Great utilitarian drivers cars (non sports/performance)

[danjnixon]

Hi All

Great forum, been admiring it for months but decided to post for the first time. So I have a very standard, very ordinary 5 door 1.6 2002 Honda Civic. But here's the thing, I love driving it! I have only driven a handful of cars in my life (my Fiat Cinq Sporting being the highlight)but the Civic just feels great to chuck around. I am lucky as I live on the edge of the peak district (tons of great a and b roads within ten minutes drive). But I love every gear change, every dab of the throttle, every turn of the wheel. Even in my compact family car.

Am I crazy or is it just the love of driving? Or do I need to try a 'proper' drivers car?

Does anybody else get the same experience in their 'normal' car?

God help me if I ever get behind the wheel of a 911...

[PaulB81]

Yes. I have an Elise but I also LOVE driving my Pajero! I dont know what it is about it, i just really enjoy it. Its not about the car, its about a love of driving. Someone else might drive your civic or my pajero and think they were crap but thats not the point If you enjoy driving it, thats what matters.

[kambites]

Any car can be fun to drive.

[West4x4]

Transit pick up not roll polly like the box vans. Twin rear wheel so plenty of grip. pretty punch engine nice short throw bow and low geared so accelerates well

[P I Staker]

Land Rover Defender.

Currently the only vehicle I have access to so has to be used for a bit of hooning.

Edited by P I Staker on Monday 16th April 22:19

[twazzock]

Really enjoyed my Peugeot 309. Not the Gti, an utterly poverty-spec model. Rorty little 65bhp 1.3 OHV, shopping trolley wheels/tyres, flat out everywhere, constant fun. Loved that thing so much.

[GuitarTech]

How refreshing to read about people enjoying ordinary cars, and what a consolation to me personally. Since I started my own business 4 years ago, I've only been able to afford one car, and it had to be practical, and be able to carry guitars, 4x12's, amps etc.
It's a Golf V variant 2.0l TDI: 140 HP, so quite quick, but the suspension and brakes aren't up to using the power to the limit. I still enjoy hooning it whenever I get the chance though: I'll be needing 2 front tyres soon,they lasted 20K KM ! I'm hoping for better days soon, and then I'll keep the Golf for work, and buy a nice toy for some serious hooning. Shame that cars are so expensive here in Germany, I could weep when I see how cheap cars are in England. I just have to persuade SHMBO that it's a good idea

[danjnixon]

I know your plight GuitarTech (I am a guitarist myself and am constantly loading up the Civic with gear!).

Yeah, its all about the love of driving really I think.

[GuitarTech]

danjnixon said:

I know your plight GuitarTech (I am a guitarist myself and am constantly loading up the Civic with gear!).

Yeah, its all about the love of driving really I think.

I don't do many gigs these days, my main business is working as a Luthier and guitar tech, so I often have to transport loads of stuff: One day last week I had a Viper combo, 2 basses,18 guitars, 3 banjos, and a Mandolin (2 guitars of mine, and the rest school instruments to repair), not much chance of fitting that all in an MX5..

[Noesph]

1.1 205, 106, ax and saxos, not fast at all, but they handle well and sound like a angry sewing machine.

[Some Gump]

toyota landcruiser. Swallows anything, tows anything, unbreakable, and reasonably comfortable.

[AlpineWhite]

The Transit is surely deserving of an honourable mention! Utilitarian? Indubitably. Great to drive? Oh yes.

[VinceFox]

Citroen zxtd

[noosh]

Loved my old works Transit, was when the new tall light ones came out. So easy to drive. Even with a dash filled with crap (Great idea to basically make the dash a desk).

And while I hate the image, I've never had as much fun at about 30mph as I do in my diesel Smart.

[croakey]

1.4 seat arosa offering probably less than its original 60bhp... On some posh coilovers.

Keep thinking I'll change it but 2 years and nudging 38k later it's still here

Fun to drive, has moved house, carried a monster set of ladders on it's roof bars... Currently sat on the drive loaded to the gunwales with carpet for the tip! Proper little trooper

[m44kts]

I once had a 1.4 Honda Jazz as a courtesy car when my Accord Type R went in for a service.

Easily one of the best 'mundane' cars I have driven, it was a really nice drive.