Is anyone else finding it harder to drive for fun?
Discussion
Ive just got back from a 1 hour cross country spirited drive in my GT86. I had no destination in mind, just exploring the buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire countryside around where I live. I used to love drives like this on a Sunday but Im finding more often than not Im getting home afterwards feeling frustrated and wondering wether I really want or need to own a performance car any more.
My main frustration is that the roads around here are in such bad condition it makes driving slightly quickly both difficult and dangerous. Add to that the number of cyclists riding in huge packs and the amount of slow sunday drivers clogging up the back roads means its really hard to get a good uninterrupted flow going.
Im now seriously considering selling my car and buying something 'normal' and then maybe a motorbike for a bit of fun.
Anyone else finding themselves feeling the same?
My main frustration is that the roads around here are in such bad condition it makes driving slightly quickly both difficult and dangerous. Add to that the number of cyclists riding in huge packs and the amount of slow sunday drivers clogging up the back roads means its really hard to get a good uninterrupted flow going.
Im now seriously considering selling my car and buying something 'normal' and then maybe a motorbike for a bit of fun.
Anyone else finding themselves feeling the same?
No but then I live in wales where population is low and we have the black mountains.
I do agree with the performance element though, no matter what I’ve driven, nothing has been more fun than my fiesta ST. Not so much power you need to be doing 100 to have fun, small and light and feels like you’re going much faster than you are, lots of induction noise and just so fun.
I would have thought a GT86 would be the same, sounds like you’re in too built up an area to me.
I do agree with the performance element though, no matter what I’ve driven, nothing has been more fun than my fiesta ST. Not so much power you need to be doing 100 to have fun, small and light and feels like you’re going much faster than you are, lots of induction noise and just so fun.
I would have thought a GT86 would be the same, sounds like you’re in too built up an area to me.
I have been getting into that mindset for a few years, but getting the MR2 on the road has been a revelation. It's not a fast car, but, essentially, it's charming, engaging, revvy, and tactile. And it really handles. It's not fast enough to get into trouble in, and it seems not to be offensive to other road users, which is a welcome bonus. The fact that it's reliable, and cheap to run means it's a complete win win for me.
Cheap thrills, and currently the car I drive the most. Love the car, love the sense of freedom when I'm in it. It's a completely absorbing experience.
Cheap thrills, and currently the car I drive the most. Love the car, love the sense of freedom when I'm in it. It's a completely absorbing experience.
Turning Japanese said:
Ive just got back from a 1 hour cross country spirited drive in my GT86. I had no destination in mind, just exploring the buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire countryside around where I live. I used to love drives like this on a Sunday but Im finding more often than not Im getting home afterwards feeling frustrated and wondering wether I really want or need to own a performance car any more.
My main frustration is that the roads around here are in such bad condition it makes driving slightly quickly both difficult and dangerous. Add to that the number of cyclists riding in huge packs and the amount of slow sunday drivers clogging up the back roads means its really hard to get a good uninterrupted flow going.
Im now seriously considering selling my car and buying something 'normal' and then maybe a motorbike for a bit of fun.
Anyone else finding themselves feeling the same?
There are a bunch of us who meet up at the weekends, eclectic mix of cars generally. There are some stunning roads around that area, you need to get out early to avoid the older guys dawdling about but all is not lost. My main frustration is that the roads around here are in such bad condition it makes driving slightly quickly both difficult and dangerous. Add to that the number of cyclists riding in huge packs and the amount of slow sunday drivers clogging up the back roads means its really hard to get a good uninterrupted flow going.
Im now seriously considering selling my car and buying something 'normal' and then maybe a motorbike for a bit of fun.
Anyone else finding themselves feeling the same?
Nickbrapp said:
No but then I live in wales where population is low and we have the black mountains.
I do agree with the performance element though, no matter what I’ve driven, nothing has been more fun than my fiesta ST. Not so much power you need to be doing 100 to have fun, small and light and feels like you’re going much faster than you are, lots of induction noise and just so fun.
I would have thought a GT86 would be the same, sounds like you’re in too built up an area to me.
I’m in North Wales, the one thing you can say is that they keep the roads repaired. Often you see them doing a road up and think, why?, but much of it is preventative and pro-active. I am often tempted by an adventure type bike, but I’m getting a bit old to go back to bikes (dare I whisper it, I would like to try an electric bike)I do agree with the performance element though, no matter what I’ve driven, nothing has been more fun than my fiesta ST. Not so much power you need to be doing 100 to have fun, small and light and feels like you’re going much faster than you are, lots of induction noise and just so fun.
I would have thought a GT86 would be the same, sounds like you’re in too built up an area to me.
scorcher said:
Get up earlier and go out before everyone else have got put their beds.
Absolutely this. I was out from 9am today (so not even that early) around Berkshire / Oxfordshire and it was just excellent.Didn't get stuck behind anyone, lots of cyclists about but easy to go round them when the roads are quiet. I was back home by lunch and it was only the last 30 mins or so when it had started to get busy.
I have felt like this for a few years, it was a road trip to italy which made me realise how boring it is here now.
I have driven these local roads for over 20 years so boring anyway, add to that traffic, damaged roads, speeding being a crime comparable with murder and it does bore me a bit now.
I have a tvr tuscan which i didn't use for a good 3 years and have now got it all up running again, initially i was excited but again i find myself bored.
I dont know what to do, road trips to somewhere like italy aren't that easy, trackways i think are too much money once you take into account wear and tear etc.
I fantasise over getting something like an r8 or amg gt but then worry the car i have already got just sits there.
I have driven these local roads for over 20 years so boring anyway, add to that traffic, damaged roads, speeding being a crime comparable with murder and it does bore me a bit now.
I have a tvr tuscan which i didn't use for a good 3 years and have now got it all up running again, initially i was excited but again i find myself bored.
I dont know what to do, road trips to somewhere like italy aren't that easy, trackways i think are too much money once you take into account wear and tear etc.
I fantasise over getting something like an r8 or amg gt but then worry the car i have already got just sits there.
Cyclists are the biggest worry, there has always been slow drivers, but the number of cyclists hunting in packs despite Covid restrictions is ridiculous now. They are even out after dark dazzling everyone with bright LED lights that would be illegal on a car.
That said I still enjoy a good drive through the local area and the Dales, especially when I can exploit the limits of a 50 year old performance car.
That said I still enjoy a good drive through the local area and the Dales, especially when I can exploit the limits of a 50 year old performance car.
velocemitch said:
Cyclists are the biggest worry, there has always been slow drivers, but the number of cyclists hunting in packs despite Covid restrictions is ridiculous now. They are even out after dark dazzling everyone with bright LED lights that would be illegal on a car.
That said I still enjoy a good drive through the local area and the Dales, especially when I can exploit the limits of a 50 year old performance car.
That’s awesome That said I still enjoy a good drive through the local area and the Dales, especially when I can exploit the limits of a 50 year old performance car.
It has got more difficult. To be fair, the biggest issue round here is convoys of people dawdling behind a 42mph everywhere merchant. Rarely any intermediate gaps to overtake into.
Having said that, after a recent 4 week advanced driving course I am definitely having a lot of fun picking off random little overtakes. The kind that are completely safe, but annoy the 42mph brigade!
Having said that, after a recent 4 week advanced driving course I am definitely having a lot of fun picking off random little overtakes. The kind that are completely safe, but annoy the 42mph brigade!
velocemitch said:
Cyclists are the biggest worry, there has always been slow drivers, but the number of cyclists hunting in packs despite Covid restrictions is ridiculous now. They are even out after dark dazzling everyone with bright LED lights that would be illegal on a car.
Hunting in packs, ignoring COVID restrictions, going out at night, dazzling everyone. 
You'll tell us they don't even pay road tax in a minute.
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