Discussion
As still a spectator slowing getting sucked into the purchase, I wondered this morning when it was jetting with rain, how easy it is to drive the car sedately in such conditions. Eg if you just want to relax and go at Mondeo pace is it possible without full on concentration. Out here in north dorset the roads are not A1 and pretty windey with straights to get up the speed, is a V8 something that would just anoy if you just want a zombie run for once. I currently have an MGF and have gone through a few rear end twitches in my time, the wet drive is a totally different experience and I never push it, just sit back and enjoy the rain on the roof, glady watch the hatches go to it if they want. Is it a big factor in a beast, can you accidently blip the throttle on exiting a bend without even wanting to, such that it becomes a stressfull drive when the sky wets itself big time ?
Sounds a mincey question now I read it, but I know it crossed my mind in my very softer, soft top this morning.
Plum
Sounds a mincey question now I read it, but I know it crossed my mind in my very softer, soft top this morning.
Plum
The best drive i've ever had in my friend's (hopefully soon to be mine but there may be some problems 
) chim was on a wet, cold days with really dodgy conditions. Still hit massive speeds with the car feeling totally under control. They are amazing machines!
I want my chim!!!!!!
>> Edited by kenny320 on Friday 27th August 22:42
) chim was on a wet, cold days with really dodgy conditions. Still hit massive speeds with the car feeling totally under control. They are amazing machines! I want my chim!!!!!!
>> Edited by kenny320 on Friday 27th August 22:42
Driven mine in all conditions, even snow. Would never describe the driving experience as unpredictable. Its pretty clear what comes next if a rush of adrenaline overtakes control. If you carry too much speed into corners and brake hard at the last minute, or overindulge the loud pedal on the exit of a bend, roundabout or slip road, then chances are the back end's going to step out and bite you. But you learn the performance envelope (or ideally buy time with a professional performance skills driving coach) and then its down to the operator and control.
It's such an involving car to drive that even poodling along in traffic is great fun. The v8 burble is addictive but there's always plenty of other noises to listen out for (as these forums bear testimony!)
Go on, you know you want to and its a buyers market at the moment!
It's such an involving car to drive that even poodling along in traffic is great fun. The v8 burble is addictive but there's always plenty of other noises to listen out for (as these forums bear testimony!)
Go on, you know you want to and its a buyers market at the moment!
Gerrard said:
Driven mine in all conditions...
what he said!
Just like they said
I too came from a 1.8 VVC MGF into a Chim, after a short period of familiarisation you'll get the feel of it, it isn't as 'chuckable' as the MGF but the straight line acceleration more than makes up for it. Driving in snow isn't pleasant, to say the least, but rain was never a problem.
Never lost the back end when I had the Chim, managed to get a more than a few twitches in the MGF though! 
chim_girl said:Understatement! I once got caught in snow, and did a 180 at about 50mph by lifting off too sharply. Not at all pleasant travelling backwards at speed and watching the dropped jaws of the drivers behind!
driving in snow isn't pleasant
The car is fine in the wet though, as long as you are respectful. Beware especially wary of patchy damp conditions, and make sure you don't let the rears wear down anywhere near the limit. Any less than 3mm on SO2's is going to be a liability.
Overall you still need to be paying attention all the time. If you forget and plant your foot on a damp corner thinking you're driving your daily mondeo, etc, then bad things (or fun ) will happen.
On the odd occasion I have wished that I had a less demanding car... you know the scenario... you've been at work since 8am and its now 7pm, you haven't stopped for lunch, you just want to get home quickly and hassle-free cos you're really tired. Well, tough.
) will happen. On the odd occasion I have wished that I had a less demanding car... you know the scenario... you've been at work since 8am and its now 7pm, you haven't stopped for lunch, you just want to get home quickly and hassle-free cos you're really tired. Well, tough.
It's a powerful car and unlike most motors you can't go about squashing the loud pedal without thought, even on a dry day.
eg Hot sunny dry day. Parked up in Chim in a typical country car park. Went for a walk, returned and set off for home. On exit of car park applied lots of accel for some high g's only to end up in an instant facing sideways. Ooops
. I'd not accounted for the muddy puddles I had just rolled through on leaving car park.
Quick opposite lock and no harm done, luckily.
m4rk
www.markandlinda.co.uk
eg Hot sunny dry day. Parked up in Chim in a typical country car park. Went for a walk, returned and set off for home. On exit of car park applied lots of accel for some high g's only to end up in an instant facing sideways. Ooops
. I'd not accounted for the muddy puddles I had just rolled through on leaving car park. Quick opposite lock and no harm done, luckily.
m4rk
www.markandlinda.co.uk
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