Your most enjoyable three
Discussion
1275 Mini Cooper
1290 KTM Superduke
Swift Sport - last of the n/a
I think had my Audi UR Quattro not been old and worn out it might have been on the list. Likewise a 205 GTI. I’d like to back to back one with the Swift as in my mind they are very similar and the refinement of the Swift doesn’t really detract from the fun.
1290 KTM Superduke
Swift Sport - last of the n/a
I think had my Audi UR Quattro not been old and worn out it might have been on the list. Likewise a 205 GTI. I’d like to back to back one with the Swift as in my mind they are very similar and the refinement of the Swift doesn’t really detract from the fun.
That's a good question, and quite tricky to answer really.
My old tuned S14a 200SX was the most enjoyable/fast/sideways fun car I've ever had, so that one is easy. But then there will be a fight for the last 2 spots for me, and that would be between the Cerbera/Caterham/370Z and E92 M3/F82 M4 for different reasons though.
I loved the Cerbera for the noise/sense of occasion, and the power to weight ratio. I love the Caterham for it's low weight and general involvement with the driving bit. I adore the noise my 370Z makes, and I loved going sideways in the V8 M3, plus the induction noise in it was heavenly too. Plus the M4 is just a fantastic all round performance car as well, so I love it for that. Very tricky to say for sure!
My old tuned S14a 200SX was the most enjoyable/fast/sideways fun car I've ever had, so that one is easy. But then there will be a fight for the last 2 spots for me, and that would be between the Cerbera/Caterham/370Z and E92 M3/F82 M4 for different reasons though.
I loved the Cerbera for the noise/sense of occasion, and the power to weight ratio. I love the Caterham for it's low weight and general involvement with the driving bit. I adore the noise my 370Z makes, and I loved going sideways in the V8 M3, plus the induction noise in it was heavenly too. Plus the M4 is just a fantastic all round performance car as well, so I love it for that. Very tricky to say for sure!
The three most enjoyable, in no particular order are:
1991 Mazda Rx7 Turbo II
This car was owned from new by a senior Mazda exec in the UK, and had a one off interior. Having been into rotaries for years I found this less than a mile from my workshop, languishing outside in bits at a HGV repair place. Rebuilt it and ran it for a couple of years; it was straight piped, had a few HKS goodies and a RE:Amemiya ECU. It was huge fun, incredibly quick for the time, (270bhp) and would shoot 5ft flames on the overrun.
1992 Toyota/Lexus Soarer
1JZ twin turbo, absolute luxury on the inside, and used to give M3s a good hiding on the M23 commuting from London to West Sussex in the early hours - it was a revellation, and the first car I owned that made me feel like I'd arrived. (and you could do rolling burnouts with ease!)
1979 Mazda Montrose
Fitted with a 13B-RE / 13B / 13B-REW (mix of parts to get mounting points etc) that was bridge ported and running a huge turbo. The whole thing weighed well under a ton and was utterly mental. If I hadn't been so broke at the time I would still have it!
1991 Mazda Rx7 Turbo II
This car was owned from new by a senior Mazda exec in the UK, and had a one off interior. Having been into rotaries for years I found this less than a mile from my workshop, languishing outside in bits at a HGV repair place. Rebuilt it and ran it for a couple of years; it was straight piped, had a few HKS goodies and a RE:Amemiya ECU. It was huge fun, incredibly quick for the time, (270bhp) and would shoot 5ft flames on the overrun.
1992 Toyota/Lexus Soarer
1JZ twin turbo, absolute luxury on the inside, and used to give M3s a good hiding on the M23 commuting from London to West Sussex in the early hours - it was a revellation, and the first car I owned that made me feel like I'd arrived. (and you could do rolling burnouts with ease!)
1979 Mazda Montrose
Fitted with a 13B-RE / 13B / 13B-REW (mix of parts to get mounting points etc) that was bridge ported and running a huge turbo. The whole thing weighed well under a ton and was utterly mental. If I hadn't been so broke at the time I would still have it!
Mazda MX5 1.8 RS Supercharged - Utter lunatic of a car, track prepped and running about 210 bhp. Sideways on demand, made all the right noises and was an event to drive.
Porsche Cayman 981 Manual - The sounds, the balance, the gear change. If it had shorter gears it would be the perfect all round sportscar.
Honda Civic Type R FK8 - A proper Swiss army knife, brutally effective on a circuit or b road and also comfy, quiet and easy to drive. Fantastic seats and gear change, well worth getting past the looks for one of the best hot hatches i've ever driven.
Porsche Cayman 981 Manual - The sounds, the balance, the gear change. If it had shorter gears it would be the perfect all round sportscar.
Honda Civic Type R FK8 - A proper Swiss army knife, brutally effective on a circuit or b road and also comfy, quiet and easy to drive. Fantastic seats and gear change, well worth getting past the looks for one of the best hot hatches i've ever driven.
981 GT4 although ultimately needed a little bit more "uumph" it was absolutely brilliant in terms of handling, brakes and sound. Epic manual box/blipped downshifts albeit too long gearing.
One of these with the Deman 4.5litre engine would be the ultimate GT4 I believe.
R8 V10 Plus - just a great car with epic sound, brilliant for touring in, very practical, extremely cheap to run for a 600bhp V10 Supercar and very reliable. I'd have another tomorrow.
Mclaren 600LT - current steed and almost perfect step up from the GT4. Does touring with ease, absolutely ballistic when needed and can plod round town (eye out for speed humps of course).
One of these with the Deman 4.5litre engine would be the ultimate GT4 I believe.
R8 V10 Plus - just a great car with epic sound, brilliant for touring in, very practical, extremely cheap to run for a 600bhp V10 Supercar and very reliable. I'd have another tomorrow.
Mclaren 600LT - current steed and almost perfect step up from the GT4. Does touring with ease, absolutely ballistic when needed and can plod round town (eye out for speed humps of course).
Hard to only choose 3!
My current 987S. It’s 21 years old, I’m the 2nd owner - it was 8 when I bought it. That I’ve kept it so long tells you a lot.
The several Triumph Spitfires that I’ve owned. From the stupidly modified Mk3 (125 bhp off 1296cc when I finished modding it), to the Dolomite Sprint engined version that I built when the tuned 1296 proved to be too fragile.
Then, the modified 944 Turbo that I had great fun with. Taken to around 350bhp of old-school, laggy, boosted fun.
My current 987S. It’s 21 years old, I’m the 2nd owner - it was 8 when I bought it. That I’ve kept it so long tells you a lot.
The several Triumph Spitfires that I’ve owned. From the stupidly modified Mk3 (125 bhp off 1296cc when I finished modding it), to the Dolomite Sprint engined version that I built when the tuned 1296 proved to be too fragile.
Then, the modified 944 Turbo that I had great fun with. Taken to around 350bhp of old-school, laggy, boosted fun.
Elise for the purity of the driving experience
Jag XJ V8 for the ride and handling not just the obvious comfort. A properly organic way to deliver luxury
MX5, but heavily modified track car. Hooligan of a car.
Good cars but no cigar: Caterham - beaten by the Elise; TVR - close; Morgan - fun and worthy, but not top 3; Evora - fantastic, but the Elise; M3 - awesome all rounder really; Alfasud - rose tints still hold this in great affection;
Jag XJ V8 for the ride and handling not just the obvious comfort. A properly organic way to deliver luxury
MX5, but heavily modified track car. Hooligan of a car.
Good cars but no cigar: Caterham - beaten by the Elise; TVR - close; Morgan - fun and worthy, but not top 3; Evora - fantastic, but the Elise; M3 - awesome all rounder really; Alfasud - rose tints still hold this in great affection;
All for slightly different reasons:
2005 Ford GT - effortless power.
Bentley GTC Convertible - perfect for it's designed purpose... wafting through France
991.1 C4S Convertible - just does everything it is supposed to do...
Runners up:
Murcielago - an event to start up and drive. A mad thing.
Morgan 4.8 Aero 8 - the view down the bonnet, it actually handled reasonably well.
Range Rover V8 Supercharged - the perfect daily driver... go anywhere in any weather.. from tip runs to Mayfair.
2005 Ford GT - effortless power.
Bentley GTC Convertible - perfect for it's designed purpose... wafting through France
991.1 C4S Convertible - just does everything it is supposed to do...
Runners up:
Murcielago - an event to start up and drive. A mad thing.
Morgan 4.8 Aero 8 - the view down the bonnet, it actually handled reasonably well.
Range Rover V8 Supercharged - the perfect daily driver... go anywhere in any weather.. from tip runs to Mayfair.
Lancia Delta Integrale 16V- a legend, for a reason. shame I was a skint student when I owned it so its constant issues were an issue.
F87 OG M2- current, love it. Does everything I want as a car and makes me smile.
Mk1 Mr2- so much fun and the first car I bought with my own money.
Most disappointing, Mk1 MX5, never got it, found it really dull to drive.
F87 OG M2- current, love it. Does everything I want as a car and makes me smile.
Mk1 Mr2- so much fun and the first car I bought with my own money.
Most disappointing, Mk1 MX5, never got it, found it really dull to drive.
Edited by nikaiyo2 on Tuesday 1st September 11:08
S1 Elise (i actually preferred it with the rover 1.8 than the K20 that eventually went in it - and preferred the s2 billies to the nitrons!)
Evo VI (i also owned and modified a P1 but preferred the handling, steering and brakes of the Mitsubishi - though the subaru engine was far more characterful)
C6 RS6. Hardly the most engaging thing but the tower of power in a big comfy bus was comical. MRC remap, 727bhp and a fruity exhaust.
Most disappointing? E90 M3. Not that it's a bad car - just didn't meet my expectations and never felt special.
Most looking forward to? My Cerbera LS restomod that i haven't driven yet!
Evo VI (i also owned and modified a P1 but preferred the handling, steering and brakes of the Mitsubishi - though the subaru engine was far more characterful)
C6 RS6. Hardly the most engaging thing but the tower of power in a big comfy bus was comical. MRC remap, 727bhp and a fruity exhaust.
Most disappointing? E90 M3. Not that it's a bad car - just didn't meet my expectations and never felt special.
Most looking forward to? My Cerbera LS restomod that i haven't driven yet!
1969 Ford Capri Gt. Transplanted with a bog standard 2.0 zetec on bog standard Ford management utilising the Pas pump and a 2.8i rack.
Carlton Gsi 24v manual.
A budget build Sunbeam Alpine, using bits in the shed or yard in a rust free californian shell.
2.0 chain drive Ford twincam from an LDV van, a turbo technics kit for that engine, pas rack and pinion, servo assist disc braking all round, Mt75 and 5 linked rear. Great fun car.
Carlton Gsi 24v manual.
A budget build Sunbeam Alpine, using bits in the shed or yard in a rust free californian shell.
2.0 chain drive Ford twincam from an LDV van, a turbo technics kit for that engine, pas rack and pinion, servo assist disc braking all round, Mt75 and 5 linked rear. Great fun car.
In first and for sheer fun my old 1.4 Caterham Supersport with the 6 speed gearbox.
Only 135 bhp but the rev happy nature of that lightweight engine coupled to the ultra close ratios of the Caterham developed 6 speed box was an utter delight. Quick, but never intimidating - for me the absolute sweet spot of Caterham Sevens
...wish I'd never sold it and one of the few cars from my past I would buy again if I could find one.
After that:
Elan Plus 2 with 145bhp and 'bullet' ratio gearbox
Elise 111S
Only 135 bhp but the rev happy nature of that lightweight engine coupled to the ultra close ratios of the Caterham developed 6 speed box was an utter delight. Quick, but never intimidating - for me the absolute sweet spot of Caterham Sevens
...wish I'd never sold it and one of the few cars from my past I would buy again if I could find one.
After that:
Elan Plus 2 with 145bhp and 'bullet' ratio gearbox
Elise 111S
My current 996 C4S manual coupe. Far and away the best car I've owned to drive, so much more than the sum of its parts.
1988 Carrera 3.2 Sport Coupe. Brilliant fun and very quirky, you absolutely had to 'drive it'. Every drive an event even when you didn't want it to be. Felt a very old car even in the mid 90's.
2007 Jaguar XKR. A great car for both long-haul driving and fun. Engine/exhaust note perfectly balanced, more than enough performance.
1988 Carrera 3.2 Sport Coupe. Brilliant fun and very quirky, you absolutely had to 'drive it'. Every drive an event even when you didn't want it to be. Felt a very old car even in the mid 90's.
2007 Jaguar XKR. A great car for both long-haul driving and fun. Engine/exhaust note perfectly balanced, more than enough performance.
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