What were the best and worst cars you owned for their time??
Discussion
I was just thinking back of some cars I owned, and of course, typically cars have all improved over the years to the extent that (say) a Lamborghini Miura can be easily outperformed by numerous hot hatches of today.
So, if you go back to when your car was reasonably current, what was the car you owned that you liked best in period compared to its peers, and what was the most egregious trash?
For me, the best car I owned in period was an 2000 E39 M5 which was viceless, brilliantly quick, comfortable and well styled to boot. It was absolutely trouble free, and a much better looking car than its successor.
The worst car is maybe a tie between a 1988 Buick LeSabre Limited with a vinyl top and fake wire wheels, which had the most godawful roadholding and ponderous performance, and a 2004 Touareg V8 that had recurrent serious electrical troubles due to a ground fault that they could never find.After six months of ownership from new, they took it back. I loved the damn thing but it spend eight weeks in the garage, so has to be on the worst list.
( I will not add 20 year old clunkers I bought which were already clapped out, as there would be along list of rusting wrecks I owned, but they might have been good in their time.)
So, if you go back to when your car was reasonably current, what was the car you owned that you liked best in period compared to its peers, and what was the most egregious trash?
For me, the best car I owned in period was an 2000 E39 M5 which was viceless, brilliantly quick, comfortable and well styled to boot. It was absolutely trouble free, and a much better looking car than its successor.
The worst car is maybe a tie between a 1988 Buick LeSabre Limited with a vinyl top and fake wire wheels, which had the most godawful roadholding and ponderous performance, and a 2004 Touareg V8 that had recurrent serious electrical troubles due to a ground fault that they could never find.After six months of ownership from new, they took it back. I loved the damn thing but it spend eight weeks in the garage, so has to be on the worst list.
( I will not add 20 year old clunkers I bought which were already clapped out, as there would be along list of rusting wrecks I owned, but they might have been good in their time.)
The E39 is still far and away the most impressive car I've ever driven. I still think they're good compared to modern opposition.
Worst car for it's time that I have driven was probably a 97 Escort Estate. I'd driven a few of it's more immediate rivals such as the Mk3 Golf, 306 and Astra and the Escort seemed like an utter dog of a car in comparison. How they sold so many I have no idea.
I haven't owned either of those though!
Worst I've owned for it's time was a MK4 Golf GTi. I actually quite liked it but the Focus and 306 blew it into the weeds as a driver's car.
Best, S1 Lotus Elise probably. I don't know if its truly been surpassed yet after 14 years. Even the S2 and all its derivatives don't seem to be universally 'better' despite constant development.
Worst car for it's time that I have driven was probably a 97 Escort Estate. I'd driven a few of it's more immediate rivals such as the Mk3 Golf, 306 and Astra and the Escort seemed like an utter dog of a car in comparison. How they sold so many I have no idea.
I haven't owned either of those though!
Worst I've owned for it's time was a MK4 Golf GTi. I actually quite liked it but the Focus and 306 blew it into the weeds as a driver's car.
Best, S1 Lotus Elise probably. I don't know if its truly been surpassed yet after 14 years. Even the S2 and all its derivatives don't seem to be universally 'better' despite constant development.
Worst: Lancia Delta HF Turbo in white with full Martini racing stripes. Piece of crap that absorbed water, ate turbo chargers, had a random selection of things ALWAYS off on the dashboard and behaved like a pissed giraffe on ice when the road was wet.
Best: Impreza RB5WR. Did everything it said it would even with 4 blokes in the cabin and 4 sets of golf clubs in the boot
Best: Impreza RB5WR. Did everything it said it would even with 4 blokes in the cabin and 4 sets of golf clubs in the boot
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