Your Top 10 real-world cars...
Discussion
So, being as general or specific as you like, what are the best 10 cars to buy/run/own in the real-world (as opposed to a fantasy world where you have an unlimited budget and commute on an Alpine pass)! I have been fairly general with my pick and tried to choose ones that are accessible at most budgets but feel free to be more specific if you like.
1) Ford Fiesta (RIP) - Many an automotive journey started with these, cheap to buy and run, simple to fix, reliable and yet often fun with a dash of style. I know that Fiestas weren't always the best but I don't think that they ever quite stooped as low as the Escort and still preferable to a Metro IMHO.
2) MINI hatch - Just talking about the 3 door here really. Can have some issues and not the cheapest to fix or most practical but this is how to do a "premium" small car, that's very personalisable and doesn't have to be expensive but doesn't feel cheap, has character and is fun to drive. Fiat 500 deserves a shout out here too but it's a pretty average car presented very well rather than a good car in its own right.
3) VW Golf - Some would say these are a bit boring and neither the most fun to drive or most stylish but as an overall package that is classless, very difficult to beat, even the less good versions.
4) BMW 3-Series - These were the "go to" cheap, RWD but practical and fast performance cars in my youth and to a certain degree that's still true. Always towards the top of its class as a driving experience and always some nice engine options.
5) Mazda MX5 - As above, if you didn't need big power and practicality. Cheap to buy and run, reliable and unlike many rivals has endured because it stayed true to its roots and didn't gain lots of weight, power and cost.
6) Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Some versions of the 5-Series may be better but the E-Class always put comfort and quality over sportiness and something for everyone from economical 4-pot diesel to firebreathing V8 AMG. All those German taxi drivers can't be wrong.
7) Jaguar XJ - Always quite ahead of its time underneath (even if it didn't look it) and proper decadent luxury in a very elegant body.
8) Porsche 911 - The definitive premium sports car/GT that has managed to evolve with the times and stay relevant and desirable.
9) Range Rover - There's nothing else quite like a Range Rover for the combination of luxury, utility and go anywhere ability, you can pick up an L322 for a few thousand pounds and feel like a King for the day (until it breaks lol).
10) Subaru Impreza Turbo/WRX - Really only the ones with the EJ20 engine. Prices have yet to go mad unlike quattros, Cosworths and Integrales but reliable, tough and just as much of a rallying icon as the others and still more special than a hot hatch IMHO.
The "almosts" for me are the Land Rover Discovery. I've always liked these, even the 5. Just a stylish, well-designed, utilitarian family car in which (in theory) you could travel the world but when engines are still a serviceable item, it can't really make the list sadly.
Peugeot 205 - These were brilliant, pretty styling and so ahead of their time. Even modern cars could learn a thing or two about packaging and making a small car fun to drive from these but most of them have fallen apart now and no-one under 30 gives a s*** about the 205!
Renault Clio - Always been a stylish and fun in my experience alternative to the Fiesta with supposedly some of the best hot hatch variants ever made. Fairly reliable compared to other Renaults but I haven't driven one recently and they ditched the hot versions, so no.
1) Ford Fiesta (RIP) - Many an automotive journey started with these, cheap to buy and run, simple to fix, reliable and yet often fun with a dash of style. I know that Fiestas weren't always the best but I don't think that they ever quite stooped as low as the Escort and still preferable to a Metro IMHO.
2) MINI hatch - Just talking about the 3 door here really. Can have some issues and not the cheapest to fix or most practical but this is how to do a "premium" small car, that's very personalisable and doesn't have to be expensive but doesn't feel cheap, has character and is fun to drive. Fiat 500 deserves a shout out here too but it's a pretty average car presented very well rather than a good car in its own right.
3) VW Golf - Some would say these are a bit boring and neither the most fun to drive or most stylish but as an overall package that is classless, very difficult to beat, even the less good versions.
4) BMW 3-Series - These were the "go to" cheap, RWD but practical and fast performance cars in my youth and to a certain degree that's still true. Always towards the top of its class as a driving experience and always some nice engine options.
5) Mazda MX5 - As above, if you didn't need big power and practicality. Cheap to buy and run, reliable and unlike many rivals has endured because it stayed true to its roots and didn't gain lots of weight, power and cost.
6) Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Some versions of the 5-Series may be better but the E-Class always put comfort and quality over sportiness and something for everyone from economical 4-pot diesel to firebreathing V8 AMG. All those German taxi drivers can't be wrong.
7) Jaguar XJ - Always quite ahead of its time underneath (even if it didn't look it) and proper decadent luxury in a very elegant body.
8) Porsche 911 - The definitive premium sports car/GT that has managed to evolve with the times and stay relevant and desirable.
9) Range Rover - There's nothing else quite like a Range Rover for the combination of luxury, utility and go anywhere ability, you can pick up an L322 for a few thousand pounds and feel like a King for the day (until it breaks lol).
10) Subaru Impreza Turbo/WRX - Really only the ones with the EJ20 engine. Prices have yet to go mad unlike quattros, Cosworths and Integrales but reliable, tough and just as much of a rallying icon as the others and still more special than a hot hatch IMHO.
The "almosts" for me are the Land Rover Discovery. I've always liked these, even the 5. Just a stylish, well-designed, utilitarian family car in which (in theory) you could travel the world but when engines are still a serviceable item, it can't really make the list sadly.
Peugeot 205 - These were brilliant, pretty styling and so ahead of their time. Even modern cars could learn a thing or two about packaging and making a small car fun to drive from these but most of them have fallen apart now and no-one under 30 gives a s*** about the 205!
Renault Clio - Always been a stylish and fun in my experience alternative to the Fiesta with supposedly some of the best hot hatch variants ever made. Fairly reliable compared to other Renaults but I haven't driven one recently and they ditched the hot versions, so no.
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