The Motor Forum

Gooner · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:51 pm Post subject:

May have been low on power but my 106 Key Largo (1.4 diesel) was easily the best cornering car I've ever had, including the Civic. It just seemed to go round on rails at any speed - not that I could build up much of that!
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Frank Bullitt · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject:

1988 Peugeot 205 1.4 GR
1999 Fiat Punto 60S
2002 Fiat Punto JTD ELX
2005 Audi A2 1.4TDI 75 SE

The Pug had the finest handling and ride of the lot (and probably of pretty much any car I've driven since), a tractible engine, excellent driving position and decent space. If it hadn't been so badly looked after before I bought it then it would have stayed a bit longer.

The best is the A2, without a doubt. Originally bought to be kept four years (an acheivement as 2 1/2 years is the previous maximum) it will not be going anywhere for a long, long time, if at all. Still get a buzz from driving and owning it.

If you include Marie's cars...

2002 smart city coupe pure
2006 smart fortwo passion

Both excellent, and a real joy to own. Depending upon the future, the most recent one is a 'keeper' too.

TimR · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:55 am Post subject:

1984 Toyota Corolla Liftback 1.3 (still interred in my parents' large shed)
1986 Montego 2.0
1988 MG Maestro 2.0EFi
1990 Montego GTI
1986 MG Maestro 2.0EFi
1994 Fiat Punto 75SX
2000 Fiat Punto HGT
2003 Fiat Stilo Multiwagon JTD
1999 Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo
1992 Mitsubishi Shogun TD
2006 Alfa Romeo GT V6
2001 BMW M5

I'm sure the M5 is the best out of that list by far but I really miss both the Punto HGT and the Stilo.

The Punto was the perfect car for a flat out backroad thrash - 130BHP meant you didn't get the speeds too high but could drive it 100% plus it had uprated brakes which overcame it's only slight weakness.

The Stilo was a big friendly workhorse which gave good economy (just a distant memory now), plenty of comfort, lots of toys, a decent turn of pace and good handling.

SambaFi · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:

1980 Renault 5 GTL
1983 Talbot Samba LE
1984 Nissan Sunny 1.3 DL
1972 Volkswagen Transporter Camper
1984 Bedford Astra 1.6 L
1981 Saab 99 GL
1988 Austin Maestro 500
1980 Renault 12 TL
1988 Citroen 10E
1994 Lada Riva 1.5 E
1999 Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 Envoy
2003 Daewoo Kalos 1.4 SX

Best, probably Astra van as it was fast, quick and obviously had a big boot for my bicycle and was big enough to sleep in. Unfortunately it had Stomil tyres which were non stick.

Worst was the VW camper as it was a rusty wreck only held together by the roof.

DarthBalls · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:42 am Post subject:

I thought the Samba would have been your favourite

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Martin · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:11 am Post subject:

My mum had a Talbot Samba for a short while, what a car.....
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SambaFi · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

The best thing I can say about the Samba is that is was memorable, hence using it in my non de plume. There was always something wrong with it from breaking two rocker arms to front seats which were difficult to anchor after letting in rear passengers. ( the entire seat pivoted as they did not recline).

Big TC · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

My driving history is one of the longest on here, seeing as I'm pushing 51 (eek) and passed my test in 1975, so here goes....

1965 Vauxhall Victor FC (leather bench seat in the front - 3-speed column gearchange)
1969 Ford Cortina 1.6 MkII (lowered suspension, fat wheels & tyres)
1971 Humber Sceptre (overdrive gearbox, vinyl roof, mmmmmmmmm)
1971 Hillman Super Minx (a stop-gap after the Sceptre died)
1971 Hillman Hunter Estate
1971 Vauxhall Viva Estate (written off by a drunk driver whilst parked....)
1973 Ford Cortina 1.6 MkIII
Then a series of company cars:
Talbot Sunbeam, Vauxhall Nova 1.0, Vauxhall Cavalier 1.3, and then another one, and yet another one, Talbot Samba, Ford Escort MkIII, Honda Accord 2.0, Mazda 929 Estate, then back to owning for a while:
1988 Seat Ibiza
1992 Nissan Primera 2.0
1994 Fiat Cinquecento (really the wife's...)
back to company cars: Mazda 323 (written off against a Red Deer), Mazda 626, then another 626, Citroen C5 HDi Exclusive, before owning:
1997 Nissan Primera 2.0
currently:
2006 Citroen C1 HDi
1993 Peugeot 605 SVdt

oh, and a J-reg VW Passat Estate weekend toy (Autocross) car.
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marcg · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject:

1990 205 1.1 style
1991 Clio 1.2 (dawn's)
1995 306 XSi
1998 Saxo VTR (dawn's)
1993 mx5 1.6
1999 Audi 1.9 TDi
2003 BMW 320d SE

The 205 and the mx5 fight for most sentimental value. The 205 in particular I lived with for 10 years - mum's then mine - and took me and Dawn all round France twice and me on countless other big trips. It taught me loads about the basics of car maintenance - cooling systems in particular! I still have a big hole in my life for another 205 (Gti/XS/TurboD?)

The mx5 I only had for about a year as we had to get rid of it when Dawn got pregnant (lowered sports suspension meant she felt in danger of miscarrying) and, TBH I wasn't using it anyway as I was walking to work. But I loved that car! Convertible, RWD, lightweight, pop-up headlamps - what's not to love? Another one of those will happen someday too.

The mx5 was the best drive but the E46 is the best car - if only because I can't really fault it. Someone else said it was the automotive equivalent of a bosch powertool and somehow that seems apt. If money allows (ie I could afford a 2 year old 530d) I think I might try a 159SW next.

Maybe all the E46 needs is a long holiday (France again!) for me to feel more for it? It certainly sets the standards from now on though.

kraftwerk · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject:

I won't be buying another 'modern' unless my circumstances (ie salary) change for the much better, which is not going to happen as I'm disinclined to apply myself more than I already do.

The Avantime is the ideal car for me, especially as I drive it about once-a-month. I'm looking forward still to be caring for it in my dotage.

I'd much rather sink any spare cash in to the long list of classics I want one day to own. Citroen SM, of course - but that'll be a keeper. If I'd some spare cash swilling around, it'd be nice to buy the odd thing for six months at a time, and most of my dreams (bar the outlandish like the 959) are fairly inexpensive VWs, Citroens, Fiats, Renaults, NSUs, Tatras and various motorcycles.
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garry · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

I've not owned that many cars. Here's a list. Some forgotten I think:-

Mini 1000 (r reg - 1977?)
Fiesta 1100
MX5 (x2 a mk 1 and a mk2)
bmw 528i
bmw 330i
Porsche 996
Porsche 997
Vauxhall vectra (!)
Merdedes e class (various models)

Soft spot for the mx5 mk 2 - very easy to drive at full whack. Makes you feel like a great driver.

Both BMWas were very capable, although I never felt warmth for them.

Current combo of E class and 911 is perfect. Last week I did a day trip to oxford in the merc (hard to beat as a m/way mile muncher) followed the next day by a cross country trip to newcastle in the porsche (Up the M6, turn right - what roads!). My only dislike with the combo is one of image.