Four Pint-sized Roadsters

The Age

Saturday November 13, 2004

Cameron McGavin

Looking for wind-in-the-hair thrills but don't want to mortgage the house? Cameron McGavin puts four attractively priced roadsters under the microscope.

DAIHATSU COPEN

The itsty-bitsy Copen possesses a couple of obvious significant attractions. For one thing, it's the cheapest sporty soft-top on the market. Another is that it's not really a soft-top, sporting a sophisticated power-folding hard-top roof that's usually the domain of much more expensive cars.

But the Daihatsu isn't much chop to drive. The 47 kW, 660 cc turbocharged four-cylinder is a paltry 800 kg and tolerably willing around town, but struggles at higher speeds.

The Copen is well out of its league on anything other than billiard-table surfaces, no surprise when you consider the micro-car mechanicals hiding under its sexy skin.

The Copen's tiny frame means there are other shortcomings. Boot space is ridiculously compromised by the folding roof and the cheap-looking plastics make the squeezy cabin more unpleasant.

Yes, the Copen is cheap, but it's cheerfulness is only skin deep.

Price: From $29,990.

For: Slick power-folding metal roof, cute styling, drives OK in the city.

Against: Sloppy suspension, mediocre performance, squeezy cabin and boot, feels tinny.

SMART ROADSTER

If standing out is your thing, the Smart Roadster takes some beating. The out-there styling isn't exactly pretty but the traffic-stopping impact is up there with the expensive automotive exotica.

Mechanically the Roadster doesn't offer much for 35-grand. The tiny 600 cc turbocharged three-cylinder pumps out a weedy 60 kW, standard equip-ment is sparse (you'll have to fork out if you want anything bigger than the standard roller-skate-size wheels, or a colour other than black), boot space is negli-gible and the dim-witted sequential six-speed manual gearbox is a pain around town.

However, the Smart is the only one with an electronic stability system, which can individually brake wheels to help control a slide.

The Smart isn't without its charms. Ignore the cheap plastics and the cabin is roomy and, for such a small car, comfortable, ride quality is good and the power-retracting top a cinch to use (at least until you try to remove the header rails to let in more fresh air). Handling is grippy, even on twisty tarmac, although the steering is woefully light.

Price: From $34,900.

For: Funky styling, distinctive engine, grippy handling, good cabin space, ESP safety system.

Against: Fiddly roof, negligible boot space, average performance, dim-witted gearbox, average value.

MAZDA MX-5 SE

The car that star-ted the soft-top craze is getting on but is still perhaps the pick of the bunch, especially now that a new turbo-charged model, the SE, has been added to the line-up.

The SE's performance isn't up to the standards of the fire-breathing limited-edition SP launched here a couple of years ago. That doesn't mean, how-ever, that it's not impressive, and the low-boost 121 kW 1.8-litre four-cylinder's strong mid-range power gives the SE a muscular feel lacking in its non-turbo siblings.

The extra urge admirably complements the MX-5's quick steering, razor-sharp response, excellent balance and slick six-speed manual shift, and makes for a stirring drive. Elsewhere, the Mazda is starting to show its age. The sultry styling and quick-folding manual roof continue to defy the years, but the cramped cabin, lack of steering wheel adjustment and elderly feel nag at the senses. The ride, too, is patchy. But the SE is good value and that, along with some semblance of boot space, is enough to forgive its faults.

Price: From $45,490.

For: Gutsy turbo performance, razor-sharp handling, sultry styling, easy-to-use roof, boot space.

Against: Cramped and ageing cabin, patchy ride.

TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER

For driving thrills, the somewhat kooky-looking MR2 can hold its head high. With only 1000 kg to propel, the revvy mid-mounted 103 kW 1.8-litre four-cylinder per-forms strongly and is very economical, though we'd prefer an ordinary manual gearbox to the clutchless sequential six-speeder that Toyota offers here.

The MR2's handling is also impressively responsive, grippy and agile (if not quite as forgiving of ham-fisted drivers as the MX-5), and the Toyota's firm but ultimately compliant ride and roomy, comfortable and well-built cabin make it easy on the senses for day-to-day urban driving.

The manual roof is quick-folding and easy to use. Which makes the MR2's lack of practical features all the more frustrating. There's no boot to speak of and storage in the cabin is limited. That, and the MR2 being only average value for money, make it little more than an expensive indulgence for sunny Sundays.

Price: From $49,730.

For: Capable handling, sprightly performance, good economy, roomy and comfortable cabin.

Against: Awkward looks, no boot, limited storage space, unsatisfying sequential manual.

RATINGS

Daihatsu Copen

*1/2

Smart Roadster

***

Mazda MX-5 SE

****

Toyota MR2 Spyder

***1/2

© 2004 The Age

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