Bob_in_OKC
Addicted Member
When I was a youngster, my folks bought a Datsun 240Z. It was certainly too fast for this thread, but it was a swell hardtop sports car.
Ten Slowest Sports Cars of All Time
- Thread starter RamblinE
- Start date
tensleep
Addicted Member
I am totally enjoying my new Fiat 500, especially after giving up my problematic Lincoln Continental. I purchased it precisely for the reasons described in this thread - it is totally fun to drive and you have to think ahead and know the car well because it is limited in terms of power.
I knew that I would like this car, though. I had a 1971 Datsun 210 two-door sedan for several years. It was yellow, rear wheel drive, inline 4, 4-speed manual and I had to set the valves every 12k. I bought it for $400, put on a new set of tires, brakes, coilover heavy duty shocks, and had a helluva lot of fun drifting dirt roads. While not a true sports car, this car drove like one! It was slow, but very quick and light - just like my new Fiat - except it has air conditioning....and cruise control....and bluetooth....and front wheel drive (not necessarily a good thing from a sports perspective)...and 5 speeds....and holds my family of 4 comfortably...and gets 40mpg.
I knew that I would like this car, though. I had a 1971 Datsun 210 two-door sedan for several years. It was yellow, rear wheel drive, inline 4, 4-speed manual and I had to set the valves every 12k. I bought it for $400, put on a new set of tires, brakes, coilover heavy duty shocks, and had a helluva lot of fun drifting dirt roads. While not a true sports car, this car drove like one! It was slow, but very quick and light - just like my new Fiat - except it has air conditioning....and cruise control....and bluetooth....and front wheel drive (not necessarily a good thing from a sports perspective)...and 5 speeds....and holds my family of 4 comfortably...and gets 40mpg.
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RamblinE
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I do not like the clutch on the base model 500. Felt like stomping on a dead fish. What do you think?
tensleep
Addicted Member
The hydraulic clutch is probably my least favorite part of the driving experience. It really isn't bad and is very predictable and consistent, if a bit long. I would like the pedal to have a much shorter throw and provide more feedback of when the clutch is engaging/slipping. However, after 10k mile, I am used to it and the car does so many other things well that I can forgive the clutch.
Brian
An Old Geezer
No, the P1800 saw duty between Brattleboro VT and Avon Ct with the epicenter in Amherst MA and from there to Boston, NH and NYC. I had it from about '71 through '72 when I traded it for a nearly new Volvo 164 that had stick shft and was a killer on the highway; a long way from the automatic versions of the 164. I owned some 4 of the 164s over the years and still my favorite overall driver. A Volvo truck in a car's clothing.
Sandy G
Retired Member
The 1956-73 Fiat 500 had all of 13 HP initially, Fiat withdrew it & re-introduced it w/a rousing 15 HP...Eventually, I think the little 492 CC 2 banger had 30 HP coaxed out of it, & while by NO means fast-the latter ones might have seen 75 MPH tops, the Abarth versions were at least "Quick" & "Tossable".I DON'T think I've ever seen a 500 over here-but the slightly larger, more conventional 600s were reasonably common here when I was a kid. There was a guy who had a lemon-yellow 600 back in '81 who desperately wanted to sell it too me, but I was fearful of parts availability, & the fact it was a well-used 15 yr old orphan car then. I demurred, but even though the 600 had a 4 cylinder instead of a 2, it still wasn't as big as the starter motor on our International tractor...
Brian
An Old Geezer
At least some 500s did make it into the US. There was a lady in high school with one and another a few years behind me with one. The younger gal's father had an auto garage and at any time there was a 500 in for repair plus the only SEATs I ever saw. I do not know the model of the SEAT but it looked a bit between a British sports car and a Jeep and from memory had the engine in the back. I was drawn to it but it was owned by a serviceman at Pease AFB and not for sale.
The late 60s/early 70s Abarth-ized 500s had about 32hp, if memory serves. Not sure if they ever built any streetable models with more power than that.
tensleep
Addicted Member
I seriously think a new Vespa 300 is in my wife's near future. I traded a pistol for a 1980 CX500C a year ago. She really loves to ride, so I think she can start out on a Vespa and this particular model could be a long term ride for her as well. She is very petite, so this should fit her stature and truthfully, this scooter can probably run circles around my Honda!
If you guys have the itch for a small, slow sports car, go drive a Fiat 500 Pop manual transmission - I got mine new for $15k. It will make you smile! I think in the future, this car will make many lists, extolling the 500's many virtues.
The Abarth is a fantastic small sports car, coming in at 163 hp, but at $24k, there are many other cars to consider. I may get the Abarth at some point in the future, but for now, this 500 Pop is scratching that slow car itch just fine.
If I were to pick an old, slow sportscar, I would get a Datsun 2000. I had a shot at one when I was a senior in high school, but I opted for a low mileage, straight Pontiac Vetura with a 350 V8 for $600. I still wonder about that Datsun sometimes.
kx250rider
REAL TVs have TUBES!
I'd say any of the small Japanese Diesels from the '80s with no turbo and with an automatic trans. They got 50 or 60 mpg, but could barely go 50 or 60 mph!
Charles
Charles
Sandy G
Retired Member
Nah, the Vespa I'm talkin' about was a microcar-made late '50s, early '60s. I was mistaken, it is a 400. 2 seater, roll-back top, teeny-tiny rear mounted motor. I think the entire car weighed about the same as a '59 Coupe De Ville door, & wasn't much bigger...
rnorton
Super Member
I would put my old MkII A-H Sprite up against that MG Midget for slowness ANY day. 998cc vs ~1600 cc in an almost identical body? No contest.
My 2006 Scion xA handles better, is just as much fun to drive, does 0-60 50% faster and gets 35 MPG doing it. It also won't break loose and roll over in a turn without warning. parks in almost as little space as the Sprite, too.
Still, it was nice to drive a REAL sports car: one without door handles or crank-down windows.
My 2006 Scion xA handles better, is just as much fun to drive, does 0-60 50% faster and gets 35 MPG doing it. It also won't break loose and roll over in a turn without warning. parks in almost as little space as the Sprite, too.
Still, it was nice to drive a REAL sports car: one without door handles or crank-down windows.
A sports car is more about handling than power. A muscle car is more about power than handling. A supercar does both well. There's no problem at all with a slow car being a sports car.
2DualsNotEnough
Addicted Member
