Why are some cars more "PH" than others?

[FreeLitres]

I was thinking about this on my drive home today when I spotted a very tidy Z3M Breadvan and I thought “now that is a PH car”.

I see some cars as being very PH (i.e. Honda NSX) while others are not PH at all (Honda Jazz).

I am struggling to come up with a definition of what a PH car is though.

I think they tend to be interesting/rare cars that have an excellent enjoyment to cost ratio and are fun to drive. Some sports/super/hyper cars just don’t seem to be PH to me – too clinical.

It is possible to rank cars according to how “PH” they are? Which would be the most PH car of all?

[Reardy Mister]

I think its a "if it needs explaining, its not worth it type thing."

Dont try to define it, you'll spoil it.

[southendpier]

mx5 with a remapped bmw 325 diesel driven by Nigella (Lawson not Mansell) would tick many if not most ph boxes

[Swoxy]

I agree with the second post.

[RobDickinson]

Its like the term 'supercar', you know what one is but cant define it on paper.

[MX5guy]

RobDickinson said:

Its like the term 'supercar', you know what one is but cant define it on paper.

Just ask that in GG, they might not agree. Although it's better than the "What is a Sportscar" one.

[Papa Hotel]

MX5guy said:

RobDickinson said:

Its like the term 'supercar', you know what one is but cant define it on paper.

Just ask that in GG, they might not agree. Although it's better than the "What is a Sportscar" one.

Mods, I beg you, please don't send this to General Gassing. It'll turn into a 30-page bh fest. 300bhp/ton will be right, Inkiboo will get cross... it'll just be a mess, you know it.

[cal72]

Papa Hotel said:

Mods, I beg you, please don't send this to General Gassing. It'll turn into a 30-page bh fest. 300bhp/ton will be right, Inkiboo will get cross... it'll just be a mess, you know it.

[Papa Hotel]

cal72 said:

Papa Hotel said:

Mods, I beg you, please don't send this to General Gassing. It'll turn into a 30-page bh fest. 300bhp/ton will be right, Inkiboo will get cross... it'll just be a mess, you know it.

st, they did it.

Batten down the hatches!!

[Godzuki]

PH is about the person, not the car.

[george h]

FreeLitres said:

It is possible to rank cars according to how “PH” they are?

P.H. O'Meter?

[Diesel do nicely]

Top 10 PH (everyman) Garage?

1. Mazda MX-5
2. BMW 328i E36
3. Peugeot 205 GTi
4. Porsche 944 Turbo
5. Lotus Elan M100
6. Mercedes 190E Cosworth
7. BMW 335d Mapped
8. Jaguar XJR
9. Alfa GTV 3.0 V6
10. Vauxhall Monaro

>disclaimer< these aren't set in stone or in any order, for all you resident, predictable, miserable moaners >disclaimer<

Least PH Top 10

1. Perodua Kenari
2. Ssangyong Rodius
3. Kia Menigitis
4. Hyun-'die' Accident
5. Audi A3 (i've read the threads..)
6. Audi A4 (ditto)
7. Vauxhall Ashtray
8. Vauxhall Vectra
9. Renault Scenic
10. VW Passat 2.0 TDi 140 SE...

HTH

[Spedz]

Godzuki said:

PH is about the person, not the car.

PH isn't about a car.. It's a way of life!

[TheStig44]

I would say a PH car is one that was designed and built almost entirely for driver enjoyment with practicality, economy etc being just minor features that the car has. A car that sacrifices comfort for thrills and sacrifices miles per gallon for smiles per gallon.

MX-5
Caterham
Elise/Exige
Porsche GT3/GT2
A select few 'M' cars

And so on!

[Chrisw666]

Godzuki said:

PH is about the person, not the car.

I agree, but then I would.

[vixen1700]

No mention of TVR then?

[V8mate]

Spedz said:

Godzuki said:

PH is about the person, not the car.

PH isn't about a car.. It's a way of life!

PH is more important than life.

[benjfrst]

Chrisw666 said:

Godzuki said:

PH is about the person, not the car.

I agree, but then I would.

[robsco]

Reardy Mister said:

I think its a "if it needs explaining, its not worth it type thing."

Dont try to define it, you'll spoil it.

Summed up to perfection.

[troc]

vixen1700 said:

No mention of TVR then?

Surely TVR would indeed be the most PH car or have people forgotten how PH started?