The 80s summed up in one car

Lopéz · 14 Dec 2010 at 18:25

Open my front door and it's straight back to the 80s for me :

georges · 14 Dec 2010 at 18:29

sigma said:
It's been heavily photoshopped, I wonder that they original was like.

Lol I hadn't even noticed the hills in the picture

sigma · 14 Dec 2010 at 18:30

Not to mention the trainers near the wheel!

lewism · 14 Dec 2010 at 18:35

K.C. Leblanc · 14 Dec 2010 at 19:25

Lopéz said:
Open my front door and it's straight back to the 80s for me :

I think you've cracked it.

The sportier cars that Joe public was buying went from being RWD coupes to FWD hot hatches.

That said I do love the Saab 900s, and a lot of other '80s cars. I think it was an end of the era when most manufacturers looked to their own countries and tended to follow their own traditions. In the 90's and increasingly into the 00s their products became much more similar.

RenoRanes007 · 14 Dec 2010 at 20:10

I'm afraid I have to go with the Audi ur quattro, for obvious reasons

Jamous · 14 Dec 2010 at 23:05

bigchez said:
The 3 door's handling is a lot more direct and 'nervous' than the saph, which was toned down for the public (not least due to the number of 3 door that went into lamposts and walls backwards ). It is quite a common mod to put 3 door hubs and front ARB on a saph to improve the turn in. The 3 door was difficult but rewarding to drive in a spirited manner, and wanted to go sideways more than in a straight line. Great if you're in the mood but it could be scary, particularly in the damp as thee way most are mapped is with a massive boost spike in the midrange which give a massive glob of torque at once - mine hit 2.2 bar boost by 3700 revs in the end .

They do not handle well though! Due to rear beam design as soon as the car is lowered you significantly increase neg camber on the rear which reduces grip and needs a modified rear beam to cure - unfortunately these are fairly expensive and much lower down most cos owner's to do list than whacking the boost up, innit bruv!!

I owned a Sapphire for 4 years and ended up a modest 348bhp. I agree completely, the sapphire was never "sophisticated" but it was a bit toned down compared to the 3 door, but I think its "rough round the edges" was part of its appeal. I always loved the- nothing-nothing-nothing.........FULL BOOST!!!! Certainly got your attention mid-bent lol. Great car and one I miss the most.