Whats the best car you've ever owned/driven?

[mattjbatch]

Best car i've ever driven was an elise. Bloody fantastic. Only drove it once though
Used to drive a Rover 25 GTi which was quite entertaining. Lots of grip, sweet gearchange, powerful enough to wheelspin in 3rd Also looked like a normal 1.4 or 1.6 so gave a few BMW drivers a shock at the lights
Now I drive a 1.1 fiesta

Matt

[richb]

Obviously my Griffith, and it's gets better everytime I drive it! Rich...

[WalterU]

I haven't been into sports cars really up to now.

Best car ever has been an Audi A8 4.2. Audi S8 post 1998) is even better, and is the best big sports limo I have ever driven.

Rgds, WalterU

[johnny boy]

Without a doubt, the Esprit V8

[PetrolTed]

Cerbera - noise... looks... performance... exclusivity... I still lust after one.

[marki]

F355 sweet handling great noise perfect steering, but had a kind of fragile feel to it.

[andymadmak]

Red Rose Tuscan.
Wonderfull noise, nice handling and wharp factor nine Mr Sulu performance.
Made my 400se feel like a diesel - Sob!

[Captain Chaos]

My 1969 Corvette Stingray roadster. I have never driven a car which gets so much attention without envy. Classic cars tend to have this feature that moderns don't which is important to me as I don't like having verbal abuse and beer cans hurled at me (TVR and Porsche experiences).
Nor is there an engine that sounds better burbling with the roof down than a hotted-up Chevy. And it keeps up with anything you care to meet (on the straight that is - it is 32 years old and a Yank remember). Fuel consumption is dire however;

I took my Chevy to the BP and the fuel tank was dry (again)

(with apologies to Don McLean)

[kevinday]

I've driven so many cars over the years it is difficult to define 'best'. Memorable drives include Ford GT40, Porsche 911 Turbo (1977 3litre), my Datsun 240Z (265bhp), my TVR 350i, Alfa Romeo Montreal (V8 3litre), Jaguar E V12, AC Cobra 427, Ferrari 250GTO, 365GTB4 (Daytona) and 275GTB4, Lamborghini Countach (1977), Maserati Bora and Khamsin.

[Neil Menzies]

Two cars which I found stunning, both only test driven...

RR Tuscan. Fantastic power, sound, incredible turn-in.

Noble M12 (last week)... never got out of town, but the salesman did a spot of (inadvisable) acceleration on a quiet road - wow. Made the Tuscan appear slow

All I need now is a quick lottery win

[Fatboy]

Group A Escort Cosworth - Unbelievably quick, but most fun was a Hilman Avenger (Rally spec) I drove on a gravel surface - most motoring fun I've ever had. But also My Brother's Mini was a barrel of laughs (if a tad annoying when it broke down for the 3rd time that week...)

[JSG]

The one I test drove yesterday - still smiling

[ahonen]

A Pro-Sport 3000 racecar, without doubt. We did a track day for a laugh to celebrate the end of a season once, and the speed difference on the straights between a racecar and any modified road car (650PS Skylines, TVRs, 911s etc, etc) makes you laugh out loud in the cockpit.

Handling? Like a 2-stroke kart. Only bigger.

Brilliant.

[McNab]

Neil, who in Scotland has an M12 demonstrator? Even to see it 'in the flesh' would be a bonus!

[martvr]

McNab

I believe that John Clarks of Aberdeen are waiting on car number 22 which should be delivered in the next month or so. They are on the high teens at the moment.

If you are anywhere near them it might be worth a ring to find out an actual date - contact details of all the dealers on www.noblecars.com

[McNab]

Thanks Martin. I think I'll go by train - that road has more speed cameras than a well stocked forest !

[Bruce Fielding]

Best? What does that mean? Hmmm. OK, so how about a car that, to most people looks pretty much like a bog standard saloon and therefore doesn't attract unwelcome attention; has four doors, four roomy seats and a boot (not to mention aircon that works, a six stack CD and connolly leather); will handle London traffic without a whimper and handle on the track really rather well considering it weighs almost 2 tonnes; and to whom those in the know bow with deep admiration of the genuine 377bhp and 410lbft2 on tap? I am referring, of course, to the mighty Lotus Carlton. I think it's time for me to start looking for my third!

[muley]

Jaguar E-Type

[McNab]

Matt,

Sounded an easy enough question, but after thinking about it I realised it was impossible to decide. Each car had its virtues and its failings. So my answer pinpoints the car I used to just sit and look at, time and time again. I sometimes even drove it too!

Exterior just like this, but without the awful American bumpers:
www.geevers.nl/catalogue/images/15b.jpg

Interior same as this but nicer tartan:
www.scottgrundfor.com/projects/1953sl/300sl6.jpg

[domster]

Bruce, if you fancy a left hooker Lotus Carlton you can have mine soon. Offered for sale at ridiculously low price after full engine and brake overhaul.

By the way, I wouldn't track a standard LC - the active suspension control arm can come adrift if body roll gets too great... happened to a mate of mine. The results were a jacked up rear end going into a tight corner and it rolled...

True about the other comments tho' - a great all rounder, and superbly comfy when doing 2000 rpm in sixth at 105 mph.

Best normal car (non-sports) I've driven wasn't the 150k silver seraph or the 140k Bentley Arnage - it was the new S500 Merc. A snip at 75 grand. Amazingly competent.

Best sports car was the 355 F1 - an engine note that demands a blat through hanger lane, and the paddle change gearshift was a joy.