Best Handling Cars You've Owned/Driven
01-31-2006, 11:37 PM
#46
Extensive list of driven aggressively. I am going to break it down into different catagories -
Best Handling - i.e. Fastest
1. Caterham Fireblade - Kawasaki ZX12-R Engine, Sequential tranny
2. Lotus Elise - USA version, lightened, R-comps
3. 996 GT3-RS - Stock race car, setup for short track
4. 1992 964 Euro cup car - several modifications
5. Lotus Europa race car
6. Mitsubishi EVO MR - Bone stock
7. Subaru STi - 06 model
Most Fun -
1. BMW E30 M3 - edginess, agressive, easy to drive fast
2. Acura RSX-S - Something about perfected FWD
3. Mitsubishi EVO MR - Nothings better than AWD that rotates itself (i.e. oversteer)
4. 1989 930 Targa G50 - HR Suspension, 951 brakes, 277whp...nuff' said
5. Lotus Elise - So tossable, so light, so fun
6. 944 Turbo - Nothings better than not knowing when boost will throw you sideways
7. 1993 Mazda RX-7 - The ultimate turbo/handling/power comprimise. Well driven not much can touch one...when they run.
The EVO MR is one of the best cars I have ever driven bar none. If you can get over the plain interior and dated exterior, its a wonderful car. As with all AWD it understeers a bit on turn in, but after apex as you gain throttle/boost it rotates itself perfectly where you want it to be. Its the ultimate 21st century boy racer...the E30 M3, 944 Turbo of 2000. STi is fun because of the power, but its heavy and being pushed on the track its a dog. Prevelant understeer just throws it all away for me. I have rode in a modified one (Sways, ECU, exhaust, etc) and it was a blast. Nothing bad to say about the 1992 964 Euro cup car, but its definantly an edgy car. Fun, fast, but takes a steady driver...never spun it myself but the owner has several times. The 89' Targa is about the same, but it is more neutral and easier to drive. Not as fast, but more fun overall. No power steering, power clutch, power nothing is also fun. 944 Turbo is a solid chassis, but not owning one, or having enough time to learn the boost characteristics didn't allow me to fully exhibit the cars full potential.
If you ever have one car to go for a ride in, make it a Caterham or Lotus Seven. Other than rocks getting thrown into me, its the most fun, most enjoyable car to drive. I, nor anyone I have been with has been able to reach the limits of the car. There is so much grip on R-comps that it scares me to push it. Put it this way, it was a couple seconds faster on the 1.7 mile track I was on than the 996 GT3-RS. Tires were barely to temp and never got to there full potential.
Wes
Best Handling - i.e. Fastest
1. Caterham Fireblade - Kawasaki ZX12-R Engine, Sequential tranny
2. Lotus Elise - USA version, lightened, R-comps
3. 996 GT3-RS - Stock race car, setup for short track
4. 1992 964 Euro cup car - several modifications
5. Lotus Europa race car
6. Mitsubishi EVO MR - Bone stock
7. Subaru STi - 06 model
Most Fun -
1. BMW E30 M3 - edginess, agressive, easy to drive fast
2. Acura RSX-S - Something about perfected FWD
3. Mitsubishi EVO MR - Nothings better than AWD that rotates itself (i.e. oversteer)
4. 1989 930 Targa G50 - HR Suspension, 951 brakes, 277whp...nuff' said
5. Lotus Elise - So tossable, so light, so fun
6. 944 Turbo - Nothings better than not knowing when boost will throw you sideways
7. 1993 Mazda RX-7 - The ultimate turbo/handling/power comprimise. Well driven not much can touch one...when they run.
The EVO MR is one of the best cars I have ever driven bar none. If you can get over the plain interior and dated exterior, its a wonderful car. As with all AWD it understeers a bit on turn in, but after apex as you gain throttle/boost it rotates itself perfectly where you want it to be. Its the ultimate 21st century boy racer...the E30 M3, 944 Turbo of 2000. STi is fun because of the power, but its heavy and being pushed on the track its a dog. Prevelant understeer just throws it all away for me. I have rode in a modified one (Sways, ECU, exhaust, etc) and it was a blast. Nothing bad to say about the 1992 964 Euro cup car, but its definantly an edgy car. Fun, fast, but takes a steady driver...never spun it myself but the owner has several times. The 89' Targa is about the same, but it is more neutral and easier to drive. Not as fast, but more fun overall. No power steering, power clutch, power nothing is also fun. 944 Turbo is a solid chassis, but not owning one, or having enough time to learn the boost characteristics didn't allow me to fully exhibit the cars full potential.
If you ever have one car to go for a ride in, make it a Caterham or Lotus Seven. Other than rocks getting thrown into me, its the most fun, most enjoyable car to drive. I, nor anyone I have been with has been able to reach the limits of the car. There is so much grip on R-comps that it scares me to push it. Put it this way, it was a couple seconds faster on the 1.7 mile track I was on than the 996 GT3-RS. Tires were barely to temp and never got to there full potential.
Wes
02-01-2006, 04:52 AM
#47
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For cars I've driven, by far the best was a very heavily modified MkI Lotus Exige race/track car. Balance was perfect, car is very light and the downforce allowed it to brake and corner unlike anything else I've ever driven. With just the Yokohama A048s, no exactly very sticky tires, through the corners it could keep up with GT3 Cup Cars on race tires. ...if only it had more power. I've ridden in GT3 Cup Cars and they are also pretty amazing...very well-behaved race cars. Also rode in a MkII Exige and it was also great, though it was a stock Lotus cup version (basically stock, but with LSD, adjustable Ohlin dampers and built-in roll cage) and not as modified as the MkI, so consequently not quite as fast or responsive.
After that, I'd say it is a tie between a similarly modified MkI Elise (light and well-balanced, though I drove it at the same time as the Exige so although it was amazing, without the downforce it couldn't compare to the truly astonishing Exige) and my 993 race car (heavy but still like a large go-kart). After that would the Boxster I used to have that had some suspension mods and was well set-up for track and autocross...not as light as the Elise and Exige, and definitely lacking downforce in high speed corners and really suffering for lack of LSD, but well-balanced and amazing for autocrossing in its ability to change directions quickly.
After that, I'd say it is a tie between a similarly modified MkI Elise (light and well-balanced, though I drove it at the same time as the Exige so although it was amazing, without the downforce it couldn't compare to the truly astonishing Exige) and my 993 race car (heavy but still like a large go-kart). After that would the Boxster I used to have that had some suspension mods and was well set-up for track and autocross...not as light as the Elise and Exige, and definitely lacking downforce in high speed corners and really suffering for lack of LSD, but well-balanced and amazing for autocrossing in its ability to change directions quickly.
02-01-2006, 06:37 AM
#48
Drifting
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My new GT3. But I thoroughly enjoyed my 964 when I had it.
The GT3 is 3 times more expensive, but I'm not sure it has 3 times the performance....But there is something sublime about owning a GT3 than you can't measure in HP, ft-lbs or with a stopwatch.
The GT3 is 3 times more expensive, but I'm not sure it has 3 times the performance....But there is something sublime about owning a GT3 than you can't measure in HP, ft-lbs or with a stopwatch.
03-03-2006, 08:42 AM
#49
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Scooter92
Let the laughing begin, but my Miata (modified) was a close second to my 914 (modified).
03-03-2006, 11:36 AM
#52
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Hands down either of my Boxsters. I've driven my brother's Cayman S, but never in anger enough to verify that it's better than the Boxster. ..although I'm sure it is.
...so I guess my answer is Cayman S...
...so I guess my answer is Cayman S...
03-03-2006, 12:16 PM
#53
Professor of Pending Projects
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Originally Posted by Billb603
I agree with the Bmw 2002 and even 3 series I've owned. Hate to admit it but twin turbo Nissan 300Z car (mid 1990s I believe) was some kind of stuck to the road. Still getting used to 964 which is the most exciting car I've ever driven but it's still teaching me how to drive.
Porsche 951... the balance on that car is just great
A lot of confidence in any turn...I have not driven the 964 hard enough to have a good feel for stability... and the 993C2S I had only got punished on the straights...
I have to second the comment on the Miata... once I did the suspension mods and added the Turbo with an intercooler... that thing was a blast!!
That was one fast and controllable Tic-Tac.
03-03-2006, 02:21 PM
#54
Best handling owned:
Acura NSX-R(sublime steering feel and shifter, engine noise is still F1, you feel like one with the car esp near the limit)
or
Porsche 997 C2S(puts power down like a champion and finely honed around corners, PCB brakes are legend)
and
BMW M5 E39(400hp sedan with great handling and can seat 5.
Ever driven:
Lotus Elise (go kart handling fun)
or
Ferrari F430 F1 (smg in a midengine car, supercar feedback esp steering)
Acura NSX-R(sublime steering feel and shifter, engine noise is still F1, you feel like one with the car esp near the limit)
or
Porsche 997 C2S(puts power down like a champion and finely honed around corners, PCB brakes are legend)
and
BMW M5 E39(400hp sedan with great handling and can seat 5.
Ever driven:
Lotus Elise (go kart handling fun)
or
Ferrari F430 F1 (smg in a midengine car, supercar feedback esp steering)
03-03-2006, 02:52 PM
#55
Burning Brakes
All weather, all terrain ......Subaru Impreza 22B
Smooth roads, no undulations, dry weather..... Porsche 964 RS
All weathers, smooth roads, bumpy roads BMW E30 M3
Smooth roads, no undulations, dry weather..... Porsche 964 RS
All weathers, smooth roads, bumpy roads BMW E30 M3
03-04-2006, 01:09 PM
#56
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Lotus Elise so far, not mine but I included a picture of the two best handling cars I've owned or driven. By the way I'm 6'4 250lbs and I fit nicely in the elise with no roof off. But a pain to get in and out.
My 1997 Mustang GT with full griggs racing suspension, MSW 18X9 front and 18X11 out back wheels. That was a fun car to drive with that set up.
My 1997 Mustang GT with full griggs racing suspension, MSW 18X9 front and 18X11 out back wheels. That was a fun car to drive with that set up.
03-04-2006, 09:28 PM
#58
Rennlist Member
My 450 hp 2005 STI has been my best handling car I have owned to date. It does ride like a rock though which is why I like my 1991 C4 so much.
Last edited by doubleurx; 01-20-2011 at 01:25 AM.
03-06-2006, 09:59 PM
#59
My 964 is at the top of my 14 porsches overall
--but the best handling (and most fun-when running)
was a 1965 lotus elan.
-Modified miata very tossable
-RX-7 race car was well balanced (6 racing seasons)
-Lancia Scorpion was suprising in its handling
Worst handling:
-Jaguar xk120 rdstr (but beautiful)
-1966 Mustang V-8 Coupe (esp. on bad roads)
1991 Colbalt Blue Cab
--but the best handling (and most fun-when running)
was a 1965 lotus elan.
-Modified miata very tossable
-RX-7 race car was well balanced (6 racing seasons)
-Lancia Scorpion was suprising in its handling
Worst handling:
-Jaguar xk120 rdstr (but beautiful)
-1966 Mustang V-8 Coupe (esp. on bad roads)
1991 Colbalt Blue Cab
03-06-2006, 10:35 PM
#60
The easyist to drive car with excellent handling for me is my Boxster. However my 911 track (almost a race car) car will out handle the Boxster but you realy have to work hard to keep it pointed in the direction you intend it to go.