The Good The Bad And The Ugly!

[GTAm]

Hi All, I thought it time that we had an interactive and controversial discussion about the best and worst with a brief description of course. I realized that I've gone through a LOT of different cars!!!

Worst. In no particular order.....

- Ford Orion 13 Sri xxxx- A brief family car. We were the 2nd owners and suckered in by it ultra low mileage and virtually brand new condition. The most unrefined petrol engine in the world ? Could be a front runner. Severely underpowered too (1.3 Ghia).

- Subaru 1400 DL - 6 sri xxxx - Our second four wheeled vehicle. To be honest it wasn't in great condition so I can't be definitive, but in every way it was worse than the car that it replaced - 6 Sri Mazda 808

- Ford Cortina Mk 4 1.6 GL 7 Sri xxxx - I loved the looks (it was bright red as well) and that made us blind to how bad it really was. Heavy steering and jiggly ride. Wasn't nice to drive even though this car was in mint condition. I fought and lost with my father to buy a 131 Mirafiori instead

- Nissan Sunny FB15 HB- - I know thousands will want to skin me for this.... But what a crap car to drive. It was very unreliable as well. Company car so thank fully I drove it very little. In fact the only worse car I've driven is a Nissan Bluebird Diesel. If the Sunny is a row boat the Bluebird is a sail ship!

- Peugeot 206 Diesel GZ-80xx The first brand new car we bought. And the most unreliable. It was nice to drive though. But it gave us sooo much trouble and the agents stank a mile!

The Best. Again in no particular order.

- Alfa Romeo 156 - Well what can I say..... It's not perfect but its fantastic. I'm on my 2nd one....says it all......

- Opel Omega 2.0 19-xxxx - Great car. Underrated and understated. Ride and handling better than an E34 5 series for me. I drove them back to back.

- BMW E36 19-xxx and 300-xxxx - Had two in a row!!! Nice to drive and perfectly balanced. One was a bit problematic though, nothing major but annoying little things.

- Fiat Regata 100S - 14sri1045 - First owner one Mr. Harry J!!! I was the 2nd owner!!! Fantastic 1.6 ie twin cam engine and mid ranged torque that was new to me. Build quality terrible though. But I still regret selling it

- Mazda Interplay - 19-4453 Really enjoyed it. It felt 'tuned' as it was a LOT faster than a friends Interplay. Love the short throw click click gear change!

- Mk2 VW Jetta Diesel 64-2859 - MY 1st own car!!! Paltry 55 bhp but I love it.

- Honda CRX Mk 1 14 sri - Screamer and no P/S great drive. Looked good too. I regret selling it. There was rust in the scuttle and that scared me. (and then I but two 70's Alfas )

- Mercedes 500SEC - That V8 and that Torque Alas that fuel consumption too

- 1974 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Junior 11sri2781 - THE BEST car I've yet owned! If I go to elaborate this post will not end today!

Other "OK" cars owned - Yes there are more

- 97 Mazda Familia 1.7 TDi GB-3853 (if I'm not mistaken) - Doesn't handle but the most reliable car I've ever owned. # years of hard use and I only replaced the Ac cooler and two suspension bushes. Amazing! And that bonnet scoop for the intercooler was nice. The 206 replaced this and was better in every way but it was the exact mirror opposite in terms of reliability.

- Honda Grand Civic 18-8676 - It was unreg and shiny and many folk admired it. But I really can't see why... ... It was ordinary to me. Again my father won the argument, I wanted an Interplay that had Leather Recaro seats and was a few 100 grand cheaper than the Civic.

- Mazda BJ5 hatch KB - 1022 Looked good and I thought it was nice until I test drove my 1.6 156! We quickly gave it on rent to make way for the Alfa

Peugeot 605 19-xxxx - Mint condition but such a disappointment after the excellent Omega!

- BMW 316i E30 16-7878 Traded in my Interplay for this. I think the reduction in acceleration put me off. But it was the car that taight me the word "refinement" Perhaps if it had more power it would have gone into the "best" category.

- Peugeot 406 D8 300-xxxx - Decent but far from desirable. The engines a crap 8 valver

- Merc W124 230E 18-xxxx - Actually it was in bad shape and by the time I had it sorted I was fed up. Bit of an old man's car!

- Fiat 131 1600 7 Sri 131 - I liked this car despite a crap restoration. Lots of character and very decent to drive. But after the old Alfas, it was relagated to "ordinary" status Still have a soft spot for a 131 though

[kotte mafia]

nice list GTAM ... guess we never owned more than 3 still ... so our list will be pretty short ....

the first automobile we owned was a delica L300 which was kind of a old model van but with 4 weel drive and with a good motor when there a load in the back you are the kind of the road and in that i made my first accident too never was really thrilled with it but who cares when ur just over 14 ...

so that will be our worst ride we owned ....

then it was a Honda Civic eg8 ... solid ride and was a very comfy one too no modifications cos we never knew none those days and i still regret for selling it ....

that was a good car .... so guess it's one of the best we ever owned

and theres the beemer ... the 325i my daily runner & its a good car .. a bit less torque but one of the best buys i did no troubles at all and every ones happy about it but still lacks the wild power

so thats a so and so ride ... just does the job with out any complains

the toyata corolla 141 is the new family car but still i never had the chance to try it out surely it sucks ... nothing personal on toyota but i hated corolla's all my life and our family took the advantage of my Absence and bought one after a lot of brainwashing done by my uncle over the new honda CIVIC ...

so thats there left for inspection ..... but surely it will overrun the L300 in the worst list

[MasterDon]

well i only have the two bikes to my name...but i'll include some of the rides my family owns/owned

Best

Yamaha YZF-1000R Thunderace - where as the Kawi is a big angry brute the ace is a softy,i'm more emotionally attached to this than it's much newer and superior rival..

MG TC - no reason,i just love this car

Mazda RX7 FD - the first thing i bought after leaving school,great car....i regret selling it everyday

MG A(2 sri 355) - i love this particular MGA because it has been with ma family for a long time,through good times and the bad,it's like a big sister to me...and it's a famous movie star as well...

Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R - 0 to 310kmph in 17 seconds,gives me the satisfaction of owning one of the fastest things on wheels in the country

Isuzu Trooper - cheapy jeepy...rugged as a rock and very cheap to maintain,love it..

Worst

Mitsubishi Pajero SWB - gave us a lot of troubles in the mid 90's,i have very bad memories of this jeep,although some were not it's fault...and because i was about 8 years old then i had to ride in the back seat,which is very uncomfy....

Fiat 1100 - no reason,i just hate this car

[GTAm]

and theres the beemer ... the 325i my daily runner & its a good car .. a bit less torque but one of the best buys i did no troubles at all and every ones happy about it but still lacks the wild power

Not enough torque from a 2.5L six?? What are you measuring it against? Or is something not right with the tune of the engine?

[Devinda_Z]

i can think of one thing which will fit into all three categories!

The ole Land Rover Defender!

[kotte mafia]

GTAM .... just like that ..i never had enough money to buy that M3 which was next to my car when i went to the Car Sale.... would love to own a diffender or any other 4x4 like davinda said butno money mate no money ..... but i prefer the Jeep Grand cherokee SRT8 ... more .. will see may be in the comming years finally i will buy that

[kotte mafia]

hey helrazor machang did u owned a RX7 ....

[MasterDon]

hey helrazor machang did u owned a RX7 ....

yep.....had it fo a year or so

Edited March 8, 2009 by HelRazor

[MasterDon]

i can think of one thing which will fit into all three categories!

The ole Land Rover Defender!

hey what about the Z ah?...hasn't it left any impression on you at all?

[GTAm]

hey what about the Z ah?...hasn't it left any impression on you at all?

Was just about to ask......

[GTAm]

hey helrazor machang did u owned a RX7 ....

And more importantly why did you sell?

[MasterDon]

hey helrazor machang did u owned a RX7 ....

And more importantly why did you sell?

hmm i think i explained this on another thread...anyways my dad owned FB,FC so it wasnt hard for me to persuade him to get me a FD after finishing my exams....but back in 2005 i didnt have a paying job and couldnt go on asking my folks for money to maintain it properly...and i fell in love with bikes...so i sold it bought the yamaha with the money...and now my two door coupe needs are met by the del sol adequately (with some subtle cosmetic modifications )

[kotte mafia]

hey the Z is a nice car too mate ... i was really looking forward to buy one when i wanted to shift from the beemer but the prices are still high for me .. guess when i have the money to buy a Z then i will be surely married and with a 1/4 dozen kids ...so better to keep my cherokee dream alive .. cos as a family ride it's gorgous ...

[kotte mafia]

to bad machang .... i would have sing at a bus stand with my guitar to find the money to keep a RX7 at home .... guess some times you have to let go the best

[Devinda_Z]

hey what about the Z ah?...hasn't it left any impression on you at all?

Was just about to ask......

on its day and in its element the Z is just down right fantastic

and it certainly has the ability to spice up even the most mundane of drives

(when it comes to performance cars, i can't help but have "the grass is greener on the other side" syndrome )

...the Defender is kinda like a faithful artharitic old Labrador who will gladly limp up and take a bullet for you any day of the week - whilst full of foibles, its constant (&as such laudable) attempts to yet keep on serving & soldiering on despite its weaknesses make it so much more lovable , hence it got mentioned first

[miniace]

- BMW 316i E30 16-7878 Traded in my Interplay for this. I think the reduction in acceleration put me off. But it was the car that taight me the word "refinement" Perhaps if it had more power it would have gone into the "best" category.

Hey I also list the same 7878 to my good list.BTW you the first owner of 7878.Think it changed hads thrice before making it to my stable.

MINIACE

[Andrew_GTR]

Hmmm interesting thread! I must say that from the cars that i have personally owned/ family owned the worst would have to be the Ford Montego and Laser...hated both of them! Then came the tercel and jimny!! On the Good list first would be my dads ford capri, my nissan sunny (as some of u guys may remember it really got riced out!!! ) and the allion... now to my personal cars, the mini is still one of my greatest loves...would never sell if for anything!! Then of course the subaru and GTR... but honestly the car that has given me immense pleasure and a grin on my face everytime i drive it has to be my RX8... there u go!!

[Pericles]

Hmmm interesting thread! I must say that from the cars that i have personally owned/ family owned the worst would have to be the Ford Montego and Laser...hated both of them! Then came the tercel and jimny!! On the Good list first would be my dads ford capri, my nissan sunny (as some of u guys may remember it really got riced out!!! ) and the allion... now to my personal cars, the mini is still one of my greatest loves...would never sell if for anything!! Then of course the subaru and GTR... but honestly the car that has given me immense pleasure and a grin on my face everytime i drive it has to be my RX8... there u go!!

I find it interesting that the ITR didn't rate a mention.

Allion? Good? Surely you can't be referring to the drive?

[Andrew_GTR]

I find it interesting that the ITR didn't rate a mention.

Allion? Good? Surely you can't be referring to the drive?

Ah yes the ITR... It was a worthy car for our roads..just about enough power to have fun and good enough to go grocery shopping... lol... but it was either the ITR or the STi... and i fell for the boxer! The allion was one of the best in terms of reliabilty.. the bloody thing didnt breakdown once even through the absolute hell i kept putting it through...

[Devinda_Z]

Hmmm interesting thread! I must say that from the cars that i have personally owned/ family owned the worst would have to be the Ford Montego and Laser...hated both of them! Then came the tercel and jimny!! On the Good list first would be my dads ford capri, my nissan sunny (as some of u guys may remember it really got riced out!!! ) and the allion... now to my personal cars, the mini is still one of my greatest loves...would never sell if for anything!! Then of course the subaru and GTR... but honestly the car that has given me immense pleasure and a grin on my face everytime i drive it has to be my RX8... there u go!!

see! its always the Brits which have all the flaws and will rarely win at a game of top trumps that come out on top in discussions like this!

We got a lead about a 2L V4 and thought it might be your paters old one - hunted it down only to find that it was nothing but a base Mk1 with the motor thrown in , and in a very sad state

[charitha19]

well well.. in SL the first ride which was a family ride was toyota station waggaon. 12 SRI.. this was brought down from Aussie in 1983 by my paretents who were studying there.. guess import taxes were next to nothing then.. it was the most realible thing ever.. we went everywhere from kandy to matara in it.. u dont see that model here as it never came here straight.. then my fathers business made him by a lite ace van.. so we had two.. the van was good for a lot of things.. specially taking the no good ##### out on trips... but thats it, then again its a VAN.. what can u expect..

aborad owned the land cruser VX.,didnt like it.. not a big 4X4 fan...

then of course my one and only ride the ASTINA... six years.. 350,000 KM's and still reving.. cant belive what this car has gone through.. gonna be very sad to let it go... plus everything that i have done to it now..eventually i wil have to let it go... it has to be the RX's for me in the future... and have this craving for a nissan 180SX or a 200SX... cant find them here though.. i am sure they have it here but its rare...

so the best list:

ASTINA

Worse:

VAN

OK:

Land crusiser VX

[Devinda_Z]

and have this craving for a nissan 180SX or a 200SX... cant find them here though.. i am sure they have it here but its rare...

well the White 180SX owner is part of your MFOC as well right - you could always ask him...?

[charitha19]

well the White 180SX owner is part of your MFOC as well right - you could always ask him...?

really.. wonder who... !!!

[Devinda_Z]

really.. wonder who... !!!

i thought it was owned by the bloke who owns the MazdaSpeed RX8

[harshansenadhir]

Good

J44 - one of very few original 32 plates J44. Reliable and hard machine which we used to go virtually everywhere in this Island. from down south to medawachchiya to eastern province all those are covered in this and I've had first experience behind the wheel on this.

CR 26 - Used to be a reliable vehicle which we used for almost 4 years, and yes virtually went everywhere except up country. It didn't have A/C, P/S and original spec with 1C engine which we rebuilt (was the first engine rebuilt experience when I was 10yrs old). Failed on the road only once.

Peugeot 504 GR (2) - These two vehicles owned by myself as oppose to the previous ones in the list which are family vehicles. Bought it since affordable and fell in love with it. Had original A/C and very comfy interior and a great ride it offers. Ran perfectly with no maintenance!!. Used it for almost 5 years before parting with it.

(the other GR still awaiting it's full restoration in the car porch )

Peugeot 504 L - Even grater than the GR in terms of mechanical stuff but less features despite it's a L. Perfect otherwise.

Lancer C12(Fiore) CX Extra - Great machine although didn't realize until it became the daily drive after 406 meeting with an accident. Quick, stable and can sneak through traffic easily. Well occupied with features such as P/S, 5Fwd, P/M RPM gauge as oppose to same age opponents.

Bad

CR 27 - Bought as it is from Jap and only used for a period of 2 months. Gave numerous troubles during that 2 months period.

Mitsubishi Lancer - This was one of first gen lancers (aka tube light model). Ok car but wasn't reliable and wasn't steady on the road. apply sudden brakes = skid to a side of the road and spin sometimes parted with it very shortly.

Ford Escord Mk2 - was a good car with original ford alloys and 6 dial meter pad, restored and used for sometime as an alternative car. Only issue I could not rectify was the brakes, was driving the thing in excess of 100 km/h but stopping it was a major challenge.

Peugeot 406 - Completely the otherwise to the 504, not reliable stuff. Good comfy, stability and quite ok in terms of pulling power. But it tends to break often, esp the suspension.

Ugly

Mazda 1500 - was the first vehicle of the family, never ever was a vehicle. Outer appearance was pretty good and it was comfy ride with all 4 coil suspension (not mcperson). However numerous things failed on this car, from windshield wiper to the petrol pump to the brakes ... gulps fuel although it was a twin carb beast which my father used to drive at about 90mph (140~ km/h).. Later sold it for the half the price we bought.

Ford Escort Mk1 - was only a weekend ride and nothing has worked in order, sold for a bargain and wiped off ma hands