Downgrading - and I can't wait
Discussion
LocoCoco said:
I think what Welshbeef means is that you can have more fun in safer, new cars since you can tear it about at the limit knowing that if you crash, the airbags etc will save you. You have to drive older cars very slowly because the slightest bump could break your spine and that's no fun.
But the opposite is true as you are still subject to the laws of physics, specifically that for kinetic energy E = 0.5mV^2.Having fun in a modern car generally involves twice the speed of the same amount of fun in the old car, i.e. 4 times the impact energy.
Then tyres are bigger (more expensive = less fun to replace) and the car is heavier (heavier = less fun).
LocoCoco said:
I think what Welshbeef means is that you can have more fun in safer, new cars since you can tear it about at the limit knowing that if you crash, the airbags etc will save you. You have to drive older cars very slowly because the slightest bump could break your spine and that's no fun.
Yeah because that's how it works...Motorbikes are the most dangerous vehicles on the road and you always see them pootling along at 20mph.
Welshbeef said:
billzeebub said:
well don't crash then..what's the point in living if you can't feel alive?!..
That's great but what happens if someone crashes into you?? There is no way to stop that. You can make yourself safer sure but your more at risk in an older car. Welshbeef said:
billzeebub said:
well don't crash then..what's the point in living if you can't feel alive?!..
That's great but what happens if someone crashes into you?? There is no way to stop that. You can make yourself safer sure but your more at risk in an older car. What a very 'modern' viewpoint.
Crap cars are great.
I had an old Suzuki Alto courtesy car a while back and it was almost as much fun as the TVR I'd dropped off minutes beforehand - skinny tyres, unassisted steering, minimal weight but still too little power to pose a serious threat to your license. In the end I was quite glad to get rid of it, not because it was crap - although in quantifiable terms it was - but because I was driving everywhere like a 17 year old!
(Not that a mk2 GTi is remotely crap I hasten to add, but you can take the 'downgrading' idea to extremes and it still works...)
I had an old Suzuki Alto courtesy car a while back and it was almost as much fun as the TVR I'd dropped off minutes beforehand - skinny tyres, unassisted steering, minimal weight but still too little power to pose a serious threat to your license. In the end I was quite glad to get rid of it, not because it was crap - although in quantifiable terms it was - but because I was driving everywhere like a 17 year old!
(Not that a mk2 GTi is remotely crap I hasten to add, but you can take the 'downgrading' idea to extremes and it still works...)
I have 'downgraded' from a 2009 Mercedes CLK to a 1987 Golf GTi 16v and a 1993 Merc E280 estate. 2 cars for the same price as 3 months lease payments on the CLK.
Great decision OP, ignore the H&S idiots on here and leave them to talking about Renault Scenics on Mumsnet. This site was set up for people who enjoy their cars and the fun that can be had from driving, not NCAP ratings, CO2 emissions and mpg returns.
BTW I crashed a Mk2 Golf 13 years ago, hit by a bus then T-boned by a Rover 800. I didn't die (or suffer any injury at all for that matter).
Great decision OP, ignore the H&S idiots on here and leave them to talking about Renault Scenics on Mumsnet. This site was set up for people who enjoy their cars and the fun that can be had from driving, not NCAP ratings, CO2 emissions and mpg returns.
BTW I crashed a Mk2 Golf 13 years ago, hit by a bus then T-boned by a Rover 800. I didn't die (or suffer any injury at all for that matter).
rossmc88 said:
I drive a 1991 E30 318IS
Wouldn't want to crash in it, but your chances of crashing aren't that high if you are a good driver
The car is so much fun to drive it's unreal
A 318iS is one of the cars on my watch list! As well as being hailed as a 'baby M3' I'm told they're really quite economical?Wouldn't want to crash in it, but your chances of crashing aren't that high if you are a good driver
The car is so much fun to drive it's unreal
Good ones seem to be rapidly going up in price, though. Shame the four cylinder E36s aren't as interesting or as frugal.
eldar said:
So get rid of a fully depreciated fast and economical car and replace it with a depreciating car that will only be more economical if you drive miss daisy. You'll save £185 on VED.
True... but it's the Mrs daily driver so that argument doesn't wash when she basically just wants a new car....and the Clio ALWAYS needs work doing... and it's never seen a track as god intended.
I collected it tonight, probably paid a smidge over the odds but its a nice 120k car with only 3 owners and loads of receipts and had a new 2 litre 16v (£4k bill) installed 70k ago.
I last owned a similar car 12-15 yrs ago and this is in as good condition as that was, which is no mean feat.
It feels really light, strange as I also drive an MX5 which must be a similar weight. Its quick but 85mph feels fast whereas in modern cars 120 feels fast so its definitely a step in the right direction (ie the direction away from a ban / prison).
Its much more fun than the Leon (not hard TBH) and I'd happily turn up anywhere in it.
Overall I'm very pleased with it and after a little fettling I'm sure I'll end up keeping it for years.
I last owned a similar car 12-15 yrs ago and this is in as good condition as that was, which is no mean feat.
It feels really light, strange as I also drive an MX5 which must be a similar weight. Its quick but 85mph feels fast whereas in modern cars 120 feels fast so its definitely a step in the right direction (ie the direction away from a ban / prison).
Its much more fun than the Leon (not hard TBH) and I'd happily turn up anywhere in it.
Overall I'm very pleased with it and after a little fettling I'm sure I'll end up keeping it for years.
Welshbeef said:
I'm struggling to understand why so many are discarding safety? Do you carry loved ones in your car ?? Surely the safety of your child and partner wife is the most important thing - if not is selfish the nicest description that could be used for you?
You'll pleased to know that we're not all going to die in car crashes, we might get shot in the head for example.And technology is always improving, I take it in ten years time you'll be slagging off todays cars and mentioning how unsafe they are?
Just because some cars are safer than older equivalents doesn't mean that older ones are deathtraps.
I'm surprised you leave the house at all to be honest.....
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