Inspired by FordFan mentioning the Pug 605.

 

Cars that didn't stand out in a crowd, perhaps most people didn't even know existed, but could get you from A-B quickly and very comfortably.

 

Edit: Oops, inspired by the wrong person

Edited 4 February, 201412 yr by StevesTruck

Wasn't me that mentioned it, but how about the Rover 620TI? 0-60 in 7 seconds or thereabouts.

I was impressed by my first car, considering what a barge it was.

1982 2.8 V6 Granada Estate.

It blends in because everyone thinks it's a 405. Who's ever heard of a 605?

 

 

Volvo 960 Executive aka Volvo S90

 

Totally unassuming on the outside, until you notice the windows in the back doors look a bit... odd.... Longer wheelbase makes them huge in the back

Senator 3.0

 

 

 

Lotus Carlton (okay maybe not quite so 'unassuming')

 

 

Nissan QX

 

 

And my favourite because it's the last barge I had.

 

Toyota Camry V6. Toyota designed a 24v v6 from scratch with the sole purpose of wedging it in the 4 cylinder Camry's engine bay. Then stuck a little boot spolier and the two smallest v6 badges you've ever seen on it so no one noticed. Great for sprising people on the motorway. Downside was phenomenal understeer, and getting accused of driving a Nissan Bluebird. 

Edited 4 February, 201412 yr by StevesTruck

Renault Safrane.... with either a V6 or a 2.5 straight 5 Volvo engine...

Renault 25 V6 or Rover 827 from around 1988 which were on the rental fleet.  They seemed quite fast when you're in your early twenties and you weren't paying for the petrol.

I remember my Dad's old Honda Legend very fondly (and the Accord he replaced it with). 3.5 litres of totally anonymous wafting!

I had a Saab 9000 CSE 2.3 16v on a 92 (K) plate. 

In metallic grey colour. 

 

 

Thirsty, heavy but went pretty well considering no turbo. 

Very comfortable seats, my first car with cruise control

and ABS :p 

It was a million miles away from the sort of things my

mates were driving at the time.  

It was quite expensive to repair and had a few faults here and there 

but a good old barge none the less when everything was working. 

Vauxhall Omega ( OK, it was 90's only)

I had a Nissan Laurel 2.4sgl long time ago. Straight six 2.4 injection. Went very well for a big old barge. Lots of luxuries inside too.

Exact same colour too

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Hmm how about the:

Fiat Croma turbo ie

Lancia Thema Ferrari 8.32

I still say the most comfortable car I can remember being in is the Volvo 740 saloon my dad had in the late 90s.. I can't remember the full specs but it was a 2.5 litre of some sort, not exactly a performance car but it did shift a bit when he stuck his foot down (and so did the fuel gauge!)

 

He also had a Rover SD1 v8... but I'm not sure you could get away with calling that one unassuming (it was lowered and had a straight through exhaust fitted to it, you could hear him pulling in to the street )

How anyone could miss this out I do not know. Same platform as the Saab 9000, Chroma and Thema but the Alfa 164 looked amazing with its pininfarina body and it handled too. Neighbour had a V6 one and then a twin spark version (V6 was too juicy) and they were both lovely engines. Even the 2.0 sounded good.

 

Or if you are a Bernard Manning wannabe how about a 1993 Cadillac Seville? Nice 300bhp quad cam 4.6 litre V8 driving the front wheels. I believe it was called the Northstar. Pestered my dad like hell to upgrade to one of these when we went to Disney but he didn't :(

 

2.8 Ford Granada Mk 2

Road Sofas...

 

Has to be Citroen with that suspension:

 

CX:

 

BX:

 

Xantia (Activa below):

 

I had a Citroen BX DTR Turbo - basically a GTI both inside and outside but with the fantastic 90bhp turbo diesel engine.  It pulled like a train, did 40 mpg no matter how hard you drove it (and I drove it hard) and rode and handled superbly.  Utterly fantastic car.  Wasn't the most reliable thing that I've ever owned, but it was one of those cars where you didn't begrudge the repair bills, because it drove so well. 

This too for sure, giant killer in its time.

 

Second on the Alfa 164. A gorgeous looking motor too.

 

A car like this that always stuck in my mind 

 

 

Mercedes 500SL. I seem to remember these being huge 

I would also like to mention my dad's cherished 1995 Merc C280 (like one in photo but that one has alloys)Looks like a boggo beirut taxi in white with steel wheels but with a 200bhp straight 6 it dosn't hang about. It has a nice comfy ride too. The W124 E class was terrific too. One of the best Mercs ever.

Edited 5 February, 201412 yr by Matt Bodycombe

Always had a soft spot for 1980s Audi 100/200 too.

 

Edited 5 February, 201412 yr by Matt Bodycombe

2.9 Granada Scorpio went along at a fair lick. The 3.0 Senator, as mentioned above as well. Although they were reasonably well known in the day, as they were used by Plod.

 

2.9 Granada Scorpio went along at a fair lick. The 3.0 Senator, as mentioned above as well. Although they were reasonably well known in the day, as they were used by Plod.

 

 

I used to borrow my dads when he took my mums car to work (and mine was off the road being repaired)  I used to love the effortless drive of them