How long do you take to gel with a car?
Discussion
Of all the cars that I've owned the ones that I've enjoyed the most havn't grabbed me straight away, it takes a good 1k miles for me to settle into the car.
Strangely cars which I've enjoyed initially soon lead to an almightly loss of money when it comes to trading it in!
I've just passed the 1k mark in the MX-5 and very, very happy with it
Strangely cars which I've enjoyed initially soon lead to an almightly loss of money when it comes to trading it in!
I've just passed the 1k mark in the MX-5 and very, very happy with it
Curiously I find exactly the opposite. One of my "things" is that I'll never buy a car I haven't driven. And I find on a test drive I usually know within a very few minutes or even seconds whether it's a car to buy or a car to avoid. This seat-of-the-pants feeling seems to be a reliable measure because I generally keep cars quite a long time and then have trouble finding a "better" one when replacement time comes along!
Usually within a week or two, with one BIG notable exception - my Porsche 911.
They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
Depends on the car and if I'm in the mood. I purposefully went for a long drive to see what my Fabia vRS was really like. That I find is the best way to gel with a car. I loved it on the test drive but I didn't gel with it until I went for a drive up Brecon. Not pushing too hard at first and gradually getting more confident with it. Problem is now after nearly 3 years of ownership I've found my limits with it so I wouldn't mind a new car.
However when you don't like a car and know you won't get on with it you know straightaway. Drove a 1.8T Audi A4 Convertible and hated it from the moment I sat in it.
However when you don't like a car and know you won't get on with it you know straightaway. Drove a 1.8T Audi A4 Convertible and hated it from the moment I sat in it.
Is a wallet lightening affliction!
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Usually within a week or two, with one BIG notable exception - my Porsche 911.
They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
Me too, about 16mths in & unless I get to drive it hard I just don't gel with it at all. Doesn't help that I drive my Clio 172 Cup as my daily & the 2 are obviously very different, the Clio is so much more accessible but the 911 is much more rewarding when you get it right. They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
nobodyknows said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Usually within a week or two, with one BIG notable exception - my Porsche 911.
They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
Me too, about 16mths in & unless I get to drive it hard I just don't gel with it at all. Doesn't help that I drive my Clio 172 Cup as my daily & the 2 are obviously very different, the Clio is so much more accessible but the 911 is much more rewarding when you get it right. They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
They only make sense when being caned. That's obvious from the hard brake pedal when driving slowly! Only becomes a sensitive pedal full of feel when bringing the car down from 100+ into a roundabout, right?!
And the steering. Again, when driving the car chauffering your missus to dinner or your Mum to the shops - I found an annoying, writhing distraction.
But when driving hard? A welcome source of useful feedback delivered right to my palms!
Interestingly, mine was a 996 C4 cabrio too, with a tip box....but despite being what many would call a soft option, still had all this feedback and feeling as standard.
Gawd knows what a GTxx derivitave must feel like in normal, slow driving! Deafaning with feedback I would guess!
I generally do an obscene amount of research before even looking at a certain type of car, then buy the best example of what I can find, then attempt to gel with it.
Generally, it works very well. The only car I haven't really got on with recently is the Octavia. I've always avoided newer cars because as we say in the Retro Car Club "New Cars Are s
t". I was assured the Octavia was the right thing for a long-ish commute, and it probably is. But it's too clinical. It doesn't handle and I can't wring its neck like I can the 205 or MX-5. Fast in a straight line, but that's not what I like in a car. If I can find a new job where I don't have to commute, then it will going to make way for an Elise.
Generally, it works very well. The only car I haven't really got on with recently is the Octavia. I've always avoided newer cars because as we say in the Retro Car Club "New Cars Are s
t". I was assured the Octavia was the right thing for a long-ish commute, and it probably is. But it's too clinical. It doesn't handle and I can't wring its neck like I can the 205 or MX-5. Fast in a straight line, but that's not what I like in a car. If I can find a new job where I don't have to commute, then it will going to make way for an Elise.Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
nobodyknows said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Usually within a week or two, with one BIG notable exception - my Porsche 911.
They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
Me too, about 16mths in & unless I get to drive it hard I just don't gel with it at all. Doesn't help that I drive my Clio 172 Cup as my daily & the 2 are obviously very different, the Clio is so much more accessible but the 911 is much more rewarding when you get it right. They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
They only make sense when being caned. That's obvious from the hard brake pedal when driving slowly! Only becomes a sensitive pedal full of feel when bringing the car down from 100+ into a roundabout, right?!
And the steering. Again, when driving the car chauffering your missus to dinner or your Mum to the shops - I found an annoying, writhing distraction.
But when driving hard? A welcome source of useful feedback delivered right to my palms!
Interestingly, mine was a 996 C4 cabrio too, with a tip box....but despite being what many would call a soft option, still had all this feedback and feeling as standard.
Gawd knows what a GTxx derivitave must feel like in normal, slow driving! Deafaning with feedback I would guess!
nobodyknows said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
nobodyknows said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Usually within a week or two, with one BIG notable exception - my Porsche 911.
They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
Me too, about 16mths in & unless I get to drive it hard I just don't gel with it at all. Doesn't help that I drive my Clio 172 Cup as my daily & the 2 are obviously very different, the Clio is so much more accessible but the 911 is much more rewarding when you get it right. They are very different to most other cars, obviously due to the layout.
Loved it at first because of the looks and the kudos.
One month into driving, started to hate it. Didn't handle like I wanted it to on the limit. Drove 'wierdly' as far as I was concerned.
So I went back to the drawing board. Everyone else loves 911's, right? So it must be me.
Did a lot of research on how to get the most from the rear engined freaks.
And then - epiphany about 3 months into ownership. Learned how to make the most of the layout and handling. And once it had clicked? The best car I've ever owned, bar none. Loved it soooo much.
They only make sense when being caned. That's obvious from the hard brake pedal when driving slowly! Only becomes a sensitive pedal full of feel when bringing the car down from 100+ into a roundabout, right?!
And the steering. Again, when driving the car chauffering your missus to dinner or your Mum to the shops - I found an annoying, writhing distraction.
But when driving hard? A welcome source of useful feedback delivered right to my palms!
Interestingly, mine was a 996 C4 cabrio too, with a tip box....but despite being what many would call a soft option, still had all this feedback and feeling as standard.
Gawd knows what a GTxx derivitave must feel like in normal, slow driving! Deafaning with feedback I would guess!
Indeed, in a straight line especially from a standing start, not what I'd call a quick car at all. Especially as I'm used to 1000cc superbikes. And especially as mine was a heavier cabrio with a tiptronic box. Not fast at all from the lights.
But.
They really do come together as a fast road package when driven properly on....well, roads really! Once you get used to using that weight over the rear axle to catapault out of bends with devastating traction....and the beautifully balanced feeling to really push hard, especially over bumpy and 'normal' roads....they're unparalleled.
Glad you're loving yours too!
Usually a couple of days max... Just really whenever I learn how the clutch, brakes and handling works... Never get bang on first few drives... But after a couple of days it just seems to settle and I'll be able to enjoy the car more. But I do like the first couple of days of uncertainty! Usually get a few surprises!
Although only took a day to get used to my dads rented passat a few years back... and that was all I had driven before was my learner car and my first car... Apart for the size and uncertainty when parking, everything else was alright.
Although only took a day to get used to my dads rented passat a few years back... and that was all I had driven before was my learner car and my first car... Apart for the size and uncertainty when parking, everything else was alright.
It took me a while to gel with the Tiv, when I picked it up I was scared by all the horror stories about no ABS/TC etc, and the reliability issues.
I was looking at the temps, and worrying about any odd noise or squeak for quite a while before I realised it was absolutely fine if you treated it with respect, and got to know how it reacts to different situations and what temps are normal.
Now, when I drive it (although not at the moment - bloody snow/ice/salt) it feels almost a part of me.
I was looking at the temps, and worrying about any odd noise or squeak for quite a while before I realised it was absolutely fine if you treated it with respect, and got to know how it reacts to different situations and what temps are normal.
Now, when I drive it (although not at the moment - bloody snow/ice/salt) it feels almost a part of me.
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