Never meet your hero's

[Pete-M]

 

Peugeot 205 GTI, 309 GTI, 306 GTI 6 \ Rallye

 

205 GTi 1.9s are very quick with immense throttle response, I like them but they're too hyperactive for me.

 

309 GTis have the same engine combined with slightly less knife edge handling. I prefer the 309.

 

Not driven a 306 GTi 6 but the S16 is good.

 

 

Porsche 911 (993)

 

These are damn good, but tiresome when you're not in the mood. Less tiresome than a 911 though.

 

1968 Dodge Challenger (I imagine they're bollocks, but for the noise!)

 

The noise is immense. Same lump as a Jensen Interceptor. Mmm.

 

Ferrari F355

 

Problem with these is that everybody is watching, so you can't make the slightest mistake or people think you're a cunt who can't drive. Tiresome in town.

 

MG ZT 260

 

Not as fast as they should be, otherwise just about perfect. I love 'em.

 

Vauxhall Carlton GSi 3000

 

The 24v is the one to have, just for the 3000 rpm dual ram changeover.

 

]Volvo 480 Turbo

 

You'll be disappointed. I was expecting it to be crap and it was still disappointing.

 

Chevrolet Corvair

 

Never tried one.

 

Tatra 603

 

Barking mad, excellent soundtrack, not that quick or torquey.

 

Ford RS200

 

Not tried the AMX / Volvo / other thing either.

 

Cars I want to drive because I don't understand what all the fuss is about:

 

VW Golf Mk5 \ Mk6

New Mini

 

I'm trying a Mk5 Golf this week. I think even with my preconceptions at the door I'm gonna be seriously underwhelmed.

 

Mk5 Golf is underwhelming unless it's had a billion extras fitted. Without the jazzy bits they feel very dull indeed. GT TDi jobs go well though.

 

New Minis are ace. Honestly, they're not bad at all. Imagine a bigger Ka made by BMW but a lot more refined and not really very Mini at all. They ride well (if not on runflats), they handle well, they go quite well and they feel like an expensive little trinket when you drive 'em. Stuff like the window switches and door handles are amusing to the eye but they work well enough. Electric power steering doesn't half make a racket though.

[Guest]

Are the 480 Turbos that bad? What didn't you like? They look cool as fark to me, but then again I used to run a Piazza. And they're way better than most people think. The turbo is very well integrated, it's a great motorway cruiser, the seats are fantastic and the steering surprisingly feelsome.The mental 'satellite' dashboard actually makes more sense than you'd think when you're driving. Also, you turn the indicators on and off with A FUCKING PADDLE. You don't have to take your hands off the wheel!Fuck it, I'm going to have to get another one. But not before I've tried a 480 Turbo.

[j-j]

I have never driven my childhood dream car - the S1 Lotus Esprit.... I have sat in one! and it was great but never driven one - should I be prepared for major disappointment when the day comes?Volvo 480s are quite cool - I drove a late 480S so the lower spec model - I found the driving position to be pretty unpleasant but it is trying to be a sports coupe type thing so had low seat-floor set up. I didn't like the low speed steering sensation but that's because no car compares to the CX in this respect - interior will appeal if you like the Piazza Wat, everything is high up and mostly in your peripheral vision making it nice to use.Illuminated door locks are nice.

I hate to say this but....Citroen XM.I love the design - they look superb. Inside and out.But I've had three now and I just haven't enjoyed driving any of them, which makes me feel quite sad.

I'd love an XM - what was it that disappointed? I've driven one briefly around a country B road and thought it was superb! I loved the sensation of the hydractive suspension switching from soft to firm mode through the twisty stuff. It was an early 2.0l manual and had the first type of the suspension where you could feel the soft/firm difference.Also drove a Citroen H van albeit around an industrial yard - I was pleasantly surprised as I really thought the steering would be so heavy that it would need to be in motion IF EVER you wanted to move the wheel but was actually not bad I also loved the fact you could stand up in the back (I'm 6'1") and the space between the seats big enough to swing round and step into the rear and just exit via the side door instead of the driver's door (coz to be fair, getting in and out was a cantilever affair) I suspect it would be less nice to drive on the open road though with it's distinct lack of speed!Liked that you could remove all the floor panels up front to reach the engine, 'box even the pedal mechanisms - in all honesty the H saw never a 'hero' in the first place so I wasn't expecting much but it delivered so much promise so maybe it's the opposite?The really long gearshifter was just funny

[Tayne]

.

[trigger]

I've driven both the Volvo 480 and 460 Turbos, and all I'll say is OMG TORQUE STEER!!!!Oh and the trim, seating position and gear change is all shit, you can't hear the engine over the creaking dashboard.

[Lukas]

I experienced the same some years ago! Since I was a small kid, the Subaru Leone was the coolest car in the world for me! It sounded cool, it looked very strange = cool and it was rare. I bought my first Leone in 2004, it was a late Leone III. I was so happy to get one until I drove it the first time. The torque-steer was horrible, the seats too, it was quite unpleasant to drive. Sold it in 2005. But I wasnt cured, so I bought a Leone II but this one was even more unpleasant. Horrible seats, horrible to drive, horrible steering etc., I sold it only 3 month after I bought it. I think I´m cured now, but who knows, maybe a nice Leone III turns up again...

[dollywobbler]

Tatra 603 is an odd beast to drive. Super-soft, super long-travel suspension, so bouncy, with a column-mounted gearlever to a rear-mounted gearbox. Tricky.Engine sounds like two Volkswagen Beetles having angry sex. Very odd.Overall though, very enjoyable. Wouldn't like to try driving one like in the Happy Tatra video though (search for it on You Tube if you haven't see it already...)

[trigger]

Must be talking about this one then

 

 

The drifting on the motorway at 2:10 looks scary!

 

If you look at this chaps photostream you'll never want to get behind the wheel of a Tatra again!, (Some photos are a little graphic BTW)

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sestsettro ... 736399814/

[ChinaTom]

Due to love at first sight at a motorshow in the early 80's, a Panther Kallista. Still go weak when I see one either in a mag or on the road

[Justin Case]

My roots are stuck firmly with the old fords, so my "hero" would have to be a Ford Escort Mk2.I would love to drive one, and be over the moon to own one.

I have driven a good few miles in a 1600 Ghia (it was FIL's last but one car) when it was just a middle-aged second-hand (but well looked after) car. I remember it was a pleasant and well-balanced car to drive, but I can't recall anything either outstanding or bad about it though.My biggest diappointment was a Lancia Fulvia Zagato. I just couldn't get comfortable in it, although this may have been because I had to get in through the passenger's side as the driver's door lock was broken, so I didn't bother with a test drive To take this a bit further, I have tried but not bought several exotics, including big Citroens from DS 23 to C6 and a Maserati Quattroporte, but always seemed to have put my sensible head back on when it came to actually buying them. Has anyone actually taken the plunge and bought something like this as a daily, and how did it work out?

[theorganist]

I would love to drive a Mark 5 Cortina Crusader,I used to get a lift to school with my friends dad who had a brand new one as a company car.I always remember how quiet it was compared to my dad's Landcrab, plus it had the wood trim on the doors and the dashboard with grey velour (I think) seats. Seemed a very classy car at the time.Peter.

[Pete-M]

I would love to drive a Mark 5 Cortina Crusader,I used to get a lift to school with my friends dad who had a brand new one as a company car.I always remember how quiet it was compared to my dad's Landcrab, plus it had the wood trim on the doors and the dashboard with grey velour (I think) seats. Seemed a very classy car at the time.

I had a silly number of Mk4/5 Cortinas, including a Crusader 2.0 Estate.The Crusader isn't the best Mk5, that's a 2.0 GLS if you can find a good, original spec one (Brown velour Recaros, now there's class). Crusaders were just a few Ghia bits chucked at an L.

[wuvvum]

To take this a bit further, I have tried but not bought several exotics, including big Citroens from DS 23 to C6 and a Maserati Quattroporte, but always seemed to have put my sensible head back on when it came to actually buying them. Has anyone actually taken the plunge and bought something like this as a daily, and how did it work out?

I bought a Maserati Biturbo once. Temperamental, badly built, rusty pile of crap when looked at objectively, and it wasn't even that quick (my 21 Turbo would leave it for dead), and the handling was twitchy and the steering was heavy, but for some reason I still loved it. It made a gorgeous noise, the interior was great and it had that clock.

 

I've also had several CXs as dailies - never had any major problems with them apart from rust, and an LHM leak on the Turbo.

[wuvvum]

I would love to drive a Mark 5 Cortina Crusader

Mate of mine had a 2.0 Crusader a couple of years back - I was proper impressed with how it went. It'd leave my 900 Turbo behind off the line. GR8 4 drifting too.

[Guest]

What are MK5 Cortina 1.6s like? I'm quite fond of the idea of owning a 1.6 GL in particular, it'll make me feel like I've done quite well without being too flashy.

 

 

Mainly because it has the wonderful dartboard/trim-ring combo.

[theorganist]

The Crusader isn't the best Mk5, that's a 2.0 GLS

Several years ago I nearly bought a 1.6 GLS estate. Unfortunately I ended up with a shed of a Mark 1 Fiesta (seemed more trendy then as all my friends had one or wanted one). The Fiesta didn't last long but I remember seeing that Cortina years later.Would definately have to add a Mark 5 Cortina to my to buy list before they get too expensive.Pete.

[Guest]

Go for the 2.3 V6 but put 1.6 badges on it.

No chance, I like having to work the engine a bit! I bet a 1.6 is just right.

[Pete-M]

Go for the 2.3 V6 but put 1.6 badges on it.

I used to fit 2.8i Granada engines to Cortinas. They used to freak out BMW 325i drivers on a regular basis.

[garbaldy]

What are MK5 Cortina 1.6s like? I'm quite fond of the idea of owning a 1.6 GL in particular, it'll make me feel like I've done quite well without being too flashy.

 

 

Mainly because it has the wonderful dartboard/trim-ring combo.

ive had loads off tinas and i have to say the 1600cc pinto took way more abuse than the 2litre it just seemed to be more willing to rev and it did pull rather well in a big heavy car.

if you ever get one you will soon tire off replaceing void bushes what i did was rose joint the rear end this stoped all the wallowyness from side to side

and ive lost count off how many times i had to replace sumps and crossmembers in hindsight i mabe was a little rough on the old tinas

[Barry Cade]

I had a dodge Challenger.. (they were only made 1970-1974).I wanted to be Kowalski, hooring about everywhere with the taps wide open,the last American hero..it didn't stop.. the original engine was a wheezy 318 with a tiny little carb, so I built up another 318 with all the performance stuff and a big Holley on top. It went like stink, but still didn't stop. The handling was a joke, the build quality was a right laugh- I slashed my finger WIDE open on the ashtray once.. but purring around town with all the windows down with some tunes on it was mega cool, but I felt like a berk so I sold it. I had a Mk2 RS 2000 too, couldn't drive it in a straight line, every corner was a rally stage hairpin,attracted far too much police attention so I sold it..Had a Saab 900 T16S, another hero. Horrible dangerous turbo lag, so I sold it.My favorite childhood car was the X1/9. took years to get one, and they've never dissapointed me yet! Looking for another!

[garbaldy]

Oh i forgot to say my altime favorite car would be the mk1 lotus tina ive always hankered after one since being driven about in the old mans.

[trigger]

My dad had a Y reg 1.6 Crusader, it was in met. Dark blue, it was a very classy car. He sold it to his mate in the end and then his mates garage roof fell down and crushed it.My all time favorite car is also the Mk1 Cortina Lotus, such a perfect car.

[Gompo]

My roots are stuck firmly with the old fords, so my "hero" would have to be a Ford Escort Mk2.But saying that , when asked in an interview "If you had unlimited money in the world, what car would you buy ?"me = " A Ford Escort Mk2"

I used to be like this, to some extent.. Had one as a first car in 2000, and another 2 after that one up until 2005 (I think) when I realised I had to move on and grow up a bit, onto another car mentioned in this thread a GTI-6*.My main love of the Escort was it's looks, but my 2nd one was a very good drive. My 3rd went very well, but although spending too much money on it I sold it before I got it properly set up. I may well get another one at some point, but a Mk2 is the closest I've been to shite ownership so need to do something about that.*Very good car for the money. Handle well and go quite decent for a non VVT type engine.

[Pillock]

Peugeot 205 GTI, 309 GTI, 306 GTI 6 \ Rallye

205 GTi 1.9s are very quick with immense throttle response, I like them but they're too hyperactive for me.

I musta driven a bad one. My mate had one, late registered but pre-cat so was the full power 1.9. It handled OK, but really didn't shift as well as I hoped, he left me the keys when he went on holiday and I was never that excited by it.The only time it ever felt good was when we had a disagreement whilst I still had charge of the car, and I went out and ragged it silly. They seem to like being driven really, really hard but I wouldn't like the resulting bills.

[maxpower]

Oh i forgot to say my altime favorite car would be the mk1 lotus tina ive always hankered after one since being driven about in the old mans.

guy in my street had a lotus tina white with green stripe.. mk2 cortina..going back to 70's mind i would have loved a drive at the escort mexico... just to see what the fuss is all about but my fave 2 cars jensen interceptor... and sunbeam rapier

[Guest]

 

I wouldn't mind a go in an AE86 either, but I seem to remember someone on here trying one and being distinctly unimpressed.

 

Oh, and a Citroen GS. That baby blue on the eBay thread would be great.

[garethj]

Tatra 603 is an odd beast to drive. Super-soft, super long-travel suspension, so bouncy, with a column-mounted gearlever to a rear-mounted gearbox. Tricky.

True, it feels like nothing else. But you can hustle it along quite well compared to other cars of the time.

Engine sounds like two Volkswagen Beetles having angry sex. Very odd.

I replaced the silencers on mine and the exhaust note was a lot nicer, that fan shriek at high revs was addictive too

Overall though, very enjoyable. Wouldn't like to try driving one like in the Happy Tatra video though (search for it on You Tube if you haven't see it already...)

Because it's so long it's quite stable. I've had a few Beetles and it's not the same as cornering in one of them, I'm not sure why. Mine was used as daily transport (75 miles a day) for ages