Has modern supercar ownership become NAFF and irrelevant?
Discussion
The Moose said:
That does sound nice.
I like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6o0bV3pmNI
No, I love it
(and I don't mean the S-Max after a minute or two!!)
Very nice. I understand from owners it's much more of a thinly veiled racer for the road than others marketed as such. A proper bit of kit.I like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6o0bV3pmNI
No, I love it
(and I don't mean the S-Max after a minute or two!!)
Ozzie Osmond said:
Yes, I thought the post lauding Morgan's geriatric 3-wheeler was particularly hilarious.
I can see why that would be fun to drive though...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htI3weS49cc
mwstewart said:
The Moose said:
That does sound nice.
I like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6o0bV3pmNI
No, I love it
(and I don't mean the S-Max after a minute or two!!)
Very nice. I understand from owners it's much more of a thinly veiled racer for the road than others marketed as such. A proper bit of kit.I like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6o0bV3pmNI
No, I love it
(and I don't mean the S-Max after a minute or two!!)
Edited by The Moose on Wednesday 3rd August 15:04
av185 said:
Always makes one chortle hearing the old 'imperfection is perfection' chestnut ( same with women), regularly spouted by the 'beards' and their old decaying tat. (Not that I am implying you are in this category nor that the the 308 is tat btw!).
I find there is a major distinction between imperfection and character.
And on the subject of women, it intrigues me how the ones with at least half a brain and non ' gold diggas' invairiably find a chap in a 'supercar' somewhat chavvy and vulgar, whereas if they drive an 60s Austin Cambridge, Morris Minor traveller with wood bits hanging off or something equally horrific they think you are uber cool....
No offence taken. The 308 in particular is a glorious slab of 70's incompetence, steering a pig, visibility awful, finish poor, and extracting yourself from it requires yoga like moves I've not quite figured out yet. However, you can't put a price on seeing my 9 year old sons face explode with joy as we hooned off down the road in it. Will he care about any of that? I doubt it.I find there is a major distinction between imperfection and character.
And on the subject of women, it intrigues me how the ones with at least half a brain and non ' gold diggas' invairiably find a chap in a 'supercar' somewhat chavvy and vulgar, whereas if they drive an 60s Austin Cambridge, Morris Minor traveller with wood bits hanging off or something equally horrific they think you are uber cool....
Edited by av185 on Wednesday 3rd August 13:45
Must be character then? I like it as much as my brother does, but I still told him to sell it.
Revisitph said:
I've never owned or driven a "supercar". A small, small engined petrol car can be great fun.. without the attention / cost / scraping speed bumps that often go with having a higher performance car. Yesterday I was following a Nissan Micra along a twisty NSL country road near home - it was making great progress and the owner evidently enjoying his drive.
An MX-5 - any of the MK1 -> current is very tempting.
I agree, I have a MK1 MX-5 and while it is great fun, I cannot shake the idea that if I crash it I will become embedded in it and it in me, dulls the enjoyment a bit.An MX-5 - any of the MK1 -> current is very tempting.
I am seriously considering replacing it with one of these some day soon, would love if it was this colour too. Safe, fun (at any speed), cheap and I get to keep my licence
k-ink said:
Interesting posts Crack. That is a shame as I've always loved the looks of the 355. Sounds like another one to be filed away in the "Never meet your heroes".
It's also not wholly representative I don't think. The Spider is a bit of a posing pouch, especially with the F1 box. Built for the current intended 'supercar' (ugh) usage of driving around central London.Some of the best drives I've had were in the Swiss/Italian alps in my manual Berlinetta
.And that probably sums up my thoughts on this subject. The problem isn't the car, as was evident from the two Swiss LaFerraris I saw chasing each other rather quickly over the St Gotthard pass last time I was there, but the fact that central London has become their expected habitat. Instagram makes it easy for the world to see this and all the associated negatives.
edit: I even found one of the photos I took. Much better than Sloane Street, no?
tomtom said:
It's also not wholly representative I don't think. The Spider is a bit of a posing pouch, especially with the F1 box. Built for the current intended 'supercar' (ugh) usage of driving around central London.
Some of the best drives I've had were in the Swiss/Italian alps in my manual Berlinetta.
And that probably sums up my thoughts on this subject. The problem isn't the car, as was evident from the two Swiss LaFerraris I saw chasing each other rather quickly over the St Gotthard pass last time I was there, but the fact that central London has become their expected habitat. Instagram makes it easy for the world to see this and all the associated negatives.
edit: I even found one of the photos I took. Much better than Sloane Street, no?
Totally naff! Some of the best drives I've had were in the Swiss/Italian alps in my manual Berlinetta
.And that probably sums up my thoughts on this subject. The problem isn't the car, as was evident from the two Swiss LaFerraris I saw chasing each other rather quickly over the St Gotthard pass last time I was there, but the fact that central London has become their expected habitat. Instagram makes it easy for the world to see this and all the associated negatives.
edit: I even found one of the photos I took. Much better than Sloane Street, no?
br d said:
tomtom said:
It's also not wholly representative I don't think. The Spider is a bit of a posing pouch, especially with the F1 box. Built for the current intended 'supercar' (ugh) usage of driving around central London.
Some of the best drives I've had were in the Swiss/Italian alps in my manual Berlinetta.
And that probably sums up my thoughts on this subject. The problem isn't the car, as was evident from the two Swiss LaFerraris I saw chasing each other rather quickly over the St Gotthard pass last time I was there, but the fact that central London has become their expected habitat. Instagram makes it easy for the world to see this and all the associated negatives.
edit: I even found one of the photos I took. Much better than Sloane Street, no?
Totally naff! Some of the best drives I've had were in the Swiss/Italian alps in my manual Berlinetta
.And that probably sums up my thoughts on this subject. The problem isn't the car, as was evident from the two Swiss LaFerraris I saw chasing each other rather quickly over the St Gotthard pass last time I was there, but the fact that central London has become their expected habitat. Instagram makes it easy for the world to see this and all the associated negatives.
edit: I even found one of the photos I took. Much better than Sloane Street, no?
ETA: Lovely car and photo by the way
Have to agree with what you said re modern supercars. It has already been said but if you want something beautiful to own, buy a series one E Type. If you want to go quick without looking like a d--k, buy a bike. I cant afford a supercar but for best I have an Aston DB7 Vantage Volante manual. Very low key compared to the sort of exotica you have mentioned, but instead of rude hand gestures by jealous passers by, I just get 'nice car mate'. Thought about buying a DB9 but actually like the modern classic type car now. Do also have a couple of bikes and a beautiful old classic bike that when you pull up somewhere, people are genuinely interested in talking to you.
Having given this some more thought, I suppose I look at it from the point of view of having a small number of cars, myself my wife and two of my three sons have one (well will do very soon) and they all have to server as daily transport.
I guess if I was in the position to buy a supercar, I would be looking at it from a different perspective, most arent daily drivers (though I know some do) and are part of a bigger selection of vehicles, my issue with supercars is that a lot of the time, in a lot of situations I would feel a right knob in something low slung, shouty and expensive, however there are times and places where it isnt an issue, its all a case of picking the right tool for the job.
I think this is why a lot of wealthy folk tend to drive a Range Rover, a lot of the time, its about the most general purpose, do it all posh car there is and perhaps gets 75 percent of the use, maybe a very small car like a Smart for inner cities, Supercar/classic etc for the weekends, high days, holidays, goodwood etc etc, oh and a track car, but obviously that is when the Range Rover comes in again.
So, yes, I would have one but I would need to have other options for when I want to blend in.
I guess if I was in the position to buy a supercar, I would be looking at it from a different perspective, most arent daily drivers (though I know some do) and are part of a bigger selection of vehicles, my issue with supercars is that a lot of the time, in a lot of situations I would feel a right knob in something low slung, shouty and expensive, however there are times and places where it isnt an issue, its all a case of picking the right tool for the job.
I think this is why a lot of wealthy folk tend to drive a Range Rover, a lot of the time, its about the most general purpose, do it all posh car there is and perhaps gets 75 percent of the use, maybe a very small car like a Smart for inner cities, Supercar/classic etc for the weekends, high days, holidays, goodwood etc etc, oh and a track car, but obviously that is when the Range Rover comes in again.
So, yes, I would have one but I would need to have other options for when I want to blend in.
Range Rover is IMO transportation for people who aren't interested in driving and don't like cars. Or like the "idea" of a sportscar but can't cope with the reality. I'll start to accept I might be wrong the moment I turn on TV and see the "British SUV Championship" coming live from Brands Hatch!
It would seem owning a supercar where I live (rural Wiltshire) is a far nicer proposition. I'm not an owner myself but know a few guys pretty well locally, one over the road in the enviable position of a couple of McLarens to choose from (often for commuting).
Despite (or perhaps because of) supercars being very rare occurrence on the road here hardly anyone gives them a second glance. I asked one what it was like day to day and he said it's never been any hassle whatsoever aside from the very occasional banter from teenagers when he's in town to get petrol.
The RXC Turbo owner locally also seems to be able to enjoy his car on the twisty roads around here without hitting warp speed.
Despite (or perhaps because of) supercars being very rare occurrence on the road here hardly anyone gives them a second glance. I asked one what it was like day to day and he said it's never been any hassle whatsoever aside from the very occasional banter from teenagers when he's in town to get petrol.
The RXC Turbo owner locally also seems to be able to enjoy his car on the twisty roads around here without hitting warp speed.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Range Rover is IMO transportation for people who aren't interested in driving and don't like cars. Or like the "idea" of a sportscar but can't cope with the reality. I'll start to accept I might be wrong the moment I turn on TV and see the "British SUV Championship" coming live from Brands Hatch!
Or people who want to be comfy and cossetted on more mundane journies, or perhaps they are carrying other people ? saving something more intense for when it isnt a pain to be in or not practical to use.POORCARDEALER said:
Recent Ferraris are beautifully built.
I was actually quite impressed with the build quality, and certainly impressed with the engine/engineering, of the manual 360 spider I drove. I was expecting a "baby Ferrari" to feel a bit poor/low rent for some reason - not a bit of it. It's the only Ferrari I've driven and I was impressed - it was also borderline too fast for the road, so not sure what a similar car with another 200+bhp would be like! Not sure I'd own one (not least because I can't afford one) but I very much liked it.
J4CKO said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
Range Rover is IMO transportation for people who aren't interested in driving and don't like cars. Or like the "idea" of a sportscar but can't cope with the reality. I'll start to accept I might be wrong the moment I turn on TV and see the "British SUV Championship" coming live from Brands Hatch!
Or people who want to be comfy and cossetted on more mundane journies, or perhaps they are carrying other people ? saving something more intense for when it isnt a pain to be in or not practical to use.Different cars have different purposes, but I'm not sure RR owners want a sports car and end up with a RR, any more than Merc S class owners do. I'd watch S Class racing, for what it's worth
Tuvra said:
Some absolute pearlers coming out in here, pathetic really how people are obviously lying to them selves to some how make them selves feel better
Can you not just accept that they are not for everyone, even if they do appreciate them?
They just completely and utterly lost their appeal for me; probably because I see so many and also because modern cars which look like they rolled off the set of a Tron movie no doubt appeal to those younger than myself. I will walk straight past a Ferrari stand at a show to go look at something classic and or ultra-rare from pretty much any manufacturer, because I saw thirty Porsches, six Maserati's, five Ferrari's and a Veyron on the way there.
As mentioned, the days of there being a select few cars you were unlikely to see anywhere other than on a bedroom wall are a distant memory. When you see more McLaren's than you do Maxi's, you tend to spin your head to look at the Maxi.
If I had several hundred thousand to spend, I would havea garage filled with some weird, wonderful and classic things (anything from battered 'not so popular' Yank tanks, to something from the 60's and French etc) not one of which would be a modern supercar.
They are wonderful marvels of engineering, but we don't all want one, honestly!
Ozzie Osmond said:
Range Rover is IMO transportation for people who aren't interested in driving and don't like cars.
Astonishingly ignorant statement 
I know many serious petrolheads with some very nice machinery in the garage, as well as quite a number that have MSA licences, and all drive RR's as the daily driver - for obvious reasons (OK, one of them has a Cayenne rather than a RR, but the point stands)
I kind of know where the OP is coming from (admittedly not from a 'true' supercar perspective) but I get the principle.
I'd always wanted a new Porsche so bought a new Cayman GTS in white. I loved the attention it got for a year. It was an awesome car and it wasn't 'just' about the looks like some of the supercars mentioned in this thread.
https://flic.kr/p/rh4uUh
But the constant pointing from kids / feral women / the cost of running it (finance)/ the fact i was effectively just paying the depreciation (which I knew) did take the shine off it slightly.
I've now swapped it for this which not only represents a massive saving month on month, but it gets a whole different type of attention. Where as in the Porsche the great unwashed would point, the Z4M gets nods from people who 'know'.
https://flic.kr/p/KFoTpT
I'd always wanted a new Porsche so bought a new Cayman GTS in white. I loved the attention it got for a year. It was an awesome car and it wasn't 'just' about the looks like some of the supercars mentioned in this thread.
https://flic.kr/p/rh4uUh
But the constant pointing from kids / feral women / the cost of running it (finance)/ the fact i was effectively just paying the depreciation (which I knew) did take the shine off it slightly.
I've now swapped it for this which not only represents a massive saving month on month, but it gets a whole different type of attention. Where as in the Porsche the great unwashed would point, the Z4M gets nods from people who 'know'.
https://flic.kr/p/KFoTpT
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