Anyone else falling out of love with driving a 'fast' car?
Discussion
I never thought I'd feel this way but with the relentless war on the motorist and the constant roadworks / gridlock in West London having a powerful car seems pointless.
Not only am I surrounded by 20mph zones springing up but the whole A316 from the M3 to Chiswick (approx 9 miles) is, from the summer, going to be one giant safe speed zone controlled by average speed cameras.
I took my slk55 out today for the first time in months as the salt has all gone. As much as I love it, a car like that seems totally at odds with today's driving environment . I've been using my polo bluemotion over the winter which gets 70mpg around town compared to 18 mpg in the slk and as I can't even begin to use a tiny proportion of the slk's performance I'm really questioning what the point is in owning a car like that.
anyone else feel the same?
Not only am I surrounded by 20mph zones springing up but the whole A316 from the M3 to Chiswick (approx 9 miles) is, from the summer, going to be one giant safe speed zone controlled by average speed cameras.
I took my slk55 out today for the first time in months as the salt has all gone. As much as I love it, a car like that seems totally at odds with today's driving environment . I've been using my polo bluemotion over the winter which gets 70mpg around town compared to 18 mpg in the slk and as I can't even begin to use a tiny proportion of the slk's performance I'm really questioning what the point is in owning a car like that.
anyone else feel the same?
Not quite the question you're asking but I live in West London and have been considering buying something 'fast' to replace my shed. Every time I come close I wonder if it's worth it precisely because of what you've said. The truth is that 99% of the time I've already got more than enough power because either speed limits or dawdlers mean I can't go any quicker.
slk 32 said:
I never thought I'd feel this way but with the relentless war on the motorist and the constant roadworks / gridlock in West London having a powerful car seems pointless.
Not only am I surrounded by 20mph zones springing up but the whole A316 from the M3 to Chiswick (approx 9 miles) is, from the summer, going to be one giant safe speed zone controlled by average speed cameras.
I took my slk55 out today for the first time in months as the salt has all gone. As much as I love it, a car like that seems totally at odds with today's driving environment . I've been using my polo bluemotion over the winter which gets 70mpg around town compared to 18 mpg in the slk and as I can't even begin to use a tiny proportion of the slk's performance I'm really questioning what the point is in owning a car like that.
anyone else feel the same?
Yes, I have a Z4 Coupe and go to Worcester Park at least once a week, but the A3 has no cameras (yet) so give it some while you can!Not only am I surrounded by 20mph zones springing up but the whole A316 from the M3 to Chiswick (approx 9 miles) is, from the summer, going to be one giant safe speed zone controlled by average speed cameras.
I took my slk55 out today for the first time in months as the salt has all gone. As much as I love it, a car like that seems totally at odds with today's driving environment . I've been using my polo bluemotion over the winter which gets 70mpg around town compared to 18 mpg in the slk and as I can't even begin to use a tiny proportion of the slk's performance I'm really questioning what the point is in owning a car like that.
anyone else feel the same?
Chris1255 said:
Not quite the question you're asking but I live in West London and have been considering buying something 'fast' to replace my shed. Every time I come close I wonder if it's worth it precisely because of what you've said. The truth is that 99% of the time I've already got more than enough power because either speed limits or dawdlers mean I can't go any quicker.
I checked the MOTs earlier. Last year I did 5k in the polo and 3k in the slk. Originally just planned to use the polo as a winter snotter but for round town it just made sense. A lot cheaper to run and most of the time you're just crawling along anywayMr Tidy said:
slk 32 said:
I never thought I'd feel this way but with the relentless war on the motorist and the constant roadworks / gridlock in West London having a powerful car seems pointless.
Not only am I surrounded by 20mph zones springing up but the whole A316 from the M3 to Chiswick (approx 9 miles) is, from the summer, going to be one giant safe speed zone controlled by average speed cameras.
I took my slk55 out today for the first time in months as the salt has all gone. As much as I love it, a car like that seems totally at odds with today's driving environment . I've been using my polo bluemotion over the winter which gets 70mpg around town compared to 18 mpg in the slk and as I can't even begin to use a tiny proportion of the slk's performance I'm really questioning what the point is in owning a car like that.
anyone else feel the same?
Yes, I have a Z4 Coupe and go to Worcester Park at least once a week, but the A3 has no cameras (yet) so give it some while you can!Not only am I surrounded by 20mph zones springing up but the whole A316 from the M3 to Chiswick (approx 9 miles) is, from the summer, going to be one giant safe speed zone controlled by average speed cameras.
I took my slk55 out today for the first time in months as the salt has all gone. As much as I love it, a car like that seems totally at odds with today's driving environment . I've been using my polo bluemotion over the winter which gets 70mpg around town compared to 18 mpg in the slk and as I can't even begin to use a tiny proportion of the slk's performance I'm really questioning what the point is in owning a car like that.
anyone else feel the same?
I thought traffic round Richmond was bad but having experienced the A3 around Hinchley wood that's a different league!
slk 32 said:
I checked the MOTs earlier. Last year I did 5k in the polo and 3k in the slk. Originally just planned to use the polo as a winter snotter but for round town it just made sense. A lot cheaper to run and most of the time you're just crawling along anyway
I find the reality is even if you get in front of a dawdler you just end up next to them at the next set of lights. Makes me think I should just buy a cheap city car, give up on enjoying driving and just potter along with no stress. Love trips down to the south of France though, lovely empty roads....Not quite the same, but 2.5 years ago I moved out to California and gave up a Dodge Viper GTS and Audi RS4 for a Volvo V50 here, which I still have. I bought an MX-5 last year, but only for the convertible fun in the sun, no fast driving. I seem to have lost that 'must drive fast' thing and just cruise everywhere here at 68mph. That is until we come back to the UK for a visit, hire a Fiesta and straight back to 85mph on the M25!
I don't feel this way, but if I lived in the south of England in general or any city. Cities are dreadful. It's hard to tinker with or even clean a car in a city. Forget driving the car.
I'll go further though. It is my opinion that city dwelling buyers of fast cars have spoiled fast cars. Fast cars that are demanding are wonderful. Ordinary cars that go fast are boring. Because so many people buy fast cars to be seen in a city, fast cars have taken an evolutionary path towards the soft and city-friendly.
No self respecting petrolhead wants to drive in a city.
I love fast cars. Sure I sit in traffic for 15 minutes at the work end of my commutes, but the other 50 miles per day are both quiet and cracking roads. Even when some miserable hatchback thing does get in the way, a fast car means having all the safe overtaking opportunities you're going to get.
I'll go further though. It is my opinion that city dwelling buyers of fast cars have spoiled fast cars. Fast cars that are demanding are wonderful. Ordinary cars that go fast are boring. Because so many people buy fast cars to be seen in a city, fast cars have taken an evolutionary path towards the soft and city-friendly.
No self respecting petrolhead wants to drive in a city.
I love fast cars. Sure I sit in traffic for 15 minutes at the work end of my commutes, but the other 50 miles per day are both quiet and cracking roads. Even when some miserable hatchback thing does get in the way, a fast car means having all the safe overtaking opportunities you're going to get.
My view is that it is only worth having a "fast" car for high days and holidays.
It's brilliant going on vacation in a two seat, convertible sports car, that drives well, makes a great noise and puts a smile on my face.
To go to work and back I have a Nissan Leaf to make it cheap.
Strangely enough I love the Leaf. It's brilliant to drive in its own way which is very different to the V8 and boxer six.
It's brilliant going on vacation in a two seat, convertible sports car, that drives well, makes a great noise and puts a smile on my face.
To go to work and back I have a Nissan Leaf to make it cheap.
Strangely enough I love the Leaf. It's brilliant to drive in its own way which is very different to the V8 and boxer six.
Regardless of how quick you can get from point A to B ask yourself questions like can I afford/justify running two cars? do I enjoy driving it? could I sell it and re-invest the funds in something else I enjoy doing or would want? ..... if you do keep it and enjoy it. Its not all about the power, your car will look & sound good too regardless of what speed you are driving at.
I only manage 3K a year in my TVR as work provide me a car to use. It only costs me a about 2k/yr to run which I am comfortable with and I treat it like a hobby. I can think of worse things to spunk money up the wall on every month than a car
I only manage 3K a year in my TVR as work provide me a car to use. It only costs me a about 2k/yr to run which I am comfortable with and I treat it like a hobby. I can think of worse things to spunk money up the wall on every month than a car
Yes, sadly in the same boat and, unsurprisingly, live in the southeast.
The M5 went and I was happy to tootle around in a Land Rover for a while. But I've always loved fast cars and missed it, so bought an old Subaru Impreza to quench the thirst. Ended up doing less than 1000 miles in about a year.... sold it.
Before Christmas I was seriously looking at RS4 avants but then realised it would never get used as intended.
The A roads are heaving, cameras everywhere and if you venture onto B roads there are now cyclists at every turn, which makes country lane jaunts a no go.
Of course, it doesn't stop me looking at the 'for sales' everyweek but, as at stands, I can't see anything drawing me away from my 10 year old auto diesel Saab - which makes me really quite depressed when I think about it. In fact, I think my next car will be something like a V8 petrol Range Rover, just to get the 'proper engine noise' knowing that out and out speed is pointless around here.
The M5 went and I was happy to tootle around in a Land Rover for a while. But I've always loved fast cars and missed it, so bought an old Subaru Impreza to quench the thirst. Ended up doing less than 1000 miles in about a year.... sold it.
Before Christmas I was seriously looking at RS4 avants but then realised it would never get used as intended.
The A roads are heaving, cameras everywhere and if you venture onto B roads there are now cyclists at every turn, which makes country lane jaunts a no go.
Of course, it doesn't stop me looking at the 'for sales' everyweek but, as at stands, I can't see anything drawing me away from my 10 year old auto diesel Saab - which makes me really quite depressed when I think about it. In fact, I think my next car will be something like a V8 petrol Range Rover, just to get the 'proper engine noise' knowing that out and out speed is pointless around here.
Not fell out of love driving fast cars but I've fallen out of love of owning fast cars.
Un wanted attention, excess running costs, paranoia about where it's left and other peoples general apathy towards something that is your pride and joy and costs so much.
I now drive a £1500 mx-5 and a motorbike.
C.
Un wanted attention, excess running costs, paranoia about where it's left and other peoples general apathy towards something that is your pride and joy and costs so much.
I now drive a £1500 mx-5 and a motorbike.
C.
Totally get where the OP is coming from. Just sold my 997.2 911 for more or less the same reasons. Even a slight bit of throttle and you're well into illegal territory with unmarked cars hiding all over the place. Potholes, crap weather and streams of Sunday drivers on a Saturday, road works with 'temporary' traffic lights where nothing seems to happen for months added to the frustration.
Final straw came when on an open dry traffic free road my car swallowed a pheasant.
Still, if you love cars you'll be back with something else. I don't think it's so much fast cars, probably more the environment we live in.
Final straw came when on an open dry traffic free road my car swallowed a pheasant.
Still, if you love cars you'll be back with something else. I don't think it's so much fast cars, probably more the environment we live in.
I'm in this category. Owning a fast, or big, car was starting to feel a bit silly, with masses of traffic, speed cameras everywhere, potholes, "traffic calming measures" etc. You just can't enjoy it, and you end up feeling frustrated.
I live in SE London, and I know it's worse here, but even when you get out of London you have "managed motorways" (i.e. average speed cameras), heavy traffic on the main arteries, roadworks everywhere, and congestion in pretty much every major town centre.
The only place I really enjoy driving these days is North Wales.
Perhaps if I lived in a rural area it would be different. But then I would probably be in a 4x4.
A different, but related issue is falling out of love with owning a "nice" car. These days it's so easy to pick up minor, but expensive, damage that I decided it wasn't worth owning something really posh.
I thought seriously about buying a Jaguar XJR or something similar, but realised that only rarely would I get to really enjoy it, and the rest of the time I'd be struggling to slot it into a tiny parking space in a multi storey car park. And I'd come back to find dents in the doors.
So now I own a normal (in so far as a Citroen DS5 can be considered "normal"
) car for daily driving. And I am thinking of buying something nice as a 2nd car, keeping it in storage and using it at weekends or track days.
I live in SE London, and I know it's worse here, but even when you get out of London you have "managed motorways" (i.e. average speed cameras), heavy traffic on the main arteries, roadworks everywhere, and congestion in pretty much every major town centre.
The only place I really enjoy driving these days is North Wales.
Perhaps if I lived in a rural area it would be different. But then I would probably be in a 4x4.
A different, but related issue is falling out of love with owning a "nice" car. These days it's so easy to pick up minor, but expensive, damage that I decided it wasn't worth owning something really posh.
I thought seriously about buying a Jaguar XJR or something similar, but realised that only rarely would I get to really enjoy it, and the rest of the time I'd be struggling to slot it into a tiny parking space in a multi storey car park. And I'd come back to find dents in the doors.
So now I own a normal (in so far as a Citroen DS5 can be considered "normal"
) car for daily driving. And I am thinking of buying something nice as a 2nd car, keeping it in storage and using it at weekends or track days.
t hole to drive through 25 years ago , its the right car in the wrong place ...There's certainly a feeling of religious penance, driving anything around my way, let alone anything with 500+ bhp.
There's terrible road surfaces, a school seemingly every 200yds, speed bumps, zebra crossings ON speed bumps, lolly pop people, horses, cattle (!), a regular visit from the police camera van, and of course at weekends, peletons of angry old men on bikes.
But I classify my car obsession as a hobby. As soon as you do that, things don't have to make sense any more and no justification is necessary.
There's terrible road surfaces, a school seemingly every 200yds, speed bumps, zebra crossings ON speed bumps, lolly pop people, horses, cattle (!), a regular visit from the police camera van, and of course at weekends, peletons of angry old men on bikes.
But I classify my car obsession as a hobby. As soon as you do that, things don't have to make sense any more and no justification is necessary.
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