what is the best car in the world?

[Ben]

The best car won't be the most expensive or the cheapest. It won't be the fastest or the slowest. It won't be the most or least technically advanced. It won't be the best or worst looking. It won't be the lightest or heaviest. It won't be the biggest or smallest. It won't be the best or worst seller. It won't be the most or least economical.

I suppose we are looking for the best car that best encapsulates the best of the above criteria. We are NOT looking for a car for Mr and Mrs Average.

Discuss.....

[zollaf]

the audi 80, simples. first off, they are galvanised so don't rust. they are designed to protect the occupants and use the great procon ten safety system. they are simple, macpherson struts and beam axles, but well designed so it works. very well put together and easy to work on. they look great in all forms, and were available as a basic 1.6 saloon, right upto a supercar eating rs2.
i also drive one, so there ...

[Brycie]

I've been going round & round on this question for a while now and every car I think of falls on at least one criteria, whether practicality for use in every day life (eg two doors, too low etc), reliability and so on. My best offering just because I've always loved it is the corrado. No doubt any motoring journo's would say the M5 (excuse my French), but I wouldn't want to transport kids in the back of a powerful rwd car in the last few winters we've had, which makes the car unusable in half of Europe for a quarter of the year.

Escort RS Turbo (1980s) was a consideration as was RS4, S2000, Mk1 golf GTI, the list went on.

[MalcQV]

Sounds like a What Car of the Year doins.
I would have one of these in my top ten cars. It is good looking, quite reliable, couple of kids seats in the back. Not wholly practical but not unpractical (it has +2 seats!).
A Porsche 911. By a long way.

[Hex69]

One man's meat is another man's poison..:p

If there was a car which was all things to all men (or women), surely there wouldn't be the variety of car (and manufacturers) that we had today.

It's the same thing as saying if you had to have just one car, money no object, what would it be.

Me, either a Audi A6 Avant Bitdi, or a BMW 550d x-drive RHD (which is impossible I know).

Personally, I'd prefer to have a car for every mood that takes me.

[sooty]

I would say the Bugatti Veyron but not because of the speed or the price tag... Just because the amount to research and engineering that went into it.

[Crasher]

For me at the moment I would say a fully loaded S8 would be hard to beat.

[Ben]

I was leaning toward the c and s class mercd.

[Hex69]

I was leaning toward the c and s class mercd.

My, you must be getting old then...:sad6:

[Roadtoad]

Possibly the car I have. This is the Audi A6 2.08V SE C4 only produced for three years between 1994-1997. Based on the audi 100 whose heritage can be traced back to 1982. Between 1991 and 1994 it was still being called the Audi 100 but then renamed the A6 after 1994. So by the time they launched the A6 2.0 abk in 1994 most problems had been ironed out both bodily and mechanically. With a galvanised body the only areas that do rust are the front wings, mine could do with two new ones but after 18 years who can complain ? To answer this question properly I will start at the front and work back.

The front end is sleek, very sleek in fact I never have a problem spotting it in a car park as it always seems to stick out a bit. To compare it to newer Audi A6s I would say the newer ones are like Airbuses whereas the C4 is like Concorde. Mine also has the optional headlamp washers that pop out when the lights are on and the screen wash is used, like something out of batman.

Then there is the engine it has the 2.08V 4cyl abk engine which can also be found in the early golf GTIs. There is lots of space to replace the cambelt, without having to dismantle the front end unlike the newer models. Much of the maintenance can be undertaken by yourself. Parts are relatively cheap especially where the engine is concerned as youre paying VW prices and not audi, something I discovered very early on when I replaced the HT leads. Audi in Leeds wanted £300 for the set. I found a VW repairer who sold me the same set for £25!

The car has covered 187,000 miles on the same engine which starts first turn every time. No smoke whatsoever and still pulls well. Interior. The seats are covered in grey velour now you would think there would be some wear after 187,000 miles but not so they are still almost like new the front ones are also heated. Plenty of room in the back too. The ride is excellent Ive owned jags and this is on a par with them easily, people in the back invariably fall asleep. I have owned this car since 2001 and it is so good I am contemplating a total rebuild, everything is bolted together.

I believe many of these audi's were scrapped unnessessarily due to the govt scrappage scheme and records show there are less than 120 remaining in the Country at present. I have trawled the internet to see if anyone else has completely renovated one of these but it appears not, so mine may be the first should I decide to do it. Economy, economy is good for such a heavy car I can get 30mpg round town and mine is an auto. The gearbox has the switchable sports/economy mode, very handy on hills if you want an extra burst of power without kicking the accelerator.

The gearbox by the way has never had any maintenance whatsoever not even oil ! The engine never uses oil either. I felt guilty last week when I realised I hadnt changed the oil filter for 5 years so I gave it a treat dropped the oil and replaced the filter gave it some new oil and replaced the air filter.

Depreciation ? I paid £4000 for it back in 2001 so I have had my moneys worth out of it and really now its stopped losing money and I suspect it will go on to be a classic and start to increase in value.

Reliability ? This car has NEVER broken down. What else can I tell you ?

Practicality ? Mine is the avant shape Ive had three seater settees in the back, 3 metre worktops and 2 tons of concrete. Flush fitting door handles tilt and slide sunroof, heated electric mirrors, anti dim rear view mirror, power steering, central locking, the list goes on and on. I subject my case to the jury and await your sentence.

[Brycie]

I'll throw the Evo VIII into the discussion. Not the prettiest, but surely about as close to being 'all things to all men' as you're likely to get.

[zollaf]

but for less money you could have an rs2, which you can also throw all your camping gear into the back of, mountain bikes on the roof, and go away for a weekend, very fast.

[Brycie]

Hmm, good point Zol. I think the Evo VIII would win in a few areas and would win Top Trumps, but I can't deny the RS2 would win in the practicality stakes and in it's simplicity. The Evo is crammed with computer technology compared to the RS2.

Either one will provide a car for most purposes & will put a big smile on your face.

[zollaf]

just sort of going back to my first post, whatever you want from a car can be pretty well found in an audi 80 in one form or another, nearly. the rs2 is actually quicker than a maclaren f1 from 0-30.

[Brycie]

I'm baffled by that fact. I'd normally say you're on the wind up, but I don't think you are. I still think thee Evo would out-perform the RS2 (not based on factual knowledge, just gut feeling), but I may well be swayed towards the RS2 purely because I wouldn't be embarrassed getting into it like I would with the Evo. A man mid 30's plus getting into an Evo would say 'mid-life crisis' to anyone that saw me.

[turpal]

I had an 80 1.9tdi and still love them cars tbh also volvo s70 old schol 2.5 tdi 140bhp vw engine is good.Allways loved audis tho.

[Brycie]

Well I guess I have to eat my words. I stand corrected, unless you go for the top spec Evo (which is 3.4 seconds!), the 0-60 times are very similar. Not bad for a car that was released 10 years earlier I have to admit. Think I've just been beaten at Top Trumps, well played Zol.

[zollaf]

the thing is, you see a scooby or evo, and you know what it is. you see an s2 or rs2 and its an old audi 80 estate, with dogs in the back.
also, that old 5 pot can be tuned to some ridiculous figures. i love finding them on youtube.
this is my fav :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzI2uciaNmY&playnext=1&list=PL4A0F63F7F46EF136&feature=results_main

its the same with all the audi 's' and 'rs' cars. they just look like the normal one, until it leaves you for dead in some audi flavoured smoke.

[macmillions]

*cough* VW Golf Mk2 GTI 16V! *cough*

:biglaugh:

[Crasher]

Nope, neither and the 8v was the better car and the 16v would have been better still had it been a 2 litre. I have a 2 litre 9A Golf 2 spec for sale by the way. A 3 litre V6 turbo going in its place.

[gupsterg]

Damn it ! ZOL!! :) if keep reading your post's I'm gonna have to sell my car and go all retro :beerchug:

I think I want an RS2/Audi 80 Avant... http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/beerchug.gif

[zollaf]

rs2's are fetching strong money, about 10k, which is a lot for an old car, but the s2 is relatively cheap. 2k would get one thats not mint, but what a car for the money. its still got 220 bhp and 4wd though. theres a coupe on ebay finishing in a few hours thats going cheap.

[gupsterg]

I wish I'd joined this forum before buying my car... :Blush2: You have just ruined me Zol!! :beerchug:

I was contemplating keeping my current car a long time, especially after the amount of £££ I spent recently on it...

But now!!:yikes: I think I'm gonna have go and at least go and see these in the metal!!!

i) just to satisfy my curiosity ii) to see what I missed out on :smashfrea

Link:- German Marques - Audi*RS2 For Sale (http://www.german-marques.co.uk/detail.asp?id=1) Link:- Audi RS2 QUATTRO AVANT 2.2 1995 (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201122389055479)

And if I end up getting one... and SWMBO decides to leave me... I know who to blame :biglaugh:

But at least I'll have a RS2 Avant on my drive!!

[zollaf]

beautiful, arn't they. whats better, a loving wife or an rs2 ???

[gupsterg]

I think you know the answer... ;) and we best not digress into the best chassis/undercarriage and least we forgot rack system, I think thread may need to be moved to adult section!! :naughty:

And I my mind boggles @ what you may post :boggled:

[macmillions]

Nope, neither and the 8v was the better car and the 16v would have been better still had it been a 2 litre. I have a 2 litre 9A Golf 2 spec for sale by the way. A 3 litre V6 turbo going in its place.

Ooo, this old debate again...

I have driven both an 8v and 16v (albeit, our 16v probably is not the best judgement due to the shocks having leaked all their fluid), and the other 16v I drove was a stripped out one with nothing inside but seats.

But I have to say, the way the 16v comes to life at 4500rpm is rather addictive! Similar to the way a Honda Civic Type R's Vtec comes into play, but more accessible.
Don't get me wrong, if somebody offered me an 8v GTI, I would have their arm off for it, but I feel I would always be longing for a 16v.

What about an ABF 16v? Are they not a tall block and stronger than a 9a?

Zol, I have spent the past hour and a half trauling through the classifieds on various websites at the S2s and RS2s... I think I need one in my life. Budget may dictate it being an S2 though, unless anyone wants a kidney?

[Crasher]

The ABF is too tall to fit under the Golf 2 bonnet comfortably unless you do what I did and fit throttle bodies, and then make it a 2.2...The 9A is so perfect in a Golf 2 with a KR inlet cam that I still get a kick out of building them. A 2 litre 16v short block Golf 2 (ignoring the US market version) with no cat system on normal K-Jet would have been a brilliant car but it would have made the Mk3 16v looks stupid.

[Big_Jim]

Daily driver: Merc E63 AMG

Weekend fun: Nissan GT-R

Workhorse: Merc E320 CDI estate

Classic: Morris Traveller

Enough said. :biglaugh:

[Crasher]

No, missing the point, one that does all you need. :D

[zollaf]

an rs2 is an avant so is a workhorse. its fast so is weekend fun. its practical as a daily drive and is also a classic.
end of, rs2 is the best car ever.

[Crasher]

I can see your points but you are deluded mad man...;)

[zollaf]

deluded wasn't a word the specialist used to describe me.

[macmillions]

The ABF is too tall to fit under the Golf 2 bonnet comfortably unless you do what I did and fit throttle bodies, and then make it a 2.2...The 9A is so perfect in a Golf 2 with a KR inlet cam that I still get a kick out of building them. A 2 litre 16v short block Golf 2 (ignoring the US market version) with no cat system on normal K-Jet would have been a brilliant car but it would have made the Mk3 16v looks stupid.

Ah well if that is the case and (God forbid) the red Golf blows up, then that is quite probably the route to go down!

Back on topic, Zol, what the nice man was telling you was all lies...

I don't think you can go far wrong with this rs2, although, it's quite expensive. Possibly (another biased one) an Octavia vRS estate for those on a budget?

[Crasher]

an Octavia vRS estate for those on a budget?

It's funny that you should say that...

[MalcQV]

The RS2 is impressive indeed :)

[turpal]

RS 2 porshe modded 315bhp stock mmmmmmm

[Eshrules]

i think the best car in the whole world is that which i own and i own 3 cars 1. Mercedes Benz 2. Audi wolks wagon - R 3. Bmw 3 series and no matter how much money would some one try to pay me i will never sell them up and i will simply keep them with my self..........

Audi wolks wagon, what's that then?

[Guest 2]

Didn't know Chicago was in Pakistan or am I wrong?

[Doctle Odd]

Best car? 1973 Morris Marina Super

[Sam]

its audi v8 1997 and a Volkswagen r 2004
..............

You've put a 1997 V8 from an Audi into a 2004 VW R? Presumably you mean R32?

[MalcQV]

i think the best car in the whole world is that which i own and i own 3 cars 1. Mercedes Benz 2. Audi wolks wagon - R 3. Bmw 3 series and no matter how much money would some one try to pay me i will never sell them up and i will simply keep them with my self..........

Best car, not the best three. You have to pick one. Only one.

[vince70]

I would say any 80s to mid 90s audi.
as you get second to none build quality, a good range of strong engines, and not to many electrical gizmos to go wrong. Also rust proof galvanised body's.
I have a 17 year old A4 and a 20 year old cabriolet my father has an 18 year old a6 estate all of which drive and look like relatively new cars with no rattles and just never go wrong.
they are just outstanding vehicles.
I must be in 3 figures in the amount of cars I've owned and the only cars that come close are old VWs from the same period.
I can't comment on modern Audis as I have never owned one as they are out of my price range but I do hope they are as good as I want an A5.
its just I have to wait till they come down in price to around £500 so maybe in another 20 years time I may own one lol.

[MalcQV]

I would say any 80s to mid 90s audi.
as you get second to none build quality, a good range of strong engines, and not to many electrical gizmos to go wrong. Also rust proof galvanised body's.
I have a 17 year old A4 and a 20 year old cabriolet my father has an 18 year old a6 estate all of which drive and look like relatively new cars with no rattles and just never go wrong.
they are just outstanding vehicles.
I must be in 3 figures in the amount of cars I've owned and the only cars that come close are old VWs from the same period.
I can't comment on modern Audis as I have never owned one as they are out of my price range but I do hope they are as good as I want an A5.
its just I have to wait till they come down in price to around £500 so maybe in another 20 years time I may own one lol.
I have just bought a 1997 Audi A4. Long story short I wanted a good car for the Winter and an A4 estate was my choice (thought I might of had a house resto to do). Anyway my house purchase plans have changed so having decided I wanted the A4 (or a Saab 9-3) I bought this on Thursday. It looks and feels like new. Absolutely outstanding.
I should also add I have three other cars and don't need this, can't even justify it, but who cares, what a car :)

[vince70]

I have just bought a 1997 Audi A4. Long story short I wanted a good car for the Winter and an A4 estate was my choice (thought I might of had a house resto to do). Anyway my house purchase plans have changed so having decided I wanted the A4 (or a Saab 9-3) I bought this on Thursday. It looks and feels like new. Absolutely outstanding.
I should also add I have three other cars and don't need this, can't even justify it, but who cares, what a car :)
Take a look around the back of the scuttle panel where the battery and pollen filter sit, you will find a couple of drain plugs which get blocked with leaves.
if you don't clear them out you will get water leaks in the footwell and it will knacker out the ecu which sits under the footwell.
Ive taken out the bungs on mine and binned them that way your guaranteed it won't get blocked up.

[touranasurus]

Hi, its got to be either German or Japanese ???- its got to be the Bugatti Veyron - Lol ?????????????? its all in the mind lol.

[MalcQV]

Take a look around the back of the scuttle panel where the battery and pollen filter sit, you will find a couple of drain plugs which get blocked with leaves.
if you don't clear them out you will get water leaks in the footwell and it will knacker out the ecu which sits under the footwell.
Ive taken out the bungs on mine and binned them that way your guaranteed it won't get blocked up.
Thanks Vince, look at my post count. I owned a few years back a B5.5 Passat and am well aware of the under bonnet fish tank only too well:D. I did say that I would never buy another (but that happens when you are upto your neck in water!) and here I am with another :biglaugh: Thanks anyway ;)