Best car in the (real) world?

[EssDeeWon]

No brainer, its the Rover SD1

 

Sleek lines, powerful and often reliable V8 engine, plenty of room for kids and luggage. Great build quaility* Don't rust if you only use them on dry days, and none of the electrics will ever fail, as long as you dont try and use them.

[eddyramrod]

The best general-purpose car I have ever had was my Volvo 740 estate.  GLE trim, so plenty of toys, but old enough not to be over-complicated.  7 seats, most of them very plush and certainly comfy.  Made a huge van for car-booting/tip runs (my original reason for buying it).  Absolutely ideal for a 27-mile commute being automatic, and 2.3 injection meant it didn't hang about either.  Limitless towing ability.

 

Mk5 Cortina 2.0 auto was a lovely tool as well, but being a saloon, a bit less versatile.

 

However: "best" does depend on your needs at a given time.  Last year when I had my MR2, that was a positive delight for my little commute, and for bobbing round town.  I could easily carry a week's shopping in the boot.  For my actual needs at the time, hard to beat.  But, I like a big car, I just do.  So when my mate fell in love with it, it wasn't that big a wrench to let it go.  Then I bought the Mercury.  Big, soft, comfy, plenty of power in the V6, auto obviously (I love auto).  Until the present woes it was not just ideal (being way too big for my immediate needs) but superlative.  Easily as pleasing as a Jag, and therefore 500 times more so than anything from Germany.  The present Vectra was probably the best thing I could buy at the price, especially so close to home, and indeed in many ways it is a very good piece of kit.  But it's just a tool to get me to work, so really is much bigger than it needs to be, a Micra would have been equally suitable.  Or perhaps a Cherry?  In black, maybe?

[Junkman]

As has been established on this very forum ages ago, the second-best car in the real world is the one you have that's paid for and works, even if only occasionally.

The best car in the real world is the heap you just bought unseen online while plastered and about which you'll post a collection thread here soon.

[Sloth in a bowl]

Best car in the real world is different for different people, but for a shiteists view of life I would say that Volvo estates are difficult to beat in any form.

The biggest let down is that their charm is totally overwhelmed by their competence.

 

I can see Octavias also being considered this way in time.

My Skoda dealer is happily servicing Octavia Taxi's with over 300,000 miles on them on a regular basis.

[Cavcraft]

Game over, I've won

 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I always remember a group test in about 1982, in which it was stated that a large basic 2.0 saloon was all the car anyone would ever need. In the test Rover 2000 and Granada 2.0 L battled some Johnny Foreigners, possibly Tagora,Renault 20,505 maybe a CX or Audi 100.

The theory was they could carry a family in comfort and cruise at 100 mph , so you would never need a bigger engine or more luxury,

Can't remember which mag, maybe What Car, definitely not CAR.

 

I'd rather walk but a dizzler 4x4 Kangoo/ Blongo type thing must be a contender.

[scruff]

Peugeot 504 pick up

[Alan_Green]

A 2.0 HDi Berlingo Multispace with air con must be hard to beat for value, flexibility, reliability, longevity, speed, comfort. Like this one, but cheaper and in a better colour: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-Berlingo-2-0HDi-90-Multispace-Forte-1-Lady-Owner-Full-Service-History-/261896426804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cfa3e5534

[cort16]

Something like a primera gt. Cheap, yes.,loads of space , yes, handles well, yes , decent on fuel, yes , reliable , yes, rides well, yes, not a diesel , yes, reasonably rapid , yes.

 

Other then the shiney dashboard you can't really ask for much more

[dugong]

Isuzu Piazza Turbo. 

It confused dubbers and annoyed the Chevette \ Manta boyz because I wanted to use it as a car rather than an axle donor. 

[HMC]

I always remember a group test in about 1982, in which it was stated that a large basic 2.0 saloon was all the car anyone would ever need. In the test Rover 2000 and Granada 2.0 L battled some Johnny Foreigners, possibly Tagora,Renault 20,505 maybe a CX or Audi 100.

The theory was they could carry a family in comfort and cruise at 100 mph , so you would never need a bigger engine or more luxury,

 

I have taken this to its logical conclusion and am getting hold of a granada 2.0. Though I've gone a bit soft and dodged the 'L' for a ghia.

[danthecapriman]

I'd have to say Volvo 740/940 estate. I prefer the saloons but the estate is way more usable. They are all the car anyone would ever need.

[Wilko220]

Best all-rounder I've ever had: 1400cc Peugeot 309 Trio S.

 

Fast, comfortable, spacious, fun to drive, cheap to run, easy to fix, large boot, good radio, green seat belts...

 

About 12 years since I owned it but I really quite fancy another.

[New POD]

mk1 mx5

[Bear]

Absolutely honestly, you've got a gun to my head and I have to choose one car to do everything?

Mercedes W168 LWB or W169 five-door A-class with auto and a sunroof. Small enough for any location, spacious enough to carry most crap, I find them comfortable for long drives and if maintained with some common sense, capable of putting up with remarkable levels of abuse.

But outside of that, I really was surprised to find a T-reg Astra Envoy diesel estate entirely usable, economical and fine until the coded pump decided to die to no reason, at which point it was scrapped.

[Sudsprint]

A 5 door Peugeot 205

[D Spares & Tyres]

Interesting choices people

 

Agree mostly with the French stuff but agree it is subjective to your lifestyle

 

Have just got my MGF VVC on the road and I reckon it has just gone down a certain road quicker than any other I`ve done it in.

Will probably have to sell it, it makes me drive like a lunatic.

 

I would like to try a Renault 25 turbo diesel though as I reckon that could be a great car.

[fred]

At the mo - My Forester 2 litre Turbo S - goes like shit when you want it too, loads of room, all wheel drive, and in nigh on 4 years of owning it, only broke down once when the alarm frizzed. ripped that out, serviced as when just runs and runs and runs.

 

All time best car my Ventora 3.3 , looked like a mini muscle car, powerslided like an egg in a frying pan, and was the coolest bad ass car ever built to rag about in. God I miss her

[D Spares & Tyres]

both too thirsty for the current real world

 

ventora a nice car though. was it white by any chance?

[fred]

both too thirsty for the current real world

 

ventora a nice car though. was it white by any chance?

No tom this was mine

[fred]

Forester pulls a steady 27-30 taken like a giffer, had late 30's on a motorway cruise not that bad

[forddeliveryboy]

 

fdb, I didn't know you had an F?

 

Thought you'd read the Blow Your Wig thread? Perhaps laterz than this post.

[Honey Badger]

Can't think of anything more soul destroying than a diesel French people carrier so that can't be the best car in the world.

 

Jap based petrol fake 4x4, early rav, vitara, crv, hrv or forester seem to be the right sort of thing, decent size, simple robust petrol engine, well put together and made with good quality parts. Buy a good one and drive round in it for the next 10 years till you get bored with it and set it on fire.

 

My personal choice for best car in the real world, petrol, 6 or 8 cylinders, saloon, heated leather, AC and auto, would go to a big 6 cylinder estate if you can get a good one. Driving comfort and pleasure come before MPG life's to short to spend time fucking about with veg oil or economy driving.

[2MB]

Seeing as I am most of the way to the top of scotland on a roughly comprehensive circumnavigation of the place, without planning to visit a petrol station (or supermarket) on the journey at all I'd feel rude not putting forward a w201 merc 190d 2.5. There's still a lot of miles to do but after the first refuel (veg carried with us) has shown 47mpg. Yes there are more economical cars out there but the only ones more enjoyable or relaxing to drive cost many times more to buy, tax and insure. There are more fun to drive and interesting cars out there but running a vegetarian merc as a daily might just  be the key to affording something fun and interesting on the side*

 

 

 

 

 

*Look out for the breakdown thread tomorrow

[2MB]

btw honey badger, I didn't intend my post to be reactive to yours. If it's any consolation my other car does 16mpg and only runs on super unleaded. Fucking around with veg is a necessary evil

[forddeliveryboy]

 

would go to a big 6 cylinder estate if you can get a good one. Driving comfort and pleasure come before MPG life's to short to spend time fucking about with veg oil or economy driving.

 

 

S124 then. Preferably on wvo - it pays for new spheres and all the other Mercedes stuff which needs replacing. There's little which is more refined, comfy and which increases pleasure of ownership the more you use it.

[Honey Badger]

btw honey badger, I didn't intend my post to be reactive to yours. If it's any consolation my other car does 16mpg and only runs on super unleaded. Fucking around with veg is a necessary evil

 

Didn't think it was,the thread is all about your own views and what you like, and even if you were I probably deserve it!

 

I've run an old Vauxhall Brava 2.5D for 7 years and it was reliable, practical and fairly cheap to run but it was a chore to drive every day, I like the quiet comparative luxury I have now with my accord coupe so I'm willing to pay the extra to run it, I'm sure someone who likes to minimize the cost of driving gets as much pleasure out of sticking one to the taxman by using veg.

[Honey Badger]

S124 then. Preferably on wvo - it pays for new spheres and all the other Mercedes stuff which needs replacing. There's little which is more refined, comfy and which increases pleasure of ownership the more you use it.

Toyota Camry with a V6 petrol, no silly green stuff to mess about with either. More reliable as well I'd expect, shame there are only about 3 left in the country.

 

No interest is mucking about with veg oil, quite happy to pay petrol cost for the relatively low mileage I do.

[Talbotman]

Can't think of anything more soul destroying than a diesel French people carrier so that can't be the best car in the world.

Jap based petrol fake 4x4, early rav, vitara, crv, hrv or forester seem to be the right sort of thing, decent size, simple robust petrol engine, well put together and made with good quality parts. Buy a good one and drive round in it for the next 10 years till you get bored with it and set it on fire.

 

 

Nah. I love my 2002 hdi Berlingo it's all the car I've ever really needed. Plenty of room in a relatively compact footprint,good torquey diesel lump that's easy and cheap to service,tidy handling and a cosseting ride. It's knocking on for 13 years old now and theres not a spot of rust on her...infact the underside looks like a 3 year old car....the interior still looks smart...everything electrical functions and she drives as good on 160 k as the day a bought her and I have indeed owned her for a decade and plan to keep her indefinitely . It's totally classless non pretentious motoring. I can drive it to the Golf club,stables,building site,take it surfing, camping, towing and it does it all its stride! Definitely Berlingo multispace 2002/2005 2.0Hdi for me, you don't always have to go Jap for dependability...and that's from someone that also loves Toyotas and Mazdas!

[Richard]

I've come to the conclusion that an LPG converted 2/7/9 Volvo is the way to go.