Cars I envied

hung720 · 發表於 2015-4-16 15:48:29

本帖最後由 hung720 於 2015-4-17 15:59 編輯

I love cars.
I loved cars since I was a child; so when I was almost old enough to get my license, checking the market to decide what I will drive became a regular fantasy and passtime for me...

Late 90s
Honda CR-X

1983-1991
Technically this was time before me. But back in late 90s a good condtion B16A1 is still easy to find. and mine! what a 1.6L V-TEC N/A it was!
Some even argued that even EJ-6 B16A2 wasn't a match to this one, well, I sort of agree on this point

Mazda Astina/323F

1994-1998
This car have a particular space in my heart, simply because a mint condition 2nd hand was cheap enough for my dad to buy for me, and it was fast enough for a student who just got his license...
The 1.8L B8 develops 106bhps, but can be easily pumped up to 130bhps. The more or less 10.0s/100km doesn't sound that impressive, but trust me, it kicks your back! For this reason, my dad refused to buy it for me, and I got something much much sedated instead...

BMW 318iS M

1992-1998
Back then, if you drive an E36, it doesn't matter which one; you will get laid every where you go...
But the limited edition 143bhp 318is M really was something amongst my age, I think it's got something to do with M badge eveywhere...
At around 2000, a friend got one. But he just wouldn't let anyone touch it, not even his own brother...

hung720 · 發表於 2015-4-16 16:45:29

本帖最後由 hung720 於 2015-4-16 14:08 編輯

2000-2005

yes, I got my license and got a car before the turn of century. I wasn't too happy with my dad's more sensbile choice, but at least I got a car, compare to a lot of young people my age.
This was a rather dull period for hot-hatches. Japs started to fade and European started to catch up. The rise of Z3, TT and Boxster really storm the market with their affordability and driviability with reliability when Japenese failed to bring 日本四天王 (R34 GT-R, Supra, NSX and RX-7) up to date. Also, Japenese's stubborness to relase LHD version back-fired when the LHD version of European's super-charming roadsters swiped the world and shoot the manufacturers' bank account all the way to moon...

Honda Civic V-Tec

1996-2000
Not just any Civic, it was the EJ-6! The high revving 1.6L DOHC V-Tec... If you ever reved your car way pass 7000rpm and there's still more, you will understand what I'm talking about...
In many ways, the EJ-6 brought hot-hatched back to us; it's not only about the robot race, it also has to corner

Peugeot 206 GTi

2003-2009
It WAS the H O T hatch when the GTi 180 was introduced to the markets! The 175bhp GTi was so hot, back in 2003, the waiting list was a full 12 monthes...
and who wouldn't want to buy a hothatch in their 20s, single, and can easily pay the car off in 4 years...
I didn't put down the money in the year after I got my undergraduate, because I'd decided to go for the honours. Think back, it was the right decision, coz I worte off my car 2 years later...

Alfa Romeo 156/ 156 GTA

1997-2002
After I've got my honours at 03. The preference changes. Yes, the hot-hatches are still appealing, very. But I think I must step up...
The 156s... mine! ain't they just pretty? the 156 2.0 was one of the first to feature 5 speed auto in the form of Selespeed autobox. But the really star is the 250bhp GTA. Why 250bhp only? well, back then, 250bhp is the technological limitation for a FWD...

E46 M3
2000-2006
The dolphine shape, need I say more? The last generation of N/A straight. The first M3 to get topless. The bench mark, the car to beat. Even today, E46 M3 is still a hot car.

hung720 · 發表於 2015-4-17 21:56:18

本帖最後由 hung720 於 2015-4-17 16:15 編輯

2000-2005 the ones that made me want to hijack...

Mercedes W203 C55 AMG
2005-2007
Actually, I fancied the C-class(es) long back from W202s, even till today's W205s. Origianlly, the W203 AMG was equipped with a 3.2L supercharged v6, but was critised for power and sound in particular. So AMG responded with the 5.4L N/A V8 from its big brothers. And the sound... O M G, try get one and drive through a tunnel, then you'll konw what I mean!
And, no, the 342bhp C55 isn't as good as the E46 M3, actually it loses in pretty much every area, power, handling, brakes, even the autobox (C55 doesn't have the paddles, and the joystick isn't that userfriendly, you see). but I cease to care soon as the engine fires up...
and, no, I was forbade to get one for myself 3yrs ago when I wrote off my car...

Honda S2000 Mk I (or Phase I)
1999-2003
The car that was launched to celebrate Honda's 50th anniversary, and has the title of highest liter/power ratio until F458 came alone... Love it or loath it, but this 237bhp beauty can rev all the way to 9000rpm! Front-engined, rear-wheel drive meant it was supposed to do what a sporty cabriolet to do: oversteer out of a corner so it's easy to direct where the car should go. But what it actually does was something of a monster... to keep the power/torque, you have to keep revving it, and you don't oversteer the car out... you spun out and pray to motoring god there's plenty room to go and nothing out there to hit...
Everyone complained, so Honda trim the car down and it becomes drivable. Then everybody complained it becomes drivable... People...

Renault Clio V6 Sport Mk I
2001-2003
When it came out. The buddy who taught me how to drive (like an idiot or manic, depends on how you look at it) commented: If I am rich, I'll buy a Ferrari to show off and take my girlfriend to dinner (his girlfriend really is beaufitul and body is top drawer, btw). But I'll buy this to show her what a fast car should be..
Fact is, to date, Renault was the one manufaturer that's stupid and carzy enough to turn a FF, everyday B-segment city runaround into a RR monster...
Take your normal Clio, take out the engine and front transmission axle and rear seat. Then put in the transmmison at rear axle and put a 3.0L V6 behind it; extend all axle length and a wid e wheel arch to accommdate the 17"s (go for the 19" option, trust me, it'll save your life) then you get a Clio V6.
The result is absolutely carzy. This 227bhp little beast is so wild; too much, you drift yourself out in EVERY SINGLE CORNER; not enough, the 17" bits down so well and you go nowhere. The first time I have cold sweat running down my forehead test driving a car, was when I was offered to go for a test drive, and had to return the car after mere few hundred meters...
Again, people complained; so they make it more drivable; then people complain again and order stopped...
It was a limited offer anyway...

BMW E36/8 S54 M-Coupe
2001-2
I didn't come to like this one until few years ago when I thought I want to get a car that's fun to drive... The reason is simple: the Z3 M-Coupe (as it's officially called) is fucking ugly...
But this 325ps very limited speical Z3 is so rare, only 39 was imported into South Africa! Even I still see them today.
The only reason it existed is simple: the Z3 was so popular and the chasis was so potent. People complained that it deserves more punishment. So BMW responded with Z3 3.2. People still cry. So the M division come up with the M Coupe. Then people shut up. The concept was a real hit, so they did it again with Z4...

From around 04, the market really came alive. All sorts of modern sedans, SUVs, crossovers and hot-hatches started to come into our lifes. To name but few:
Jaguar X-type
okay, even at 3.6L AWD trim, it's still not eough to challenge the Germain trio. But the British flair, you just can't beat it!
Volvo S40
The floating centre consel! When it came out, everyone was like: WHAT! Pity the affordale and likeable S40 was let down by Ford as Volve just couldn't catch up with the market without much needed funding.
VW Golf GTi/R32 Mk IV/V/VI
Finally, a GTi that's fun to drive again after Mk II... not the mention the R32, my oh my...
Lexus IS250/350 IS-F
Honesty the previous generation of IS200/300 was doing enough job to give the German trio a headache. But the XE20 IS REALLY gives the Germans a huge headache! No, it was never at the same level the the bench mark E46/E90/W203; but the performance margin was so small, only the professionals can tell. And the XE20 was so well equipped, it really puts the Germans to shame with their endless option list. Want to buy a luxury premium D-segment without an option list only rocket sicentist will understand and won't have a heart-attack when seeing the bill? Buy the IS, it won't let you down.
and the IS-F, the 423PS 5.0L V8, what more can one ask?
Opel Corsa D OPC
She gets a speical treament because
1)to date, she's still within my affordability without feeling any constraint. So close, yet so far.
2)to date, she remains the only car that we fully understand each other in 5mins, there's just this chemistry, this telepathic communication. I always say: if she can cook, I'll fucking marry her!
I've driven faster cars at faster speed, cornered faster but
The charging down in CBD @5th gear, 5800rpm @180km/h at 13H00 on that particular satruday will always have a special place in my heart.
or maybe it's that buddy's screams or the fact he's close to tears and shit in his pants...