What Cars do people own?

I have an interest in cars. I just don't own any "particular" cars at this time.

Wheels at the mo: very stylie 1989 Nissan Sentra 1.4 5 door hatch. 40-odd MPG, great fun in the wet on hankooks (it really does grip), almost zero depreciation. Bought it immac with under 80km on the clock - it now really could use a wash.

I guess I'm listening to what could have been my Subaru Legacy GTb wagon (200kW).

Fun cars I've owned in the past? VW GTi 16v 1988, BMW 325i T 1989, Datsun Sunny Wagon 1981, Mitsi Sigma Wagon 1982. You'll note the contrast in seriousness of these vehicles - though sometimes it's great fun to drive a mechanically excellent beater.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

currently:
BMW 323Ci Convertible (W reg)

previously:
BMW 323i Tourer (p reg)
318i saloon (m reg)

next:
M3 coupe
Porsche Boxster

courtesy of a very good company car scheme!

ps. i've raced a scooby impreza turbo around knockhil and have known do a spot of karting - anyone up for a race?

Porsche 944 2.7 Lux. Presently lusting after 928 S4's - feel the need for V8 throb, if not the big fuel bills. Sanity will probably prevail and I'll land a black 968 sport instead :-)

Previously:
BMW 525iSE
Volvo 480 Turbo (shed)
MGB GT ('74 chrome bumper jobby - happy days..)

Dev, yes definitely up for a spot of karting. Been a few times myself. Buckmore Park is a damn fine circuit - 1.2km outdoor jobby and 75mph karts!

Steve

In the London days:
Renault 5 GT Turbo (Fast, fun but fragile - The only time i've managed opposite lock in a FWD'er on the Queen's highway)
VW Golf GTi 8v (Sensible and solid)

Since moving to Canada:
Honda Civic Si (Revved to 8,000rpm. body panels so thin they'd dent when you looked at them)
Mazda MX5 Miata (Fantastic handling, like driving a go-cart. How to make 60mph feel like 100mph Needed another 40bhp to make things really interesting)
BMW 325i 1993 model (I can see why people buy BMWs - The almost perfect combination of virtues. The only car i've kept for more than 2 years)

Future:
Honda Odyssey for the wife (and new kid). Automatic only =8(
Subaru WRX for me (The wagon so as to maintain some semblance of practicality)

I don't own a car per se



yee haw!

*But seriously, I need the stump pulling capabilites. How else do I get a pair of Neat Ultimatums amd NAP500s home?

[This message was edited by Mike Sae on THURSDAY 13 June 2002 at 05:46.]

previous cars in reverse order...

None.

Tony.

Current car:

Rusty BMW 320i D reg.

Previous car:

Peugeot 205 diesel which I bought new and kept for 16 years and did 398,000+ miles in it. Sold it to a scrap dealer for £20.

Previous cars:

Too boring to mention.

I did once own a Kawasaki 900 Z1. - that was definitely not boring.

Steve B

Current car: 1992 Saab 900S. Great handling, desperately needs the turbo, which I unfortunately don't have, but fun anyway. GREAT in the snow.

Previous: 1999 VW Passat. Good car, got rid of it to help with tuition.

Best,

Bob

Currently: VW Golf GTi 1.8T, fitted with Nakamichi head unit, and Vauxhall Corsa Sport modified with tree sap.
Tony

Current ALfa 147 Selespeed.

Previous 'higlights', other Alfa's, MGBGT and Triumph Stag. I seem to like taking a risk on reliability.

Planning a self-build Caterham over the winter.

Bruce

Now have a Renault 19 GTX.

In the past(in random order):
Volvo 240
Fiat Uno
Citroen 2cv Special
Volvo 360
Alfa 155

Want to have a Maserati 3500GT (far too expensive with two kids running around).

Rob.

Have a (New style) Mini Cooper with uprated suspension and big alloys.

Previously had an MX-5 California and Tahra had a Clio. Decided to trade both in for a kind of compromise - the Cooper is as handy as the Clio for lugging loads (i.e. somewhat) and pretty quick around town (especially around roundabouts whereby it is still the king!) and I treated myself to a classic car club membership, so have access to (amongst others - there are more):

Mitsubishi Evo 6 (330bhp modified, IIRC)
Honda S2000 (this is a beaut!) (250bhp)
Ferrari 308GTB (250bhp)
Original Jag E-Type (a cracker!) (???)
Porsche 911 (LHD) (250bhp, not sure)
Caterham 7 (135bhp)
Lotus Esprit (non Turbo, non-bewinged version) (??)
Mark II Jag (??)
Triumph TR8 (v8 version of TR7) (??)
Ancient Ford Mustang (humungous torque, 12mpgish)
...etc.

Next up is a Bentley Turbo R (IIRC) and a Lotus Elise mkI.

It costs £2000 per year for which you get around 45 days' driving (+/- 10 days, depending on what you take out and when you take it) - this figure includes insurance and obviously you don't have the depreciation, garaging or servicing costs to worry about either. Recommended.

I was a fool and did 126mph in the S2000 on a very empty stretch of the M9 last week... 'twas exhilarating, but as the road was clear......

Personally, the plan for my own next car (funds permitting) will be either the S2000 or a TVR Tuscan S (if my entrepreneurial activities pay off as they might). I've always fancied owning a TVR and I love the big Tuscan. A 911 would be an outside choice, depending on which one and how much...

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."

I've owned a varied bunch of cars during my life. Although many of them were junkers, they were still fun to drive. Of course, the first priority for any of them was to get a music system in there.

In reverse order:

• 1997 Chevy Malibu
  
• (Five Years without a Car)
  
• 1988 Ford Tempo
  
• 1984 Peugot 505STI
  
• 1972 Datsun 510
  
• 1969 Chevy Chevelle (not hot-rodded)
  
• 1972 Dodge Monaco
  
• 1964 (British) Ford Cortina
  

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

quote:

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Originally posted by Top Cat:

I was a fool and did 126mph in the S2000 on a very empty stretch of the M9 last week... 'twas exhilarating, but as the road was clear......

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Just 126mph - you must be easily "exhilarated" then! How did you cope with all the traffic zipping past, as the M9 is standard speed test territory.

quote:

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Personally, the plan for my own next car (funds permitting) will be either the S2000 or a TVR Tuscan S (if my entrepreneurial activities pay off as they might). I've always fancied owning a TVR and I love the big Tuscan.

---

Remember to leave cash for the puffy jacket and baseball cap (worn backwords of course). Oh, and trust me - this time you really will want an extended warranty...

One of my consultants had one of them and it did spend more time in the garage getting fixed than it did on the road. When it was running it was quite quick though, for a car...

Regards
Steve

1988 Golf 1.3
1997 Pilbeam MP82

Paul

quote:

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Originally posted by johno:
It says in 2-3 peoples ids that they have an interest in cars too... Just wondering what people had and if any were of interest...

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We've got a Honda Aerodeck and a Fiat Ulysses people carrier. I like cars but these days I get my performance kicks on motorbikes (of which we have 6 currently).

I'd like a 968, Caterham or Impreza turbo but the cars that really interest me are ones that are quick without looking it. Ferraris etc. might be ok for posing outside or cruising on the motorway but they're too obvious, you can't park them anywhere and they're too wide for fun on the roads I enjoy (e.g. twisty, unpoliced B and C roads).

I've had lots of cars in the past but most have been practical rather than performant:

Mini 1000 - great fun
Skoda Estelle (I was a student at the time - it cost me £125 at the market and was in great condition, I ran it for a year and then gave it away! It was even quite quick - At the weekends I worked in a garage that rallied Skodas and I got a few cast off bits!).
Austin Maestro 1.3HLE - a really crap car but still much better than the Mk2 Escorts my mates owned
Citroen BX1.9TRS Estate - my Dad's old company car sold to me at £3000 less than it was worth. I did 100,000 miles in it and sold it for £200 less than I paid for it. A lovely car.
Fiat Panda - my wife's runabout. Rusty but fun
Fiat Uno 1.0 - the only brand new car I've ever bought.
Peugot 205 GTi 1.6 - company car. Indicated 136mph on the rev limiter in top gear.
Honda Civic VTi 4-door - another company car. Just fantastic when you're 23 and someone else is paying the insurance and tyre bills.
Vauxhall Carlton CDXi Auto - very sedate but very relaxing to drive, my wife loved it.
Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8LS - a hack while I was living in Europe. Did big miles without any trouble but it was boring although I could do Brussels to Munich (I had houses in both) in under 5 hours.
Honda Accord Aerodeck - I've still got it, 8 years on!
Ford Mondeo 2.5 V6 Auto - my wifes car. Nice to drive but the build quality was awful. All 3 catalytic convertors melted after an extended run at 145mph on the continent.
Audi A4 1.6 Auto - nice little city car.
Fiat Ulysses 2.0ES - good workhorse, the kids love it, iffy build.

The Aerodeck I'll probably keep for a while despite the servicing bills probably being more than the car is worth. Fiona's Ulysses will probably be replaced by another people carrier soon - probably a Ford/VW/Seat with either the V6 or 1.8 turbo engines.

Regards
Steve

Currently I am the owner of 2 cars, an Audi TT coupe (225bhp) and a Fiat Punto 55S. My only previous car was a Volkswagen Polo that I owned from 1991 to 1999.
John

Chaps

I sold the Jag early in the year and have been without ever since.

I bought my wife a Honda Civic through a good contact at the factory and I use offical cars for any business travel.

I have plonked my personalised number plate on my sons Ford XR2i until I have decided what I want.

I will probably settle for a "toy" car which will be used just for fun. I will more than likely go for a soft top such as an E type, Morgan or Mercedes 450SL or something similar which is fun to drive and holds its value.

I have been threatened with divorce if I ever buy a Motorcycle and seeing as I cannot even boil an egg, I shall stick with Mrs Mick.

Regards

Mick

Currently...

Saxo VTS - FUN!!! Its basically a 106 GTi with a Citroen badge (and a smaller price tag!) and looks like a normal Saxo until it leaves you standing at the lights. Great for hacking across country but I get bullied on motorways by the (slower) repmobiles who seem to be insulted that a small (therefore slower) car is in front of them!

Mondeo Zetec - dull and boring but large enough for the family (I refused to get a people carrier).

Previous cars include ...

Civic 1.8 VTi - company car - revved up to 8500 rpm BEFORE redlining! It could do nearly 90mph in second (allegedly).

Fiesta XR2 - fun to drive, if basic inside and lacking straight line speed.

First car ...

Cortina - only memorable thing being the number plate... NOB xxx X

...wheels to date have been:

1 old-style Saab 900 - brisk rather than fast, and incredibly satisfying. Paid only £100 for it, seems nobody wants them!

Mini 1000 - Outrageous fun with an upgraded power supply. 80+hp through a very low-geared final drive (<16mph per 1000 rpm in top gear) meant it was all out at 105, but got there veryquickly. Following the mods I put 25,000 miles on it in 12 months; everything else I've driven since seems lardy and dull.

Meanwhile the old VW SuperBeetle trundles on - daft but engaging, it has outlasted the other two toys...

Currently:

BMW 320d
BMW C1

Previously:

BMW 320d
BMW C1

Landrover Freelander - Fun car, good handling for a 4x4, good in the snow, very good across a Tank test track.............

Rover 216 SE Cabrio - Yeah yeah yeah I know, but when the sun's shining it was a nice place to be.

Rover 214 16V - More enjoyable than people think. Great engine.....

Mini Cooper - Probably my favorite. Drove to Monaco in this car, really minimalist, nothing filterred out, connected, precise, fun, demanding, safe, dangerous. I'm 6ft 2ins and there was more room in this car than some others on the list.

Yamaha FZR1000 RU - Missile pretty, knee down, demanding, shocking, ballistic.

MG Metro - Good handling, limited grip, quick through town.

MG Metro Turbo - More grip, less body roll, looked pretty good.

Alfasud 1,5 Ti - Superb engine ( twin Webers), really great handling/narrow tyres, fantastic steering, great shape.

I am losing interest in modern cars and would prefer an E30 M3 or an Integrale. I no longer care so much about massive acceleration or top speed, I would prefer something that requires more driver input, less PAS/ABS/ASC/DSC/CBC/bs.....

Brian OReilly

Ah the joys of the car - it's noisy, polluting, dangerous, costly - but we love it.

My first car was a red 1959 mini (Austin 7) reg 976 MAE. I had this car when I was 17 & it cost me 25 quid. I 'upgraded' to a 1300 GT engine till the CV went molten. Such fond memories.

Then a Renault 4 I had till the rear wheel trailing arm rusted off on a motorway. Fun. I liked the 45 degree lean into corners. White.

Then a Fiat 500 I restored and was almost killed in by a Sunblest van in the ice a few days later. Had to be cut out. Red.

Then an Hillman Avenger GT. Pretty quick but lacking in charm. Gold.

Then a selection of mini estates to carry a Hammond Organ, Leslie, Fender Rhodes and Mini Moog in. Practical. Colours: Various.

Then a Fiat X1/9. very cheap, very rusty, till decided I loved these cars. Black.

Now, a 1988 Bertone X1/9. Lovely nick. This isthe most fun you can have without breaking the bank. It's cheap to run and handles fantastically. Practical too. The ones left are pretty rust free for 15 year old Fiats.




Regards

Stephen

One of the last proper Subaru Impreza Turbo's, imported from Holland in September 2000. Mildly but sympathetically 'enhanced' courtesy of Scoobysport. GREAT fun on A and B roads.

Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.5 V6 - the Tonka toy-like newer one which we use as the family/dog/ household trash lugger. 4-wheel drive 'down 'ere in the country' is pretty useful and the V6 has loads more grunt and proper 4 wheel drive chassis unlike the wimpy Freelanders and Rav's that the tourists drive.

Looking to order a new Cooper S shortly and toying with an Elise 111 but interested in TC's views on the Honda S2000, which I'd heard is a handful despite a great engine.

Also very intrigued by the prospect of Mick using 'official cars' Can't decide on whether this means an old Daimler limo complete with his mayorial chain of office and Union Jack or a bullet-proof Lincoln Continental. What's the low-down, Mick?

Cheers

Dave

My list of cars

Austin A35 - notable trips included Lincoln to Istanbul and back
and Harlow to Prague and back - highlight of the trip was the main leaf of one of the rear springs
breaking and the car sagging a bit.

Hillman Imp - notable trip Harlow to Zadar and back, the following year the car gave up at Heidelberg

Wolsely 1100 - lots of walnut veneer

Saab 96 v4 - had a free wheel, taught one to not drive up close and how to anticipate braking.
Saab 99 basic model - did well
Saab 900 classic cooking model
Saab 900 Turbo, 4 of them, one after another over 10 years
Saab 900s classic - first company banger - eventually bought it from the leasing company and kept it for a further 10 years as a second car
Saab 900 Turbo - included air con - last company banger
Saab 900 turbo GM style -back in the privately owned sector - still have it
Saab 9-5 estate

Plus a myriad of rented cars especially in the US

Most notable trips have been done in rented vehicles in the last 15 years or so.


Derek

No did not work for Saab - the makers do claim a high rate of owner retention though