I have been thinking about this one I don't think there has really been ONE that made a massive difference as I gained experience. I have memories of learning in a VW 1303S Beetle but mostly thinking "When will this thing actually respond to the helm?".
A Dolomite Sprint was the first car that was really mine and I remember thinking, it can't possibly go wrong again, a lot. But not really memorable.
I did get to use the bosses BMW 320/6 E21 first generation and learning what snap oversteer was, funny considering I was driving a Dorofright Sprint at the time. That made more of an impression due to the quality, matching weights of all the controls and comfort. And snap oversteer.
Golf 2 16v, nice but
Golf 4 VR6, the first gen. I remember driving half way up the M40 then realising there was a 6th gear as the engine was so smooth but still a bit blah.
Phaeton V10TDi, wow so this is what luxury feels like, it was amazing but as James May would say, it did not make my fuzzy bits fizz.
Pork 968CS (twice) This was a subtle one but it really did get you engaged. Once you had got over the seat bolster and into it. Close to lighting the candle. Yet it still had that Porsche a-bit-too-subtle thing.
Probably the most mind blowing one was the Skyline GTR33v. That really was intense and made me pay attention on every drive. You had to pay attention any time you came into contact with the accelerator. That left a big dent.
The good lady TOLD me to slow down (not often she was wrong) and I was no longer doing the mileage so the Aero S2 came along for us to have fun in and I remember the test drive vividly. I was laughing at how quick it was but how much fun it was even at lower speeds. I still have it now. I was meant to sell it when we bought the Aero Coupe but Maria seemingly never pushed me to get on with it.
The Coupe - thats the clear winner. As well as being a blast to drive it is also the way people treat you. You can have any spot you like sir, park anywhere. Miles and miles of smiles. Transformational. People like the Series 2 but people just love the Coupe.
The daily then became a CL600 Coupe with the big turbo V12. That did make an impression. A massively under-rated vehicle in the UK I think. I went AMG after that and they are pretty memorable for dailies as long as you don't have an issue with the gross consumption of petrol. Oh, and tyres.
I would add, which were the worst? A good few of them.
The Unipart Express (Horomite Sprint) as it became known. Introduced me to buying Unipart offcuts as if it were an Olympic sport.
RS6 C7. The good lady bought me a number plate to go with it BIT EVIL (B17EVL) as she said it matched the car. Massive warranty problems and 15mpg even when I was not trying. Sold it in a year and wondered why people went mad for Audi RS cars.
Last edited by Alistair; 20/01/25 03:26 PM.
