BHP... how much is too much?

[leafspring]

Not in super/sport/race/hyper cars, I mean in your bog standard everyday hatch/estate/saloon/MPV type car.

How much power do you actually need day to day?.. I reckon 150bhp should be enough in a 2 ton car (75bhp per ton)

I'm thinking here of why they make cars that can't handle it... like the Vectra VXR

[leafspring]

Sorry what I mean is... if you want a sports car buy one.

Don't by an overpowered rep-mobile and then complain when the kids are sick, your spine has shattered and the torque steer fired you into a tree.

So at what point in the power range should you stop looking at the mundane and start looking at purpose built faster models?

Anything over 150hp stop thinking Astra and start looking at M series BMW's

[leafspring]

^^^ So you reckon an Astra chassis can handle that much power day to day?

Never mind... the original question didn't translate well from thought to paper and nobody is going to take it seriously now

[leafspring]

kambites said:

If you mean "how much power can a basic shopping car's chassis take without ruining the hanlding?" I suspect the answer will vary massively from car to car.

That was basically what I was asking yes... Like I said didn't translate well on the way to the page

[leafspring]

jimbobsimmonds said:

So you form all your opinions on Top Gear or do you have personal experience. I have driven the Vectra VXR many times and although I would never own one, or buy one (for lots of different reasons) I was impressed with its ground covering ability and complete lack of Clarksonesque epic FWD (2nd gear on full lock in the damp...) understeer-into-a-bush-ness.

And in answer to your original question. I have 300bhp+ in an FWD saloon and still think I need more (and a LSD).

Clarkson is a ham fisted baffoon.

I have driven a Vectra VXR (admittedly it was 2nd hand and had 70k+miles under its belt).

On a flat dry road at anything over 1/4 throttle, from a rolling start or stationary... it would not accelerate in a straight line, it just torque steered in which ever direction it felt suited it (usually right)
Once you're out of town away from traffic I agree it was good at covering ground and brakes where excellent... still a Vectra though

[leafspring]

I realise now there are too many variables for a definitive answer and modern chassis designs and drive systems are negating the 'problems' (like torque steer) anyway.

[leafspring]

Dave200 said:

You watch a lot of Top Gear, don't you...

You do realise that 90% of what that lot say is complete bks, right?

Yes I do and yes I know. its TG is entertainment not consumer advice program.

When I want actual car advice I'll do what everyone else does... ask on here, read through the piss taking, find the genuine advice and ignore it