Faves -
First ever car - Metro 1.0 HLE- BL A-series engine and long gearing. I never managed the 87 MPG they claimed for it but 47 MPG wasn't bad as I was 17 and drove like a 17 year old - i.e. a complete loon.
The Maestro and 220 SDi Diesels from the other thread stand out as being really nice. The Monstro was truly comfy but not really sporty, racy or sexy in any way, shape or form - like its owner
The 220 was a company car and a little strange to everyone else at the company who went out to buy Mondeos or Vectras or Saab 900s (old GM Cavalier based thing) at the same time. But it was comfy, handled like a race car with its additional rear ARB (I raced a then new Focus on the A701 and won easily) and I made money on every company car mile I drove
Record tank averaged 70+ mpg on a round trip from Cheshire to London and back - I had a bet on making it on one tank and won £50.
I would then nominate my first ever TD car the mightly Vauxhall Nova TD Merit - complete with 145 section tyres - wheelspin in 3rd sir, certainly. Solid, square, boring but damn reliable and very fast. Japanese Isuzu engine and 5sp gearbox. Also my first turbo car - yes there is a "replacement for displacement".
Any of the Minis (not MINI) I have owned come after that - more economical than a 2CV and faster. Simple to work on but very very rusty - quite often my dad would trade in a 12 month old one with rust on the body.
And of course Helga - not entirely decided to let her go yet, I know I know...
I expect this to be a 60+ mpg tank which given she is sporty (woosh) and my driving is mostly urban is quite good. Plus I have been fixing the rattles (some weekends off finally) so she is quiet again.
Least Faves :
Honda Accord - the UK/European mid-90s version. Quiet, comfy, reliable, and bankruptingly thirsty at the time. I drove from Preston to Manchester in 4th instead of 5th on day because it was quiet - it used 1/2 a tank for the round trip.
My boss anounced I could have my company car (the 220 SDi mentioned above) when the Honda had done 100K. I replied it had 116K on it already. This was the only car (except for being a prat in a Mini) I have ever spun and so I have concluded on this evidence that Honda know bvgger all about handling.
Daewoo Matiz - Truly awful car bought because I needed the free insurance and some insurance history after being on a companu policy for 5 years. Not especially economical but the 3cyl engine did sound like a Porsche. Unfortunately it was incapable of any cornering at all.
No honest, it really was that bad...
...except in the snow where it was strangely superb - I mean 4x4 passing on the A701 Beeftub in snow superb.
Ahh, the memories - again...