I have decided to not reread them, basically due to the fact they would not appeal to me now. I'd rather have the fond memory than a recent experience!

If you still feel like giving Adams a chance, I'd recommend "Good Omens" (written together with Neil Gaiman) and "Last chance to see" (written together with Mark Carwadine). Both have a less zany tone (well, differently zany, at least) than the Hitchhiker books.