What car makes you feel the best.

[OddballM4]

Ok, we all drive cars (well most of us anyways). But there's a difference between pootling about and really driving. I've driven four different cars, a Citroen C4 (my instructors car), a Fiat Marea estate owned by my mum, a Peugeot 405 TD owned by my mums friend, and my MkII Golf 1.6 Driver (R.I.P. Shed). Only the Golf did I truly enjoy driving. I'd go down the stairs in the morning, and she'd be sitting there, sun glinting off the windscreen. I'd get in, and as soon as I settled in that seat, it felt as is the car and I had become one. Everything felt comfy, every switch came easily to hand. That little worn engine would leap into life first time every time, even when if was below freezing. One time I was trying out my skills at selling double glazing (worst job ever by the way), and she made it from edinburgh to perth and back, on £5 worth of petrol. Can you imagine how chuffed I was? £5!!! The best ever was when she took on a brand new Bentley and won! I was parked by the side of the road, arm hanging out the window, enjoying the sun, when the guy drove past. His mirror skiffed my elbow, and bashed into my mirror. Ended up with a tiny scratch in the plastic while his mirror was hanging by the wire.

Okay, i'm ranting a bit. But my point is, those other cars never gave me any enjoyment, it's just driving. But that Golf just made me smile every second of the journey. I found myself driving all over the city at 3am just because it was such a joy.

So come on, which car floats your boats? Which is the one you enjoyed/enjoy the most? And what about stories, funny/sad/bizarre happenings.

[hardjack79]

Ha ha, cool thread, OddBall.

My car history in a nutshell: '86 Corolla 1.3L (Yellow) was my first car and probably best friend for a while (no, not really, but I wanted to start strong cos this is going to get boring quick). That car taught me to drive, and we had some narrow escapes from disaster. I had it from age 15 to 25. Love that car, but its not 'the one'.

During that time also got a 73 (i think) Vauxhall Chevete 1.2L, which we 'rallied up' for the Undie 500. Basically: buy a car for under $500 (got her for under 100 and the throttle stuck open as we drove her away and the cabin filled up with smoke), mod/decorate it, and drive it on a 1000km pub crawl around the South Island of NZ. That girl just kept on going and going, rain, snow, ice, rallying, world's steepest street, bits fell off, other bits were wedged under the hood to keep her running, and she made it back to 200 metres from home (stopped for fish and chips) before she finally died. Love that car so much, only good memories and I'd buy one in a second if I found another, but it wasn't 'the one'.

Current car is a black 97 Audi A4 1.8T (i like small engines I guess) and it goes very well, very comfortable, very drivable, economical... it really isn't any fun to drive despite my best efforts.

The car love of my life was my '92 MR2 SW20 2L N/A. Bright Yellow. I was living back in NZ for about 4 months before I gave in and started looking for another car so that I could enjoy my weekends. My colleage asked me "what is your dream car?" (okay I can think of some supercars) and I said pretty much straight away: MR2. He found one right then and egged me on with "when else in your life will you be able to justify a 2 seater and be young enough to enjoy it", etc until I went and saw it. Bought it pretty cheap, fixed a couple of minor problems, and from then on I looked forward to driving that girl every single day. I have never had a possesion that was more of a pleasure to be around. I had some tough times that year, but that car was always something that was always under my control (okay, most of the time) and we shared some really great times, occaisonally at the limits of cohesion.

Quite why I love that car so dearly I'm not sure, but I think it is partly because it was one of the only things in my life that I've bought thinking 'this isn't really sensible but it feels so gratifying'. I'm usually very boring. I've also never been so proud of something either, I took a lot of flack for having a "bright yellow girls car" (one of the kinder comments) but it was a purely selfish possesion, I really didn't care. And of course the car drives very well and is quite exciting to take near the limit. I never had an accident, and the reputation of that model being a danger to everyone around it isn't fair at all.

Ahhh... I truly love that car.

I'm in the states now, and the car is sold, but I still think of it all the time, and if I can offer any advice it is:
1) MR2 is a great car - reliable, cheap for a MR, and fun!
2) Sometimes you should get something because you want it, not because you should get it. I never regretted it for a second.

[Viper]

I second that last thing. I drive a merc c220 sportcoupé now, and I'm loving it. It was an utterly STUPID thing to do, buying that car, seeing how my other car was still tiptop. Best move I've ever made I feel very good in it, I love how it feels, handles, accelerates and pretty much everything about it. I saw it one day, and just HAD to have it.

[Pizzaman]

I love my Mini. That little car is just so versatile,
you'd be amazed what fits into it.
Also, the standard-Mini is very economical.
Yet still loads of fun!

[stagman]

<---That one. It gets blasted by hooded youths in souped up hatchbacks and needs constant attention, but nothing beats it for pleasure with the top down and that great sound coming from the exhaust. The cars that preceded it were all of the same marque but somewhat less in terms of fun. The 2000 was just an old saloon albeit nice sounding, and the Spitfire was a terrible collection of parts that was truely dangerous.
For all I am concerned, I hope to keep it for the time I am alive.

[Pizzaman]

I'll probably drive a Mini until the day I die,
though I have other cars - none as versatile as the Mini.
Open top motoring is very very nice (Fiat X 1/9)...

[CX650]

A BMW K100

Oh! sorry, not enough wheels.

[OddballM4]

No problemo. Topic now includes bikes, of course! My mum and dad built a chopper together back before I was born. It was one of the first in scotland, as we seem to pick up very good things very slowly at times.

[MAD-MINI]

My feel good car is.. don't laugh now, a Ford Festiva, 1.3L of fury. It is a blast to drive in town and on the country roads. I guess it will be similar to a mini in handling, Mine is slightly tuned with a holly carb and some other various bits and it flies. Well when it is working, I have developed an intermittent missfire that is causing a few headaches

[October]

I've had big, gas guzzling American "muscle cars", my favorite of which was probably my 1970 Dodge Charger that I had when I was still in school. WAAAAY too much power for reckless youth and in retrospect I feel lucky I never wrecked it although I came close more than once. Several "T-Top" big-block Pontiac Trans-Ams (google "Smokey and the Bandit") which were great fun too.

In the last 10 years or so I fell deeply in love with German engineering. I had VWs that were ok but they just never got me wound up like the Porsche 944s I've had and more recently several e30 BMWs including my most recent purchase, an 89 325is with a rebuilt stroked motor in it and a few other aftermarket goodies.



As fast and fun as that one is to drive I think I liked my 90' 325i convertible best though. Third gear was always a hoot and it loved the corners!

[manzarek]

I have been driving an E36 M3 EVO for the last 2 years but the car that has given me the most pleasure (by a very long way) is a modified 205 1.9 GTi that i owned when i was 19, I absolutely adored that car but it was a total pain in the arse to start during the winter so decided to sell it, 10yrs on and i still regret that decision, if i had room on my driveway i would seriously consider hunting down a clean car and recreating what i drove all those years ago.

[Stu]

I still have my 2nd car I bought. A Ford Escort MK2 RS2000 2 door. I've had it for over 24 years and still enjoy driving it. I used to drive it everyday, now with another car in the driveway, it now comes out VERY occasionally. I've modified it slightly, alloy wheels, lowered it, and rebuilt the engine. There is the best driving road near here a mountain pass about 10miles long and has beaut corners that are just right for a bit of drifting and chasing bigger engined cars!

[Altarir]

Since I've only driven four cars, and only one of them is actually my own (Citroen Xsara II) - the rest were either my parrents (Seat Cordoba 1.4 60hp, and Kia Cee'd 1.6 122hp) or on the driving license test (fiat Punto 1.2) - I don't have much choice. Out of those I guess the Xsara is the most fun: mainly because of the nice idea of passive four wheel steering, which saved me more than once from a crash - the brakes are useless so I have to avoid things rather than stop before them. As handling goes on fast corners it feels perfectly under control with a slight tendency to oversteer, which can be a bit surprising in a FWD car, but proves a lot of fun and it's quite comfortable too. If only it had a better engine (1.4 75hp now -noisy, slow, needs a bucket of fuel every km, breaks down quite often, if only I had the money and skill to put a VTS engine into my car ), brakes and gearbox (I'm not always sure which gear I choose), I wouldn't want another car. The cee'd is also nice (especially the engine and gearbox are good) but it looks extremely dull and understeers in fast corners too much and it's too stiff on bumps.

[herrodboss]

I also still have my second ever car, a 1998 AU Ford Falcon sedan. it was an ex business fleet car, no options (not even a cd player) totally basic transport and butt ugly. It was also rediculously cheap at the time. After a while it was time to replace the tires so i forked over for some good ones. Totally transformed it. For such a large car it was (still is) surprisingly nimble and the 4L inline 6 has plenty of power.

Over the years it has served as a faithfull daily driver and only once failed to proceed (flat battery) dispite the bazzillion Km's its done the horrific flogging i give it every day. My ass has worn a comfortable groove in the seat, it'd be lucky to get a wash once a year, and the paint is scratched up pretty badly. (I once had to chase off a goat that took up residence on the nice warm bonnet, hooves and paint don't mix...)

I've had a few cars since, and i'll have many more in the future. But i get the feeling that this one will be with me for a long time yet. Its always the one i go to first. Can't really explain why...

[GEISHA]

I feel good (not the best, that is reserved for more important things) in a car that is:
A. safe
B. practical
C. value for money
D. economical
E. not a BMW
F. not a VW, especially one of those billions of stupid Golfs
G. not an Opel
H. not a Hyundai
I. not a Lada
J. not posh
K. not noisy/screamy
L. not everybody's favourite
M. not a SUV, Jeep(ish) or a pick up "truck" (I don't have a farm)
N. not Italian
O. not a show off car
P. not a boy toy
Q. not bling or silly "tuned"
R. not a Hummer (ish)
S. not to attract girls or boys or any attention
T. not a Mercedes
U. not to impress my neighbour, colleague, friends or No Grip forums
V. not dirty inside or outside
W. not a gas guzzler
X. not a car you always see in those traffic violation programs (BMW)
Y. not white, yellow, poison green or black
Z. not with stickers saying BMW (as if we were blind) when it is a BMW (bad enough)

Just a car I feel good in.

[herrodboss]

Originally Posted by GEISHA

I feel good (not the best, that is reserved for more important things) in a car that is:
A. safe
B. practical
C. value for money
D. economical
E. not a BMW
F. not a VW, especially one of those billions of stupid Golfs
G. not an Opel
H. not a Hyundai
I. not a Lada
J. not posh
K. not noisy/screamy
L. not everybody's favourite
M. not a SUV, Jeep(ish) or a pick up "truck" (I don't have a farm)
N. not Italian
O. not a show off car
P. not a boy toy
Q. not bling or silly "tuned"
R. not a Hummer (ish)
S. not to attract girls or boys or any attention
T. not a Mercedes
U. not to impress my neighbour, colleague, friends or forums
V. not dirty inside or outside
W. not a gas guzzler
X. not a car you always see in those traffic violation programs (BMW)
Y. not white, yellow, poison green or black
Z. not with stickers saying BMW when it is a BMW (as if we were blind)

Just a car I feel good in.

Well, mine appears to fit the above criteria except for D/W (great on the open road, sucks in town) and V (I can put that down to water restrictions here in melbourne though, convenient cop-out).

[OddballM4]

Originally Posted by GEISHA

F. not a VW, especially one of those billions of stupid Golfs

Ouch

Still, I would never go for the modified golfs myself. Always an original example. So in a way I agree with you. Those modified ones are indeed a bit silly, still, each to their own.

[Kongo]

Well...I'm a rookie driver (in theory) so I only have one car...and I like...
Nothing too special...some consider vermin on UK roads...well ok they don't but some snobs act like it.
No, it;s not a Ford Escort mkV, although in a squeeze I would buy one as they are reliable, easy to run and are actually quite ruggid...but you are close...

I have a 1995 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX (that's the mkI) giving a nice 135BHP, thanks to my Pa for giving it me.
Great man, leaving me his car...maybe it's cause it's been in the family so long I love it but...MAN that 2 litre engine has some pull...
Remember it's my first car and put the two and two together...I should by rights have a 998cc Vauxhall Corsa or a 1.2 Clio......A Fiesta I almost had (thanks to my aunt)...a nice 1.3i Ghia but...I got's the Mondeo instead...

I'd Joing Miniman and have one of those but...I needs a car that can do that lot and thus, this is great...cost me nothing, bags of power, bigger than your average first car, still staying in the family AND is cheap to run...hehe...

But I am planning on buying a Mini as a project car in a few years time...I'd still love an oldskool Ford but......I MUST own and drive a Go-Kart on wheels.

Originally Posted by Stu

I still have my 2nd car I bought. A Ford Escort MK2 RS2000 2 door. I've had it for over 24 years and still enjoy driving it. I used to drive it everyday, now with another car in the driveway, it now comes out VERY occasionally. I've modified it slightly, alloy wheels, lowered it, and rebuilt the engine. There is the best driving road near here a mountain pass about 10miles long and has beaut corners that are just right for a bit of drifting and chasing bigger engined cars!

DIdn't anyone tell you you shouldn't say that in my presence?
When you wake up in the morning that car is GONE! MINE MINE MINE!!!
(wait a minute...I think it IS morning down under...doh)

[Si99]

My sister's J reg Peugeot 205 Rallye. Been in the family since brand new, only got 38000 miles on it, just had engine and gearbox rebuild after being unused for nearly 2 years and now I'm buying it as a second car. Something so nice about no ABS, power steering etc.

whiterallye.jpg

[Roger]

Easy answer - and a cheap shot

My A110 - it's just bursting with personality and exuberance!

Others:

Golf GTi Mk1 - 1800 - just a brilliant little car

LandRover Defender 90 - it just operates in it's own little (glacial slow) world


Just about ANY bike

[Zieman]

I've a mixed feeling about this, I think I should relate my top 3 experiences while driving a car - 3 different cars, all gave great feeling.

Number one is my friend's mk 1 Escort, I was his bestman at his wedding and doubled as their chauffeur, driving 'em around in that lovely mk 1 Escort (1.6 litre Kent engine bored to 1.7 litres because of cylinder wear, mild street trim: ~120 bhp). Great car, exceptional occasion, excellent overall feeling.

Second place goes to the car in my avatar, tho good old 'bomb-proof' Opel Kadett C 1.2 . My first car, drove it for 7 years and over 120000 km. Boy, it was fun on gravel and snow/ice! And 90% of modern 4WD cars wouldn't dare go where I went with this baby (not to mention the places my dad drove it before me, I wouldn't dare to try most of them even with a Jeep ot Uaz!).

3rd place I give to my 2nd car, a '86 Ford Orion - another rugged & reliable, yet comfortable ride. 850km with only one stop for fuel & coffee was really a relaxing experience with it.

[mickey65]

A Corolla GT AE86 is still missing

Here my Cars !!!

[Pizzaman]

But I am planning on buying a Mini as a project car in a few years time...I'd still love an oldskool Ford but......I MUST own and drive a Go-Kart on wheels.

You buy either of them and I'll try send you some parts.
I think I have 2.5 Minis and 1.5 old skool Ford stored in the garage...

PS: working my way up to making those BBS wheels on the Mini.
The bugger needs some hot wheels - no can do with just Miniltes and Revolutions!
They're gonna be on the next 'sixpack': The Pimp Edition... but first the Moto-Minis!

[jukez]

I have owned only three cars and three motorcycles. Here is the list of the cars:
Nissan Sunny 1.5GL -84 (1996-2002) 75hp/122nm/855kg.
Opel Vectra 2.0i GLS -90 (2002-2007) 115hp/175nm/1120kg.
Volvo V40 2.0T -01 (2007-) 165hp/230nm/1400kg.

Sunny and Vectra both had very economical engines. I was driving mostly long distances but also some downtown cruising and measured average 7l/100km with both of cars! Neither of them I specially liked to drive. Nissan had an utterly reliable engine and technics. I drove about 100 000km with it (120-210tkm). Only adjusted the automatical enricher, changed worn tyres, brake pads, brake plates, oil + filter few times. Only thing that ruined the best possible reliability mark was rust that finally killed the chassis. (finnish winter with salted roads)

Opel was different in reliability matters. I drove again about 100 000km with her (190tkm-295tkm). This e-mail would become too long to describe all the parts I replaced for her. Mainly the various parts in chassis were giving up that I had to change. But still it never left me on the road. Vectra was real enjoy to haul long distances and listen music while driving. It was silent and comfortable to my ass. But not so good in curvy sections. Ones I drove continously 900km to Lapland. Then stopped to fuel her up, only to notice that she still had 8l out of 62l tank left. Very economical for grunty 2.0i engine. (I still havent driven any modern default 2.0l non-turbo engine with more torque feel, partly explained by the light weight compared to cars nowaday). Downsides of Vectra were the sluggish gearbox and soft chassis. Brakes and especially the engine were very much to my liking.

Currently I have Volvo V40 with the low pressure turbo. She is easy car to drive. Women like to drive it. And there is more torque than you normally need in traffic (peaks at 1800rpm). So no need to shift down to make a pass. But also a bit dull car. Lots of fancy passive safety devices all over the place and electronics to fail later. I think I dont need the automatic air conditioning instead cruise control is nice. Fuel consumption depends a lot how and where you drive. I have succeeded 7l/100km to 12l/100km tank fulls. So not really economical car, instead she might be reliable. And that is needed here in varying conditions -20C -> +20C.

I think I will write another mail about the bikes, because this is easily getting out of hand . One of those bikes I have owned is the one vehicle I have liked the best out of all.

-Jukka