Do you like cars that challenge?

[SidewaysSi]

I am sat here, waiting for the sun to burn off some of the wet weather before going for a blat and just beeen thinking - In general, do you like cars that challenge you as a driver? Cars that require more skill and concentration to get the best out of, particularly in inclement weather?

Or are cars that you can drive hard to their limits within your skill set more engaging and satisfying?

[vrooom]

I like my car to challenge. but it gonna have certain safety feature.. like ABS although I can live without it.

I like my car twitchy, rear wheel drive, mid engined.

[Willy Nilly]

On the road? Nope.

[Matt UK]

I like a fun car that makes you earn your satisfaction. But I want it to predictable and have wide operating margins.

[Dave Hedgehog]

as a daily driver no, hence nearly all my cars have been 4WD

as a weekend or track toy, then yes, i would only buy a RWD car for such duties

[scotty_d]

Had 3 tvrs so yes not in to PlayStation cars, I like go karting so tvrs are nice and raw for me.

[A900ss]

In my opinion modern cars are far too sanitised and it's very easy to drive them rediculouly quick with very little effort. My 5 series can be hustled down a B road at speeds that you would really notice if you were in an older car.

I like the sanitised feel for day to day drive and a 'rawer' feel for weekends and fun.

[adsvx220]

For a weekend blat I like a car where you have to work for the power. Not like these force fed engines where the power is there for everyone and is easy to find ;-) I like to ring the neck out of an n/a to find the power and having to keep the motor spinning!!!

Handling wise. For the road I like rear drive for a bit of fun but not too snatchy.

For the track it's a different story tail happy and quick!!

[DJRC]

It never occurs to me but then I never understood the TVRs are challenging thing either. They were always pussycats to me...unstressed torquey v8 up front, softish handling. Perfect. The Sag was different in being supremely capable upto and beyond rational speed. A car is only challenging if you are a twerp in your driving.

[hornetrider]

Be interesting to see if any of the flappy paddle lovers post in this thread...

[Dave Hedgehog]

hornetrider said:

Be interesting to see if any of the flappy paddle lovers post in this thread...

I did

[SidewaysSi]

Interesting stuff. I was in the Integra yesterday and given the wet roads, it gave so much confidence and with very predictable limits, I was able to drive it quickly and at times over the limit in complete safety. Great fun and hugely satisfying.

In contrast, I want a blat in the Elise this morning and am waiting for the roads to be drier. It is sharper and more focused, but I would probably be faster in the Honda. It's been a whilst since I had some driver training and think a few lessons maybe needed...

[kambites]

Yes, preferably while going as slowly as possible - I don't see the point in hugely fast cars with huge amounts of grip on the road.

[scotty_d]

DJRC said:

It never occurs to me but then I never understood the TVRs are challenging thing either. They were always pussycats to me...unstressed torquey v8 up front, softish handling. Perfect. The Sag was different in being supremely capable upto and beyond rational speed. A car is only challenging if you are a twerp in your driving.

On poor surfaces ( most British roads) it takes far more involvement to press on than any rep/rally rep/ hatch ect, makes you think and become more involved, so this is a challenge to me some times.

You are right lack of skill/knowledge will make driving very challenging for some.

Tvr them self are not challenging, but certain environmental conditions can make that a challenge.

[jamieduff1981]

Sometimes yes. Other times I don't want a difficult car but still demand a very well balanced RWD chassis.

I have always been indifferent to traction control etc. I'd just as happily not have it, however bump steer etc I'd prefer to be rid of for daily use.

[AnotherClarkey]

For me it is the road that provides the challenge - the car must be responsive and confidence-inspiring. If the actual operation of the car is demanding too much of my attention then that detracts from the enjoyment.

[HustleRussell]

I wouldn't want any car of mine to be over-tyred, over-assisted or overly numb in feel. That said, predictability is important to me- I wouldn't try to drive to the limit in anything that I felt might unexpectedly bite me on the arse. By that token I drive an old BMW.

[SEE YA]

I like cars that put a big smile on my face when I drive them.
The challenge is still having, the car in the first place in the current climate.

Edited by SEE YA on Sunday 19th January 11:13

[Captainawesome]

I've got an Evo IX which is ridiculously easy to drive insanely fast but I prefer driving the M3, particularly in the wet as you have to concentrate a lot more. The Evo is quite boring to drive at legal speeds as it will go around just about any corner with no drama whatsoever. It's fun but not as fun as a RWD.

[Captainawesome]

Dave Hedgehog said:

hornetrider said:

Be interesting to see if any of the flappy paddle lovers post in this thread...

I did

See my post above. Evo is manual and M3 is SMG. Again I find the SMG the more fun. All you flappy paddle haters are stuck in the dark ages.