What is the best car you've ever driven.....
- Thread starter Pondrew
- Start date
Another boring one from me - I was fortunate to be tossed the keys to a privately owned 997 GT3 RS 4.0 with the words 'come on then, let's see what you can do'.... 167mph down the Lavant straight as it turns out!! The gentleman let me have two sessions in it - It was simultaneously the best and worst car day of my life - that engine is something to behold, and the precision and balance, and traction firing out of corners on full throttle - god it was amazing, but so depressing knowing I'll never own one!
That experience was what properly gave me the bug for trackdays - I've been chasing that buzz ever since :lol:
Pictures of a very young-looking me for evidence. Still can't quite believe the gentleman trusted me enough to let me spank his car round Goodwood!!!
That experience was what properly gave me the bug for trackdays - I've been chasing that buzz ever since :lol:
Pictures of a very young-looking me for evidence. Still can't quite believe the gentleman trusted me enough to let me spank his car round Goodwood!!!
I can relate to that, I’ve never driven a Porsche let alone a GT, it’s certainly on my bucket list.Ed Doe said:
Thank goodness I don’t have the money for those toys, makes the living without easier when I know it’s far out of reach.
well, technically the best car i've ever driven was an audi R8 V10, but... the experience day was only a short lap so didnt get higher than 3rd gear, and it was hampered by a rather slow automatic gearbox. plus, this is going to sound weird, but it didnt feel that much faster than the 330d i drove to the experience day in - though obviously it sounded better!
so, the most enjoyable car to drive was probably the z4, because i bought it with the intention of spanking it round racetracks with mates, which i did. had a great day around donington in perfect february sunshine, and oulton park in the summer, and best driving experience ever was Spa francorchamps.
missing the trackday bug now, but want to upgrade again - torn between a tuned 135i, or a porsche cayman, or maybe fulfilling a childish dream and buying an audi R8 V8 manual.
so, the most enjoyable car to drive was probably the z4, because i bought it with the intention of spanking it round racetracks with mates, which i did. had a great day around donington in perfect february sunshine, and oulton park in the summer, and best driving experience ever was Spa francorchamps.
missing the trackday bug now, but want to upgrade again - torn between a tuned 135i, or a porsche cayman, or maybe fulfilling a childish dream and buying an audi R8 V8 manual.
I recall it was Ferrari 308 GTB back in the 70's. I used to clean aircraft as a part time job when I was still at school/college and was asked by the aircraft owner to clean his Ferrari whilst he was off for the day. I said sure if you bring it down to the apron.
He said you can drive cant you? and threw me the keys!
OK so it was only a quarter mile - but being trusted to drive a supercar from the car park and back at a young age boosted my confidence no-end. - As well as being asked what the F are you doing in B's car by various cohorts!
(I had a Morris Minor at the time - but it did have a 1275 Midget engine in it with a 4 pipe exhaust exiting just behind the drivers door at the cill)
He said you can drive cant you? and threw me the keys!
OK so it was only a quarter mile - but being trusted to drive a supercar from the car park and back at a young age boosted my confidence no-end. - As well as being asked what the F are you doing in B's car by various cohorts!
(I had a Morris Minor at the time - but it did have a 1275 Midget engine in it with a 4 pipe exhaust exiting just behind the drivers door at the cill)
Best car, best fun, Porsche 911 turbo for a whole day at Porsche's experience Centre at Silverstone. Their car, their brakes, their tyres. The fun level was of the scale and the only loss I had to consider, was maybe an embarrassing moment. It never happened, but came close a few times which added to the excitement. Fabulous car.
What an awesome thread! I’m loving all the stories.
Oh I don,'t no those Californias are almost getting affordable these days. Relative to other Ferraris that is. :wink:davidmudley12 said:
I have driven a surprisingly few cars in all these years. Agree with the rally group N Escort. Lots of fun and I got a 10 from the instructor that day.
(Then he opend his eyes :wink: )Driven a few porkers, not for me.
I will stay at home and go with my MK1 Nissan Primers Saloon. I was younger, still a boy racer and I loved running circles around Astra GTEs in it. Happy days.
Spaldingski
There's a lot more exotica experiences than I was anticipating. (spoilt b*stards you lot are).
My favourite so far is the Nissan Primera story, that's proper "grass roots cheap fun"
I must say I loved my company SWB Transit van. Had it brand new in 1987, first of the new shape ones. 2L petrol, RWD. It absolutely flew. I could get it off the speedo easliy. I learned how to do handbrake turns in that and drift round roundabouts. I was very young so forgive me. Couldn't do a handbrake turn if I wanted to now, what with bl00dy electric handbrakes.
My favourite so far is the Nissan Primera story, that's proper "grass roots cheap fun"
I must say I loved my company SWB Transit van. Had it brand new in 1987, first of the new shape ones. 2L petrol, RWD. It absolutely flew. I could get it off the speedo easliy. I learned how to do handbrake turns in that and drift round roundabouts. I was very young so forgive me. Couldn't do a handbrake turn if I wanted to now, what with bl00dy electric handbrakes.
There's a lot to be said for the rubbish cars that you can trash the hell out of pushing the car to and beyond their meagre limits, and doing it without worrying about a big bill or concern for the cars health.
Mine was my first proper car. A Cavalier 1988 LXi which had the outgoing 1.8 Sri engine in it, recaros and a wee bit of factory skirts and spoilers.
Drove it like I stole it almost every time I was in it as the bans and first name terms with the plod can attest to
Drove it like I stole it almost every time I was in it as the bans and first name terms with the plod can attest to
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No one mention hire cars then.davidmudley12 said:
My Primera was not cheap at the time. £6300 if I recall correctly. It was genuinely the most entertaining car I have driven though. The back end just did what ever you asked it too. Light weight, 128hp, independent rear suspension and skinny tyres for you. The Mondeo Si 24v that followed it was a big disappointment, in that department. But probably a better car over all. Thing is I don't look back and have fond memories of driving that one.
davidmudley12 said:
In that case, my Skoda Rapid Coupe 105S. Definitely satisfied the above criteria. The following courtesy of Wikipedia:
“The Škoda Rapid was famous being described as "the poor man’s Porsche" after Autocar and Motor defined the Škoda Rapid "a beginners' course to the 911", as it had a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive, just like the Porsche 911.”
Lotus Elise S1, twenty years ago. I was invited to a driving experience day at Palmersports. Out of all the vehicles I drove that day (Formula 3000, Ferrari, Evo, Porsche etc), and since - that was hands down the most surprisingly light, planted and close-to-a-go-cart as I’ve experienced.
Other notable mentions include the Caterham 7, Audi R8 and BMW i8 - these last two experienced at Dunsfold a few years back. Unsurprisingly dynamic and very enjoyable. Funnily enough, I drove a Gallardo that day too, but it understeered worse than a 1970’s oil tanker.
Other notable mentions include the Caterham 7, Audi R8 and BMW i8 - these last two experienced at Dunsfold a few years back. Unsurprisingly dynamic and very enjoyable. Funnily enough, I drove a Gallardo that day too, but it understeered worse than a 1970’s oil tanker.
