Which country makes the most fun-to-drive cars?

DonHyd · 2nd February 2021, 18:16

It really pains to see where India lies in the world map of fun to drive automobiles. True, Tatas and Mahindras are making progress but the catch up they need to make is HUGE.

That aside, I am a great admirer of German engineering for driving pleasure and Japanese for reliability with koreans somewhere in between.

zadoom · 2nd February 2021, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by charanreddy

What's the first ?

Unless the OP had something else in mind, there's no other answer except Belgium. Whether it is variety or the quality or the quirks associated with drinking beer, nothing beats Belgium. There's a pub here in Brussels called Delirium Village, yes that's right its called a village because it is an entire small lane which is essentially the pub. And it held the world record at some point in time for serving the maximum variety of liquor under 1 roof - some 2000 odd. Then there is another one in Ghent where you have to deposit 1 shoe (yes only 1) to be able to get inside and drink. And these are just some of the fun facts.

Sudarshan42 · 3rd February 2021, 12:33

Awesome thread! I think fun, like all product attributes is subjective to various price points. By that, I mean you can have fun in a little Reliant Robin skipping across English b-roads, or you can power a 1000 BHP Ferrari FXX down the flowing Mugello circuit for a million a pop.

For affordable fun, don't think anyone comes close to the Brits. Those little Caterhams, Lotus Exiges and the early Ariel Atoms (the ones coming out now are close to a 100k sterling, not exactly cheap!). The Brits also cater to high-end customers with their Mclarens, Astons and supercharged Jags (that new Project 8, drool!), so that's a big tick in their box as well.

For supercar fun though, can we really look past Italy? Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, DeTomaso- this is the birthplace of the super/hypercar.

Germany- when you're buying a German car, somehow the word fun doesn't seem to fit in. We think engineering excellence, quality, brand value etc, but fun? Maybe on some AMG Blacks, but the rest are meant for motorways. Save for Porsches of course, but that's only at the higher end.

America can come close only with their muscle cars, and now at the other end of the environmental scale with their Ludicrous Teslas, but not much in-between.

France has Alpine, and maybe a sporty Renault Clio. Japan is another great contender with offerings across the value spectrum- NSX, Supra, GT86 etc.

DevOnWheels · 3rd February 2021, 14:00

For me it depends on what kind of fun one is looking for.

For the fun of ripping up small capacity(comparatively) high revving petrols: It's Japan (City Vtec, S2000, MX5, 86, EVO, Type-R, Supra, WRX, Godzilla list goes on....)
For the fun of driving perfection, finesse and well built: It's Germany (Big 3, Various VWs, Porshe)
For rumbling around and straight line fun in Big Burly V8s. And also SUVs and Trucks: US (GM, Dodge, RAM, Ford etc).
For Romantic pleasure, emotions and beauty: Italy (Most beautiful car designs of this planet-Fiat, Alfa, Ferrari, Lambo etc etc)

Regards,
DevOnWheels

MrVIPMan250 · 3rd February 2021, 18:00

I'm a strong advocate for Japan being the country to go to when it comes to most fun-to-drive cars since when you're looking at particular Japanese vehicles you have the price per smile aspect that can be applied. At the same time I've owned a variety of German cars and from experiences with E36s + E46s those are also some extremely accessible German cars that are insanely fun to drive as well.

To me it's really a mix of German and Japanese cars but in the end it's different for everyone. I won't disregard the UK though since they are the home of lightweight, small, garage built sports cars, but they are just so inaccessible for different people and their owner's clubs gatekeep to the extreme.

SaiSW · 5th February 2021, 08:08

This seems like that TopGear idea during a News segment, put forward by Clarkson if I remember correctly

I'd have to go with Germany for this one. From the small car all the way to the supercar and everything in between, they've got it covered.

dragracer567 · 6th February 2021, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaiSW

This seems like that TopGear idea during a News segment, put forward by Clarkson if I remember correctly

Is it? I'd love to know which episode it was! Must have been quite a hilarious discussion (as usual)

2nd February 2021, 18:16	#16
DonHyd BHPian Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 236 Thanked: 452 Times	Re: Which country makes the most fun-to-drive cars? It really pains to see where India lies in the world map of fun to drive automobiles. True, Tatas and Mahindras are making progress but the catch up they need to make is HUGE. That aside, I am a great admirer of German engineering for driving pleasure and Japanese for reliability with koreans somewhere in between. Last edited by DonHyd : 2nd February 2021 at 18:18.
	(1) Thanks

3rd February 2021, 12:33	#18
Sudarshan42 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 389 Thanked: 1,820 Times	Re: Which country makes the most fun-to-drive cars? Awesome thread! I think fun, like all product attributes is subjective to various price points. By that, I mean you can have fun in a little Reliant Robin skipping across English b-roads, or you can power a 1000 BHP Ferrari FXX down the flowing Mugello circuit for a million a pop. For affordable fun, don't think anyone comes close to the Brits. Those little Caterhams, Lotus Exiges and the early Ariel Atoms (the ones coming out now are close to a 100k sterling, not exactly cheap!). The Brits also cater to high-end customers with their Mclarens, Astons and supercharged Jags (that new Project 8, drool!), so that's a big tick in their box as well. For supercar fun though, can we really look past Italy? Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, DeTomaso- this is the birthplace of the super/hypercar. Germany- when you're buying a German car, somehow the word fun doesn't seem to fit in. We think engineering excellence, quality, brand value etc, but fun? Maybe on some AMG Blacks, but the rest are meant for motorways. Save for Porsches of course, but that's only at the higher end. America can come close only with their muscle cars, and now at the other end of the environmental scale with their Ludicrous Teslas, but not much in-between. France has Alpine, and maybe a sporty Renault Clio. Japan is another great contender with offerings across the value spectrum- NSX, Supra, GT86 etc.
	(2) Thanks

3rd February 2021, 14:00	#19
DevOnWheels BHPian Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Mld, Ghy, Kol Posts: 115 Thanked: 623 Times	Re: Which country makes the most fun-to-drive cars? For me it depends on what kind of fun one is looking for. For the fun of ripping up small capacity(comparatively) high revving petrols: It's Japan (City Vtec, S2000, MX5, 86, EVO, Type-R, Supra, WRX, Godzilla list goes on....) For the fun of driving perfection, finesse and well built: It's Germany (Big 3, Various VWs, Porshe) For rumbling around and straight line fun in Big Burly V8s. And also SUVs and Trucks: US (GM, Dodge, RAM, Ford etc). For Romantic pleasure, emotions and beauty: Italy (Most beautiful car designs of this planet-Fiat, Alfa, Ferrari, Lambo etc etc) Regards, DevOnWheels
	(1) Thanks

3rd February 2021, 18:00	#20
MrVIPMan250 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Melb, AUS + JH Posts: 3 Thanked: 20 Times	Re: Which country makes the most fun-to-drive cars? I'm a strong advocate for Japan being the country to go to when it comes to most fun-to-drive cars since when you're looking at particular Japanese vehicles you have the price per smile aspect that can be applied. At the same time I've owned a variety of German cars and from experiences with E36s + E46s those are also some extremely accessible German cars that are insanely fun to drive as well. To me it's really a mix of German and Japanese cars but in the end it's different for everyone. I won't disregard the UK though since they are the home of lightweight, small, garage built sports cars, but they are just so inaccessible for different people and their owner's clubs gatekeep to the extreme.
	(1) Thanks

5th February 2021, 08:08	#21
SaiSW BHPian Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Good Blue Earth Posts: 735 Thanked: 1,709 Times	Re: Which country makes the most fun-to-drive cars? This seems like that TopGear idea during a News segment, put forward by Clarkson if I remember correctly I'd have to go with Germany for this one. From the small car all the way to the supercar and everything in between, they've got it covered.
	(1) Thanks