Addicted to power?
Discussion
Has anyone else felt like they are 'addicted' to horsepower?
Long story short, I rushed my car progression a bit meaning that at 19 years old I had a Circa 320BHP Toyota Soarer Twin Turbo which in the end I sold due to money issues (not really car related, but I didn't have the money to convert to manual plus do the other bits I wanted to do before taking it on track properly).
I then replaced that with a V8 Soarer which I sold just after a month for being a bit slow... With all of its 250BHP (albeit it with considerable weight). That was a real wake up call and I promised myself that I'd forget chasing power as it was a slippery slope my wallet can't really handle and get something that was good for B Roads and track days instead.
Problem is that I'm looking now at cars that would make sense for that purpose and I am just not interested whatsoever due to what I'd consider a pathetic power output. I appreciate that a MX5 would be 'ideal' but with 115bhp odd and a 0-60 time of around 9 seconds (actually slower than my first car!) I can't bring myself to consider one for longer than 5 seconds unless a massive dollop of boost in the immediate future.
I want to do more track days and become a better driver, I always have, but it seems like I have to choose between that and impressive acceleration/top speed whilst being in comfort (I like barges, so if I go the power route I'll probably end up with something like an Aristo or a S4 with K04 Turbos, yum).
I can't choose. I don't want to choose. Maybe I could wait until I can afford something like a Skyline? Best of both worlds?
Long story short, I rushed my car progression a bit meaning that at 19 years old I had a Circa 320BHP Toyota Soarer Twin Turbo which in the end I sold due to money issues (not really car related, but I didn't have the money to convert to manual plus do the other bits I wanted to do before taking it on track properly).
I then replaced that with a V8 Soarer which I sold just after a month for being a bit slow... With all of its 250BHP (albeit it with considerable weight). That was a real wake up call and I promised myself that I'd forget chasing power as it was a slippery slope my wallet can't really handle and get something that was good for B Roads and track days instead.
Problem is that I'm looking now at cars that would make sense for that purpose and I am just not interested whatsoever due to what I'd consider a pathetic power output. I appreciate that a MX5 would be 'ideal' but with 115bhp odd and a 0-60 time of around 9 seconds (actually slower than my first car!) I can't bring myself to consider one for longer than 5 seconds unless a massive dollop of boost in the immediate future.
I want to do more track days and become a better driver, I always have, but it seems like I have to choose between that and impressive acceleration/top speed whilst being in comfort (I like barges, so if I go the power route I'll probably end up with something like an Aristo or a S4 with K04 Turbos, yum).
I can't choose. I don't want to choose. Maybe I could wait until I can afford something like a Skyline? Best of both worlds?
On the contrary, I always get used to power and acceleration, to the point where I'd probably need something with 500 bhp for it to feel truly thrilling to me each and every time I used it after you get used to it.
The fastest car I've owned was an MR2 Turbo, not exactly mega fast, but to most people, a very quick car. However, I got used to it pretty quickly, and it just feels normal.
Also, sometimes on the road, I feel quick cars are sometimes frustrating as you are often holding back constantly.
Oddly enough, slower cars can be more fun on the roads as you can actually drive them flat out more often.
So I guess that is a "no" from me
But I can see where you're coming from 
The fastest car I've owned was an MR2 Turbo, not exactly mega fast, but to most people, a very quick car. However, I got used to it pretty quickly, and it just feels normal.
Also, sometimes on the road, I feel quick cars are sometimes frustrating as you are often holding back constantly.
Oddly enough, slower cars can be more fun on the roads as you can actually drive them flat out more often.
So I guess that is a "no" from me
But I can see where you're coming from Some lower power cars are fantastic fun.
I was out in my Mk2 Golf GTI 16v today which is pretty much standard and it was fantastic fun! Not that fast by today's standards, but there is so much more than to driving than power. Plus, I can drive it pretty much flat out everywhere without fear of losing my licence, something I couldn't do with my 147 GTA.
Yesterday I turned down the boost on my Volvo 850 T5, and I now prefer it. Less wasteful wheels pin in every gear and it is a nicer car to drive
Power is addictive but don't get hung up on it. Have a go in something like a Mk2 Golf or Clio 197. I guarantee you will have a massive grin on your face.
I was out in my Mk2 Golf GTI 16v today which is pretty much standard and it was fantastic fun! Not that fast by today's standards, but there is so much more than to driving than power. Plus, I can drive it pretty much flat out everywhere without fear of losing my licence, something I couldn't do with my 147 GTA.
Yesterday I turned down the boost on my Volvo 850 T5, and I now prefer it. Less wasteful wheels pin in every gear and it is a nicer car to drive
Power is addictive but don't get hung up on it. Have a go in something like a Mk2 Golf or Clio 197. I guarantee you will have a massive grin on your face.
In fact - further to this... my perfect garage would be a few big big horsepower cars with a few old school sub 150hp hatchbacks.
I have an old 98 Astra 1.4 that I occasionally use and it makes me laugh out loud as I race people flat out everywhere who have no idea they're racing.. brilliant fun and the only time anyone notices is when you attack roundabouts with comical lean angles and a dab of lift off over steer.
I have an old 98 Astra 1.4 that I occasionally use and it makes me laugh out loud as I race people flat out everywhere who have no idea they're racing.. brilliant fun and the only time anyone notices is when you attack roundabouts with comical lean angles and a dab of lift off over steer.
I think one of my issues is because on the complete lack of driving roads around here (Live in a very built up area of South London) I feel like I would enjoy the acceleration of something with decent power more than I'd ever enjoy the handling exploits of something else. Nearly Everytime I had a clear bit of road at a set of traffic lights I'd nail the throttle, even if it was just to 'enjoy' an increasingly short blast to 30/40MPH.
Either way its a waste and I will start doing more track days. I know a MX5 is better suited to this purpose, but I keep on telling myself that I could make a 90s modified 400BHP+ turbocharged old barge 'work' as an occasional track car.
Still after the right 'Best of both worlds' car which doesn't seem to exist anywhere near my budget
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Either way its a waste and I will start doing more track days. I know a MX5 is better suited to this purpose, but I keep on telling myself that I could make a 90s modified 400BHP+ turbocharged old barge 'work' as an occasional track car.
Still after the right 'Best of both worlds' car which doesn't seem to exist anywhere near my budget
.Hmmmm... I always found that as I "progressed" in my car history I actually ended up driving slower. With little engined cars with little power I was more inclined to keep my foot down a bit longer round bends ect, just so I didnt need to work it up to power again. But when I got a car with quicker acceleration I seemed to slow down for the corner a bit more as I probably had it in my brain that I can accelerate faster afterwards. :/
I suppose I'm a little believer of little is more... In the fact that I can probably take more advantage of a car who's hp I can handle more of, rather than something very powerful which I am probably unable to deliver the power as much. At the end of the day I'm not drag racing, or racing everywhere, what I'm doing is driving to commute and taking B roads for fun, and for UK B roads, something little is perfectly fine. + There's an extra added satisfaction of executing a good overtake in an underpowered car.
For me, something like a ITR would be more than enough. At this moment in my life anyway. Anything more powerful I would not even be able to unleash a quarter of its potential. Something like an ITR, which I'm trying to save for atm, is probably perfect for my B road blasts, feeling planted in the corners.
I suppose I'm a little believer of little is more... In the fact that I can probably take more advantage of a car who's hp I can handle more of, rather than something very powerful which I am probably unable to deliver the power as much. At the end of the day I'm not drag racing, or racing everywhere, what I'm doing is driving to commute and taking B roads for fun, and for UK B roads, something little is perfectly fine. + There's an extra added satisfaction of executing a good overtake in an underpowered car.
For me, something like a ITR would be more than enough. At this moment in my life anyway. Anything more powerful I would not even be able to unleash a quarter of its potential. Something like an ITR, which I'm trying to save for atm, is probably perfect for my B road blasts, feeling planted in the corners.
Jayho said:
For me, something like a ITR would be more than enough. At this moment in my life anyway. Anything more powerful I would not even be able to unleash a quarter of its potential. Something like an ITR, which I'm trying to save for atm, is probably perfect for my B road blasts, feeling planted in the corners.
Actually even an ITR you probably wont be able to use its full potential on the road. I had one, and if driven right, it is a ridiculously quick car which is more than capable of earning you a ban in a very short space of time. It is a superb car though and you'll love it.
The reality is though, even supposed "slow" cars like MX5s are more than capable of getting into ban territory. This talk of being able to drive an MX5 flat out everywhere without worrying your licence is nonsense. Mine was more than happy to go way north of a ton if needs must.
kambites said:
I've always found straight line acceleration rather... dull.
+1Driving in the UK is all about corners on B roads
- which means excess weight and suspension setup are your primary worries.
Driving elsewhere, particularly Germany, is all about
autobahn top speeds.
Power is nothing without control.
I'd view 300 BHP as basically pointless in the UK, 400 BHP
even more so.
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