These Are The Cars Everyone Should Drive At Least Once

“A car with manual everything. I’ve driven a few cars without power steering and a manual transmission and it makes you really think about what you are doing at all times. Parallel parking really make you appreciate a power steering pump.”

So you think everyone should drive a manual Peugeot 106 from the early 2000s? Got it.

Suggested by: klone121

“Everyone should drive something HUGE, like the biggest box truck you can rent. Or a really big RV. A bus. A semi, if you could.

“Then maybe people would have a little more respect for these behemoths and give them the distance they need to operate. Stay out of their blind spots, don’t tailgate them, and for goodness sake, don’t cut in front of them!

“On the other end, everyone should have to ride a motorcycle in traffic. Keep your eyes open, people!”

This is a bit like how everyone should work in the service industry at least once, it gives you a better perspective on life.

Suggested by: stillnotatony

“A ‘sporty’ car from the 70s/80s to be reminded of just how far cars have come. Back when a 10 second 0-60 was decent and performance packages were mostly stickers.

“(Not to crap on Malaise cars, because I like them, but more for the style than the performance. The Mustang II Cobra is a damn good looking car.)”

That’s one way to make you appreciate what you’ve got.

Suggested by: emilminty

“First choice?

“S550 Mustang GT350: The sensations you feel when driving this car can’t be adequately described. It sounds like Liz Hurley looks. It handles like it’s gently caressing the road. It accelerates in such a blisteringly quick, yet smooth, fashion that it has to be felt to be believed. All of this while being so pleasant that you’d think the Germans built her. It’s proof that Ford CAN build a car to compete with the best European cars, but chooses not to.

“Second?

“E90/E92/E93 BMW M3: The V8 in this car makes the most amazing sounds of any bone-stock V8 other than the flat-plane V8 in the GT350. It’s flat out incredible. The DCT in this car is the best of any I’ve driven to date, with instant shifts, no lurching around parking lots, and it gives the driver full control in sport mode instead of a delayed fake manual shift (looking at you, Ford). Acceleration in this car is phenomenal, the handling is sensational, the ride is exquisite, and the sounds, noises, and feedback from the car to the driver are perfect in every way. This car doesn’t drive down the road, it makes love to the road as it rolls over it.

“Third?

“Mustang II: Find one someone has done a 4-barrel carb and intake swap on (or more) and drive it. Realize that most of the car’s bad reputation is internet hive-mind BS spewed by people who have never seen one in real life, much less driven one. Enjoy the suprisingly good ride, decent handling, way more comfortable than they should be seats, horrible brakes (they were, they were too small even for the 70s), and overall pleasantness of the car. They’re a fantastic platform to build a cruiser, drag car, or autocross car from. I’ve had three IIs and built one for cruising one for drag, and the other was an ‘R&D’ car I did a lot of experimentation on (6oocfm Holley carb on a hopped up 2.3, among other things).”

Alright, we said one car!

Suggested by: mustangiimatt

“Monster truck. This is more for me than anyone else, but if every gets to drive one, then that means I do too.”

That’s one way to answer this question, I guess.

Suggested by: engineerthefuture

“Motorcycle. Riding a motorcycle has made me a better driver. Things like looking at other drivers’ eyes and where they are looking has saved my bacon on the bike numerous times and avoided insurance claims while in the car.”

Obviously you should already be keeping an eye on other road users, but bikes give you a better appreciation for the importance of this.

Suggested by: soloyosh

“Not everyone will be able to experience driving super fast, extreme handling exotics like Ferraris or McLarens in their lifetime.

“But, they can still get a taste of ultimate performance, in almost every major city.

“Go-kart racing.

“Everyone should do it at least once, and get a taste of circuit racing and the feeling of G-forces pushing against you as you maneuver a vehicle around the track.”

An excellent way to find the joy in driving once again.

Suggested by: knyte

“Not a car, but you should drive an old tractor. I am a little biased but a late 40s - early 50s John Deere B. Hand throttle, hand clutch, two brake pedals, manual steering and that beautiful ‘putt putt putt’ of the two cylinder.”

This is certainly one way to appreciate the world at a slower pace.

Suggested by: nemo1

“Lots will say Miata, but that’s boring. The answer for that category is an Alfa Romeo Spider. wonderful Italian roadster with nothing but the basics. No power tops. No traction control. Just you in a tiny car close to the road that’s fun as can be. Plus, the stick shift comes out of the dashboard!”

You’re actually the first poster to utter the “M” word.

Suggested by: goalielax

“Miata is the answer, a well setup Na with barely 90hp, manual steering no power brakes, still the most fun thing ive ever driven. Especially on winding country roads.

“I even preferred it over my NB vvt, by quite a lot.

“And at 6'8 i wont hear any bs of not being able to fit. Had them both as daily drivers. Although the nb needed mods to fit properly.”

And here’s the second person to say the “M” word.

Suggested by: difflocked

“I’ve driven Miatas and I do agree that enthusiasts should at least try one once...and I drove a freshly restored Jag E-Type Series 1 4.2, which was sublime and oh so visceral (though not very comfortable as they were not designed with 6'3" guys in mind). Believe it or not, a long test drive of a ‘98 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS (blue with gold wheels, natch), was an incredibly memorable drive (I just threw that thing around and it lapped it all up like an eager puppy). I had a 1st-gen ‘new’ Mini Cooper S for a couple of years that was so fun to drive it should have been illegal. I’ve also had several others that were very important to me, and experiences I think other enthusiasts would benefit from...from C4 Corvettes to 87 IROC Zs, to a few Ferraris and more ‘pedestrian’ fare like C5 Corvettes and late 90s Cadillac STSes...

“But the one that really sticks with me is the Porsche 930 (911 Turbo to Americans). It was a 1988, the last year of the 4-spd (yup, no 5-spd until 1989), and it was 1989 and I was 18 at the time. The owner’s brother was in the passenger seat and was NOT a ‘good passenger’, but I still managed to have a bit of fun. It was a MACHINE. I’ve never driven anything that felt so much like an extension of my body...I could FEEL everything that car was doing and encountering. I’d bet good money I could feel a dime if I drove over one. It was so RAW, but not in any way rough (the E-Type was also raw, but quite rough...being a mid-60s sports car, it wasn’t a shock).

“The engine was a bit of an enigma. It would take years, and many miles, to really learn how to work and predict that motor. The acceleration has been described, very accurately, as ‘brutal’...and it totally was. You’d start off and it would pull like any other 911...then you’d hit 3500rpm or so and HOLYMOTHEROFGODWHATTHEHELLISHAPPENING!!!!! I’ve driven many turbo cars, but nothing had such a huge gap between off-boost and on-boost power. It was insane. And addictive. I almost immediately started trying to figure out how I could keep it ‘on boost’ more. If I had had more time (or, you know, OWNED one), I would likely have experimented with Hurley Haywood’s and Walter Rohrl’s left-foot brake-dragging while staying on the throttle to build boost, but not speed. Alas, I did not have that chance. I could go on for paragraphs about that car, even though I only drove it for an hour...and I think every true driving enthusiast should have a chance to try one. I will make you think about things in an entirely different way…”

If a car doesn’t make you think “HOLYMOTHEROFGODWHATTHEHELLISHAPPENING” is it even worth driving?

Suggested by: osmodious

“Any big old full sized, bench seat pick-up from the 70s, 80s or early 90s. They just force you to slow down, put an elbow on the windowsill, turn the radio dial to some local station and appreciate the sights, sounds and rattles as you amble along a two-lane road with a friend or two. 50 years from now, no one will give a second thought to commutting in their Accord, but I guarantee you’ll still recall the smell of fresh cut grass and the day you spent driving that C-10.”

Another poster advocating for life in the slow lane, what has gotten into you lot lately?

Suggested by: floridaman2020

“An 18-wheeler, not just because it is freaking awesome (it is, I got my CDL, another bucket list item achieved), but also it is very scary. As car driver it taught me how only just in control a lot of those rigs are, and I give them a lot more space. I recommend it, and especially for cyclists and bikers. You guys need to learn how to drive a Semi, because that is the only way to appreciate just how limited their visibility is and how easy it is to just vanish when you slip alongside one or in front of one. Learn to give space, be extra visible, and stay safe.”

Sure, you’ll need to get yourself a new license, but what’s one more drivers license between friends?

Suggested by: skeffles

“I was going to list some super cars, 458 Italia, GT Black series, Gated Manual Murcielago. But I think the car everyone should experience at least once in both driving and being driven in is the latest V12 Mercedes Maybach Sedan. Listen, I know the smug look people have in their Model X’s, with their designer shades thinking they’re somebody, but that car is not luxury, not even close. Arguably THE most comfortable car I’ve ever driven. We had the prototype for some years. It’s the type of car, that makes you relaxed. 600 horses of V12 goodness (that sounds amazing as well) and I never got the urge to go fast in it. Not that I’ve never tried, because oh boy does it go quick and is surprisingly nimble for it’s size. It can take potholes and uneven ground with ease better than even most SUVs without feeling a thing, just a little...waft of the suspension. And if you like music, your ear has 32 speakers to choose from and there is no rattle. If I had the money, I would definitely make one my daily driver.”

Whether you’re driving or being driven, this is a good suggestion.

Suggested by: darthspartan117