You shouldn't meet your heroes...

[dollywobbler]

I actually thought that the facelifted T613 had very clear hints of Simca/Talbot styling. It's almost like a massive cross between an Alpine and a Tagora. Shame the Czechs never saw fit to try it in RHD markets - would probably have undercut the usual Merc/BMW luxo-sector, and might have carved a niche for itself in municipal / undertaker / wedding limos.

 

Tatra did make a small attempt at marketing the Tatra 613 in the UK. I don't think they sold many... (any?)

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/a-square-cut-diamond-sales-of-the-tatra-in-the-old-ussr-have-collapsed-could-it-sell-here-phil-1465348.html 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Tatra did make a small attempt at marketing the Tatra 613 in the UK. I don't think they sold many... (any?)

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/a-square-cut-diamond-sales-of-the-tatra-in-the-old-ussr-have-collapsed-could-it-sell-here-phil-1465348.html 

 

I remember reading that two were converted to RHD and one was given a test on Top Gear - Chris Goffey drove it. It looked like a seriously big car.

[Slartibartfast]

I haven't had a chance to try out any of my motoring heroes yet, which are in approximate increasing order:

 

Mini Cooper

Skyline GTR (any of them, but R34 especially)

Pontiac Trans-Am, specifically the Knight Rider variety.

 

I'm sure they'll all disappoint in their own way, probably the Trans-am the most because no one could possibly meet the expectations set by watching Knight Rider as a very small impressionable young chap.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

I've been lucky enough to be able to run some weirdo/techno cars (VW K70L, NSU Ro80, and now the CX) so those are my heroes and I haven't really been disappointed.....yet.

 

The only one left out of my "hero" cars is the BMW Z8 - I've only ever managed to sit in one at a show, but I don't think I'll ever have the chance to drive one; they are just too valuable now. To think that, when they were in production, BMW had very great trouble selling them here and even reduced the price at one stage to below 80 grand.

[flat4alfa]

Citroen XM

I so wanted to like the one I had but it was underpowered,unreliable and the suspension was not pleasant

 

Mine was reliable but was so dull and disappointing.  Apart from that the build quality and rot was worse than both the Fiat and the Alfa sitting next to it on the driveway.

 

Which says more about Citroen than Fiat.

[dollywobbler]

I must have liked my XM, as it lasted over a year on the fleet. Loved the suspension, apart from over the worst potholes and over crests. That said, my push into Japanese motors has taught me about interior plastic quality, and robust trim clips that I never previously thought possible!

[Slartibartfast]

I test-drove a V8 Bentley Continental GT a couple of years ago. It had loads of things wrong with it (e.g. power steering that did not firm up at speed) that I wouldn't have accepted in a car that cost a fraction of the price.

 

I genuinely thought that my 20+ year old V6 Calibra was the better car.

 

The engine was too small. My boss loaned me his 6ltr W12 Continental to take my daughter to prom and it ruined me for normal cars.

 

It was uncomfortable, the 12v socket didn't work, the stereo and satnav were pratically prehistoric, but my god could it move.

[AMC Rebel]

I've had a few of these-

 

Owned a B3 Passat estate - 1.8 1990 Pez.  It was slow but very very economical by the standards of the time.  Sold it and regretted it (I bought a 205 Gti which is another story of dashed expectations).

Later I saw a B4 2.8 VR6 Pisshat estate for sale - it was a GL, too which meant steel wheels.  It was a lot of fun to drive, mostly down to the fact that ignorant 318/320 prats would pull alongside coming off a dual carriageway roundabout and then be left marooned in the wrong lane as I (I accept childishly) left them for dead.  BUT - something about it wasn't as true to the feel of the old B3 I had - and for the extra costs (fuel, purchase, insurance) it just wasn't worth the bother.  Sold on and last I heard the engine had been put in a Golf track car.

 

Had a BX19GTI from brand new (G472 XLR) long dead.  Lusted after a GTI 4x4 but never had one - then ages later, fed up with my 205 Gti, chopped it in for a GTI 4x4, in eager anticipation.  It was absolute dogshit.

 

205 GTI - everyone loved them and raved about them - got chance to buy my Ma-in-laws low miles one owner from her a bargain price.  It was fucking awful.  No suspension fitted at all - I used to bang my head on the roof unless I remembered to duck when going over even minor bumps.  Not much grip despite decent tyres.

I suffered the ignominy of being outdragged (see above) by a little Rover of some kind (probably one of those 400s with a KV6) and decided enough was enough - chopped in for a BX 4x4 GTI which was far worse in every way from a crooked dealer.

[AMC Rebel]

 

The 911 was utter shit though, I really don't get why people rave about them.

 

+1 on that - I also drove one on a track day and was totally unimpressed.

[Captain Furious]

+1 on the 205 GTi - i'm sure it was just me getting a bad one because not everyone can be wrong and I do remember them being amazing to drive in the 90's - but mine was shit.

 

It didn't want to be saved, it didn't even want to be driven.  For every fault fixed another 2 would spring up in its place and then there were the running issues that we just didn't have the talent to fix.  The only saving grace was when we finally declared that enough was enough we made enough profit to cover the money we'd poured into it.

[dollywobbler]

I think the 205 GTi is a classic case of a bad example ruining the experience. I drove a 1.6 GTi and thought it an absolute riot. Then I drove the same car after a 2-litre XSi conversion and it was even more incredible. I suspect a lot were just thrashed into the ground, or 'modified' in the classic 'lower it, rock hard springs' manner, because that'll make it go around a race track more quickly (but be horrendous on the road). 

 

I've only driven two 911s - a 996 on a track (great fun, and the first actually-quick car I ever drove) and, more recently, a 911T in brown. I really liked it. Pure Autoshite spec.

[John F]

The engine was too small. My boss loaned me his 6ltr W12 Continental to take my daughter to prom and it ruined me for normal cars.

 

It was uncomfortable, the 12v socket didn't work, the stereo and satnav were pratically prehistoric, but my god could it move.

 

That was one fault with it, yes - if a Bentley does nothing else, it should be capable of moving like a stabbed rat.

 

But there were loads of other things that tainted my overall impression of the car, and TBH a car that costs as much as a house ought to be as near perfect as possible.

[Frogchod]

Mine was reliable but was so dull and disappointing.  Apart from that the build quality and rot was worse than both the Fiat and the Alfa sitting next to it on the driveway.

 

Which says more about Citroen than Fiat.

I guess these were 2.1TD's or 2.0 petrols ?

My 2.5TD is more than Ok and the previous V6 was a riot

[dozeydustman]

I always fancied a Merc in the 1990's, and in 1997 one of my uni mates borrowed his folks' L reg 230E while as his car had blown up. He let me go for a spin in as he wanted dropping off in Faversham and asked me to take the car back. Mix of dual carriageway and urban. Found the whole car really uninspiring and uncomfortable.

 

My uncle in had a 51-plate E-class, which I borrowed for a day while my car was being MoT'd. Again really uncomfortable and dull to drive.

 

Their HGV's are really horrid to drive as well.

 

Has put me off the 3-pointed star.

[Tamworthbay]

+1 on that - I also drove one on a track day and was totally unimpressed.

My mate had one at the same time I had my ropey 944 Turbo, we did a track day at Donington and the 944 pissed all over it, mine cost £1500 ( it was that or an escort as a daily at the time) his cost £9000, but he didn’t do bad on it as they shot uo in value when he had it and I think he nearly doubled his money when he sold it.

[Timewaster]

I think the 205 GTi is a classic case of a bad example ruining the experience. I drove a 1.6 GTi and thought it an absolute riot. Then I drove the same car after a 2-litre XSi conversion and it was even more incredible. I suspect a lot were just thrashed into the ground, or 'modified' in the classic 'lower it, rock hard springs' manner, because that'll make it go around a race track more quickly (but be horrendous on the road)

You are right. The eager nature and handling that flattered the ham-fisted meant that by the time they got to their third or fourth owner they had been thrashed to death, everywhere and by everyone who had ever driven them.

 

Also, as with a lot of the cars mentioned in this thread, it's horses for courses.

 

On an early morning hoon across counties on twisty A and B roads, a good Gti will make you feel 17 again and put a stupid grin on your face.

 

Try and drive one across a city in dense stop start traffic with its heavy clutch, non existent idle and constant hunting and stalling you will want to set fire to it before you get half way.

 

There are, of course cars which will do either journey perfectly well.

 

The name we have for these cars is DULL.

[AlabamaShrimp]

Inset joke about meeting you favourite Yew tree celebratey and not being impressed with their actions.

 

 

As for cars. Sorry to sound boring but I don't think I've ever really wanted to drive anything and then been disappointed. I like it when the all feel different. Some cars are better* than other but they are what they are.

[AMC Rebel]

I think the 205 GTi is a classic case of a bad example ruining the experience. I drove a 1.6 GTi and thought it an absolute riot. 

 

I seem to recall some folks at the time saying the 1.6 was actually the better car despite the 1.9 having more power.  Never tried a 1.6 (or any other 205) so quite prepared to accept mine was a bad 'un.

[CanaryinManc]

Alfasud 1.5 saloon: My brother had a fantastic 1.3 until he wrote it off. This never got close. Boiled in M6 jam due to seized electric fan; galloping rot everywhere; continuous plume of blue smoke necessitating regular topping up so oil leak from filler tube onto inboard disc below made heavy braking interesting. Hence met its end when I had to brake heavily to avoid suicide overtaker coming towards me, lost it and the OSR wing clouted a tree.

 

I was on the A44 from Worcester to Leominster for an evening work meeting and the impact completely removed the NSR light unit. Continued to the meeting without incident but on the way home was stopped by Police on outskirts of Leominster for having no tail lights at all - the NSR lght had gone out in sympathy. Very nice copper suggested I clout it to get it back on . Did it just to humour him and light came back on. Let me go with just a suggestion that I stop in Bromyard on the way back to check I still had my one tail light working.

[CanaryinManc]

Alfasud 1.5 saloon: My brother had a fantastic 1.3 until he wrote it off. This never got close. Boiled in M6 jam due to seized electric fan; galloping rot everywhere; continuous plume of blue smoke necessitating regular topping up so oil leak from filler tube onto inboard disc below made heavy braking interesting. Hence met its end when I had to brake heavily to avoid suicide overtaker coming towards me, lost it and the OSR wing clouted a tree.

 

I was on the A44 from Worcester to Leominster for an evening work meeting and the impact completely removed the NSR light unit. Continued to the meeting without incident but on the way home was stopped by Police on outskirts of Leominster for having no tail lights at all - the NSR lght had gone out in sympathy. Very nice copper suggested I clout it to get it back on . Did it just to humour him and light came back on. Let me go with just a suggestion that I stop in Bromyard on the way back to check I still had my one tail light working.

Sorry - this doesn't make sense due to typo. First sentence of second para should end  '....... the impact completely removed the OSR lght unit'.

[dozeydustman]

I seem to recall some folks at the time saying the 1.6 was actually the better car despite the 1.9 having more power.  Never tried a 1.6 (or any other 205) so quite prepared to accept mine was a bad 'un.

 

 

A well sorted 1.6 is an absolute delight to drive, the 1.9 wasn't actually much faster, was thirstier and attracted higher insurance, and personally thought the 1.9 engine was better suited to the 309. The only 1.9 205 I drove had some pretty bad torque steer, but it wasn't in perfect health.

 

This said, even an early 205XE with the 1 litre suitcase should be a hoot to drive.

[Timewaster]

To drag this it even further off topic, the 309gti was even better to drive than the 205.

I tried to buy the one I drove there and then but we couldn't agree a deal.

 

Shame the looks aren't so great and they felt even flimsier than a 205.

[AMC Rebel]

My mate had a 309 XSi which he drove as if he stole it - but it was a lot of fun even as a passenger.

[Captain Furious]

I seem to recall some folks at the time saying the 1.6 was actually the better car despite the 1.9 having more power.  Never tried a 1.6 (or any other 205) so quite prepared to accept mine was a bad 'un.

 

I actually think part of the reason I didn't find it as good as I remembered is because it was a 1.9 and not a 1.6.  It was widely heralded back in the day that the 1.9 was much better for living with day to day, driving on motorways etc because it was longer geared, but I think this blunted some of the revvyness and go-kart like qualities I was after it for.  The 1.9 just didn't feel as eager although overall it was probably faster.

 

Oh well its ticked off now anyway, onwards..