Sensation of speed or actual speed

[piemuncher]

In the midst of thinking about upgrading / changing my Porsche 944 and it's got me thinking.

My car history goes: Rover Metro, Citroen Saxo, Peugeot 306 diesel, BMW 318ti auto, Merc CLK 270 CDI auto, Merc C250 coupe CDI auto, Porsche 944
Motorbikes: Yamaha CBR 125, Honda CG125, Yamaha Thundercat 600, Honda Blackbird 1100, Vespa ET4 125, Vespa Super 150, BMW R80.

As I'm only 25, you can see that I can bored easily. The interesting thing about this list is that the most fun I've had have been with the worst cars. My favourite car was the Metro, followed by the Porsche. Best motorbikes are the Vespa ET4 and the BMW R80.

The common theme here is that you can wring the neck of these vehicles, whereas with the Blackbird I could only accelerate flat out once or twice a week. The 944 feels like you're racing, but I know that the Merc C250 is faster in every way - oh so boring though.

My question is, which one do you go for: Feeling or speed, or real speed?

[Baryonyx]

Both. My CG125 wasn't fast, and didn't feel fast, whereas my T595 Daytona ticks both boxes. It is really fking fast, and feels it. Mind you, when I did my CBT and hit 60mph on a dual carriageway riding a CG125, that felt really fast. I couldn't believe that I'd never ridden a motorbike until that day, and the sensation of speed even just at 60mph, was quite incredible. It doesn't last because you soon discover the CG125 has no pull at the top of the range, but that first time, wow!

[NDNDNDND]

When you've driven a little while and grown up a bit, you realise the sensation of speed and being involved in the driving experience is massively more important on the road than actual numbers.

[boyse7en]

feeling of speed.

I had a Mini 1380 that was quick (for a Mini) but in reality was beaten point-to-point by pretty much any repmobile. But you could drive it on the doorhandles and every corner was riot of understeer, oversteer and feedback.

I've had plenty of quicker cars since, but they are, in comparison, numb.
Much better on the motorway though

[TheJimi]

NDNDNDND said:

When you've driven a little while and grown up a bit, you realise the sensation of speed and being involved in the driving experience is massively more important on the road than actual numbers.

Aside from trying to project your own opinion as fact, that is a rather patronising post.

OP - for me, in the assumption that all other factors are equal, I'll take the car that is actually fast, every time.

IMO, a slow car that *feels* fast is great in isolation though, until you come to overtake and realise your opportunities are limited and you can't indulge in the occasional squirt of acceleration coz there's not really any to be had

[Ozzie Osmond]

Ozzie's Rules,

• Fast saloon - boring
• Fast chav-rocket - boring
• Fast sportscar - interesting
• Slow sportscar - interesting

You can enjoy a finely balanced car without going fast or feeling fast, which is what the Elise and MX5 owners like about their cars.

[Deendog]

my esprit and 335d have very similar 0-60 times
esprit infinitely more fun
feels slightly pointless hoofing the 335. in very few seconds you are at the NSL wondering what was the point in wasting the fuel

[untakenname]

I always have to check how fast I'm going in the RX8 as it feels a lot faster than it is, I think it's mainly due the seating position and the straight'ish through exhaust.

[piemuncher]

NDNDNDND said:

When you've driven a little while and grown up a bit, you realise the sensation of speed and being involved in the driving experience is massively more important on the road than actual numbers.

I think that you have probably misinterpreted my post. I was saying that my favorite vehicles have been the slower, louder (possibly worse) ones. The faster cars that I have driven have generally been boring as you're speeding before you can push the boundaries at all. The Honda Blackbird can do 75mph in first gear, but that takes 3-4 seconds and as soon as you've been in 2nd gear for over second the you're into "getting arrested" territory.

I've recently been hankering for a E46 M3, but must admit that if I can go out in the 944 and have a laugh at 40mph I keep asking myself "whats the point?".

[edc]

Try a convertible sportscar. They nearly always feel faster than you are actually going.

[Hooli]

Feeling of speed & a fun chassis.

[NDNDNDND]

piemuncher said:

NDNDNDND said:

When you've driven a little while and grown up a bit, you realise the sensation of speed and being involved in the driving experience is massively more important on the road than actual numbers.

I think that you have probably misinterpreted my post. I was saying that my favorite vehicles have been the slower, louder (possibly worse) ones. The faster cars that I have driven have generally been boring as you're speeding before you can push the boundaries at all. The Honda Blackbird can do 75mph in first gear, but that takes 3-4 seconds and as soon as you've been in 2nd gear for over second the you're into "getting arrested" territory.

I've recently been hankering for a E46 M3, but must admit that if I can go out in the 944 and have a laugh at 40mph I keep asking myself "whats the point?".

Sorry, I wrote that a bit quickly and was a little more blunt than I meant to be. I do get your point - I own an MX-5! I have driven faster cars that have felt a lot more boring. That said, I do keep pondering forced-induction for it - not because I want to go faster, but because a little more torque will allow the car to be steered on the throttle, rather than relying on momentum and balance to get it sliding.

I've not ridden a motorbike as powerful as a Blackbird, but I've not yet ridden a motorcycle that felt boring! I do also remember my first speed-rush when I ventured out on the public road for the first time on a GN125. The ground rushing beneath my feet, the windblast against my crash helmet and chest, the giddying sensation of speed... at 25mph! The first time I did 50 felt like hyperspace...

I'm of a much more anti-hypercar mindset these days. I don't want to go fast, I just want to be in control and to be able to venture over the limits of grip without feeling like I'm a threat to society.

[Djtemeka]

I have 2 bikes.

1340cc BKing that's tuned to 200hp and a cb500 with 50hp. I take the cb out a lot as its bloody fun wringing its neck. I've even taken it on track days

[Chris71]

piemuncher said:

My question is, which one do you go for: Feeling or speed, or real speed?

On a deserted B-road it'd be the sensation of speed every time. The thing about actual speed is that it gets boring quickly and there's always something more. That 911 GT3 you thought was pretty nippy seems less so when your mate turns up in a 650S.

But, we live in a crowded world. If you're driving a supercharged Atom you can pull off overtaking maneouvres in total safety that would be utterly suicidal in an MX-5. Five miles down the road you've gone past another three cars and the Mazda driver (that's me, I hasten to add) is still waiting for a big enough gap.

Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 26th November 13:35

[anonymous-user]

The sensation is what counts, unless you're competing IMO it's all that matters.

[kambites]

For me sensation of speed is a positive; actual speed is a negative.

[J4CKO]

Try a few different types of car, don't keep them too long and get a feel for what you like, after two convertible sportscars (or near enough) I have bought a 5.5 litre auto barge.

No one car servers very purpose, every day and suits your mood, you just have to find something that covers a few bases that you enjoy.

[lostkiwi]

Sensation of speed coupled with a fun chassis. You can rag the arse out of it and never feel that your licence is in too much jeopardy.