The most fun FWD cars?

[BuzzBravado]

kambites said:

For me the Mini will never be much fun because I'd have to chop my feet off to drive it more than a few miles.

Have you tried? I'm 6'1 and fit no problem. Then there is seat adapters and steering column brackets that can make it even easier.

[ManFromDelmonte]

Tickle said:

LordHaveMurci said:

Tickle said:

Not driven but I would imagine very good
Lotus Elan M100

I think the problem with the Elan was it wasn't particularly fun to drive, it was too competent. Been a long time since I've driven one so hard to have a personal opinion but it doesn't stand out in my memory.

IIRC EVO rated them quite high in the 'greatest FWD test' a while ago. As you say though this don't equal outright fun. Still would't mind a blast in one to make my own mind up.

I ran one for about 3 years and had huge fun. Just the fact that you can take the roof off adds a whole fun-factor missing from many of the other cars mentioned. It had a peach of an engine too.

Some argued that it had too much grip but I nearly span mine a couple of times.

[kambites]

BuzzBravado said:

kambites said:

For me the Mini will never be much fun because I'd have to chop my feet off to drive it more than a few miles.

Have you tried? I'm 6'1 and fit no problem. Then there is seat adapters and steering column brackets that can make it even easier.

Yes, the problem is the same I have with almost all modern (as in 70s onwards) cars but significantly worse than most. Basically the foot well isn't deep enough; I can put the seat back far enough to get my legs in but then I can't reach the steering wheel. Can't even solve it with a steering wheel spacer because the angle of the column means I'd end up steering above my head.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 29th September 14:53

[lostkiwi]

kambites said:

BuzzBravado said:

kambites said:

For me the Mini will never be much fun because I'd have to chop my feet off to drive it more than a few miles.

Have you tried? I'm 6'1 and fit no problem. Then there is seat adapters and steering column brackets that can make it even easier.

Yes, the problem is the same I have with almost all modern (as in 70s onwards) cars but significantly worse than most. Basically the foot well isn't deep enough; I can put the seat back far enough to get my legs in but then I can't reach the steering wheel. Can't even solve it with a steering wheel spacer because the angle of the column means I'd end up steering above my head.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 29th September 14:53

I'm 6ft and raced them for years with no problem. It probably depends how you're structured.
Seat extender brackets move the seat back about 2-3" and column lowering brackets make a word of difference.

[BuzzBravado]

lostkiwi said:

kambites said:

BuzzBravado said:

kambites said:

For me the Mini will never be much fun because I'd have to chop my feet off to drive it more than a few miles.

Have you tried? I'm 6'1 and fit no problem. Then there is seat adapters and steering column brackets that can make it even easier.

Yes, the problem is the same I have with almost all modern (as in 70s onwards) cars but significantly worse than most. Basically the foot well isn't deep enough; I can put the seat back far enough to get my legs in but then I can't reach the steering wheel. Can't even solve it with a steering wheel spacer because the angle of the column means I'd end up steering above my head.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 29th September 14:53

I'm 6ft and raced them for years with no problem. It probably depends how you're structured.
Seat extender brackets move the seat back about 2-3" and column lowering brackets make a word of difference.

This. Using the lowering bracket for the column and seat puts you in an almost go-kart position.

[kambites]

lostkiwi said:

I'm 6ft and raced them for years with no problem. It probably depends how you're structured.

I'm 6' with relatively long legs and short arms. The only car I've driven built in the last 20 years that I could genuinely get comfortable in without modification was the mk2 SLK; everything else (and I've driven hundreds of models) simply wont adjust enough. The Mini is enough worse than average to make it undriveable except for very short distances.

To put it in perspective, I'm 6' and have nearly 6 inches of head room in my Elise.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 29th September 15:04

[toon10]

BuzzBravado said:

kambites said:

For me the Mini will never be much fun because I'd have to chop my feet off to drive it more than a few miles.

Have you tried? I'm 6'1 and fit no problem. Then there is seat adapters and steering column brackets that can make it even easier.

I went to college with a lad who had one and he was 6ft 3. Mind to be fair, he was a bit hunched in the drivers seat, his eye line was looking at his feet more than out the window but he made it work

[RobM77]

kambites said:

lostkiwi said:

I'm 6ft and raced them for years with no problem. It probably depends how you're structured.

I'm 6' with relatively long legs and short arms. The only car I've driven built in the last 20 years that I could genuinely get comfortable in without modification was the mk2 SLK; everything else (and I've driven hundreds of models) simply wont adjust enough. The Mini is enough worse than average to make it undriveable except for very short distances.

To put it in perspective, I'm 6' and have nearly 6 inches of head room in my Elise.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 29th September 15:04

I have the same issue. I'm a totally average 1.77m (5'10"), but don't really fit in anything properly, especially modern FWD cars. The problem is that over the years cars have migrated to a driving position that gives the average person bent legs and straight arms, so even though I'm only a couple of inches long in the leg I have absolutely no chance. I actually quite enjoy small FWD cars, but I tried a week in a 107 last year whilst having some work done on my daily driver and had back and shoulder pain for weeks afterwards - I actually had to stop windsurfing purely because of the pain the car was putting me in.

I used to race an MG Metro actually, but had the seat bolted to the floor right up against where the floorplan raises up for the rear seats (and the road car's fuel tank I think), with the steering wheel on a big bracket to lower it and then a big column extender to bring the wheel 6 inches closer to me. I tried to share another racing Metro with a more normally proportioned 5'11" friend of mine a couple of years ago and I simply couldn't drive it - I couldn't reach the steering wheel and my legs were bent double giving me ankle pain - same issue as the 107 and pretty much everything. Except the mk2 SLK..

[Clivey]

Either...though as with other PHers, driving the classic would mean feeling like a gorilla riding a mini moto!

Bought the R56 a year ago in an experiment to see if I could enjoy any of the modern turbo hatches (I've tried lots and haven't clicked with them - I much prefer RWD, all other things being equal) and it's been partly successful...but like an addict I am now looking at RWD, naturally aspirated 6-pots again!

[jontbone]

pti said:

Ford Ka

Horrible wheezy little engine but a bloody good chassis and very chuckable.

I can vouch for this, had one as my second car. The handling was superb for what it was, just a shame the 59hp wasn't up to the job. I said at the time it'd be fantastic with 1.6 lump, shortly after they brought the Sport KA out!

[steviegunn]

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

[stargazer30]

jontbone said:

pti said:

Ford Ka

Horrible wheezy little engine but a bloody good chassis and very chuckable.

I can vouch for this, had one as my second car. The handling was superb for what it was, just a shame the 59hp wasn't up to the job. I said at the time it'd be fantastic with 1.6 lump, shortly after they brought the Sport KA out!

I had a mk1 1.3L Ka as a courtesy car once. It was so much fun, but I admit I abused it every trip. Floor it and steer lol.

[MrBarry123]

I find mine plenty of fun.

Any current FWD hot-hatch will be fun in the right circumstances.

[caelite]

Clivey said:

Either...though as with other PHers, driving the classic would mean feeling like a gorilla riding a mini moto!

Bought the R56 a year ago in an experiment to see if I could enjoy any of the modern turbo hatches (I've tried lots and haven't clicked with them - I much prefer RWD, all other things being equal) and it's been partly successful...but like an addict I am now looking at RWD, naturally aspirated 6-pots again!

... That tiny little car is taking up multiple parking spaces .... *twitches*


MGs anyone? Tiff Nadel(sp?) called the ZS the best handling FWD car he had ever driven back when it was released in 2001 on Top Gear. He also raced it against the Clio 172 and Civic Type R on a technical track and the Clio & Civic beat it by a baw hair (which is not bad considering its a far bigger more substantial car). You also get a fabulous sounded V6 to snuff out the usual 4pot drone from the Civic and Clio, they have also been hit much harder by depreciation because Rover.

[Huff]

Original Mini, oh yes.

Regardless of engine these simply had (have!) so much to offer a driver for tactile pleasure and engagement; very nearly a total schooling in line, momentum, value of smooth control inputs, braking techniques as a part of handling overall - and all available even at 39hp or whatever. 'Most fun fwd'? No, I'd say even better than that

[stuckmojo]

I don't like FWD at all.

yet, this car is immense fun.



A112 Abarth.

on the principle of low weight and low power.

Still, it's better with a bike engine in the middle anyways.

[Baryonyx]

106 Rallye, my favourite B road car.

[JonoG81]

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......

[hoppo4.2]

The best ones I've had.

106 gti
205gti
Metro gti

Elan m100

Alfa 33 cloverleaf 16v.

[Patrick Bateman]

My experience of FWD is limited but all I know is my Clio Trophy is an absolute riot on the most twisty B-road you can find.