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All these honda posts are making me miss this (not actually mine but identical).
1986 CRX 1.6i 16 - after a series of escorts/novas it was quite a revelation. Honda know how to make engines.
'98 Lotus Elise.
Sold because it couldn't take a rear facing child seat. Still regret not mothballing it somewhere 🙁
I loved my Ford Puma, Clio RSi, MkII Audi TT but my favourite has to be my MkII Fiesta XR2
(Not mine in the picture)
*MY* CAR
Also my car 🙁
Not really the 'nicest', but the one I miss. Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 hardtop.
Edit: photo not of my actual car.
Have mentioned before our Touareg and Impreza but as there's a couple of others mentioned above we've had couple of Elises both seemingly built by job experiance kids on a Friday afternoon. Although great driving cars the amount of work required to keeps them on the road especially the one we have at the minute as it's only used every now and then is too much.
Had a S2 type 72 before the kids came along and sold it to a mate 12 years ago who still has it.
We have a S1 S160 Sport at the moment but I'm maybe looking to sell it and get something more practical as a second car, quite fancy an R32 Golf but we shall see.
...we’ve had couple of Elises both seemingly built by job experiance kids on a Friday afternoon.
Apparently this is why Roger Moore never bought a Lotus after Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only. They had someone on-set to keep the cars working (he worked on said cars every day) and after the film offered Moore a 10% discount on one.
He got a free Volvo instead.
I kid you not, I used to have a Volvo.
RM.
Good to see a MK1 TT roadster appear on here (one of my all time favourite cars)
my favourite has to be my MkII Fiesta XR2
I used to have one of those, a white one. I really liked it also. How could I forget my used to be favourite car - I also had one of the original one of these:
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An XR3 with the twin choke carb, not the "I".
Through the sale of a couple of cars and a £1000 bank loan I rocked up to look at with £1650 in the glovebox of a Mk3 escort. Turned out it was an elderly gent who'd bought it, put 13k miles on it then stuck it in the garage. It was specced wit factory fit Pioneer sounds system, but otherwise unmarked shiny and still new smelling, Private plate too - CKE 50Y if anyone knows it. His daughter - same age as me - was in tears as she was under the impression it was hers to inherit. Well, he wanted £1995 and we spent 2 hours and cup of tea getting to the £1650 I had.
After I collected it the Saturday after, it was disappointed as it felt terrible to drive, barely any throttle response. Fearing the worst I popped into my mates family garage to find the timing was out - 10 mins later I was happy as Larry. Unfortunately 18 months later something happened in the insurance industry and it went from £350 a year to £1250 a year to insure and had to go 🙁 Loved it while I had it.
The car i regret selling the most.....
immaculate 2001 Peugeot 306 GTI-6, (not mine in pic) spent a small fortune putting it back to standard and keeping it clean....even the Mrs loved it. Replaced it with a V50 T5 which i never really loved, i was just scratching an itch really.....
Just bought the wife this....she wanted a 1.2 but we ended up compromising on the sport. Puts a smile on my face every time i take it out. Probably not what every bloke in their early 30’s likes but it will do for her....
Unfortunately 18 months later something happened in the insurance industry and it went from £350 a year to £1250 a year to insure
Yeah, I had a similar experience (with the mashed up Fiesta XR2 up there) - it was reasonably cheap to insure but (fortuitously) around the same time I wrote it off the insurance went up globally (perhaps it was when they changed the groupings from 9 to 19 groups)? Anyway, getting a replacement would have cost loads to insure so I got a Nova SRi (I couldn't afford the insurance on the GTi). That one was nicked and I ended up with a loveless Escort 1.3LX.
Ford KA, original shape like the below. Clearly I can't compete with people on here but I loved this car. Handled beautifully, revved fast and the best car I've driven on snow and ice. Plastic bumpers and thin tyres made it a fine choice for urban driving and blasting around. Basically, it was a go-cart and I adored it. Sold it to a work mate who had to spend £2k on it within 2 months so bullet dodged.
Bought a very average Megane that did 160k miles and refused to die despite the electronics trying hard to kill it. That was before deciding cars weren't for me so I got a cargo bike, a train pass and an account with Europcar, this seems to work very well for me indeed.
I loved the Ford Ka (my now wife had one so I got to drive it lots back in the day) - possibly the only car that looked better in production than the initial concept sketches. Back then Ford were doing some pretty exciting things with car design (and of course the Sierra before too).
Terrible photo, but this was mine
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6410762639_63756e4a71_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6410762639_63756e4a71_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/aLuQok ]P1010958[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/le_grande_momo/ ]Matt Cotterill[/url], on Flickr
Not quite standard, had a full system and a few chassis/suspension mods. owned it for 2 years/30k. Replaced it with a mk6 golf GTD which was quicker in the real world but lacked the joy (however, it was worlds apart in terms of comfort!)
I was between houses when I switched cars and didn't have the room to store the Clio, otherwise I'd still have it today. I keep looking at them on ebay every so often, MrsMomo just gives me 'the look' whenever she catches me though.
Back then Ford were doing some pretty exciting things with car design...
Mk1 Focus was a brilliant car.
Terrible photo
Lawn needs attention.
Mostly old cars being posted, what does that say about modern motors?
Mostly old cars being posted, what does that say about modern motors?
Nobody can afford a new one...
trailwagger
Mostly old cars being posted, what does that say about modern motors?
Rose tinted specs? Let's face it, most of these cars are objectively utter crap compared to their modern equivalent.
I'd still love to have most of them though. Especially that sierra cossie and somafunk's golf.
my favourite has to be my MkII Fiesta XR2
Is it just me that thinks the XR2 was one of the best looking cars ever made? The 3/4 rear view proportions are just perfect.
We've still got what is probably the nicest car we've owned so far, and this is a pic of it taken early yesterday morning:
Nicest: Corrado VR6 2.9i. Fitted a RAMAir induction kit which improved fuel ecc, lightened the throttle and sounded fantastic.
One I miss the most: Mk1 GTI. Was originally a 1.6 but changed to a digifant 1.8 engine but kept the 1.6 gearbox. Very quick to about 80 but ran out of gears. Was rusty and grey when I bought it. Re-painted in Dragon Green.
Is it just me that thinks the XR2 was one of the best looking cars ever made? The 3/4 rear view proportions are just perfect.
Quite possibly. And Ford tuned the exhaust too so it made a lovely noise.
I got mine when a relationship (three months away from getting married to a Louise) went south. I thought stuff it – I am getting me an XR2.
Mostly old cars being posted, what does that say about modern motors?
Very heavy rose tinted shades plus the fact that most modern cars drive like pretty much every other modern car (should, natch)
Back then there were manufacturers building in “driving experience” and the variety between what the French thought to what Ford thought was huge.
Now it’s all CAD and kids out of car design school playing with VR because they probably aren’t legal to drive yet 👍🎡🧙♂️
My 2nd bestest has to be this one. For something with big fat tyres, it didn't half handle well and fitted a couple of bikes in the back. Great looking car too.
Had to get rid when the (rather heavy) passenger door used to fly open as I went round a right hand bend (and a 4 door required for new family duties, this was a Focus, one of the worst cars I've owned)
Mostly old cars being posted, what does that say about modern motors?
Perhaps "Nice" is a function of emotional attachment rather than monetary value or technological advancement ?
My current car with it's low mileage, shiny exterior, fancy-schmancy clever 4wd system and Eco button should be, by any measurable criteria, the nicest i've ever owned. ...... but it doesn't make me feel the way that my favourite car did.
Yet.
It's early days and it has potential.
Merc 280Te. I bought it after coming back from travelling round Oz in a Holden. It took us to lots of festivals and a good few surf trips. I just couldn’t keep it in decent condition so had to sell it on 😢
Funny the experiences of other Elise owners. Whilst I can't claim it was well built (it was a bit shit), it was actually one of the least hassle cars I've ever owned - reliable, servicing with an indy specialist wasn't too eye watering, and actually quite economic if you drove sensibly. Not that you ever did.
Only problem I remember was the boot release snapping. Nothing a well aimed whack on the lid couldn't fix temporarily.... never trusted it with an valuables anyway.
I love my GTO but I think it's gonna have to go. There's a small person due in October that makes it a fully unsuitable vehicle.
Waited forever to be able to own one and managed to get a good one. Only 54,000 miles on the clock, first UK owner. NO RUST! It's great fun when the turbos are spinning. Bit gutted to get rid to be honest, will try and figure out a way to keep it.
Suzuki Cappuccino
Light (725kg) Fast (limited to 82mph) and boy so much fun. The best feeling brakes of any car I've driven. 80mph feels like 150 mph.
Unfortunately mine was stolen by someone who wanted to get home from the pub. Police had seen the car outside (the known culprits) house, however as I had not reported it stolen they couldn't do anything (or so they said). The following morning when I did report it stolen, the Police returned to the gentlemen's house to find that vandals had broken and dented every panel on the car. It was written off as parts just were not available 🙁
Would still buy another now if I had the cash.
I've certainly had "nicer" cars, the six-month old Octavia SE Tech I have currently is one of the nicest I've owned simply because it's reasonably specced and six months old. But the car I remember most fondly was a Cav.
1991 Cavalier 1.6 GL, looked just like this one only it was the hatchback rather than the saloon. It was love at first sight, I paid £6K for it some time in the mid- to late-90s which I think is the most I've ever paid for a car (by the time I could afford to spend more I was into the realms of company cars / private leasing).
Gotta love that fastback (even if this one has seen better days):
For its time, it had "all" the toys. Electric windows, heated mirrors, a powered sunroof that didn't piss water every time it rained. It was glorious to drive, spacious, comfortable, ate motorways for breakfast and was completely predictable when I drove it like a stereotypical lad in his 20s.
Since then whenever I've needed to buy a used car in a hurry, a Cav was my go-to. Over the years I had three more including an SRi which was a hoot.
Owned it over 10 yeas now. Rebuilt basically every part of it, stripped the body down, rustproofed, rebuilt the engine (twice), single turbo conversion, just finished redoing the fuel system in hardline. Wire tucked bay, loads of bits hidden and squirreled away, loom simplified etc etc.
It's flawed in many ways, but it's wonderful in so many others. Revs to just under 8.5k, puts out more power than I could ever need, sounds sublime, drinks like a fish, and breaks a lot. But it's mine. And I'm pretty proud of it, and makes me smile, which is what's important.
If I ever win the lottery, the RX-7 is the money pit that I shall purchase.
I will never forgive the woman who convinced me not to get an RX-7 turbo as my first car.
**** you Francesca.
I will never forgive the woman who convinced me not to get an RX-7 turbo as my first car.
Similarly, I convinced myself not to buy a beautiful example of a perfect, one owner (and I worked with her so knew the history) Mk1 Toyota MR2 (basically because I looked at the cost of repairs and I simply wouldn't have been able to afford to replace an exhaust had it gone). If it had been a T-Bar version with leather interior I think I may have just done it.
I'm a very underachieving petrolhead
My favourite car was an early E36 325i coupe (before the 328 came out). Sounded wonderful and was a massively well specced car from the factory - LSD, cruise, leather, sports seats etc. So much fun to drive
I've been better at getting fast motorbikes instead, with a family wagon needed I can get my fun on two wheels - currently have a 2008 CBR1000RR
I had a T bar AW11 with a leather interior. Wettest car I've ever owned.
In the winter, the damp seats would freeze, and release a never ending quantity of water up through the perforated leather into your clothes as they slowly defrosted.
Wonderful car, at least 50% water (including the arches)
Is it just me that thinks the XR2 was one of the best looking cars ever made? The 3/4 rear view proportions are just perfect.
This?
Edit: I give up....
Mostly old cars being posted, what does that say about modern motors?
I dunno, what does it say about modern motors that some of them have simulated exhaust noise and inlet roar piped through the sound system?
Edit: I give up….
This it?
Original Renault 5 turbo was a hoot to drive, but abysmal build quality.
Citroen 2cv was a real drivers car, you were up and down gears and you could fling it into corners.....but zero protection from impact and a major problem to start if it was damp weather.
Loved my test drive in a Suzuki Cappuccino 🙂
My mate still has his H plate 1.6 205 GTI.
Bought many years ago when the car was 3-4 years old. He eventually sold it and regretted it. The car was still about more recently, so he bought it back about 3 years ago. Paintwork was tatty, so he sent it into a body shop for a complete respray. It was in the garage for about a year (bit of a project I believe) and he now has it back in all it's shining glory.
Most fun was a company car - brand new Alfa 147 Selespeed. Fast, went round corners on rails and had a cracking Bose sound system. Down side - regular trips to the garage for electrical issues ! Handed it back when I left.
Got a boring Nissan Primera SVE now, although bought it just less than a year old in 2003 and I still have it - full of toys, reliable and big enough for the family (4 bikes on roof). We also have a Qashqai, which just swallows stuff (kingsize divan no problem). Nice to drive, and lots of toys.
wistful about my F reg 1.9 205 GTI (and the 1.6 that preceded it).
Probably around the upcoming hike in insurance, it got nicked, got a decent amount of insurance cash back on it, pretty good as it was coming up for three years old - bought mate's old Golf GTI with the cash, attracted less attention..
It was a hoot to drive, as @donald will attest - lent it for a month while away on business, it certainly got well used in its short life. road going go kart really.
My mate still has his H plate 1.6 205 GTI.
This story is brilliant. Genuinely. I'm more than a little jealous. 😀
We couldn't believe the car was still local when he bought it back. It's been reliable too, he's even been over to France in it.
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Loved that car. xDrive + winter tyres and it would go anywhere.
RIP TWL 😢
Either a Mini 1275GT from my early twenties. I just let it die on my drive when thing started to go wrong with it 🙁
or
this that I had as a company car in my mid-twenties!
The most fun, the Ka Sun Collection - Ka with full length Webasto sunroof, not a titchy glass vent in the roof. Bog standard and handled like a go cart.
If nicest in the modern comfy fast sense, then any of the three XFs I had as company cars - previous gen sportbrake, or current 4drs with 3.0l V6s. Very comfy for long journeys, tolerably economic if you didn’t use the loud pedal too much.
Sportbrake was in boring metallic grey. 1st 4dr in Caesium Blue, second metallic red with full black pack. Subtle they were not.
Nostalgia is a wonderful thing, Alfasud circa 1970’s, rust bucket, but wonderful.
no pun intended,Nissan Leaf, easily the best car have ever owned.
Great to see the RX7 so early on this thread. I miss my RX8 Nemesis badly.