What cars should everyone drive at least once. And why ?

[bobins]

Reading of Jim's appreciation of the original Mini on his blog, prompts the question from me : What cars should everyone drive at least once in their life before they give up driving, and why ? Old and new, and good and bad car nominations welcome.

I think the (original) Mini is a worthy contender for various reasons. It's a true British icon, it was quite groundbreaking in its day, it was an 'everyman's' car, an engineering marvel, fun to drive, etc, etc.

I'd also nominate any 'series' Land Rover (1, 2, 2A, 3). Another British icon that spread to the four corners of the world. Driving one is about as basic as it gets - bu88er all driving aids, noisy, rattly, and you need to be in control all the time What's not to like ?

Any takers ?

[mickthemaverick]

If there is any car that anyone who considers themselves a bit of a driver should drive it has to be this:

BFTW

The Lancia Delta Integrale opens up a whole new world of excitement, enjoyment and straight forward terror!!

I was lucky enough to be asked to drive one on a rally when the intended driver fell ill and needless to say I didn't need asking twice!!

All I can say is that the experience for me is indescribable, go try it!

Obviously owning one has always been way beyond my budget but I did go out and aquire the considerably tamer, but nonetheless fun, version:

Lancia HF Turbo, my car

Happy days!!

[bobins]

An interesting choice, Mick, and not one of the likely suspects I don't think I've ever been in a Lancia, let alone a Delta. I always used to lust after the Stratoses ( Stratii ? ), and used to admire the replicas I'd see at the kit car shows. Cramped, and naff all rearward visibility, but still gorgeous

The Lancia Delta Integrale opens up a whole new world of excitement, enjoyment and straight forward terror!!

Happy days!!

The nearest I've come to that was driving a Soviet BMP tank..... and there the similarities end

[Paul-R]

Also a Lancia and also a rally car - the Lancia Stratos.





I remember driving down the M1, whilst following the RAC Rally around the country, to be overtaken by a Lancia Stratos missing its entire back end superstructure. Then, about 20 minutes later, a Ford Granada service barge passed us, also at great speed, with a complete Stratos back end body strapped to its roof. The driver of the Stratos was Björn Waldegård and I believe the incident caused a bit of a problem for the rally officials later on.

Marvellous times.

[CitroJim]

I'd love to drive this:

Another Paggers Vintage Event Exhibit...

I'm thinking it would be absolutely perfect for running errands in and around Milton Keynes...

Shame it's not got ISOFIX fittings for child seats Otherwise I'd be tempted

[mickthemaverick]

Given your abhorrence of videos Jim I would urge you to watch this one. It has no sound and subtitles in Finnish so nothing to get bothered about!! However if ever there was a perfect vehicle for you to do your local errands in, it has to be this one!!!

[Paul-R]

I'd love to drive this:



I'm thinking it would be absolutely perfect for running errands in and around Milton Keynes...

Shame it's not got ISOFIX fittings for child seats Otherwise I'd be tempted

Is it an automatic gearbox?

[CitroJim]

Given your abhorrence of videos Jim I would urge you to watch this one. It has no sound and subtitles in Finnish so nothing to get bothered about!! However if ever there was a perfect vehicle for you to do your local errands in, it has to be this one!!!

I did Mick Love that Run errands and keep fit at the same time Perfect!

Is it an automatic gearbox?

If it is I can see it being good for zooming around Hertford too

[Gibbo2286]

I can't ID that one but if it's the same layout as the one I had a drive of at an 'experience' day it will have a Wilson pre-select box, set the lever to the next gear you want then it changes automatically when you press the clutch. Takes a lot of getting used to, you also sit under the steering wheel which faces down into your lap.

[mickthemaverick]

I remember having a drive of my mate's Daimler Lanchester, Reg DRV 1, with a 3 speed pre-select gearbox and found it pretty good once I'd got used to the idea of selecting a gear, clutch in and out then select next gear and wait till you need it!! I can't remember what happened if you changed your mind and needed reverse!!

[CitroJim]

Indeed, the only car I've driven with a preselector is a DS... I found it excellent and love the tiny little selector on top of the steering cowl that also acted as the starter...

[Stickyfinger]

Driven (I even patina painted) a friends Series Landi.........great old things with the roof off and the screen down/summer
Owned a Integrale EvoII.........ummm, high strung/4wd/short wheel base.....skittish !, never felt "safe" in it, maybe that was the fun of it
Driven a Ferret.....it is a Wilson pre-selector gearbox btw.....NOT easy to fit if you are over 5ft 5inch, it can remove knee caps over bumps if you are long legged

A big Healey 3000 with permission to go at full chat in the Italian Alps would be my recommendation....(permission from myself helped )

[Rp0thejester]

You should all drive a C8. Just to see what big Citroen's/ french cars are like. No hydraulic suspension but space and comfort is almost guaranteed. Soft but hard suspension, rolls ever so slightly in corners but comfort for driver and passengers is second to none.

[CitroJim]

Soft but hard suspension, rolls ever so slightly in corners but comfort for driver and passengers is second to none.

I know exactly what you mean Ryan. It's always been how hydraulic suspension has been described although good tin-spring design can achieve similar. It's good to now the C8 has achieved that. I always felt my old Pug 405s had that quality with excellent ride, handling and comfort.

If your C8 is like my C3 Picasso and every other people-carrier I've driven, the suspension is good for 'normal' driving but is not so good when trying to drive them like a sports car but in fairness, that's not what the cars are intended to be.