the Corrado did get a 2.9 190hp engine, though.
And since the contest had a displacement based tax and no restrictions on turbos… well… you know where this is going.
Tbh I go more on style than on stats - not to say that stats aren’t important, but I can tolerate so-so stats if the car looks the part.
That being said, my favorites so far:
- Znopresk Zeta 1.7 - I’m not 100% sure an MR sports car fits in this category, but aside from being able to only take one passenger the Znopresk does really well on the practicality front with more cargo space than many of the front engined coupes. The styling being the bomb helps a lot, too
- FAAL Foreia Coupe - I’ve already said how much I love the styling, but it’s also a very well-engineered car with great performance and fantastic fuel economy.
- AAU M2087E - Fantastic styling and the concept behind it is great too. I especially like how you stuck to the company lore by keeping the leaf-spring suspension and OHC engine head, even though semi-trailing arm and SOHC would’ve given it better stats; it really fits the whole ‘obscure communist country economy car souped-up for the western market’ idea.
- Knuckle T-C - Probably too expensive for the category, but it’s definitely a looker and at least you get a decent chunk of money back when you sell it.
- Estrogé Pintade - Great quirky southern-european styling and some decent stats too.
- BM Type 3 - probably has the best bang-for-the-buck, at least in terms of performance. Second-fastest 0-100 time, great fuel economy and decent service costs too. Looks a bit too much like the Audi Quattro though.
Anyway, here’s the ad I made:
If anyone wants more pics of the car I’ll happily oblige.
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My favorites are the RCM Megabit, Kimura Kohala, Bam Bavaria CT, Mitsushita Crista, Peniston F-16, and Znopresk Zeta XS. In particular, the Zeta appeals to the heart, while the Bavaria appeals to the head.
I’m having some kind of judgment problems, to me lots of cars look Japanese and the Baravia GT look American imo (I’m probably biased by the Garvil Barstow in BeamNG )… Am I supposed to juge the best European Affordable Sportscar or the best Affordable Sportscar in Europe…
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Congrats to my top three picks. Nice work!
Top Pick - Kimura Kohala @titleguy1
The Kohala is as sensible as it gets while still satisfying my desire for a sporty coupe. It may not be particularly agile with FF and a modest engine, but it’s incredibly driveable as a result. Combined with its excellent comfort, the Kohala is a joy to drive and I trust it to serve my family well.
Its looks are quite sharp as well, though the headlight bulbs are a bit intimidating. At several hundred below my $28k budget with excellent running-costs, I don’t have anything to feel guilty for with this purchase.
I’m curious what Kimura will do with this car in the coming years. A sportier engine would give it some soul that I’m sure would make it an enthusiastic seller in their lineup.
Second Pick - RCM Megabit ELS @thecarlover
For a sporty FR car, the Megabit ELS is quite affordable. Compared to the Kohala, its slightly higher running costs are balanced by a price below $27,000.
This is an affordable sports car made impressively practical. Its rear seats are cramped compared to the Kohala, but it miraculously has more cargo space. Its appearance is simple and unique, though the rear is plain for my tastes.
The Megabit is my second choice because, despite being much sportier than the Kohala with a 2 Liter engine, it sacrifices driveability and comfort in the process. While I’d buy it in a heartbeat were I single, I couldn’t justify this as a family car without feeling slightly guilty. However, if you’re a bachelor or have a family of car enthusiasts, I’d highly recommend it.
Third Pick - Foreia V 2.0T Coupe @Knightophonix
The Foreia Coupe is unbelievably drivable and no slouch either. AWD and 180HP make it a great performer. Although the looks feel a bit too modern for 1990, especially the rear, it’s a good-looking car.
The practicality of 4 seats and plenty of cargo room top even my first two choices. Compared to similar cars it’s a bit lacking in safety features, but with ABS and 4WD, I’m not worried about losing control.
The biggest downside of the car is the price, at a steep $35k. As well, the running costs are quite high. Fortunately, with good reliability and a strong desirability, the potential resale value may placate some budget concerns. If you have the money, this car won’t let you down.
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I've done my vote !
There was some very difficult choices, there is some special mention to three details I loved on those cars :
- FABEL Beltegeuse : Those front lights looks very nice
- Solstice Turbo Coupé : This color…
- Znopresk Zeta 1.7 XS : Details, lots of details !
Here’s my vote :
All those cars share the same points :
They look European and they are quite cost effective
-
Pt : Mitsushita Crista RS14 2000 G
This car has a very nice Front reminding the BMW Z1, the rear is quite good too !
It’s a comfortable vehicle seating 4 people, and is even a practical car ! -
Pts : KOMOFO XS-S
It screams SPORT !!! with his kinda EB110 looking, but without having to sell your house, wife and organs !
The colour choice is not common, in a good way -
Pts : Estrogé Pintade
4 seats, practicality, cargo space and sporty everyday car !
It’s a quirky car, I like it ! Except the Long.F FWD…
excuse me? you’re French 
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We missed the vote by a year
Fixed it - however just 5 hours until the votes will be closed! If you have not voted yet, do it!
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The results are IN!
Very exciting end and some really good cars, tough choices everywhere… but enough of that, lets have a small… snipped from some car magazine?
1991 - Time to report on last years coupe crave into which a lot of people have suckered in, infact over 220,000 of those rather niche cars have been sold just in europe. It has been a very good year for a handful of manufacturers who tried to showoff their best and in some cases the most affordable cars they could make - afterall a lot of people want cars like these, and the cheaper the better right?
But the winners are really the three big manufacturers like the Anikatian Auto Union, Znopresk and BAM who together dominated half of the market. Though it has to be noted that the backorders on some models are huge, and people also moved to other models like the Kimura Kohala or the Canadian Megabit ELS.
More about the 2087E and Zeta 1.7 on Automationeers Standoff at 21.45 on BBC1
Here are the results!
Everyone not on this has scored below 1 point.
The video review is coming in about 4-6 Weeks - give us time for producing it.
Complains, criticism, ideas? Post them!
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It’s going to be an interesting review considering how different those two cars are.
I did better than I expected. I’m glad I participated, and I look forward to the next challenge.
And congrats to the winners of course. 
Fuck yes do I get a best loser award?
Oh yes communism stronk, communism will prevail
Congratulations to Rk for winning round 1 of the TCC!
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The car I thought to be a wildcard actually won, ok 
Yes, I definitely can’t wait to see the video, it will be… interesting 
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welp.
Wow. A pre-democracy Anikatian car reminiscent of the E30, but with much cruder underpinnings, won… But only just. I suspect it was due to having two more seats than the Zeta and costing a lot less.
And the TCC reboot could not have been any better in any way!
Well, this was quite unexpected, I had totally written my entry off after looking at the competition. I thought it’d be a fun wildcard entry, but I never imagined it would actually stand a chance against, let alone beat out the mighty Zeta!
Anyway, big thanks for all the votes and to @pyrlix for hosting the TCC. Shall be amusing to see how this mismatched trio compares in the video reviews.
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I couldn’t agree more with Rk38, this was totaly unexpected. I’d never thought that anyone stand a chance against the Zeta !
Note to myself: Not listening too much to the guidelines next time. xD
Also, not really a surprise, at the end of the day the AAU is still a design that required some effort, is cohesive and generally good looking (despite the effort taken to make it look like a shitbox), plus one of, if not THE cheapest car of the bunch. In a category of affordable sports coupe.
Congrats Rk38 on a well deserved win, I actually voted for your car to get 3 points (Cheap purchase price, RWD and stylish yet conservative looks) so I’m happy my first choice won! 
Also a big shout out to the person who gave me a point!!! Thanks heaps 
3 Likes