Best handling car in the whole wide world?
Discussion
I am of the Top Trumps generation, having grown up in the Seventies. Car statistics mattered even before I was old enough to drive. Now I'm a little older, I find myself judging cars by more subjective criteria.
I've not gone as far as "comfy, like my slippers" or even "well appointed" as one of my best mates' Dad used to say, but I keep coming back to handling and/or road-holding. I'm not sure really what the difference is.
Anyway, my vote goes to my baby Elan, born a couple of years before me. Anyone got a better suggestion?
I've not gone as far as "comfy, like my slippers" or even "well appointed" as one of my best mates' Dad used to say, but I keep coming back to handling and/or road-holding. I'm not sure really what the difference is.
Anyway, my vote goes to my baby Elan, born a couple of years before me. Anyone got a better suggestion?
It all depends on how you describe "best". The best-handling cars I have owned were undoubtedly my Integrale and Elise. The most intuitively brilliant and my favourite to drive was the 'baby' Elan, but however magnificent it is, it doesn't corner as quickly the former two if that is your sole criterion.
The most fun was a racing Westfield Eleven, but that was so sideways that the fun could get exhausting pretty quickly.
Recently, I have decided that my favourite handling is on 1950s sports cars on crossplies. They drift (proper four-wheel drifting, not just oversteer) so easily that they are fantastically controllable fun to drive on the throttle and on the limit (and with much more explorable limits than modern cars). I'm talking sidescreen TR, MGA or XK120. Love them all.
Overall however, ie allowing for age and technical improvements in the past half century, the Elan is a good call, but Lotus/Caterham Sevens cream this category. They are uniquely magnificent AND fun.
The most fun was a racing Westfield Eleven, but that was so sideways that the fun could get exhausting pretty quickly.
Recently, I have decided that my favourite handling is on 1950s sports cars on crossplies. They drift (proper four-wheel drifting, not just oversteer) so easily that they are fantastically controllable fun to drive on the throttle and on the limit (and with much more explorable limits than modern cars). I'm talking sidescreen TR, MGA or XK120. Love them all.
Overall however, ie allowing for age and technical improvements in the past half century, the Elan is a good call, but Lotus/Caterham Sevens cream this category. They are uniquely magnificent AND fun.
Modern stuff the E92 M3 is good on road. 997 GT3RS series 2 for track 
Old tackle - For throttle steering and great feedback, a AH3000 is hard to fault, but for finesse, I think the OP has nailed it with the original Elan Sprint. On 155x 13 Dunlop SP Sports!
For you guys tittering on about 4wd rally cars, I would say the Evo 7 RS or EVO 6 Makkinen extreme would be the best. I would say they are more about road holding, though.
For put it anywhere sideways fun, then Escorts are near the top, but personal favourite is the HS Chevette. Great back laner!
Old tackle - For throttle steering and great feedback, a AH3000 is hard to fault, but for finesse, I think the OP has nailed it with the original Elan Sprint. On 155x 13 Dunlop SP Sports!
For you guys tittering on about 4wd rally cars, I would say the Evo 7 RS or EVO 6 Makkinen extreme would be the best. I would say they are more about road holding, though.
For put it anywhere sideways fun, then Escorts are near the top, but personal favourite is the HS Chevette. Great back laner!
Most cars need a bit of time to explore the outer limits, but for instant fun, I'd rate the the Mark 1 Golf GTi, the Mark 2 RS2000 and any Alfasud as about as good as it comes.The fit like a glove syndrome.
But, here's a first mention for the Lancia Fulvia.
It's also quite noticeable from most of the other comments that supercars don't rate here, big speeds = big crashes, big fines, big problems, big bills, big egos, in fact big nearly everything.
But, here's a first mention for the Lancia Fulvia.
It's also quite noticeable from most of the other comments that supercars don't rate here, big speeds = big crashes, big fines, big problems, big bills, big egos, in fact big nearly everything.
Chrisw26 said:
I keep coming back to handling and/or road-holding. I'm not sure really what the difference is.
As I understand it, road holding is how quick you can corner before it slides. Handling is how easy it is to drive at that speed.If I'm right then I'll take handling over road holding any day, that's what made my Migdet such fun. It'd slide at low speed but you could do it safely all day.
dartissimus said:
It's also quite noticeable from most of the other comments that supercars don't rate here, big speeds = big crashes, big fines, big problems, big bills, big egos, in fact big nearly everything.
It also depends on what you're looking for. If by handling you mean ultimate grip then Supercars might be OK, most I'd classify best handling as being the best to handle, ie those that put the biggest grin on my face. There is only so much fun to be had from going around corners on rails. A long drift around a turn can be much more fun.Years ago I remember reading a posting on a forum elsewhere from a bloke saying he had a Ferrari and Lambo but on the road his 2CV was often more fun, since it could be driven at or even beyond its limits on the public road.
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