My new car is a bit boring
Discussion
My Mk1 Audi TT 180 2WD auto gearbox died a couple of months ago and I'd been dailying the weekend car which was proving to be annoying and tiresome (especially for the neighbours if I got back late, I imagine - it's quite loud). So I decided I'd better get another quieter daily. I won't bore you with the details but it's a PHEV so it's great for coming home late as it's silent when I return.
Thing is, whilst the TT was no Caterham 7, it was surprisingly good and a great place to be in - almost felt like an event - even when driving through 20 zones, whereas my new car is really boring to drive. It's got a function where it stiffens up the steering wheel and adds a bit of fake noise to counter the quietness of the engine, but it's not really making any difference to my enjoyment. Actually, it's making zero difference to my enjoyment.
The only "fun" is hypermiling in a 20 zone however not only does that annoy the person behind me but it also is no longer interesting (and frankly saves pennies). As for the fake noise, it's a bit naff so I'm looking at turning that off.
So any suggestions as to how to make a modern car interesting? I like the fact that it's got an electric option from a money-saving perspective but tbh I'm probably going to drive it in normal mode and just use that function for traffic jams... maybe it's the EV bit that's boring - it's quick but it's still boring, especially in traffic.
I mean, it's the perfect car for getting around town or flying down the motorway. It's practical, comfy, quick. But when I get out at the end of a journey I feel a bit bored.
Maybe I need to put a sports exhaust on it. Maybe I need to hang fluffy dice from the rear view mirror. Maybe I need wooshing LED lighting. Maybe I need a pops n bangs remap. Maybe I need a 5D number plate and reflective windscreen film. Maybe I need a "Hoofy and Hoofette" sunstrip.
I dunno. I await your thoughts.
PS of course, it's fun on country roads, but what car isn't? The issue is on normal roads - the TT was still a great car to drive in 20 and 30 zones without breaking the speed limit.
Thing is, whilst the TT was no Caterham 7, it was surprisingly good and a great place to be in - almost felt like an event - even when driving through 20 zones, whereas my new car is really boring to drive. It's got a function where it stiffens up the steering wheel and adds a bit of fake noise to counter the quietness of the engine, but it's not really making any difference to my enjoyment. Actually, it's making zero difference to my enjoyment.
The only "fun" is hypermiling in a 20 zone however not only does that annoy the person behind me but it also is no longer interesting (and frankly saves pennies). As for the fake noise, it's a bit naff so I'm looking at turning that off.
So any suggestions as to how to make a modern car interesting? I like the fact that it's got an electric option from a money-saving perspective but tbh I'm probably going to drive it in normal mode and just use that function for traffic jams... maybe it's the EV bit that's boring - it's quick but it's still boring, especially in traffic.
I mean, it's the perfect car for getting around town or flying down the motorway. It's practical, comfy, quick. But when I get out at the end of a journey I feel a bit bored.
Maybe I need to put a sports exhaust on it. Maybe I need to hang fluffy dice from the rear view mirror. Maybe I need wooshing LED lighting. Maybe I need a pops n bangs remap. Maybe I need a 5D number plate and reflective windscreen film. Maybe I need a "Hoofy and Hoofette" sunstrip.
I dunno. I await your thoughts.
PS of course, it's fun on country roads, but what car isn't? The issue is on normal roads - the TT was still a great car to drive in 20 and 30 zones without breaking the speed limit.
Edited by Hoofy on Friday 27th March 09:50
Does a daily NEED to be fun or interesting to drive? Ideally yes. For me it's the sound and handling that make a car interesting rather than outright speed or acceleration. And for sound you need a good engine, ideally with 5 or more cylinders. I have one car with fewer than 6 and it's a very boring car. FWD Audi estate with the 200bhp TT engine. But FWD and nose heavy means it's no fun from a handling perspective. And the turbo muffles any induction noise. But it's a practical car and I don't have to do many miles in it, so it's fine. It costs me basically nothing to run.
LunarOne said:
Does a daily NEED to be fun or interesting to drive? Ideally yes. For me it's the sound and handling that make a car interesting rather than outright speed or acceleration. And for sound you need a good engine, ideally with 5 or more cylinders. I have one car with fewer than 6 and it's a very boring car. FWD Audi estate with the 200bhp TT engine. But FWD and nose heavy means it's no fun from a handling perspective. And the turbo muffles any induction noise. But it's a practical car and I don't have to do many miles in it, so it's fine. It costs me basically nothing to run.
Good question. I guess I've been spoilt in that I had a car that was "fun" or at least interesting whereas now the only word I can use is boring. The new car has a 1.4 turbo engine. I've been toying with putting a cone filter on it just for the noise, even if it makes no difference to performance. As a test, I took off the intake pipe and at higher revs I heard a sucking roar which was nice. Obviously, I can't do 6000rpm in a 20 zone even in first gear (I was testing it in a 40 zone) but with a cone, you can hear the induction roar even at low revs if you accelerate briskly. Maybe that is the answer to add some "fun" to my London driving.Oh, I suppose the other thing - life's too short to be driving a boring car through London traffic. I'm glad I didn't get an EV!
Edited by Hoofy on Friday 27th March 10:13
This is where the earlier TT excels; while ignoramuses go on about it being a 'hairdressers car' or not good to drive, they felt like an event to simply be in; the curve of the roof-line, the line of the windscreen and the interior trim design.
To your question, for an everyday carI increasingly appreciate technology and comfort rather than the need to be entertained by the driving experience. I found myself enjoying a rental hybrid Peugeot 3008 much more than I expected!
Without wishing to sound all Zen, maybe try to identify and appreciate your new car's qualities rather than comparing it to your previous more driver-focused car.
To your question, for an everyday carI increasingly appreciate technology and comfort rather than the need to be entertained by the driving experience. I found myself enjoying a rental hybrid Peugeot 3008 much more than I expected!
Without wishing to sound all Zen, maybe try to identify and appreciate your new car's qualities rather than comparing it to your previous more driver-focused car.
I'd say if you think it's boring and you don't like it, then sell it and buy something else.
Because no amount of fiddling with it will change your initial view of it. Now, you can take a car you do like, and fiddle with it so that you like it even more, but that is a different thing.
Basically, once you have decided you dont like it, you will never like it, not matter what. So get something else.
Because no amount of fiddling with it will change your initial view of it. Now, you can take a car you do like, and fiddle with it so that you like it even more, but that is a different thing.
Basically, once you have decided you dont like it, you will never like it, not matter what. So get something else.
Strange thread this. Why not say what this boring car actually is? Driving through London traffic at 20 mph is inherently boring from a driving perspective. So if you enjoyed it in your Audi TT then it must have been due to liking the ambience of the car. Maybe you just don’t like the way this mystery car looks, sounds or smells? Like sitting in a room decorated in a style you like vs one you don’t.
uktrailmonster said:
Strange thread this. Why not say what this boring car actually is? Driving through London traffic at 20 mph is inherently boring from a driving perspective. So if you enjoyed it in your Audi TT then it must have been due to liking the ambience of the car. Maybe you just don t like the way this mystery car looks, sounds or smells? Like sitting in a room decorated in a style you like vs one you don t.
You say "strange thread this" about any thread that isn't gushing about how wonderful EVs are. Why?SweptVolume said:
For me, the main way to enjoy travelling slowly is to have low power and a manual gearbox (ideally with short gears). An open top helps, too, as does good soundtrack, so all of those combined make me lean towards a Morgan Plus 8. The obvious daily driver 
You sayd that with tongue firmly in cheek but it's not a bad idea even if the bonnet is incredibly long. I'd probably go for an auto though. It would be a nice feeling on a summer's day rolling through London at 15-20.
brillomaster said:
What actually made your audi fun/interesting at 20mph? It can't have been the power or handling at that speed.
If i was just the noise, then yes, an intake and exhaust should help.
That's exactly my thinking - it can't have been the power or handling. Having a Tesla that can do 60 in 2 seconds doesn't make any difference when you're trundling along between 10 and 15mph.If i was just the noise, then yes, an intake and exhaust should help.
Maybe it is the noise. I suppose I could do the mods as it's not expensive and even if I'm wrong, opening things up on faster roads would be more interesting.
Robertb said:
This is where the earlier TT excels; while ignoramuses go on about it being a 'hairdressers car' or not good to drive, they felt like an event to simply be in; the curve of the roof-line, the line of the windscreen and the interior trim design.
To your question, for an everyday carI increasingly appreciate technology and comfort rather than the need to be entertained by the driving experience. I found myself enjoying a rental hybrid Peugeot 3008 much more than I expected!
Without wishing to sound all Zen, maybe try to identify and appreciate your new car's qualities rather than comparing it to your previous more driver-focused car.
You're right on all counts - I do appreciate it and in fact recommend it as a car; I can't fault it - it's just dull (it's a Mk7 Golf). It suits my needs perfectly. To your question, for an everyday carI increasingly appreciate technology and comfort rather than the need to be entertained by the driving experience. I found myself enjoying a rental hybrid Peugeot 3008 much more than I expected!
Without wishing to sound all Zen, maybe try to identify and appreciate your new car's qualities rather than comparing it to your previous more driver-focused car.
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
I have moved to a hybrid Lexus and its not as fun as my old car. However I drive it in a relaxed manner, enjoying the "bubble of luxury" feeling, the sound system and being fuel efficient.
I would just relax and let it do its EV thing.
Yes, I do. Blasting down the A3 to pick up something was a breeze. It's comfy and easy to drive. The TT felt kinda special to be in compared to this modern hatchback.I would just relax and let it do its EV thing.
snuffy said:
I'd say if you think it's boring and you don't like it, then sell it and buy something else.
Because no amount of fiddling with it will change your initial view of it. Now, you can take a car you do like, and fiddle with it so that you like it even more, but that is a different thing.
Basically, once you have decided you dont like it, you will never like it, not matter what. So get something else.
I've only had it a week. Because no amount of fiddling with it will change your initial view of it. Now, you can take a car you do like, and fiddle with it so that you like it even more, but that is a different thing.
Basically, once you have decided you dont like it, you will never like it, not matter what. So get something else.
Thing is, I don't dislike it. It's a fantastic car (hybrid mk7 Golf). I'd recommend it to anyone who needs to get about town or between towns. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. It's quick enough, practical enough, comfy enough, plays all the right music (
). But I just don't find the experience interesting.LunarOne said:
uktrailmonster said:
Strange thread this. Why not say what this boring car actually is? Driving through London traffic at 20 mph is inherently boring from a driving perspective. So if you enjoyed it in your Audi TT then it must have been due to liking the ambience of the car. Maybe you just don t like the way this mystery car looks, sounds or smells? Like sitting in a room decorated in a style you like vs one you don t.
You say "strange thread this" about any thread that isn't gushing about how wonderful EVs are. Why?
I'm trying to identify why.
Oh, also, I thought it'd make for a cud chewing Friday afternoon topic.
Hoofy said:
I've only had it a week.
Ah, but even so, you do seem to have already made your mind up. If you've only had it a week and your think it's boring now....I bought a car some years ago, one that most people would be amazed that I found boring. But I did. I only kept it 18 months, which is the least time I've kept a car. I looked at what I could do to make it better, and considered some mods to it, but in the end I decided I wanted something else. There was nothing really wrong with it, it just wasn't for me.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff