Fun Cars to drive?

manti452

Hey

I drive a Pug 306, 1.6l that came in from the UK around 2001, before that I had another 1.41l 306. I've driven a few different cars and found very few I was impressed with. Recently I had the car in for some minor crash repair (nit hit me in a car park) and was given a 08 Bravo for the duration.

Needless to say it was very different from my pug, lighter clutch, steering and accelerator, can't see the front end due to miles of dash. Weird placement for the wing mirrors and a much smaller back window etc... I know technology has moved on re the clutch and designs change with more focus on crumple zones etc but I didn't feel connected to the car or the road and felt a bit like I was driving a bubble.. it got me thinking..

I will eventually need to get another car for family or other reasons, so how do I find a car that gives back what I enjoy most about my pug: the feel of feedback thru the steering and cornering and a sense of fun.

I know some of this is personal and everyone likes different things but some things are universal. Do the guru's here have any recommendations for mid range cars that don't strip the joy out of driving?

MagicSean

manti452 wrote: »

Hey

I drive a Pug 306, 1.6l that came in from the UK around 2001, before that I had another 1.41l 306. I've driven a few different cars and found very few I was impressed with. Recently I had the car in for some minor crash repair (nit hit me in a car park) and was given a 08 Bravo for the duration.

Needless to say it was very different from my pug, lighter clutch, steering and accelerator, can't see the front end due to miles of dash. Weird placement for the wing mirrors and a much smaller back window etc... I know technology has moved on re the clutch and designs change with more focus on crumple zones etc but I didn't feel connected to the car or the road and felt a bit like I was driving a bubble.. it got me thinking..

I will eventually need to get another car for family or other reasons, so how do I find a car that gives back what I enjoy most about my pug: the feel of feedback thru the steering and cornering and a sense of fun.

I know some of this is personal and everyone likes different things but some things are universal. Do the guru's here have any recommendations for mid range cars that don't strip the joy out of driving?

I've never been happier since getting my Golf gti. Don't know if it could be classed as a "family car" though.

hobochris

If you don't mind an extra bit of servicing, get an Alfa (147 or 156/159), great fun to drive.

colm_mcm

A humble Ford Focus will give you the sharpness you're used to but without the quirkyness of the Bravo. Just avoid the 1.4 and you'll be fine

manti452

Mac: I'd have a hard time selling a GTI to the Mrs as a family car. I should state we've no kids yet but just want a 5 door similar to the pug so I don't have to trade in once the first sprog arrives

Hobo: always loved the 147, my first crush in royal blue

Colm: good to know, the newer focus seems to be a lot better. I must tap a mate for a spin in his.

Thanks all

Atomic Pineapple

Agree with Colm on the focus, I loved my one when I had it (old model)

2 Espressi

If it's just the two of ye, and you want something that's fun to drive, get an MX5! They're cheap enough that you can get one now, and a family wagon when the baby arrives. Life's too short for dull cars. Every bit as reliable as the hatches mentioned above too!

Tigger

306 gti6?

Atomic Pineapple

Tigger wrote: »

306 gti6?

Yes please!

bladespin

Alfa 156, even the diesel is great craic to drive.

Also pretty much any small car with a big(ish) engine, had a blast in an Arbath punto ages back, that was just something else.

manti452

I wish it was a GTI6, only ever saw one of those for sale at the time but it was in cork. I've a mate who works in Gowan Merrion and he advised against it due to maintenance costs, I was only a youngster at the time so took his advice. I would have gone for the HDI's but they were only 2 door

Always liked the 156 so might be one to reconsider if I can source a clean one

af_thefragile

I love my Ford Puma.
Its cheap, looks better than most cars in its group, has a massive boot for its category and gives an extremely responsive drive. Its a properly fun car to drive!
I'm glad I didn't go for the Panda instead and got this.

langdang

manti452 wrote: »

I will eventually need to get another car for family or other reasons, so how do I find a car that gives back what I enjoy most about my pug: the feel of feedback thru the steering and cornering and a sense of fun.

I know some of this is personal and everyone likes different things but some things are universal. Do the guru's here have any recommendations for mid range cars that don't strip the joy out of driving?

Mini Cooper, or better again - a Cooper S. You won't regret trying one at least...

galwaytt

manti452 wrote: »

Mac: I'd have a hard time selling a GTI to the Mrs as a family car. I should state we've no kids yet but just want a 5 door similar to the pug so I don't have to trade in once the first sprog arrives

Well, ahem, the Gti badge is removable.....'yes dear, all Golf's are like this....LOL...;) ' Heck you could even buy a TeeDiddleyEye badge...

As for the 5 door thing - what's that got to do with anything ? ? Even 3-door cars have rear seats you know........including 3-door Golf's........(they're not all vans....).....you do realise that the doors on 2 & 3-door cars are ......longer than the 4/5 door versions ?

Oh, and they're cheaper, lighter, too.

af_thefragile

langdang wrote: »

Mini Cooper, or better again - a Cooper S. You won't regret trying one at least...

I think they're ridiculously overpriced. All you're paying for in a mini is the "retro" style and the badge.

A new Mini Cooper S can very easily cost you over 35k after just adding a few basic option. Its something BMW loves to do. Standard car comes with no interior, then you start clicking on options and the price starts going skywards!

Though they do handle pretty well. I'ld rather have a Renault Sport Clio 200 Cup.

Testament1

Toyota Chaser JZX100. Grand sensible family saloon!

Captain Slow IRL

1.7 Ford Puma or if it wouldn't bother you a Ford Ka - both like go-karts.

colm_mcm

galwaytt wrote: »

As for the 5 door thing - what's that got to do with anything ? ? Even 3-door cars have rear seats you know........including 3-door Golf's........(they're not all vans....).....you do realise that the doors on 2 & 3-door cars are ......longer than the 4/5 door versions ?

5 door cars are so much easier to load sprogs into than 3 doors though.

Captain Slow IRL

Into the boot with them - they'll have more room to play!

Paul MCM

My Honda Integra type r is very fun to drive .

Go for something like that

Beta1

Hi - I was onto someone else yesterday about my Ex-Bravo. It was a T-Jet 1.4 150BHP. It is a completley different car to a normal Bravo - fantastic to drive, and they are great value for money !

Lisnagry

Let the wife keep the pug and get one of these