Changing to something smaller/slower?
Discussion
Is this as big of a deal as it is often made out to be?
I'm asking as I currently have a Boxster, it's my first "quick" car (I know it isn't but by real world standards it's hardly slow so you know where I'm coming from).
I fancy a change, which generally means that people expect me to be looking for something bigger or quicker etc. But I'm not particularly, I do want something with similar build but I don't need something bigger, which leaves quicker to worry about.
I've been considering all sorts, but I don't drive any slower cars on a regular basis so if I go for any test drives it's going to be damned near impossible to get a feel for "living with it" being slower.
Thing VAG and the various TFSi engines that seem to do decent MPG and 0-60 in 8.5 seconds or there abouts.
I'm asking as I currently have a Boxster, it's my first "quick" car (I know it isn't but by real world standards it's hardly slow so you know where I'm coming from).
I fancy a change, which generally means that people expect me to be looking for something bigger or quicker etc. But I'm not particularly, I do want something with similar build but I don't need something bigger, which leaves quicker to worry about.
I've been considering all sorts, but I don't drive any slower cars on a regular basis so if I go for any test drives it's going to be damned near impossible to get a feel for "living with it" being slower.
Thing VAG and the various TFSi engines that seem to do decent MPG and 0-60 in 8.5 seconds or there abouts.
paddyhasneeds said:
Is this as big of a deal as it is often made out to be?
I'm asking as I currently have a Boxster, it's my first "quick" car (I know it isn't but by real world standards it's hardly slow so you know where I'm coming from).
I fancy a change, which generally means that people expect me to be looking for something bigger or quicker etc. But I'm not particularly, I do want something with similar build but I don't need something bigger, which leaves quicker to worry about.
I've been considering all sorts, but I don't drive any slower cars on a regular basis so if I go for any test drives it's going to be damned near impossible to get a feel for "living with it" being slower.
Thing VAG and the various TFSi engines that seem to do decent MPG and 0-60 in 8.5 seconds or there abouts.
Everyone is different. But any drab VAG hatch would be a MASSIVE down grade IMO.I'm asking as I currently have a Boxster, it's my first "quick" car (I know it isn't but by real world standards it's hardly slow so you know where I'm coming from).
I fancy a change, which generally means that people expect me to be looking for something bigger or quicker etc. But I'm not particularly, I do want something with similar build but I don't need something bigger, which leaves quicker to worry about.
I've been considering all sorts, but I don't drive any slower cars on a regular basis so if I go for any test drives it's going to be damned near impossible to get a feel for "living with it" being slower.
Thing VAG and the various TFSi engines that seem to do decent MPG and 0-60 in 8.5 seconds or there abouts.
Why do you fancy a change though, what's wrong with the Boxster? And what sort of budget?
In my view going from a mid engined 2 seat sports car with little luggage space to a 4/5 seat hatch with a boot would be "going to a bigger car" not smaller.
As for speed or lack of, only you can answer that. If you don't make much use of the Boxsters performance, then no, it probably won't be an issue. If you do, then......
Personally this seems an odd move. If you chalk it up, you've said
- need small
- don't need pracitcal
- want quick
But then say a VAG hatch
Sorry, I didn't meant to say I want quicker, more that I'm concerned if I'll be crying if I look at something slower, and a test drive isn't enough time to get a good idea (I know random people off the internet aren't much better but you get the idea).
Respectfully, I've done other threads on the merits of what I have now vs. something different, so no point re-doing all that, but I am interested to hear from people who've done similar and if they regretted it permanently.
Respectfully, I've done other threads on the merits of what I have now vs. something different, so no point re-doing all that, but I am interested to hear from people who've done similar and if they regretted it permanently.
paddyhasneeds said:
Sorry, I didn't meant to say I want quicker, more that I'm concerned if I'll be crying if I look at something slower, and a test drive isn't enough time to get a good idea (I know random people off the internet aren't much better but you get the idea).
Respectfully, I've done other threads on the merits of what I have now vs. something different, so no point re-doing all that, but I am interested to hear from people who've done similar and if they regretted it permanently.
Trouble is. Everyone is different and all with have their own views. So just because it worked for others, won't mean it will work for you. Respectfully, I've done other threads on the merits of what I have now vs. something different, so no point re-doing all that, but I am interested to hear from people who've done similar and if they regretted it permanently.
In all honesty however I think whatever you swap to needs to offer something you want or don't currently get. And in my opinion a VAG shopping cart offers nothing over a Boxster. Let me try and explain a bit. In Feb I bought myself an 80hp smart Roadster. Huge fun, it feels quicker than it is, but because it's a lightweight rwd sports car it offers thrills bigger more powerful cars can't. So it doesn't IMO feel like a come down from a bigger faster saloon. Could I live with it as my only car? Probably, but I do have a lust for power and speed which the Roadster can never satisfy. As fortune has it I have other cars that satisfy that want. Strangely if I did have to have one car I'd go for a 4x4 like a modded Jeep Wrangler. For menit would be different, interesting and fun enough to keep me happy. But I know getting a Focus or a Golf would leave me wanting. So yes a regret.
I went from something fairly fast and 'interesting' to something slow and boring a few years back. I was fine for a while; even a year later I thought that everything was OK.
But that didn't last for ever. I don't know how to describe it without sounding stupidly melodramatic - it is, after all, only a car not a matter of life and death. But slowly, inexorably, not owning an 'interesting' car started to gnaw at my soul. And after three years of drudgery I was really pining for something with a bit of life.
In the end I held out for over four years. I gave in last month. I've still not got a fast car (I made the same choice as 300bhp did above) but I have now got one that is hugely entertaining and, as it happens, just as cheap to run as my s
tbox diesel. I guess my years in the wilderness make me appreciate it even more, so some good has come out of the experience. But, if I find myself ever needing to 'downgrade' in the future I will go for the 'cheap but interesting' option and not the obvious-choice 'sensible' car.
But that didn't last for ever. I don't know how to describe it without sounding stupidly melodramatic - it is, after all, only a car not a matter of life and death. But slowly, inexorably, not owning an 'interesting' car started to gnaw at my soul. And after three years of drudgery I was really pining for something with a bit of life.
In the end I held out for over four years. I gave in last month. I've still not got a fast car (I made the same choice as 300bhp did above) but I have now got one that is hugely entertaining and, as it happens, just as cheap to run as my s
tbox diesel. I guess my years in the wilderness make me appreciate it even more, so some good has come out of the experience. But, if I find myself ever needing to 'downgrade' in the future I will go for the 'cheap but interesting' option and not the obvious-choice 'sensible' car.All point taken and mostly agreed with.
I'm still left fancying a change though, wanting something new because there are benefits to new as well as downsides, and being able to afford, but not wanting to spend Boxster money again.
Cake and eat it I guess, but it's a slippery and expensive slope once you start to always try and get something better.
I'm still left fancying a change though, wanting something new because there are benefits to new as well as downsides, and being able to afford, but not wanting to spend Boxster money again.
Cake and eat it I guess, but it's a slippery and expensive slope once you start to always try and get something better.
I bought a Lexus LS430 to have a bit of fun with a big V8. Lovely car but I found that with most of my driving being around town I didn't get to use the power. A lot of time just on tickover the thing would catch up with traffic and I had to use the brakes a lot. OK now and again I could get out on a nice A road and enjoy the power but that was less and less.
So the Lexus has gone and we have a Fabia 1.2TSI on order. Still has a few toys, fairly roomy but small enough to duck and dive in town traffic. It will be a come down in power but the amount of time I could use the V8......I'll take the running cost money and spend it on something else.
I think "small" cars are getting better and manufacturers are coming round to the down-sizing trend. Look at the new Nissan Juke - nearly 200bhp in a car that size. Give me the Lexus comfort and toys in a Focus-sized car and I'd be in motoring heaven!
So the Lexus has gone and we have a Fabia 1.2TSI on order. Still has a few toys, fairly roomy but small enough to duck and dive in town traffic. It will be a come down in power but the amount of time I could use the V8......I'll take the running cost money and spend it on something else.
I think "small" cars are getting better and manufacturers are coming round to the down-sizing trend. Look at the new Nissan Juke - nearly 200bhp in a car that size. Give me the Lexus comfort and toys in a Focus-sized car and I'd be in motoring heaven!
paddyhasneeds said:
All point taken and mostly agreed with.
I'm still left fancying a change though, wanting something new because there are benefits to new as well as downsides, and being able to afford, but not wanting to spend Boxster money again.
Cake and eat it I guess, but it's a slippery and expensive slope once you start to always try and get something better.
Do the benefits of newness really outweigh all the obvious downsides you've already pointed out? I fear the only thing downgrading will make you realise is how much better the Porsche actually was.I'm still left fancying a change though, wanting something new because there are benefits to new as well as downsides, and being able to afford, but not wanting to spend Boxster money again.
Cake and eat it I guess, but it's a slippery and expensive slope once you start to always try and get something better.
Kentish said:
The thing is, the new fire breathing monster has a really modern CVVT engine and it does feel quite lively at useful speeds, whereas the turbo charged 270bhp unit was always a frantic gear changing charge upto the legal limit in 5 secs.
Well I don't think I'm going to go quite that low but interesting change none the less.I don't know if you all drive your cars at the limits a lot? I ask as in my Boxster there seems to be no shortage of much smaller engine cars overtaking me at pretty rapid pace, clearly they are slower if I chose to hoof it or do license worrying speeds, but in everyday life I don't, so I'm not sure how relevant that is?
Busta - perhaps there's Scottish blood in me, I don't know, but whilst I can comfortably afford to buy and run another Boxster I guess part of me "resents" the expense, and whilst I don't want a bloody Kia there is a temptation to get something that has lower fuel costs (not massively fussed I admit), 5 year warranty and cheaper servicing.
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