TASH

In the 26 Aug issue of Autocar there is a big shootout article about choosing the Best Handling Car of 2003:

The group of selected best handlers started as:

Palmersport JP1
Ariel Atom
TVR 350C
GDT70 (Lola replica)
Porsche 911 GT3
Noble M12R
Caterham R400
Elise 135R
Vauxhall VX220T Sprint
Westfield XTR2
Radical SR3 LM
Lamborghini Murcielago
Pagani Zonda
Impreza Type-C
Mitsubishi EvoVIII FQ300
Alfa 147 GTA
Focus RS
Audi S4
BMW Z4
Porsche Boxster
Merc E55
Mini Cooper S Works
Renault Clio V6
Mazda RX-8
Jag XJR
Pug 206 GTi 180
Honda Accord 2.4 Type S
Volvo S60R
Astra GSi
Ford Sport Ka
Skoda Fabia RS
Mazda MX-5 (Miata)

Two participants from Mazda made it in the 32 - the RX-8 and the Miata


From these 32 cars, after the tests/competition 7 cars were selected as finalists:

Porsche 911 GT3
Noble M12
Caterham R400
Lamborghini Murcielago
Subaru Impreza Spec C
BMW Z4
Mazda MX-5 (Miata)

From these 7, as the best two were selected:

Porsche 911 GT3
Mazda MX-5 (Miata)

The choice of which of the two is the better one has been tough,
but in the end the winner The Best Handling Car of 2003:

Mazda MX-5 Miata

The drivers who tested the cars around the racetrack and selected the winner:

Tiff Needell (former F1 driver/broadcaster - ex BBC's Top Gear, Chan 5's 5th gear)
Justin Wilson (current Jaguar F1 driver)
Takuma Sato (current BAR F1 driver)
Michael Bentwood (BMW BTCC driver)
Phil Bennett (Proton BTCC works driver)
Martin Anderson (Lotus Technical Manager of vehicle dynamics)

Here are the words about the winner:

"The baby Mazda roadster is already a synonym for handling excellence, already holder of Autocar's best sub-£15k driver's car title. Its sublime flingability and nifty power-to-weight ratio sustain satisfaction like nothing else. It has delicious steering which combines pinpoint accuracy with perfect weighting. It turns in crisply, grips more than amply and has simply the most adjustable cornering balance. The precise gate and short-throw action of its gearchange are a joy, too. The whole MX-5 vibe is consistently engaging. It's the place input and feedback are perfectly synchronised. And it wins."

"And out most gifted testers were always amused by it, even if they'd just been extending themselves in the GT3. So the MX-5 wins, repeating the victory it scored after it was first launched in 1990. Britain's best driver's car under £15K is Britain's best handling car, period"

There is a big picture of Tiff Needell driving the Miata with this written next to it:
"Here is a photograph of former F1 racer Tiff Needell driving a Mazda MX-5 quite beautifully. It's perfectly balanced on the throttle, drifting gently towards the apex of the corner with a trace of opposite lock to keep things in check.
You can be sure Tiff is enjoying himself, because he loves driving the MX-5.
We all do - that's why it beat a Lamborghini Murcielago and a Pagani Zonda to win our Best Handling Car award this week"


This is about the Mazda RX-8:

"Better to drive on the road (I hope). On the track there's too much roll, too much body movement and not enough accuracy. The throttle response is also not too good and the brakes go off quickly. But at the limit there's good chassis balance and grip. Too much grip for the power, actually." - Takuma Sato

Big CONGRATULATIONS to Mazda for winning against the tough competition of so many great machines and having 2 Mazda cars among the best 32 handlers.

ZoomZoomH

most of the people on this forum probably wouldn't understand the fun of a great handling car anyway, save for the few road racer/autocrossers on here

sung

it's still a miata.

sung

but congratulations! hahaha.

TASH

MAZDA owns all... thats all that matters.

animus

*achoo*

ZoomZoomH

see even the almighty SUNG doesn't understand

ZoomZoomH

too heavy, WAY too heavy

Mr.2

good stuff, someday im gonna make a spec miata car. they were missing a heavy hitter:

animus

but its sooooo sexy.