Cars. We go from A to B in them. They do their job. Some though are NICE to drive and you enjoy it, some are just cars.
What is your car of choice when you just want to drive?
We have 2 cars: a 2002 Volkswagen Passat and a 2005 Nissan Murano. The Murano is the Family car, whereas the Passat is dubbed "The Little Car" by the girls, or Dad's Work Car. I just call the Passat "Eva"
The Murano is pleasant enough to drive, but it's just a car. Nothing terribly exciting. Comfortable enough, powerful enough, steers ok (brakes are so-so). But it just leaves you wanting - I call it Plastic-y. Good for a mass-produced Japanese car (though not a Lexus), but lacking somewhat. After along drive, I find I am needing to stretch after standing up again.
Then there is MY Passat. A pure joy to drive. Responsive on throttle, brake and steering. Absolutely could drive it with 2 fingers if you wanted to. You CAN use the accelerator with your big toe - so little pressure required and it responds as it should. It is supremely comfortable - you get out of it after a long drive and no need to stretch and wiggle. The computer adapts to your driving style very well. And it is safe (ANCAP 5 star rated).
I love that car. We have done 300,000 km on it, and it does not look like stopping any time soon
She needs some TLC at the moment - new interior upholstery for the doors needed and a repaint to the bonnet after some vandal put a dab of paint stripper on it in a supermarket car park!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also needs new engine mounts (I think it remarkable it's done 300,000 and only needs them now). Had relatively few repairs over the years apart from bearings and a cracked throttle body (happened at 120,000 km)
And probably my favorite of all time, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which also gets my vote as the best sounding car I have ever driven. A mechanical symphony.
And probably my favorite of all time, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which also gets my vote as the best sounding car I have ever driven. A mechanical symphony.
+1 for the Westy :-)
Although I think the most astonishing thing I've ever driven was a Matich F5000 open wheeler. I still remember every second of those few laps around Lakeside.
And that was over 20 years ago...
I've only driven one Ferrari, a 308 which I thought was quite ordinary, and that's one more Ferrari than most people have driven.
I meant cars you OWN Yes Peter, we know you own a Fezza.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alocky
I've only driven one Ferrari, a 308 which I thought was quite ordinary, and that's one more Ferrari than most people have driven.
Driven a Lamborghini in Moscow. Meh, just a car. Sure it would be better on the track, but...
Also driven a Ferrari 599. Again, under normal highway and city conditions, it was just a car. Yes, better than the VW, but really not that "extraordinary". Sure didn't give me goosebumps, as you just can't make it do what it is good at in normal life. If we had a racecourse or an old runway, then maybe. I am sure you don't drive the Fezza to do shopping or pick up the kids from school Peter.
Worst cars I have ever driven have been Peugots and Citroens. Mon dieu, c'est pas une vouiture! (sorry Marc). Fiats... bleh. Alfas... same as a VW really. BMW's turn nicely... otherwise, not been thrilled. Mercs are nice.
They always say the best of something is the one you use the most. For me, that's the Passat. Been eyeing off a few CC's lately, but Eva is going to have to cark it before I even consider replacing her.
Ford Territory diesel - mainly because of the comfortable truck-like seating position and the extra head room. I feel squashed in regular cars and get a sore back and hips on long drives.
Every car enthusiast should own at least one Alfa Romeo in their life. (And if you've owned one, you will probably quickly decide that one Alfa is all any sane person would ever want to own!)
My very first car was a 1980 Alfasud Ti 1.5 litre. I LOVED that car, but it had a few niggles, such as an electrical system that killed the battery every 6 to 12 months, perforation body rust in just about every panel when it was just a couple of years old, and an annoying habit of shedding the plastic body-kit bits at highway speed. But it was still a delight to drive.
And then there was my mate's Giulia Sprint GTA 1600 .... SIGH! ... I still get goose-bumps whenever I see one!
as Lewis knows , I love driving my 1971 R/T E37 Charger , it has 320 rwhp , 5 speed Toyota Supra gear box , twin plate clutch and all late model suspension , tires and brake upgrades , it goes very well and I especially like putting SS dunny doors and XR8 coons in their place , fun .
And yes NOTHING !! sounds like a Hemi 265 with triple Webbers and twin pipes on full song , magic .
Brian .
ps ,. I hear the detractors before I have even finished typing this ...bring it on ,,,,,,
as Lewis knows , I love driving my 1971 R/T E37 Charger , it has 320 rwhp , 5 speed Toyota Supra gear box , twin plate clutch and all late model suspension , tires and brake upgrades , it goes very well and I especially like putting SS dunny doors and XR8 coons in their place , fun .
And yes NOTHING !! sounds like a Hemi 265 with triple Webbers and twin pipes on full song , magic .
Brian .
ps ,. I hear the detractors before I have even finished typing this ...bring it on ,,,,,,
An E37!!! you lucky sod....
well I still like my Magna, which I guess is sorta related by place of birth and number of cylinders - and nothing much else.
