Out of curiosity, what do you "know way more about cars than I do" car guys think the best performing car is that is rated for regular gas? Since I much more of camp of someone who would buy new, or recent model year used, I'm less interested in how awesome a 1983.5 Tercel might have been.

1983.5 Tercel was about as fast as dirt. But it was awesome dirt.

1987-93 Mustang GT with a 5 speed.


Or LX with the 5.0

I've got nothing VW related to add, because anything peppy they make uses 91.

Fiat 500 is kinda fun...

MR2 Spyder?

Posted by arntzville MR2 Spyder?

it would have to the Turbo model... the base Mr2 was a snoozer.

What about a Fiero GT? Regular gas, 2.8L V6 out back, fun to drive, great handling and pretty zippy looks for a mass-produced car?

i remember trying to run both my Daytona Turbo Z and Merkur XR4Ti on regular gas... wasn't pretty.

I was only really thinking the last 5-7 years or so.

Guys asking for advice on newish cars that have a bit of pep off regular gas, and the best advice you can muster is a Fiero GT or 87-93 mustang? Ugh.

Are you talking about power, or a combination of handling & power?

I think my 2011 mazda3 is a great performing car (I can at least keep pace with my friends lightly tuned Audi A4 and G35) and with an aftermarket intake, exhaust, springs & sway bars it handles & sounds quite nice.

I've also heard pretty good things about the fiat 500, ford fiesta and even the chevy cruze. Not sure if the turbo version of the cruze takes premium tho...

Yes, I should have known better than to ask for newish car advice in this forum.

Posted by terapr0 Guys asking for advice on newish cars that have a bit of pep off regular gas, and the best advice you can muster is a Fiero GT or 87-93 mustang? Ugh.

how do you drive with your nose so far in the air?

I've also heard pretty good things about the fiat 500, ford fiesta and even the chevy cruze. Not sure if the turbo version of the cruze takes premium tho...

my mother owns a 2011 Chevy Cruze Eco with the 1.4L Turbo/6speed automatic and no, it does not require premium fuel.

my nose in the air? I didnt think I was being out of line whatsoever...In fact, I'm the only one who's put forward any serious recommendations.

They stopped making Fieros in 1988 for gods sake....you consider that a recent car? If anything, you and agentskelly are the ones trolling yokes with absurd recommendations. I'm not saying they're bad suggestions, but given the wording of his original request, they're insanely off-topic and totally irrelevant. Maybe a 24yr old econobox qualifies as "new or recent" where you're from, but thats not what he was asking about, and I think you both know it...

Posted by terapr0 my nose in the air? I didnt think I was being out of line whatsoever...In fact, I'm the only one who's put forward any serious recommendations. They stopped making Fieros in 1988 for gods sake....you consider that a recent car? If anything, you and agentskelly are the ones trolling yokes with absurd recommendations. I'm not saying they're bad suggestions, but given the wording of his original request, they're insanely off-topic and totally irrelevant. Maybe a 24yr old econobox qualifies as "new or recent" where you're from, but thats not what he was asking about, and I think you both know it...

yeah. you have your nose in the air most of the time.
whether you're aware of it or not, yeah.

and I'm being honest, maybe you're a swell guy in person. The internet is hard to convey sarcasm. Maybe I am being overly harsh. Either way, I am positive that you don't give a flying shit what I think and that's ok. Maybe i am way off. Next time you're in New York or New England, stop by, we'll have a drink.

and honestly, when i read Yokes post, i took away that he was looking for an older project car. So sorry.

I appreciate the suggestions, even if they weren't what I was looking for.

(I have no interest in owning old cars, project cars (I'm sure I would kill someone), or really, anything without bluetooth and at least the end of a warranty )