Best classic cars to actually drive | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Best classic cars to actually drive

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by Bullfighter, Jan 4, 2023.

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  1. 375+

    375+ F1 World Champ
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    Air cooled 911 tops the list in my book. The 2.2 and 2.4 MFI cars are terrific but to be safe I would start with the I series cars with galvanized body panels. I am partial to the 3.2 Carrera 1984-89 which are just about bulletproof. The 964 and 993 series offer a more modern driving experience and are generally more expensive.
     
  2. Tenney

    Tenney F1 Rookie
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  3. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    Agree 1000% ^^^ Although I dearly love my GT3 Touring and other Porsches I have been fortunate enough to own since I still kick myself for selling my 993 C4S- If I could find it I would <have to> pay 2x+ what I sold it for but probably would do it.

    Cheers :cool:
     
  4. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    Heavy and by modern standards slow, wlthough at speed it does lighten up, brakes were probably good for the day. if youve driven an series 2 etype, youve got the general picture.
     
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  5. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    That’s the problem with a lot of 1960s cars. They drive like something out of the 1960s. Drop dead gorgeous, but they are hobby cars.


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  6. Scotty

    Scotty F1 Veteran
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    I can echo the E36 M3. E46 probably belongs as long as it isn't the 'vert (too heavy). For 60's I'd but a Datsun 2000 on the list.
     
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  7. JAM1

    JAM1 F1 Veteran
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  8. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

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    Really the title does not match the intent....Best Classic Cars to Actually Drive? My two would certainly be on that list.

    Every day classic? Certainly an odd description. Almost certainly should be some form of 911. I put 55k miles on my '01 Turbo, it should qualify I guess.
     
  9. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    69-74 Alfa spider. Swap out the Spica mechanical injection for Webers and its darn practical as well as topless fun. 4 wheel discs, 5 speed box, twin cam aluminum engine with pretty much bullet proof bottom end, chrome bumpers, wood steering wheel, almost no electronics, and a great top mechanism. Also lots of spare mechanical parts and upgrades. And its pretty easy to wrench on if you want to do it yourself.

     
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  10. merstheman

    merstheman F1 Rookie

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    I had a 1985 BMW 635csi which I drove daily for a while, and it was awesome. Granted it's a much rarer car here in Brazil than it is in most northern hemisphere western countries but still, everyone would compliment the car's design. Different to a sports car for sure, it was big and was more of a momentum machine, but it also felt like an event.
     
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  11. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
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    I think almost any classic can be an enjoyable driver, if well sorted and used as intended.

    The car I put the most miles on is a 1959 Cadillac. Really does nothing well other than being comfortable and smooth but still very enjoyable.
     
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  12. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    Budget unlimited
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    both entirely useable
     
  13. audi_328

    audi_328 Formula 3
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    Another vote for a 3.2 Carrera. I often do daily mine during warmer weather.
     
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  14. tantumaude

    tantumaude Formula Junior
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    I dailied an S2a for nine months/year. It was lovely, by far the car I miss the most. Absolute death trap though--even though the crumple zones were advanced for its time, it is simply too low. At 188cm my head was above the windshield even after I put some 914 seats in it.
     
  15. Devilsolsi

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    Similar looks, a little less power and less money a 968 would be a good alternative.
     
  16. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I drove a 968 cabriolet back in the ‘90s and they are very usable. And rare.

    I’d almost draw a line around 1990 or so as nearing the end of “classic”.


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  17. Frank_C

    Frank_C F1 Rookie
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    I daily drove my '05 Vanquish S back in the day. Best daily I've ever had.
     
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  18. vandevanterSH

    vandevanterSH Formula 3
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    "Best Classic", kinda confused me...I'm at the age where "Classic" still means Cord, Auburn, Duesenberg. etc. Using current understanding of the term, I guess my 21 y/o 575 manual would qualify. In over 105k miles of driving, it has only required a flat bed "rescue" twice. Once in Houston, heavy rain, road debris...shredded tire and a seized AC compressor in Winslow AZ.
     
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  19. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    It is kind of subjective, but I was referring to older cars that predate modern technologies. IMO, cars introduced after 1990 (Ferrari F40 is a kind of watershed car, end of an era) brought us advanced gearboxes, engine management systems, suspension/traction management, digital cockpits, iDrive, etc.

    Absolutely a Cord or Auburn falls into that category, but also simple ‘60s cars like the Porsche 356 or air-cooled 911s. Carburetors, mechanical injection, caps/rotors, etc. There’s no clear date.

    The other subjective aspect of “classic” is that it had to be an important car at the time. A Chrysler LeBaron is definitely old, but it was rubbish when new. An E-Type certainly had its flaws, but was an icon and performance benchmark when new. I know… apologies to the LeBaron Collectors Society, but unless you optioned it with rich Corinthian leather it wasn’t all that great.


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  20. vandevanterSH

    vandevanterSH Formula 3
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    Good description!
     
  21. rob

    rob F1 Rookie

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    You may luck out and get one that was owned by John Voight.:D
     
  22. LARRYH

    LARRYH F1 Veteran
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    #47 LARRYH, Jan 22, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2023
    If we are defining classic as anything up till 2000 .. has manual etc......THAN

    once again
    anything 911 is pretty darn perfect.
    90 through 96 300zx twin turbo... excellent cars for the times
    Love the C4 gran sport corvette (blue with painted white stripe red leather interior only 1000 built only a few in red interior ..
    C5 corvette Z06
    NOW ONE OF MY FAVS
    FERRARI 55O....
    all are easy to drive reliable and an easy driver and all of which I have personal experience with
     
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  23. colombo2cam

    colombo2cam Formula Junior

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  24. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    That one got away.
     
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  25. Mang

    Mang F1 Veteran
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    +1
     

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