The most fun FWD cars?

[LordHaveMurci]

jof said:

Had enormous fun in a mk1 Golf GTI in my youth, then later a Corrado VR6 which just felt so balanced. It would just grip and grip

I'm surprised it's taken this long for a Golf to get a mention.

[C.A.R.]

JonoG81 said:

C.A.R. said:

Agreed, hilarious little thing. The SportKa is pretty decent for something so camp!

Are you sure you don't mean the streetKa? that is the camp, woman-orientated version, the SportKa was the butch, manly version. (that's what I have been told any way).

Wayne Rooney had one when he first passed his test so it must be true......

No - definitely the SportKa. Not sure if it actually had a wider track but with the bodykit it looks as wide as it is long - but still camp as anything! Nothing butch about it.

[Dan Friel]

M1C said:

I'm not the first one to mention it...but here's my daily driver...

I think it's good enough to be included in this thread!

You're just trying to upset me! Great car, and a brilliant five years with that..Although, I now do quite like:

[Skylinecrazy]

Hmm, interesting one..

I enjoyed the EP3 driving experience despite what people on here have said. A mates 400bhp one is a hoot too

The most fun however are probably the following;

172 cup
205 GTI

Wasn't a fan of the 'new' brigade particularly, especially the fiesta ST which I found quite disappointing.

[bobbins]

Fiat Coupe 20VT, 205 1.9 GTi, Saxo VTR, Puma. I've had plenty of smiles from all these.

[chrisxr2]

Completely agree onmute no 1 focus re as I ownnone, and also a classic mini which I also propose as awesome fwd fun.

JonoG81 said:

*prepares flame suit*

Personal opinion but the Mk1 Focus RS is one of the most involving, fun fwd cars I have ever driven ( slightly biased as I own one I know).

Another is the DC2 Integra Type R, borrowed a friends whilst my car was in for an mot, and was shocked at how well it held the road ( not being my car I didn't push it as much as I would my own), but felt planted and secure around corners at any speed.

Edit: Post above beat me to it!!!

[morgrp]

Not driven an actual sud - only the less impressive 33, but they are reputed to be excellent fun:


THe original Mini is a brilliant fun car to chuck around but only if they are rot free and in fine fettle

a couple that no one seems to like apart from me are:

Handling and grip are poor - as for fun, these are hard to beat - you literally laugh out loud as it rolls around the corners

Much better and still huge fun is its bigger brother the GS/GSA - a fine handling motor and great fun to pilot

[blearyeyedboy]

Wizardskills said:

An Abarth 500 EsseEsse with the factory Koni suspension upgrade is huge amounts of fun.

This is a surprise. Any links to tests with the Koni suspension? I didn't think it was as well received as you suggest. That said, I haven't driven one.

The current Megane Mk3, Leon Cupra and Civic Type R are conspicuous by their absence in this thread, which I think is telling.

[Fastdruid]

morgrp said:

Much better and still huge fun is its bigger brother the GS/GSA - a fine handling motor and great fun to pilot

Flat air cooled flat-4 ("boxer") engine and fully independent hydro-pneumatic suspension. So low down weight and awesome suspension.

My parents had a couple of GSA's (one might have been a GS) when I was younger, never had a chance to drive one though.

[TameRacingDriver]

Head and shoulders above all else for me was my DC2 98 Import ITR. Bloody amazing car regardless of driven wheels.

My FN2 isn't as much of a drivers tool, and although the poster on page 2 didn't seem to gel with his, I think its a great FWD car, still raw but with modern toys, creature comforts, and I think with a few mods could be very nearly as good as my ITR.

Clio 1*2 were good when they worked, preferred the Phase 1 to drive over the 182. Better high speed handling and ride-quality for me.

Puma was a funny car, 120 bhp but kept up easily with my mates 328i over B-roads unless in a straight line, and that was with crap tyres!

Primera GT was amazing on smooth roads but terrible on anything less.

Mk2 Golf GTI was slow but an absolute hoot. I don't think you'll really beat these 80s car for ultimate connection to the road and uncompromising experience, but only the best will do, as there were a lot of fairly poor cars around otherwise, with poor engines and handling. The Golf and 205 were the best of the breed.

[dannyDC2]

DC2 for me, obviously, but I don't think it would be the most fun for everyone.

Saxo VTS is a close second followed by the Primera GT.

[AnotherClarkey]

dannyDC2 said:

DC2 for me, obviously, but I don't think it would be the most fun for everyone.

Saxo VTS is a close second followed by the Primera GT.

I found the handling of the 'lesser' Saxos with narrow tyres was more fun than that of the VTR or VTS.

[digger_R]

Out of interest, how many of these FWD cars come with an LSD?
Only asking as the Integra DC2 is the only one I've had myself.

[Fastdruid]

Optional on the FRP, IIRC something like 80 of them had it.

[Jimmy Recard]

yonex said:

The integra DC2 was, and still is amazing. 205 GTI lot's of fun and is put the AXGT right up there. A well sorted original Minj would still hold its own

Correct

[anarki]

Whole heartedly agree with people mentioning the puma.

Fantastic car in standard 1.7 guise, can't comment on the racing puma although I imagine it's as good if not better.

The standard car is let down, not by its handling but rather it's brakes, aluminium gear knob (not the gearbox) which on a hot day, is akin to pouring scolding water into your palms and a general attraction to rust in the arch area.

Almost forgot the steering wheel trim/stitching - which seemed to be have been stitched by a ham fisted amputee using spit as glue and rice paper as nylon.

Amazing engine, gearbox and chassis massively outshine those minor quality issues, I need another puma.

[Pesty]

[CR6ZZ]

Have to agree with Ford Ka, MK1 Focus, and classic mini. Lancia HPE I owned for a while was also a hoot.

[PomBstard]

300bhp/ton said:

For the record, I've also spent sometime commuting in a 1.2 Fiat Punto Sporting. It's pretty much the worst car I've driven and completely devoid of fun or enjoyment.

I had a 98 Mk1 Sporting from new - put 63,000 reliable miles on it in 28 months - was a hoot to drive. Not saying it was the best out there, and was certainly not rapid outright, but the quick, albeit feel-free, steering and rev-hungry engine meant fun was to be had. The only car in which I've hit the rev limiter in top gear. Twice. Was also roomy enough for four adults, and would stay at an indicated 3 digits all day.

Also, another vote for the original Ka - had a ball in one of these around the mountains of Majorca.

Others I'd include were 205 and ZX. We had base Diesel versions of both and whilst straight line pace was lacking, there was no need to lift off for corners. Part of the fun was seeing how much speed could be carried, and the basic chassis in both was the reason.

Peugeots 306, 309 and 405 were all great fun too.

[steviegunn]

masermartin said:

steviegunn said:

The ones I've owned or driven that stood out, Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi, Ford Puma 1.7, Nissan Almera GTi.

Did they change the steering weighting/feedback on the Almera GTi over the standard car? I had a non-GTi as a hire car once and it was disgustingly light and devoid of feeling and the car felt so beige.

I was referring to the 1st generation N15 with the SR20DE 2.0 litre which had different suspension, bracing and steering rack.