Handling will be sharper with a smaller car, but as many people get older, they want to retain some of the sportiness and handling while having a more compliant ride.

To me, with BMW's recent line up, this only means either get the 2 series or the 6 series (in whatever trim the buyer sees fit). This is assuming the buyer is looking for a car vs SUV.

a longer wheelbase will not only give you a better ride. But you also would want it for a car thats capable of 200mph and being stable doing 140mph around a curve on the highway. A short wheelbase would make for a nervous handling car when you are going into triple digits. 911s and lambos have gotten around this with the all wheel steering system. So you kind of get the best of both worlds.

For me i'd rather have the car that accels at an F1 track with big sweepers than something designed more for a parking lot autocross.

[The__J__Factor]

You never forget the small car fun. My mr2 spyder with 2zz swap was not the most expensive nor fastest car I've had but it was the most fun. Small and lightweight. Hitting gaps that larger cars couldn't, track consumables were cheap (15s, easy on brakes, fuel ect), relatively low speed roads became fun, felt like one with the car ect ect.

Daily drove it every day for 4 years.

The closer I can get a car to being a road legal go kart in size and feel the better.

Z4 M Coupe was also great, much like the spyder but better (except the cost of everything). Was not as keen to wreck a $90k M on track.

[lsturbointeg]

Most women will tell you bigger is better. Thank god I'm in the better category

[Darth One]

Size does matter, but it’s not as important as starting right up every time someone turns you on, if you know what i mean...