How much acceleration do you really need?

How much acceleration do you really need?

Author
Discussion

Porridge GTI

Original Poster:

300 posts

102 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2017
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I've been considering a new car. Looked at everything from an S500 to an RS3. Part of me wants luxury and comfort, part wants nimble and aggressive speed.

But I floored my GTI earlier (new tyres) and it shifted pretty well. Officially the 0-60 is something like 6.2s. I questioned what I'd ever do with a car that can do it in, say, 3.9s. I also wondered whether I'd scare myself and/or develop silly habits.

Anyone else been through this?

dxbtiger

4,389 posts

173 months

Wednesday 4th October 2017
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Mod the Golf?

Few bolt ons and an ECU flash will wake it up....

DubaiJohn

371 posts

186 months

Wednesday 4th October 2017
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Ah yes the quest for an ever quicker car is my one (ahem) failing.

Like you I started with a gti and through various other cars am in one that’ll do 60 in 3.0 secs.

To be honest I think I’ve probably satisfied that craving now and the next car will probably be something a little more practical.

However, a quick tune and those gtis definitely loosen up a bit.


Porridge GTI

Original Poster:

300 posts

102 months

Wednesday 4th October 2017
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I think a Lexus 460LS will do the trick.

6th Gear

3,563 posts

194 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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How about the new RS3?

Tests are quoting a zero to sixty mph figure of 3.7 seconds. Plus you have 4 doors and a decent sized boot.

It looks fairly understated too, which is a plus!

Weapon.

Porridge GTI

Original Poster:

300 posts

102 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
quotequote all
Yes the RS3 is difficult to discount - that rare blend of understated appearance and ferocious performance - yet it doesn't have the cachet of, say, an S500, nor the indulgent luxury.

Partly comes down to what you'll do with it. I'm hardly going to race others on my way to work but AD to Dubai and back in a day, for instance, would be great in a status barge.

Paracetamol

4,225 posts

244 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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if you mean the new shape s500, then we are talking totally effortless and sublime and with Mid 4 sec acceration.

I just bought a cls 400 . 60 in 5 secs and the torque makes it like a slingshot on the highway. The 500 doesn it in the early 4 secs.

My other car is 3.6 sec to 60 and sport mode is just stupid but still controllable.

shirt

22,568 posts

201 months

Friday 6th October 2017
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really can't see the appeal of hot hatch type cars on our roads. ok the price of new ones is remarkably low but then there are so many better options.

i used to like fast and frenetic but it just doesn't work in dubai and ends in frustration more often than not. you want big and wafty with a surfeit of power when you need it [lets face it, always in a straight line]. given its a buyers market for luxo barges its almost rude not to.

merc cl or a 6 series would be a nice compromise as would any AMG or M car. yank muscle also works in a way as they are built for cruising yet 6 litres of v8 is always going to get you out of trouble quickly.

Porridge GTI

Original Poster:

300 posts

102 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
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Maybe it's different in Dubai but Abu Dhabi is full of Golf GTI and Rs.

popeyewhite

19,875 posts

120 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
quotequote all
6th Gear said:
How about the new RS3?

Tests are quoting a zero to sixty mph figure of 3.7 seconds. Plus you have 4 doors and a decent sized boot.

It looks fairly understated too, which is a plus!

Weapon.
Most tests are getting 4- 4.1 secs (still quick enough!). It's only reasonably quick because of the Haldex and once at 70-80 will be left behind by truly fast cars.

shirt

22,568 posts

201 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
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Porridge GTI said:
Maybe it's different in Dubai but Abu Dhabi is full of Golf GTI and Rs.
No Dubai is the same.

Would you rather have:
http://tnydu.biz/DOvAV6

Or:
http://tnydu.biz/DOvIpn

A new mustang is cheaper than a new golf r. I just can't see the appeal of the latter.

Edited by shirt on Sunday 8th October 14:49

Porridge GTI

Original Poster:

300 posts

102 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
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The Golf R.

Paracetamol

4,225 posts

244 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
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BMW, Mustang and Golf..in that order

6th Gear

3,563 posts

194 months

Monday 9th October 2017
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popeyewhite said:
6th Gear said:
How about the new RS3?

Tests are quoting a zero to sixty mph figure of 3.7 seconds. Plus you have 4 doors and a decent sized boot.

It looks fairly understated too, which is a plus!

Weapon.
Most tests are getting 4- 4.1 secs (still quick enough!). It's only reasonably quick because of the Haldex and once at 70-80 will be left behind by truly fast cars.
Those are Audi's official figures. They are known to be conservative when quoting performance stats.

popeyewhite

19,875 posts

120 months

Monday 9th October 2017
quotequote all
6th Gear said:
popeyewhite said:
6th Gear said:
How about the new RS3?

Tests are quoting a zero to sixty mph figure of 3.7 seconds. Plus you have 4 doors and a decent sized boot.

It looks fairly understated too, which is a plus!

Weapon.
Most tests are getting 4- 4.1 secs (still quick enough!). It's only reasonably quick because of the Haldex and once at 70-80 will be left behind by truly fast cars.
Those are Audi's official figures. They are known to be conservative when quoting performance stats.
The figures I've quoted are road test figures. I'm not being disparaging about the Audi, in fact I couldn't really care less: my point was that it's only quick because of the Haldex system.

ct84

147 posts

122 months

Monday 9th October 2017
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popeyewhite said:
The figures I've quoted are road test figures. I'm not being disparaging about the Audi, in fact I couldn't really care less: my point was that it's only quick because of the Haldex system.
Not sure that's the ONLY reason the car is quick to be fair.

6th Gear

3,563 posts

194 months

Monday 9th October 2017
quotequote all
shirt said:
Porridge GTI said:
Maybe it's different in Dubai but Abu Dhabi is full of Golf GTI and Rs.
No Dubai is the same.

Would you rather have:
http://tnydu.biz/DOvAV6

Or:
http://tnydu.biz/DOvIpn

A new mustang is cheaper than a new golf r. I just can't see the appeal of the latter.

Edited by shirt on Sunday 8th October 14:49
I need to scratch the V8 muscle car itch.

My modded GTI has served me well over the last 5 years, but now I fancy something bigger.

Wait for the 2018 Mustang GT or buy the current model at discount? Or perhaps a Challenger SRT8?

popeyewhite

19,875 posts

120 months

Monday 9th October 2017
quotequote all
ct84 said:
Not sure that's the ONLY reason the car is quick to be fair.
How quick d'you think it would be with FWD?

shirt

22,568 posts

201 months

Monday 9th October 2017
quotequote all
6th Gear said:
I need to scratch the V8 muscle car itch.

My modded GTI has served me well over the last 5 years, but now I fancy something bigger.

Wait for the 2018 Mustang GT or buy the current model at discount? Or perhaps a Challenger SRT8?
It's nearly dsf time, see what discounts are available. a heavily discounted current model with the difference spent on wheels/power upgrades would be a good compromise.

Not sure about the challenger. I do want to like them but they are properly massive and more agricultural underneath than the mustang. Would be a better should for kid friendly transport mind and the hemi is an awesome engine.

Still can't fathom the golf r thing. Another look at dubizzle and youncould be In year old fully warrantied Cayman for the same cash. Purpose designed sports car or...?

ct84

147 posts

122 months

Monday 9th October 2017
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Not really a valid point is it, seeing as it isn't fwd