What makes a car special to me?
- Looks? Of course! I have to like the look, either sedan, sports coupe, or even hatchback but no tall cars and it has to have good proportion where it doesn't look bulky/fat, meaning it looks more wide and low than tall (that's why I don't like Lancer Evo X). It also must have a clean straight body line, not broken up with too many cuts (that's why I don't like the Enzo or FK8R!). I don't like nose designs that look like gaping open mouth with no teeth as well, for example R35, the newer Lexus designs, again the Evo X! They just look damn ugly to me. I also don't like it too big. D-segment size is about the biggest I'd get, ideally a C-segment. That's why I don't like the trend of cars getting bigger and bigger.
- How it drives? Absolutely! It must have decent, responsive handling and good stability at high speeds. That's why I don't like big and heavy cars. Responsive transmission is also important, manual even better provided the gear shift is precise and the pedal positions are nicely aligned, unlike Avanza or Vios for example where the gas and brake pedals are too far apart and not level, just lousy!
- Power and torque? I'm not too obsessed with big power coz it won't be much useful anyway, at least for my average driving skill. What's important is driveability, not huge but peaky power band. My target ideally is around 300+hp/400+NM on wheel for a C/D-segment size. Or at least decent power to weight ratio, so if something smaller like just a 1 ton or lighter then even under 150hp can be enough provided got good handling. (Example my son's Swift Sport).
-NA/Turbo/SC etc? Hmm not really that important as long as it can give what I want. Unfortunately due to stupid MY tax regulation, smaller engines with turbo seems to be the best choice. If not for that, I'd probably inclined a bit towards bigger size engines like between 3-4ltr 6-8 cylinders but again not so important. Currently my target is a 2.0T though, seems bored now with NA.
- Poster dream cars? Used to dream on Ferraris/Lambos etc2. but not so much anymore coz they're actually rather useless and I will never get to own one.
- It's also a plus point for me if the car is not too common on the road, so a bit unique, and not everyone can appreciate the combination of all its qualities.
In summary, it has to be quite fun to drive, looks decent, practical for daily drive, and have some rather unique qualities where not many would buy/own.
Some examples of special cars to me:
- 4G63T Lancer Evos. Because it represents the best bang for the buck with great performance yet combined with reasonable practicality. It's the best Mitsu ever and probably the best 4 cylinder engine ever made too. It's giant killer and no other car at that price point (when new) can match its performance. WRX is close but no cigars and they don't look as good.
- AMG CLA/A45. To me this is the modern replacement of Evo, similar brutal qualities but in much more modern packaging and now with the prestige to boot, yet also still excellent performance value for money and that AMG badge! This is the car that gave birth to the hyper hatch class.
- AMG E & C classes and BMW M3 & M5 sedans, because they represent the complete package of luxury, performance, handling, practicality, and prestige at the highest level. It's the perfect combo of luxury sedan and supercar in 1, like having your cake and eat it too. If I were to get filthy rich, these are the sort of car I'd buy first, not so much on Ferraris/Lambos.
- Mitsubishi Galant VR4 with 6A13TT. IMHO the second best Mitsu car ever, looks great and mean, available in manual, very fast too with AWD, yet practical 4 door comfortable sedan. It's the poor men's version of AMG & M power super sedans.
- Toyota Mark X GRMN, the only Mark X available in manual 6 speed, with 3.5ltr 310HP engine, LSD, big brakes, and tuned for sporty driving. Again great combo of fast performance and practicality, bullet proof Toyota reliability and that nice, aggressive look.
- Suzuki Swift Sport. Really fun car to drive, a true pocket rocket that can surprise many bigger and more expensive cars. Probably the best car Suzuki ever made. The fact that it's a common car yet rather rare in Malaysia makes it better for me.
- Honda S2000, sexy looking sport convertible, nice 6 speed manual, RWD, 9000rpm screamer in a light chassis.
As for my Mark X, well its a bit special because it's the only RWD Japanese car with 6 speed and 200+hp available here that I like with good reliability. The only other options was only the Skyline 250 which I don't like and too rare, and the E90 325i which I don't quite like, too common and nowhere near the reliability. It also looks unique with that swooping hoodlines down to the bumper, the peanut style headlights, sleek body line, and integrated twin exhaust tips into the bumper. What prevents it from being truly special is the rather sluggish auto, lousy stock brakes, and not so powerful. It's still an excellent car for daily drive though.
