Practical performance cars

Who the hell is Zoe?

R34 GTR

Remember driving back on the A82 from fort bill after watching the world cup and a lancia intergrale passed me. I was quite envious of the fun he would’ve been having on that road.

Remember driving back on the A82 from fort bill after watching the world cup and a lancia intergrale passed me.

I have been a passenger in one – it felt like a train as it rattled along, but *by god* did it rattle along at a pace 😯 I remember being catapulted down a motorway sliproad and instantly in the fast lane doing over 100. Mad.

Probably the most practical performance car.

The BMW M5 Touring.

With a 5L V10, 500BHP and enough room to fit a few bikes and people in I cant see things getting any better until the new one comes out.

except you can’t get that any more, and its not significantly better than a e63, or an rs6..?

rs6

I drove one of those (my cousin has one and is perfectly happy for me to be *very* silly in it). I must say I was utterly underwhelmed – apart from 4wd traction, it offered very little over and above my present car despite being almost double the power.

Yup patiently waiting for F11 M5 release dates, although there are rumours of a 400bhp triple turbo 4wd V8 diesel (550dx?) which would be the perfect base for the ultimate sleeper.

Edit: not driven an E63 but was underwhelmed by the RS6; it was very powerful but ultimately dull.

but ultimately dull

Pretty much sums it up for me too.

(and I am about to change car to the spectacularly inferior-powered (compared to the RS6) 2.0tdi A6 too 🙁

except you can’t get that any more

You cant get most of the cars on this thread any more.

I’ve owned my RS6 for 6 years coming from an Impreza background.

Whilst the steering is a bit numb it does handle like a heavier Impreza. It’s amazing how fast 2 tons can corner once you have the confidence in the car 😉

Longest I had owned a car was 3 years before I got this. Whups Porkers from the lights whilst the kids enjoy a DVD in the back 😉

Mmmmmm V8 Power

MM

V12 Power!! E55 AMG

Still want one.

cynic-al – Member

I saw an Integrale in Edinburgh yesterday…it had a WTF plate.

that was me.

Remember driving back on the A82 from fort bill after watching the world cup and a lancia intergrale passed me. I was quite envious of the fun he would’ve been having on that road.

that wasn’t me this year, it was probably Rich or Gus both of which also reside on here. Once did Edinburgh to Onich in the early dawn to avoid traffic and was smiling for days. 🙂

OK, the top end wasn’t anywhere near as quick as the 1.9 and it sucked fuel at 80 as it was revving at 4.5k. And the non-power steering, cr@p turning circle and heavy clutch made it a nightmare in town centres.

But you could fit two people and two bikes in it happily, and if you travelled everywhere on B roads it was the most fun you could have with your clothes on. 😀

isn’t the e55 a v8? I thought only the brabus e classes got 12 pot engines

The new Audi 3.0l tdi twin turbo is 309bhp/ 479lb ft and 44mpg. That should make a “reasonable” practical performance estate!

I think the OP asked what 70s/80s or possibly even 90s practical performance car we wouldn’t mind revisiting.

Sure, a new BMW/Audi/Merc does it too but it’s not retro.

Plenty of practicality from either, mine’s the T-5R:

Porsche 944. Proper porker, rwd, carry four people (just about) shed load cheaper to buy now than an old ford weirdly.

I had one of these the year they launched, found it to be ace fun…

Mazda did some lovely work in the 70’s and 80’s…..
323 GTR 4wd Turbo

Gen. 1 RX7

323F Gti

mine’s the T-5R:

Me likey.

I still miss my old car 🙁

s4rpf – nice ‘Burg’ and a noise to go with it. I’ve got an Astra VXR too, i love it, but wil miss it when it goes….

my insignia diesel doesnt have the same sound and miss the pops and bangs.

Enjoy it while you can with the stupid price of petrol 🙁

Hate to say it…

Maybe without the blues and twos.

Cousin has had one of these since the 70s…

MkII Ford Cortina Savage

His is a steel grey. Was bloody quick in it’s day

Just taken a look at Mk 2 Escort prices.

Blimey..! Things have moved on a bit, my 1980 RS2000 was absolutly mint condition when I sold it in 1990, I bought it in 1984. The same car now would be 15+.
I can well remember rough, but generally OK ones selling for less than £1000 in the early 90’s. My mate swaped one for a mini metro believe it or not.
It makes me cry when I think back, I had the chance of a Mk1 Escort RS1600 (the one with the BDA engine). It was up for sale privatly for £800. I test drove it but decided against because it neded new cills and one of the wings was a bit dodgy. That car in good original condition would be fortunes now, there was one on Piston heads recently for £45K.
Such is life.!