Best/Worst car you have ever driven?

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Blimey. My best/worst have changed quite a bit since my original post...

homeforsummer
Best: Objectively, an Audi TT-S. Pretty quick, looks great, fantastic interior, handled fairly well. Subjectively, my old MX-5, still not driven another car I've enjoyed as much as that car.

Worst: Objectively, the non-turbo diesel Citroen ZX I did a banger rally in. Very slow, falling to bits, but it was still great fun as it handled fairly well and it was for a road trip, which are awesome whatever you're driving. Subjectively, my ex-girlfriend's dad's Toyota Prado V6. Nothing wrong with the car, but the auto transmission was on its way out and really struggled to change gear up or down. Not nice to drive at all.
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...and my second one:

homeforsummer
Best:
Was - Audi TT-S/Mazda MX5
Now - Still the MX5 subjectively, but objectively a Jaguar XJ SuperSport. Hugely fast, supremely quiet and comfortable, and looks brilliant. You'll find a review here. Honourable mentions go to the Renault Twizy, which is great fun; the Volkswagen up!, which is hugely talented, and the Peugeot RCZ, which is as good as an Audi TT but hugely less cockish.

Worst:
Was - A knackered Citroen ZX and a knackered Toyota Prado
Now - Thanks to being reminded by Jondot earlier, I now have to give the gong to the 2010 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 I hired a few years back. Purely as a means of transport it's okay, but to anyone who likes cars it's supremely depressing in so many areas. The steering is lousy, the gearbox has all the tactility of shaking hands with a dead guy, and the engine is gutless. I drove the new Kia Rio the other week and it hugely outclasses the Corsa in every objective measure you can come up with.
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...now, I'd say the best is probably the Audi R8 e-tron. Stunning performance, really neutral handling, clever tech, and proof that electric cars can be fun.

Honourable mention to my old MX-5 (still) and the Ford Fiesta ST, which is objectively the best car I've driven this year.

Worst? Mercedes-Benz B-Class in petrol/manual spec. Never driven something with such an awful gearbox, made worse by a poor driving position, needlessly stiff ride and far too much road and wind noise.

Dishonourable mention to the Vauxhall Mokka, which is only slightly less awful to drive than the B-Class, but at least it's cheaper and vaguely comfortable.
 
Best car I've driven: Audi R8 4.2. I got to drive one on a small track back in April and it was fantastic. Stunning looks, the interior quality is top-notch, the throttle response is crisp and the brakes are sharp.

Worst car I've driven: Probably my old Vauxhall Astra Mk 4 1.6 Club. The engine was gutsy and didn't have much get-up-and-go about it. The cloth seats weren't that comfortable and rear space wasn't class leading.
 
homeforsummer
Worst? Mercedes-Benz B-Class in petrol/manual spec. Never driven something with such an awful gearbox, made worse by a poor driving position, needlessly stiff ride and far too much road and wind noise.
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The previous generation B-Class is the only drive I've ever turned down. And I've driven some truly awful things... I've driven more Chinese cars than most Chinese drivers.

Typically, at the old website, I had to get each and every car for at least one day because I was the suspension and performance testing guy. I had to chime in on suspension (and the other contributor was free to either use what I wrote or not) and I did the acceleration testing. But I refused the car. Didn't see the point. Wasn't surprised to hear the other testers say it was dreadful. Horrid CVT. Horrid ride. What's funny is the Caliber, which basically had the same engine and CVT, was actually much better. From what I hear about the suspension on the new one (from other testers, also), not much has changed.

-

Since I don't often get expensive cars, my bests stay relatively constant... but I have to say, the new Mazda6 is one of the best cars I've ever driven. Just about perfect for a family saloon. And the steering is still better than the current MX-5 (of course, not the NA, though).

Haven't found a new worst, yet... though a number of cars that have tried to kill me over the past few years get honorable mention.
 
niky
But I refused the car. Didn't see the point. Wasn't surprised to hear the other testers say it was dreadful. Horrid CVT. Horrid ride. What's funny is the Caliber, which basically had the same engine and CVT, was actually much better. From what I hear about the suspension on the new one (from other testers, also), not much has changed.
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The new one is just about passable with an automatic transmission (it's the same auto used in dozens of other Mercs) and with only two pedals it's easier to find a decent driving position at least. But the manual is uncomfortable and unresponsive and has the least tactile shifter I've ever used.

The A-Class on the same platform, even with a manual, is a big step up. Better driving position, shell feels stiffer, it's quieter, rides better (on sensible wheels/tyres) and has a bit more pep to it.
 
Best car I've ever driven? Definitely the 2009 E63 AMG I drove on my 16th birthday. Still can't believe the co-owner of an exotic car dealership would let a kid that has had his permit for 6 months drive a 525hp, $90,000 or so super-sedan that was for sale.


Worst car I've ever driven? Probably the Jeep Liberty I drove during my driving test. Not sure of the year, but I know it was the first gen (KJ). Terrible wind noise, terrible seating position, nowhere to rest your right leg (which is important for me, being 6'5" it's tiring to keep your leg buried into the dashboard), and not that I can really complain about power output considering my car has 150hp from a 5.0L V8, this was ridiculously underpowered for how modern it was. I can't really remember much about it (probably because I don't want to :lol:) but nothing about it was good.
 
Wow I should change my answer too.

Best - Easily, my 240SX. TL;DR I can literally do anything in that car and there are really no limits

Worst - Probably still that damn Taurus.
 
-> Here's my partial list as of 08-17-13:

Worst:
- Toyota Corolla 1.3XL (Philippines) - Weak, spartan, & utterly boring.

- Geo/Chevrolet Metro LS sedan (USA) - 'Cheaper' than a 99 cent store, uninspiring, & more of a chore to drive than doing actual chores!

- Hummer H2 (USA) - Big, pointless, & cramp for its gargantuan size.


Overrated:
- Mazda Protege5 (USA) - Despite hailed by many people, it didn't perform anything I asked too. mis-matched gears, & sleep-inducing seats.

- Jaguar X-Type 3.0 AWD (USA) - A prestigious brand tainted as you start the engine, it doesn't drive like a Jaaaaagggg (badge) or a Ford (based from), & squint and it looks like a 3-series.

- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII {GSR} (USA) - No fun experience, you feel like you payed too much for a Lancer. And zero confort level, my S2k is a better DD!


Underrated:
Scion iQ (USA) - A real toy on wheels, excellent on dodging cones, & only needs a M/T to be perfect!

Subaru Forester 2.5XT {SG} (USA) - The best sleeper from the factory, oversteer-inducing AWD, & drives better than a WRX Wagon!!!

Ford Flex EcoBoost (USA) - Never loved a CUV this much! For its size and weight, it's a bullet! Why should I get a luxury sedan?


Best:
Honda S2000 {AP1/AP2*} (USA) - It simply makes you smile anytime, anywhere! A very decent DD. It just never gets old!

BMW M3 {E46*} (USA) - Overall balance of work & play! Excellent highway cruiser (even w/o cruise control [ZCP/Competition Pkg.]). Practical for what it is!

Subaru Impreza WRX STi {GD-'07}(USA) - Total opposite of the Evo, which is a good thing! Like the 2 cars above, it's very rewarding to drive! A perfect car for all seasons!

*currently own, lol.
 
Drove a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron convertible yesterday. It was a horrible idea. Definitely the worst car I've ever driven, but my friend still liked it enough to buy it.
 
Best: My '91 Mazda Miata the day I got it.

Worst: My '91 Mazda Miata as it is today. It's probably not the worst, I can't really recall what is, but with it's shot suspension and leaky exhaust it's just really disappointing to drive.
 
Worst: AMC Pacer, during driver training; Steering wobbled over every bump. Mazda Miata; a minority view to be sure, but the car I drove pushed badly and put me off the breed forever.

Best: BMW 135i. Honda S2000 AP1 (current ride). '72 Olds Delta 88.
 
UrieHusky
Best: Ford Falcon XR6 '04 I think it was? Brilliant car that handles it's bulky body well.

Worst: goodness.. it's hard to decide. Maybe the Mazda Demio? Or my grandmothers lancer, though that was because it has no speedo so it's a very stressful experience driving it.. too many speed cameras near her house.

The worst car I've actually owned was the Nissan Bluebird '93 I think, atrociously dull thing.
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You said you've driven a Lancer that didn't have a speedo, what model/year was that?
 
Best car I've ever driven and have the pleasure of owning the Nissan skyline r33 gts-t does the the school run , look in class of its own at work car park,loves the motor ways and lots of fun when you want to play.

Worst I've driven by far was a 1989 fiat panda was so bad I couldn't even give it away
 
Best Car? A Mazda RX-8 that a friend of mine had. Everything about it just felt "right". I'm actually looking at purchasing one now.

Worst? The 1996 Buick Park Avenue that I learned to drive in. It was somewhere between an obese whale and a giant marshmallow to drive. You got absolutely no feedback from the road, which makes things difficult when you're first learning how to drive. The fact that it's a boat didn't help either. The interior was pretty damn comfy, though.
 
MadMike32
Worst? The 1996 Buick Park Avenue that I learned to drive in. It was somewhere between an obese whale and a giant marshmallow to drive. You got absolutely no feedback from the road, which makes things difficult when you're first learning how to drive. The fact that it's a boat didn't help either. The interior was pretty damn comfy, though.
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I think you just described exactly how the car was meant to be. :P

I loved driving my dad's Park Avenue, it was reliable as all hell too.
 
Tough one, and it depends on how I think about it. So I'll overcomplicate things.

Of those I've owned:
- Best handling, especially while using little gas: Mazda 3.
- Best at being brutally powerful and sucking down gas: 76 Plymouth Gran Fury (an ex-police car with a 440ci engine)
- Best at lasting for many miles, being reliable and getting me anywhere in about every weather condition: 2000 Honda Accord Coupe.

- Worst all around driving experience: Chevrolet Chevette
- Most disappointing, constantly breaking, overly expensive to run, awful excuse for a car that has caused me to avoid GMs ever since: 79 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

Of those I've driven:
- Best handling, most fun: 2009 BMW 328i. (Test drove and nearly bought it. I still think about getting one).
- Coolest I've ever felt driving a car: Beautifully restored '67 Ford Mustang convertible.
- Worst handling, least fun: Chrysler PT Cruiser. (Rented a car for a business trip. Couldn't wait to get out of it after a couple of days. Oh, and I got a speeding ticket in the thing).
 
Worst: Nissan Versa Automatic rental. Hated that car and I like small cars. The slush box killed it

Best car: Toss up between my '95 Cobra and '07 GT-H Convertible I rented in Las Vegas in '07.
 
Badasp5.0
Worst: Nissan Versa Automatic rental. Hated that car and I like small cars. The slush box killed it
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My mom's friend has one. It seems like it is a two or three speed car. Funny the over drive button is like a huge down shift. Besides that it is a nice little car.

You can't complain about 350 plus miles on a 12 gallon tank either.
 
Lock2Lock
My mom's friend has one. It seems like it is a two or three speed car. Funny the over drive button is like a huge down shift. Besides that it is a nice little car.

You can't complain about 350 plus miles on a 12 gallon tank either.
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True but it was downright scary merging onto Cali highway traffic and I am used to underpowered cars since I DD a '96 2.2L Legacy.
 
Best: my S60. I haven't driven much else...a Fiat 500 Sport and 3 different cars for drivers ed.

Worst: fourth generation Mercury Sable. Completely different from my S60...big, not so sensitive brakes, and very responsive throttle. Thankfully it was just for drivers ed...their other cars (Nissan Versa and Hyundai Elantra) were not much better.
 
casey_2005
I think you just described exactly how the car was meant to be. :P

I loved driving my dad's Park Avenue, it was reliable as all hell too.
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I had a love-hate relationship with that car. As long as my mom was driving it, I was perfectly happy. My 6'2" frame actually fit quite comfortably, and the front seats were more comfortable than my couch. If I was driving it, however, I was constantly riding the shoulder because I could never quite figure out where the wheels were. More than once, I blew out the right front tyre in a Michigan pothole because of that. If Buick had just made the steering and suspension a little stiffer and more responsive, I would've been fine.
 
Best: '97 Ford EL Falcon. I was riding shotgun when I was asked to steer briefly by the driver. To make things more interesting they asked me to park it. Thankfully we were in a multi-story and it was about 7:30am which meant it was empty.

Worst: '97 Ford EL Falcon. The most scary driving experience I ever had because I was only about 13 and I was told to steer and then park. Like I said, thankfully no one else was around let alone any cars to hit.
 
I have only driven a handful of cars so far, so this won't be hard to pick:

Best: 2012 Ford Fusion SE 3.0L V6; my mother's current car. My dad bought her it a year ago before the 2013s were out, because we needed to buy a new car then. She would often let me drive it and it was enjoyable to drive and not bad looking. It revved at a decent limit and gave decent acceleration.

Worst: 2007 Ford Focus SE Sedan; The car that my driving instructor taught me to drive in. It's not a bad car, it's just not as good as the other cars I drove.
 
Mid-1980's Ford F-250 Verizon bucket truck. It was a long wheelbase dually and each time I drove over any thing larger than a paper lip, the chassis felt like it was going to snap in half.
 
Worst would probably be a Ford E250 panel van. Had to rent one to help a friend move. It was the middle of winter so the hoonability made it slightly bearable....
 
Best: 2004 Honda CR-V

Good steering, good brakes, and a very smooth engine.

90s Nissan Sentra.

Friends beater with a messed up manual 'box. Very hard to shift.

I think it only had 1 working speaker.:lol:
 
lets see, best and worst car I've driven.... I haven't driven many cars but all of them have been great to drive!

Best: It's a tie between my 2002 Mazda Miata SE and my parents 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth.

I didn't used to like the Abarth, I always thought that there was too much Turbo Lag. I tried Sport Mode and it's great, a lot less turbo lag and the car sounds great! One gripe is the car's ride isn't the best. The previous owner meant for it to be a track car so it has a very stiff spring rate.

My Miata on the other hand is very fun to drive, even at school zone speeds. The close ratio gearbox gives it a good get up and go, and the steering is great! Not to mention no traction control! :sly:

Worst This by far is hard. None of the cars I've driven are particularly bad to drive. I would say my parents BMW 330i ZHP. The only reason I say this is because the brakes need to be bled and the Mass Airflow Sensor needs to be replaced. Otherwise the steering is very responsive and the car has a lot of get up and go! Plus it's very comfortable.
 
Worst: my 2000 Ford Taurus SE had bad seats and had over 100,000 miles on the odometer still had a tape player :(

Best: My 2008 pontiac grand prix 3.8L has a little over 80,000 miles now, 75,000 when we got it. Has good acceleration.
 

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