What has been the most fun car you have owned (current or past)??

emzino said:
Thought you didn't like the S3 :ermm:

That is what most people seem to think...when in actual fact I loved it!
It wasn't perfect...and just because I criticise the S3 standard, doesn't mean I didn't like it...by the end it was brilliant.
Brilliant...but boring to drive hard - no fun!
 
I tend to agree with people who say the S3 is boring, Its very good at what it was designed to do, ie be quite a fast , decent handling hatchback, but it will never be 'fun' like a S1 Lotus Elise, or even an old Mk1 escort.

I test drove the old S3 a few years ago and hated it, thought it was slow, bad handling and generally uninspiring, so I bought a Honda S2000.When I came to replace the Honda I drove the new 8p s3 and I was expecting more of the same, but I was pleasantly surprised, its now a genuinely fast car, It has to be pushed much harder before it will understeer, and the steering and braking feedback and feel is much improved. I was so impressed that I bought one and am very happy with it 4 weeks into ownership.

Its still a boring car though, how can any hatchback be anything but boring? At the end of the day its a tarted up shopping car (albeit a fast one).
 
205 GTI :wub:- The first car i owned and was simply brilliant. Sounds daft but my S3 reminds me of it, albeit a lot more grown-up.

Seriously thinking about buying a cheap one as a track car
 
I've only had 2x Corsas before this A3. The 2nd was slightly modified - alloys, suspension, exhaust, nothing OTT and it was quite good fun to drive on a twisty road where you didn't need so much power, more driver skill and feel.

I've driven a Clio 182 that my friend has aswell as 106 GTis etc. and they are all good fun little hatches and I could of bought any of them quite easily but they were not something I wanted to have to live with everyday at all! Too revvy/noisey on my journey to and from work when I'm wanting to cruise along, iffy build quality etc. etc. Also the fact that I wouldn't be exploiting the cars handling to its full extent - dont get chance to very often on the road do you these days!
 
I had a 2001 Puma 1.7 from new which was just fantastic. Thrilling to drive, well matched engine & chassis and in two years and 27k the only thing to go wrong was one of the dash illumination bulbs failing.

Even better, back then I used to have a 26-mile cross-country commute :)
 
My most fun Car I've owned is a Nissan Skyline...which one?...I've had them all but still couldn't part with my GTR which is my weekender or when I'm in a hurry :)


This car I sold for the A3 as we needed a 4/5 door. Still miss it as I'd fitted a supercharger to it
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In terms of cars that I've owned, the most fun was my modified Vauxhall VXR220 (253BHP, 261lbft, 900kg). On a summers day with the roof off on a country road it really doesn't get much better than that.

The next best was probably my first ever car, a 1983 1 litre VW Polo. Without doubt that had the nicest gear box of any car I've ever driven. With almost no power and minimal grip from very narrow tyres, it was very slow but huge fun.

I've got say that in terms of "fun" my current car (Audi A3 3.2 s-line) comes second last only in front of a VW Vento 2.0 automatic!! Fast and competent it most certainly is, but fun? not at all.
 
JPD125 said:
205 GTI :wub:- The first car i owned and was simply brilliant.

I completely agree - hence why I've had three. :) IMO it can't be beaten for driver pleasure, especially for the money. They will break down, but with pleasure comes pain (notice the haynes manual in the pic below).

JPD125 said:
Seriously thinking about buying a cheap one as a track car

Do it, this is my current project track car come weekend hoon-mobile:

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No PAS, No ABS, no sunroof, 'keep-fit' windows, 105bhp (at the moment ;) ), circa 700kgs, handles like the S3 should....a bargain at £200. And, for those wondering, I chose the 1.6 as I prefer it to the 1.9. The close ratio box also mates nicely to a GTI6 engine ;)
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks their current car (i.e the A3) is not their most fun car. Dont get me wrong, its a superb car, ticks all the boxes (except performance and sound , its a diesel! :tocktock: ) and does a good job of getting from A to B in comfort. It also get many compliments from people I work with.

I have had 5 cars in the last 6 years (including the A3) so seem to have a problem holding onto cars, I get bored with them and always want something a bit better. I bought the A3 to keep for 4-5 yrs as an everyday dependable runaround after the mini cooper S was having lots of faults.

Financially its not a good idea to keep changing your car as its a big waste of money. Want something really nice in the future like a new 911 or Audi R8 (which in 5 years with a bit of saving should be realistic) but am so tempted to go and buy a new Lotus Exige S in 2 yrs time.

Problem is after an Exige S even the 911 or R8 would not feel as impressive to drive and wouldnt match it on the track. Would kick its *** for comfort and practicality of course. I've been lucky enough to thrash an elise on the track and it ran rings around performance road cars (Z4M, Supra etc..)

Anyway, it interesting to see what you guys rate as your most fun car. Makes me feel less of a numpty for saying my Cooper S was my most fun car. I do miss that little ******!;)


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Cooky
 
Most fun? My 1984 Golf GTI - it was an early mk II: Wonderful car! Looking forward to collecting my new A3 on Saturday but it won't be fun
 
john_cook said:
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks their current car (i.e the A3) is not their most fun car. Dont get me wrong, its a superb car, ticks all the boxes (except performance and sound , its a diesel! :tocktock: ) and does a good job of getting from A to B in comfort. It also get many compliments from people I work with.

I'm always suspicious of people who tell me the A3 is a fun car, period.
Next to what? A hearse?

A3s are not fun...good/great at what they do...but not fun.
In my view anyway.


Problem is after an Exige S even the 911 or R8 would not feel as impressive to drive and wouldnt match it on the track. Would kick its *** for comfort and practicality of course. I've been lucky enough to thrash an elise on the track and it ran rings around performance road cars (Z4M, Supra etc..)

I think you may be surprised...
Dependant on the track or road, I think you will find a 911 or R8 equally as impressive - and in some cases more so, than an Exige S.
 
Sticking to the original brief, of what has been my most fun car, then the award has to go to the 1970 Sunbeam Stiletto that I had when I was a student in the early 1980s.

For those who have no idea what I am talking about, it was a sporty "coupe" version of the Hillman Imp, and had a rear-mounted 875cc engine (all-alloy and with overhead cam!) tuned to put out a heady 51 bhp. It weighed about the same as an original Mini (i.e. a little more than half a ton) and got round its relative lack of power by having very low gearing. This wasn't a problem, though, because the engine would rev to nearly 8000rpm.

Traction wasn't a problem, and the steering was incredibly quick and informative (at the risk of horrifying Essthree, it should be remembered that the Stiletto shared its layout with the 911) but believe me this car could teach the Peugeot 205 GTi a thing or two about lift-off oversteer (primarily how not to until the last moment: this car had very-well sorted IRS for its day). But what were really hairy were the brakes; drums all-round, but servo-assisted (still a rarity in 1970). With no weight over the front wheels, they were incredibly prone to locking up, wet or dry.

It was impossible to drive it at anything other than full bore, and with either a huge grin (or the occasional terrified rictus) on my face.

This isn't the actual car, but it looked identical to it, even the same colour.

[URL="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/jdp1962/SunbeamStiletto.jpg"][/URL]
 
Funky_Junky said:
this is my current project track car come weekend hoon-mobile:

100_0651.JPG


No PAS, No ABS, no sunroof, 'keep-fit' windows, 105bhp (at the moment ;) ), circa 700kgs, handles like the S3 should....a bargain at £200. And, for those wondering, I chose the 1.6 as I prefer it to the 1.9. The close ratio box also mates nicely to a GTI6 engine ;)

Nice!
And a 1.6 too...not swayed by the 'need' for the 1.9 badge etc...
I love the 1.6 GTIs...proper old school loony.


I once had a stripped out 1986 XR2...
Magic it was...simple, light, grippy...and cheap.
 
jdp1962 said:
Traction wasn't a problem, and the steering was incredibly quick and informative (at the risk of horrifying Essthree, it should be remembered that the Stilletto shared its layout with the 911) but believe me this car could teach the Peugeot 205 GTi a thing or two about lift-off oversteer.

Same layout as the Skoda Rapid coupes too wasn't it?
And the original Beetle.

Both a complete hoot to drive...40+ BHP of utter tomfoolery!
 
Cobra 427 replica, which actually had a 427 (7litre) engine in it.

By no means a 'well sorted' car, and the engine did like to over heat a lot but awesome fun. Looked stunning in candy apple red paint work with magnolia hide.
 
Bought new '83ish W reg..? Mk 1 Golf GTI 1800 8 valve....(at the time) WOW..!!
Terrible brakes of course, much like the Cooper 'S'.
 
s3mike said:
my Wife's S2000 probably.

I don't think it's as quick in a straight line as the S3 but it sounds / feels like you are going much faster. Also at this time of year any right foot activity results in sideways action ( at which point I usually get shouted at by said Wife ! ).

4wd is not all bad though, I had a little play following a Z4 coupe this morning in my S3. I think he was trying to lose me by accelerating around a slippy corner at which point his tail stepped out about a foot! No doubt he ( or the electronics ! ) caught it but I could have gone way faster round that corner in the S3.

Absolutely loved my S2000, nothing like a VTEC engine on full chat, though it was an interesting one when it went through the transition, specially on a roundabout!

Other fave was my "sensibly modded" Impreza, simply scary how much grip it had

Cars I've driven - Mates Cerbera, redefined fast and scary, oh and a 911 which was on the lock stops during a somewhat controlled slide on a Jonathan Palmers driving day
 
Old morris 1100 when I was15 had the run of a tarmac road about a mile long great fun tearing up and down the road.Age 20 borrowing my brothers RS 2000 great fun in the snow.
 
I'm surprised how many people are mentioning FWD cars as fun.
I've never associated FWD with fun at all, because you only really have a couple of choices, understeer or more understeer.
I suspect this is because the drivers are young and have little/no experience of RWD, because it has become a thing of the past (BMW apart).
When I was young (I'm 40 now) RWD was the market norm, and we spent our days learning how opposite lock worked.
We didn't even know what understeer was!
 
No question about it for me.

My VXR VX220 is by some distance the most fun car I have ever owned (and I have had some nice sports cars).

Yes I know it is a Vauxhall, but if some people cannot see beyond the badge then they are missing out on a great car.

Mine went to the doctor one day and when she returned she was able to do 0-60 in about 3.8 seconds.

I used to have great fun playing with supercar exotica, not much could beat it in a straight line or round the twisties or if it could then it probably cost £200k+

Mind you, for me it is onlya fun car, could never live with it day to day like some owners I know do.
 
bowfer said:
I'm surprised how many people are mentioning FWD cars as fun.
I've never associated FWD with fun at all, because you only really have a couple of choices, understeer or more understeer.

Not so...
You buy a 106 XSI/GTI/Rallye, 205 GTI, Clio 172, Integra Type-R and you can have lift off oversteer all day.
Just as much 'fun' if that's your thing.
The ITR, wth it's slightly longer wheelbase, you drive like a RWD car...tail out all over the place.


I suspect this is because the drivers are young and have little/no experience of RWD, because it has become a thing of the past (BMW apart).
When I was young (I'm 40 now) RWD was the market norm, and we spent our days learning how opposite lock worked.
We didn't even know what understeer was!

I too remember Mk2 Escorts, Sunbeams etc...but also the FWD cars...and many of the great FWD cars had just as much fun potential - in my book anyway.
You still need to learn about opposite lock if you drive any of the above mentioned cars...or you crash.
 
I have this in the garage (needs some work doing to it).

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Its ****** good fun, the fact that it are always on the border of DEATH as it doesn't handle the 180bhp it has under the front wheels very well.
 
Thats a lovely little motor Robin...:hubbahubba: and really,really fun! :happy:
 
I love my A3 i wouldn't swap it for any of my previous cars.

but the most fun I've had was in my 106 GTi can't pip it for bmw beating value.

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This is a hard one. I've had/driven so many and they were all fun for different reasons. The stand outs are:
  • Ferrari Boxer (in the 80s). So fast and loud I nearly got wood. Like being in a leather lined catapult.
  • Austin A35 (1972)- my first car. Did 55 flat out - less if I was four up. But it was mine, I lost my cherry in it and you could drift the back end at 30 mph in the wet!
  • 1966 Morris Cooper S (1977) - most chuckable car I have ever owned and surprisingly quick. I oce pi**ed all over a Healy 3000 and a TVR though a set of roundabouts early one morning! Wish I'd never sold it.
  • Audi Coupe. (1992) Only cost £1500 and it never skipped a beat in two years. Really quick, and a beautiful sounding, smooth, five pot motor. 30+ mpg on a run.
  • Mustang Mach one (1978) Matt black over red. 351 cu in. Only had it for a year (13 mpg!) best pose score. Wish I'd had it BEFORE I got married - On warm days with the window down girls would ask for a ride! Doh! Very quick in a staright line but hopeless in the twisty stuff, but effortless to drive. Cost me £2k and sold it for £1400 - wish I'd held onto it!
  • Reliant Scimtar GTE SE6a - given to me by a colleague at work (along with a spares car) Needed a bit of welding and it was a runner. Kept it as a Sunday car for a couple of years. Quite quick and the Watts linkage back axle made it surprisingly good in the bends. Everything in fawn/brown - very 70s! Felt like I was in the Sweeny when I drove it.
  • 1999 Audi S4 B5 2.7 BiTurbo Quattro (BHP 265 Torque 350) (2008) Not necksnapping acceleration like a Scooby or Evo but deceptvely quick (0-60 in 6.5) and a solid wall of torque that washes over you in every gear - and it would pootle at 25 in 4th round town and then properly accelerate without dropping a cog. A bit heavy, but great in the dry or wet. Brilliant in the snow (even on summer tyres). Loved blowing the doors off M3s and M5s at the traffic lights when it was wet - it made no difference to the S4! As for chavs with their caps on bacwards in 1.2 Corsa's. They just couldn't believe how quickly this portly, balding old git in what looked like an Audi A4, pulled away from them. I liked that, "street sleeper" thing. One youngster caught up with me at the next set of lights and frantically gestured to me out of his window. Wanted to know what I'd done to my "A4" to make it so quick. When the lights changed his mates were shouting for me to do it again. Well it would have been rude not to! ONLY the fuel consumption and potentially VAST bills as it got older pushed me into selling.
  • (Red) 2002 Golf PD 150 GTi Anniversary (remaped to 195 bhp) (2011) The perfect Golf GTi. I've had a Mk2, driven a Mk1, a Mk5 and a non Anni Mk4 GTi. VW got it just perfect with the Anni. Almost neck snapping acceleration from sub 1500 rpm. Lowered ride height and slightly stiffer suspension, great 18" alloys and body kit. Unique, limited edition styling points inside and out but nothing too leary or boy racer. All quite subtle. Chuckability reminded me of my Cooper S. Amost as quick as the S4 (up to 70) and 45+mpg. I knew it was good when I found myself looking for excuses to take a run in it! If it had not been for a Landrover Disco trying to park in my boot at 30mph I would still have it. It was such a whack that my CD changer popped righ out of the dash! I felt I had lost a relative when they wrote it off.
  • Audi A3 Sport 8P 2006 2.0Tdi 170 (Remapped to 205) (Current). What can I say? Its gorgeous. Black leather interior, climate, nice colour, sits quite nice, alloys are OK, stereo lovely - and a bit more grown up than the Anni. Definitely as quick - I can get wheelspin in 4th in the wet if I'm not careful! Nearly as chuckble as the Anni but more body roll and not as sure footed. Even so I love it. I feel almost disloyal to the Anni for liking it so much!

But which is the most fun car overall? The A3 is a very close second, but number one would still be the Anni! If I had never had the Anni the A3 would get the vote. The S4 was quicker and had 4wd but I never worry about my fuel bills in the A3. The A3 is quick enough and has all the style of the S4 and I never really chucked the S4 around like I do with the A3. If I had never owned the Anni it woud be the A3 unreservedly.

I hope I haven't bored the pants off you. Thanks for reading.
 
Most fun was my Redtop corsa, give me big smiles when I put ye old foot down, and tight **** cheeks trying to stop.
 
I had quite few cars but I think honda civic sport 54 plate was quite fun to drive,the shape looks very attractive as well. Somehow I still want to buy it again as my second car (when I have spare cash).
 
Most fun cars iv owned has got to be my focus st-2 tuned to 305 bhp & 360lbs torque and my most recent previous car mk2 focus RS, had to sell it though beause of the mileage I now do

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VW Corrado 16v. When your in it your scraping the floor and the seat angle makes it feel amazing to drive. The speed and noise of the thing also help :)
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This......the most fun,AND the most impractical.
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Renault 5 Turbo. Bleed valve, side exit exhaust.
VR6 Corrado.

Often look at these on Pistonheads classifieds...maybe soon.
 
Mine was my old 2000 forf puma racing - boy I loved that girl - had to sell her to raise deposit for my first flat.
 
Hmmm let me think, maybe a 309 gti which was fun on lift off, corrado 16v which was lowered and kept up with a few faster cars around the twisties, lotus elise which could go sideways for fun and a very weird fiat cinq which was a courtesy car and got hammered everywhere as you had to keep the speed up as it had no power
 
My old Opel Corsa OPC (Vauxhall Corsa VXR to you UK folks ;) )

Before you shoot me down, it was only fun because it was such an unpredictable ride with a go-kart feel to it. My S3 is infinitely better in every other way, just a bit less wild.