Engine, or driving dynamics?
Discussion
Morning.
I've just been out for a nice quiet morning drive on some great Suffolk roads in my Megane RS265. I had an absolute blast and it's times like this I remember why I purchased the car in the first place. It's driving dynamics. It's darty, fun, quick enough and handles beautifully. The engine, while punchy and keen, definitely isn't the last word in refined. Afterall, the engine code is F4RT, and it sounds like one.
My previous car, a 2.5 Focus St drove well, but it wasn't a touch on the Megane dynamically. But I enjoyed it for different reasons, the engine. It was the focal point of the car.
It got me thinking, what's more important to other PH'ers? The way a car handles, the way it feels to drive through the twisty stuff, or the fact you know you have a beautiful sounding engine under the bonnet? Some people are lucky enough to afford a car that has both... Gits!
Over to you...
I've just been out for a nice quiet morning drive on some great Suffolk roads in my Megane RS265. I had an absolute blast and it's times like this I remember why I purchased the car in the first place. It's driving dynamics. It's darty, fun, quick enough and handles beautifully. The engine, while punchy and keen, definitely isn't the last word in refined. Afterall, the engine code is F4RT, and it sounds like one.
My previous car, a 2.5 Focus St drove well, but it wasn't a touch on the Megane dynamically. But I enjoyed it for different reasons, the engine. It was the focal point of the car.
It got me thinking, what's more important to other PH'ers? The way a car handles, the way it feels to drive through the twisty stuff, or the fact you know you have a beautiful sounding engine under the bonnet? Some people are lucky enough to afford a car that has both... Gits!
Over to you...
I am extremely fortunate in that I (sort of) have both, but not in the same car. The M6 has the engine and good dynamics, but it is no Elise. The way it sounds as it climbs the rev range, as well as the way that it kicks harder above 6krpm is a great reminder of why I bought it.
The MGB has the lightweight, small footprint and analogue feel that makes it so much fun out on county B roads, but the engine is far from inspiring in any characteristic. Every one of its remaining HP is put to work just to keep up with traffic. I suspect it's broken, but it is so much fun.
To be honest, the Giulietta does sit nicely between them as it is very secure and comfortable being driven quickly. It's not exactly a hot hatch with only 170hp and soft suspension, but it can hustle when needed and seems to resist understeer very well.
The MGB has the lightweight, small footprint and analogue feel that makes it so much fun out on county B roads, but the engine is far from inspiring in any characteristic. Every one of its remaining HP is put to work just to keep up with traffic. I suspect it's broken, but it is so much fun.
To be honest, the Giulietta does sit nicely between them as it is very secure and comfortable being driven quickly. It's not exactly a hot hatch with only 170hp and soft suspension, but it can hustle when needed and seems to resist understeer very well.
I’ve always been more of an engine person (Golf VR6, Civic VTI and BMW 130i to give some examples over the past couple of decades). I do sometimes wonder whether I have my priorities wrong. Probably the most fun car I owned was a Mk2 Golf Gti when I was 20, and the engine certainly wasn’t the star of the show.
I tend to go for both when it comes to my fun cars. I would take the older flat six cayman over the newer 4 pot for example.
My Daily is a Mk3 ST Estate and the engine is pretty dull (the plumbed in noise does it no favors) but I thought an S4 estate would be a bit heavy on the wallet so comprimised. I imagine the ST handles a lot better than the Audi too in the twisty bits.
My Daily is a Mk3 ST Estate and the engine is pretty dull (the plumbed in noise does it no favors) but I thought an S4 estate would be a bit heavy on the wallet so comprimised. I imagine the ST handles a lot better than the Audi too in the twisty bits.
I'm shaping up to buy an F32 BMW 440i. It won't be the most agile car by any stretch of the imagination but the inline six sounds lovely and it'll eat miles effortlessly. I work on the principle that my opportunities to "drive it like I stole it" are far and few between, but my opportunity to enjoy a refined, smooth and gorgeous sounding engine is every time I use the car. Plus, the driving dynamics of a 440i are still great for a car of its size and class, even though it'll obviously be no Elise!
Forums | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff