- 11,826
- Marin County
I'm just curious if anyone else has had an experience like the one I had. At one point a few weeks ago I was perusing the UCD and saw the Mercedes Mclaren SLR. I thought - I got some spare cash, why not? Ever since then, I've been using it almost exclusively. The combination of the brilliant sound (supercharger whine + big V8 + side pipes is truly wonderful), the competent but characterful handling (perfectly balanced Porsche Cayman this ain't), it's lazy 5-speed gearbox (well..as lazy as PD's super automatics can be) and it's immense top end make it probably the most charming car I've yet acquired in the game. I don't want to drive it on tighter tracks, ever, but on the more open tracks like Tokyo East, La Sarthe, Spa, Nurburgring it's just really really good fun. It's even useful for farming Tokyo 600 completely stock (I've managed a 2:09.x in it).
Some others that surprised me:
TVR Tuscan - This thing straight up hauls ass. I don't think I ever appreciated how much of a rocket this thing is before, but 2400lbs and 360hp (with a ton of torque to boot) is a recipe for a handful. Love driving this thing, on stock suspension it feels like it wants to do a wheelie. Love the interior too, with it's wild organic design and bizarre speedometer.
Subaru Impreza Sti '99 - The combination of the sound, the grip, the turn-in. I find this car to be an absolute blast to drive - particularly on the tighter circuits the SLR isn't all that suited to.
There are other cars that I really enjoy, but these are the 3 that I enjoy so much unexpectedly. One recurring trait is the sound and the other is the character of the handling. None of them handle perfectly, and I think they are all the better for it.
Some others that surprised me:
TVR Tuscan - This thing straight up hauls ass. I don't think I ever appreciated how much of a rocket this thing is before, but 2400lbs and 360hp (with a ton of torque to boot) is a recipe for a handful. Love driving this thing, on stock suspension it feels like it wants to do a wheelie. Love the interior too, with it's wild organic design and bizarre speedometer.
Subaru Impreza Sti '99 - The combination of the sound, the grip, the turn-in. I find this car to be an absolute blast to drive - particularly on the tighter circuits the SLR isn't all that suited to.
There are other cars that I really enjoy, but these are the 3 that I enjoy so much unexpectedly. One recurring trait is the sound and the other is the character of the handling. None of them handle perfectly, and I think they are all the better for it.