Classic Cars with Good Handling

Classic Cars with Good Handling

Author
Discussion

longshot

3,286 posts

197 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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I think you need to be a bit more specific about what you mean by classic.

motorhole

658 posts

219 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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Perception of handling when driving older cars can sometimes be poor because of the age of springs, shocks, bushes etc! If you know these are in tip top nick then I suppose the opinion can be justified.

I'm always going to put the E30 forward for this. Any E30, not just the M3. Again a lot are on tired consumables and they are hampered somewhat by overly long steering. Freshen up the bushes and suspension and put in an E46 PAS rack - different car entirely. Everyone who has ridden shotgun in mine in a trackday has been extremely complimentary about the handling - and in my opinion it's still got some way to be perfect smile

EnglishTony

2,552 posts

98 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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kambites said:
EnglishTony said:
Then you are ready for a Mitsubshi Evo VI.
Pre-1990?
No. A step up from a 306 - yes. So I think the OP needs to drop the pre 90 thing. 'cos a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth isn't as good as an EVO VI.

I notice lots of love for the M3 E30. Which is fair enough, it's a good car. It's not under 10k though.

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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E30 318is perhaps? Not at all stiff of uncomfortable but surprisingly pointy

mike9009

6,918 posts

242 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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Mk1 mr2

Johnny 89

824 posts

151 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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I haven't driven either but would expect them to handle quiet well.. TVR S Series or Wedge?

Alternatively, an FC RX-7 is bound to be good?

veevee

Original Poster:

1,455 posts

150 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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EnglishTony said:
kambites said:
EnglishTony said:
Then you are ready for a Mitsubshi Evo VI.
Pre-1990?
No. A step up from a 306 - yes. So I think the OP needs to drop the pre 90 thing. 'cos a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth isn't as good as an EVO VI.

I notice lots of love for the M3 E30. Which is fair enough, it's a good car. It's not under 10k though.
That car was made in 2000. That's not old enough to be a classic IMO. I can name a very long list of cars made in 2000 with great handling. I can also name quite a few cars made in 2010 with great handling; that's missing the point completely.

NiceCupOfTea

25,280 posts

250 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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A good TVR S series handles very well - fresh suspension and bushes and steering components, etc.

But that is the key on any old car.

veevee

Original Poster:

1,455 posts

150 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
motorhole said:
Perception of handling when driving older cars can sometimes be poor because of the age of springs, shocks, bushes etc! If you know these are in tip top nick then I suppose the opinion can be justified.

I'm always going to put the E30 forward for this. Any E30, not just the M3. Again a lot are on tired consumables and they are hampered somewhat by overly long steering. Freshen up the bushes and suspension and put in an E46 PAS rack - different car entirely. Everyone who has ridden shotgun in mine in a trackday has been extremely complimentary about the handling - and in my opinion it's still got some way to be perfect smile
This sounds great, I've always quite liked the 318is.. I didn't know a steering rack swap was a popular mod for them. I wonder if I can get a 306 rack into my 205.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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Autocar's Annual Handling Day 1989


Here are the cars.....





Here's the verdict


Leins

9,421 posts

147 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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The engine in a 325i is worth the slight weight sacrifice over the 318iS IMO. All great fun on the right road though

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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Autocar's Annual Handling Day in 1990

The nominations



Results


Rjbell

152 posts

95 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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Someone has said it. Mk1 mr2.

Mk1 Crx are a nice alternative to a golf or 205 gti.

Edited by Rjbell on Sunday 1st May 00:58

RetroWheels

3,384 posts

270 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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The Jaguar XJ Series 6/12 Series 1 to 3 must be up there amongst the best handling (saloon) cars of their respective decades's
MY '88 Daimler Double Six handles modern traffic/motorways with poise and the old 300 bhp V12 keeps the newer cars honest.. although i may be stopping to re-fuel a tad more often hehe


Impasse

15,099 posts

240 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo.

Hasbeen

2,073 posts

220 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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The best car I have driven for a quick thrash through the twisties is my 330 BHP Triumph TR8, & I've owned quite a few, & driven more.

The best handling & nicest car for a thousand kilometre a day trip is my Triumph TR7. Of course both are in mint condition.

The worst handling car I have ever driven was a 1966 Ferrari GB B. Independent rear end even with inboard discs does not mean a thing, if they are designed badly at the factory.

I owned a 306 for about 4 weeks, & thought I'd found a front drive car worth owning, until I hit a little standing water puddle in it. I still own a Honda S2000, even though they have dreadful electric steering, & are a pain on damp, as distinct from wet roads. The charm of that engine, & the turn in stop me selling it.

Good handling nice to drive cheap cars are available, if you ignore the conventional wisdom, & avoid front wheel drive.

skyrover

12,668 posts

203 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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Reliant Scimitar?

rallycross

12,747 posts

236 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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Porsche 944, or even a 924-S or if you are lucky enough to find one sub £10k a 968.

jamieduff1981

8,022 posts

139 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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Everyone has different ideas about what makes a good handling car. Even those who can distinguish handling from grip have different ideas.

Is steering feel more less important than directness? Is it more important than having all traces of bumpsteer eliminated?

Do you like a car to understeer power off or power on? Do you like a car to oversteer? If so, under what conditions?

Do you like a car that follows a predictable line whilst cornering on an uneven road, or are corrections part of the fun?

skyrover

12,668 posts

203 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
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I like a well balanced RWD car.

Grip is not so important, it needs to be predictable though.