Are you a lazy driver?
Discussion
The reason I ask is I see many posts about how Type Rs lack torque and this and that car is slow and I heve generally found that you can punt any car as long as you drive it properly and use the gears.
You are, of course, always supposed to be in the right gear for any occasion so regular use of the gearbox is necessary for optimum vehicle acceleration, response and stability.
I suspect that diesels have made many people lazy with the gearbox and most now put a high gear and maximum economy above using the gearbox properly. When I had the Type R I couldn't stop using that amazing gearbox. The Mustang I tend to use less as it is a far less tactile experience and it has gobs of torque so most gears tend to be useful even if they aren't the optimum.
So hows's your driving?
You are, of course, always supposed to be in the right gear for any occasion so regular use of the gearbox is necessary for optimum vehicle acceleration, response and stability.
I suspect that diesels have made many people lazy with the gearbox and most now put a high gear and maximum economy above using the gearbox properly. When I had the Type R I couldn't stop using that amazing gearbox. The Mustang I tend to use less as it is a far less tactile experience and it has gobs of torque so most gears tend to be useful even if they aren't the optimum.
So hows's your driving?
Living in America has made me lazy. The M635 CSi feels quite peaky and sometimes I can't be bothered to change down and the little M88 engine doesn't handle it the way my old 928 5 litre V8 did.
On the other hand I don't know if this Euro spec car ever had the recall double valve spring upgrade so am in fear of it dropping a valve or breaking a spring until I find out- so I rarely rev it above 4500 rpm
On the other hand I don't know if this Euro spec car ever had the recall double valve spring upgrade so am in fear of it dropping a valve or breaking a spring until I find out- so I rarely rev it above 4500 rpm
Depends which car I'm in.
If I'm in my Integra then I'm dialled in to using all of the 8000rpm, keeping it in the VTEC zone and having fun whilst doing so.
If I'm in the automatic 540, then I'm the complete opposite and switch into torquey-barge-waft-mode without a second's thought.
I seem to prefer whichever car I'm in at the time
If I'm in my Integra then I'm dialled in to using all of the 8000rpm, keeping it in the VTEC zone and having fun whilst doing so.
If I'm in the automatic 540, then I'm the complete opposite and switch into torquey-barge-waft-mode without a second's thought.
I seem to prefer whichever car I'm in at the time
When I had my Integra, it was quite difficult to take it easy, I think that depended whether I had the standard exhaust or not.
When I had the non oem one I tended to rag around fair bit, but Integra’s aren’t too bad for lazy driving either. Only if you were travelling under 60 as the revs in 5th were really high.
When I had the non oem one I tended to rag around fair bit, but Integra’s aren’t too bad for lazy driving either. Only if you were travelling under 60 as the revs in 5th were really high.
I drive an Type R, so I too an frequently perplexed by the common gripes that people have with them, such as;
"No low rev torque" - I think it's got pretty good torque from low revs if you are in the right gear for the road speed, it also has a bit of a party trick above 5800rpm.
"I dont like using all the revs to make progress" - Not sure why you wouldnt want to rev that incredible engine to 8000rpm whenever you get a chance, but all the same, if you are in a turbo car you are probably using 2000-5500rpm band, shifting up 1000rpm before the redline, so you are still using the "useful" revs of the car to travel quickly.
Sure, the K20 is a bit more in your face than a muted turbo or a clattery diesel, particularly when you put a louder exhaust on it, but then they never marketed it as a sensible, calm drive anyway.
If I'm in traffic where I can't stretch it's legs much, I'll happily tootle in 6th, and it will still pull if I need it to, but if an opportunity presents itself, 2nd or 3rd gear is only a blipped shift away.
EDIT: Just noticed OP went from a Type R and has a Mustang now. Funnily enough, I also lust after Mustangs too - totally different to a Type R but I'd love one some day.
"No low rev torque" - I think it's got pretty good torque from low revs if you are in the right gear for the road speed, it also has a bit of a party trick above 5800rpm.
"I dont like using all the revs to make progress" - Not sure why you wouldnt want to rev that incredible engine to 8000rpm whenever you get a chance, but all the same, if you are in a turbo car you are probably using 2000-5500rpm band, shifting up 1000rpm before the redline, so you are still using the "useful" revs of the car to travel quickly.
Sure, the K20 is a bit more in your face than a muted turbo or a clattery diesel, particularly when you put a louder exhaust on it, but then they never marketed it as a sensible, calm drive anyway.
If I'm in traffic where I can't stretch it's legs much, I'll happily tootle in 6th, and it will still pull if I need it to, but if an opportunity presents itself, 2nd or 3rd gear is only a blipped shift away.
EDIT: Just noticed OP went from a Type R and has a Mustang now. Funnily enough, I also lust after Mustangs too - totally different to a Type R but I'd love one some day.
Edited by Mastodon2 on Tuesday 22 May 22:19
Mastodon2 said:
I drive an Type R, so I too an frequently perplexed by the common gripes that people have with them, such as;
"No low rev torque" - I think it's got pretty good torque from low revs if you are in the right gear for the road speed, it also has a bit of a party trick above 5800rpm.
"I dont like using all the revs to make progress" - Not sure why you wouldnt want to rev that incredible engine to 8000rpm whenever you get a chance, but all the same, if you are in a turbo car you are probably using 2000-5500rpm band, shifting up 1000rpm before the redline, so you are still using the "useful" revs of the car to travel quickly.
I usually put such comments down to people having to justify driving a diesel dullbox. See also "I get great mpg" type conversations. Their loss."No low rev torque" - I think it's got pretty good torque from low revs if you are in the right gear for the road speed, it also has a bit of a party trick above 5800rpm.
"I dont like using all the revs to make progress" - Not sure why you wouldnt want to rev that incredible engine to 8000rpm whenever you get a chance, but all the same, if you are in a turbo car you are probably using 2000-5500rpm band, shifting up 1000rpm before the redline, so you are still using the "useful" revs of the car to travel quickly.
Very lazy in my 5 series, its got hardly any power at 177bhp & i cant be bothered thrashing it to ultimately not go very fast anyway, but its a different story in my cerb i am quite happy to use the gearbox & blast by traffic when possible & i am alert & enjoy working it to have fun.
I just prefer power to be on tap rather than revving the backside off something to make it go, but different people enjoy different things, its each to their own.
I just prefer power to be on tap rather than revving the backside off something to make it go, but different people enjoy different things, its each to their own.
The Major said:
wtf, 177bhp an you think thats slow? try a 40-50 bhp bike, thats slow, almost the same power to weight as my s stroke 125.
do you also think that 220 bhp is too much for a fwd?
No i love the focus RS with 300bhp, just cant stand boring diesel 4 pots that in reality are garbage apart from saving fuel.do you also think that 220 bhp is too much for a fwd?
My Land Rover both prevents you from being lazy and tries to force you to be lazy at the same time - the complete lack of power and torque means that gearbox stirring on anything other than flat terrain is a given, but at the same time the lack of ratios( and the holes between them) means you are often frustrated by having to leave it in in too low or too high a gear
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