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Feb 18, 2017 23:14:45 GMT
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Another one has returned to my memory
Some years ago (98/9) I bought a Volvo 850 estate for a customer, he still has it. It is a low spec 10v 2.5 with autobox in a top spec shell (was a Volvo demonstrator when new) I loved this car from my first drive in it and still do. So when the opportunity to acquire a similar car (but with a manual gearbox) came up for sensible money,I jumped at it, buying it sight unseen from a mate in London. Full of enthusiasm, I cadged a lift down to the smoke and drove it home. By the time I got home, I had fallen thoroughly OUT of love with it and a week of pummelling it round our country lanes was enough to make me shift it on PRONTO. WHY? Plain and simple, the manual box was curse word, obstructive clumsy, badly chosen ratios you name it. It made driving the car a chore and somehow, managed to make it feel bigger, clumsier and slower than the auto. I've not gone off the model, but i'd never entertain another manual one!
Steve
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njw
Part of things
Posts: 226
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Feb 18, 2017 23:30:10 GMT
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Facelift e46 330cd. Was so charicterless it absorbed it from those who entered its dull cabin. I though a remap would improve the experience, although it was fast, I couldn't wait to get rid of it. Interesting, I had an e46 330d touring and just could not gel with it, it was also remapped (230bhp/370lb/ft) and although it was fast it never actually felt that fast, I just wasn't fan of the power delivery and swapped it for the 540i over there <<< which is far better in every way bar fuel consumption!
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njw
Part of things
Posts: 226
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Feb 18, 2017 23:54:32 GMT
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Someone said earlier 'never meet your heroes', I love old Fords so last year I went to look at a Capri, a 2.0 Laser, I took cash as I was pretty much ready to pull the trigger as I had been told good things by the seller but on driving it I was gutted, it was hesitant and gutless, the steering hardly turned, I only drove a couple of miles and had cramp in my left thigh off the clutch and despite the seller claiming it had new brakes I managed to overshoot a junction. I'm not saying all Capris are like this before I get shot down in flames just stating that the one I drove left me feeling very despondent. The other dissappointing car that sticks in my head is the Ferrari 360 Modena I took around a track, the interior was really worn and it didn't feel all that fast, I can remember coming out of the pits and around the first corner then onto the straight and giving it full beans and thinking 'is that it?' It just didn't have that big power push you back in your seat feeling I was expecting although to be fair I did have an e39 M5 as my daily drive at the time...
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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I tagged along on a day with a hired 2002ish Morgan, driving around the Cotwolds. Jumping in the car and driving out through Cheltenham, roof up in the rain, it felt really exotic. Then we reached open roads and began to feel seasick from watching the front of the car vibrate up and down in front of us, and realised we were struggling to drive at the speed limit on some roads because the suspension was so harsh. It felt like we were hanging on to the enormous steering wheel for dear life over rougher roads. Perhaps that is part of the fun for Morgan enthusiasts? Or maybe they go everywhere at 50 mph? I drive my lowered, stiffened mx5 on the same roads regularly and it is quicker but surprisingly much more comfortable. I know the this makes sense given the age of the Morgan's design, but I was still surprised.
And not retro, but I could add various BMW 1 and 3 series to the list as the past couple of times I've been looking for a new (10 year old) car I've given them a go thinking that they must be the "ultimate driving machine" and come away completely underwhelmed. I wanted the feel of a 5 series in a small package but they just felt a bit of a swizz to me.
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Feb 19, 2017 12:21:29 GMT
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Went to Florida a few years ago and had an "SUV" as our rental car. By the time we got to the desk (we'd been delayed) they only had a few vehicles left - 3. There was a Kia, a Hyundai and this: The GMC Terrain. Being in the US, I thought a US car would be the way to go. Oh boy did I ever make a mistake. No room inside for its size, very uncomfortable and unbearably slow as it was a 2.3 litre IL4 with a dog slow slushbox and weighed the same as a small oil tanker. Thankfully being in a touristy area of the US there were not too many bends to worry about. The only saving grace was that it had a reversing camera. Even that looked out of focus... Oh, and did I mention that it was butt ugly?
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Last Edit: Feb 19, 2017 19:01:49 GMT by mrbounce
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OUTRUN
Part of things
13...
Posts: 620
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Feb 19, 2017 14:45:31 GMT
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Escort RS1600i. Had one for a couple of years, and they are 115BHP standard, mine had a Janspeed four branch, full over axle Scorpion and a drilled air box with K&N panel filter, so supposedly should have been making 130BHP. Surely enough to have fun.
It's time as a fast car has passed. I know that, and mostly wanted it just for the looks and general old car plus points that we all enjoy, but it wasn't even brisk.
AW11 MR2. I had one with a Rev 1 SW20 3S-GTE conversion and CT20B turbo with metal head gasket. LSD 'box, charge cooler etc and it was making 300BHP. Very quick, but for being supposedly the best MR2, I didn't get it. Weird driving position, I think the seat was offset to the steering wheel, maybe the pedals, too. Seating position too high and too much glass. It just felt like any normal car, not a sporty coupe. I dread to think what a 4AGE powered one is like.
VVC MGF. Drove a mates one, it sounded fun, due to being fitted with a Pipercross cone, but wasn't as quick as expected and I felt as though I was sitting on top of it. The driving position is appalling for what it claims to be!
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Last Edit: Feb 19, 2017 14:46:30 GMT by OUTRUN
I need your help to get back to the year 1985.
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BT
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,772
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Feb 19, 2017 15:00:10 GMT
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I can't really compete here, suppose that's a good thing in a way. I bought a 2008 fiesta ST when it was about 4 years old for a very fair price. They seemed to advertise it as a respectable car, quick, bible, sporty, sought after and I have never been so disappointed. Slow, poor build quality, handled like curse word, it was just incredibly disappointing. Fancy having a go at a 1*2 renaultsport, hope that's not as disapointing. I can remember having a bit of a play with a mk5 ST on a twisty road in my old Sierra years ago, to be fair the Sierra wasn't exactly standard, it had a tuned 2.8 V6 and Spax adjustable suspension but on paper I would have expected the ST to give the Sierra a good fight (or vice-versa!) but it didn't, I honestly thought the ST driver wasn't trying, I had to keep backing off so as not to whack the Fiesta in the a rse. No, he was probably giving it his all! They are incredibly underwhelming in every what way. I have since had many standard TDI modern commuter things which have run circles around the ST. I actually had a modified tdi caddy van that embarrassed a modified ST a few years ago. They suck.
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Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
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Feb 19, 2017 15:04:33 GMT
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Scimitar gte ...wanted one for years bought a really nice one 1974 model, loved its looks but it drove awful, poor driving position and as a manual the clutch was awful and all switchgear was flimsy I have to agree with you, even though I love Scimitars. I had my one and only 5A and I found it claustrophobic and suited to people under the height of 4ft with baby feet. The 6s are a different and way better car...IMHO. My biggest disappointment though was the Capri 2.8 injection. Always fancied one and ended up buying one, when they were still reasonably cheap, and finding out that they were about looks over substance. Ok, it was quick but, dear God, you would have to be mental to even attempt any enthusiastic driving on any surface that wasnt pristine and bone dry. More than once I would have the back end trying to kiss the front end just going gently round a roundabout in the wet. Comfort? Well, I'm 6ft 1 and felt like I had to have my knees digging into my chin to find some degree of comfort, the gear stick was, like, 8ft tall or so it felt. Nostalgia aside, overrated cack. Those Ford marketing men conned a generation.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Feb 19, 2017 15:10:40 GMT
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I can remember having a bit of a play with a mk5 ST on a twisty road in my old Sierra years ago, to be fair the Sierra wasn't exactly standard, it had a tuned 2.8 V6 and Spax adjustable suspension but on paper I would have expected the ST to give the Sierra a good fight (or vice-versa!) but it didn't, I honestly thought the ST driver wasn't trying, I had to keep backing off so as not to whack the Fiesta in the a rse. No, he was probably giving it his all! They are incredibly underwhelming in every what way. I have since had many standard TDI modern commuter things which have run circles around the ST. I actually had a modified tdi caddy van that embarrassed a modified ST a few years ago. They suck. I was, er, enthusiastically driving to Norwich once in my MK2 Scirocco Scala and an ST was trying to overtake. Though I was timing roundabouts and using the road properly to overtake on roundabout approaches and being creative and clever, he seemed to rely on just forcing his way through and driving like an curse word but couldnt get close to me. I dod wonder at the time that he should have flown past me. My Scala was 125bhp per ton, an ST is more like 160 per ton. Guess power aint everything!
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OUTRUN
Part of things
13...
Posts: 620
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Feb 19, 2017 15:25:41 GMT
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A mk2 MR2 a mate gave me a go in his I thought it was slow compared to my Capri and just dull and lacking in feel You need to drive a turbo. I have one and have also had a Rev 5 GTi (174BHP) N/A thing as a parts car. It was OK, but it was missing speed. The thing I love about mine is they are properly quick cars, launch and grip like nothing else and they always keep you on your toes. You can't go faster for less, IMO. I don't think I could live with an N/A. How old was your mates? Some Rev 1 variants came with about 120BHP.
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I need your help to get back to the year 1985.
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ian65
Part of things
Posts: 276
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Feb 19, 2017 15:27:49 GMT
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not the worst car I've ever driven but the one I was the most disappointed in.... Back in 2007 I almost bought this primrose yellow V12 etype... I'd lusted after an etype all my life and this one came up locally for 12 grand. I took it for a test drive and it just felt horrible... the engine didn't seem to suit the car, too smooth and laid back for a sport car... the automatic slushbox also detracted from the driving experience and the driving position was really strange, low down behind an enormous vertical dash. I walked away from it and then saw it for sale in a classic car magazine 6 months later for £18,000 at a dealers in Yorkshire.... it's probably worth 40K+ these days. Still, money aside, I'd rather drive around in my GTI, much more fun.
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Last Edit: Feb 19, 2017 15:31:23 GMT by ian65
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Feb 19, 2017 15:40:49 GMT
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Mercedes W124 500E. It has a hard suspension that suggests a sporty car. It has a quad-cam V8 that promises a sporty drive. It has a 4 speed slushbox that makes it a tourer. It's short final gear opposes any tourer qualities. Those opposing promises make it a totaly spoiled car that can't define what it was meant to be. With a manual gearbox, this would be great! But the automatic with the short diff kills it. It realy does. It doesn't even feel fast, despite having 326HP. A terrible car throughout. Way overrated & priced. I like W124s, but I'd never buy a 500... A terribly confused car.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Feb 19, 2017 16:23:21 GMT
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Mercedes W124 500E. It has a hard suspension that suggests a sporty car. It has a quad-cam V8 that promises a sporty drive. It has a 4 speed slushbox that makes it a tourer. It's short final gear opposes any tourer qualities. Those opposing promises make it a totaly spoiled car that can't define what it was meant to be. With a manual gearbox, this would be great! But the automatic with the short diff kills it. It realy does. It doesn't even feel fast, despite having 326HP. A terrible car throughout. Way overrated & priced. I like W124s, but I'd never buy a 500... A terribly confused car. Good donor though!
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Feb 19, 2017 16:38:35 GMT
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I once drove a 1993 lotus esprit and to be honest I struggled to find anything good about it. Poor build quality, narrow foot wells, pedals were too close together and very heavy, the gear changes took a lot of effort and felt like my shoulder was going to pop out.
More recently I drove a Ferrari 512bb, oh my it was awful. Poor visibility, weird steering wheel angle, offset pedals and dogleg 1st, very heavy pedals and steering. But strangely I couldn't hate it.
Last be not least (and this could ruffle a few feathers) BMW e46 M3 CSL. Great car ruined by that awful SMG gearbox! If it had a proper manual it would be prefect.
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glen62
Part of things
Posts: 100
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Feb 19, 2017 17:42:15 GMT
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Another controversial choice to some people Fiesta XR2 mk2 it just didnt seem quick enough to me,I expected it to accelerate faster than it did However I was driving a Alfa Romeo at the time
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I've only ever driven one or two over short distances, but I used to have regular run ins with an Escort III RS Turbo on my 10 mile country B road commute to work. My steed at the time was a near stock Triumph GT6 MkII. Despite the years and disparities between the cars, we both were going for it - always! But the simple fact was, whoever was in front at the start, finished in front, I couldn't shake him off when I was in front, but he couldn't get past me either, despite something like 50% more power. And vice versa. And I think HE was a bit disappointed! Though I never spoke to him or knew his name we shared these 10 minute adrenaline trips 2 or 3 times a week for 6 months till i got a job in a different direction.
Steve
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dazcapri
North East
Enter your message here...
Posts: 1,056
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A mk2 MR2 a mate gave me a go in his I thought it was slow compared to my Capri and just dull and lacking in feel You need to drive a turbo. I have one and have also had a Rev 5 GTi (174BHP) N/A thing as a parts car. It was OK, but it was missing speed. The thing I love about mine is they are properly quick cars, launch and grip like nothing else and they always keep you on your toes. You can't go faster for less, IMO. I don't think I could live with an N/A. How old was your mates? Some Rev 1 variants came with about 120BHP. I can't remember now mate but I wouldn't be surprised if it was only 120 bhp it was pretty gutless
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Mk3 Capri LS
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Feb 20, 2017 10:40:02 GMT
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Saxo VTS. Don't see what all the fuss was about. Bought one, was bored by it, sold it quite quickly.
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quadra
Part of things
Posts: 162
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Feb 20, 2017 16:25:55 GMT
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No, he was probably giving it his all! They are incredibly underwhelming in every what way. I have since had many standard TDI modern commuter things which have run circles around the ST. I actually had a modified tdi caddy van that embarrassed a modified ST a few years ago. They suck. I was, er, enthusiastically driving to Norwich once in my MK2 Scirocco Scala and an ST was trying to overtake. Though I was timing roundabouts and using the road properly to overtake on roundabout approaches and being creative and clever, he seemed to rely on just forcing his way through and driving like an curse word but couldnt get close to me. I dod wonder at the time that he should have flown past me. My Scala was 125bhp per ton, an ST is more like 160 per ton. Guess power aint everything! Surprisingly a Fiesta ST weighs 1137 kgs and has 148bhp, so a power to weight of 130bhp per tonne, which might explain why he couldn't overtake. Still not the best hot hatch of its era, but fairly cheap second hand now.
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tenman
Part of things
m00000000000
Posts: 899
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Feb 20, 2017 16:56:02 GMT
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Another controversial choice to some people Fiesta XR2 mk2 it just didnt seem quick enough to me,I expected it to accelerate faster than it did However I was driving a Alfa Romeo at the time lol, what Alfa?, I've owned both an XR2 and an AlfaSud TI... the Alfa felt a wee bit quicker I guess, I did quite like the XR2 though, not as good as an R5GTT or a pug 205, vastly better than a MKII Golf though, and I preferred it over the Astra GTE even if that was a bit quicker in a straight line... Chances are the extra choke that opens when you put the pedal right to the floor had gummed up, common on XR2's and certainly made em feel a bit slower when you put your foot right down.
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Last Edit: Feb 20, 2017 16:56:56 GMT by tenman
RWD Fanatic...
2003 BMW 320d Wagon (getting old and boring) 1996 Mini Kensington (SWMBO's)
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