Forum menu
I was watching one of those endless series of car programmes and they had on a Porsche 911 which they improved and somehow made worse at the same time.
It got me thinking, what car choices there are out there for people who want a *ahem* drivers car? Not just a rocket on 4 wheels, but something that actually feels like you're driving and not just sitting in going somewhere.
Yes, I am bored
Bike engined Caterham for me. Virtual F1 😎
Skoda Octavia estate
Smart Roadster
Ariel Atom
Caterham with any engine. I used one for 3 years as my only car and still miss it. Will get another one, one day.
Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86 - they've been around for a few years now so can be had used for a reasonable price. They can be quite hard on their tyres and brakes, and some service tasks are expensive/tricky (eg getting to spark plugs to change them - access issues caused by having Toyota's VVT cylinder heads on Subaru's flat 4 engine makes changing the plugs an engine out task if you follow the "official" service procedure). Had a GT86 for 4 years from new and it made me smile every time I drove it.
Caterham 7, always was and probably always will be the ultimate drivers car.
I've had mine for nearly 20 years now, on the right road in the right weather they're just the best. On a racetrack theyre on another level (as long as its dry).
I've had lots of other fast cars*, and nothing comes close to a 7 for road legal driving involvement.
*I've not owned any proper exotica, but I'd be surprised if even these came close.
As above, a Caterham of any type. Drive a slow one fast and it's possibly the most fun you can have on 4 wheels. Drive a fast one fast and you'll make a deposit in the bucket seat.
Also as above, GT86's have been dropping in price since day 1. I can't justify an expensive one as I don't need a daily driver but I fancy a Cat D for 7-8 grand as a weekend track toy.
Actually my mates got an Elise and while I've only been in the passenger seat it's a fun place to be. Slightly more hospitable than a Caterham but no less exciting.
I'll have an Exige S2 in black please.
A Renault Zoë.
Don't you even care about the fluffy little polar bears you evil horrid nasty person?
Exige and elise would be a close second place to a caterham
My Skoda Octavia 1.6tdi Estate is the finest handling car in the world.
#peakstw
GT86's are pretty cheap, and I've fancied one as my kids are grown up, but if you can't change plugs easily... WTF. It's an inlet manifold job off for my missus car to change plugs - crazy.
3 series 330d touring m sport is what you need.
A straight six E30. Slightly ridiculous prices now though.
A straight six E30. Slightly ridiculous prices now though.
Ah, but it was fun while it lasted! They were cheap and plentiful once. I remember being airborne in a 325 touring. My Orange Mr.O with Monster T's in the boot, bouncing off the roof.
RWD Ford's as well. Hardly the last word in driving precision but good cheap fun.
One of the 3 cylinder caterham looks like a fun car. Not insane speed, not a lot of grip, not a lot of protection from the elements and the smells of the open road. Not a lot of depreciation either.
RWD Ford’s as well. Hardly the last word in driving precision but good cheap fun.
Mk2 escort estate. Practical and wayward. A friend of mine had one many moons ago. He got a splash of cold water on his feet when he drove through puddles. I don’t think that example is still on the road.
Can't believe no-one has mentioned an MX5 yet! Nowhere near as 'pure' as something like a Caterham or an Elise but a lot cheaper and more practical.
Depends what (else) you want from your car really though I guess.
Caterhams are hard work unless you're just focused on trackdays/club level motorsport/the odd blast on a nice day.
I had a modified S1 Elise (Nitrons, roll cage, harnesses, etc) that I used as my only car for 8 years (just about managed to get my bike in it when needed - but only with the roof removed). These days I wouldn't want something as compromised as that - rawness and pureness are all OK in small doses, but something like a 911 is a much better all rounder.
JP
I would kill for a Caterham*. What else is purer?
* Hypothetically.
probably get flamed but... An original mini! i think it came as 35 bhp when launched? Plenty of (very expensive) ways to double or triple that figure. might not be fast, but you can go everywhere flat out. the original road going go-kart?
Type R Civic?
Depends what you want, fun and driver involvement or capable. You can’t have both. Modern cars with their electronic aids and shed loads of grip are definitely more capable especially for joe average. But the raw stripped out things like caterhams may be ‘underpowered’ on the top trumps cards but are matched by less grip and fun can be had at a mush slower speed. For me if it’s a second ‘weekend’ car then something like a caterham. Those things feel like they’re going 100 mph when they’re Doing 30.
An original mini!
The Mini races at the Silverstone Classic were world-class. 🙂
Just wondering where these Caterham fans intend to drive them. In perfect conditions (dry closed windy road with run off areas) they're demanding. Taking those points one by one:
Britain is often wet so the screen will mist, if anything is in front all the crap will hit the screen if you have the flappy hood up or you if you don't. The slightest damp patch on a dry road and you find yourself willing yourself not to correct because you know it'll sort itself out and overcorrection will lead to something uncatchable.
Closed road. Because keeping it between the hedges is a enough to keep you occupied without other road users entering the equation. Suicide is legal, taking others with you is not.
Windy (as in curvy) road. Because it adds speeds so fast that the next bend and need to brake is very welcome. Full chat feels ridiculous when you're almost sitting on the road which goes blind at the slightest brow. Pace notes are not a luxury.
Run off areas. Because the day you make a mistake there are no air bags, no crumple zones, no ESP, no ABS (on the one I drove) - just your flesh and bones.
You could drive it realy slowly of course in which case a Zoé is more comfortable, easier to see out of, easier to stop, goes where you point it whatever the throtle position and draws no attention from anyone, welcome or unwelcome. Any public road I'll take the Zoé, a Caterham on a perfect Summer day over the closed Epynt ranges with a good co-driver you might just tempt me back into a Caterham*, possibly.
*It wasn't a Caterham it was a multi-championship winning Lotus 7.
Quick, peg it! The fun police have arrived!
Yeah, I'm old and boring and would rather ride an MTB down a mountain (suitable tool in a suitable place) than drive any "driver's car" on the public road (unsuitable tool for the place). Things weren't different when I was winning in cars - on closed roads.
Tbf edukator, the op did say he wasn’t bothered about it being a rocket, he was interested in something you need to drive.
i don’t think anyone buys a caterham with any kind of practicality in mind.
Id say something like an mx5 is a good shout, or a subaru brz/gt86
Bmw 330i coupe or convertible, manual box.
Id rather have something that could give me some kind of a thrill, but that’s not necessarily performance related, an interesting exhaust note, or a convertible roof, or sticky tyres, or off-road performance, these would be much more interesting to me than pure performance.
PEEEGGGGGG IIIIITT! lols 🙂
Id rather have something that could give me some kind of a thrill, but that’s not necessarily performance related
2CV, preferably one of the really old 400cc ones, hood down, heading for the beach with a beautiful member of your prefered sex to share the driving.
Citroen 2CV
when I was winning in cars
😂😂😂😂
+1 for a slightly warmed over 'proper' mini.
when I was winning in cars
I’d rather have something that could keep up with normal traffic, but yeah, the 2cv is actually a good example.
I’ve always loved the idea of a GT86, I think they look great and I know they handle wonderfully.
I think I like them most though because they’re not that fast (my diesel Superb is faster) and it makes certain ‘car’ people mad. They get all upset that it can’t do 150mph and 0-60 in 3 seconds, it’s not enough for them to decide it’s not for them, but they hate it’s very existence as if it’s going stop them wanting some 700bhp supercar that’s more of a posing pouch than a vehicle,
I’d love a 911 (a green R if anyone of feeling generous) an F40 just to drool over it and actually drive so people can see it and an Aerial Nomad because, but I think if you actually want to drive it a bit I think a GT86, Elise, MX-5 is a better bet, it’s less anti social and more in-tune with real roads with other people on them and all that.
There's no sound on your GIF, CFH. I'm sure it would be better with sound.
Wish I still had mine.
A high revving 1.6 Twincam. Rear wheel drive with LSD no power anything. If I could afford one I’d buy one tomorrow. Good ones upward of 12k these days.
Had an Elise for 5 years then to GT86. Also driven Caterhams.
Elise and Exige prices have rocketed making them not the "bargain" they were 10 years or so ago.
Gt86 is the best modern car I've driven that isn't silly money. It's not fast but it's so balanced, driving position is great and it just feels right.
Caterhams are also excellent but hold their value insanely well. More compromised than Elise even.
As mentioned, my money would go on a mki or mkii MX5. They've risen in price recently but they drive great and are readily available.
I’d take an MR2 over a MX5. But I’d be happy with either. I have been looking at a Midas kit car restoration!
MR2s seem to have dropped off the face of the planet. More's the pity.
PH is showing 6 for sale.