Nicest car I've driven and nicest that owned - what are yours?

Kiwibloke · Apr 17, 2020

As what I currently know about watches can safely be written on the back of an envelope, thought I'd try this as a starter thread on the forum (nice watches and nice cars should go hand in hand - ask 007!)

So - appropriately - the nicest car I've had the opportunity to drive is an Aston Martin (I am a bit biased as have a 1976 AM V8 although she's another story...) BUT the DBS Superleggera was phenomenal; 725+HP with 900NM of torque. Only had it for a 21km circuit around some back-country roads but the hairs were standing up on the back of my neck the whole time (possibly also from background thought of "don't crash it"...)

And the nicest car I've had the pleasure of owning (and which I sold to my eternal regret to get into the Aston) is one for the American's out there - a 1969.5 Dodge A12 Superbee. Only 1900 of these built by Chrysler as the "last bad ass street car we could make". This one was restored in 1990 and had done only a bit over 2,500 miles since then when I got her in 2013. Took her to the strip and could pull a sub-13s 1/4 mile on street tires, which wasn't too bad for an old girl!

Hope that I enjoy my just-purchased Omega 105.002-62 as much as I did the Dodge...

timoss · Apr 17, 2020

Nice! Nicest I have driven is a Bugatti Veyron. Nicest I have owned was a 69 Plymouth Road Runneer (go MOPAR!).

VetPsychWars · Apr 17, 2020

I've never driven a nice car. I don't find anything wrong with that.

Tom

Mad Dog · Apr 17, 2020

Nicest I’ve ever driven is the same as the nicest I’ve ever owned...my beloved 2007 Ford Police Interceptor P71 that I purchased new in 2007. I’m a former Cincinnati Police Officer and that’s how I gained a huge appreciation regarding Ford Police Interceptor P71s.

Anyway...below is a pic from a few minutes ago in my beloved 2007 Ford Police Interceptor P71 while making a Dunkin’ run. Do not be intimidated by the double popped collars.

For the record...the Dunkin’ snow globe Christmas ornament pictured below exploded last winter due to freezing temperatures...but no worries...I cleaned up the glass (and the fake snow) and continue to operate it as a Dunkin’ snowless and globeless Christmas ornament.

Pictured below...back home from the Dunkin’ run today...the “FLY NAVY” bumper sticker is covering damage from an ACDA (assured clear distance ahead) incident that happened a few months ago...in a Dunkin’ drive thru.

VetPsychWars · Apr 17, 2020

Mad Dog
[M]y beloved 2007 Ford Police Interceptor P71 that I purchased new in 2007.

Wow, nice. Do they sell those to anyone who orders one, or was it you being an officer that helped you get it?

Tom

Mad Dog · Apr 17, 2020

VetPsychWars
Wow, nice. Do they sell those to anyone who orders one, or was it you being an officer that helped you get it?

Tom

They [Ford Fleet dealerships] will sell to anyone...but finding a Ford Fleet dealership that is willing to sell you one is the hard part. The fact that I’m a former police officer was not a factor. I had to go to 15 different Ford Fleet dealerships before finding one that was willing. I bought mine off the lot where they had about 20 new 2007 Ford Police Interceptor P71s sitting. Apparently a Ford Fleet dealership can lose their fleet license if they sell to a non-government entity...I believe it has something to do with emissions...but don’t quote me on that.

In addition, the next hardest part was registering it at our local BMV as a new vehicle. Luckily, after about an hour of haggling, they got so frustrated that they finally just threw up their hands and registered it as new. I was sort of freaking out about it.

mancio · Apr 17, 2020

Nicest car i driven was a McLaren SLR roadster, woderful "voice" but it was a disappointment to drive.
Never own anything particullary nice, just lucky enought to be able to drive some fancy car 😀

MRC · Apr 17, 2020

Depends on how long ago/what else is around? 50 years ago a Mini-Cooper "S" with decent tyres, real dampers (Koni), supportive seat, "Paddy Hopkirk" modifications and a 4-point harness was the fastest thing on the road. Jags, Austin Healeys? No sweat, get 'em back on every corner, the only problem was Lotuses, they got you on straights and corners. So, guess what.......

..... after a owning and loving a number of Lotuses one of the most enjoyable cars I've driven was a mid-1980s Mazda 323. 65 horses (on a good day) but it was balanced so everything was beautifully matched (but still need to tape over hand-brake button for snow). I also like Citroën 2CV because it could be driven pretty much flat out and you wouldn't be arrested because no-one noticed 😉

Canuck · Apr 17, 2020

Nicest car I have ever driven was about 58 years ago. A vintage car club I belonged to was asked to provide transportation for an international conference of barristers that took place in the Rockies, at Banff, Alberta. The venue was the Banff Springs hotel. A friend was going to trailer his 1917 Maxwell touring car, but he needed someone to drive his Rolls. The car was a 1936, Phantom III limousine. He gave me a shake down the evening before we left. I was stunned, It cost $28.00 to fill the gas tank (in 1960 dollars). The car was a limousine, sea foam green metallic with chocolate brown metallic fenders, tan vinyl top, twin side mounts, right hand drive, crash box transmission, mechanical brakes, and built for a 5’ 3” Italian chauffeur ((I’m 6’ 4”). He told me the car was mine to drive in Banff, when I didn’t have a commitment. But he asked one thing. He handed me a Crown Royal rye whiskey bag, and asked me to take the flying lady hood ornament with me when not at the car. Speak in glowing terms of the cars you’ve driven if you must. This Rolls was a tank. Mechanical brakes, non-synchro gearbox, no power anything, ponderous as a dump truck, right hand drive, floor shift with the left hand, bias ply tyres, and heavy as a Dutch barn. But it was an opportunity that I shall never forget. Picture captured off the Internet. The event was uneventful, but enjoyable. We were billeted in a motel, (in sleeping bags), but the food at the various events was superb. That car is still around, owned by an a$$hat that painted it white in his garage, and otherwise has allowed it to deteriorate. Pity!

amfalconer · Apr 17, 2020

Nicest car I’ve driven, probably an E65 760li or E39 530d Sport from the days I used to work for BMW.

Nicest I’ve owned is my current 2008 Alfa Romeo 159, it’s an oldie, but it’s a goodie! Here it is all nice and clean for a change.

Drb477 · Apr 17, 2020

Same answer to both is Porsche 911.

destroid · Apr 17, 2020

Mid engine Porsche Spyder

Kiwibloke · Apr 17, 2020

Drb477
Same answer to both is Porsche 911.

I actually could/should have made that statement too - 1976 911 Carrera 3.0 was a fabulous piece of machinery that had it's (and nearly both my wife's and my) life ended way too early when someone hit us head-on at open road speed in 2001- probably would still have 911 otherwise...

Fritz · Apr 17, 2020

this picture isn't of my car, I can't find a picture at the moment but yes... I loved my Lada.

Back in college it was the first car I owned that didn't have holes in it or stall in the rain. I covered it it rally kit and put good rubber on it, commuted to college and my first job in it, rallied & autocrossed it, beat the shit out of it, put a stereo in it that was worth more than the car (not hard after the Russians shot down that airliner) and generally abused the poor thing until I could afford the Mustang I really wanted. Then, with 150,000km on it, I gave it to a friend who was still in school and needed a car, he similarly beat the hell out of it. If you kept up with the routine maintenance it was quite reliable, especially given the fact that it was slid around most corners completely sideways with the engine screaming.

It was replaced by many better vehicles: the Mustang, SAAB 900, Ford LTD, Two Ford Tauruses, 30+ motorcycles... but I would love to have that piece of Russian shit back, just for weekend fun.

might be nice for the occasional rally.... hmmmmmm.......

nicest things I've owned and driven, car wise... pre GM SAABs: 99 (loaned), 900 (my own, had to have one after driving the 99) & 900 Turbo (borrowed.... *sigh*)

gotta admit though.... I've always kinda envied @Mad Dog 's Interceptor...

bazamu · Apr 17, 2020

Kiwibloke
I actually could/should have made that statement too - 1976 911 Carrera 3.0 was a fabulous piece of machinery that had it's (and nearly both my wife's and my) life ended way too early when someone hit us head-on at open road speed in 2001- probably would still have 911 otherwise...

Holy hell! It would have taken me a long time to get back behind the wheel after a wreck like that. If I were you, I'd probably only drive Porsches after walking away from that one.

timoss · Apr 17, 2020

Fritz
this picture isn't of my car, I can't find a picture at the moment but yes... I loved my Lada.

Back in college it was the first car I owned that didn't have holes in it or stall in the rain. I covered it it rally kit and put good rubber on it, commuted to college and my first job in it, rallied & autocrossed it, beat the shit out of it, put a stereo in it that was worth more than the car (not hard after the Russians shot down that airliner) and generally abused the poor thing until I could afford the Mustang I really wanted. Then, with 150,000km on it, I gave it to a friend who was still in school and needed a car, he similarly beat the hell out of it. If you kept up with the routine maintenance it was quite reliable, especially given the fact that it was slid around most corners completely sideways with the engine screaming.

It was replaced by many better vehicles: the Mustang, SAAB 900, Ford LTD, Two Ford Tauruses, 30+ motorcycles... but I would love to have that piece of Russian shit back, just for weekend fun.

might be nice for the occasional rally.... hmmmmmm.......

nicest things I've owned and driven, car wise... pre GM SAABs: 99 (loaned), 900 (my own, had to have one after driving the 99) & 900 Turbo (borrowed.... *sigh*)

gotta admit though.... I've always kinda envied @Mad Dog 's Interceptor...

Ah, yes, forgot about my Saab 900s! I put 250k miles on that thing before stupidly selling it. What a great car!

Kiwibloke · Apr 17, 2020

ChicagoFrog
Holy hell! It would have taken me a long time to get back behind the wheel after a wreck like that. If I were you, I'd probably only drive Porsches after walking away from that one.

Being rear-engined was literally a life saver....

rob#1 · Apr 17, 2020

Hmmmm, I think the most fun I’ve had driving a car = the best car I’ve driven, so that would be a 512 Berlinetta Boxer. The nicest one I’ve owned was my first car, an MG - it depends on how you define ‘nice’, but it made me feel good when I was driving it.

Fritz · Apr 17, 2020

timoss
Ah, yes, forgot about my Saab 900s! I put 250k miles on that thing before stupidly selling it. What a great car!

Mine had 212,000 on it when the speedo broke.

then we drove for a few more years.

Raymondo5508 · Apr 17, 2020

Kiwibloke
I actually could/should have made that statement too - 1976 911 Carrera 3.0 was a fabulous piece of machinery that had it's (and nearly both my wife's and my) life ended way too early when someone hit us head-on at open road speed in 2001- probably would still have 911 otherwise...

Very lucky to survive that impact...911 is one of my favorites.
Cheers from a fellow Kiwi.

Nicest car I've driven and nicest that owned - what are yours?

Kiwibloke

timoss

VetPsychWars

Mad Dog

VetPsychWars

Mad Dog

mancio

MRC

Canuck

amfalconer

Drb477

destroid

Kiwibloke

Fritz

bazamu

timoss

Kiwibloke

rob#1

Fritz

Raymondo5508

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