(Never) Drive your heroes
Discussion
They say you should never meet drive your heroes. So...for those lucky enough to drive a car that you fondly worshipped as a youngster - what did you make of it?
I drove an F430 a few years back and found it fun but not 'wow' like everyone keeps saying a Ferrari is and should be (although not being my ultimate car, it's no question something most dream of). It had excellent handling, brakes really well, the noise was incredible - sure it put a smile on my face. However, I found it a bit "wafty" in the sense that it's a "hey look at me, im a big tart" way drifting on it's own cloud. It seemed like it was trying really hard to show off (by looks, noise, etc) rather than just getting on with the job at hand like the 911 Turbo did.
I went in to drive a 911 Turbo and F430, expecting the latter to leave the biggest impression. In reality the 911 was the true drivers car for me - the G forces, the planted rock solid feel. I wanted to hate it being yet another Porsche but I just couldn't, whereas the F430 did what it did like a fun rollercoaster and that was it - I wanted to try a different ride and not jump back in.
It doesn't have to be a supercar - a classic hot hatch (Cosworth) or latest coupe stories are more than welcome.
So...what did you (finally) drive and did it meet expectations?
I drove an F430 a few years back and found it fun but not 'wow' like everyone keeps saying a Ferrari is and should be (although not being my ultimate car, it's no question something most dream of). It had excellent handling, brakes really well, the noise was incredible - sure it put a smile on my face. However, I found it a bit "wafty" in the sense that it's a "hey look at me, im a big tart" way drifting on it's own cloud. It seemed like it was trying really hard to show off (by looks, noise, etc) rather than just getting on with the job at hand like the 911 Turbo did.
I went in to drive a 911 Turbo and F430, expecting the latter to leave the biggest impression. In reality the 911 was the true drivers car for me - the G forces, the planted rock solid feel. I wanted to hate it being yet another Porsche but I just couldn't, whereas the F430 did what it did like a fun rollercoaster and that was it - I wanted to try a different ride and not jump back in.
It doesn't have to be a supercar - a classic hot hatch (Cosworth) or latest coupe stories are more than welcome.
So...what did you (finally) drive and did it meet expectations?
Drove a Saab 900 T16 Aero I was interested in buying... as you say, never meet your heroes.
This particular example, in my opinion, was a dog. Clutch gone, gearbox soon to follow, interior needing a total refurb, including possibly having to source a new driver's seat, then the seller wants rich money for it. No thanks. Almost made me cry, I hope that the seller/new owner got it up to snuff in the end, since cars like that don't deserve it.
Looked in my local classifieds the other night and can I find one now? No chance... but I wasn't going to part with the cash he wanted in the condition it was in.
I sincerely hope to be taken out in a properly sorted one at some point to banish the memory.
This particular example, in my opinion, was a dog. Clutch gone, gearbox soon to follow, interior needing a total refurb, including possibly having to source a new driver's seat, then the seller wants rich money for it. No thanks. Almost made me cry, I hope that the seller/new owner got it up to snuff in the end, since cars like that don't deserve it.
Looked in my local classifieds the other night and can I find one now? No chance... but I wasn't going to part with the cash he wanted in the condition it was in.
I sincerely hope to be taken out in a properly sorted one at some point to banish the memory.
Anubis said:
They say you should never meet drive your heroes. So...for those lucky enough to drive a car that you fondly worshipped as a youngster - what did you make of it?
I drove an F430 a few years back and found it fun but not 'wow' like everyone keeps saying a Ferrari is and should be (although not being my ultimate car, it's no question something most dream of). It had excellent handling, brakes really well, the noise was incredible - sure it put a smile on my face. However, I found it a bit "wafty" in the sense that it's a "hey look at me, im a big tart" way drifting on it's own cloud. It seemed like it was trying really hard to show off (by looks, noise, etc) rather than just getting on with the job at hand like the 911 Turbo did.
I went in to drive a 911 Turbo and F430, expecting the latter to leave the biggest impression. In reality the 911 was the true drivers car for me - the G forces, the planted rock solid feel. I wanted to hate it being yet another Porsche but I just couldn't, whereas the F430 did what it did like a fun rollercoaster and that was it - I wanted to try a different ride and not jump back in.
It doesn't have to be a supercar - a classic hot hatch (Cosworth) or latest coupe stories are more than welcome.
So...what did you (finally) drive and did it meet expectations?
How long did you spend in the 430, took me a few months to really bond with it.I drove an F430 a few years back and found it fun but not 'wow' like everyone keeps saying a Ferrari is and should be (although not being my ultimate car, it's no question something most dream of). It had excellent handling, brakes really well, the noise was incredible - sure it put a smile on my face. However, I found it a bit "wafty" in the sense that it's a "hey look at me, im a big tart" way drifting on it's own cloud. It seemed like it was trying really hard to show off (by looks, noise, etc) rather than just getting on with the job at hand like the 911 Turbo did.
I went in to drive a 911 Turbo and F430, expecting the latter to leave the biggest impression. In reality the 911 was the true drivers car for me - the G forces, the planted rock solid feel. I wanted to hate it being yet another Porsche but I just couldn't, whereas the F430 did what it did like a fun rollercoaster and that was it - I wanted to try a different ride and not jump back in.
It doesn't have to be a supercar - a classic hot hatch (Cosworth) or latest coupe stories are more than welcome.
So...what did you (finally) drive and did it meet expectations?
John.
E60 M5.
After lusting over and eventually driving an E39 M5, I thought the E60 would be a million times better. I was amazed at the lack of torque, found the steering no better than a 535D, and absolutely hated the gearbox. It was hugely fast, obviously, but it missed the dual nature of its predecessor, which could do both the iron fist and the velvet glove.
E60 was all iron fist and nothing else. Fine for a trackday special, but for something you're going to drive every day? Nope, not for me.
After lusting over and eventually driving an E39 M5, I thought the E60 would be a million times better. I was amazed at the lack of torque, found the steering no better than a 535D, and absolutely hated the gearbox. It was hugely fast, obviously, but it missed the dual nature of its predecessor, which could do both the iron fist and the velvet glove.
E60 was all iron fist and nothing else. Fine for a trackday special, but for something you're going to drive every day? Nope, not for me.
Lamborghini murcielago lp640, unimpressed, s
t manual gearbox reminiscent of a truck, fairly quick, immense grip, but not a lot of 'feel'. Maybe would've been better with a few more days in it, but I gave it everything, absolutely ragged it, and thought I would've enjoyed it more and at the least scare myself - I didn't!
t manual gearbox reminiscent of a truck, fairly quick, immense grip, but not a lot of 'feel'. Maybe would've been better with a few more days in it, but I gave it everything, absolutely ragged it, and thought I would've enjoyed it more and at the least scare myself - I didn't!I wanted a UR Audi Quattro for years, my old boss had one in the early 90s and I wanted that car so badly at the time.
Fast forward to a couple of years ago and the very car I wanted all those years ago came up for sale, still immaculate, still as good looking as I remembered so I got the money ready to buy it but was sensible and had it for a test drive first.
I found it a bit gutless and laggy with vague feeling handling. Not impressed at all. I think years of driving more modern fast stuff had ruined it for me, I even gave it the benefit of the doubt and asked around with regard to speed and handling and was told by those in the know that there was nothing wrong with this car and its in tip top condition.
I didn't buy it and don't regret it but I drove my hero and was let down.
Fast forward to a couple of years ago and the very car I wanted all those years ago came up for sale, still immaculate, still as good looking as I remembered so I got the money ready to buy it but was sensible and had it for a test drive first.
I found it a bit gutless and laggy with vague feeling handling. Not impressed at all. I think years of driving more modern fast stuff had ruined it for me, I even gave it the benefit of the doubt and asked around with regard to speed and handling and was told by those in the know that there was nothing wrong with this car and its in tip top condition.
I didn't buy it and don't regret it but I drove my hero and was let down.
Evo 8'
I bought one when I was 21. Had always been the goal to get one when I was 21 and it exceeded my expectations. Ended up selling it not long after I bought it due to it being a toy and it spent most of its time sitting up the side of my house due to not having time for it
did 4k miles in it the 10 months I had it and I lust after another one for when I have more time to enjoy a toy
I bought one when I was 21. Had always been the goal to get one when I was 21 and it exceeded my expectations. Ended up selling it not long after I bought it due to it being a toy and it spent most of its time sitting up the side of my house due to not having time for it
did 4k miles in it the 10 months I had it and I lust after another one for when I have more time to enjoy a toy
I've always lusted after DB7's and a friend let me drive his; it felt older, slower and far less solid than my 1985 M635.
Another friend and I drove his Diablo and our Griffith 500 back to back and whilst every sense of the Diablo was epic, we both thought the Griff was the better ride and just as quick.
Another friend and I drove his Diablo and our Griffith 500 back to back and whilst every sense of the Diablo was epic, we both thought the Griff was the better ride and just as quick.
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