Best handling car in the whole wide world?

[CR6ZZ]

I had a 1954 Citroen Big 15 (Traction Avant) many years back. Not a patch on modern cars, but in its day it was light years ahead of most other cars on the road in terms of dynamics. Had a duel with a bloke in XY Falcon once. On the straights he caught up to me like I was standing still, but when we got to the twisty stuff he just couldn't keep up.

[DH01]

Any early Caterham 7 or Lotus Seven S3 before they went power crazy with the R series's . Fairly long travel, compliant suspension. Sublime steering and turn in. Progressive and controllable on the limit of adhesion. Nothing else compares but maybe lacking a few creature comforts for some.

[Evoluzione]

Hmmm, I would say not an Alfasud as they are too prone to understeer and not an integrale either as the dampers/springs were a mess from the factory. They bang and crash over the rough stuff, then wallow all over the place in the bends. A mildly modified one would be a different case, but then that would be cheating.

Probably a Lotus for me, RWD, clever suspension and very light, a winning combination.

[dartissimus]

DH01 said:

Any early Caterham 7 or Lotus Seven S3 before they went power crazy with the R series's . Fairly long travel, compliant suspension. Sublime steering and turn in. Progressive and controllable on the limit of adhesion. Nothing else compares but maybe lacking a few creature comforts for some.

Agreed, these are the things that matter, the trade-of for all this is comfort.

Caterham via Lotus shows what evolution can do, it's just a developement of the original Austin 7,

[viggyp]

Evoluzione said:

not an integrale either as the dampers/springs were a mess from the factory. They bang and crash over the rough stuff, then wallow all over the place in the bends.

Really? Never heard any complaints from owners of originals and motoring journalists. Always heard they were brilliant from the factory.

I've driven a couple myself and thought they were great.

[FWDRacer]

Classic Mini.

Watch this and tell me I'm off my rocker... 4-wheel drifting - Oversteer - Understeer? It can do the lot. The most fun you can have with your clothes on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq743jZ6L0Y

[JMC1]

Esprit (Not the V8 too heavy)
Any of the modern cars appear to handle due to 4WD, AWD, Traction Control etc etc.

[FWDRacer]

Don't get handling confused with grip.

[Loose_Cannon]

Nothing handles like a hire car... (pinched from Bill Bailey)

[IroningMan]

Motown Junk said:

phatgixer said:

I think I know the worst.

MkI 2 litre Triumph Vitesse. Deadly bastids.

Just never, ever, ever, ever lift off!

Even when you've already left the road, backwards and are in a ditch between Ranmore Common and the Volunteer Pub. Don't lift

Even when you're straining to reach the passenger door that's just swung open on a right-hander. Don't lift.

[dartissimus]

IroningMan said:

Motown Junk said:

phatgixer said:

I think I know the worst.

MkI 2 litre Triumph Vitesse. Deadly bastids.

Just never, ever, ever, ever lift off!

Even when you've already left the road, backwards and are in a ditch between Ranmore Common and the Volunteer Pub. Don't lift

Even when you're straining to reach the passenger door that's just swung open on a right-hander. Don't lift.

What about a Mini? Paddy Hopkirk - Lift off oversteer king

[molineux1980]

My last 2 cars have been a 93 Mini, and a 91 MX-5, both handle differently, both handle magnificently. The Mini was so chuckable, I would trust it implicitly. The MX-5 is a great combination of feel, it feels quite delicate and rides suprisingly well. Well, it does after a Mini.

[Behemoth]

Too many "my car is the best" responses to make this an interesting thread Pity.

[Yertis]

phatgixer said:

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.

I've driven those back to back with my old Quattro 20valve and while they were faster on paper (and real life) and stuck like you-know-what, any journey more than 30 minutes was torture because the suspension, transmission and engine were all so harsh.

[fourwheelsteer]

mikey77 said:

Best I've ever experience is my 1998 Prelude with four-wheel steer. Me and LJK Setright can't be wrong...

I wouldn't argue with that conclusion either.

[8potdave]

Best I've driven was my Clio 172. Pushed and pushed and pushed that thing and it just did as it was told! Having driven many different cars over the years that has to be the best - remarkably!

[nagsheadwarrior]

Stock answer but has to be an mx5 for me of what ive driven,superb tail out fun at legal speeds and no bonecrushing ride.

[POORCARDEALER]

My Caterham R500 was the best, but I found my baby Elans more enjoyable, skinny tyres and amazing steering feel

[woodytype S]

fourwheelsteer said:

mikey77 said:

Best I've ever experience is my 1998 Prelude with four-wheel steer. Me and LJK Setright can't be wrong...

I wouldn't argue with that conclusion either.

My old Prelude Type S was very good without the 4 wheel steer.

[benjj]

Behemoth said:

Too many "my car is the best" responses to make this an interesting thread Pity.

No, not really. As most of us are motoring ethusiasts it stands to reason that we'll seek out and buy the cars that we feel perform best in our individual opinions.