These Cars Are Surprisingly Fun To Drive, According To You

Earlier this week we requested you to share with the category an unsuspecting automobile that turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable to drive, and I’m relieved to report that the responses have been extra playful than I anticipated. It’s simple, as a automobile nerd, to develop tunnel imaginative and prescient that blocks out all of the extra mundane automobiles which have below 300 horsepower, over a six-second 0-to-60 time or are generally seen on public roads. It’s simple to change into jaded and brush off these automobiles which can be unremarkable on paper, however among the best issues about them is while you slide behind the wheel anticipating to really feel nothing, and as you set off you notice they’re really fairly pleasing. 

I’m a agency believer within the philosophy that it is extra enjoyable to drive a sluggish automobile quick than it’s to drive a quick automobile sluggish and gauging from a lot of the responses, the viewers agrees. I mentioned that I used to be shocked by how enjoyable the 2026 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring was to drive, which I stand by. Yes, I may need had extra enjoyable driving up Angeles Crest Highway in one thing extra purpose-built for driving enjoyment, however I used to be actually tickled by how effectively the Accord took a great flogging. I really like being impressed by mundane automobiles with a secretive wild facet, and it sounds such as you all do too. These are a few of my favourite solutions, however there have been lots extra that are not included, so be happy to return and skim via the opposite solutions. These are a number of the automobiles which can be surprisingly enjoyable to drive, in accordance with the Jalopnik viewers.

Just a few years again, the Wife and I rented a Fiat 500c cabriolet (with an ordinary shift, after all) whereas staying in Sicily. When we walked via the rental automobile lot, we noticed fellow vacationers rejoicing over their Audi cabrio leases, making us ponder whether we’d remorse our alternative of a Fiat.

We have been satisfied we made the best alternative as quickly as we cleared the airport and reached an open street. The automobile was so enjoyable to drive that we needed to take turns on the wheel. Also, drivers in Palermo are adept at turning a two-lane street into 4. Having a subcompact automobile allowed us to glide.

Submitted by: Kidney Grille

I had a 1988 Plymouth Horizon 4 door with a 5 velocity and never a lot else. That automobile really ran fairly good and was enjoyable for what it was. My brother had the identical automobile with an automated and it was fairly onerous to imagine a guide transmission might make that a lot of a distinction. That automobile with an automated could not get out of its personal means.

Submitted by: Bruno

2002 Mazda Protege5 5-speed guide. I put over 130k miles in 5 years commuting to work and faculty. 18k on the street; not quick, however it towed my jet ski (in third gear up steep grades). And with winter tires it dealt with snow routes to ski slopes simply effective. This automobile was a blast to drive in corners whereas dealing with Home Depot runs with out complaints. Trule essentially the most versatile and sincere automobile I’ve ever owned.

Submitted by: Igor Getsin

The first Gen Scion xA and xB on paper have been curler skates. 105-hp 1.5L engine and no discernible cause for getting a re-evaluation, however at barely over a ton in weight, they may very well be tossed round on their skinny little tires.

They have been actually the enjoyable of Slow Car, Fast.

The actual champion of that point was the primary Ford Focus ZX3, not even the SVT, which I feel all of us anticipated to be enjoyable, contemplating the badge, however it was much more enjoyable than your typical financial system automobile of the time.

Submitted by: potbellyjoe

My sister drives a 2013 Scion xB that she purchased new. Just ticked over 130,000 miles and nonetheless operating sturdy. That factor is definitely a hoot to drive – nimble, handles effectively, and feels very zippy on metropolis streets. The Camry 4-cylinder that they put in these issues is a bit of gem of an engine…torquey and has loads of passing energy. You would not realize it by the appears of it!

Submitted by: JonRob951

1994 Dodge Neon with a guide. I bought one in faculty and liked carving the backroads of southern Ohio. They went on to an SRT model and an ACR membership racer model.

Submitted by: trailbilly

I’m growing old myself right here as I’m going a short time again. My license was model new and a good friend of mine bought a kind of little Mazda MX-3 V6 coupes. And whereas the ability numbers weren’t stellar, I do not forget that little sprite eager to be tossed round with a slick shifter and the V6 was buttery clean, particularly in comparison with the 4-cylinder engines of that period. That was (to me) Mazda’s fearless, perfection period with the Miata, MX-3, MX-6, RX-7, and even their sedans had a little bit of Japanese BMW DNA in them.

We look again now and surprise why they put a 1.8L V6 in a tiny sport coupe, however my reply is why not? Bubble-era Japan gave us some attention-grabbing automobiles

Submitted by: Xavier96

I used to be actually shocked to drive my mother’s Chevy Cruze. A little bit automobile with a tiny engine but quite a lot of pep. It was really a enjoyable drive and dealt with in a sporty method.

Submitted by: MMOSB

My uncle purchased a Base Mini in ’03. That was essentially the most enjoyable guide transmission automobile I’ve ever pushed. You might push it in corners because it had wonderful dealing with. Smiles for miles

Submitted by: T A

I’ve a gen 2 Chevy Volt…the load is down low and the torque is instantaneous when operating off the battery, making it quite a lot of enjoyable on the twisty roads behind my home. On the boring roads in entrance of my home I get to play the online game of “how many miles can I get from this charge”, which is not as enjoyable however nonetheless higher than nothing.

Submitted by: dug_deep

I as soon as owned a 91 Saturn SL2. This factor was loaded for what it was, all leather-based inside, energy home windows, locks, and sunroof, the optionally available sport steering wheel, and a 5 velocity guide. That DOHC engine was solely good for round 120hp, however between the guide transmission and the light-weight plastic physique panels, it was actually all you wanted.

Submitted by: [email protected]

A 1968 VW Bus. I imply…after all it is enjoyable to cruise round in because of the nostalgia/vibes/aesthetic however it will possibly really be enjoyable to drive too. Figuring out the bizarre lengthy throws, hitting the apex on windy roads for optimum consolation/minimal risk to life, and so on. Dialing within the drive on that factor (actually something) actually is an pleasing expertise.

Submitted by: SantaCruzin

Wranglers. There is noting fairly like driving such a brief wheelbase automobile, high down, doorways off. They are in a category of their very own in that regime. Everything else, although, onerous go.

Submitted by: Lucky 13

My previous 1991 Geo Metro 2-door 5-speed.

It would fry these little 12-inch tires in 1st and 2nd, and even chirp them in third.

It might go (an estimated) 100 mph with 4 individuals in it.

It bought 50+ mpg, irrespective of how I drove it.

It was only a enjoyable little 55hp, 1,650 lb. bundle of pleasure.

Submitted by: Anonymous Person

Way again when, my dad bought a 1971 Caddy that wanted some work. I borrowed it when it had vacuum leaks and pale paint. My regular automobile was a Fiero, which was a BIG a swap in how a automobile drove you could possibly discover.

That Old Caddy was enjoyable as hell. The brakes have been sensitive as hell so a delicate contact and the one factor I might see was the pavement because the previous Caddy stood on its entrance bumper. The acceleration was stunning. Stomp the fuel.. do a peg-leg burn out for 3-4 seconds. Teleport to 35.. do a 6 second shift to 2nd.. teleport to 70.. then begin shifting even slower into third. All whereas trying on the sky from the mushy suspension.

The dealing with was “interesting” The steering wheel did not flip the automobile, however tip it. Turn steering 20 levels, automobile tilts 20 levels and a pair beats later, begins to show. It felt prefer it had tremendous sluggish steering, however the itemizing was instantaneous.

Highway cruising was insane. Nothing however a gradual hiss from dozens of vacuum leaks and a whisper of frost heaves. If you wished to go somebody, you turned the steering wheel, Waited for the automobile to show and proper whereas gently pushing the fuel. The automobile would sink down a bit and the sounds of the frost heaves would enhance in tempo. A pair seconds later, you’d hear a ticking noise from the sprint that was the speedometer hitting the peg. Absolutely no sensation of velocity in any respect.

It was silly, it was foolish and it was enjoyable as hell. It was a land yacht and confirmed why individuals purchased them.

Submitted by: hoser68