Your favorite front engined RWD car
Discussion
It's probably my favourite car of all time, but the Sierra Cosworth is surely my #1 choice. It's so beautiful, so evocative of that time. Seeing them takes me back to being a young lad. Affordable performance (back in the day, anyway) was the name of the game and Ford blew away all comers with this car.
I should also give an honourable mention to the X308 XJ8, as it's a car I've really fallen in love with over the past year. The ultimate iteration of Jaguar's design language, it's such an elegant and classically proportioned thing. To drive, it's both soft and sporty, cosseting and engaging. It's a dual edged character that is typically Jaguar. I love the fact that it didn't come with anything other than a V8. That's such a statement about where Jaguar were with this car at the time, and where the market was. Diesel hadn't taken over and made most 'premium' cars sound like clonking tractors, gracelessly spewing black clouds of soot everywhere they go, and the executive buyer would be faced with the decision of the 3.2 or 4.0 petrol, or perhaps a supercharged 4.0 if he wanted to go even faster.
I should also give an honourable mention to the X308 XJ8, as it's a car I've really fallen in love with over the past year. The ultimate iteration of Jaguar's design language, it's such an elegant and classically proportioned thing. To drive, it's both soft and sporty, cosseting and engaging. It's a dual edged character that is typically Jaguar. I love the fact that it didn't come with anything other than a V8. That's such a statement about where Jaguar were with this car at the time, and where the market was. Diesel hadn't taken over and made most 'premium' cars sound like clonking tractors, gracelessly spewing black clouds of soot everywhere they go, and the executive buyer would be faced with the decision of the 3.2 or 4.0 petrol, or perhaps a supercharged 4.0 if he wanted to go even faster.
This was amazing fun due to 350bhp, 15" wheels, 1250ish kg's and 1980's repmobile suspension
also had a soft spot for this too because it only cost me £300 and I could drive it like I had stolen it, it had enough grunt to hang the tail out whenever required and had a really tight LSD which locked both wheels really well.
Now have this (plus the Lotus Carlton) and it's also great fun too
also had a soft spot for this too because it only cost me £300 and I could drive it like I had stolen it, it had enough grunt to hang the tail out whenever required and had a really tight LSD which locked both wheels really well.
Now have this (plus the Lotus Carlton) and it's also great fun too
Edited by 555 Paul on Tuesday 25th November 00:49
Owned: mkiv Supra. Had 2- Getrag 6 speed box was epic, 2JZ is the best of the 90s Jap lumps imho. Prices for unmolested/ tastefully tuned ones on the rise. Mk1 MX5 (x2) taught me how to drive a front-engine-RWD car properly, they are just as excellent as everyone (bar Harris) says they are. E36 318is was bought for change a couple of years ago, never was 140hp so enjoyable in an old shed (never owned an E30, by the way). Supra still remains the 'best' front-engined-RWD car Ive owned, just did so many things right.
Favourite: Vantage V12. Drove a V8 at Silverstone back-to-back with an F430 recently, Aston was incredibly easy to tap into in comparison with the recalcitrant Ferrari. It was easy to hoon and carry speed to the point where I was lapping other supercars and track-prepped stuff without breaking a sweat. I am a very average driver, with only afew trackdays under my belt. A testament to the car- great feel in a proper analogue supercar, power delivery made it feel safer than my old Supra which could snap on occasion.
The instruments are a bit queer, and the build quality wasn't what I expected in terms of squeaks, rattles and general signs of wear. The car I drove was a track hack obviously....
Squeezing a big V12 into it elevates it to dream car status for me. Im sure at my ability level the V8 would be the sensible option, but the sense of occasion of a V12 in that beautiful package must be incredible. Universally regarded as a thing of beauty, the best example of Astons design 'formula' imho.
Runner up: McMerc SLR. It has its flaws (feel-free brakes, unfocused/ compromised for comfort) but that massive supercharged lump under that long bonnet, and that sound. I even think it looks great, looks more exotic and concept-y now than it did a decade ago. A manual would have elevated it to true greatness.
Favourite: Vantage V12. Drove a V8 at Silverstone back-to-back with an F430 recently, Aston was incredibly easy to tap into in comparison with the recalcitrant Ferrari. It was easy to hoon and carry speed to the point where I was lapping other supercars and track-prepped stuff without breaking a sweat. I am a very average driver, with only afew trackdays under my belt. A testament to the car- great feel in a proper analogue supercar, power delivery made it feel safer than my old Supra which could snap on occasion.
The instruments are a bit queer, and the build quality wasn't what I expected in terms of squeaks, rattles and general signs of wear. The car I drove was a track hack obviously....
Squeezing a big V12 into it elevates it to dream car status for me. Im sure at my ability level the V8 would be the sensible option, but the sense of occasion of a V12 in that beautiful package must be incredible. Universally regarded as a thing of beauty, the best example of Astons design 'formula' imho.
Runner up: McMerc SLR. It has its flaws (feel-free brakes, unfocused/ compromised for comfort) but that massive supercharged lump under that long bonnet, and that sound. I even think it looks great, looks more exotic and concept-y now than it did a decade ago. A manual would have elevated it to true greatness.
555 Paul said:
This was amazing fun due to 350bhp, 15" wheels, 1250ish kg's and 1980's repmobile suspension
also had a soft spot for this too because it only cost me £300 and I could drive it like I had stolen it, it had enough grunt to hang the tail out whenever required and had a really tight LSD which locked both wheels really well.
Now have this (plus the Lotus Carlton) and it's also great fun too
That's a great collection Paul also had a soft spot for this too because it only cost me £300 and I could drive it like I had stolen it, it had enough grunt to hang the tail out whenever required and had a really tight LSD which locked both wheels really well.
Now have this (plus the Lotus Carlton) and it's also great fun too
Edited by 555 Paul on Tuesday 25th November 00:49
Baryonyx said:
but the Sierra Cosworth is surely my #1 choice. It's so beautiful,
Well, you know what they say about the eye of the beholder. The hatchback Sierra certainly was handsome for the time, but the Sapphire? Not exactly competing with a 250GTO in the beauty stakes, is it?
Edited by r11co on Tuesday 25th November 09:48
gregives said:
I completely agree with you there, here's mine:
There's nothing quite like the sound of starting it up again after a long lay up
I am in the nice position were I dont need to commute anymore as work within walking distance of home so hopefully a GT6 will be my next purchase. Probably a mk3 as my budget is minimal There's nothing quite like the sound of starting it up again after a long lay up
r11co said:
Well, you know what they say about the eye of the beholder. The hatchback Sierra certainly was handsome for the time, but the Sapphire? Not exactly competing with a 250GTO in the beauty stakes, is it?
I could look at the Sapphire all day but this Ferarri does nothing for me. I know we're supposed to crow over it because it's old and curvy, but my favourite Ferraris are newer (and yes, one of them is front-engined!).Edited by r11co on Tuesday 25th November 09:48
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