The love of driving.

[RedAlfa]

My greatest driving experience was in a Datsun 120Y, with plastic bags for side windows, a screw driver for a door handle, and a liberal coating of rust

[drivin_me_nuts]

As i've got older I tend to find that the fast and the furious is not for me. What has developed is more the passion for great engineering. For me, there is something very satisfying about owning and driving something is well made and designed for purpose. So what if it's an MX5,an Aston or a tatty old £200 shed long past it's best, it's that thrill I get from design and the thought that someone somewhere paid great attention to that strut, that curve, that weld, that setup.

I will never be a great driver, but for me, the thill of driving is trying to get it right, trying to get the best out of the drive, the car, the moment. It's not for me about racing line or fastest speed, it's how it makes me feel when I step out, lock the door and before I step in to my house, turn around and have a look back. If it makes me smile, then that's good enough.

[Rawwr]

2thumbs said:

Ignoring peoples perceptions, do 'you' have to like how 'your' car looks? Would you buy a car that you considered ugly or obscure?

I bought a 340R, which looks like someone had thrown trowels into a cow pat. I also own a Ford Ka. What do you think?

[y2blade]

Rawwr said:

2thumbs said:

Ignoring peoples perceptions, do 'you' have to like how 'your' car looks? Would you buy a car that you considered ugly or obscure?

I bought a 340R, which looks like someone had thrown trowels into a cow pat. I also own a Ford Ka. What do you think?

I had a Ka too...cracking little car to chuck about (mine had 3 engines while I had it though )

[2thumbs]

otolith said:

That's because it is mostly owners of German brands who immediately dismiss anything which doesn't conform to the values of those brands as worthless.

Really though? I've yet to see it.

[y2blade]

2thumbs said:

otolith said:

That's because it is mostly owners of German brands who immediately dismiss anything which doesn't conform to the values of those brands as worthless.

Really though? I've yet to see it.

Me neither, and I've been here a while.

[otolith]

2thumbs said:

otolith said:

That's because it is mostly owners of German brands who immediately dismiss anything which doesn't conform to the values of those brands as worthless.

Really though? I've yet to see it.

Have a look at the many GT86/BRZ threads, for instance, see who is most dismissive about the styling or not getting the point of it, then look at what they drive. Have a look at historical Lotus threads, where people who prefer plush interiors and doors that clunk can't get their heads round why anyone would rather have low weight.

[2thumbs]

Rawwr said:

I bought a 340R, which looks like someone had thrown trowels into a cow pat. I also own a Ford Ka. What do you think?

The 340r is a fantastic looking machine! I also like how the Ford Ka looks

[2thumbs]

otolith said:

2thumbs said:

otolith said:

That's because it is mostly owners of German brands who immediately dismiss anything which doesn't conform to the values of those brands as worthless.

Really though? I've yet to see it.

Have a look at the many GT86/BRZ threads, for instance, see who is most dismissive about the styling or not getting the point of it, then look at what they drive. Have a look at historical Lotus threads, where people who prefer plush interiors and doors that clunk can't get their heads round why anyone would rather have low weight.

It is all subjective though isn't it? they like what they like, you like what you like. Everyone has things they don't like or don't get. Even you.

Are you sure you aren't just choosing to make an example of German car owners because you don't like their choice yourself? In effect doing what you are accusing them of doing?

Edited by 2thumbs on Thursday 9th February 11:23

[otolith]

2thumbs said:

It is all subjective though isn't it? they like what they like, you like what you like. Everyone has things they don't like or don't get. Even you.

Are you sure you aren't just choosing to make an example of German car owners because you don't like their choice yourself? In effect doing what you are accusing them of doing?

I don't think so, no. For instance, I found that the Porsche 911 really wasn't my kind of car, but I didn't say it was "crap" because I don't think it is.

[2thumbs]

y2blade said:

I had a Ka too...cracking little car to chuck about (mine had 3 engines while I had it though )

They are superb little cars. I'm actively searching for a Mk3 Fiesta, basically the same under the skin. I want a nice tidy one for daily duties but one that I will look after. I just love em!
There's liking a car, but I'll put money on me being the only petrol head who desires such a thing

[CHIEF]

drivin_me_nuts said:

I will never be a great driver, but for me, the thill of driving is trying to get it right, trying to get the best out of the drive, the car, the moment. It's not for me about racing line or fastest speed, it's how it makes me feel when I step out, lock the door and before I step in to my house, turn around and have a look back. If it makes me smile, then that's good enough.

This + 1000

Going back to peoples thoughts on looks, I've never owned a pretty car, In fact the Subaru I owned (see my profile) in some peoples eyes are described as quite ugly, even myself I wouldn't describe it as a pretty car - Purposeful? Possibly but not at all pretty and i'm sure a lot of people will agree with me on that but it made me smile every time i drove it.

[Rawwr]

drivin_me_nuts said:

I will never be a great driver, but for me, the thill of driving is trying to get it right, trying to get the best out of the drive, the car, the moment. It's not for me about racing line or fastest speed, it's how it makes me feel when I step out, lock the door and before I step in to my house, turn around and have a look back. If it makes me smile, then that's good enough.

I'd rather drive a 200bhp at 90% than a 400bhp car at 50%, and even driving most 200bhp cars at 90% takes some proper effort and commitment, even on tracks or airfields.

This is why I don't really believe, barring extreme circumstances, that there's such a thing as an underpowered car.

[2thumbs]

CHIEF said:

This + 1000

Going back to peoples thoughts on looks, I've never owned a pretty car, In fact the Subaru I owned (see my profile) in some peoples eyes are described as quite ugly, even myself I wouldn't describe it as a pretty car - Purposeful? Possibly but not at all pretty and i'm sure a lot of people will agree with me on that but it made me smile every time i drove it.

Do you actually 'like' the look of the Subaru though? I think they look good. Like you say, not pretty or curvy, but still somehow pleasing to the eye.

[NotDave]

Rawwr said:

I'd rather drive a 200bhp at 90% than a 400bhp car at 50%, and even driving most 200bhp cars at 90% takes some proper effort and commitment, even on tracks or airfields.

This is why I don't really believe, barring extreme circumstances, that there's such a thing as an underpowered car.

Agree.


360bhp and 370lb/ft of torque spent majority of it's life being dormant on the drive or pootling at 30% throttle.


144bhp/fwd gets thrashed senseless as soon as out the town, and into the sticks. Far far slower, but more rev-happy and far more fun.

[CHIEF]

2thumbs said:

Do you actually 'like' the look of the Subaru though? I think they look good. Like you say, not pretty or curvy, but still somehow pleasing to the eye.

In 'MY' eyes it looked pleasing and purposeful - Purposeful because i knew what it could do.

I only ever had one person get excited about the looks of it and that was an 8 year old stood with his mum outside my local newsagents because in his eyes a Subaru was the fastest car in the world.

A couple of my mates said mine looked good because it was not over the top but i'd refrain from calling it a stunning and maybe not even a good looking car.
I dont know you tell me.....



I love the looks of the latest Focus RS, Its not stunning nor pretty but aggressive and purposeful because i know underneath it goes like a bat out of hell.

Whilst i can appreciate a cars design and i actually like the looks of certain modern cars, i.e VW Scirocco, Peugeot RCZ, Jag XKR for me whats more important is how it drives and feels but again that appreciation can differ dependent on the car in question, wether thats wafting round in an old Jag XJ Saloon thats been picked up for a grand or some 500 quid underpowered shopping car.

All cars in their own different way have offered me something that I liked about them.

[MC Bodge]

I enjoy controlling things with wheels. It doesn't even need an engine.

Exploiting the handling characteristics (changing as it is filled) of the Sainsburys shopping trolley is satisfying.

[WeirdNeville]

MC Bodge said:

I enjoy controlling things with wheels. It doesn't even need an engine.

Exploiting the handling characteristics (changing as it is filled) of the Sainsburys shopping trolley is satisfying.

He he! You can make them front or rear engined depending on where you put the juice cartons, then it depends if it has fixed back wheels or not as to whether it's an oversteering monster or a understeering pig!