Yes -- well, there are several things, which are tangible but add up to be an intangible, if that makes sense. I like the steering, which is very tight and precise, with a great wheel. I like the suspension, which is reasonably firm, so I can feel the road well. And the car is both fairly small, relatively heavy / solid, and somewhat low.
All this (and possibly some other things which I've tried, but failed to identify) add up to amazing handling, and a full sense of the speed you're going. I live in various places, but one place I drive a lot is East Texas, which has many narrow, winding, hilly roads with decently high speed limits. This car sits completely reliably and predictably in the middle of the lane while I swoop around turns at 60 -- it's a wonderful feeling, and yet there's little danger, because the car is so well under control. I know where all four corners are, so to speak.
I've driven other cars in East Texas too -- one of them over 40k miles -- and they're just not the same. If I forget and drive like I'm in the '91, I scare myself spitless at the first turn and have to start slowing way down.
The gas mileage was superb -- important if you drive as much as I do. In my first '91, I could get 35 mpg or up. On this one, which was never quite as sound, I usually got 30, and maybe 32 in optimal conditions.
Also, despite the 4-cylinder, 2L engine and admitted lack of great acceleration, it was a perfectly game little car and would do 70-80 on the interstate without a thought, comfortably all day long. I never really had a problem passing in it or the like.
And finally, I just loved the look. That might put me in a minority, but I thought the car had really great lines.
What are your favorite cars?