What is a drivers car to you?
Discussion
One that offers enough driver pleasure and engagement to make me get out of bed early on a weekend and just get out and drive for a couple of hours on empty mountain roads.
Edited to add, my current driver's car requirements:
Light (sub-1000kg)
Seats no more than 2, I don't have need for a passenger seat, I have never had a passenger when out for a drive.
Manual
No servo brakes
No PAS
No roof, need a soft top for if it does rain when out
I'd consider an Exige 430 if someone gave me one exceeding my sub-1000kg rule and servo rule.
Edited to add, my current driver's car requirements:
Light (sub-1000kg)
Seats no more than 2, I don't have need for a passenger seat, I have never had a passenger when out for a drive.
Manual
No servo brakes
No PAS
No roof, need a soft top for if it does rain when out
I'd consider an Exige 430 if someone gave me one exceeding my sub-1000kg rule and servo rule.
Edited by Tickle on Thursday 12th December 11:42
A well resolved chassis and decent steering are the only two that count across all segments.
A drivers car can have any type of propulsion, any amount of seats and be almost any size and weight.
Every category of vehicle contains some examples that have been developed to be better and enjoyable to drive.
Unless you meant more the ‘Ultimate’ drivers car that is, when many more elements I’d think are relevant.
A drivers car can have any type of propulsion, any amount of seats and be almost any size and weight.
Every category of vehicle contains some examples that have been developed to be better and enjoyable to drive.
Unless you meant more the ‘Ultimate’ drivers car that is, when many more elements I’d think are relevant.
cerb4.5lee said:
From the sports car thread is has been mentioned that having a clutch pedal alone doesn't make a car a drivers car.
So what ingredients does a car need to make it a drivers car to you?
Something with high engagement and involvement. Both usually required to get the best from the vehicle. Hence something like a Land Rover Defender/Series is a drivers car as much as an MX-5 or TVR is.So what ingredients does a car need to make it a drivers car to you?
Something that is fun at any speed, basically.
If I had criteria, it would be something along the lines of:
- Manual box
- Easy to heel and toe
- Revvy, tuneful engine
- Not too big for British roads
- Decent seats
- More power than grip
- Wants to kill me beyond 9/10ths (so I don't get bored of it)
If I had criteria, it would be something along the lines of:
- Manual box
- Easy to heel and toe
- Revvy, tuneful engine
- Not too big for British roads
- Decent seats
- More power than grip
- Wants to kill me beyond 9/10ths (so I don't get bored of it)
Main thing for me would be handling. Always loved keeping up with more powerful cars on twisty bits of road, falling back when they gun it on the straights then being right back on them on the bendy parts 
As long as a car has a decent bit of power, steering that you get plenty of feedback from and handles well then a PH'er will always enjoy it
As long as a car has a decent bit of power, steering that you get plenty of feedback from and handles well then a PH'er will always enjoy it
For me its not power and grip, but involvement.
My last car (Insignia) had more power and grip than my current shed (MK1 Focus 1.6) but the former was definitely not a driver's car, whereas IMO the current one definitely is.
Would you take it out for a drive just for the heck of it? For me that's another distinction of a driver's car
Red 5 said:
A well resolved chassis and decent steering are the only two that count across all segments.
A drivers car can have any type of propulsion, any amount of seats and be almost any size and weight.
Every category of vehicle contains some examples that have been developed to be better and enjoyable to drive.
Unless you meant more the ‘Ultimate’ drivers car that is, when many more elements I’d think are relevant.
a thoughtful post and valid too.A drivers car can have any type of propulsion, any amount of seats and be almost any size and weight.
Every category of vehicle contains some examples that have been developed to be better and enjoyable to drive.
Unless you meant more the ‘Ultimate’ drivers car that is, when many more elements I’d think are relevant.
'best' driver's car will be lighter though. Even the excellent Evora is not a patch on its lighter siblings when pure driving pleasure is the metric. I'm not sure the Saxo VTS was that good in reality, but at 850kg (guess) it sure was a hoot.
For me its anything that makes you want to go for a drive just because you can...
It can be different for anyone, but if it makes you smile and enjoy the simple pleasure of driving, then thats good enough!
...and i agree with a previous poster, one of my favourites was a 1.6 mk1 focus zetec, the feel, handling, it all just worked.
It can be different for anyone, but if it makes you smile and enjoy the simple pleasure of driving, then thats good enough!
...and i agree with a previous poster, one of my favourites was a 1.6 mk1 focus zetec, the feel, handling, it all just worked.
If I want to drive it again and again for no reason other than to just drive it, whether that be a "proper" drive or just a run to the shops then it's a drivers car (at least to me).
There is no set formula or requirement for me. I get annoyed when people regard anything RWD as a drivers car. There are a lot of mediocre RWD, manual cars out there.
There is no set formula or requirement for me. I get annoyed when people regard anything RWD as a drivers car. There are a lot of mediocre RWD, manual cars out there.
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