OT fun discussion: What other cars have you driven that make you happy?

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Apr 21, 2022 | 03:51 PM
  #1  
Anyone ever driven a Lotus Evora GT? Manual transmission and super great, apparently.

2021 Lotus Evora GT Review: Farewell to the Perfectly Imperfect Sports Car The Lotus Evora’s days are numbered. We send off the Evora GT, one of the finest Evora models built. https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/42...ect-sports-car

I'm the guy that had the 2016 lemon that led to a 2019 "free" "duplicate" build from the factory, spec'd identically (went from first manual model year to last manual model year). HQ did a stellar job curing my situation, which sucked. But I sub to Keith Martin's Sports Car Market, and it's making me itch to build out more of a collection, which feels like the start of a problem. But so is the ease of hitting a button on Cars and Bids or Bring a Trailer.

I even want some weird cars, like an UniMog. Other than our car, I've only a single owner (me) 1995 restored engine Jeep Wrangler, and a 2011 Mini Cooper which is fun enough.

So like the Lotus review... what previously owned or driven cars can you not get out of your mind?
Reply 1
Apr 21, 2022 | 06:54 PM
  #2  
lots, all of these were fun....Lambos, Ferraris, Z06 Corvettes and a Nisson GT-R (maybe my favorite).
Reply 1
Apr 21, 2022 | 07:55 PM
  #3  
The F type is my 29th vehicle. I've had some decent stuff, but the 2 standouts are a 78 240D, and a 69 Datsun 1600 roadster. I can't really say why. It's just the "feel" those cars had.
Reply 1
Apr 21, 2022 | 10:28 PM
  #4  
Yes, though I might be biased since I designed and built it... Will be selling it to help fund the F-Type though! Mixed feelings, as it's got twice the power-to-weight of the R, hah.

Reply 2
Apr 22, 2022 | 12:13 AM
  #5  
My favorite to date has to be my 2013 BMW 335is. Best handling and most engaging car that I've owned so far. I don't currently have an F Type but am starting to look at some though I don't know if it will rival the last good 3-series (in my opinion). The N54 was a beast of an engine as well and the DCT was a lot of fun.


Reply 2
Apr 22, 2022 | 01:44 AM
  #6  
My '70 240Z, '84 300z turbo, '12 Slk55 AMG, of course my Jag, my wife's Maser Ghibli S, my son in laws Testa Rosa ( while dating my daughter), my daughter's Bentley V12 vert. Also lesser Z cars and a couple of SL's.
Reply 1
Apr 22, 2022 | 03:59 AM
  #7  



We're in the market for a Cayman S to add to the fleet.
Reply 2
Apr 22, 2022 | 06:58 AM
  #8  
My Grandad's '67 Pontiac GTO 400/360 4-speed, positraction, no A/C, no power steering, no power brakes. Total torque monster and would love to have one of my own (hint hint) if anyone sees one for sale at a reasonable price.
His is already promised to another.
Reply 1
Apr 22, 2022 | 07:04 AM
  #9  

elise s1 k20 sc

Reply 4
Apr 22, 2022 | 09:04 AM
  #10  
Not had a huge car history, but there are 2 cars I do genuinely miss. My old Peugeot 106 GTi and the Alfa 156 I bought with my father. The 106 was a 'pocket rocket' that was perfect for UK 'back roads' - small, nimble, light (~2000lb in your language!) and just enough power to have fun but not enough to ever really get into stupid amounts of trouble. It's a car that made me breathless with every drive, turning every drive into an experience, raising my pulse through every lift-off-oversteer induced four-wheel drift through a corner. It's a car that made me glad to be alive and if I had the space, I'd buy a mint condition one again in a heartbeat.

EDIT: I would attach a photo, but I only ever took one of it, just before selling, and I have no idea where it is (yes, it's a proper photo. In colour!)
Reply 1
Apr 22, 2022 | 10:11 AM
  #11  
My modified (by me) '08 Subaru Imprezia STi daily driver is a blast to drive (especially sideways in the snow). More nimble than my F-type R but many notches lower on the refinement scale.

I must admit I never used to think I would ever get rid of it but I'm starting to get tired of the exhaust. I suppose I could replace the exhaust with OEM, but I suspect that I'll eventually replace the STi by a practical EV for getting around the city, leaving the Jag as my 'fun' car.
Reply 1
Apr 22, 2022 | 03:13 PM
  #12  
Quote:


We're in the market for a Cayman S to add to the fleet.
A TR8! No kidding. I remember when those came out. I think Road and Track called it a "Corvette killer". Cool.
Reply 1
Apr 22, 2022 | 05:48 PM
  #13  
Back in my youth I owned a Triumph Spitfire. It made me happy till it didn’t. A 2013 Miata was much fun, but not much power. Enough, but still not much. Then there was my 2015 Infiniti Q70L 5.6l V-8 that was such a sleeper. The look was refined limo-like car that was wicked fast.

Now the happiest of all is at the wheel of my current F-Type.
Reply 1
Apr 22, 2022 | 06:54 PM
  #14  
'69 Dodge Super Bee. First and last muscle car. Had it for about 3 months before I crashed it. '87 Mazda RX7 Turbo II. My first brand new car.
Reply 3
Apr 22, 2022 | 07:36 PM
  #15  
There seems to be a sort of trend towards the older cars…mine was the 1975 BMW 2002. Such a fun car to drive, small motor, light weight, no power steering, etc. and once I put Panasport race wheels that weighed 15lbs compared to the BBS’ at 23lbs, totally transformed the car. This is the car I regret selling.
Reply 1
Apr 22, 2022 | 08:46 PM
  #16  
I had a few great drives before the Jag Ftype, but I will only list 2 of my many favorites.

The 94 RX7 I had was pure raw sports car, and crazy fast with mods I had a 3.5 sec 0-60.

The 2016 Shelby GT350 that I had until 2020. This was a mean super car, but over steer was crazy, even with the sport mode turned on. Cornering you had to hold on tight.

My base F-Type in dynamic mode is more fun than both. Once I get the mods on the 2016 Jag (had it 3 weeks), it will come close enough in HP to the GT350, but be as nimble as the RX7, I think.

Jim
Reply 1
Apr 22, 2022 | 09:44 PM
  #17  
I've had a number of cars over 53 years of driving. Unquestionably the best one has and still is my 2010 5.0L XKR. The car I drive on Sunday canyon drives is my 1972 De Tomaso Pantera. I've owned it about 24+ years, but for about 18 years I just didn't drive it because of too many problems...overheating, breakdowns, terrible carburetor issues, impossible to start, numerous problems too many to list. About 7 years ago after realizing from the ownership of my XKR that you didn't have to sacrifice everything or subject yourself to misery to drive a very quick car ( XKR is pulleyed and tuned to about 600hp), I made the decision to make the Pantera a drivable car. It spent 4 years being modified and restored including replacing the engine with a modified 500hp. one, C4 Corvette seats that were sculpted and covered in diamond stitched leather to provide more support, more comfort, and more luxury. For the last 3 years, I have finally been enjoying driving her on a weekly basis, and the thrill at any speed comes as a result of being so low to the ground, having a resounding roar explode from just behind your head, and rowing through a gated, very mechanical 5 speed shifter. My other interesting cars include my favorite car design of all time the 1968 Pontiac GTO which I don't drive because it feels like a Cadillac hearse. Though it's been restored and looks beautiful it is going to have to have a full suspension makeover for me to drive it. Finally, in 1978 I got a beautiful Datsun 280Z which I still own. I don't drive it any longer because it feels like an old car, much older than the Pantera. Some time this year it will start undergoing a restoration during which I will address the issues I don't like about it including either boosting the power output of the original straight 6 or doing the Chevy small block swap, a common modification. I will also replace the entire cheap plastic interior with a custom one like in the Pantera.


Reply 2
Apr 23, 2022 | 08:44 AM
  #18  
I have owned many cars over the years but most memorable would be my 78 Trans Am and my 87 Grand National. I had a 1976 Triumph TR7 for my first car but it just never ran right. I loved the car since not many people had seen one and it was my first car but it would always overheat and I would stop a handful of times on the way home from school to cool off enough to drive further.
Reply 1
Apr 23, 2022 | 08:50 AM
  #19  
Quote: I have owned many cars over the years but most memorable would be my 78 Trans Am and my 87 Grand National. I had a 1976 Triumph TR7 for my first car but it just never ran right. I loved the car since not many people had seen one and it was my first car but it would always overheat and I would stop a handful of times on the way home from school to cool off enough to drive further.
My best friend had a TR7 he bought new. Had to have the heads replaced twice and the whole engine once because of overheating and coolant leak issues so you were not alone.
Reply 1
Apr 23, 2022 | 09:18 AM
  #20  
Quote: My best friend had a TR7 he bought new. Had to have the heads replaced twice and the whole engine once because of overheating and coolant leak issues so you were not alone.
I was 16 and before I started tearing into motors and cars myself but do recall the heads continually essentially having to be replaced. It was cheap to buy ($1200) but just never ran. It was also a stick so my dad tried to teach me and we simply just didn't see eye to eye and I would get mad with his help. He threw the keys at me and said figure it out yourself. That was actually a great way for me to learn. I could either hop and kill the car every 10 feet or quickly learn how to shift properly.
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