What is the reason for people wanting `very' powerful cars?
Discussion
I have been lucky enough to drive a number of powerful cars, most of them on tracks, but a few on public roads, and wondered what use they were, given that we have speed limits. cameras, often very dense traffic, and roads that are often, not in good condition.
I discovered I enjoyed a powerful car's acceleration far more than its (theoretical) top speed. For me going very fast, just means that the scenery going past the side windows is just a bit more blurry.
The nearest equivalence I can use to describe this, is when I am taking off in a helicopter, and transitioning from the hover into forward flight. The initial sense of acceleration, is what always floats my boat. But once that is over, and the aircraft is away from the ground, the sensation just sort of fades away.
After road drives on some powerful cars, with my right foot, and leg aching from trying to keep any weight OFF the loud pedal, I realized that for me, and least it would just be a license burner. I could behave myself for most of the time, but there would always be that Oh! b*ll*x moment, where I could not resist giving it a hefty stab with the right foot.
I remember a guy at a Porsche dealership telling me, that they used get lots of city trader types into their showroom, looking to spend their bonus money.
He said a week or so later, they often were back in the showroom trying to sell what they had just bought, back to the dealership. Of course they were happy to oblige, only not at the same price they had bought the car just a short time before.
I discovered I enjoyed a powerful car's acceleration far more than its (theoretical) top speed. For me going very fast, just means that the scenery going past the side windows is just a bit more blurry.
The nearest equivalence I can use to describe this, is when I am taking off in a helicopter, and transitioning from the hover into forward flight. The initial sense of acceleration, is what always floats my boat. But once that is over, and the aircraft is away from the ground, the sensation just sort of fades away.
After road drives on some powerful cars, with my right foot, and leg aching from trying to keep any weight OFF the loud pedal, I realized that for me, and least it would just be a license burner. I could behave myself for most of the time, but there would always be that Oh! b*ll*x moment, where I could not resist giving it a hefty stab with the right foot.
I remember a guy at a Porsche dealership telling me, that they used get lots of city trader types into their showroom, looking to spend their bonus money.
He said a week or so later, they often were back in the showroom trying to sell what they had just bought, back to the dealership. Of course they were happy to oblige, only not at the same price they had bought the car just a short time before.
Probably depends a lot on where you drive. If you spend your time in an urban environment, or on motorways, then you don't need much power at all.
If you live in a very open, quiet and rural county, you may find it easier to enjoy bigger power outputs.
Another factor is that 600hp in a 2000kg car isn't as ridiculous as it might seem, 450hp in a 1500kg doesn't seem outrageous? Very fast of course, but not to the point where it's 'too much for the road' etc.
If you live in a very open, quiet and rural county, you may find it easier to enjoy bigger power outputs.
Another factor is that 600hp in a 2000kg car isn't as ridiculous as it might seem, 450hp in a 1500kg doesn't seem outrageous? Very fast of course, but not to the point where it's 'too much for the road' etc.
wormus said:
My Monaro has over 800hp and rwd. If you poke it, it’ll spin the tyres in the dry at 60mph. Makes no sense but it’s lots of fun and superbike fast. Most of the time I just pootle about in it, listening to the V8. Why? Why not?
If it had 400bhp, what difference would it make to the fun? Is there a threshold where it changes from dull to fun? With 10bhp it'd be dull, so it's somewhere between the two! Genuinely asking/musing!BertBert said:
If it had 400bhp, what difference would it make to the fun? Is there a threshold where it changes from dull to fun? With 10bhp it'd be dull, so it's somewhere between the two! Genuinely asking/musing!
They came from the factory with 400hp, but with 1700kg to shift, performance is ok but not amazing. With 600+ it’s quick, and with 7-800 it’s “holy s
t”My 996 4S has a humble 320bhp. More than enough to get to illegal road speeds very quickly. More often than not speed is governed by road conditions, corners etc.
I can’t ever recall wishing it had more power.
I prefer having a car where I can use more of the performance, more of the time.
That said, I’d love a go in a GTR or perhaps a 12C. Pound for pound either must surely be the best value super quick cars.
I can’t ever recall wishing it had more power.
I prefer having a car where I can use more of the performance, more of the time.
That said, I’d love a go in a GTR or perhaps a 12C. Pound for pound either must surely be the best value super quick cars.
I definitely enjoy driving my Mac 570GT. To be fair, the power isn't the number one thing that I enjoy about it (that would be the steering) but the power is part of it.
[quote]
I discovered I enjoyed a powerful car's acceleration far more than its (theoretical) top speed. For me going very fast, just means that the scenery going past the side windows is just a bit more blurry.
The nearest equivalence I can use to describe this, is when I am taking off in a helicopter, and transitioning from the hover into forward flight. The initial sense of acceleration, is what always floats my boat. But once that is over, and the aircraft is away from the ground, the sensation just sort of fades away.
Yes, however the acceleration is also a function of power (and weight), so 'very' powerful cars accelerate harder. I enjoy punching out of bends on B-roads and then looking for the braking zone for the next bend.Pan Pan Pan said:
I have been lucky enough to drive a number of powerful cars, most of them on tracks, but a few on public roads, and wondered what use they were, given that we have speed limits. cameras, often very dense traffic, and roads that are often, not in good condition.
Generally I pick B-roads that aren't too busy to enjoy driving.[quote]
I discovered I enjoyed a powerful car's acceleration far more than its (theoretical) top speed. For me going very fast, just means that the scenery going past the side windows is just a bit more blurry.
The nearest equivalence I can use to describe this, is when I am taking off in a helicopter, and transitioning from the hover into forward flight. The initial sense of acceleration, is what always floats my boat. But once that is over, and the aircraft is away from the ground, the sensation just sort of fades away.
However I have also quite enjoyed the autobahn, when you get a break in the traffic.
[quote]
After road drives on some powerful cars, with my right foot, and leg aching from trying to keep any weight OFF the loud pedal, I realized that for me, and least it would just be a license burner. I could behave myself for most of the time, but there would always be that Oh! b*ll*x moment, where I could not resist giving it a hefty stab with the right foot.
[quote]
I remember a guy at a Porsche dealership telling me, that they used get lots of city trader types into their showroom, looking to spend their bonus money.
He said a week or so later, they often were back in the showroom trying to sell what they had just bought, back to the dealership. Of course they were happy to oblige, only not at the same price they had bought the car just a short time before.
I think I'd agree with you that if I had a car that was just really fast, I'd get bored. However as one facet of a supercar with great steering, handling, ride, and looks, it is also fun for it to have a really powerful engine.
cerb4.5lee said:
I personally like the control/flexibility I have in a faster car. You can only drive a slow car slow, whereas you can drive a fast car either fast or slow.
The secret to driving a slow car quickly is never to go slowly. LJKS, who regularly terrified passengers in small, slow cars.....biggbn said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I personally like the control/flexibility I have in a faster car. You can only drive a slow car slow, whereas you can drive a fast car either fast or slow.
The secret to driving a slow car quickly is never to go slowly. LJKS, who regularly terrified passengers in small, slow cars.....
That soon came to an abrupt end though, because I ended up wrapping it around a lamppost!
My Hellcat had 840lbft. It'd spin the wheels wherever, whenever. Standing burnouts were easy.
^all fun. Much fun. Driver with a stoopid grin, and that's the point.
But, GTM Libra c)850-900kg with 160bhp, and old tyres was more fun.
This isn't a pure power issue. It's what you do with it and how you enjoy it. It's also, often power to weight.
Then, it's power to the type of drive. Manual, paddles, auto.
How do you wish to enjoy it?
^all fun. Much fun. Driver with a stoopid grin, and that's the point.
But, GTM Libra c)850-900kg with 160bhp, and old tyres was more fun.
This isn't a pure power issue. It's what you do with it and how you enjoy it. It's also, often power to weight.
Then, it's power to the type of drive. Manual, paddles, auto.
How do you wish to enjoy it?
MCSV8 said:
Agree entirely with SFTW above.
My Jaguar XJ Supersport (500bhp) is a very pleasant place to be and it goes like stink when required.
Used for epic adventures and mundane urban commuting.
Road tax is a bit annoying, though - more than the insurance
My 370Z is like that too, and the tax is more than double the insurance. My Jaguar XJ Supersport (500bhp) is a very pleasant place to be and it goes like stink when required.
Used for epic adventures and mundane urban commuting.
Road tax is a bit annoying, though - more than the insurance
Robertb said:
My 996 4S has a humble 320bhp. More than enough to get to illegal road speeds very quickly. More often than not speed is governed by road conditions, corners etc.
I can’t ever recall wishing it had more power.
I prefer having a car where I can use more of the performance, more of the time.
That said, I’d love a go in a GTR or perhaps a 12C. Pound for pound either must surely be the best value super quick cars.
Wife has a 996 turbo x50 , it’s been fiddled with and tuned to 700hp. Quite frankly the thing is scary even in the dry let alone the wet. I can’t ever recall wishing it had more power.
I prefer having a car where I can use more of the performance, more of the time.
That said, I’d love a go in a GTR or perhaps a 12C. Pound for pound either must surely be the best value super quick cars.
I really don’t see the point in it. 350 would be ample. Having said that the shove in the back is addictive and does come in handy when overtaking.
I used to always own the cooking version of whatever model it was at the time
RS3, RS4, M3 (All genres except current) GTE, GSI, RS, Turbo etc etc but these days I just can't be arsed
I feel like I'm in limbo...the current ICE cars are feeling old news but there's nothing on the EV front yet that makes me want to buy.
I do wonder now what is the point of a very powerful car as I can count on 1 hand the times yiu actually get chance to enjoy
The roads are a different, more congested and (rightly so) more speed governed environment than the good old days
Getting old I reckon
RS3, RS4, M3 (All genres except current) GTE, GSI, RS, Turbo etc etc but these days I just can't be arsed
I feel like I'm in limbo...the current ICE cars are feeling old news but there's nothing on the EV front yet that makes me want to buy.
I do wonder now what is the point of a very powerful car as I can count on 1 hand the times yiu actually get chance to enjoy
The roads are a different, more congested and (rightly so) more speed governed environment than the good old days
Getting old I reckon
I bought an Audi S5 last year (B9 version, '18 plate) which has around 350bhp. I've often been driving and seen RS5s etc and wondered what on earth I'd do with another 100bhp+ on tap; the S5 sounds fab, gets off the line plenty rapidly and I'm yet to find myself yearning for more go than it already provides. In fact when most other people are pootling along eking out battery life or fuel, the way the S5 can pile on speed feels a bit naughty already. It's noticeably quicker than the Golf R (306bhp) and BMW 840i GC (340bhp) that preceded it. Obviously the Golf was 50bhp down and the 840i GC was a chunkier thing overall but I really think 350-400bhp is more than sufficient for daily driving...
With 700, 800+ I just can't see where you'd use it.
With 700, 800+ I just can't see where you'd use it.
Edited by Funk on Sunday 3rd March 22:43
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