Any affordable modern cars similar to the Dino driving experience?

Porsche Cayman GTS. For less money, a used Honda S2000.

 

I have no Dino time, but I'd bet you could play with an MR2 and get something close.

 

Could try an FD3 RX7, older Elise, Tesla Roadster.

 

I recently bought this. I think it's the closest thing we are likely to see to a modern Dino. Italian, mid engined, lightweight, no power steering, fairly spartan cabin, small and a huge amount of fun.
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^Winner!

 

Try a 1995/6 Lotus Elise. It won't depreciate either.

 

A Lotus, yes. A Miata is good, too. Maybe even a 993, 997 Porsche. But no new car will be like the Dino.

Good looking car, Iain!

Andres

 

Iain, that's the 4C, yes? Fabulous photos there. Is that yours? The first real sports car from Alfa in a long while, I think. It looks great!

Andres

 

But wayyyyyy too wide, Iain. Here's my answer - either one will do...

...and even a picture of Suarez in the picnic hamper! (hence no food left...)
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To me its still kind of weird... I drove the Boxster and wasn't impressed, then I drove a Cayman, which shouldn't be any different, ( critics call it a Boxster with a top) but the car was totally more engaging. I was looking for a car to trade-in my wifes Miata and I felt the Boxster felt more like our existing Miata (kind of bland to drive)... yet the Cayman reminded my more of my 2nd Generation 1994 Mr2 which was a fantastic example of a small, light, mid-engine car that you could flog on public roads.

Also, the 2001 Boxster is so different from the 2009-2012 987.2 Boxster Cayman that you'd think it was two completely different cars. Same as the new 20014 Boxster/Cayman is so different feeling than the 09-12 cars.

I have never been a fan-boy of Porsche but the original Cayman (987) was a modern car with old school feel. I looked at the Alpha C4 but the Cayman has a large front trunk and good size rear hatch and trunck, compared to the C4 that has no practical carry space. So the Cayman is a 2 seat, basic mid-engine car, with room for your luggage on a weekend get-a-way, that you can use most of its full potential on the street.

One last observation... I think Porsche lost the old-school "touch and feel" when they upgraded in 2014 to the new Cayman (981). The cars are faster on the track now, but less involving on the street. When they went with a wider/longer wheelbase, and much bigger wheels, the car lost its drama at speeds below 100mph. I test drove a 981 and felt the car did the driving for me on a section of twisties as I was able to do it at speed with one hand and keep a conversation going with the salesman. I ran the same road again with my 987 and felt like I had a larger role in keeping the car on the road. I guess I'm finding with modern cars (e steering, e handbrake, more advanced traction control, bigger wheels, more grip, and longer wheelbases)...a lack of that nervous drama that older car give you, that makes the driver feel like he is the most important variable to pulling off a great run (on public roads).

Photo below- three Porsche designs.... 911, 987 original Cayman, 981 new Boxster/Cayman. Notice the shape of the front hood in the 981 which is wider and more of a snub-nose look... as a result of going to bigger wheels and a longer-wheelbase. Faster lap times are possible with 20 inch wheels... but I found a lot less old school drama and fun on public roads at DD speeds compared to the original 17 inch wheels on the 987 Cayman. Old cars like the Dino were very minimalist, you felt like you were going 90mph when you were only going 50mph. I find the original Cayman 987 captured some of that quality (less car between you and the road)... in a way the the bigger 911 or new bigger 981 Cayman/Boxster misses in an effort to produce faster lap times at the race track. Do yourself a favor and try a 987.2 Cayman (09-12) for a modern daily driver that hasn't lost that old-school feel.
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Andres, yes it's my 4c Launch Edition model. It's a fantastic little car that takes you back to the pleasure of driving. It's a car that demands concentration if driven aggressively as the steering is very sharp but once you adapt to it's set up it becomes a lot of fun. The Launch Edition cars have a more track biased set up with firmer suspension, larger wheels and a louder race exhaust. I don't find it uncomfortable on the poorly surfaced roads we have here but it does seek out cambers and ruts in the road surface so you have to pay constant attention to the steering inputs. My other half has a Cayman R as her daily (soon switching to a new Cayman GTS) and that is also hugely entertaining to drive, about the same level of suspension comfort to the Alfa, but is not fazed by surface imperfections like the Italian car.

The Alfa is under 7cm ( 2 & 3/4") wider than the Porsche but I've never found it an issue and I very much doubt it will be one for Jim in CA.

It's well worth a test drive if you get an opportunity and make sure you put it in dynamic mode to get the best throttle response map. It is an incredibly fast car.
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The Alfa 4C has a carbon fibre tub!
The Dino uses fibreglas

 

Having had both 246GTS and Boxster S over a decade, I can tell you the Boxster could outdrive the Dino any day of the week, in any condition (as can other cars). Maybe my Boxster with H&R springs, B&M shifter, sport exhaust, and 993 hollow spoke wheels is a bit sharper than the ones other posters tested. But all driving impressions in normal road conditions are largely personal opinion and preference. I have found the Boxster totally tossable at 10/10ths.

But here's the rub, the Dino driving experience is primarily about looks that can't be beat by practically any car, and an engine sound that is amazing. Probably the car that comes closest to the looks and sound combo is Ferrari's own 355. But they aren't new and have their own list of issues. However, they are less expensive than Dino's.

The global list of safety, emissions, impact, noise, fuel economics, and green concerns will make sure there is never anything truly like a modern Dino.

 

+1

 

About an inch less than a 355 which in the UK really is too wide to be as much fun as a 328 which is nearly five inches narrower or an Elise which is six inches narrower - and thats a shame since otherwise (especially in that white !) it presses almost every other button

 

That Alfa is gorgeous.

 

There's a pretty good US review of the 4C here [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STLuF98-fBM]2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Review - Kelley Blue Book - YouTube[/ame]

 

Maybe a Ford GT, also mid-engined, but with much more power. Value increases, only around 4000 produced.

Not sure if it is suitable as a daily driver, depends on your weather conditions (don't want to drive that one in the heavy rain or snow) and your daily needs

 

For a cheap option I immediately thought of the BRZ/FRS. If you can swing it, an Alfa 4C would be even better.

 

Excellent, I hope it suits your driving style. I've heard nothing but great things about them.

 

I think that of all the cars mentioned previously the Toyota/Subaru, is probably the car the is closest to the Dino in terms of performance, in that it too is not that quick, but handles sweetly and feels light. If you can live with the badge(because let's face it badge psychology is one of the key feel good factors in owning a car) and you are partial to the looks then undoubtedly it is a a winner.

 

I'm a big fan of your choice. Honestly, not sure the difference between the Scion and Subaru but have heard to choose Subaru (no facts to back it up).

Anyway, congrats and enjoy!

dsd