D Spares & Tyres Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 After a longish drive in my 1997 Scenic diesel family hack I was thinking about the best car in the world.... Bugatti Veyron? Heap of crap, kids won`t fit and the exhaust will get knocked off on my track Land Cruiser? Bit thirsty and unwieldy Rolls Royce? Too thirsty and how will I fit all the stuff in it I need to take to the tip? I`m really fond of this Scenic. I have loads of cars but this is the best in the real world really. 45 mpg easily. It handles unbelievably well. Very simple and reliable. fits all my kids and most other things I need, especially with seats out. Not particulary rusty for an 18 year old car. Front wheel drive and high ground clearance means it does ok off road for a non 4 x 4. I can`t actually think of a better car that would suit most peoples needs. Have nothing bad to say about it other than it isn`t particulary stylish but as with all cars, the longer you own it the more you appreciate its design, and also I don`t give a toss what peole think. Plus I paid £125 for it a couple of years ago so it owes me nothing. Oh and it runs on WVO too. Suprisingly revvy and nippy engine, Peugeot 306 would be my second choice but I think the Renault has the better engine, I know that will upset some Any other suggestion? And disagreement with my choice? cros and Talbotman 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Citroen XM turbo diesel. There doesn't seem to be much it can't do that I want from a car. Pace, space, grace yet also both thrifty and fun. Every car should have self-levelling suspension. stephen01 and fred 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Spares & Tyres Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 Lovely cars Can`t agree though sorry. Too complicated and unreliable. I mentioned mine in another thread, about how I had to buy a Fiesta as a back up car as my XM was so unreliable. It was a very low mileage example too, and I threw money at it with a Citroen Specialist and they couldn`t find a fault either. Lovely car, but frustrating in my experience, so many niggly faults and the suspension is nowhere near as good as the Xantia I had later on. But if a 2.5 diesel extate came my way cheap....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtriple Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Think I'd agree with the Scenic. Mine was petrol but a really good car. Boring as fook though and I could never gel with it, my fault, not the cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddeliveryboy Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I think the most reliable car I ever had was a Xantia Hydractive 2.1 - over 70-odd thousand miles it needed nothing other than a back box and brakes. i replaced the spheres with my own modded ones when I bought it at 110k. Not rot, no MoT probs, it just ran. Apparently most Xantias do if you service them. DW - every car should have a brake pedal which is level with the accelerator pedal when to the floor, every car should have diravi. And so on. Most people don't drive fast enough to appreciate the subtlties or safety of a Cit, D Spares & Tyres and fred 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUNO Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 There is no best car in the world.Bugatti Veyron was not built for taking the family and the rubbish to the dump, even a Rolls Royce is better for that and i'm sure it even has self levelling suspension !land cruiser for farm tracks and school runs.scenic will cope with all the above but is lacking in the "doing it in style" dept. Taff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayne Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 The one you now right now. Doesn't get any more real world than that. The Moog, Mr Lobster, Louise2cv and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Spares & Tyres Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 Boring yes. unless you give it some beans. I live near to some of the finest driving roads in the world I reckon and you wouldn`t believe just how well the Scenic handles. Loads of body roll as its French but its so capable. I`m usually late picking the kids up and it always makes me smile. I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripped fred Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 How about a Volvo estate? I'm thinking early V70. That's what I will be looking for next time I change cars. Spacious, comfortable, reliable, strong engines, will do big mileages, not that bad to fix yourself, careful giffer owners? All this is based on nothing more than rumour and my imagination as I've never owned one but I think it would meet all my car needs at the moment. Only downside I can see is that they seem to hold their value. MiniMort 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Spares & Tyres Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 I think the most reliable car I ever had was a Xantia Hydractive 2.1 - over 70-odd thousand miles it needed nothing other than a back box and brakes. i replaced the spheres with my own modded ones when I bought it at 110k. Not rot, no MoT probs, it just ran. Apparently most Xantias do if you service them. DW - every car should have a brake pedal which is level with the accelerator pedal when to the floor, every car should have diravi. And so on. Most people don't drive fast enough to appreciate the subtlties or safety of a Cit,Yes totally agree. I love Xantias and mine never gave any trouble at all. There is no best car in the world.Bugatti Veyron was not built for taking the family and the rubbish to the dump, even a Rolls Royce is better for that and i'm sure it even has self levelling suspension !land cruiser for farm tracks and school runs.scenic will cope with all the above but is lacking in the "doing it in style" dept.sorry boring answer you are on the wrong forum if you want style Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUNO Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 HHHHRRRRUUUMMMPH D Spares & Tyres, dugong, Mr Lobster and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddeliveryboy Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 If I had loads of badly made farm tracks to drive over ever day, there'd be no argument. A 2cv or Dyane - tough, simple and the most comfortable and surefooted regular mainstream car ever when tarmac roads end or start breaking up. But don't think a late 80s Dolly was much like what had gone before - they were made so badly out of such poor raw materials, they were only fit for museums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Rustbucket Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 It is not a good off road vehicle, or capable of carrying anything normal shaped of any size, or particularly economical - but I have been happy enough with my XJ40 to never once feel tempted to change it, despite getting it in the last century. It is fast enough, smooth riding but has very good handling. It is refined without feeling remote. It never bores me, never goes wrong and always makes me feel happy, even just to look at it and know it is mine. It suits me, so it must be the best everyday car I could have. forddeliveryboy, eddyramrod and stripped fred 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddeliveryboy Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Aren't we all looking for the best car/vehicle in the world all the time? Circumstances change and demands need to be met. At the moment this little MGF is utter perfection. I quite adore it, I even collected four 25litre containers of veg in it earlier tonight. At a push, two cubies fit in the passenger footwell if the seat is vacant (or occupied by terriers). Taff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Rustbucket Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 There are so many ways a car can please or disappoint. A friend had an MGF a few years back. I thought it was delightful - but really not for me. Far too sporty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddeliveryboy Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 A 40 is definitely on the list. A good friend ran them and I thought they were sublime (he didn't really like driving and I did) - how could anyone have ever wished for or bought a MB 300 instead? Even the nicest BMW of the time was pretty cheap-feeling next to the Jaguar. Magnificent Rustbucket and eddyramrod 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcitroen Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 My last Xantia which was a HDi exclusive ( Hydractive & all the goodies) was by a huge margin, the best car I have ever owned. Fast enough, comfortable and reliable. Fitted my needs down to the ground. The lest practical car I have owned is the Alfa. Huge boot, but letterbox size boot lid. When I need to move anything I just use the BX. The GS requires me to get down on my knees to get anything out of the boot. However, the GS is a very rewarding car to drive and can buzz along at amazing rates when wound up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Depends entirely on your perspective. For some it will be a finance deal on a new car. For others it will be the most bling that your pocket will allow. I suspect for me it's something cheap, rot resistant, abuse tolerant and invisible. Probably a peugeot 306 diesel or something along those lines. scruff and Mr Lobster 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNWeigh Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 A 40 is definitely on the list. A good friend ran them and I thought they were sublime (he didn't really like driving and I did) - how could anyone have ever wished for or bought a MB 300 instead? Even the nicest BMW of the time was pretty cheap-feeling next to the Jaguar.[/quote In 1987 I was driving my boss in a Solent Blue Daimler 3.6 and the entire board- 6 men- had lesser XJ40s ranging from 2.9s 3.6 manuals and Sovereigns.By 1990 I was in a 420SEL and the other directors had W124s, 7 Series,Lexus even a Legend coupe and a 428 Biturbo. Those early pre-Ford 40's really were as bad as their reputation, we kept 2 Series llls ( a 3.4 and a 4.2 ) as pool cars until they were 6 years old and often if they were going somewhere important directors would borrow one even if their XJ40 was running ok at the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skizzer Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Trouble is, it's like asking which are the best shoes. Trainers, wellies, Oxford brogues, Doc Martens - depends. Anyway, for me, 'interesting' trumps 'best' every time. Taff, inconsistant and gordonbennet 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS1980 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I would say a 306 aswell. My first one was an XRDT 5 door. That car got me hooked on pug/citroen diesels for a long time. There was nothing that car wouldn't do. In 1 year I put nearly 55k miles on it,it was always on the road and served me as a car and a van. With careful planning you could make most stuff fit in the boot. I had it for 3 years and cost me a clutch and servicing,nothing more. D Spares & Tyres 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucketeer Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Objectively not the best cars I've had, probably not even the best Fords I've had, but if I could only ever have one more vehicle to do everything it would always be an XR4x4.As soon as I crank up a Cologne, I feel at home. HMC, scruff and Magnificent Rustbucket 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Escort van - the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beko1987 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Zx 1.9td... D Spares & Tyres, Tam and 500tops 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 FX4 taxi, diesel, auto, lots of space, small turning circle, it was a taxi. I find myself glancing at Picasso/Scenic/Zafira type stuff and going hmmm. Not sure about auto happiness though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taff Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Aren't we all looking for the best car/vehicle in the world all the time? Circumstances change and demands need to be met. At the moment this little MGF is utter perfection. I quite adore it, I even collected four 25litre containers of veg in it earlier tonight. At a push, two cubies fit in the passenger footwell if the seat is vacant (or occupied by terriers). have to agree with that, having just moved house in one. My VVC does my 45-minute commute with no problems, and usualy has my affectionately patting the steering wheel as I arrive (daft, I know, but I can't help myself). It transports me down to see the MILF with ease. It's currently giving back 34-ish mpg and I drive it roof down and like it's stolen at every opportunity. It carries everything I need to carry regularly, and has the massive advantage that I never get asked to drive anywhere due to only having one spare seat.Car of winners, I think. fdb, I didn't know you had an F? purplebargeken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort16 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 p38 Range Rover scruff, andy18s and Magnificent Rustbucket 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colino Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 While I'm still a Jag fan through and through, when you get rid of a good, fully loaded, diesel, auto Range Rover, you wonder why you've bought something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS1980 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 p38 Range Rover While I'm still a Jag fan through and through, when you get rid of a good, fully loaded, diesel, auto Range Rover, you wonder why you've bought something else.I'm thinking of getting one. But I'm scared.....not as scared as my wallet. Magnificent Rustbucket and jumpingjehovahs 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Mazda rx8 with ford V4 powah. Magnificent Rustbucket, CHRIS1980 and dugong 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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