For those afflicted by the automotive hobby in their youth, the hero car is a common phenomenon. Whether it’s a Ferrari F40 or a Lexus LFA, there are always the untouchables that are nothing short of canonized. As age and wisdom build, some of those hero cars can lose their luster, but some of us still have those machines that we hold in great regard, even if we’ll likely never drive one. Maybe it’s the experience that comes with the job, but finding a personal example took a bit of searching because I’m generally a skeptic.
Unless I have prior experience with a powertrain or chassis, just about any car could go either way. However, there is one exception for me, just because spec sheets and period road tests give enough information to suggest that it’s probably fun. Yep, it’s the TVR Sagaris.
With a 406-horsepower four-liter inline-six, a five-speed manual gearbox, a curb weight of 2,731 pounds, and styling from Mars, the TVR Sagaris sounds like an absolute riot. More importantly, it seems better built than most TVR models, with Evo writing:
So instead of reporting on a sexier, more savage Sagaris, I’m here to tell you about things like washer jets fixed to the scuttle instead of floppy rubber tubes lashed to the windscreen wipers; supportive Sparco seats that don’t wobble during hard acceleration, braking or cornering; new floor-hinged pedals made with a curve so that you don’t have to overextend your ankles to fully depress the clutch or accelerator; tailgate glass with a beautiful alloy latch instead of a recess designed solely to pinch your fingers; rear-exiting exhausts that spit and pop but don’t resonate; and bodywork that doesn’t act as a trap for every leaf, granite chipping and errant cigarette butt. The list goes on.
Properly quick, lightweight, and built with some semblance of care sounds like a winning formula. The TVR Sagaris is probably good fun, even if it’s still a TVR, so things like ergonomics aren’t a massive concern. I still want one, because really, it seems like a difficult vehicle to go wrong with, provided you start with the right set of expectations.
So, what car are you convinced is great even though you’ve never driven it? Whether you idolize the R32 Skyline GT-R or just know intrinsically that the C6 Corvette ZR1 is spectacular, I’d love to hear your answers in the comments below.
(Photo credits: TVR)
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Ferrari f40,Dodge viper,Ford gt40,Toyota Yaris wrc.
So many great answers here, and I’m gonna steal a few, but add some more:
Definitely a 1980s mercedes 300cd, although that’s kind of cheating because I drove it’s little brother for a while
2019 Bullitt mustang. The automotive school at the county college where I went had a 2001 which didn’t run, but still looked awesome and was a conversation piece with the lead instructor (for clarity I did not even participate in the auto program). When the 2019 was released at the Detroit Auto Show alongside Steve McQueen’s 1968 car, I was hooked and have been lusting after one ever since.
Focus R, S2000
2005 Ford GT. Alpine A110, well, really ANY Alpine.
“ALMOST any Alpine” – Gasly and Ocon, probably
Toyota Sprinter Trueno Apex GT-Apex tofu edition, Prodrive P25 Impreza, and Subaru 22B STi
I bet the EV HUMMER is a riot.
There are some great guesses in the comments (Alfa Romeo Montreal; Dino 246, Pantera, Miata…)
It’s truly the aspirational automobile we want. Hearts.
All you folks here have me convinced I’m gonna love a Miata. Hope you are right. Hope I fit, too. At 6 foot, most of it in my legs, I’m not sure I will. I have to lean the seat back and run it all the way back in my Mazda2Yaris to fit and not hit my head
Oh, a whole lot.
Miata, s2000, Viper, NSX, AZ-1, manual 7.3 Powerstroke
There are already several cars that have more than lived up to my expectations: Samurai, my CJ and J10, IDI Fords.
CRX- Never driven one but have heard a million good things about them. I want one so bad. I used to have an 80’s VW Rabbit so somewhat similar. For a hero car, the Ferrari Testarossa and Lamborghini Countach
I used to think that a CRX must be awesome to drive. But having driven an Accord and a Civic side by side, I kinda don’t like Civics anymore. I thought an Accord was a bigger Civic, but that’s not really true. It’s pretty much a better civic.
Yeah, I’ve actually always liked the Accord better…I have a 2014, have had 2 late 80’s Accords, and a 91 Accord was a family car growing up. The CRX’s just seem special, and even more so I really want a late 80’s Prelude
Yeah, I have a 1991 Accord wagon and also a 92.
Mk3 Prelude is a serious want.
Nice! Yeah, out of any Honda besides the NSX, that gen Prelude is like a holy grail to me. They are (like the CRX) hard to find in decent shape and price…I can’t believe how much some people want for them- there are cheap ones but need a lot of work but that’s probably the way to go
The CRX is meh.
Needed to be RWD.
Alpine A110.
Shelby Cobra! Mic drop.
Ridden in an original, and driven several replicas. Terrifying but very much yes.
I’d hoon it!
Hawkeye WRX STI. The part of me that never stopped being a teenager is convinced that upon getting into one, I’ll be transformed into Colin McRae, effortlessly drifting along frozen Michigan backroads. I refuse to be disabused of this notion, nor will I acknowledge that attempting to bring this dream into reality will most likely result in wrapping myself around a tree.
Lately I’ve been smitten with the Pantera, but I suspect it’s terrible to drive…
Caterham Seven
This is my dream car since I saw one when I was 10…
I would love a V-8 Bentley Continental!
Lotus. All of ’em.
Short list, Bizzarini 5300 gt Strada, Ferrari Dino 246 GT., Alfaholics Romeo 1600 Junior Zagato and GTAR.
I can answer this most easily in the past tense. For my whole life I was convinced air-cooled 911s were great. Finally bought one in 2015 and, yessir, they sure are.
McLaren M6D?
I have a suspicion that I’d really enjoy driving a current gen Mustang with the 5.0, just seems like a great car