Unsung heroes of the modern age

[Barry Cade]

Propah.   Lope.

 

[RoadworkUK]

Hero cars?

 

MK1 Mondeo, shirley? A Ghia has literally every feature anybody could possibly need, and most of it will probably still work.

 

Some of it.

 

Perhaps.

[rrsix]

Propah.   Lope.

 

 

That's what my tvr wedge sounded like when it was running on all 8. i can't see the foot long oil/petrol stains the dodge has left on the ground at idle though.

[cort16]

[320touring]

Dodge chargers can be grumpy bastards

 

this appears to be idling at 4rpm, but spins up ok..

[Fat_Pirate]

 

From 1:05, it makes my willy feel funny...

 

Anyway, back on topic i would like to nominate t'Berlingo Multispace.  It's pretty much all the car you need, unless you're a BIG DEAL like me and insist on being seen in something flash, such as a Rover 75.

[Pete-M]

I drove a Cerbera not long ago. The V8 is the least V8 sounding V8 imaginable when you're actually driving them. Went like the clappers, but that proper V8 low down grunt isn't anywhere to be found.

 

For a proper V8 experience, the big block Mopar 7.2 is hard to better. It's not the best, but they're so obviously V8...

 

MG ZT-T V8 is one of the most fun V8 cars I've ever driven, and they sound bloody brilliant. I like them for the sleeper value.

 

Modern hero? The Galaxy in 2.3 form is a great suggestion. I'll also chuck the facelift Frog eye Scorpio Ultima 24v in. Ok, timing chains and VSS wonkiness aren't wonderful things, and they're still wonky looking but they drive really well. A lot more fun on a quick road than expected.

[320touring]

What about citroen c1/pug/Aygo?

 

ideal little town cars-fairly cheap and reliable (bar some clutch woes)

 

and a 1/2 a v6 soundtrack

[Noel Tidybeard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOEXyIuyQ1E

[hauserplenty]

Mazda CX-5.

They're selling like Mustangs over here.

[vulgalour]

I want to like the little 3pot Pug/Aygo/Toyota things but I can't.  A friend of mine had one in Peugeot form.  It was a bonny enough little thing but there was zero feedback from anything.  Interior was just rubbish.  You couldn't really hear the engine so the 3pot soundtrack wasn't there to be enjoyed.  It somehow managed to be and feel quite small inside but seem really big when it came to doing any of the sorts of parking things you'd want a small car for.  It felt built to a budget in a bad way too, everything inside and out was really flimsy.

 

That said, it was only the second time someone punted it up the rear at a roundabout that it was written off.  It got reasonable fuel economy (but not startling) and took a lot of abuse from a new driver who wasn't the most perceptive of people.  It felt as well made as a Mk1 Matiz but was less fun and felt only slightly safer.

[dollywobbler]

Obviously, the Prelude. LJK raved about then, now I know why. Even cornering at non-stupid speeds, it somehow feels magnificent.

 

Modern V8. Only one way to go. I also cannot get excited about Cerbera noise.

[Cavcraft]

I'm going for the Zafira. Clever design in a smaller than usual 'people carrier' and the seat movements were easy and useful. They were also (sorry) very popular and for good reason.

[conkerman]

SEAT Exeo - Solid Gold Futureshite.

[Junkman]

You say that like its a bad thing !

 

 

I'm terribly sorry if it came across this way. It was entirely unintentional if it did.

 

On a different note, I like how people post examples of the 440 Mopar sound using cars, that don't have a single part in common with what once left the factory.

This is what a Big Block Mopar really sounds like:

 

[xtriple]

TVRs always sound shit... but they do go 'well' The six pots sound good but any flat plane V8 doesn't sound right to me. My R1 Yam sounded 'odd' as well as that was a flat plane crank job, but that went acceptably also!

 

Mercedes V8s sound great especially with a decent exhaust but I have to agree with whoever said the Stag V8 - they sound terrific, just a shame they are so anaemic performance wise.

 

I know it's getting tiresome but I like the V8 in the dollop: yes, it's very quiet but it has a lovely smooth silky sound when it's idling and then sounds vaguely V8 ish as the revs rise. Never gets noisy, but when progress is required, it does make a quite melodious tune in the cabin. Outside however, all you can hear is the fuel pumps trying to suck the tank dry!

[Barry Cade]

Still sounds awesome Junkman, always liked the Newport Coupe, especially the Hurst edition.

[dollywobbler]

TVRs always sound shit... but they do go 'well' 

 

I beg to differ. On the sound. This looks pretty bloody rapid to me.

https://youtu.be/y-wMQzFqUc0?t=27s

[Pete-M]

Yup, those Mercedes V8s do sound bloody great. I drive a couple of SLs fairly often, and R230 SL500 that sounds wonderful at full chat but is quiet around town. The other one is an R107 380SL. That sounds great but is a lot slower than you'd imagine it's possible for a 200 bhp car to possibly be.

 

I had a W126 500 SEL a few years ago, back box was shot on it. Couldn't bring myself to sort it as it sounded like a well bred Nascar.

[Barry Cade]

Mate of mine had a 560SEC motor in a first gen Supra. Stealthy and awesome. It's still around, but has been flooded out. Properly engineered conversion too

[Junkman]

Still sounds awesome Junkman, always liked the Newport Coupe, especially the Hurst edition.

 

Yeah, it does sound awesome. Not like those home made circus tractors.

[Junkman]

Well, since we now derailed this thread successfully into a V8 of yore shite thread, let me attempt to bring it back to the Unsung heroes of the modern age by combining the two.

I thus bid you the much overlooked and undervalued

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-CADILLAC-SEVILLE-STS-V8-LPG-AUTO-RED-/131739543877

[320touring]

too many valves, not enough rwd..

 

though I am tempted as a cheap way into yanks

[dollywobbler]

Yup, those Mercedes V8s do sound bloody great. The other one is an R107 380SL. That sounds great but is a lot slower than you'd imagine it's possible for a 200 bhp car to possibly be.

 

I've a relative with a 380SL. Sure is slow, but can't say the noise is much to get excited about. Drove a late R107 300SL once, with manual clunk-a-rama 'box, and thought it sounded ace!

[xtriple]

Don't know why but the 380 engine was always a bit of a turd. The 420 goes like fuck and the straight sixes go okay as well. But then, the only 380s I've ever driven have all been mega leggy so maybe they were just tired out.

 

For proper epic noise, SL500 with AMG stainless exhaust with back box delete (that's how they make them!) absolutely 'just right'.

[Junkman]

too many valves, not enough rwd..

 

though I am tempted as a cheap way into yanks

 

Wecome to the Modern Age.

But whenever I say everything post 1986 is shit, which is an undeniable fact, I get slagged.

[Pete-M]

There really are some great cars about. It's a shame there aren't more rwd V8s, but to chuck an unsung hero into the mix, the Mercedes W210 430 V8 is cheap and if you find a decent one it'll last as long as you keep the rust at bay.

 

I've mentioned too many times my S210 320 CDI. It's a bit Bagpuss, but it still goes like the clappers and it's still a nice place to be. They get slated by some, partly because they're Mercedes version of the frogeye Scorpio.

[Junkman]

I only hope they are better than W124s, because those are total tosh.

[Pete-M]

I've only ever driven one W124 that was anywhere near as good as the hype. It was a mega high spec 320-24 wagon which belonged to the owner of a well known classic car auction house. That one really was a nice car and is probably one of the 124s that circulates the stupidly expensive section of the classified ads. You know the ones "S124 320-24v, immaculate with very rare options, £29995" type of insanity.

 

The 210 rides, handles, goes and steers a lot better.

[Barry Cade]

I've owned 2 W124's and loved them both, but I think they are best in boggo basic spec, proper Berlin Taxi. Would love a 200D in white, pre Sacco board. keep fit windows and manual. That's the one for me.