What is a drivers car to you?
Discussion
It's not always obvious. My daily car is a passat cc. Its got a 3.6 v6, and 4wd. It's a well equipped, fast, comfortable cruiser. But it's not built for any sort of spirited driving.
Recently it was in the garage and i gad a very basuc kia picanto. That was hugely fun to drive. Little revvy engine, good brakes, nice steering (appalling gear change, but you can't have everything). I had to thrash it just to keep up with traffic, and i really enjoyed it.
Now I've bought a 172 clio as a fun car and it makes me smile every time I'm out in it. I'd hate to do any motorway miles in the clio, but for round town, i love it.
Recently it was in the garage and i gad a very basuc kia picanto. That was hugely fun to drive. Little revvy engine, good brakes, nice steering (appalling gear change, but you can't have everything). I had to thrash it just to keep up with traffic, and i really enjoyed it.
Now I've bought a 172 clio as a fun car and it makes me smile every time I'm out in it. I'd hate to do any motorway miles in the clio, but for round town, i love it.
I've driven quite alot of cars in the past and the 2 that stand out to me is the Civic Type R ep3 because its all about the driver.
The other one is a Suzuki Swift Sport , 1 ton and 136hp is plenty to have alot of fun... I like the simplicity of a free revving NA engine so I might be a bit biased.
Had an M135i in the past and it would show both those cars a clean pair of heals in every situation but it was never raw enough for me.
Too many creature comforts and safety aids ruin them a bit...
The BMW is pretty boring until you are willing to lose your license.
The other one is a Suzuki Swift Sport , 1 ton and 136hp is plenty to have alot of fun... I like the simplicity of a free revving NA engine so I might be a bit biased.
Had an M135i in the past and it would show both those cars a clean pair of heals in every situation but it was never raw enough for me.
Too many creature comforts and safety aids ruin them a bit...
The BMW is pretty boring until you are willing to lose your license.
Edited by Bagzie88 on Thursday 12th December 16:57
I derive pleasure from two aspects of driving.
I still enjoy the actual art of driving, manual gear changes, sharp steering and decent grip. The kind of experience that my Twingo 133 provides.
On the flip side, I also enjoy long drives so comfort, features and a decent amount of power are preferred. My CLS63 offers just that. I get enjoyment from the sheer noise and power of the thing, whilst wafting along!
I still enjoy the actual art of driving, manual gear changes, sharp steering and decent grip. The kind of experience that my Twingo 133 provides.
On the flip side, I also enjoy long drives so comfort, features and a decent amount of power are preferred. My CLS63 offers just that. I get enjoyment from the sheer noise and power of the thing, whilst wafting along!
I wouldn’t say I have a set criteria ie weight/power etc, I want something I enjoy. Puts a huge smile on my face and makes me go out just for the sake of driving it. Look back at it when walking away etc maybe even creates interest and conversations with people when out and about. Something that gives me joy and happiness to sum it up! Iv had this from manuals,autos,big power,small power, different driven wheels etc all can be fun it’s that ‘spark’ or connection/character that you can’t sometimes explain that does it for me.
Bagzie88 said:
I've driven quite alot of cars in the past and the 2 that stand out to me is the Civic Type R ep3 because its all about the driver.
I really disagree with that.The EP3 is great when you’re properly on it.
At all other times it’s just a hatchback with sh*t steering feel and crashy suspension – and yes, I’ve owned one.
In addition to some of the other very good points being made in this thread, I would also add that a driver’s car (imo) needs to be to be engaging & fun when you’re not “on it”.
Alex_225 said:
I derive pleasure from two aspects of driving.
I still enjoy the actual art of driving, manual gear changes, sharp steering and decent grip. The kind of experience that my Twingo 133 provides.
On the flip side, I also enjoy long drives so comfort, features and a decent amount of power are preferred. My CLS63 offers just that. I get enjoyment from the sheer noise and power of the thing, whilst wafting along!
I actually looked at the twingo 133 when I bought the Swift Sport , I probably would have got it if I had the financial ability to have the BMW M135i aswell.I still enjoy the actual art of driving, manual gear changes, sharp steering and decent grip. The kind of experience that my Twingo 133 provides.
On the flip side, I also enjoy long drives so comfort, features and a decent amount of power are preferred. My CLS63 offers just that. I get enjoyment from the sheer noise and power of the thing, whilst wafting along!
I ended up with the Swift Sport because it's a very similar car to the twingo 133 whilst having Sat Nav , a 6th gear and cruise control.
Little Quality of life things you want from a fun daily I guess.
Shoulda done better at school and maybe I could have a setup like you haha :P
TheJimi said:
I really disagree with that.
The EP3 is great when you’re properly on it.
At all other times it’s just a hatchback with sh*t steering feel and crashy suspension – and yes, I’ve owned one.
In addition to some of the other very good points being made in this thread, I would also add that a driver’s car (imo) needs to be to be engaging & fun when you’re not “on it”.
I would agree that unless it's being thrashed it's a boring hatchback so I would concede that , I'm a little bit spoilt because I like in Selkirk and commute to Edinburgh so it's all well kept bendy NSL roads pretty much every day for me.The EP3 is great when you’re properly on it.
At all other times it’s just a hatchback with sh*t steering feel and crashy suspension – and yes, I’ve owned one.
In addition to some of the other very good points being made in this thread, I would also add that a driver’s car (imo) needs to be to be engaging & fun when you’re not “on it”.
I guess the steering feels ok to me but then I've never had a car without PAS so maybe I'm just ignorant to what I haven't experienced.
Would also like to add I have use of a Dacia Duster as a cheap dog wagon and if you drive that everything feels brilliant afterwards.
Cambs_Stuart said:
It's not always obvious. My daily car is a passat cc. Its got a 3.6 v6, and 4wd. It's a well equipped, fast, comfortable cruiser. But it's not built for any sort of spirited driving.
Recently it was in the garage and i gad a very basuc kia picanto. That was hugely fun to drive. Little revvy engine, good brakes, nice steering (appalling gear change, but you can't have everything). I had to thrash it just to keep up with traffic, and i really enjoyed it.
Came here to post something similar. Borrowed a relatives 1.0 Picanto while waiting for my new car to be delivered, reminded me what driving was all about. I'd only really driven big heavy diesel autos for a few years and the little Picanto was so much fun to drive, thrash it and never go over the speed limit, light, nimble, manual box, loved it. Recently it was in the garage and i gad a very basuc kia picanto. That was hugely fun to drive. Little revvy engine, good brakes, nice steering (appalling gear change, but you can't have everything). I had to thrash it just to keep up with traffic, and i really enjoyed it.
The other car in the household at the time was a new 335d. Fast and capable but if anything was a 'drivers car' out of the pair, it was the Kia.
Leins said:
Something that I would get up early in the morning to drive just for the sake of it. If I’m setting the alarm for 6am, just so I can get out and avoid the peloton on my favourite route, then I know that it’s a drivers car to me
That's pretty much it 
Tempted to add that the car should also *feel* special.
Edited by TheJimi on Thursday 12th December 23:27
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?
There need to be cohesion between the car and the driver, its enabled by :-So what ingredients does a car need to make it a drivers car to you?
A clutch is almost certainly beneficial, as is hydraulic steering, a proper suspension setup and a gearbox and an engine that work in harmony with each other.
Fancy drivers aids and all that hoo laaah are not required, thank you.
If you have all of the above you are well on your way.
A drivers car should be a challenge to drive and should aim to reward the driver in equal measures proportionate to his or her input at the wheel and this should be not only at higher speeds and challenging situations but also at lower speeds.
The problem with many contemporary particularly rapid cars is that they are too easy to drive quickly, diluted and detached from the driver from a good driving perspective and flatter the bad driver too easily with ott electronic driver aids. The Audi RS4 and RS6 Eurobarges are prime examples of such dreary cars and for the keen driver who wants a degree of driving involvement they consequently hold very little appeal whatsoever.
The problem with many contemporary particularly rapid cars is that they are too easy to drive quickly, diluted and detached from the driver from a good driving perspective and flatter the bad driver too easily with ott electronic driver aids. The Audi RS4 and RS6 Eurobarges are prime examples of such dreary cars and for the keen driver who wants a degree of driving involvement they consequently hold very little appeal whatsoever.
Ford puma 1.7. Had a loan of one from work for a week a few years after they were released. Had a smile on my face all week as I was living in West Cork (rural windy roads) Lovely steering, great playful chassis balance and the 1.7l engine surprised me with eagerness to rev. Adding two large paggangers upset the balance but over the years I have kept an eye on one for a bit of fun but trying to find a rust free example is tough! Never had a go in a puma sport though!
I think and car can become a drivers car as you learn the limits of the car you're driving! I have had great fun drives from Ferraris, astons to Hyundais. Find the chuck ability of the smaller fords so much fun though!
I think and car can become a drivers car as you learn the limits of the car you're driving! I have had great fun drives from Ferraris, astons to Hyundais. Find the chuck ability of the smaller fords so much fun though!
Edited by Ajsimp on Friday 13th December 02:47
cerb4.5lee said:
Sport220 said:
Something that's fun to drive whatever the speed
This is key for me as well. I have a 997.1 GT3RS stuck in the garage. Had it since new,long history.
Yet, in a city in heavy traffic at 15MPH it is zero fun with it’s heavy clutch
OTOH I have tracked a Panamera and it was a blast
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