Greatest all weather point-to-point car?

[m1spw]

bluespanner said:

Maybe, but the Landies dont have a super-smooth 3 speed autobox do they? Or a nice casette player

No, I don't want a cassette player. I have an ipod, that will do

And who wants an auto? Manual is the only way to go. Or flappy paddles...

[Matthew C]

How about a 1988 1.4GL Escort?

[bluespanner]

Matthew C said:

How about a 1988 1.4GL Escort?

Good one, Matt, if we keep on at him, hell crack and buy a metro or summat!

[Matthew C]

What's with the obsession with flappy paddles?

[RobDickinson]

1984 Metro 1.1 city in brown.

Ideal point to point car, just not point to point and back again.

[Matthew C]

bluespanner said:

Matthew C said: How about a 1988 1.4GL Escort? Good one, Matt, if we keep on at him, hell crack and buy a metro or summat!

Oi! My car's not that bad. However, if I sold my car I'd be very tempted to buy a 2.0 (pinto, carb) sierra. Oh dear, I seem to have caught some kind of Ford disease.

[Matthew C]

In reply yo the original question, I reckon a Renault Laguna Diabolique company car driven by DTM would qualify.

[flemke]

m1spw said:

My reaction was due to the fact that you seemed to talk about driving a Caterham as if it were a "lower" time in your life. It is obviously very hard to judge someone from just what they write, and I doubt I will ever meet you. I'm going to be getting my first car in a few months time hopefully, and my dream would be to get a Locost. IMO it is one of the greatest point to point cars ever made. The rawness that they have. They don't have lots of modern comforts, or a roof...or doors...and yes they will be cold in the winter. But I want one. I obviously took your post the wrong way, so I apologise for that.

Perhaps the fault was my own for presuming that it would be obvious that any PHer (including me) would always admire the Caterfield/Locost genre.
In addition to the rawness, I think you would find that they are amazingly tactile and will give the driver loads of feedback. In those cars you can be sure that it's not the car that sorts things out for you.

Hope you can achieve this dream, and many others after it.


(ps: For the first seven years of my full-time working life I was a self-employed cabinetmaker/joiner, and I didn't even start that until I was four years older than you are now. Be focused, be patient and be willing to take risks, and good things can happen.)

[Nick J]

Range Rover Sport supercharged, Cayenne Turbo.

[anonymous-user]

the biggest problem with a seven as an all weather car is its sensitivity to setup. in my (admitedly limited) experience of superlights a car that works in the dry is a fecking liability in the wet. iirc the techs losened everything up and changed front antiroll bars for the wet.

[petrol_noggin]

Nick J said:

Range Rover Sport supercharged, Cayenne Turbo.

no way, they'd be stampeeded over on corners, 'sides you want a real range rover supercharged if any at all

[Mr E]

Al Rush said:

Integrale.

Yes, but I prefer something a little less, well, Italian.

Hence the reason I drive what I drive. Slightly leftfield has always seemed a comfortable place for me.

[Chris71]

If I was trying to be original I might say a Nissan Pulsar with a biiiiiig turbo on it? A mate has one and it seems to be completely impervious to standing water etc. Just keeps pointing in exactly the right direction whatever and with 350hp you still need snow or ice to spin the wheels.

In terms of exotica I'd have to put my money on a 4WD turbo'd 911.

But these suggestions are both irrelevant, as we all know the fastest vehicle in the world is in fact.....

.....a van (white).

[neil_cardiff]

Nick J said:

Range Rover Sport supercharged, Cayenne Turbo.

You wot? No chance, I've driven the Cayenne Turbo, and undoubtedly quick it is, but I wouldn't swap my Golf for it up a B Road.

Munching Autobahns, and Autroutes yes, but B Roads - behave!

[anonymous-user]

911 turbo. if there was ever any doubt, look at the traction these things have. golf gti, seven? i think not

www.zoomin.tv/asx/dsp_asxplaylist.

[ultimasimon]

I would nominate a Porsche 928GT. Very long legs, great cruising abaility, quiet and comfortable, does 170mph too

[neil_cardiff]

francisb said:

911 turbo. if there was ever any doubt, look at the traction these things have. golf gti, seven? i think not www.zoomin.tv/asx/dsp_asxplaylist.

Very impressive clips there - very well controlled chassis, and insane grip in the wet.

Could well be a 'real world' contender that...

[jamieboy]

Mr E said:

Hence the reason I drive what I drive. Slightly leftfield has always seemed a comfortable place for me.

You should update your profile, then - it still says you drive a Toyota Celica.

nonegreen said:

Car ran a test comparison between the integrale, the elan and the carrera 4

Do you know when that was? I'd be keen to try and get a back issue.

[anniesdad]

Any hire car, preferably one with a 2.0 engine.

[jamieboy]

Gazboy said:

jamieboy said: Mr E said: Hence the reason I drive what I drive. Slightly leftfield has always seemed a comfortable place for me. You should update your profile, then - it still says you drive a Toyota Celica. Eh? Would an x50 be better on a British road against it's Ruf counterpart because of (I presume) softer suspension and higer ride hight? Also, as the 959 has sequential turbos, would that be quicker still?

Have you quoted the right quote, there, gazboy?