What do you look for in a fun car?
Discussion
We all like/look for different things when it comes to cars. So what are your priorities when it comes to a car to have fun in?
I generally tend to like a bigger engine, but the problem with that is it brings extra weight to the table though. So do you go for a bigger engined heavier car, or do you prefer a smaller engine in a lighter car?
Also do you prefer an NA or a turbo/supercharged engine?, a manual or an auto?(or DCT), FWD/RWD or 4WD? Hydraulic or electric steering? Etc.
A lot of questions granted, but I just wanted to get an idea of your own personal preferences.
I guess that mostly I've gone with a preference of 6 cylinders or more for the engine(NA too), a manual gearbox with RWD(plus a LSD) and hydraulic steering. However to have all that...I have to compromise on the weight of the car though.
So what are your choices/priorities when it comes to a fun performance car?
I generally tend to like a bigger engine, but the problem with that is it brings extra weight to the table though. So do you go for a bigger engined heavier car, or do you prefer a smaller engine in a lighter car?
Also do you prefer an NA or a turbo/supercharged engine?, a manual or an auto?(or DCT), FWD/RWD or 4WD? Hydraulic or electric steering? Etc.
A lot of questions granted, but I just wanted to get an idea of your own personal preferences.
I guess that mostly I've gone with a preference of 6 cylinders or more for the engine(NA too), a manual gearbox with RWD(plus a LSD) and hydraulic steering. However to have all that...I have to compromise on the weight of the car though.
So what are your choices/priorities when it comes to a fun performance car?
I don't think I define "fun" by on-paper characteristics.
While it might sound counter-intuitive, I think predictability is and important part of a car being fun. I seem to like turbos, but I don't like sudden unpredictable boost. I don't mind a little bit of slidiness, but I don't like snap oversteer or sudden understeer. I don't like brakes that grab or are tricky to modulate.
Im not fussed about how many whatevers the engine has, or the suspension geometry.
While it might sound counter-intuitive, I think predictability is and important part of a car being fun. I seem to like turbos, but I don't like sudden unpredictable boost. I don't mind a little bit of slidiness, but I don't like snap oversteer or sudden understeer. I don't like brakes that grab or are tricky to modulate.
Im not fussed about how many whatevers the engine has, or the suspension geometry.
For me there's two elements of fun driving, and where you're driving makes a difference too.
If it's long drives or bigger open roads, I love a V8 with a lot of grunt. Can't beat a V8 noise and I enjoy the idea of a luxurious car that's quicker and makes a great sound.
By contrast, I like nippy, fairly light cars such as hot hatches. Living in a more rural area some of the roads are small with lots of bends so smaller cars are easier and fun. My daily car is a Saab 9-3 convertible.....diesel. But it makes 225bhp/320lbs-ft so makes for a surprisingly fun drive and more so on a nice day with the roof off. That said, I don't think I'm a changed person for driving a convertible, I wouldn't have to replace it with another convertible. It's just a fun bonus.
If it's long drives or bigger open roads, I love a V8 with a lot of grunt. Can't beat a V8 noise and I enjoy the idea of a luxurious car that's quicker and makes a great sound.
By contrast, I like nippy, fairly light cars such as hot hatches. Living in a more rural area some of the roads are small with lots of bends so smaller cars are easier and fun. My daily car is a Saab 9-3 convertible.....diesel. But it makes 225bhp/320lbs-ft so makes for a surprisingly fun drive and more so on a nice day with the roof off. That said, I don't think I'm a changed person for driving a convertible, I wouldn't have to replace it with another convertible. It's just a fun bonus.
KTMsm said:
Manual
RWD
LSD
Lightweight / Good feedback (generally the lighter the car the better the feedback)
More power then grip
Usability - ie it works well enough to use it every day (why I sold my Griffith and kept my supercharged MX5)
My Cerbera ticked a fair few of those boxes to be fair, however it definitely struggled on the usability bit as you allude to though. RWD
LSD
Lightweight / Good feedback (generally the lighter the car the better the feedback)
More power then grip
Usability - ie it works well enough to use it every day (why I sold my Griffith and kept my supercharged MX5)
AndySheff said:
I'm a sucker for a throaty/torquey V8, so American muscle tends to feature regularly in my garage. Even had a V10 
I've been a sucker for a throaty/torquey V8 since I was a kid too. However I've still not managed to tick the V8 Mustang box yet though sadly. My hat is off with the V10! 
I've never managed more than a V8 up to yet. Alex_225 said:
For me there's two elements of fun driving, and where you're driving makes a difference too.
If it's long drives or bigger open roads, I love a V8 with a lot of grunt. Can't beat a V8 noise and I enjoy the idea of a luxurious car that's quicker and makes a great sound.
By contrast, I like nippy, fairly light cars such as hot hatches. Living in a more rural area some of the roads are small with lots of bends so smaller cars are easier and fun. My daily car is a Saab 9-3 convertible.....diesel. But it makes 225bhp/320lbs-ft so makes for a surprisingly fun drive and more so on a nice day with the roof off. That said, I don't think I'm a changed person for driving a convertible, I wouldn't have to replace it with another convertible. It's just a fun bonus.
I really enjoyed the Cooper S to throw down the rural roads that are around me as well. If it's long drives or bigger open roads, I love a V8 with a lot of grunt. Can't beat a V8 noise and I enjoy the idea of a luxurious car that's quicker and makes a great sound.
By contrast, I like nippy, fairly light cars such as hot hatches. Living in a more rural area some of the roads are small with lots of bends so smaller cars are easier and fun. My daily car is a Saab 9-3 convertible.....diesel. But it makes 225bhp/320lbs-ft so makes for a surprisingly fun drive and more so on a nice day with the roof off. That said, I don't think I'm a changed person for driving a convertible, I wouldn't have to replace it with another convertible. It's just a fun bonus.
On the Convertible front, I do love how much more of the engine/exhaust that you can hear with them. However Convertibles/Roadsters do seem quite marmite for some people though.
There are many factors to this, so I think the way I would summarise it is communication.
Light and good steering can be one way of communicating, but so is the noise of a V8.
Speed is not fun, but sense (communication) of speed is. My AH sprite feels more fun that my old jag XE s, and a lot more fun than my 400bhp polestar.
This also reminds me of when I did one of those car experience things at Llandow track near me, which is a tight circuit. The instructor sitting in the elise, probaly on his break, was surprised that I chose that rather than some of the super cars and said so to me. I told him it was the right car for that track and he agreed and he gave me an extra lap or 2.
Light and good steering can be one way of communicating, but so is the noise of a V8.
Speed is not fun, but sense (communication) of speed is. My AH sprite feels more fun that my old jag XE s, and a lot more fun than my 400bhp polestar.
This also reminds me of when I did one of those car experience things at Llandow track near me, which is a tight circuit. The instructor sitting in the elise, probaly on his break, was surprised that I chose that rather than some of the super cars and said so to me. I told him it was the right car for that track and he agreed and he gave me an extra lap or 2.
For me, drive it, is it fun ?
Plus, can I properly afford it, and afford to maintain and/or fix it ? That’s a key thing for me, not being over extended to run something.
Can’t buy on performance figures or drive layout, like choosing a partner on height, weight and relative size of various bits.
Plus, can I properly afford it, and afford to maintain and/or fix it ? That’s a key thing for me, not being over extended to run something.
Can’t buy on performance figures or drive layout, like choosing a partner on height, weight and relative size of various bits.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff