Power, Now vs Then vs Reality
Discussion
Rawwr said:
I disagree.
+1As for the "assuming I was talking about a 1.8 when it was a 1.6 model", unless of course it was a detuned 90 bhp model, I doubt there is a world of difference between the two.
I rarely get held up for long in my slow car. OTOH, when I had my MR2 Turbo, which I'm sure most will agree isn't too slow, I rarely went for any overtake in that, that I wouldn't in my slow MX5. Shirley, if there ain't enough room to get past something in an MX5 (which BTW, in the case of a basic 1.8 model has something approaching 140 bhp/tonne) then it would be a fair risk in any car?
Back on topic, stuff like MX5s would have been considered pretty quick cars in their day. Not any more, true, but having driven many of these modern fast cars, they are utterly dull.
Theirs truth in both sides of the discussion, about if not safe to overtake in an mx5 then may not be safe at all, but more real world figures that display acceleration are 0-100s where for example if someone is overtaking on a NSL road them may (for a second or so ;-) ) hit above 70+ due to quick acceleration to get past. Aren't the mx5 something like 22 seconds to 100? That's VERY slow. The old EP3 type R was around mid/high 16 seconds to 100.
My 370z is 0-100mph in 11.8. Reason for mentioning this is because i think it IS infinitely easier overtaking in a more powerful car in real road/acceleration situations (as opposed to 0-60).
My 370z is 0-100mph in 11.8. Reason for mentioning this is because i think it IS infinitely easier overtaking in a more powerful car in real road/acceleration situations (as opposed to 0-60).
redgriff500 said:
I guess you both are happy driving slower than I am or drive on straight roads with no traffic coming the other way.
In my 210bhp MX5 I can regularly take 3 or 4 cars at a time and I can gurantee if you try to follow me in a standard one you will become a greasy stain on the road.
Correct, there are overtakes I will do in my Z4M that I wouldn't even think about in my focus, not even a chance.In my 210bhp MX5 I can regularly take 3 or 4 cars at a time and I can gurantee if you try to follow me in a standard one you will become a greasy stain on the road.
Overtaking in a more powerful car you have more confidence. In reality though, & in my experience, a few seconds difference in 0 to 60 times makes not a lot of difference in real world driving. Unless you like to chance it occasionally & take risks when overtaking, those seconds then become a bit more important 
Modern diesels are most telling. Not so long ago some of the PSA XUD stuff with 90BHP was deemed to be pretty swift - The Merc W210 300DT with 177BHP was bonkers but now that power is attainable from a 4 cyl diesel in smallish hatchbacks.
200BHP seems to be a bit limp wristed this days.
200BHP seems to be a bit limp wristed this days.
redgriff500 said:
I guess you both are happy driving slower than I am or drive on straight roads with no traffic coming the other way.
In my 210bhp MX5 I can regularly take 3 or 4 cars at a time and I can gurantee if you try to follow me in a standard one you will become a greasy stain on the road.
Trust me, I don't hang about. I have regularly taken 3 or 4 cars at a time in a standard MX5. I don't understand your point, unless you are saying the overtakes you perform are risky? (which is what it sounds like to me).In my 210bhp MX5 I can regularly take 3 or 4 cars at a time and I can gurantee if you try to follow me in a standard one you will become a greasy stain on the road.
I've had plenty of 200 bhp cars so I know how much faster they are. I didn't generally attempt anything in those cars that I wouldn't in the MX5.
This thread proves that there are those that care about bragging rights, and those who don't give a s
t I don't really care that an MX5 is slower than a breadvan Type-R - I've driven the latter and its a boring dull shopping trolley, and not a patch on the teg type-R I had. A 20 year old, £1K car that is slower than a "£30K, 3.7-litre sports car shocker!
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Saturday 11th February 11:40
v8will said:
200BHP seems to be a bit limp wristed this days.
...but it is still 200bhp.Just because common-place cars have a lot of power, doesn't make those cars slow. It just means that a lot of cars are relatively fast these days, -if the driver chooses to use the power available.
In reality, most cars are rarely 'exercised', with very few ever seeing the redline/maximum power on the tachometer. Of the people that do drive their cars hard, few of them are interested enough in driving to do much beyond floor them up to cruising speed, tail-gate and cut-people-up when joining/leaving the motorway.
TameRacingDriver said:
Trust me, I don't hang about. I have regularly taken 3 or 4 cars at a time in a standard MX5. I don't understand your point, unless you are saying the overtakes you perform are risky? (which is what it sounds like to me).
I've had plenty of 200 bhp cars so I know how much faster they are. I didn't generally attempt anything in those cars that I wouldn't in the MX5.
Likewise, I do most of my driving in a Mondeo Estate. It isn't necessarily as quick as my previous cars, but it is no slouch and it is rare that I'm holding somebody up (somewhere I'd consider sensible in good conditions), on straight bits or bends, and I don't go mad, especially where I can't see ahead. Passing cars isn't only about horsepower, it's also about sight-lines and observation.I've had plenty of 200 bhp cars so I know how much faster they are. I didn't generally attempt anything in those cars that I wouldn't in the MX5.
Of course, Overtaking-wise, it is far more effective than our Fabia with half the power, but there are diminishing returns with an increase in power. As I pointed out earlier, on a mid-range motorbike you rarely need full throttle in 2nd to pass cars quickly.
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 11th February 12:32
MC Bodge said:
In reality, most cars are rarely 'exercised', with very few ever seeing the redline/maximum power on the tachometer. Of the people that do drive their cars hard, few of them are interested enough in driving to do much beyond floor them up to cruising speed, tail-gate and cut-people-up when joining/leaving the motorway.
I don't agree, I'll extend my car today but I won't tailgate or cut anyone up, one of the joys of driving is extending your car and listening to the howl it makes surely? Wills2 said:
MC Bodge said:
In reality, most cars are rarely 'exercised', with very few ever seeing the redline/maximum power on the tachometer. Of the people that do drive their cars hard, few of them are interested enough in driving to do much beyond floor them up to cruising speed, tail-gate and cut-people-up when joining/leaving the motorway.
I don't agree, I'll extend my car today but I won't tailgate or cut anyone up, one of the joys of driving is extending your car and listening to the howl it makes surely? We are of the same view, I think. Unless you believe that most people do try to use their cars to their full potential.
MC Bodge said:
Wills2 said:
MC Bodge said:
In reality, most cars are rarely 'exercised', with very few ever seeing the redline/maximum power on the tachometer. Of the people that do drive their cars hard, few of them are interested enough in driving to do much beyond floor them up to cruising speed, tail-gate and cut-people-up when joining/leaving the motorway.
I don't agree, I'll extend my car today but I won't tailgate or cut anyone up, one of the joys of driving is extending your car and listening to the howl it makes surely? We are of the same view, I think. Unless you believe that most people do try to use their cars to their full potential.
Cars are getting heavier and heavier so need more power.
When we had the Landy I used to consider it a major victory to overtake anything - even a tractor!! The Van is a fair bit quicker but still not exactly a road burner.
Derided, mocked, sneered at it may be but the BM is utterly brilliant for overtaking. I often whoop as it dispatches several cars in one go. Still amazes me. I'm easily pleased.
When we had the Landy I used to consider it a major victory to overtake anything - even a tractor!! The Van is a fair bit quicker but still not exactly a road burner.
Derided, mocked, sneered at it may be but the BM is utterly brilliant for overtaking. I often whoop as it dispatches several cars in one go. Still amazes me. I'm easily pleased.
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