Greatest 4/5 seat cars ever?

[Scottie - NW]

David87 said:

The Tesla Model S is an incredible car in 2024, but even more so back in 2013 when it was launched. I know this will cause upset on here, but I believe it will be looked back on as a very significant car in automotive history.



2nd for me is the E39 BMW M5. The greatest variant of one of the best all-round BMWs ever. Perfect.

But neither are 4 seaters and therefore totally irrelevant to this thread?

[ArmaghMan]

Both of these were great cars

[Mr Tidy]

So many choices.

I loved my 2.8i Capris but they're early 80s cars so no longer that exciting.

The best I have driven was a 2008 Maserati Quattroporte (Auto not automated-manual) at Millbrook. Fantastic car and awesome sound-track!

[RDMcG]

I had an E39 M5 when it was new - absolutely amazing car.

Also a big fan of the Mercedes 500E

Bit of an oddball choice these days but I really rate my current Porsche Panamera ST Turbo ( they don’t make the wagon version anymore but it is my default DD). Very quick,stable,comfortable and beautifully finished .

[B'stard Child]

Cold said:

Nerd Alert - whilst the Carlton was definitely marketed as 4 seats - the middle lap belt and clip that were fitted in the original GSi3000 24V were normally just left tucked up under the seat base.........

[Gericho]

When that came out I was in awe. It still looks amazing and feels so luxurious its in my top 5 cars.

[VSKeith]

sherman said:

Unless your a dictator you do not sit in the back of a 4 seater soft top.

+1

I was trying to explain this about an e46 M3 convertible to someone once. They didn't understand. I'd at least take the back seat headrests out.

[VSKeith]

Winner:

7 5 7 said:

A close second:

Cold said:

An honourable third:

ArmaghMan said:

[andyA700]

I had an E34 Beemer, but the E39 M5 has to be it. Whether you are taking it to the South of France or hooning it around the Ring, I doubt whether much can touch it for style, comfort and sheer speed.

[Bobupndown]

Riley Blue said:

The original Mini must be in with a shout, it heralded a whole new genre of motoring for the masses.

This is the answer. Thread can be locked now.

[Forester1965]

[Fox-]

Discendo Discimus said:

For me it's the BMW E39 M5 in Oxford green with the baseball tan interior.

Can't afford one myself, or to fuel one, or to maintain one, but gosh they got it right with that car.

Isn't a 4 seat car though is it?

Most of these suggestions have 5 seats. Whilst I accept that a 5 seat car can seat 4 it can also seat 2 so I look forward to the BMW 5 series in the next 2 seat car thread.

[andy43]

Corrado and Cerbera and 500E most definitely.
I’ll add CLS55 because I’ve owned one, plus the Lexus ISF.

[Pistom]

Anything with poor fuel economy is out as a car can't be great if it's thirsty all the time. It could be good but not truly great.

Anything which is small or uncomfortable is out as - what's the point of an uncomfortable car when there's more comfortable ones. They can be fun and practical but not truly great

Obviously it can't be and EV as they're solution to a problem we haven't got. They've got lots of great qualities but are not yet truly great.

That leaves a lot of possibles - I guess at the top of the list - it would probably be this.

[cerb4.5lee]

Gericho said:

When that came out I was in awe. It still looks amazing and feels so luxurious its in my top 5 cars.

I always enjoyed driving my brother in laws T5 version of that. The 5 cylinder 2.3 turbo engine was lovely in it I thought at the time.

[cerb4.5lee]

Seeing as pretty much anything seems to be allowed in this thread...I'll throw my F82 M4 in as well seeing as it only has 4 seats!

[daqinggregg]

Lamborghini Espada

Beautiful 

Bonkers 

V12 




Ferrari 208 GT4, born out of necessity.

Beautiful 

Bonkers 

V8  1990.64 cc

[s m]

daqinggregg said:

Lamborghini Espada

Beautiful ?

Bonkers ?

V12 ?

It’s a gawky looking thing

[Pistom]

s m said:

daqinggregg said:

Lamborghini Espada

Beautiful ?

Bonkers ?

V12 ?

It’s a gawky looking thing

It's so ugly, it's beautiful.

A car for a time long gone.

[Doyliestag]

My vote for a proper four seater would go to the original XJR V8.