Best car you've ever driven?

10 feet further than I've driven an Enzo!!

 

The Ferrari 458 Italia. I have never driven a better handling, more responsive, and more exciting car. The Ferrari F430 would be a close second, but the 458 Italia is the best car I've ever driven; and I've driven quite a LOT of cars.


I also really like my MINI Cooper S.

-G.B.

 

Most impressive: McLaren F1. Most the old timers know the story.
Gave me the most goosebumps on acceleration: 68 Olds 442 highly modded with Crower roller cam. 750 cfm Holley carb, high rise intake manifold, Accel ignition, Dougs headers, 4 56 rear end gears, Jahns racing pistons, ported and polished heads, bored to 450 cubic inches. Great custom exhaust system. Had great accereration with no top speed (110 mph) due to gearing but got to 60 very quickly for a true muscle car.
Biggest rush: My old fuel altered drag race cars:
Others I cannot give a category to:
Ferrari Enzo
Ferrari F40
Ferrari F50
Ferrari 360 Challenge
Ferrari 512 BB and BBI
Ferrari Daytona
Ferrari 512M
Ferrari Daytona
Ferrari California Spyder, original
Lambo Diablo
Lambo Countach
Porsche 930 turbo
And too many more to mention. Remember, I was in the high end car business for over 25 years...............Here are some of them, some I even owned, most I did not.......
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Best performance: Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale. Thanks to an amazing friend, I had an hour behind the wheel on some winding back roads. Nothing else has compared yet, and I've driven plenty.

Best all-around: Infiniti M35.

Best conversation starter: DeLorean. I think it was more popular than my Ferrari.

I want to drive a McLaren F1 & a Vector W8 - but much later in life, as my life would never get better & there would be no reason to go on!

 

Now there's an opinion I respect. You sir have a great resume.

 

I have always wanted an E30 M3. I have come close many times but each time I go to buy one, I am disappointed in the condition of the car and I find the drive really disappointing. It is really sad for me because that car really would be the sweet spot for me in terms of my preferences.

Instead, I have an Audi Coupe with a turbocharged 5 cylinder (265 hp) that is a blast to drive. I bought it as a year round sports car that can carry the kids and my bikes but it basically took the place of the E30 M3 for me.

 

Definitely with you on this one. The E30 M3 is an iconic vehicle.

 

Man, if you drove GMC Blowered Fuel Altereds, you are one brave soul! As an old drag racing fan of that era I admire you. Great looking cars too. So far, my best driving experiences have been with my current 2004 360 Spider, the 1966 Red Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster I sold a few years ago, and my 1999 Supercharged C-5 Corvette Coupe. Thanks for the pictures.

 

Probably the 458. The acceleration is absolutely fantastic, I just couldn't stop putting my foot to the floor. It may have been because I'm not used to them, but I was disappointed in the carbon ceramics, I really had to push to get them to heat up enough to actually stop the car. Sure, they may be great for track use but I'm not quite sold on them for regular street use.

 

GT3 RS

I can do anything in that car!

 

Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster...No Comparison to anything else

 

I'm over the whole excitement/sensory overload thing. I still love cars for that, but that does not constitute the "best" in my mind. My favorite car is the Lotus Esprit, and it's magical to drive and to look at and just to sit in, but I'd be kidding if I said it was the best car I've ever driven.

I consider factors such as speed, acceleration, handling, braking, safety, reliability, durability, build quality, noise/vibration/harshness, quality of materials, practicality (to a degree), looks, how technologically advanced it is/was for its time, and all of those "intangibles" about the whole experience of driving the car . . . and the best car I ever drove was a Porsche 928 S4. Such a thoroughly engineered machine. And the 944S2 is a close second; although admittedly a "lesser" car than the 928, it is just so well done, so faultless that it is only by the existence of the 928 that it is second, not by any fault of its own.

 

Tony,
I had considered a 944 Turbo before buying my Miata but had concerns with reliability, parts prices and ease of maintenance because I like to do most of the work myself if/when possible. Reportedly, since I have never driven one, the 944 is one of the best handling chassis's ever produced. I should actually look around for one and bring the title to my Miata along but ofcourse only after a PPI.

Two pieces of eye candy with classic lines:
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On the track, my 993TT with AWD, or the Formula Mazda. On the street, the FF.

 

At first glance I would probably say F40 but when I really think about it, my old Civic Si.

 

F50.

 

I did a few hours in a formula Mazda. Very fun car. Did go fast enough to qualify mid pack if were planning on racing, although I had no intention.

 

The mission matters too much to pick "best" for me.

Best track and race car on a budget: Miata, esp with a turbo.

Best street and track car that can do both Lotus Elise

Best car for impressing the car friends and just being cool: F40

Best practical car that is still fun to drive: Cadillac CTS-V Wagon.

Best GT racing car I've ever driven: Tie: Dodge Viper ACR-X and Porsche GT3 Cup.

I am hoping the Radical SR8 will be the best sports racer I have ever driven, but that will have to wait until it arrives.

 

So where does the Gallardo in your profile pic fall?

 

Best daily drivable exotic, and a complete hoot on track in the rain

 

Thank you. You were just confirming it for me. I must get one for my next car.

 

F430. I like the feel of the car's mechanicals vibrating through the steering wheel. Linear power - it's right there under the right food available at any RPM.

NSX. Very responsive steering, good ergonomics, excellent visibility, forever daily driver. Would be outstanding if it had the linear power of the F430.

E39 M5. BMW knows how to make sports sedans. E39 is not too big. Excellent seats and driving controls. Amazing on the twisties on how it hunkers down and grips. Torque available anytime.

E30 M3. See what has already been said.

All of the above sound good at WOT.

 

I'd take that bet. I must drive a Radical before I die.

Nice overall list, BTW.

 

Totally concur.