What is or how do you 'hoon'?

[stupidbutkeen]

My last car was a Sportka,so I got to drive it like I stole it every time I went in it.Therefore I was going for a hoon each and every time I drove it. God I loved that car

[Google [bot]]

I think it originated down under, and here means to drive irreponsibly, recklessly, noisily; wheel-spinning, street racing etc. Think 'boy racer'. The term is even used in our nanny-state legislation and we have 'anti-hoon laws'.

I think as it's spread abroad the term has softened and been extended, such that to go 'for a hoon' hints at the fact that the driving is likely enthusiastic, whilst not necessarily irresponsibly. Driving that a nanny state might disapprove of, if you will.

[vrsmxtb]

I posted this exact same question once. I think it was agreed that a hoon is a) for driving pleasure and b) spirited. What car it is in pretty much defines if that would lie outside the law or not. For example a hoon in an MX5 would probably be satisfying within speed limits, whilst a hoon in an Evo wouldn't!

[deeps]

I've always called it simply going for a spin, but hoon is the same thing I guess if it's a pleasure journey for fun and maybe not even knowing where you're going haha.

I go for a spin every evening/night, some of my mates think that's weird but who cares. Driving at night is a whole different experience to daytime driving which thankfully I don't have to do anymore.

[MC Bodge]

Hoon?

[CBR JGWRR]

MC Bodge said:

Hoon?

That's road racing, bit different.

[98elise]

Codswallop said:

inman999 said:

A hoon is a drive for the pleasure of driving.

Doesn't matter what the vehicle is or where the destination is as long as you enjoy it.

This sums it up for me

A hoon is never the same for me - sometimes I go out just for the sake of a drive. Sometimes I feel like cruising. Other times I feel like driving as though my pants were on fire, but however I drive I enjoy the process, feel and sensations of the car/ bike on the road.

Edited by Codswallop on Wednesday 1st August 21:36

Yup. Its just about driving for the pleasure, in what ever form that is. I've often done early morning club runs in the elise (reasonably spirited), and the wife now has an MX5 which she drives roof down and "the long way home" if the weather is nice.

Both are "hoons" to me, but different types of driving.

[NotDave]

inman999 said:

A hoon is a drive for the pleasure of driving.

Doesn't matter what the vehicle is or where the destination is as long as you enjoy it.

This.

But for me it'd involve empty country roads, a heavy right foot, practicing technique and a car that enjoys some mild abuse.

So no diesel, no stability control, and preferably some good music

[jatinder]

Hoons are great until you meet the 40mph dawdler as someone above pointed out, I find it more fun in a slow car like one of my previous polos.

Fast enough, but so crap it was actually fun!Also doesn't attract attention or noisy enough to wake people up.

Although I find myself less able to wake 6am to get out and enjoy the roads. There is always someone in the way anyway

[NotDave]

Slower car with decent handling makes it for me. Best "hooners" for Ne have been:

- MG ZR 1400cc on coilovers
- BMW e36 tourer, on eibachs and better tyres/brakes
- £400 eBay Alfa 145 1800 tspark
- MK3 Mondeo 1800 lx petrol


Alfa was possibly the best as it was so willing, and I really didn't care if it imploded

[bakerstreet]

My P&J is a series LR and that is not something I go for a hoon in. I just use it for bimbling to the shops, B&Q, the tip and some occasionally muddy stuff

I used to go for a hoon on some of the bikes I owned, but with a bike, I was always scared of getting lost and running out of petrol

[Bisonhead]

MC Bodge said:

Hoon?

Thats a flight!

[MC Bodge]

NotDave said:

Slower car with decent handling makes it for me. Best "hooners" for Ne have been:

- MG ZR 1400cc on coilovers
- BMW e36 tourer, on eibachs and better tyres/brakes
- £400 eBay Alfa 145 1800 tspark
- MK3 Mondeo 1800 lx petrol

There's something to be said for this on a bike or in a car. Once you have enough power the connection with the road becomes more important.

I actually enjoy driving my wife's 1.2 Fabia around the back roads. Not fast, sporting or a "driver's car" by anybody's definition, but fun to try to pedal along smoothly, whilst maintaining momentum.

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 2nd August 09:41

[NotDave]

Derv, big power petrol engines, turbo stuff and autos all remove the fun IMHO or are overkill.

[muthaducka]

NotDave said:

This.

But for me it'd involve empty country roads, a heavy right foot, practicing technique and a car that enjoys some mild abuse.

So no diesel, no stability control, and preferably some good music

Yep. For me, it does include driving just for the sheer thrill / fun of it, but it includes a darker / racier side for me. A hoon usually involves 'breaking traction', working the car hard, sometimes unsympathetically. It usually stops being a 'hoon' when my progress is slowed by traffic with no opportunity to overtake or I drive into a 40 / 30 zone.

I would agree that it's better suited to lower power vehicles where they can be more playful. I still enjoy a hoon in more powerful cars but it isn't the same - breaking traction / sliding around on the edge of grip (or my skill) is more likely to be at higher speed and pushing it a bit more than respectful on public roads

[NotDave]

muthaducka said:

Yep. For me, it does include driving just for the sheer thrill / fun of it, but it includes a darker / racier side for me. A hoon usually involves 'breaking traction', working the car hard, sometimes unsympathetically. It usually stops being a 'hoon' when my progress is slowed by traffic with no opportunity to overtake or I drive into a 40 / 30 zone.

I would agree that it's better suited to lower power vehicles where they can be more playful. I still enjoy a hoon in more powerful cars but it isn't the same - breaking traction / sliding around on the edge of grip (or my skill) is more likely to be at higher speed and pushing it a bit more than respectful on public roads

Pretty much spot on.

200SX with 320+ BHP wasn't fun, adrenaline rush yes, fun no.

The Mondeo, at 1am in summer on a desserted B road is epically fun. Even if it's previous OAP owners never used it do roughly

[RenesisEvo]

I had many an enjoyable hoon in a diesel hatchback, because I simply enjoyed driving it, the roads, the views, getting the corners right (but always to the limit point for safety). I do like to go for a drive just 'cos, now that I have a car that is entertaining to drive both at a steady cruise and at a more enthusiastic pace.

I think a hoon can be whatever you want it to be, as long as you don't do anything dangerous or irritating to anyone else, I can't see a problem. The hardest bit is finding a clear bit of road around here that hasn't been plastered with 50mph boards and eight different signs warning you of a slight deviation in the road ahead.

[TobyLaRohne]

Hoon = A spirited drive

Bimble = Driving at a relaxed pace

You can't hoon slowly.

[crazy about cars]

"If in doubt, flat out"

[Bisonhead]

muthaducka said:

It usually stops being a 'hoon' when my progress is slowed by traffic with no opportunity to overtake or I drive into a 40 / 30 zone.

Just means you can give your steed a breather before giving it a 2nd gear blast when you pass the NSL sign!

I suppose a hoon can also be just for a stretch of road on an otherwise mundane journey i.e. commute.