Cars with fantastic steering?

[k15tox]

Ford ka.

Seriously! I love driving my sisters. Steering is brilliant and it handles like a go kart.....that's even on ditchfinder tyres!

[kambites]

If you want something really cheap with good steering, I'd nominate an early MGF or, if three grand meets the definition of cheap, a mk3 MR2. Much past that and you're into Elise territory.

[VeeFour]

Alfa 156, just over 2 turns lock to lock, so it's incredibly responsive, but also has plenty of feedback and not too much assistance.

[Martin_Hx]

doogz said:

Zp said:

Rickyy said:

I'd agree with the Focus and Puma, haven't driven the others. EP3 Civic Type-R had a very good feel to it.

My EP3 had that crap electro assisted steering.
It went around corners well, but the actual steering wasn't all that feelsome.

I agree.

Aye shame they didnt stick with the old system, it does take some getting used to before you learn to trust it !

[stuttgartmetal]

Properly set up Mk1 Golf GTI 1800.
Minus 30mm all round, very good.
Properly set up Mk2 Golf GTI 16 Valve with PAS minus 40mm.
Also well weighted.

[s m]

hora said:

k15tox said:

Ford ka.

Seriously! I love driving my sisters. Steering is brilliant and it handles like a go kart.....that's even on ditchfinder tyres!

mk1 ka was on there but my list looked too fordist

Yep, I'd forgotten that one as well - enjoyed the hirecar one I tried

[FisiP1]

old 'new' mini was really nice. Cayman is pretty damn good too.

Edited by FisiP1 on Sunday 18th September 15:19

[FisiP1]

kambites said:

Funny, I think the lack of steering feel is the weakest part of the way the MINI drives, from the few that I've driven.

They changed it and spoiled it at some point, the older 'new' ones are very very nice.

[Hammerhead]

The best steering I've experienced:
Any variant of MX-5 (best manual gear change too)
Porsche 944/968
If budget can stretch, BMW E46 CSL.

[Getragdogleg]

s m said:

Getragdogleg said:

I have always found the steering on the Opel Manta GTE to be brilliant, not power assisted but still managable and responsive while being quite quick lock to lock. Also boasts a good turning circle for a long car.

Wouldn't have said it was particularly quick but agreed on the rest

Oh, I agree, it's not quick, its just not as bad as other cars of the era.

I used to drive an Astramax van around the time I used the Manta daily and that was pretty good but a lot slower lock to lock than the Manta.

[900T-R]

thinfourth2 said:

Caterham 7

Can be bought brand new for less then a pimped out MINI

Hmm, the local Caterham/Lotus importer is taking the pi55 then as the cheapest Classic is 40K euro in self built form, which is within 1K of an Elise Club racer and damn near twice what my Cooper costs new...

[900T-R]

kambites said:

Funny, I think the lack of steering feel is the weakest part of the way the MINI drives, from the few that I've driven.

Tried a basic R50 on 175/65s?

[Liquid Knight]

Fiat Cinquecento Sporting.

[edo]

Of the cars I have owned/driven:

Mx5 mk1
Westfield
Caterham
Elise
Exige
Cayman
997
458 Italia :-)

[Liquid Knight]

Johnboy Mac said:

AlfaSud, if you can find one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-ALFA-ROMEO-ALFASUD-Ti-SPECIAL-WIDEBODY-EDITION-/120781198359?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c1f1ed417

[GTIAlex06]

Classic mini..

skinny tyres, no power steering, wheel at each corner. So direct

[VeeFour]

Liquid Knight said:

Johnboy Mac said:

AlfaSud, if you can find one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-ALFA-ROMEO-ALFASUD-Ti-SPECIAL-WIDEBODY-EDITION-/120781198359?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c1f1ed417

What a snotter.

A sud, with the wrong engine, which hasn't been declared, with a lot of stick on plastic tat.

I'll pass on that,

[Mr E]

Elise. One corner and you can forgive it pretty much anything.

VeeFour said:

Alfa 156, just over 2 turns lock to lock, so it's incredibly responsive, but also has plenty of feedback and not too much assistance.

I've got one of these as well. Of all the things it does well, steering isn't one of them.

[Rickyy]

Martin_Hx said:

doogz said:

Zp said:

Rickyy said:

I'd agree with the Focus and Puma, haven't driven the others. EP3 Civic Type-R had a very good feel to it.

My EP3 had that crap electro assisted steering.
It went around corners well, but the actual steering wasn't all that feelsome.

I agree.

Aye shame they didnt stick with the old system, it does take some getting used to before you learn to trust it !

I've only driven one briefly, I found it was a little twitchy, but thought it gave good feedback at speed.

[curlie467]

I definitely agree with the Puma and Focus but the ep3 civic is horrible as pointed out by others, the most ghastly feeling steering i have ever tried!