Best B Road Basher?

[warcalf]

MX-5, Golf GTI, Renaultsport Cup Clio... What do you think is the best B Road Basher and why?


I'm after simple subjective opinion...

But do remember, Evo mag gave a 182 Clio Renaultsport Trophy car of the year award back in '05! Even against Ferrari's, Lambo's and a Ford GT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTI-aMKn60&t=...

Edited by warcalf on Thursday 23 November 12:39

[Krikkit]

What's the budget/practicality requirements?

For me the Clio 172 was a very good car, better yet as the 182 Trophy. For a generation earlier the 106 Rallye was king for me, and before that the 205 1.6 GTI.

[AmosMoses]

Clio 197 for me! Not biased because i have one honest

[Alex_225]

On a RenaultSport note, I own a Twingo 133 and although it lacks the power of the 172s I've owned I'd say it handles better.

Have to rev it up somewhat but it's great fun, light and agile. A modern version of an old school hot hatch.

[warcalf]

Krikkit said:

What's the budget/practicality requirements?

For me the Clio 172 was a very good car, better yet as the 182 Trophy. For a generation earlier the 106 Rallye was king for me, and before that the 205 1.6 GTI.

There isn't one, just subjective opinion.

Being 22 I can't comment from a wide experience of driving loads of cars. But I'd imagine a Caterham would be one of the best.

However I expect most comments to be the MX-5. But that's the beauty of B Roads, no need for the power of an M3 for example. Just a well balanced set-up with a respectable amount of power!

Just thought I'd see what weird and wonderful suggestions there would be

I owned a 182 Clio, nothing special. Just a 1.2 Dynamique, but darting around little country lanes, was a feeling I haven't had in many cars since (even with better performance).

[warcalf]

AmosMoses said:

Clio 197 for me! Not biased because i have one honest

Alex_225 said:

On a RenaultSport note, I own a Twingo 133 and although it lacks the power of the 172s I've owned I'd say it handles better.

Have to rev it up somewhat but it's great fun, light and agile. A modern version of an old school hot hatch.

Loving the Renault suggestions! I've not had any RenaultSport model, but I've been trying to convince myself to get a 197 Renaultsport Cup as my next car. Just to try and rekindle some of the feelings my 182 1.2 Dynamique gave me all those years ago. I absolutely loved that woefully slow car, fond memories!

[captain_cynic]

warcalf said:

MX-5, Golf GTI, Renaultsport Cup Clio... What do you think is the best B Road Basher and why?

Aston V8 Vantage... if we have an unlimited budget.

You might want to put some criteria on that. Under £5000... probably an E85/86 Z4 3.0, more power than the MX-5, slightly less hairdressery.

[warcalf]

captain_cynic said:

Aston V8 Vantage... if we have an unlimited budget.

You might want to put some criteria on that. Under £5000... probably an E85/86 Z4 3.0, more power than the MX-5, slightly less hairdressery.

Why put a budget on it? I think I'd enjoy certain £10K cars more than a V8 Vantage on any road, not just a B road.

Power and performance isn't the be all and end all! But, that is the beauty of opinion

[captain_cynic]

warcalf said:

Why put a budget on it? I think I'd enjoy certain £10K cars more than a V8 Vantage on any road, not just a B road.

Power and performance isn't the be all and end all! But, that is the beauty of opinion

Thats why I went for the Vantage over a DB12... the Vantage is a sports car where as the DB12 is a GT cruiser

Just pointing out that you'll get answers all over the shop if you dont give it some limits/rules/parameters. Also I'd love a Caterham, but just dont have the space for another car.

[edo]

Assuming dry, a Caterham.

If wet, then something 4WD like a 911 Turbo S.

[Tickle]

Had some good ones, DC2, Clio Trophy and 200 but the S1 Elise is the best I have had (and still got).

[Krikkit]

warcalf said:

There isn't one, just subjective opinion.

In which case something ridiculously exotic is likely to creep in, but I bet an Elise/Exige of various flavours would tick many boxes.

[warcalf]

Tickle said:

Had some good ones, DC2, Clio Trophy and 200 but the S1 Elise is the best I have had (and still got).

I'd love to own an Elise! But I'd have to use it as a daily and at 6'5, it doesn't sound like a great choice haha

[warcalf]

Krikkit said:

In which case something ridiculously exotic is likely to creep in, but I bet an Elise/Exige of various flavours would tick many boxes.

Yeah but at least Elise's and Exige's are affordable cars, so at least they're realistic.

Tbh, I thought of this post just to see what opinions different people had. I can't say I expected a V8 Vantage as a suggestion. At least in my mind a Caterham would be a far more enjoyable B road basher. But again, that's the beauty of opinion!

[S100HP]

warcalf said:

MX-5, Golf GTI, Renaultsport Cup Clio... What do you think is the best B Road Basher and why?

Surely an Evo or something similar?

[redandwhite]

Had 3 Renaultsports myself (172 cup/182/197) out of the box the 197 won the handling, even compared to the 1*2 with new shocks and eiback/cooksport springs.

Currently toying with getting a weekend car and having similar thoughts around going back to a Renaultsport or considering a MX-5...

[warcalf]

S100HP said:

Surely an Evo or something similar?

Possibly, I've always wanted an Evo haha. I think the worry of the previous owners thrashing it to within an inch of it's life would scare me away.

[S100HP]

warcalf said:

S100HP said:

Surely an Evo or something similar?

Possibly, I've always wanted an Evo haha. I think the worry of the previous owners thrashing it to within an inch of it's life would scare me away.

Are you looking at getting something then? Some parameters might help.

[Plinth]

“Back in the day” I had one of these – only a 600 so not scary fast but nippy enough (and small) to go for the gaps.
Decent mid range power, turned quickly, progressive brakes and supremely comfortable for longer rides as well as “knee-down lunacy”.
Ideal for the quieter back roads of Leicestershire.
Now completely outclassed in most aspects by modern kit, but I still have good memories.

[warcalf]

redandwhite said:

Had 3 Renaultsports myself (172 cup/182/197) out of the box the 197 won the handling, even compared to the 1*2 with new shocks and eiback/cooksport springs.

Currently toying with getting a weekend car and having similar thoughts around going back to a Renaultsport or considering a MX-5...

I have a soft sport for Renault and I keep thinking any Renaultsport Clio or Megane would be eligible as a strong contender! Evo mag did rank a 182 Renaultsport Trophy as best car of the year award back in 2005! Even up against more expensive cars and such...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTI-aMKn60&t=...