Cars that made you change your driving style
Discussion
Generally my driving style is quite similar day to day. Normal pace for 95% of the time with the odd blast here and there.
However I can think of a few cars I've owned that completely changed that:
BMW 325i - This was my first car with any sort of power (192BHP IIRC). I regularly cruised at triple figure speeds on the motorway in it and looking back I'm surprised I didn't end up banned! It was probably more a case of getting excited by the power after my 1.2 Corsa but I found it very difficult to drive it slowly.
Renault Clio 172 - I had this about 10 years ago just before my first child was born. It was a tatty example to be fair, but I found myself driving like a complete knob everywhere and couldn't resist doing it so sensibly moved it on. By far not the quickest car I've owned but it just turned the demon on as soon as I put the key in the ignition.
Jaguar XJ8 - Complete opposite of the above. Lazy but fairly powerful engine for it's time. I had no interest in going quickly in that, I just wafted everywhere wincing at the MPG readout. It turned me into a 65 year old retiree the moment I was swallowed into that big leather chair.
MX5 - Not even a quick one (if such a thing exists.) It was the 1.6 model. I used to seek out B-roads and would just enjoy every corner regardless of what mood I was in, there was always a severe downchange when the NSL sign appeared.
i've driven hundreds of cars over the years and the one I own now is by far the most powerful, but on the whole I drive it like I would a Mondeo Diesel. I just find it interesting how a certain type of car can get under your skin and encourage a certain style of driving.
However I can think of a few cars I've owned that completely changed that:
BMW 325i - This was my first car with any sort of power (192BHP IIRC). I regularly cruised at triple figure speeds on the motorway in it and looking back I'm surprised I didn't end up banned! It was probably more a case of getting excited by the power after my 1.2 Corsa but I found it very difficult to drive it slowly.
Renault Clio 172 - I had this about 10 years ago just before my first child was born. It was a tatty example to be fair, but I found myself driving like a complete knob everywhere and couldn't resist doing it so sensibly moved it on. By far not the quickest car I've owned but it just turned the demon on as soon as I put the key in the ignition.
Jaguar XJ8 - Complete opposite of the above. Lazy but fairly powerful engine for it's time. I had no interest in going quickly in that, I just wafted everywhere wincing at the MPG readout. It turned me into a 65 year old retiree the moment I was swallowed into that big leather chair.
MX5 - Not even a quick one (if such a thing exists.) It was the 1.6 model. I used to seek out B-roads and would just enjoy every corner regardless of what mood I was in, there was always a severe downchange when the NSL sign appeared.
i've driven hundreds of cars over the years and the one I own now is by far the most powerful, but on the whole I drive it like I would a Mondeo Diesel. I just find it interesting how a certain type of car can get under your skin and encourage a certain style of driving.
All my petrol cars were naturally-aspirated (e.g. Polo GT, Polo G40, Corrado VR6, e34 M5, e86 Z4MC) and it's always been a point & squirt adventure, where you could brake late and accelerate hard out of bends.
My diesels were all turbos (e.g. Alfa 147 JTD with 105-115bhp, BMW e46 330D, BMW F31 320D) so are more about ensuring the car is prepared for the corner to carry more speed through.
I tried the top method with a Jag XJ6 3.2, but it suited the turbo-diesel method better.
My diesels were all turbos (e.g. Alfa 147 JTD with 105-115bhp, BMW e46 330D, BMW F31 320D) so are more about ensuring the car is prepared for the corner to carry more speed through.
I tried the top method with a Jag XJ6 3.2, but it suited the turbo-diesel method better.
MX5, encouraged fun but sensible progress. No real sliding about but relatively sharp and agile.
200SX, turned me in to a complete hooligan. It was far too easy to whip the arse out coming out of junctions or roundabouts. Sliproads were great fun. Surprised I didn't get caught doing any stupid things in that car.
335i, modified to around 400hp, effortlessly fast but not being an M car, doesn't overly suit being thrown around so was more rewarding driving smooth and fast but encouraged you to hit some really silly speeds.
Lexus GS300, I actively try to drive this as smooth as possible. Surprisingly fun to boot at as it sounds not too bad but feels like a floating armchair when you're cruising along. Spirited B-Road driving will result in sliding off the seat, drinks spilling in to the cupholders and generally not a nice experience.
200SX, turned me in to a complete hooligan. It was far too easy to whip the arse out coming out of junctions or roundabouts. Sliproads were great fun. Surprised I didn't get caught doing any stupid things in that car.
335i, modified to around 400hp, effortlessly fast but not being an M car, doesn't overly suit being thrown around so was more rewarding driving smooth and fast but encouraged you to hit some really silly speeds.
Lexus GS300, I actively try to drive this as smooth as possible. Surprisingly fun to boot at as it sounds not too bad but feels like a floating armchair when you're cruising along. Spirited B-Road driving will result in sliding off the seat, drinks spilling in to the cupholders and generally not a nice experience.
Everyone adapts to every car I suppose. I definitely drive each car differently depending on lots of factors.
My old 5-series estate has a very long wheelbase and a very slow steering box and all the gears are pretty long. I kind of drive it on the front end quite a lot. Avoid the downshift, roll into the corners quite fast, start winding the steering on pretty early, try to really maximise the corner radius and minimise the steering angle.
The other car which springs to mind is the Corsa I drove for a while. It was so joyless to drive that I just completely disengaged from the act of driving it. Just autopiloted it everywhere.
My old 5-series estate has a very long wheelbase and a very slow steering box and all the gears are pretty long. I kind of drive it on the front end quite a lot. Avoid the downshift, roll into the corners quite fast, start winding the steering on pretty early, try to really maximise the corner radius and minimise the steering angle.
The other car which springs to mind is the Corsa I drove for a while. It was so joyless to drive that I just completely disengaged from the act of driving it. Just autopiloted it everywhere.
MR2 Roadster, taught be to respect oversteer and wet weather. Drove hard in the dry but super careful in the wet.
2006 Zetec Fiesta 1.4, shed daily driver, drove it like I was being followed by the Kray twins everywhere I went.
Impreza WRX, strangely, given the power, I drive this slower than anything else I have owned. I do of course give it the beans on the right roads when its most fun, but as a rule, I tend to waft along in it. I think its more down to the fact it has the grunt when I want it and I don't feel the need to be hooning it everywhere.
2006 Zetec Fiesta 1.4, shed daily driver, drove it like I was being followed by the Kray twins everywhere I went.
Impreza WRX, strangely, given the power, I drive this slower than anything else I have owned. I do of course give it the beans on the right roads when its most fun, but as a rule, I tend to waft along in it. I think its more down to the fact it has the grunt when I want it and I don't feel the need to be hooning it everywhere.
Range Rover - enjoy the waft. Look for that hovercraft feel and watch the world go by. Relax.
Porsche Cayenne - ride too choppy for wafting, bought for commuting, driven like a rented vw golf.
Cars have personality and I think it’s a lot about the bond with the car - never liked the Porsche, so usually saw every flaw as a massive pain in the arse, wanted to get to the end of the journey as fast as possible. I love a Range Rover, so accept the niggles and am never in a desire to get the journey over with so I can get out.
My old firebird got raced down B Roads, when Inwas young, as young blokes race *anything* down their favourite backroads, but it was always happier ticking over on a motorway or cruising around town looking good.
Rental car? You’re gonna see what happens if you jam it in reverse at 40mph like Mad Max…
Same with bikes - loved my fireblade, so forgave the habit of flattening batteries and eating regulators, pampered it and rode it sympathetically. The KTM 950 that replaced it is a great bike, but hasn’t clicked in the same way, largely as I bought it as a project and it was a bigger job than expected to sort it, so that (and the hooligan nature of the bike) makes you ride it with all the care you’d take of a BMX you found in a skip. Makes you smile, but it makes you rude it differently.
Porsche Cayenne - ride too choppy for wafting, bought for commuting, driven like a rented vw golf.
Cars have personality and I think it’s a lot about the bond with the car - never liked the Porsche, so usually saw every flaw as a massive pain in the arse, wanted to get to the end of the journey as fast as possible. I love a Range Rover, so accept the niggles and am never in a desire to get the journey over with so I can get out.
My old firebird got raced down B Roads, when Inwas young, as young blokes race *anything* down their favourite backroads, but it was always happier ticking over on a motorway or cruising around town looking good.
Rental car? You’re gonna see what happens if you jam it in reverse at 40mph like Mad Max…
Same with bikes - loved my fireblade, so forgave the habit of flattening batteries and eating regulators, pampered it and rode it sympathetically. The KTM 950 that replaced it is a great bike, but hasn’t clicked in the same way, largely as I bought it as a project and it was a bigger job than expected to sort it, so that (and the hooligan nature of the bike) makes you ride it with all the care you’d take of a BMX you found in a skip. Makes you smile, but it makes you rude it differently.
I've gone from an i30N to an 11 year old Volvo XC90 D5.
My driving style hasn't just changed, it's transformed beyond recognition. And for every time I'm on a good bit of road and miss something that goes round corners properly, I'm on a busy, potholed, idiot and camera-ridden road thinking it's actually quite nice to just blend into the traffic and cruise in comfort.
I'm getting old.
My driving style hasn't just changed, it's transformed beyond recognition. And for every time I'm on a good bit of road and miss something that goes round corners properly, I'm on a busy, potholed, idiot and camera-ridden road thinking it's actually quite nice to just blend into the traffic and cruise in comfort.
I'm getting old.
I’m the opposite......
Wife has a 2015 VW Tiguan TDI140 with the 7 speed DSG. That car is driven harder compared to my own car........a 2007 Civic Type R.
I think the reason behind this is, in the Tiguan max torque and power are easily accessible. Peak power of 138 BHP is around 4000 RPM, with peak torque of 236 lb-ft from 1750 RPM. With the 7 speed DSG it’s just so easy to put your foot down and accelerate relatively quickly.
My Civic, however, develops 142 lb-ft at 5600 RPM and 201 BHP at 7800 RPM. Basically, unless you’ve got a clear road, there feels little point in flooring it. Especially as it develops around 120 BHP on the low profile cam (below VTEC engagement, 5400 RPM). However, when you can use all the rev. range it does feel more of an occasion.
It means I actually cruise more in the Civic and feel more relaxed compared to the Tiguan.
Hopefully that makes some sense.....
Wife has a 2015 VW Tiguan TDI140 with the 7 speed DSG. That car is driven harder compared to my own car........a 2007 Civic Type R.
I think the reason behind this is, in the Tiguan max torque and power are easily accessible. Peak power of 138 BHP is around 4000 RPM, with peak torque of 236 lb-ft from 1750 RPM. With the 7 speed DSG it’s just so easy to put your foot down and accelerate relatively quickly.
My Civic, however, develops 142 lb-ft at 5600 RPM and 201 BHP at 7800 RPM. Basically, unless you’ve got a clear road, there feels little point in flooring it. Especially as it develops around 120 BHP on the low profile cam (below VTEC engagement, 5400 RPM). However, when you can use all the rev. range it does feel more of an occasion.
It means I actually cruise more in the Civic and feel more relaxed compared to the Tiguan.
Hopefully that makes some sense.....
Surely you change your driving style to suit the characteristics of the vehicle in question....
I do find myself driving more leisurely (perhaps, slower) in more powerful cars as you have nothing to prove.
Feeble rented superminis, conversely, are thrashed to within an inch of their lives.
I do find myself driving more leisurely (perhaps, slower) in more powerful cars as you have nothing to prove.
Feeble rented superminis, conversely, are thrashed to within an inch of their lives.
Rod200SX said:
200SX, turned me in to a complete hooligan. It was far too easy to whip the arse out coming out of junctions or roundabouts. Sliproads were great fun. Surprised I didn't get caught doing any stupid things in that car.
I had a couple of them and, as I'd been reading too many Performance Car, I modded the second one into a sort of quasi track car. It was great at clipping apexes and going sideways but was otherwise really quite irritating in London traffic and useless on speed bumps.
Replaced in with my first C43 and sat back to let the V8 and autobox smooth everything away. It wasn't as good on b roads and roundabouts but way better for 95% of what I did.
mmm-five said:
All my petrol cars were naturally-aspirated (e.g. Polo GT, Polo G40, Corrado VR6, e34 M5, e86 Z4MC) and it's always been a point & squirt adventure, where you could brake late and accelerate hard out of bends.
My diesels were all turbos (e.g. Alfa 147 JTD with 105-115bhp, BMW e46 330D, BMW F31 320D) so are more about ensuring the car is prepared for the corner to carry more speed through.
I tried the top method with a Jag XJ6 3.2, but it suited the turbo-diesel method better.
Polo g40 supercharged surely? And I'd have thought point and squirt suits the big torque bang of the turbo diesels and you'd be more likely to carry speed through corners with an n/a? My diesels were all turbos (e.g. Alfa 147 JTD with 105-115bhp, BMW e46 330D, BMW F31 320D) so are more about ensuring the car is prepared for the corner to carry more speed through.
I tried the top method with a Jag XJ6 3.2, but it suited the turbo-diesel method better.
Yep. My 911 Turbo usually put me into wafting mode. I did drive it like a hooligan at times but the impressive torque just made me want to drive like a geriatric vicar. My new Caterham 420R, however, turns me into a monster. I find myself getting the back out at every possibly opportunity.
biggbn said:
Polo g40 supercharged surely? And I'd have thought point and squirt suits the big torque bang of the turbo diesels and you'd be more likely to carry speed through corners with an n/a?
Yes, was typing my car progression as I have many times before, and it just came out 
I find the turbo-diesels I've had don't respond very quickly to the accelerator (vs the NA/supercharged cars), so I have to keep the boost up through the corners with a bit of throttle...whereas with the others I can coast around the corner and get instant response when I hit the pedal.
Just a slightly different way of getting the response I want from exiting the corner and flooring the throttle.
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