Memorable Cars / Smiles per Miles
Discussion
Island Hermit said:
What is / was your most memorable car?
Cars are for driving IMO, and my most memorable drive was in a then-current FK8 Civic Type R. Presumed the engine would have been dull, the car would have felt heavy (compared to my K20 EG Civic I had at the time) and just generally too big. How wrong I was... On dry roads the car was on rails, goading you to enter corners ever-faster and test the limits of grip/balance. Even the suspension didn't feel too bad, not jarring over potholes or bumps but still resolutely in control of body movements.
Never have I driven a standard production car that felt so well-resolved and set up, wouldn't have hesitated to drive it to the Nurburgring, paste it around TF laps or a trackday, and then pootle home again - if you don't mind the styling, absolutely superb cars
My mk7 fiesta ST, a loved them when they came out and it put a smile on my face everytime I drove it, I loved the slug of turbo torque and the noise of the wastegate, a brilliant car with enough power to be fun but not enough to need to be doing 100mph to do it.
It was black with the orange seats. Devastated when it got stolen.
It was black with the orange seats. Devastated when it got stolen.
Shnozz said:
A Gran Turismo looks a great buy, especially in today's market of crazy s/h prices. Just not sure my testicles are big enough.
The engines and the actual gearbox are both very solid. parts and ancillaries are expensive i.e. a clutch change is about £2.5k, brake discs are expensive etc. I think I averaged about £2k per year on maintenance including tyres, repairs, servicing etc which isn't too bad, though I did only average about 6k miles per year, i think the costs would be eye-watering if trying to use it for say 15k a year as a daily. The problem with the cheaper granturismo's is that they 'only' have 400 bhp and are very heavy so they feel a bit slow and they're far from chuckable if that's your thing, the later 4.7 with an auto box is a massively better car but also a lot more money than the early 4.2 carsIt's difficult to choose one but all the candidates are American V8s but much depends on how much you used them and what memories they have attached.
So my favourite was not the most powerful (the C5 Z06 and current blown Mustang with 405/470hp) but rather my 1985 Corvette with about 245 bhp.
Why?
1. The looks - my first car with supercar looks for not much money
2. The noise - decatted house-shaking thunder
3. Removable perspex roof let the light in or it could be removed for a convertible experience.
4. The low driving position, digital instruments and view over the long bonnet.
5. The size - not excessive so still usable before the bloat of more modern cars.
If I didn't need passenger space, I would buy another. Black obviously...
So my favourite was not the most powerful (the C5 Z06 and current blown Mustang with 405/470hp) but rather my 1985 Corvette with about 245 bhp.
Why?
1. The looks - my first car with supercar looks for not much money
2. The noise - decatted house-shaking thunder
3. Removable perspex roof let the light in or it could be removed for a convertible experience.
4. The low driving position, digital instruments and view over the long bonnet.
5. The size - not excessive so still usable before the bloat of more modern cars.
If I didn't need passenger space, I would buy another. Black obviously...
Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 26th May 14:41
I,ve had 6 TVR's over years, all of which have for periods been daily drivers.
My first, a Tasmin280i was my daily when working in Switzerland and later in Germany.
Then came my first Chimaera 400, again in Germany, followed by a Mk1 Tuscan, a 200 Tuscan Convertible, another Chimeara 400 and a Cerbera 4.2.
All gave huge smiles but if I were to choose 3 i would be -
1st - Tuscan Convertible - Many drivers to Germany and down to Spain/Portugal and still making me smile.
2nd - Tuscan Mk1 - Daily in Germany with lots of Euro trips.- Wrote it off in 2009
3rd - First Chimaera 400 - Daily in Germany with lots of Euro trips.
Cerbera was fantastic but didn't make the list because of the many issues.
My first, a Tasmin280i was my daily when working in Switzerland and later in Germany.
Then came my first Chimaera 400, again in Germany, followed by a Mk1 Tuscan, a 200 Tuscan Convertible, another Chimeara 400 and a Cerbera 4.2.
All gave huge smiles but if I were to choose 3 i would be -
1st - Tuscan Convertible - Many drivers to Germany and down to Spain/Portugal and still making me smile.
2nd - Tuscan Mk1 - Daily in Germany with lots of Euro trips.- Wrote it off in 2009
3rd - First Chimaera 400 - Daily in Germany with lots of Euro trips.
Cerbera was fantastic but didn't make the list because of the many issues.
First memorable drive was in an RX7 twin turbo back in 2000 or so as a 20 year old who was just thrown the keys and told "have fun"
The second memorable drive was from the C6 RS6 I owned which at the time had 700bhp. To this day the only car that made me laugh out loud when I floored it from pretty much any speed (rest of the experience was pretty anodyne).
The third and the most exhilarating was an exige S V6. The salesperson from the lotus dealer I was looking to trade my RS6 in for took me out for an incredible test drive to show what the car was capable of in the right hands. The speed and grip was unbelievable which when coupled with the noise of the V6 right behind my ears made it by far the most memorable single drive. Even my driving it back was amazing.
My fourth and current daily is a V8 mustang GT. The only car I've owned that sounds and feels great driving it at a slow low burble and the only car I've had that receives universal positive feedback.
The second memorable drive was from the C6 RS6 I owned which at the time had 700bhp. To this day the only car that made me laugh out loud when I floored it from pretty much any speed (rest of the experience was pretty anodyne).
The third and the most exhilarating was an exige S V6. The salesperson from the lotus dealer I was looking to trade my RS6 in for took me out for an incredible test drive to show what the car was capable of in the right hands. The speed and grip was unbelievable which when coupled with the noise of the V6 right behind my ears made it by far the most memorable single drive. Even my driving it back was amazing.
My fourth and current daily is a V8 mustang GT. The only car I've owned that sounds and feels great driving it at a slow low burble and the only car I've had that receives universal positive feedback.
Killboy said:
Every single time I turned the key 
LOVE them.Still have a corgi model of a rally Astra GTE I was given as an 8 year old. In fact there's a few old Vauxhalls I'd like to get my hands on (GTE with digi dash, Cavalier turbo, Calibra turbo and of course a lotus carlton!)
Ooh actually a senator GSi 3000 also!
Innocenti 120L.
In essence, a Mini Cooper in a hatchback body. Only one in the U.K. and had been professionally converted to RHD. Found it neglected behind a tyre garage in Carlisle.
Was a rotbox, but was brilliant fun, horrifically cute and looked like the offspring of an ill advised liaison between a Yugo and a Renault 5.
Looked just like this. But rustier.
In essence, a Mini Cooper in a hatchback body. Only one in the U.K. and had been professionally converted to RHD. Found it neglected behind a tyre garage in Carlisle.
Was a rotbox, but was brilliant fun, horrifically cute and looked like the offspring of an ill advised liaison between a Yugo and a Renault 5.
Looked just like this. But rustier.
My first soarer will always hold a special place in my heart.
I bought it shortly after turning 18 for £1200, paid £3000 to insure it and splurged every spare penny I had from my apprenticeship on modifying or taking it to track days.
It wasn't the fastest or best handling car I would go on to own, but after spending my entire adolescent drooling over various JDM Toyota's, getting one at 18 meant the freaking world to me
I bought it shortly after turning 18 for £1200, paid £3000 to insure it and splurged every spare penny I had from my apprenticeship on modifying or taking it to track days.
It wasn't the fastest or best handling car I would go on to own, but after spending my entire adolescent drooling over various JDM Toyota's, getting one at 18 meant the freaking world to me
Let's go back to 1970/71 at age 18 I had a MK 1 Triumph 2000. Wedgwood with a black roof. Looked great with the bumpers removed and a pod Tacho on top of the dash. Big bore exhaust and a Leather rimmed steering wheel completed the look. In fact, I still have the wheel, just in case I find anything else as inspiring as my T2000 7330BP.
Rather more down to earth my second memorable motor was a Volvo 245GLE. We're talking early 80's. I fitted a Webasto roof and a roof aerial and hung a Barbour jacket on the coat hook. Just standing still, that car looked capable of going round the world in style. Family motoring? That's the way to do it!
I eventually swapped it for a GLT and then a 740 estate, which was a step too far and I lost interest in them. But how do you re-light the embers of desire?
In my case with an XJ6 Avon estate. Not everyone's taste, especially when I changed the colour from Cotswold yellow to Primrose. I believe that owning a Jag at least once should be a birthright in this country. It was the rear 3/4 view that got me going. Looked as if it was crouched, ready for another adventure.
More recently I have a P38 Range Rover which has won my heart. 5 years into ownership I still love the impressive level of comfort, imperious driving position and a clear family resemblance to Series 1 which gives it enough cred to 'arrive' anywhere. The last Range Rover true to the original concept. 'The Duchess' is a classy if temperamental old bird.
She certainly stirs my blood. Maybe not as urgent a stirring as that blue T2000 but a good feeling nevertheless.
Rather more down to earth my second memorable motor was a Volvo 245GLE. We're talking early 80's. I fitted a Webasto roof and a roof aerial and hung a Barbour jacket on the coat hook. Just standing still, that car looked capable of going round the world in style. Family motoring? That's the way to do it!
I eventually swapped it for a GLT and then a 740 estate, which was a step too far and I lost interest in them. But how do you re-light the embers of desire?
In my case with an XJ6 Avon estate. Not everyone's taste, especially when I changed the colour from Cotswold yellow to Primrose. I believe that owning a Jag at least once should be a birthright in this country. It was the rear 3/4 view that got me going. Looked as if it was crouched, ready for another adventure.
More recently I have a P38 Range Rover which has won my heart. 5 years into ownership I still love the impressive level of comfort, imperious driving position and a clear family resemblance to Series 1 which gives it enough cred to 'arrive' anywhere. The last Range Rover true to the original concept. 'The Duchess' is a classy if temperamental old bird.
She certainly stirs my blood. Maybe not as urgent a stirring as that blue T2000 but a good feeling nevertheless.
WorldBoss said:
My first soarer will always hold a special place in my heart.
I bought it shortly after turning 18 for 1200, paid 3000 to insure it and splurged every spare penny I had from my apprenticeship on modifying or taking it to track days.
It wasn't the fastest or best handling car I would go on to own, but after spending my entire adolescent drooling over various JDM Toyota's, getting one at 18 meant the freaking world to me
Evo, I think tuned one of these, they are deeply cool. I bought it shortly after turning 18 for 1200, paid 3000 to insure it and splurged every spare penny I had from my apprenticeship on modifying or taking it to track days.
It wasn't the fastest or best handling car I would go on to own, but after spending my entire adolescent drooling over various JDM Toyota's, getting one at 18 meant the freaking world to me
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