jeremy

Ok for all around all roads all seasons driving which is the most competent road car available for a skilled fast driving enthusiast- note, not a uber-competent driving magician.

Let me qualify my definition of "competent road car".
A car that has all the usal suspects, poise, roll control, grip, traction, balance. But now getting beyound those base abilities a car that posseses:
1. Steering feel
2. Chassis feel
3. Slow steady Progression during the loss of grip
4. Predictability across varied roads/conditions
5. Quick Recovery from loss of grip- also requiring least amount of road space to do so
6. Stability- ability to maintain steady forward progress with no off balance traits.

I think these 6 are the main cultprets that contribute to the best overall road car experience- a car that is both fun to drive, very fast across the raod and that is very safe to drive. Here are what I believe are the entrants:

1. Subaru Impreza- pick your version- Litchfeild type 25?
2. Subaru Forester Sti
3. Subaru Impreza Classic- pick your version
4. Porsche Cayman S
5. Porsche 911 Turbo 07'
6. Porsche Cayanne Turbo
7. Lamborgini Gallardo
8. Noble 400 07'
9. Audi RS-4
10. Audi UrQuattro 20v dynalix
11. BMW 330 xi Hartge - 4 wheel drive
12. Renault Clio Trophy
13. Honda NSX Type-R
14. Nissan Skyline GT-R
15. Mitsubishi Evo 9
15. Prodrive P2??
16. Pick your group N car and modify for road use

Which of these accomplishes the best combination of the 6 criteria and why?
What do we want/need, front-heavy balance like Audi, mid-engine yet highly neutral like Honda NSX-R, Noble, Cayman, Lamborgini, rear-engine neutrality like new 911 turbo, heavy-weight brutal domination of the road like the Skyline, lightweight front-engine, front wheel drive, etc?

alloy

How would we ever know, you have cars listed that haven't been released and cars listed that the majority of SN posters dont have access to

Brendan Hughes

Who was that crashing bore who kept going on about how fantastic his 911 was? Ruf.

stilover

That one !!!

Pumpkin

What about things like Integrales, Lotus Elise and Honda ITR's? All highly acclaimed driving cars.

billythekid

Without doubt it will be one of the Porsche 997 models, IMvHO it would be the 997 GT3 but some people would say the 997 Carrera S.

Andrew Dixon

Peugeot 106?

Dream Weaver

205 GTI

TopBanana

What a bizarre list of cars

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Somebody reads Evo magazine a bit too much !

NotoriousREV

Ford Ka and Puma both notable by their absence

scooby_matt

Agreed, I was lucky enough to drive a racing puma for a few miles....as good as any scoob in the twisties

exempt

Intergrales..... well said that man! i love that car so much, an old rally car that would put alot of "new" cars to shame.

Poor Guy

westfield XTR2

Olly

A Mk2 Golf GTi ticks all of those 6 boxes.

And many more that not one car in that list can combine.

Surgical Spirit

Nissan Micra 1.0 GS - my first car, gotta love it
Seriously though, I'm not sure that it exists yet, but in the interim I would have to plumb for the 997 turbo, everything I've read said it's fing brilliant, but I'll reserve me judgement until I've had a go in one

nellie

EVO!!!!!!!!!

Sbradley

M5?
Integrale Evolution 1?
Original E30 M3?

Too many things missing and too broad criteria. I'd say the M5 because that's what I sold my Scoob for. Ticks all the boxes for me, though it's a little more exciting in the wet than the Scoob was...

SB

DavidChief

You are missing the Ford Focus Zetec. It excels in all of those areas.

Dream Weaver

Agree with the Focus